Esschem offers phthalate-free polymers

Many in the dental industry are concerned about the use of phthalates. In Europe, phthalates have come under the scrutiny of the European Community’s Regulation on Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) regulations; in other parts of the world, use of these plasticizers will likely become greatly constrained, if not completely banned, according to Esschem, a provider of dental acrylics, monomers, polymers, and related materials. In response, Esschem

Ask Marty: Any recommendations for long-term provisional restorations?

Q: I have some patients that need a crown but cannot quite afford one at this time. Do you have any recommendations for long-term provisional restorations? A: This has always been a dental conundrum. The patient wants to save the tooth, yet we have no less expensive way to accomplish the treatment. We may have wanted to help the patient by reducing fees, but at the same time we are

CEL-SCI licenses head/neck cancer drug for Croatia, Serbia

CEL-SCI has expanded its licensing agreement with Teva Pharmaceutical Industries for its cancer drug Multikine, CEL-SCI’s investigational phase III drug for the treatment of head and neck cancer. Under the terms of the new agreement, Teva’s exclusive license to market and distribute Multikine in Israel and Turkey will be extended to include Croatia and Serbia. Teva, which is currently funding a part of the global phase III clinical study at

New Heraeus desensitizer gel enhances patient comfort

Heraeus Kulzer has introduced Gluma Desensitizer PowerGel, designed to promote patient comfort during prophies, especially for those who’ve experienced sensitivity due to receding gums. The PowerGel formulation allows for accurate control during placement and is suited for the cervical erosions, exposed dentin surfaces, and gingival recession hygienists may encounter during a prophy visit, according to Heraeus. The Gluma Desensitizer PowerGel helps hygienists keep patients comfortable during prophy visits, and helps

Perio disease emergency visits cost patients millions

Patients visiting hospital emergency departments (EDs) in the U.S. because of periodontal conditions were charged about $33.3 million by the hospitals for treating these conditions on an emergency basis in 2006, according to a new study (Journal of Periodontology [JOP], June 2011, Vol. 82:6, pp. 809-819). Patients with medical conditions and those who ignore regular dental care have a higher chance of visiting emergency departments, the study authors noted. However,

Study: Too few kids wearing mouthguards

Most American children don’t wear mouthguards while playing sports that pose a risk of injury to the mouth, contrary to recommendations made by dental professionals. That’s one of the key findings from the 2011 Delta Dental Children’s Oral Health Survey, conducted by Morpace on behalf of Delta Dental Plans Association. Morpace conducted email interviews nationally with 907 primary caregivers of children from birth to age 11. (For results based on

How to choose the right gloves for you and your team

Many of us spend more time contemplating the dessert menu at restaurants than choosing our medical gloves for critical barrier protection. That’s understandable considering the overwhelming number of options available. One purchasing guide I reviewed listed 22 different types in their glove line, ranging in price from $6.95 to $13.50 a box. Warning: The short-term savings are not worth the long-term harm of an improper fit. The wrong gloves lead

3 Wis. cities recognized for public fluoridation efforts

Three Wisconsin cities were recognized at this year’s National Oral Health Conference for helping prevent tooth decay among residents through local water fluoridation. The cities of New Richmond and Whitewater were commended for 50 years of continuous public water fluoridation. Amery received a Community Water Fluoridation Reaffirmation Award. The annual awards are sponsored by the ADA, Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors, and the Centers for Disease Control and

FTC judge rules that NC dental board acted illegally

A U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) judge has ruled that the North Carolina dental board’s efforts to block nondentists from providing teeth-whitening services constitute an illegal anticompetitive conspiracy. The North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners’ actions violated the law, according to a decision by Chief Administrative Law Judge D. Michael Chappell, who concluded it was “unreasonable restraint of trade and an unfair method of competition.” The dental board lacks

Glidewell launches International Technology Center

Glidewell Laboratories has opened its Glidewell International Technology Center, a 2,800-sq-ft training, education, and technology demonstration center located on the Glidewell Laboratories campus in Irvine, CA. The center houses a fully functional operatory and surgical suite equipped with state-of-the-art dental equipment and technology, including a cone-beam CT scanner, and will offer live video demonstrations to a 40-seat interactive classroom auditorium. Experienced clinicians and technicians will provide professional development and continuing

OSAP names new chairman

The Organization for Safety, Asepsis and Prevention (OSAP) has named Jeff Sherman, director of corporate brand sales and marketing in North America for Henry Schein, as its new chairman. Sherman has 30 years of experience in the dental industry, working both in distribution and manufacturing, according to OSAP. He has been involved in infection control products and promotion of safety in the dental environment since 1988.

Zimmer adds CAD/CAM capabilities

Zimmer Dental is partnering with Zfx Dental Net to enter the CAD/CAM crown and bridge market, the company announced. Under the terms of the new agreement, Zimmer Dental will distribute Zfx open platform laboratory scanners, CAD software, and custom-milled components. Each component of the Zfx system is linked via an Internet portal that integrates the digitized patient data and facilitates the flow of information from clinician to lab to a