Perio treatment reduces medical bills for diabetes patients

Medical costs are significantly lower for people with diabetes who receive treatment for periodontal disease, according to a new study presented at the American Association for Dental Research annual meeting in Tampa, Florida. The research, which was funded by United Concordia, found that treating periodontal disease in patients with diabetes saved the healthcare system an average of $1,814 per patient in a single year. Study author Marjorie Jeffcoat, DMD, a

Mydent adds pit/fissure sealant to Defend line

Mydent International has added its light-curing pit and fissure sealant, part of its line of Defend preventive products. The product covers and seals pits and fissures in occlusal surfaces of posterior teeth to prevent caries in those surfaces, the company noted in a press release. Defend Pit and Fissure Sealant features a low viscosity flowable resin system and has a white opaque color to help identify retention at recall appointments.

RNA molecules may help treat head/neck cancer

A nanoparticle drug delivery vehicle for small interfering RNA (ribonucleic acid) molecules (siRNA) shows promise for the treatment of head and neck cancer, according to a study published in the Journal of Controlled Release. Dong Shin, MD, of Emory University and Mark Davis, PhD, of the Nanosystems Biology Cancer Center at the California Institute of Technology had previously developed a nanoparticle that encapsulates a siRNA agent aimed at a protein

Is the MLP model fair to hygienists? And, study questions tooth loss, sleep apnea link

Dear DrBicuspid Member, As the debate over whether midlevel providers (aka dental therapists) are an appropriate solution to the access-to-care issue in the U.S. makes its way into a growing number of state legislatures, it also remains a hot topic within the dental community. Take the American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) advanced dental health practitioner model, for example. While the ADHA deserves much credit for stimulating interest in dental therapists,

Early exposure to BPA affects learning

Young children who are exposed to the controversial chemical bisphenol A (BPA) could develop learning and memory problems as adults, according to a study by Daniel Weber, a researcher at the Children’s Environmental Health Sciences Core Center at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) and Robert Tanguay of Oregon State University. The pilot study, which exposed zebrafish during their early development as embryos to tiny amounts of BPA, resulted in “profound behavioral

ULM dental hygiene program expands to Wisconsin

The University of Louisiana at Monroe (ULM) is expanding its dental hygiene program after reaching a new articulation agreement with Northcentral Technical College (NTC) in Wisconsin. The new partnership allows students to complete an online Bachelor of Science Degree in two years at ULM after completing an associate degree in Dental Hygiene at NTC, according to the university. The move is designed to improve oral health care in rural communities

Laser technique cuts denture costs in half

A German company is using a laser-based manufacturing technique to create dentures at half the cost of conventional milled dentures. Most dental restorations use conventional techniques, such as mould-based casting or milling from the complete workpiece. These manufacturing methods have weaknesses in terms of quality and take time, and they cost approximately $26 for a milled unit, according to Laufer Zahntechnik. But with its laser-fusing process, Laufer Zahntechnik claims it

Enzyme in saliva helps regulate blood glucose

Blood glucose levels following starch ingestion are influenced by genetically determined differences in salivary amylase, an enzyme that breaks down dietary starches, according to a new study in the Journal of Nutrition (April 4, 2012) by scientists from the Monell Center. In the study, amylase activity was measured in saliva samples obtained from 48 healthy adults. Based on extremes of salivary amylase activity, two groups of seven were formed: high

Men’s Health names top 5 toothpastes

There is no shortage of toothpaste brands in stores, but the editors of Men’s Health magazine have identified five they feel stand out. To compile the list, they conferred with a panel of dentists, including Kenneth Young, DDS, a private-practice dentist in New York City and dentistry advisor to Men’s Health; Mark Schlesinger, DDS, a clinical associate professor of dentistry at New York University; Paul Levi, DMD, an associate clinical

High Q debuts LED ‘soft light’

High Q Dental, a U.S. manufacturer and distributor of surgical lighting systems for dental and medical use, has introduced a twist to its EOS 3-watt LED Headlight: the EOS Soft Light. The original EOS delivers a bright 6000-degree Kelvin temperature light, some users find this light temperature too “harsh,” according to the company. For those who want the intensity, portability, and features of the EOS 3-watt LED Headlight without the

Does tooth loss influence sleep apnea?

Previous studies have speculated that there may be an association between edentulism and worsening obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), but research presented at the recent American Association for Dental Research annual meeting did not find a link. “We came across some papers stating that individuals who slept in their complete dentures had an improvement in their OSA,” study author Jeff Tanner, DDS, an oral and maxillofacial surgery resident at the University

Study pinpoints cause of opioid pain meds resistance

The manner in which the human body’s neural cells build rapid resistance to opioid pain medications has been identified by researchers at the University of Montreal’s Sainte-Justine. The data, revealed in the current issue of The Journal of Neuroscience, will help researchers create more effective pain medications with longer therapeutic responses. The researchers studied the interaction between drug molecules and ligands in cell receptors (J Neurosci, April 4, 2012, Vol.