Painkillers prescribed by dentists, ER doctors often abused

Recent reports about the growing number of people who are resorting to emergency rooms (ERs) for relief from painful dental problems has put a spotlight on the issue of prescription painkiller abuse. Are dentists overprescribing them too? As the economic recession persists, fewer employers are offering dental insurance, and many states have cut or eliminated adult dental benefits for Medicaid programs. As a result, more people are turning up at

At-home bleaching effective on coffee, cigarette stains

At-home bleaching using 6% hydrogen peroxide is effective in removing stains caused by coffee or cigarette smoke, according to a new study in the Journal of the American Dental Association. Extrinsic stains have a multifactorial etiology involving chromogens that are derived from dietary sources or pigmented substances that are used habitually in the mouth, noted the study authors, from Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná and Federal University of Paraná in

New law expands role of Kan. hygienists

The governor of Kansas has signed a new law that expands the scope of duties for dental hygienists, according to an article in the Kansas City Star. Under HB 2631, signed by Gov. Sam Brownback on May 9, Level III hygienists would be allowed to work in prisons and indigent health care clinics, as well as with low-income seniors and the developmentally disabled. The law does not, however, create a

BioGaia signs distribution pacts for probiotic products

BioGaia has signed three exclusive distribution agreements that will take its oral health products into the Czech Republic, South Africa, and the Benelux region of Europe. Next Force now has exclusive sales rights for BioGaia’s oral health products in the Czech Republic, Ivodent will represent the company in South Africa, and Oral Company will handle sales in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg. BioGaia’s oral health products contain the probiotic Lactobacillus

VELscope maker releases latest financials

LED Medical Diagnostics, the Canadian manufacturer of the VELscope oral-cancer detection device, reported revenues of $1.8 million (US$1.78 million) for the first quarter of 2012 (end-March 31), down from $3.1 million (US$3.07 million) for the same quarter a year ago. The company reported a loss of $387,600 (US$385,000) in the first quarter, compared with $525,671 (US$521,900) for the same quarter in 2011. The VELscope, which is marketed through the company’s

RDH honored by Crest Oral-B for work with kids

Olga Torres, RDH, from Clewiston, FL, has been selected as the latest Crest Oral-B Pros in the Profession winner. The program honors registered dental hygienists who go above and beyond the call of duty every day. Torres earned her dental hygiene degree from Palm Beach Community College and has been practicing dental hygiene for five years. She works as the sole dental hygienist at the Florida Community Health Center. Torres

Dental chairs developed for large patients

The dental school at the University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio is using a new line of dental chairs for large patients who have difficulty fitting into conventional dental chairs. The school has installed a special chair designed to tilt, raise, or lower dental patients weighing up to 1,000 pounds, according to a story in the San Antonio Express-News. The chair, built by Diaco Dental, cost $30,000, compared

Actor lends support to oral cancer campaign

Actor Michael Douglas has helped create a television public service announcement (PSA) on behalf of the Oral Cancer Foundation (OCF). The PSA will support the foundation’s efforts to educate the public about the need for annual screenings to detect oral cancers in their early, most survivable stages, according to a press release. It will begin airing in June across the U.S. Douglas sought medical help in 2010 for a persistent

Idaho school graduates first class of hygienists

The College of Southern Idaho in Twin Falls has graduated its first class of dental hygienists. Seven of the 10 hygienists have taken and passed their national board examinations, and the other three will take theirs next week, according to a story on KMVT-TV. Many of the hygienists are expected to find jobs outside of Idaho. The graduates were chosen from 70 applicants for the two-year program.

Heraeus, Benco partner on dental scrap metal

Heraeus Kulzer is joining Benco Dental to make it more profitable and convenient for Benco customers to trade in their dental scrap metals for cash. According to the companies, dental practices and laboratories should cash in their scrap on a regular basis for three key reasons: Accountability: Scrap is unaccountable, while regular shipments allow customers to keep track of their assets Liquidity: Precious scrap is not liquid until it is

Dux offers bib holders made of recycled plastic

Dux Dental has introduced Snap-Its single-use bib holders made from recyclable plastic. An increasing number of dental offices are choosing disposable bib holders to avoid the risk of cross-contamination, the company noted in a press release. Snap-Its single-use bib holders snap into place on the bib similar to traditional holders and can be taken off and adjusted if a patient gets up during a dental procedure. They can be recycled

AAPHD supports study linking perio, heart disease

The American Association of Public Health Dentistry (AAPHD) agrees with the conclusions of the recent literature review published by the American Heart Association (AHA) that found strong proof of an association between periodontal disease and heart disease. People with periodontal disease have a greater chance of having heart disease than people with healthy gums, and the link between periodontal disease and heart disease exists separately from other risk factors, such