How effective is splint therapy in treating TMD?

A new systematic review and meta-analysis that evaluated scientific literature for the effectiveness of using splint therapy to treat patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) has found promising results for the treatment but highlights the need for larger trials (Journal of the American Dental Association, August 2012, Vol. 143:8, pp. 847-857). Several strategies are used for the management of TMDs including exercise, pharmacological interventions, acupuncture, intra-articular injections with anesthetics or corticosteroids,

Study outlines challenges of cleft palate over time

Children with cleft lip and/or palate encounter different challenges throughout the course of their development. Both environmental and biological factors play a role and can affect speech, academic performance, and behavior. Research has shown varying influences, including the type of cleft, gender, and age, affecting outcomes. The July 2012 issue of Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal reviews findings about individuals with cleft in three age groups: infancy/early development, school age, and adolescence/young

FDA: Codeine dangerous for some kids after apnea surgery

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a drug safety communication concerning three children who died and one child who experienced a life-threatening case of respiratory depression after taking codeine. The events followed surgery to treat obstructive sleep apnea syndrome by removing the tonsils (tonsillectomy) and/or adenoids (adenoidectomy). The children received doses of codeine that were within the typical dose range. Healthcare professionals and parents should be aware

Ormco gains FDA nod for new orthodontic system

Ormco has received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for Insignia, a combination of 3D treatment software and customized orthodontic appliances. With Insignia, clinicians have the option to choose traditional twins, self-ligating brackets, or aligners that are customized to the individual patient, the company noted. Compatible appliances include Insignia Clearguide Express aligners, Damon Q, Damon Clear, Titanium Orthos, and Inspire ICE. Insignia uses a high-resolution scan

Ad Council launches landmark kids’ oral health campaign

The Ad Council is joining the Partnership for Healthy Mouths, Healthy Lives — a coalition of more than 35 leading dental health organizations — to teach parents, caregivers, and children about the importance of oral health. They have launched Kids’ Healthy Mouths, the first joint national multimedia public service campaign of its kind. The English and Spanish-launguage public service ads (PSAs) are currently being distributed to media outlets nationwide. Created

CDA journal covers fluoridation in Calif.

The August issue of the Journal of the California Dental Association focuses on fluoridation issues and projects in California. Topics include the gains made in fluoridation in California within the last decade, the methods used to achieve fluoridation, and an illustration of those methods with specific examples from San Diego and San Jose, the California Dental Association (CDA) noted in a press release. California’s population on fluoridated public water supplies

Study: Toothpaste chemical impairs muscle function

Triclosan, an antibacterial chemical commonly used in toothpaste, mouthwash, hand soaps, and other personal care products, has been found to hinder muscle contractions at a cellular level, according to a new study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (August 13, 2012). Researchers from the University of California (UC) at Davis and the University of Colorado performed several experiments to evaluate the effects of triclosan on muscle activity,

Colgate asked to drop whitening toothpaste claims

The National Advertising Division (NAD) of the Council of Better Business Bureaus is recommending that Colgate-Palmolive discontinue certain marketing claims for its Optic White toothpaste, including “Same Whitening Ingredient as Strips.” The disputed phrase appeared in print and Internet advertising, in a television commercial, and on product packaging and in-store displays. The claims at issue were challenged before NAD by Procter & Gamble (P&G), which makes Crest 3D Whitestrips. NAD

Flying dentists provide care to Australian Outback

The Outback Oral Treatment and Health (TOOTH) dental program recently launched by Australia’s Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) is providing dental care to remote communities with unmet needs, especially to indigenous Australians. The $2.5 million effort is being provided by Australian specialist bank Investec, according to the RFDS. Nearly 40% of Australians cannot access basic dental care when they need it, the RFDS noted in a press release. In its

Stroma plays role in spread of throat cancer

Noncancerous tissue (stroma) surrounding cancers of the throat and cervix play an important role in regulating the spread of cancer cells, according to researchers at Queen’s University in Belfast, U.K. (European Molecular Biology Organization Journal, May 29, 2012). The discovery could lead to the development of new therapies, which would target the noncancerous cells surrounding a tumor, as well as treating the tumor itself, according to the university. The research

Calif. balks at expanding dental managed care scheme

California’s efforts to expand Medi-Cal dental services to a managed care model have been rebuffed after a pilot program designed to test the scheme failed to provide adequate dental care for children in Sacramento County. Facing a $16 billion deficit earlier this year, Gov. Jerry Brown had proposed transferring nearly 90,000 poor children in the Healthy Families insurance program into Medi-Cal (the state’s Medicaid program) as a way to cut

NIH awards $2.5M for xerostomia research

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has awarded a $2.5 million grant for research aimed at creating artificial salivary glands to treat xerostomia. Xerostomia, or dry mouth, is an inevitable consequence of radiation treatment for head and neck cancers, according to the University of Delaware (UD), Newark, which will collaborate in the research. Other collaborators in the four-year project include Rice University and the Christiana Care Health System. Head and