The number of young children with early childhood caries (ECC) who sought treatment at emergency departments (EDs) and ambulatory surgery facilities (ASFs) in New York state rose sharply between 2004 and 2008, and the costs of treating them nearly doubled, according to a new study in the Journal of the American Dental Association (January 2012, Vol. 143:1, pp. 59-65). Using data from the New York State Department of Health’s Statewide
Mydent International is donating several of its products to ADA’s Give Kids A Smile (GKAS) program for an event that will take place on February 3. The products include Marvy Masque cone face masks, which are designed with four characters: dog, clown, rabbit, and cat. The company is also donating bubblegum flavor Defend+Plus prophy paste, gloves, barrier products, patient bibs, cups, sponges, and cotton rolls. The donation effort was initiated
School-based fluoride mouth rinse (FMR) programs offer substantial caries-prevention benefits to children in high-risk schools over the long term, according to a study in the Journal of Dental Research (December 27, 2011). The benefits to children attending low-risk schools in North Carolina, where the study was conducted, were considerably less, according to the study authors. High-risk students who participated in an FMR program over five to six years had a
A Billings, MT, dentist who has worked with the underserved was disciplined and fined $4,000 for writing prescriptions for a colleague’s patients, according to a news story in the Billings Gazette. Joseph P. Thomas, DDS, 57, wrote prescriptions for antibiotics and Vicodin between May 2010 and August 2012 for an oral surgeon who had lost his controlled substance privileges. In March 2010, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) suspended the oral
The VELscope Vx oral cancer detection system from LED Dental will be featured on “The Doctors” television show on January 11. The theme of the show is “Twelve Tricks to Save Your Life in 2012,” according to the company. This is not the first time the VELscope has been on TV. In 2011, “The Dr. Oz Show” demonstrated the VELscope’s ability to help dentists detect oral cancer at early stages.
Cone-beam CT (CBCT) is an “ideal” alternative to periapical radiographs for diagnosing root fractures, according to a new study in Dentomaxillofacial Radiology (January 9, 2012). Researchers from Guilan University of Medical Science in Iran compared conventional periapical radiographs and CBCT images of 10 cases, each with a suspected diagnosis of root fracture. The cases were evaluated in accordance with a pre-established scoring system by a maxillofacial radiologist who was unaware
A New Orleans start-up has developed a toothpaste that uses a naturally occurring compound found in cocoa instead of fluoride to help strengthen teeth. Theodent relies on Rennou, a proprietary blend of a cocoa extract and other minerals that work together to strengthen teeth. The extract is a white crystalline powder with a chemical makeup similar to caffeine, according to Arman Sadeghpour, PhD, Theodent president and CEO. Theodent Classic and
Align Technology has released Invisalign Express 5, an option for minor crowding, spacing, or orthodontic relapse treatments requiring five or fewer stages of Invisalign aligners. Invisalign Express 5 is designed for patients who could benefit from minor tooth movements but are reluctant to invest in treatment due to cost, according to the company. Features include the following: A ClinCheck treatment plan that shows a 3D virtual representation of the desired
Clorox has acquired Aplicare and HealthLink, providers of infection-control products for the healthcare industry. The acquisitions expand the healthcare portfolio of the company’s Away From Home business, according to Clorox. Aplicare specializes in developing and manufacturing products that prevent skin infection from needles or surgery. The company sells its products to hospitals and other companies that create kits for use by healthcare facilities. HealthLink bundles products, including AloeGuard antimicrobial hand
The Central Virginia Community College in Lynchburg is temporarily shutting down a program that provided free oral hygiene care to the underserved. Dental hygiene students now will have to travel farther to get clinical experience, according to a story by WSET-TV. The temporary closure also affects residents who cannot afford dental care. School officials say they will reopen the program after they set up their own dental hygiene facility on
An analysis of tobacco industry documents shows that Philip Morris USA manipulated data on the effects of additives in cigarettes, including menthol, obscuring actual toxicity levels and increasing the risk of heart, cancer, and other diseases for smokers (PLoS Medicine, December 21, 2011). In the new independent study, researchers from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) reassessed data from Philip Morris’ Project MIX, which detailed chemical analyses of smoke
Align Technology has received a product registration certificate for the Invisalign system from the Federal Service on Surveillance in Healthcare and Social Development of the Russian Federation. This regulatory approval allows Align to train doctors and sell Invisalign Full, Invisalign Lite, Invisalign Teen, and Vivera Retainers throughout Russia. Align is also launching Invisalign in the Middle East, according to the company. To date, Dental Couture — Align’s distributor in Europe,
