How to stop an implant-related lawsuit before it happens

SAN FRANCISCO – The specter of litigation can keep good dentists from adding dental implants to their treatment repertoire. While implants can add another revenue stream to a practice, dental practitioners need to be aware of the associated risks, according to Burdick Ray, JD, an attorney in Irvine, CA, whose practice is focused on lawsuits involving dental implants. During a presentation September 22 at the California Dental Association (CDA) fall

Astra Tech expands Atlantis product line

Astra Tech Dental has introduced the Atlantis 3D Editor, a service designed to improve efficiency and turnaround time for customers using Atlantis patient-specific abutments. Atlantis 3D Editor is the latest service offered in the Internet-based Atlantis WebOrder system, an enhancement to the Atlantis 3D Viewer software, according to the company. Atlantis 3D Editor provides customers with the ability to make real-time modifications, such as core, margin, and shoulder adjustments, to

P&G sued over toothpaste dispenser

A class-action lawsuit filed against Procter & Gamble claims the company is cheating consumers because its Crest Neat Squeeze toothpaste dispenser leaves as much as 20% of the toothpaste in the tube, according to a story by Courthouse News Service. The lawsuit, filed September 8 in U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, seeks damages for Procter & Gamble’s alleged “unlawful, unfair, and fraudulent business acts and practices

Saskatchewan program to focus on kids’ oral health

The government of Saskatchewan in Canada is taking steps to improve children’s oral health by increasing access to dental care, particularly preventive services for children at risk. Enhancements to regional preventive dental health services, for pre- and postnatal mothers, preschool and school-age children, are rolling out across the province starting this fall, officials announced. The program will initially be implemented in schools in those regions with the highest need. These

The psychology of perio patient noncompliance

Who doesn’t want a compliant patient? Unfortunately, when it comes to oral healthcare, most patients do not fall into this category, making it harder to treat them effectively. For example, patient compliance to periodontal maintenance is absolutely necessary for successful long-term therapy. But absolute compliance is rare, having been reported as low as 16%, according to the authors of a new literature review (Journal of Periodontology, August 5, 2011). In

Some oral health efforts survive in U.S. 2012 budget

Support for oral health programs at the federal level remains mixed following the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations approval of a fiscal year 2012 funding bill for Labor, Health and Human Services (HHS), Education, and Related Agencies, according to a bulletin from the (CDHP). “While the political climate and renewed focus on responsible spending prevent Congress from moving forward on supporting many of the yet unfunded oral health programs authorized

iPhone app aids in sleep apnea assessment

A new iPhone app makes it easier for patients to determine whether they are suffering from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and get connected to a medical professional who can help them. With MSleepTest, a quick tap, a recorded sound bite, and a few series of questions connects patients with a sleep professional in your area for further testing. The app developer, Sleep Group Solutions, came up with the idea to

Teeth stem cells from pups grow bone in parents

Stem cells derived from deciduous canine teeth and dental pulp can be grafted and produce bone regeneration between parents and offspring, according to a study in Cell Transplantation (2011, Vol. 20:7, pp. 1003-1013). “Bone defects can occur for a number of reasons, and autogenous bone grafting — using the patient’s own bone — has been a standard approach to treatment,” stated study author Yoichi Yamada, DDS, PhD, of the Center

Univ. of Ala. researchers find new head/neck cancer strategy

Combining the drug cetuximab with poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitors may improve outcomes in head and neck cancer patients by preventing the cancer cells from repairing damage to DNA as they grow, according to a study in PLoS One (August 30, 2011). “Overexpression of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a hallmark of head and neck cancers and confers increased resistance and inferior survival rates,” wrote Shih-Hsin (Eddy) Yang,

Expert offers tips to battle patients’ sugar obsession

SAN FRANCISCO – Frustrated with patients who have rampant caries but won’t give up their three cans of soda a day? Unfortunately, the sugar problem is all too common these days. America’s daily consumption of sugar has increased 20% in the last 35 years, with both adults and children consuming well above the recommended daily amount, according to Karen Davis, RDH, in a presentation Thursday at the California Dental Association

Amalgam foes give FDA an earful at Calif. meeting

Amalgam opponents turned out in force September 22 at a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) town hall meeting in South San Francisco, CA. It was the third in a series of such meetings the FDA has held this year to solicit feedback from citizens, entrepreneurs, and health professionals about dental amalgam, medical device regulation, and related topics. The meeting was moderated by Jeffrey Shuren, MD, JD, director of the

Orabrush now available at Walmart

The Orabrush tongue cleaner can now be found at 3,500 Walmart stores throughout the U.S. Since its launch in 2009, Orabrush has pursued an aggressive viral marketing campaign. The company currently has nearly 300,000 fans on Facebook, while its YouTube brand channel has more than 38 million views and over 150,000 subscribers. “To my knowledge, there have been few, if any, products to go from no sales, online or offline,