CDA gets award for support of oral health and education

The California Dental Association (CDA) has received the 2011 William J. Gies Vision Award by the ADEAGies Foundation for its support of oral health and oral health education, the organization announced. The foundation cites CDA for its advocacy efforts in working with the Dental Board of California to create the first portfolio licensure process in the U.S. and also its earlier sponsorship of legislation that requires all children entering the

Bad bacteria common on anesthesia providers’ hands

Contaminating bacteria are very commonly found on the hands of anesthesia providers, with high rates of transmission to the surgical field during operations, reports a study in the January issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia (January 2011, Vol. 112:1, pp. 98-105). Randy Loftus, MD, and colleagues at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center performed a detailed study to determine the origin of bacteria transmitted to the surgical field in 164 operating room procedures using

What is microsonic scaling?

While doing a recent search of the Internet looking for new research publications on ultrasonic scaling, I found a large number of dental office websites advertising that they offer “microsonic scaling.” Typically, these websites state something such as the following: “We offer hand and microsonic scaling to effectively and comfortably clean your teeth.” “In one quick swoop, microsonic scaling breaks up these irritants and washes them all away.” “A device

Tumor location influences oral cancer recurrence

Patients who have a recurrence of oral squamous cell carcinoma tend to do worse if the new cancer appears at the same site early or if it appears in the lymph nodes six months or longer after initial treatment, according to a study in Archives of Otolaryngology — Head & Neck Surgery (December 2010, Vol. 136:12, pp. 1235-1239). Treating recurrences of oral squamous cell carcinoma involves balancing the risk of

General anesthesia increases risk of BDE

Patients face a greater risk of developing bacteremia following dental extractions (BDE) under general anesthesia than local anesthesia, according to a new study by researchers from the University of Santiago de Compostela (Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, Oral Radiology, and Endodontology, December 2010, Vol. 110:6, pp. 706-712). After collecting blood samples from 210 patients with varied oral health, the researchers found that general anesthesia consistently increased incidences of BDE

Buyer’s Guide Update: Orthodontic appliances

Dear Buyer’s Guide Update Member, These are exciting times in orthodontics. Despite the economic downturn and the impact this has had on much of cosmetic dentistry, the orthodontic specialty has remained relatively healthy. What is behind this trend? One key driver is technology and product advances that, in turn, are broadening the eligible patient base and prompting more general dentists to begin offering orthodontic treatments. There are now brackets made

Sirona offers inLab users customized zirconia abutments

Sirona Dental Systems is now offering its inLab CAD/CAM system users the ability to create in-house customized zirconia abutments. Along with new inLab 3D custom abutment software, Sirona is also offering inCoris Meso zirconia milling blocks and titanium base sets that are compatible with a variety of dental implant systems to enable inLab users to create customized ceramic abutments on their inLab MC XL milling units. The new software utilizes

Sirona donates imaging and CAD/CAM systems to NCOHF

Sirona Dental Systems recently donated equipment valued at more than $725,000 to enhance National Children’s Oral Health Foundation (NCOHF) community-based programs for underserved children. Twelve nonprofit partners in the NCOHF affiliate network benefited from the Sirona contribution of four Heliodent DS intraoral x-ray units, eight Cerec 3 acquisition units, and eight Cerec 3 milling chambers. “The demand for affiliate services has never been greater, and programs are struggling to care

U.K. firm to market chewable toothpaste tablets

Lush, a U.K. company that manufactures and markets handmade bath and body products, will introduce chewable toothpaste tablets in 2011, according to a story in the New Zealand Herald. The tablets are intended to help reduce the amount of toothpaste tubes thrown into landfills every year, the Herald noted. The tablets will come in various flavors and will foam in a similar manner to traditional toothpaste, according to the company.

Peaches Uniforms incorporates Lycra in new dental scrubs

Peaches Uniforms, a manufacturer of medical uniforms and scrubs for healthcare professionals, will introduce the Med Couture line of scrubs this spring — the first scrub line to incorporate Lycra stretch fabric, according to the company. Peaches Uniforms has also introduced its new enzyme-washed Tranquility line of scrubs that are “incredibly soft” and designed for optimum fit, according to head designer Julie Lane Schragin. Peaches Uniforms and Med Couture designs

Aussie firm offers herbal whitening toothpaste

Barros Laboratories, manufacturers of the White Glo brand of teeth-whitening products, has introduced its White Glo herbal whitening toothpaste, a 100% chemical-free product that whitens teeth naturally, the company announced. White Glo offers a method that effectively removes stains on teeth without the abrasive effect. Unlike other brands that claim to be chemical free, White Glo’s exclusive formula is based on natural herbs and minerals. It contains no baking soda,

Private equity firm acquires orthodontic supplier

The Riverside Company has acquired G&H Wire, a company that manufactures and supplies orthodontic products for a worldwide customer base. This is Riverside’s 49th healthcare transaction but the firm’s first foray into orthodontia, according to the company. G&H began as a producer of looped arch wires but has grown to manufacture an entire gamut of orthodontic force products, including arch wires, springs, and elastomers. The company also sells additional orthodontic