The tiny pencils that IKEA puts out for shoppers to use when ordering products while wandering the store’s aisles have found an interesting and unintended use among oral and maxillofacial surgeons, according to an article in the British Medical Journal (December 9, 2010). The IKEA pencils — or rather, the stealing of them — have already become somewhat of an Internet sensation, according to Karen Eley, a research fellow at
CAO Group has introduced the newest member of its Sheer Film family of products: Sheer FluorX fluoride treatment film. Sheer FluorX fluoride treatment film employs CAO Group’s proprietary thin, flexible Sheer Film material. The new films are applied easily and eliminate the bulky fluoride trays that often cause gagging that many patients cannot tolerate, according to the company. Sheer FluorX molds tightly to the teeth, ensuring complete contact of the
Periodontal treatment during pregnancy does not reduce the risks of preterm birth and low birth weight, a new study in the Journal of the American Dental Association has found (December 2010, Vol. 141:12, pp. 1423-1434). The relationship between periodontal disease and pregnancy outcomes has become the subject of debate in recent years, with different studies reporting a range of results. And while some experts agree with the findings of the
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) is now partnering with the National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition on its Text4baby program. The AAPD’s leading pediatric oral health experts will work closely with Text4baby in disseminating information to pregnant women and new moms about children’s oral healthcare. Text4baby delivers health tips via text messages to those who need it most. Women who sign up for the service by texting BABY
Baluke Dental Studios of Toronto has joined the SensAble Authorized Production Center (SAPC) Program. SAPCs create fixed and removable dental restorations for their own dentists using the SensAble Dental Lab System. As a lab using the SensAble system for its own production, Baluke can purchase the scan-only or the scan/design configuration of the SensAble Dental Lab System, then send the files electronically to Baluke for designing and/or 3D printing of
Komet is the fastest-growing carbide brand in the U.S. dental rotary market, according to Strategic Data Marketing’s (SDM) Dental Products Trial, Awareness and Penetration Study (DPTAP) for the first half of 2010. About 20 carbide brands were included in the survey, which was conducted over the Internet with a nationally representative sample of nearly 800 general dentists. SDM conducts market research designed to guide the product and marketing strategies of
Ann Benson, a registered dental hygienist (RDH) from Mesa, AZ, is the first recipient of the new Crest Oral-B Pros in the Profession award program, created to honor RDHs who go above and beyond the call of duty. Benson was selected from a pool of qualified candidates for her initiative in starting Mobile Dentistry of Arizona, a practice that brings comprehensive dental care to those with limited transportation. Providing excellent
Labeling for dental amalgam should more clearly inform dental practitioners and their patients of the potential risks posed by the mercury it contains, an expert panel advised the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) at a two-day meeting in Gaithersburg, MD, this week. And the FDA should do its own risk assessment and meta-analysis of scientific literature to gain an authoritative grasp of what is knowable about the dangers that
A new landmark survey of New Zealand oral health shows that Kiwi teeth have significantly improved over the past two decades. The 2009 New Zealand Oral Health Survey, released December 15 by the Ministry of Health, examines the habits and dental status of New Zealanders. It is the first comprehensive study on this scale since 1988, the government announced. The survey was conducted from February to December 2009, and consisted
Clearstep Laboratories is using Objet’s high-resolution, 3D printing systems to become more efficient in manufacturing custom-made orthodontic clear aligners on a mass scale. The Clearstep Solution is a series of clear, removable aligners designed to align the patient’s teeth. The clear aligners consist of individual parts vacuum-formed using Objet’s printed models; the production is heavily supported by Objet 3D printing systems, which help to reduce the time required for the
Biolux has filed a U.S. patent application for the use of phototherapy in orthodontics. The invention relates in particular to methods and apparatuses useful for accelerating, controlling, or improving the quality of tooth movement during orthodontic treatment. There is strong interest from the patient and orthodontist communities to decrease the overall treatment timeline for orthodontics, particularly in adult orthodontics, the company noted. The proprietary Biolux technology is noninvasive and infuses
The National Maternal and Child Oral Health Policy Center has announced the launch of its official website, www.nmcohpc.net. The site is designed to be a resource center for state policymakers and other key players in oral health policy. It will feature publications, briefs, news, and other content produced by the center and its partners, and will serve as an online forum for policymakers to discuss developing policy issues and how
