Can sugar help stop esophageal cancer?

U.K. scientists have identified changes in the patterns of sugar molecules that line precancerous cells in the esophagus (Barrett’s dysplasia), making it easier to detect and remove these cells before they develop into esophageal cancer (Nature Medicine, January 15, 2012). The findings, by researchers at the Medical Research Council, have important implications for patients and may help to monitor their condition and prevent the development of cancer. Esophageal cancer is

Univ. of Manitoba offers implants to 35 homeless

The University of Manitoba has launched a program that will enable 35 homeless individuals to receive dental implants. The Niznick Overdenture Program provides students with an opportunity to work with new implant technology while helping out an underserved population. The Faculty of Dentistry has partnered with Siloam Mission’s health center to offer complete implants at the mission’s clinic. Gerald Niznick, DMD, donated $500,000 to the Faculty of Dentistry to develop

More NY kids with early caries going to hospitals

The number of young children with early childhood caries (ECC) who sought treatment at emergency departments (EDs) and ambulatory surgery facilities (ASFs) in New York state rose sharply between 2004 and 2008, and the costs of treating them nearly doubled, according to a new study in the Journal of the American Dental Association (January 2012, Vol. 143:1, pp. 59-65). Using data from the New York State Department of Health’s Statewide

Mydent donates to ADA’s Give Kids A Smile program

Mydent International is donating several of its products to ADA’s Give Kids A Smile (GKAS) program for an event that will take place on February 3. The products include Marvy Masque cone face masks, which are designed with four characters: dog, clown, rabbit, and cat. The company is also donating bubblegum flavor Defend+Plus prophy paste, gloves, barrier products, patient bibs, cups, sponges, and cotton rolls. The donation effort was initiated

Study yields new qualification for kids at risk for caries

School-based fluoride mouth rinse (FMR) programs offer substantial caries-prevention benefits to children in high-risk schools over the long term, according to a study in the Journal of Dental Research (December 27, 2011). The benefits to children attending low-risk schools in North Carolina, where the study was conducted, were considerably less, according to the study authors. High-risk students who participated in an FMR program over five to six years had a

Mont. dentist fined for writing prescriptions for colleague

A Billings, MT, dentist who has worked with the underserved was disciplined and fined $4,000 for writing prescriptions for a colleague’s patients, according to a news story in the Billings Gazette. Joseph P. Thomas, DDS, 57, wrote prescriptions for antibiotics and Vicodin between May 2010 and August 2012 for an oral surgeon who had lost his controlled substance privileges. In March 2010, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) suspended the oral

VELscope Vx featured on healthcare TV show

The VELscope Vx oral cancer detection system from LED Dental will be featured on “The Doctors” television show on January 11. The theme of the show is “Twelve Tricks to Save Your Life in 2012,” according to the company. This is not the first time the VELscope has been on TV. In 2011, “The Dr. Oz Show” demonstrated the VELscope’s ability to help dentists detect oral cancer at early stages.

CBCT good for detecting root fractures

Cone-beam CT (CBCT) is an “ideal” alternative to periapical radiographs for diagnosing root fractures, according to a new study in Dentomaxillofacial Radiology (January 9, 2012). Researchers from Guilan University of Medical Science in Iran compared conventional periapical radiographs and CBCT images of 10 cases, each with a suspected diagnosis of root fracture. The cases were evaluated in accordance with a pre-established scoring system by a maxillofacial radiologist who was unaware

New toothpaste substitutes cocoa extract for fluoride

A New Orleans start-up has developed a toothpaste that uses a naturally occurring compound found in cocoa instead of fluoride to help strengthen teeth. Theodent relies on Rennou, a proprietary blend of a cocoa extract and other minerals that work together to strengthen teeth. The extract is a white crystalline powder with a chemical makeup similar to caffeine, according to Arman Sadeghpour, PhD, Theodent president and CEO. Theodent Classic and

Align releases Invisalign Express 5

Align Technology has released Invisalign Express 5, an option for minor crowding, spacing, or orthodontic relapse treatments requiring five or fewer stages of Invisalign aligners. Invisalign Express 5 is designed for patients who could benefit from minor tooth movements but are reluctant to invest in treatment due to cost, according to the company. Features include the following: A ClinCheck treatment plan that shows a 3D virtual representation of the desired

Clorox acquires 2 infection-control product suppliers

Clorox has acquired Aplicare and HealthLink, providers of infection-control products for the healthcare industry. The acquisitions expand the healthcare portfolio of the company’s Away From Home business, according to Clorox. Aplicare specializes in developing and manufacturing products that prevent skin infection from needles or surgery. The company sells its products to hospitals and other companies that create kits for use by healthcare facilities. HealthLink bundles products, including AloeGuard antimicrobial hand

Va. community college closes hygiene program

The Central Virginia Community College in Lynchburg is temporarily shutting down a program that provided free oral hygiene care to the underserved. Dental hygiene students now will have to travel farther to get clinical experience, according to a story by WSET-TV. The temporary closure also affects residents who cannot afford dental care. School officials say they will reopen the program after they set up their own dental hygiene facility on