Ore. law supports dental therapist pilot projects

Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber has signed into law a bill that will allow the Oregon Health Authority to establish pilot projects for dental therapists and community dental health educators. SB 738, known as the Oral Health Coalition bill, also establishes the Dental Pilot Projects Fund. The pilot programs are intended to encourage the development of innovative practices in oral healthcare and deliver care to underserved and uninsured populations. The bill

CBCT enhances airway volume measurements

Cone-beam CT (CBCT) measurements of airway volume can provide clinically useful information in orthodontics, according to a study in the European Journal of Orthodontics (August 10, 2011). Researchers from the Indiana University School of Dentistry compared the accuracy and reliability of CBCT airway volume measurements with manual measurements in an airway model. The acrylic airway model was constructed and attached to a human dry skull in the natural position of

Bacteria linked with early caries found in infant saliva

A new University of Illinois study confirms the presence of bacteria associated with early childhood caries (ECC) in infant saliva (PLoS One, August 10, 2011). The study focused on infants before teeth erupted, while most studies focused on children already in preschool or kindergarten — after many children already have caries. “We now recognize that the ‘window of infectivity,’ which was thought to occur between 19 and 33 months of

Gastroesophageal reflux not linked with dental erosion in kids

Location-specific dental erosion is not associated with gastroesophageal reflux (GER), salivary flow, or bacterial load, according to a new study in Gastroenterology (August 5, 2011). Dental erosion has been shown to be a complication of GER in adults, but in children it is unclear if GER has a role in dental pathologic conditions, noted researchers from the department of pediatrics at the University of California, San Francisco. They investigated the

Study: Menthol cigarettes tougher to quit

People who smoke menthol cigarettes may find it harder to quit, especially blacks and Puerto Ricans, according to researchers at the Cancer Institute of New Jersey and the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey School of Public Health (American Journal of Preventive Medicine, April 15, 2011). The study findings come as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Tobacco Products is considering banning menthol cigarettes after its

Mydent offers nitrile gloves

Mydent International has expanded its line of dental gloves with Defend nitrile exam gloves. The powder- and latex-free gloves are puncture-resistant and fingertip-textured for tactile strength and dexterity, according to the company. They come 200 per box and are available in sizes ranging from extra small to extra large.

Probiotic breath mints help whiten teeth

Nutri-Health Supplements, formulator of the Flora Source Multi-Probiotic, has introduced a once-daily probiotic mint, FloraBright Healthy Breath Mints, designed to whiten teeth and maintain optimal oral health. “Most patients don’t hear much from their dentists about the microflora naturally present in the mouth, especially when it comes to teeth whitening,” stated Michael Lee, product development director for Nutri-Health, in a press release. “Each of us has a delicate balance of

Saturated fatty acids linked to periodontal disease

Could filling up on saturated fatty acids (SFA) be bad not only for your body but your teeth as well? The authors of a study in the Journal of Dental Research (July 2011, Vol. 90:7, pp. 861-867) suggest it could be. “Saturated fatty acids produce an inflammatory response,” the authors wrote. “Hyperinflammation is now recognized as one of the key underlying etiologic factors in periodontal disease.” A high intake of

Prestige Dental adds orthodontic supplies

Prestige Dental Products is now offering orthodontic supplies through its online store. The products offered through Prestige Dental Products’ orthodontics department include brackets, wires, bands, buccal tubes, elastomeric products, adhesives, lingual attachments, patent supplies, pliers, head gear products, lab supplies, and other general supplies related to orthodontic needs. These products all come from the top brands in the industry and are priced reasonably, the company noted. Prestige Dental’s website features

Teething not linked to high fever, prolonged diarrhea

High fevers and other potentially serious symptoms in infants should not be written off as normal signs of teething, according to a new study in Pediatrics (August 8, 2011). The study found that teething typically caused irritability, drooling, a day or so of diarrhea, and poor sleep, Reuters Health reported. But it was not linked to serious symptoms such as high fevers or prolonged bouts of diarrhea. The findings are

GHSU institute to focus on regenerative medicine

Georgia Health Sciences University (GHSU) has established the Institute for Regenerative and Reparative Medicine, designed to expand studies of diseases or injuries that impact the muscles and skeleton, the central nervous system, and the head and neck. Initiatives include regrowing bone and cartilage lost to age or injury, as well as mandibles destroyed in car accidents or war zones. “We want to focus on the continuum of care, not only

Nobel Biocare midyear profits drop 51%

Swiss implant maker Nobel Biocare reported revenues of 286.4 million euros ($408 million U.S.) for the first half of 2011 (end-June 30), a 1.4% decrease from revenues of 291.6 million euros ($415.9 million) for the same period in 2010. Net profit for the first half of the year was 28.8 million euros ($41 million), down 50.7% from a net profit of 58.3 million euros ($83 million) for the same period