Greg Kelly

It was a busy week last week in dentistry, with the industry mourning the death of an iconic inventor. Hawaii is also experiencing high rates of tooth decay among its children, according to 

 report explores the deadly threat of endocarditis. 

Inventor of Iconic Sore-Throat Spray Is Dead

“Dr. Robert I. Schattner, a dentist-turned-inventor who created Chloraseptic, a popular sore-throat medication, and the medical disinfectant Sporicidin, died Jan. 29 at a hospital in Bethesda, Maryland. He was 91.” In 1952, “after months of late-night work, he found a formula that eased soreness in the mouth and the throat.”

Dishonest Texas Dentists Seldom Disciplined

“Each year the Texas State Dental Board of Examiners disciplines dentists from all over the state for providing treatment that isn't medically necessary, but a CBS Austin investigation finds that those dentists rarely have their licenses suspended, and when they do, they can keep practicing dentistry.”

Genetic Defects in Tooth Enamel Lead to Cavities

“Bacteria are not the sole cause of cavities; tooth resistance also plays an instrumental role. Researchers from the University of Zurich demonstrate that mutated genes lead to defects in the tooth enamel and can therefore encourage the development of cavities.”

New Insurance Plan Causes Dentists Some Pain

“A plan by the state’s largest dental insurer to sell new low-cost coverage has sparked an outcry among dentists, who fear the move will cut their incomes and force them to rush through appointments,” according to this report from Massachusetts. Delta Dental “says the move is necessary to attract budget-conscious businesses and consumers amid a slowdown in its growth.”

Virginia Dentist Takes City to Federal Court

All roads lead to: Dr. Allan Bergano is “suing the City of Virginia Beach, claiming that he was not compensated for having to move his practice to make way for the widening of Witchduck Road. He is seeking $475,000, which is the amount it reportedly cost him to move.”

Hawai‘i’s Rampant Tooth Decay Problems

Results from a major dental screening by the Hawaii State Department of Health found that state’s “children have the highest prevalence of tooth decay in the United States — literally the worst in the nation when it comes to taking care of our kids’ teeth.” Will water fluoridation help?

Bacterium Goes From the Mouth to the Heart

When human mouth bacteria “spreads to other tissues via the blood stream, the results can be catastrophic. Researchers from the University of Bristol have now revealed a potentially key molecular process that occurs in the case of infective endocarditis, a type of cardiovascular disease in which bacteria cause unwanted blood clots to form on heart valves.”

Military Dentists Gather for Professional Development

“More than 60 active-duty dental officers gathered Feb. 2 at Naval Hospital Bremerton to attend the first dental leadership symposium sponsored by the Puget Sound Military Health System.” The goals: “help attendees develop as military officers and for their role as dental providers within the Military Health System.”

Articles

The Boston Globe reports that Robert I Schattner, D.D.S., the dentist who invented Chloraseptic, has died. He was 91. A report from CBS Austin says that though dentists are often sanctioned by the Texas State Dental board, they rarely have their licenses suspended. And when they do, they tend to keep practicing. Also, a new study indicates that genetic mutations may lead to tooth-enamel defects that encourage cavity development.

The DMD Check-Up: Dentistry Loses Inventor of Chloraseptic

This week's list of must-read news stories for dentists includes:

“Forget about Vicodin, Percocet, and other potentially dangerous, addictive opioids. Over-the-counter painkillers may work better,” according to this report from the nation’s leading consumer protection group. “We, as dentists, have to recognize that our overprescribing contributes to the prescription opioid abuse epidemic,” explains Elliot Hersh, DMD, PhD.

RELATED: More Coverage on Opioids in Dentistry

Dentist Sentenced for Prescribing Pain Meds to Employee, Then Using Them Himself

Yankee Dental Speakers Arm Dentists in Fight Against Opioid Abuse

New “research published in Periodontology 2000 showed that people who had lost five or more teeth by the age of 65 were also more likely to suffer from other serious health issues such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and osteoporosis, which could severely limit a person’s life expectancy.”

Aspiring French Dentist Wins Miss Universe

“A dental student from Paris was crowned Miss Universe on Monday, becoming the second Frenchwoman to win the title in the pageant's history and the first champion from Europe in more than a decade.” Iris Mittenaere says her goal is to “advocate for dental and oral hygiene.”

Vadim Kondratyuk was a 26-year-old truck driver from Utah with a wife and two young daughters.

“Questions remain about the case. His infection could have been resistant to antibiotics — but it may also have been due to incomplete dental care. In a case such as this, perhaps a failure to achieve source control by removing the tooth and cleaning the infection site was to blame,” an expert said.

Q&A with Chicago Dental Society President

Here’s a catchy profile of Phillip Fijal, DDS, the leader of the 4,500-member Chicago Dental Society. His advice to dentists: “Take time to build the trust of your patients. I think all dentists are in the profession to help people improve, and then maintain good oral and overall health, which can take some time for patients to understand.”

Bridging the Gap Between Medical and Dental Care

“Private insurers may lead in developing systems that integrate treatment between medical and dental care,” according to this news report from Pennsylvania. “There is no rational reason why they should be separate,” said dentist Robert J. Weyant, who chairs the Department of Dental Public Health at the University of Pittsburgh.

From Australia, “a prominent Melbourne dentist has taken defamation action against a patient who posted a scathing online review after claiming he was quoted $1.200 for a filling that would take only 45 minutes.” With more than 65,000 patients, Dr. Kia Pajouhesh's dental empire earns “$20 million a year.”

Blue Ribbon Panel Issues Dental Sedation Report

“In August of last year, the Sunset Advisory Commission requested a review by a blue ribbon panel of dental experts into dental anesthesia-related deaths in Texas as part of its review process of the State Board of Dental Examiners. On January 4, that report was released and is available online.”

Forget about Vicodin, Percocet, and other potentially dangerous, addictive opioids. Over-the-counter painkillers may work better, according to this report from the nation's leading consumer protection group.

The DMD Check-Up: The Best Drugs for Dental Pain

The End of Tooth Fillings Once and For All

Originally created for Alzheimer’s patients, a new drug has been found to help repair cavities and tooth degeneration. British researchers found that the drug Tideglusib encourages stem cells in teeth to create new dentine.

“A New Jersey dentist was fined $1.1 million and hit with a 50-year ban for stealing the identity of a dead colleague.” Dr. Roben Brookhim’s “exclusion was one of the longest ever imposed by the US Department of Health and Human Services.

Asian Immigrants Dental Concerns Much Neglected

“There is very little research on Asian immigrants and the different subgroups that fall into that category. With the Asian population being the second-fastest growing group in the U.S., there is a call for more comprehensive research on what inhibits their dental care,” according to a new American Journal of Preventive Medicine report.

“How far would you go to be better than the competition? One North Carolina dentist went to extreme measures to make sure his dental practice stayed on top. Dr. David Draper legally changed his last name to ‘David Better’ so he could keep the name of his dental practice, ‘Better Dental.’”

The MouthWatch Intraoral Camera has been ranked as the best intraoral camera on DentalCompare's list of Top Dental Products of 2016, taking the #2 spot overall. “The benefits of seeing the need for treatment or preventive care not only help dental practices improve patient education but also increase their case acceptances," CEO Brant Herman said.

Go south, young dentist. A new bill in the Alabama state legislature would help rural communities keep healthcare professionals nearby by “expanding tax incentives for dentists and physicians if they agree to live and work in rural areas. Too many rural doctors are retiring and not being replaced. A community without a doctor is almost a dying community.”

 has published results from a randomized trial of a novel plaque identifying toothpaste, (Plaque HD) that shows “statistically significant reductions in dental plaque and inflammation throughout the body.” Plaque HD is a fluoride toothpaste with a built-in disclosing agent.

“Dental benefits remain an afterthought for many employers. They shouldn’t be,” explains the president of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Wisconsin. He offers up some practical and clear insights on dental insurance options for businesses. A worthwhile read for dentists to see where they stand.

New Dental Implant Reduces Risk of Infections

“A multidisciplinary team of researchers at KU Leuven (University of Leuven, Belgium) has developed a dental implant that gradually releases drugs from a built-in reservoir. This means that the implant is effective in terms of both preventing and curing infections.”

How an Alzheimer's medication may help fill cavities, plus, an N.J. dentist is convicted of stealing a dead colleague's identity.

The DMD Check-Up: The End of Fillings As We Know Them?

Dentists Sue Over Allegedly Fake Online Reviews

“Two dentists who worked together in New Jersey are embroiled in a lawsuit with one practitioner claiming the other posted defamatory reviews about him online in an effort to destroy his reputation, according to a lawsuit filed in Bergen County.”

“There is major change ahead for the U.S. health care system. How the mouth will be treated remains to be seen,” according to this report from a top health analyst. “Evidence points to several policy priorities that should be preserved or implemented in order to enhance access to dental care and promote oral health in state and federal policy going forward.”

“Delta Dental, the largest provider of dental benefits in the state, is preparing for a change that will mean lower rates for employers and their workers — but also lower reimbursements for dentists.” “They are driving a wedge between the patient and the dentist,” said the president of the Massachusetts Dental Society.

Along with a compelling profile of Dr. Tom Hand, “an 81-year-old dentist who has practiced for 58 years and sees no reason to retire,” comes some wise advice from Jean Chatzky, who tells of “the benefits of continuing to work after traditional retirement age.”

“The percentage of people who say they've visited the dentist in the past year has dropped from 44.5 percent to 42.1 percent,” according to a new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report. “The goal of the Healthy People 2020 initiative is to have 49 percent of people visiting a dentist at least every year.”

What Your Dentist Really Wants You to Know

Here’s a quality patient education piece: “From brushing to bad breath, knowing these eight facts, provided by William Wathen, DMD, associate professor at the Texas A&M University Baylor College of Dentistry, will make both you and your dentist smile at your next appointment.”

In light of recent reports of parents finding mold growing inside of a popular toddler teething toy, pediatric dentist Dr. Dana Chianese will no longer use or recommend teething toys to parents. "It still hurts my heart to know that for months I allowed my babies to chew on moldy toys," explains the New Jersey dentist.

“Earnings for general dentists in the U.S. remained stable in 2015, but they appear unlikely to return to prerecession growth levels, according to a new research brief by the ADA's Health Policy Institute.” Also, “general dentists reported being busier, but there is still significant unused capacity in the dental care system.” Average net income for general dentists, $174,780; for specialists, $320,460.

One dentist says his former partner posted defamatory reviews about him to hurt his reputation.

The DMD Check-Up: Dentist Sues Ex-Colleague Over Alleged Fake Reviews

A trip to Los Algodones — a Mexican town just south of the border where it seems almost everybody is either a dentist or works for one. The population is “hovering around 5,000 and contains approximately 350 dentists. Prices are significantly lower than in the United States. A crown runs as low as $180, a filling as little as $30.”

Dr. Carl Misch, Implant Dentistry Pioneer, RIP

The founder of BioHorizons and the Misch Institute died on January 3. A renowned American prosthodontist, Dr. Misch was recognized internationally for his clinical and academic contributions to the field of implant dentistry. He was a private practitioner in Michigan for more than 30 years, a Temple University School of Dentistry professor, and held 16 patents.

“What we currently have is a failing dental service where clinicians are having to be too focused on targets to spend adequate time on giving individual prevention advice, are overwhelmed by sheer patient numbers and are constantly banging their heads against parental brick walls,” explains this veteran National Health Service dentist.

“Fillings could be consigned to history after scientists discovered that a drug already trialed in Alzheimer's patients can encourage tooth regrowth and repair cavities.” UK researchers “found that the drug Tideglusib stimulates the stem cells contained in the pulp of teeth so that they generate new dentine.”

New Training for Hygienists Could Expand Dental Care

“Elderly and low-income residents are not getting adequate dental care, according to health care and anti-poverty advocates” in Massachusetts, “and it’s costing the state big bucks.”  While “a coalition of advocacy groups says the solution lies in training and licensing a new class of dental hygienists to provide routine but critical care,” state dentists are skeptical.

Texas Dentist Have ‘Deep Dissatisfaction’ with Managed Care

The TDMR recently asked dentists to take an online survey to ascertain their views on Texas Medicaid dental managed care. The results aren’t pretty.  Some 43 percent of dentists rated the performance as “terrible.” Only 6% rated the performance as “excellent.”

In her new book, “What Teeth Reveal About Human Evolution,” Ohio State University anthropology professor Debbie Guatelli-Steinberg “gives a broad overview of what scientists have learned about our ancestors from studying fossilized teeth. As for the teeth of humans living today—well, it is a good thing we have modern dentistry.”

New England’s largest gathering of dental professional will take place in Boston from January 25-29. The meeting will include 450+ exhibitors, offer 30+ free CE courses, and host 28,000 dental professionals. Here’s the details for still interested dentists.

A trip to Los Algodones, a Mexican town just south of the border, where it seems almost everybody is either a dentist or works for one.

The DMD Check-Up: A Mexican Town of Dentists

Dental Visits Top America’s List of Health Needs

“Americans want to see their dentists more often. A new Delta Dental survey finds that dentists lead the pack of health practitioners adults want to see more.” About 40 percent of Americans do not get to the dentist as often as they'd like, followed by dermatologists at 28 percent.

Dentists Call to End ‘Workplace Cake Culture’

Dentistry leadership in Britain “says that the sharing of sweet treats in the office is contributing to health problems.” What’s needed is “a culture change in offices and other workplaces that encourages healthy eating and helps workers avoid caving in to sweet temptations.”

“An inspiration to small business owners” lies in Brooklyn: “In a year of searching for a good dentist in New York City, I happened upon a pretty amazing one, in a class by herself when it comes to design sensibility and customer touchpoint innovation, and unlike anything I’ve seen before.”

“Researchers may have uncovered one of the oral hygiene habits of the ancient human that would be sure to please modern dentists. A new study in the 

 shows that humans approximately 1.2 million years ago used their own homemade tooth picks, which has led to new theories on the dietary habits of ancient humans.”

“Many communities in Illinois are in desperate need of dentists, especially to serve low-income patients. Despite the demand, state health officials are having trouble recruiting more young dentists. They cite “advantages to working in a rural, high-need area” for interested young dentists.

Artificial intelligence “is going everywhere — into space, inside the human body and now, into your mouth. Ara, the world’s first AI-capable toothbrush will actually teach you how to brush your teeth better.” The Kolibree product will be available at an “introductory price” of $129 in March.

Dentists Can Help Patients Who Bite Their Nails

“We have to help our patients understand that anytime they use their hands, they risk being exposed to different kinds of bacteria. Biting their nails inevitably passes the germs from their hands to their teeth, tongue, and gums, leading to problems in the mouth. A New York dentist offers worthwhile tips to help patients break the habit.

‘The Silent Epidemic of Oral Diseases’

A compelling essay about the state of dental care in America as seen through the eyes of a dentistry professor: “When oral health is treated as if it were unrelated to overall health — as is the case in this country, where there is ‘medical’ insurance and then there is ‘dental’ insurance – the consequences can be dire.”

Human Brains and Teeth Did Not Evolve in Lock Step

“A new study from the George Washington University's Center for the Advanced Study of Human Paleobiology has found that whereas brain size evolved at different rates for different species, especially during the evolution of Homo, the genus that includes humans, chewing teeth tended to evolve at more similar rates."

A study by Delta Dental finds that 40 percent of Americans don't get to see their dentist as often as they'd like.

The DMD Check-Up: Americans Want to See their Dentists More, Survey Says

	Dr. Esther M. Wilkins, whose comprehensive textbook for the study of dental hygiene standardized how the field is taught worldwide, died on December 12 at her home in New Hampshire. “People didn’t appreciate dental hygienists until she came along and made sure they did.”

History of America's Most Outrageous Dentist

	Quite a tale. Edgar Randolph “Painless” Parker began his practice to take advantage of a turn of the century dental atmosphere -- “lack of trained practitioners and patients’ fears of pain.” His business “was deceptively simple: inject patients with watered-down cocaine and pull their teeth. The 50-cent extraction would be painless, or he'd pay the patient $5.”

Rural Dentists Get Hammered on Medicaid Costs

	“Medicaid providers only make 45 percent on the dollar of what they would make otherwise, and a lot of people don't realize that that number hasn't changed since 2004. The reimbursement is horrible," explained one Kansas dentist who has provided Medicaid services since 1990. Plus, “so few dentists are replacing those retiring.”

Support for Controversial Restraint Technique

	“While some providers said a new restraint technique can help children cope better at the dentist’s office, opponents say it can actually traumatize children. But a division chief of pediatric dentistry at Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh, says that although the 'papoose board' is controversial, it can be crucial to a child’s dental visit.”

	“Scuba divers may want to stop by their dentist's office before taking their next plunge. A new pilot study found that 41 percent of divers experienced dental symptoms in the water, according to new research from the University at Buffalo.” Deep “underwater is the last place you want to be with a fractured tooth."

Dental Procedure Streamlines Soldier Readiness

	The first total rehabilitation of a full set of teeth supported by four implants was conducted on an active-duty soldier at William Beaumont Army Medical Center in Texas, according to this report from Defense Media Activity. The new process will “take care of soldiers, their quality of life, and readiness of the force.”

“Medical Tourism” … Dental Included

	Last year 11 million people worldwide traveled to other countries for low-cost medical (and dental) treatment. Called “medical tourism,” experts say hundreds of billions of dollars are spent annually this way. The industry is expected to grow by 25% in 10 years. One company, MedRepublic, connects doctors with people around the world who need medical care.

	In a symposium held by All India Institute for Medical Sciences, experts from India and other countries discussed various ways to deal with the increasing dental traumatic injuries among children. Among them, “If a tooth has come off entirely -- from the roots -- your dentist may be able to implant it back in its place if you save the fallen tooth in milk.”

	"Doctors like the majority of their patients, but a majority also like some more than others,” finds a new Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health study. Favorite patients were “those who the physician had known over a period of time (one year to several decades) and who were or had been very sick, which meant the physicians saw them more frequently and spent more time with them.”

Overhauling America’s Dental Insurance is Necessary

	More on the new Health Affairs study about how Americans are more likely to skip needed dental care because of cost than any other type of healthcare.” The chief economist for the ADA’s Health Policy Institute says: “medical insurance is doing a better job at protecting consumers from financial hardship than dental insurance."

	With periodontal disease having reached “epidemic proportions” in the US, the dentist behind LANAP (or laser periodontal surgery) practice says it should be a standard therapy for treating periodontitis. The dental profession’s inability agree on accepted standards for insurance reimbursement for this care has hurt patients.

Dr. Esther M. Wilkins, whose comprehensive textbook for the study of dental hygiene standardized how the field is taught worldwide, died on December 12 at her home in New Hampshire. 

The DMD Check-Up: Dentistry Loses a Pioneer

Americans Rate Healthcare Providers High on Honesty

Most Americans trust their healthcare providers to be honest and ethical, but few other professions fare so well in Gallup's Poll. Nurses top the list with 84% of the public rating their standards as "high" or "very high.” Dentists were in the #5 position with a 59% top rating and physicians were #2 at 65%.

A Look Inside the Grisliest Job in Sports

“Broken or missing teeth, smashed jaws, torn lips, slashed tongues, raw nerves … it’s all in a day’s work for the unsung heroes of the hockey world, NHL team dentists. Nothing fazes them. And for the players? The pain they can handle, but fear is another matter. The dental chair is the ultimate equalizer.”

Researcher Uses Genome Sequencer to Study Tooth Decay

“A Clemson University researcher is embarking on a mission to help fight the most prevalent chronic disease plaguing Americans today — tooth decay. ‘What we aim to do is use DNA and RNA sequencing to better understand how these good and bad bacteria differ at the genetic, or more precisely, genomic level,’ says Professor Vincent Richards.”

Gauze of Death: Routine Dentist Visit Risks Life

“For some patients, a trip to the dentist ended in the emergency room when a piece of gauze became lodged in their throats, with some cases even ending in death,” according to this report. “The ADA has no recommendations for throat packs because materials used during dental procedures are chosen through the clinical judgement of the individual dentist.”

Mercury from Fillings Can’t Go Down Public Sewers

“The US Environmental Protection Agency has adopted a rule to require dentists, whose treatment of tooth decay with mercury compounds has sent the toxic substance into public sewers for decades, to contain their discharges by early 2020.” Dental offices account for half the mercury in public waste streams.

US Dental Care Forecast Shows Missed Opportunities

“The impact of not accessing dental care can be great, including missed work or school, diminished social connections — even sub-optimal nutrition, since dental disease can hinder the ability to eat. Poor dental health increases the risk for diabetes, heart disease and poor birth outcomes,” according to this troubling report from the nation’s capital.

The ATRF’s 2016 to 2017 report shines a bright spotlight on nine courts or areas of the country with a reputation as Judicial Hellholes — that is, “jurisdictions where courts have been radically out of balance.” Tops are: #1 City of St. Louis, Missouri, #2 California, and #3 NYC Asbestos Litigation.

“American oral hygiene brand Oral-B, a sub-brand of P&G, is bullish on the growth potential of the electric toothbrush market in China, as a rising middle class and an increased awareness of oral care are set to drive the sales of various high-quality products.” Just 2% of Chinese residents use electric toothbrushes verses up to 40% in the US and Europe.

The Oral Health Hazards of Holiday Stress

Timely patient education report: “Holiday stress can be a pain in the neck … and the teeth, warns Delta Dental. If too much family time or the mad dash for last minute gifts causes you to grind or clench your teeth, be aware that it can cause your teeth to ache, wear down, become loose or even crack.”

Dr. Henry J. Heimlich, Famous for Antichoking Technique, Dies at 96

A mouthful: “Dr. Henry J. Heimlich, the thoracic surgeon and medical maverick who developed and crusaded for the antichoking technique that has been credited with saving an estimated 100,000 lives,” is dead after suffering a heart attack at his home in Ohio. RIP.

It's a One-derful Life: An Ace Unites Father and Son Once More

Here’s a very touching golf story about a dentist and his son: "I cried for the next three holes. I couldn't get it together. It was just so emotional. To have Bergy's son ace that hole, where we'd just spread the ashes, I couldn't believe it. I lost the tournament there and, honestly, I couldn't have cared less."

Broken or missing teeth, smashed jaws, torn lips, slashed tongues, raw nerves it's all in a day's work for the unsung heroes of the hockey world, NHL team dentists. Nothing fazes them, The Globe and Mail reports.

The DMD Check-Up: Dentists, The Unsung Heroes of Pro Hockey

Paying California Dentists More to Treat Poor

A new bill in the California legislature “would require the Department of Health Care Services, which oversees Denti-Cal, to boost pay for participating dentists. California’s reimbursements for these dentists have long been among the lowest in the nation,” remaining unchanged for 15 years.

Tis the season: “Chocolates and other edible gifts (87%) are the most popular gifts for dentists, according to a new Dental Defence Union survey in the UK. Alcohol (40%) came in second as the most popular gift choice.”

The 32 Most Influential People in Dentistry

“In dentistry, a multibillion-dollar health-care industry that's home to some of the nation's most innovative and interesting people, no ranking of ‘influence’ existed until now.” 

 “has released its inaugural list of the most influential people in dentistry, 32 such ‘voices’—one for every tooth, of course.”

Dentists Reassess Their Role Amid Growing Opioid Crisis

Dental professionals “have long occupied a rather overlooked position when it comes to addressing pain.” While physicians have taken the spotlight, dentists are also frequent prescribers of immediate-release opioids. Dentists are in a unique position to counsel patients about what a narcotic prescription means and to be "thoughtful and responsible" when writing those scripts.

Fear Leads to Do-it-Yourself Dental Care in UK

“A quarter of people have attempted DIY dental care, rather than visiting a dentist, according to a survey by Sapphire Braces. While fear of the dentist prevents some people from seeking treatment, 41% of those surveyed said the price of treatment puts them off booking an appointment.”

Dental Savings Plans Key to the Oral Healthcare Crisis

“Dental savings plans provide an affordable option for the uninsured and under-insured. With a dental savings plan, members gain access to a network of dentists who have agreed to offer reduced rates to plan members—typically 10% to 60% off the cost of virtually all dental care needs and treatments.”

Gum Disease Bacteria Linked to Rheumatoid Arthritis

Johns Hopkins investigators have “new evidence that a bacterium known to cause chronic inflammatory gum infections also triggers the inflammatory ‘autoimmune’ response characteristic of chronic, joint-destroying rheumatoid arthritis.”

Cleft Lip and Palate Problems Linked to Abnormal Salivary Glands

“A new study in the Journal of Dental Research suggests that dental problems commonly associated with cleft lip and palate may be caused by abnormalities in salivary glands and an imbalance of immune compounds in the mouth.” According to the CDC, cleft lip and palate is one of the most common birth defects in the U.S.

If You Think US Medical Care Is Broken, Take a Look at Dental Care

Sorry state: Dental care “‘is one of the largest unmet health needs in the U.S.,’ said Elizabeth Mertz, an associate professor in the School of Dentistry at the University of California, San Francisco. As a result, cavities and gum disease are two of the most common chronic health problems that Americans suffer—though they are also among the most preventable.”

“Augmented reality glasses that allow dentists to speed up procedures and help students learn faster are being used at the University of Western Australia. The new technology will allow the dentist to stay within the operating area, rather than refer to a computer, and it is expected the advancement will help the practitioner see an extra patient per day.”

More Oral Healthcare at Federally Qualified Health Centers

“Despite efforts to increase dental visits at federally qualified health centers, only 21% of people who use those facilities received dental services in 2015, according to the UCLA School of Dentistry and Fielding School of Public Health. Solutions include adding dental clinics at federally qualified health centers and providing support for infrastructure enhancements and quality improvement.”

Teeth May Reveal a Multi-Day Biological Clock

“Tiny lines laid down by tooth enamel appear to reveal a previously unknown biological rhythm. If confirmed, the finding could help researchers understand why big animals grow slower—and live longer&mdash;than small ones,” according to a report on a New York University paleoanthropologist.

Dentists are in a unique position to counsel patients about what a narcotic prescription means and to be "thoughtful and responsible" when writing those scripts, one news report says.

The DMD Check-Up: Addressing the Opioid Crisis

More Involved Dental Hygienist Improves Oral Health

“Research conducted by the University at Albany's Center for Health Workforce Studies finds that in states where dental hygienists are allowed by law to practice at higher levels of professional competence and skill, the population's oral health notably improves.”

Pet Care Costs Can Top Human Medical Bills

“Pet owners may shell out as much—or more&mdash;money for their pets’ health care as they do for their own, a new report by Healthy Paws Pet Insurance suggests. Pricey new technologies and more advanced treatment options drive up costs in many cases.”

Many Americans Skip the Dentist Due to Cost

“Americans are more likely to skip needed dental care because of cost than any other type of health care, researchers report in 

. Working-age adults are particularly vulnerable, the study found. Some 13% reported forgoing dental care because of cost.

The 25 Most Meaningful Jobs That Pay Well

“Jobs that meet the world’s needs don’t have to pay a pittance—good news for the growing number of professionals who want to take home competitive compensation for doing work that makes a positive difference.” Dentist is #8, with a $128,700 median salary and an 89% high job meaning. The top 7 jobs are all physicians.

Required reading for dentists—a thoughtful and respected health media entity does a solid and serious review of oral health in America. The December ‘16 Health Affairs charges that “the divide between dental care and medical care is vast, has significant consequences for patients, and is entirely of our own making.”

Time to Stop Using Bite Marks in Forensics?

“Forensic dentists claim that they can accurately associate a bite mark to the one and only set of teeth in the world that could have produced the crime scene bite mark. There is, however, no sound basis for believing that forensic dentists can do such a thing. A new paper in 

Significant Shortage of Minority Dentists in USA

“Underrepresented minority dentists represent a smaller percentage of the dental workforce and are unevenly distributed in relation to minority populations in the United States, according to a study by researchers at UC San Francisco. They added that “evidence suggests that workforce diversity promotes social justice and increased health equity.”

A Tennessee dentist won a $22 million lawsuit against a TennCare dental benefits contractor. Federal jurors agreed that the company, “DentaQuest, excluded Dr. David Snodgrass from treating TennCare children because he criticized the company’s practices.”

World’s First Dental Vaccine Could End Painful Surgery

“According to research from Australia, a breakthrough vaccine significantly reduces the need for antibiotics and painful treatment—and may become a reality within the next few years. Clinical trials of the vaccine on patients with gum disease could begin in 2018.”

“A Utah Department of Health report revealed that about two-thirds of Utah children ages 6 to 9 have had cavities. But even more concerning was the fact that about 3,000 children in the state presented urgent dental problems like abscesses and infections that require immediate dental care.”

Dentists Divided Over Dental Therapists’ Role

“About half of dental professionals believe midlevel providers should have the opportunity to work in their state, while the other half disagree, according to a new survey by the National Dental Practice-Based Research Network. And just 30% of dentists expressed interested in hiring a dental therapist.”

Research conducted by the University at Albany's Center for Health Workforce Studies finds that in states where dental hygienists are allowed by law to practice at higher levels of professional competence and skill, the population's oral health notably improves, one news report says.