Pharmaceutical company CEL-SCI has begun phase III clinical trials for its immunotherapy drug Multikine in Hungary. Studies are already ongoing at 12 clinical sites in the U.S., Canada, Poland, and India. The total study is expected to enroll about 880 head and neck cancer patients in more than 40 hospitals in nine countries. The goal is to establish Multikine as a first-line standard of care therapy in treating newly diagnosed
American Dental Supply (ADS) has introduced its CDK caries detection solution, the company announced. CDK is formulated in a nontoxic medium with viscosity for intraoral use. It’s available in two high-visibility colors, helping clinicians to distinguish which dentin to remove by staining infected dentin. CDK Red can be easily seen on stained tissue, and CDK Green provides contrast if blood is present.
The Connecticut State Dental Commission has ruled that tooth whitening is dentistry and can no longer be performed at spas, salons, and shopping malls unless it is done under the supervision of a licensed dentist, according to a story in the New Haven Independent. The commission based its ruling on testimony from the state’s dentists, hygienists, and dental assistants who all spoke against nondentists providing whitening independently. They warned that
Scientists from around the world are gathering this week at the University of Rochester Medical Center in New York to analyze the hundreds of species of microbes that live and thrive in the oral cavity, the school announced. The conference includes approximately 100 scientists who will focus on the oral microbiome, the genetics of the microbes that reside in our mouths. “The long-term goal is to improve human health, perhaps
In 2010, the state of Texas allowed dentists to collect nearly $200 million for orthodontic treatment for kids on Medicaid — more than the rest of the U.S. combined, according to a story by WFAA-TV in Dallas/Ft. Worth. While Texas struggles to manage its Medicaid budget, it spent $184 million on Medicaid orthodontics. Medicaid pays dentists for orthodontics by each procedure they do instead of a lump sum for the
The Illinois Legislature has passed SB 1213, which mandates that, beginning in 2015, dental amalgam may not be added, removed, or modified in the course of treating patients at a dental office unless the office has an installed amalgam separator system. The bill also requires dental schools and vocational dental education programs to instruct students on the use of certain practices to minimize the presence of elemental mercury, unused amalgam,
Legislation that would expand the scope of practice of Oregon dental hygienists has been approved by the state Joint Committee on Ways and Means following “three contentious votes,” according to a story in the Lund Report. SB 738, which was passed by the committee on June 8, would fund pilot projects across Oregon, offering dental services to people whose incomes fall below the federal poverty level, by expanding the scope
An Illinois man who underwent surgery to remove a salivary gland tumor is suing the hospital where the procedure was done, the surgeon who performed it, and a medical device company claiming he now has facial nerve paralysis after the doctor struck a facial nerve, according to a story in the Madison St. Clair Record. Ralph Wellmaker of Brooklyn, IL, filed the lawsuit May 23 in St. Clair County Circuit
A computer screening tool developed and patented by researchers from the University of Buffalo is helping to detect severe obstructive sleep apnea in patients who have not yet been diagnosed with this condition. A study, funded by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, is being conducted at the Veterans Affairs Western New York Healthcare System by Ali El Solh, MD, MPH, a professor of medicine at the UB School of
Cantel Medical, a provider of infection prevention and control products for dental and medical use, reported record sales of $82.6 million for the third quarter of 2011 (end-April 30), a 24% increase compared with sales of $66.5 million for the same quarter a year ago. Net income for the quarter was $5 million, an 18% increase compared with $4.3 million for the third quarter of 2010. Cantel’s products include disposable
Consumer activist Ralph Nader has joined the chorus of influential leaders opposing mandatory water fluoridation, according to the Fluoride Action Network (FAN). Nader joins civil rights leaders, legislators, dentists, physicians, environmentalists, and other professionals speaking out on fluoridation, FAN noted. “There should be no mandatory fluoridation without the approval of people in a public referendum preceded by full and open public debate with disclosures,” Nader said in a statement released
Oral Health America (OHA) is gearing up to launch its second annual Fall for Smiles public messaging campaign, conducted in collaboration with Oral Healthcare Can’t Wait, an initiative of the Dental Trade Alliance. The campaign begins in September and runs through October to promote messages to consumers about the importance of self-care, good nutrition, regular dental visits, and tobacco avoidance in maintaining oral health. During the campaign, OHA will announce
