ADHA report explores hygienists’ future

To prepare for its strategic planning process, the American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) is exploring how the profession will impact public health in the future. The ADHA contracted futurists Marsha Rhea and Craig Bettles, and commissioned an environmental scan to help understand the changes dental hygienists must make to contribute to the health and well-being of society. The report focused specifically on issues that could challenge assumptions about the profession

Ga. teen dies 3 days after third-molar extraction

A Lawrenceville, GA, teen was found dead in his bedroom three days after undergoing a third-molar extraction. Jerry Coleman, 19, passed way sometime between December 18 and 19, according to a report by WSBTV. The official cause of death has not yet been determined by the Gwinnet County Medical Examiner, the article noted. Less than two weeks ago, another Georgia teenager died after having his wisdom teeth removed. 14-year-old Ben

Philip Morris to fight Australia packaging laws

MELBOURNE (Reuters) – Philip Morris on Tuesday became the third tobacco giant to file a legal challenge against new Australian laws that will force tobacco products to be sold in dull, plain packaging from late next year. The tough, world-first legislation cleared by parliament is being closely watched by governments considering similar moves in Europe, Canada, and New Zealand. It has angered tobacco companies worried it may set a global

Lymph node removal may stop thyroid cancer return

Routinely removing lymph nodes in the neck of patients with thyroid cancer may help prevent the disease from recurring, according to a new study (Surgery, December 2011, Vol. 150:6, pp. 1048-1057). Although it is standard procedure in some cancer centers, there has been debate in the surgical community about the benefits of routinely removing neck lymph nodes in patients with thyroid cancer, a procedure known as prophylactic central neck lymph-node

Align Technology sues 2 German competitors

Align Technology is once again defending its position in the clear-aligner market with the filing of two lawsuits in Germany accusing competitors of infringing on several of its European patents. The company filed a patent infringement lawsuit in the District Court of Dusseldorf against Ortho Caps and its managing directors, Wajeeh Khan, BDS, and Jocelyne Khan, asserting Ortho Caps infringes Align patents by making, offering to sell, and selling its

60 Fla. practices to add Milestone’s anesthesia system

Towncare Dental Partnership is implementing Milestone Scientific’s STA Single Tooth Anesthesia System in its eight dental offices in Broward County, FL. Plans are in place to roll out the STA system across the state to 60 offices in the coming months, according to the company. The STA system is designed to help patients with a fear of needles, yielding a faster onset with no pain and no collateral numbness, according

Sun Dental adds all-ceramic crown line

Sun Dental Labs has added a new all-ceramic crown line called SunCeram. SunCeram Brilliance pressed crowns are made of lithium disilicate, while SunCeram Radiance pressed crowns are constructed of a leucite-reinforced glass ceramic and require minimal or no tooth preparation, according to the company. The SunCeram line is indicated for single crowns, three-unit bridges, and implant abutments. SunCeram Radiance can also be used for inlays and onlays. Prices for SunCeram

AAOMS addresses third-molar surgery concerns

The death of a young Maryland woman undergoing surgery to remove her third molars earlier this year prompted the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (AAOMS) to hold a press conference December 19 to address the risks associated with third-molar surgery. Jennifer Olenick, a 17-year-old from Woodstock, died in March, 10 days after undergoing a third-molar extraction. Last month her family filed a lawsuit against the anesthesiologist and oral

Zimmer debuts angled tapered abutments

Zimmer Dental is now offering the Zimmer angled tapered abutment, designed to enable clinicians to place implants off-axis and choose from multiple surgical protocols, including immediate load, screw-retained restorations. Available in 15° and 30° angle configurations, the Zimmer angled tapered abutment promotes angulation correction for off-axis implant placement, repositioning the restorative platform to facilitate insertion of the prosthesis. The abutment’s 1.2-mm low-profile cone is designed for use in cases with

Plasma brush: A better restorative method?

University of Missouri engineers and their research collaborators at Nanova are one step closer to their goal of developing a plasma-based brush that they say will improve restoration lifetimes. After favorable results in lab testing, the researchers are now gearing up to begin human clinical trials, according to a university press release. In less than 30 seconds, the plasma brush uses chemical reactions to disinfect and clean out cavities for

Biolux raises $2.3M to develop OrthoPulse

Biolux Research has raised $2.4 million Canadian ($2.3 million U.S.) in new funding intended to further the development of its light-accelerated orthodontics product. The funds were raised through a debt issue that is convertible to common shares at the company’s option, and was fully subscribed by existing shareholders of the company, according to Biolux. The proceeds of the financing are designated as working capital to continue the development of the

ADA, OHA ask NCAA to pull cigar ads from bowl game

The ADA and Oral Health America (OHA) are among 10 major public health groups calling on the Orange Bowl Committee and the NCAA to cancel a cigar company sponsorship of one of the biggest collegiate football events in the U.S. Last week Camacho Cigars announced that it had signed a three-year deal to be a corporate sponsor of the Orange Bowl Festival, which includes the 2012, 2013, and 2014 Discover