Studies question value of certain HNC biomarkers

Human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA positivity alone, particularly when assessed using polymerase chain reaction methods, is a poor biomarker for HPV-driven head and neck cancers (HNCs), according to two studies published in Cancer Research (September 18, 2012). These studies identified alternative potential markers, including viral load, viral gene expression, and the evaluation of HPV DNA in combination with certain HPV assays. Prior research has established that HPV is a cause of

NIH grant to support PolyMedix oral mucositis treatment

PolyMedix has received a phase I grant from the National Cancer Institute division of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to further explore the profile and properties of its defensin-mimetic compound, brilacidin, in treating oral mucositis. The NIH grant will provide PolyMedix with $161,000 over six months. At the 2012 American Society of Clinical Oncology annual meeting, the biotechnology company reported that brilacidin reduced the occurrence of severe ulcerative oral

Henry Schein launches finishing/polishing system

Henry Schein has introduced the Maestro finishing and polishing system that includes a composite disks and strips kit. Maestro is an easy-to-use finishing and polishing system that produces high-luster restorations for lifelike aesthetics, according to the company. The disks and strips are composed of aluminum oxide on an ultrathin Mylar backing. Disks are color-coded to allow for easy identification of grit sequence. The Maestro system kit includes 200 disks (25

Henry Schein offers in-office whitening system

Henry Schein has introduced the Natural Elegance IO in-office whitening system, which only requires one 45-minute application. The neutral-pH solution contains a 36% hydrogen peroxide formula, is safe for enamel, and reduces sensitivity, according to the company. Its syringe-to-syringe mixing system yields a chemically activated formula that doesn’t require a light source and uses a post-treatment, potassium nitrate desensitizing gel to reduce sensitivity. Each self-contained kit includes one whitening syringe,

Study links BPA to childhood obesity

Children and adolescents with higher concentrations of urinary bisphenol A (BPA) face had significantly increased odds of being obese, according to a new study in the Journal of the American Medical Association (September 19, 2012, Vol. 308:11, pp. 1113-1121). The report is likely the first to link environmental chemical exposure with childhood obesity in a nationally representative sample, according to the study authors, from the New York University (NYU) School

Delta Dental tips help seniors maintain oral health

During National Healthy Aging Month this September, Delta Dental is advising older adults that practicing good oral health habits is more important than ever. Adults age 65 and older are keeping more of their natural teeth longer than previous generations, the company noted. Even so, adults are as likely to experience new tooth decay as children, according to Bill Kohn, DDS, Delta Dental’s vice president for dental science and policy.

State regulations for child care centers weak on oral health

Child care center regulations in most states don’t support the health standards set by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), missing opportunities to prevent dental caries and obesity among millions of young children, according to a study in Pediatric Dentistry (July/August 2012, Vol. 34:4, pp. 317-324). On average, state child care regulations cover only a third of the oral health standards and half of the nutrition standards for early care

NYU appoints new chair of endodontics

Asgeir Sigurdsson, DDS, an expert on the treatment of dental trauma and pulpal pain, has been appointed the new chair of the New York University College of Dentistry’s (NYUCD’s) Dr. I.N. and Sally Quartararo Department of Endodontics. He succeeds Paul A. Rosenberg, DDS, who is stepping down after serving as chair of the department since 1990. Dr. Sigurdsson came to NYUCD from Iceland, where he maintained a private practice limited

Oral bacteria linked with pancreatic cancer risk

A new study finds significant associations between antibodies for multiple oral bacteria and the risk of pancreatic cancer (Gut, September 18, 2012). The study of blood samples from more than 800 European adults found that high antibody levels for one of the more infectious periodontal bacterium strains of Porphyromonas gingivalis were associated with a twofold risk for pancreatic cancer. Meanwhile, study subjects with high levels of antibodies for some kinds

Image Gently offers support for pediatric x-ray safety

The Image Gently campaign has launched a new Back to Basics initiative that includes online teaching materials, checklists, and practice quality improvement projects to help providers strengthen radiation protection when performing x-ray examinations on children — particularly with the shift from film-based to digital x-ray imaging. The campaign emphasizes the need for a standardized approach by measuring patient body size and developing technique charts. “Digital radiology has brought many improvements

JDE study authors clarify dental therapist analysis

With regard to the recent summary report by HuangshanDental.com on our studies of the financial impact of dental therapists employed in federally qualified health center (FQHC) dental clinics and private practices (Journal of Dental Education, August 2012, Vol. 76:8, pp. 1061-1067), a few misstatements need to be corrected: The studies were not based on theoretical models of the care provided by dental therapists. We used actual service data from FQHC

Wales issues tooth-whitening warning

The Trading Standards bureau of the Cardiff Council in Wales in the U.K. is advising consumers not to have their teeth whitened unless a dentist has assessed whether such treatment is right for them. Also, while tooth whitening can improve the appearance of natural teeth, it is important that people are fully aware of what to expect and how it can be conducted safely, the council noted in a press