Canadian firm develops biodegradable toothbrushes, flossers

Clean Idea has introduced EcoBrushes and EcoFlossers, biodegradable toothbrushes and flossers made from corn, wheat, tapioca, and potatoes that are designed to decompose into organic material. EcoMirrors, mirrors with biodegradable handles for dentists, also are available, the company said. The handles of all of the company’s dental products are made with a patented 100% compostable bioresin that meets international standards for bioplastics and compostability established by the Biodegradable Products Institute,

First group of Minn. dental therapists set to graduate

The first graduates of Minnesota’s groundbreaking dental therapist program say they will focus on treating the poor, children, and the elderly, citing the overwhelming need they have seen while working in underserved and rural communities. Two years after Minnesota became the first state to approve a law allowing midlevel dental practitioners, seven women students will complete the two-year program to be licensed dental therapists (DTs) and will receive a master’s

Researchers create cancer-fighting mouthwash

Malaysian researchers say they have created a mouthwash that prevents oral cancer, according to a story on Yahoo.com. SA Cleanse is made from a local bonsai kesinai tree, which can only be found in northern Malaysia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, and India, according to head researcher Azman Seeni Mohamed, PhD, from the Science University of Malaysia(USM). Research showed that the tree’s extract can kill mouth bacteria, prevent bad breath, and reduce

Ga. civil rights leaders want to end water fluoridation

Former United Nations Ambassador and Atlanta Mayor Andrew Young and Pastor Gerald Durley, PhD, are calling for the repeal of Georgia’s fluoridation law. In a news release issued April 13, Young and Durley said they were concerned that fluoridated water disproportionately harms poor citizens and black families, and sent letters to several legislators asking them to repeal the state’s mandatory water fluoridation law. Some communities have expressed concern about adding

Survey shows Wash. oral health successes, challenges

The rate of caries among children in Washington state in 2010 remains as high as it was in 2005, but untreated decay is at an all-time low, according to a Smile Survey, conducted by the Washington State Department of Health’s Oral Health Program. The rates for the application of sealants have remained the same since 2005, the study found, but a significant increase in sealants was found among children from

Mothers’ use of xylitol helps prevent kids’ caries

Add another virtue to the list of xylitol’s benefits: Mothers who use it will reduce the risk of their children developing caries over the long term. Finnish researchers reported the striking findings after circling back with the participants of a maternal caries prevention study they had completed 10 years ago. “We wanted to study if the avoiding of early mutans streptococci colonization had long-term effects,” lead researcher Marja-Liisa Laitala, DDS,

Patients use YouTube to find ortho treatment info

The Internet is becoming an important source of medical information, but how accurate is the information? A new study has found that a large number of patients, especially adolescents, are seeking information about orthodontic treatment online, but not all of that information is good (Angle Orthodontist, May 2011, Vol. 81:3, pp. 532-539). Researchers from the University of Göttingen in Germany wanted to determine what kind of information was available on

Venus White now available in 50-syringe packs

Heraeus is now offering its Venus White Pro take-home tooth-whitening gel in 50-syringe packs. Venus White Pro is available in 16%, 22%, and 35% carbamide peroxide strengths. Apart from the new 50-syringe packs, it also comes in various kit configurations, including full patient kits and refill kits, the company noted.

Heraeus to give away iPads at AACD meeting

Heraeus will raffle off three Apple iPads during the upcoming American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) meeting in Boston, May 18-21. The promotion is open to all AACD meeting attendees who stop by the Heraeus booth and sign up for Heraeus 360°, a free online news brief for dental and laboratory professionals. Individuals who already subscribe to 360° are also eligible to enter the drawing. Winning entries will be drawn

Researchers to study why Aussie kids have poor oral health

The University of Adelaide has been awarded $1.3 million Australian ($1.37 million U.S.) to investigate the cause behind Australian children’s poor oral health. John Spencer, PhD, from the Australian Research Centre for Population Oral Health (ARCPOH) at the University of Adelaide, will lead a national study over the next four years to investigate why the system is failing Australia’s children. “Despite a substantial level of resources — approximately [AU]$1 billion

Drug-dependent patients report poor oral health

The majority of individuals with substance-dependence problems report having poor oral health, according to a new study in the Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment (April 6, 2011). Researchers from Boston University investigated the effects of different substances on oral health among a sample of substance-dependent individuals. Alcohol, stimulant, opioid, and marijuana users were included. The subjects were asked to self-report their oral health status on a five-point scale ranging from

Is chocolate milk a dental-friendly snack?

Many dentists are beginning to support nutrition experts’ position that chocolate milk is not a suitable snack for children, ABC News reported — despite the fact that the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends it as a healthy snack when consumed in moderation. Sugar comprises roughly 60% of the calories in chocolate milk, according to the article. Nesquik’s 16-ounce containers of chocolate milk contain 58 grams of sugar, for example.