Dental News - Preferred Dental Network

Spinbrush Electric Toothbrush May Not Be Safe For Use

A new warning issued by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), states that certain electric toothbrushes may not be safe for use. On more than one occasion, the battery-powered Arm & Hammer Spinbrush, previously known as the Crest Spinbrush, has been known to break, causing pieces of the toothbrush to injure eyes, and teeth, and even choking. Ali Shumaya, M.P.H... More

Eating Disorders Cause Severe Dental Erosion

It is estimated that about 1.1 million men and women in the UK suffer from eating disorders, with the dark figure thought to be even higher, considering that many more keep their problem a secret. A study by the University of Bergen in Norway, showed that patients who suffer from eating disorders, such as Anorexia and Bulimia, experienced substantially more dental health problems... More

Contaminated Dental Surgery Equipment Source of Legionnaire's Disease Death

This week's issue of The Lancet describes a case report of an 82-year-old woman in Italy who died of Legionnaires disease after becoming infected with L pneumophila at her dentist. This case has prompted the authors - led by Dr Maria Luisa Ricci at the Istituto Superiore di Sanita, Rome, Italy, to call for various control measures at dental surgeries to prevent similar incidents... More

Smoking Zaps Healthy Bacteria In The Mouth, Welcomes Pathogens

According to a new study, smoking causes the body to turn against its own helpful bacteria, leaving smokers more vulnerable to disease. Despite the daily disturbance of brushing and flossing, the mouth of a healthy person contains a stable ecosystem of healthy bacteria... More

Screening For Diabetes Using Blood From Periodontal Disease

Oral blood samples drawn from deep pockets of periodontal inflammation can be used to measure hemoglobin A1c, an important gauge of a patient's diabetes status, an NYU nursing-dental research team has found. Hemoglobin A1c blood glucose measures from oral blood compare well to those from finger-stick blood, the researchers say... More

What Is Gingivitis? What Causes Gingivitis?

Gingivitis means inflammation of the gums (gingiva). It commonly occurs because of films of bacteria that accumulate on the teeth - plaque; this type is called plaque-induced gingivitis. Gingivitis is a non-destructive type of periodontal disease. If left untreated, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis, which is more serious and can eventually lead to loss of teeth... More

Stopping Gum Disease By Preventing Bacteria From Falling In With The Wrong Crowd

Stripping some mouth bacteria of their access key to gangs of other pathogenic oral bacteria could help prevent gum disease and tooth loss. The study, published in the journal Microbiology suggests that this bacterial access key could be a drug target for people who are at high risk of developing gum disease... More

Association Between Injectable Progesterone Contraceptives And Poor Periodontal Health

Injectable progesterone contraceptives may be associated with poor periodontal health, according to research in the Journal of Periodontology... More

Paper Clips For Root Canals Lands Dentist In Jail

When dentists do a root canal they are supposed to use steel posts, and definitely not paper clips. A dentist from Massachusetts has just received a 1-year prison sentence at the Bristol County House of Correction, for using paper clips for just such procedures - he had faced charges of assault and battery, as well as defrauding Medicaid to the tune of $130,000, and intimidating a witness. Dr... More

Genetic Variation Revealed That Raises A Risk Linked To Bisphosphonates

Researchers at the Columbia University College of Dental Medicine have identified a genetic variation that raises the risk of developing serious necrotic jaw bone lesions in patients who take bisphosphonates, a common class of osteoclastic inhibitors. The discovery paves the way for a genetic screening test to determine who can safely take these drugs... More

Nanocrystals Make Dentures Shine

The hardest substance in the human body is moved by its strongest muscles: When we heartily bite into an apple or a schnitzel, enormous strengths are working on the surface of our teeth. "What the natural tooth enamel has to endure also goes for dentures, inlays or bridges", glass chemist Prof. Dr. Dr. Christian Russel of the Friedrich Schiller University Jena (Germany) says... More

Dried Licorice Root Fights The Bacteria That Cause Tooth Decay And Gum Disease

Scientists are reporting identification of two substances in licorice - used extensively in Chinese traditional medicine - that kill the major bacteria responsible for tooth decay and gum disease, the leading causes of tooth loss in children and adults... More

Dental Health Experts At Nationwide Children's Hospital Remind Parents About Scheduling Toddlers For Dental Visits

While infants under 12 months old may only have a few teeth, experts say they should been seen by a dentist within the first year of life. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry's revised guidelines on infant oral health recommend infants 6 to 12 months old should to be seen by a dentist. More than 40 percent of children have tooth decay by the time they reach kindergarten... More

Dentists Could Screen 20 Million Americans For Chronic Physical Illnesses

Nearly 20 million Americans annually visit a dentist but not a general healthcare provider, according to an NYU study published in the American Journal of Public Health. The study, conducted by a nursing-dental research team at NYU, is the first of its kind to determine the proportion of Americans who are seen annually by a dentist but not by a general healthcare provider... More

Bleeding After Dental Extractions In Cardiac Patients On Anticoagulants Reduced By Protocol

Clinicians need a protocol to reduce the risk of substantial bleeding after dental extractions in cardiac patients who take anticoagulant medications... More

Addition Of Mannitol Increases Effectiveness Of Dental Nerve Block Anesthesia

Allowing a patient to be comfortable and pain-free during surgical and restorative dental procedures is an essential part of the process. The most commonly used local anesthetic injection for lower teeth is the inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) block. However, failure rates ranging from 10 to 39 percent have been reported... More

F. Nucleatum Enables Breaking Bond On Blood Vessels To Allow Invaders In

A common oral bacteria, Fusobacterium nucleatum, acts like a key to open a door in human blood vessels and leads the way for it and other bacteria like Escherichia coli to invade the body through the blood and make people sick, according to dental researchers at Case Western Reserve University... More

Not All NJ Youngsters Are Equal When It Comes To Use Of Dental Services

When it comes to receiving dental care, New Jersey has its share of underserved children, according to a Rutgers study. In 2009, more than one-fifth of the state's children between 3 and 18 received no dental care within the previous year... More

New Fluorescent Imaging Sorts Microbiome In Human Mouth

New fluorescent labeling technology that distinguishes in a single image the population size and spatial distribution of 15 different taxa has uncovered new taxon pairings that indicate unsuspected cooperation -- and standoffishness -- between members of the microbe biofilm that covers teeth, according to a presentation at the American Society for Cell Biology's Annual Meeting in Denver... More

Bone Fractures Can Be Predicted By Dental X-Rays

It is now possible to use dental X-rays to predict who is at risk of fractures, reveals a new study from researchers at the Sahlgrenska Academy reported in the journal Nature Reviews Endocrinology... More

3-D Printer Makes Bone-Like Material

It looks like bone. It feels like bone. For the most part, it acts like bone. And it came off an inkjet printer. Washington State University researchers have used a 3D printer to create a bone-like material and structure that can be used in orthopedic procedures, dental work, and to deliver medicine for treating osteoporosis... More

HPV Vaccination Change Is A Good Thing, Says British Dental Health Foundation

The Government's plan to switch its Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccination from "Cervarix" to Gardasil" from Sep. 2012, has been welcomed by the British Dental Health Foundation. The leading oral health charity believes that the novel vaccine will deliver increased health benefits and prevent genital warts... More

News From The Journals Of The American Society For Microbiology

Annual Childhood Flu Vaccines May Interfere With Development of Crossresistance Vaccinating children annually against influenza virus interferes with their development of cross-reactive killer T cells to flu viruses generally, according to a paper in the November Journal of Virology... More

New Cancer-Causing Virus Confirmed By Researchers

An important new study from the Laboratory for Developmental Genetics at USC has confirmed cytomegalovirus (CMV) as a cause of the most common salivary gland cancers. CMV joins a group of fewer than 10 identified oncoviruses - cancer-causing viruses - including HPV... More

Tooth Scaling May Lower Heart Risk While Gum Disease Predicts Type Of Risk

Two new studies give further insights into the links between mouth hygiene, gum disease and cardiovascular events... More

Accreditation needed for Medicare-covered ADI

Washington—Suppliers of the technical component of advanced diagnostic imaging services for Medicare beneficiaries must be accredited to be reimbursed for the claim if the service is performed on or after Jan. 1, 2012. The accreditation requirement applies to suppliers of the images and not the physician's interpretation. More

California bill calls for "rigorous study" of expanded dental procedures

Sacramento, Calif.—Legislation approved by the state senate Jan. 26 would create a dentist-led Statewide Office of Oral Health within the state Department of Public Health charged with addressing the "significant human and financial costs" of unmet dental needs. More

Report cites quality improvement efforts, opportunities

Washington—Quality improvement efforts in organized dentistry and throughout the health care system offer opportunities to increase access to care and “improve and maintain the oral health of the U.S. population,” says a report funded by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and DentaQuest Institute and intended to advance the national health policy dialogue. More

AADB Mid-Year Meeting scheduled for April

The American Association of Dental Boards’ 2012 Mid-Year Meeting takes place April 22-23 at ADA Headquarters. More

Past ADA trustee Dr. Lloyd J. Phillips dies at 89

Indianapolis—Dr. Lloyd J. Phillips, a past ADA trustee who represented the 7th District from 1970 to 1976, died Jan. 15 here. He was 89. More

Vital and Health Statistics

Hyattsville, Md. – Seven percent of American children aged 17 and younger had unmet dental need in 2010 because their families could not afford dental care, the National Center for Health Statistics said in an analysis of data collected by U.S. Census Bureau interviewers and reported in the Vital and Health Statistics series. More

ADA creates new committee, process to maintain CDT Code

The ADA Council on Dental Benefit Programs is launching a new process to maintain the CDT Code. More

Denver Nuggets drop in for TeamSmile day

NBA high five: Denver Nuggets guard-forward Jordan Hamilton greets a young patient at the TeamSmile dental care day held Dec. 17, 2011, at the Pepsi Center in Denver. More than 100 dental professionals and volunteers provided free dental treatment and preventive care to 125 underserved children from 10 local organizations. More

ADA seeks treasurer candidates

Members interested in running for ADA treasurer can go on ADA.org to find the information necessary for filing for candidacy. More

Speaker of the House candidates face June 21 filing deadline

The 2011 House of Delegates changed the rules for how an ADA member becomes a candidate for speaker of the House. More

Special Care Dentistry to meet in April

Scottsdale, Ariz.—Registration is open for the 24th Annual Meeting on Special Care Dentistry, set for April 26-29 at the Hilton Scottsdale Resort and Villas. More

New surveys available

Two new reports are now available by the ADA Health Policy Resources Center. More

Nation's capital to welcome new dentists

Washington—For new dentists seeking clinical, practice management and professional issue courses tailored specifically to their needs all in one place, there is nothing like the ADA New Dentist Conference. More

Resolution on patient-centered outcomes research adopted

Las Vegas—The 2011 House of Delegates adopted a resolution that spells out the ADA’s policy on comparative effectiveness research—also known as patient-centered outcomes research. More

Top rated member benefits

Below is a list of how valuable ADA members rated Association benefits in 2011 (with 5 being extremely valuable; 4 very valuable; 3 somewhat valuable; 2 not very valuable; and 1 not at all valuable). More

Ready for NCDHM?

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month and the ADA offers both free resources and products for purchase that encourage elementary and high school children to “Rock Your Smile.” More

Create customized office manual with updated ADA guide

An updated guide is available in the ADA Catalog to assist dental practices in developing a customized employee office manual. More

Researchers receive NIDCR grant to study lactobacilli genome

New York—A research team at the New York University College of Dentistry has been awarded a $2.2 million grant to sequence the genome of lactobacilli strains to look for a relationship to severe early childhood caries. More

Soap actress named New Jersey Give Kids A Smile spokeswoman

Dayton, N.J.—Brooke English’s smile was usually directed at Adam Chandler. Or Tad Martin. Or Edmund Grey. Or Tom Cudahy. More

Share GKAS photos with ADA News, Facebook

Help us celebrate the 10-year anniversary of Give Kids A Smile! More

NJ legislature officially declares February as CDHM

Trenton, N.J.—The New Jersey legislature, with the urging of the New Jersey Dental Association, has declared February Children’s Dental Health Month. More

Four reasons to save the date for the ADA Annual Session

San Francisco—Planning a trip to the ADA’s 153rd Annual Session Oct. 18–21 can benefit your practice and your personal development and offer some outstanding opportunities to enjoy the attractions of the City by the Bay. More

Chinese dentists at Annual Session

Las Vegas—A bit of China came to the ADA Annual Session last year when the Peking University School of Stomatology hosted a reception to celebrate the inauguration of its overseas alumni association. More

Winners of 2011 office design competition named in Vegas

Las Vegas—Wells Fargo unveiled the winners of the 2011 Dental Office Design Competition Oct. 12 during the ADA Annual Session. More

Orthodontist qualifies for two national golf championships, sets sights on third

Bethlehem, Pa.—Orthodontist Joe Viechnicki enjoyed the experiences of a lifetime in 2011, playing in not one but two United States Golf Association championships: the U.S. Senior Open and the U.S. Senior Amateur. As 2012 rolls around, he’s poised for a run at the British Seniors Open Amateur Championship Aug. 8-10 in Wales. More

Dr. Gabriel Rincón named RWJF community leader

New York—Dr. Gabriel Rincón, a Brooklyn dentist who knows firsthand how tough it can be for Hispanic immigrants to adjust to life in the United States, has been honored as a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Community Health Leader for his tireless work as an advocate for health, education and social issues affecting New York Latinos. More

New laws mandate recycling of old electronics

Getting rid of that old computer isn't so easy anymore but the extra effort will promote a green environment. More

Register now for March Evidence-Based Dentistry Champions Conference

Dental peers from the worlds of academia and clinical practice can meet and learn about evidence-based dentistry together at the ADA Evidence-Based Dentistry Champions Conference, March 8-10 at ADA Headquarters. More

Uniformity in dental licensure grows

The American Board of Dental Examiners has extended its reach to 42 states. More

FDA advises of pain medicine mix-up

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration wants health professionals to be aware of a packaging problem at a Nebraska pharmaceutical plant where there were three instances of opiates being mixed in with over-the-counter pain medications. More

Penn Dental Medicine adds DScD degree to academic options

Philadelphia—Penn Dental Medicine is adding a new doctoral degree to its academic programs to provide students the opportunity to pursue research across disciplines. More

CareCredit celebrates 25th anniversary

CareCredit is celebrating its 25th anniversary of helping patients finance their health care. More

Dental spending growth resumes

Washington—The dental economy gained traction in 2010 as patient out-of-pocket spending rebounded from a sharp recessionary decline, analysts reported Jan. 9 in the government’s annual snapshot of national health spending. More

Clarification on letter in December 2011 issue of JADA

A letter that appeared in the December 2011 issue of The Journal of the American Dental Association stated that, as of Jan. 1. 2012, dentists would be required to display an automated external defibrillator (AED) in their office. More

Dental law, ethics conference set for Feb. 24-25

New Orleans—The American College of Legal Medicine will host its 4th annual Ethics and Legal Aspects of Dentistry Conference Feb. 24-25 at the Hyatt Regency here. More

Fraudulent ADA dues billing reported

If you recently received a membership renewal communication by fax, take a closer look. More

DQA continues its mission of defining quality care

The Dental Quality Alliance met at ADA Headquarters Dec. 2 and continues to make progress advancing oral health quality measurements. More

Making your New Year's resolutions stick

New Year’s resolutions—they’re easy to make but easier to break. Why is it so hard to make the healthy changes that we know can help us feel better and live longer? And why is it so hard to make them last? National Institutes of Health-funded scientists are learning more about how we can make healthy changes and, even more important, how we can sustain them. More

Free training on fraud, abuse laws posted online

Washington—The Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced  it would provide 11 new and free videos and podcasts that can help health care providers learn about compliance with  health care fraud and abuse laws. More

UNC student wins top prize in Student Ethics Video Contest

In learning to make treatment decisions, dental students are sometimes caught between performing the care they need to fulfill graduation requirements and doing what’s best for the patient. More

What does it mean to be a certified dental technician?

Dr. Kevin Sessa is willing to bet that most dentists don’t understand what it takes to be a certified dental laboratory technician or what it means. More

Explore success with posterior resins in ADA CE Online course

ADA CE Online is offering a new course on posterior resin restorations. More

Workforce model report available

The ADA Health Policy Resources Center released the 2011 ADA Dental Workforce Model: 2009-2030. More

NLRB delays poster rule until April 30

Washington—The National Labor Relations Board has agreed to postpone the effective date of its employee rights notice-posting rule to April 30. More

Call for comments on CERP's proposed changes to eligibility criteria extended to Feb. 1

The ADA Council on Dental Education and Licensure has proposed that “commercial entities”—defined by the ADA Continuing Education Recognition Program as companies that produce, market, re-sell or distribute health care goods or services consumed by or used on patients—should no longer be eligible to apply to become ADA CERP approved providers of continuing dental education. More

House urges districts to add more new dentist delegates

Las Vegas—This past October the ADA House of Delegates passed an initiative designed to promote more inclusiveness in its ranks. More

Good Samaritan rewarded with new smile

Unemployed carpenter Wayne Sabaj found a fortune, and then fortune found him. More

Electronic health records primer

A new resource on electronic health records is posted in the Dental Practice Hub on ADA.org. More

Reaching out to the world

Broken Arrow, Okla.—As a teenager volunteering at a missionary training center in Monterrey, Mexico, Dr. Ron Lamb was called on to help haul the center’s trash trailer to the city dump. The dumpster was filled with a week’s worth of kitchen waste, and he was horrified to see people driven by hunger picking through it, looking for scraps of food amid the waste. More

Longtime Vermont, Maine association execs retire

Two New England dental associations are about to lose a combined 57 years of management experience with the retirements of their long-time executive directors. More