FDA OKs test to ID blood-infection bacteria

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the marketing of the first nucleic acid test that can identify 12 different bacterial types known to cause bloodstream infections. The test, created by Nanosphere, allows for simultaneous identification of the bacteria and three associated resistance genes in just a few hours after the first sign of bacterial growth. Traditional methods may require two to four days to produce bacterial identification

Report: Lack of preventive dental coverage costs Fla. big

A report by the Florida Public Health Institute has revealed that in 2010 there were 115,000 visits to the emergency room (ER) for dental conditions that were preventable at a cost of $88 million, Health News Florida reported. Of these visits, a third were charged to Florida’s Medicaid for a total of $30 million. The report questioned whether $30 million in preventive care may have been able to prevent the

Calif. dentist pleads no contest in disabled son’s death

A Coalinga, CA, dentist whose developmentally disabled son died after the dentist gave him Valium and morphine before treating an abscessed tooth will not serve any prison time, according to a report by ABC 30 News. The coroner’s report concluded that Patrick Clare, 35, died from the heavy dose of morphine and Valium that his father, Allen Clare, DDS, administered. Dr. Clare, was charged with unlawfully practicing dentistry because he

Psoriasis patients not at higher risk for perio disease

Psoriasis patients typically experience a decreased quality of life and may have a higher risk of diabetes and heart disease. Is their oral health at risk too? Some recent studies have examined the link between psoriasis and oral health and found a connection (Acta Odontologica Scandinavica, May 2010, Vol. 68:3: 165-170; Dermatology Times, September 1, 2011). But a new study that included individuals with psoriasis and control subjects has found

Wash. town council tires of antifluoride activists

The city council of Everett, WA, has grown weary of antifluoride activists lobbying to end water fluoridation in the area, according to an article in the Herald. Voters have already approved fluoridation with a 61% majority in 1993. Nonetheless, activists have requested that fluoridation cease at nearly 20 city council meetings. Everett supplies drinking water to three-quarters of Snohomish County where James Deal, an attorney who runs an antifluoride website,

Legislation addresses U.S. drug shortage issues

The Healthcare Supply Chain Association (HSCA) is applauding U.S. Congress’ passage of the Food and Drug Administration Safety and Innovation Act (S. 3187), which is designed to help avoid prescription drug shortages and facilitate the recall of faulty medical devices. “We believe that the legislation will help address the prescription drug shortage issues confronting the healthcare supply chain, hospitals, and American patients and enhance the ability of the supply chain

New Australian research center to focus on oral care

The Australian government will provide $7.5 million in funding for three new research centers, one of which will be dedicated to oral healthcare issues. The Centre of Research Excellence in Primary Oral Health Care will focus on improving oral healthcare in a country where 1 in 5 people has severe periodontal disease by addressing knowledge gaps and forging links between dental care and primary healthcare, according to the Australian Primary

Calif. kids’ dental access bill advances

The Assembly Health Committee in California has voted unanimously in support of bill SB 694, which would authorize a study to test new workforce models with the goal of increasing access to dental care for California’s children. The final vote count was 19-0. The bill would also ensure that the state has a Statewide Office of Oral Health, led by a dental director. HuangshanDental.com previously reported that the director could

Jan-Pro offers broad-based office cleaning program

Jan-Pro Franchising has introduced the JP MedMetrix program, the company’s first branded medical cleaning program that is in compliance with federal, state, and private agencies. JP MedMetrix trained personnel are certified in medical cleaning of hospitals, medical and dental offices, laboratories, and facilities where cleaning practices deal with blood-borne pathogens and biohazardous materials on a regular basis. Jan-Pro franchisees enrolled in the MedMetrix program are trained in six key areas:

Texas AG sues All Smiles alleging Medicaid fraud

Texas Attorney General (AG) Greg Abbott has filed lawsuits against a dental chain and its owners this week after a yearlong investigation by News 8 at WFAA-TV in Dallas, the station reported. Richard Malouf, DDS, and his corporate entities All Smiles are accused of costing taxpayers millions of dollars for unnecessary orthodontic work on low-income patients. WFAA noted that Texas has paid more in orthodontic claims than the combined total

Autofluorescence aids early oral cancer detection

Autofluorescence imaging and spectroscopy can assist clinicians in identifying early oral cancer and advanced dysplasia in high-risk individuals, according to a study presented last week at the International Association for Dental Research meeting in Brazil. In an ongoing clinical protocol, researchers from the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Rutgers University, Rice University, and University of Texas Dental Branch at Houston obtained autofluorescence imaging and depth-sensitive spectroscopy data of

AMT offers financing for laser sintering machines

Additive Manufacturing Technologies (AMT) is now offering flexible financing options on PXS Dental and PXM Dental laser sintering machines. AMT has partnered with Highland Capital to offer leasing options on qualifying purchases for up to 60 months with no advance payments, according to the company. AMT is the exclusive distributor of Phenix Systems products. Phenix Systems designs, manufactures, and markets powder-based additive manufacturing equipment. Their PXS Dental and PXM laser