Sarah Handzel, BSN, RN

 for patients across the country, the integration of 

 into dental practices, and the threats to these systems, it’s no wonder that the cybersecurity industry is predicted to experience substantial growth. From 2017 to 2021, healthcare cybersecurity spending — including spending in dentistry – is forecast to grow to $65 billion. This is based on predictions that the number of ransomware attacks, like the one that recently crippled England’s National Health Service (NHS), will quadruple by 2020.

, the healthcare cybersecurity market will grow by as much as 15 percent through 2021. Because of the risks to patient data and other digital healthcare information, governments across the world are expected to increase scrutiny of the industry and adopt or revise regulations requiring organizations to use the latest security technology available. Healthcare providers are also expected to begin demanding more from their IT service providers, including strong security features that will help protect the electronic health information of their patients.

While hospital systems might be more vulnerable than smaller healthcare or dental facilities, the fact remains that, as the industry continues to move to digital information systems, threats from hackers remain a very real danger. Steve Morgan, founder and Editor-in-Chief at Cybersecurity Ventures, 

, “Outdated systems, lack of experienced cyber personnel, highly valuable data, and added incentive to pay ransoms in order to regain patient data, are magnetizing hackers to the healthcare market.” 

One of the most effective ways dental and other healthcare organizations can stave off cyberattacks is to simply 

. Cybersecurity threats have become a way of life, and, for healthcare organizations, they will continue to become more sophisticated and less easily avoidable.

The key to protecting patient data is to be equipped with the right technology tools that can help make such attacks more likely to fail. Morgan says, “Healthcare organizations have lagged the market in cyber defense spending, and they’ve suffered for it. They’ve been hacked into spending. Security has become just as important, if not more important, than digitizing patient records.”

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A new report from Cybersecurity Ventures puts cybersecurity spending in healthcare at $65 billion by the time 2021 rolls around. The report pegs industry growth to the rise of cloud-based data storage and telemedicine services, such as teledentistry. The news follows the recent Wancry cyber attack that crippled England's National Health Service.

Cybersecurity Spending to Increase to $65 Billion in Next 5 Years

To increase rates of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination and tobacco cessation for oral cancer prevention, the American Dental Association (ADA) has 

 with the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to promote prevention programs aimed at dental and medical professionals. It is estimated that over 50,000 new cases of cancer in the oral cavity and pharynx will be diagnosed this year, and most of these cancers will not be diagnosed until they are in later stages.

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Currently, tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of cancer in the U.S.; almost one-third of all cancer cases are directly related to tobacco consumption. However, 

 are occurring more often. HPV infection has been shown to be responsible for as many as 70 percent of all cases of oropharyngeal cancers, in addition to cervical, anal, and genital cancers. Cancers caused by HPV are four-times more common in men than in women, and almost 9,000 new cases of cancer related to HPV will be diagnosed this year.

Due to the increasing incidence of these types of cancers, the ADA and MD Anderson both stress the importance of vaccinating young adults for HPV, since such vaccinations can improve patients’ health and help prevent HPV-related cancers. Additionally, both organizations are focused on developing programs to prevent children and young adults from smoking. Focus will also be on finding new methods of encouraging and supporting current smokers in their efforts to stop smoking.

Marshall Hicks, M.D. and President ad interim of MD Anderson, 

, “Tobacco use and HPV infection remain the leading causes of oral cancers. MD Anderson is pleased to partner with the ADA to develop innovative educational programs that will increase awareness about the prevention and early detection of oral cancers. Through this collaboration, we have a significant opportunity to inform care providers and the public about the associated risks, and we can make a difference in the fight to end cancer.”

“ADA member dentists promise to put patients first, and as a profession we look for innovative ways to treat and prevent disease, and promote wellness. Together with MD Anderson, one of the most respected cancer centers in the world, we are excited to pioneer new programs to help our patients live healthy and disease-free lives,” 

 Gary Roberts, D.D.S. and President of the ADA.

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The American Dental Association and the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center are partnering to prevent oral cancer. The two groups will work to increase vaccination rates for HPV and promote smoking cessation efforts. Experts say there are more than 50,000 cases of cancer of the oral cavity and pharynx diagnosed each year.

ADA Teams Up with MD Anderson for Oral Cancer Prevention

Could teledentistry be the key to increasing your practice's in-office appointments?

As focus shifts to teledentistry and its potential, dentists are increasingly interested in tapping into this new treatment and revenue stream. 

, held from May 4-6 in Anaheim, featured a new product known as 

. Dentists or hygienists can use this fully integrated teledentistry platform to create or improve teledentistry systems to connect patients to powerful imaging technology and dental expertise.

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Brant Herman, CEO of MouthWatch, the company that designed TeleDent, 

, “We've really seen in the last year a marked increase in the awareness of teledentistry. I think we've been part of that.”

The TeleDent platform is designed to integrate existing teledentistry systems or operate as its own standalone system. One of the main features of the platform is its connection with the MouthWatch intraoral camera, which allows remote hygienists or patient caregivers to obtain and share diagnostic images via live stream or a “store and forward” system. Dentists can easily conduct patient evaluations from a distant location and recommend further treatment steps.

MouthWatch touts TeleDent as an easy, effective, and affordable option for dentists looking to implement teledentistry or expand on their current capabilities. The platform can be launched with a subscription to the TeleDent platform, as well as an intraoral camera and a laptop or tablet with the appropriate software installed. Dentists can also purchase a TeleDent turnkey system that features all the required components.

According to MouthWatch, the TeleDent platform is a HIPAA-compliant way for dentists to increase the scope of their practice, as well as bring in additional revenue. Emerging teledentistry platforms like TeleDent might also help make it more likely for patients to come into a dental practice after an initial remote evaluation. The company also notes that more insurance companies are beginning to reimburse providers for teledentistry evaluations, consultations, and intraoral images, which will be of great benefit to dentists looking to expand their offerings into teledentistry.

MouthWatch has debuted its new teledentistry platform called TeleDent. The platform integrates with existing teledentistry systems or can operate on its own. The new system interfaces with the MouthWatch intraoral camera, allowing remote dentists to receive diagnostic images without breaching HIPAA compliance.

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A bill making its way through the Nevada legislature would hold dentists legally accountable for their use of SEO.

For years, online advertising has been a cornerstone in the promotion of dental practices. It’s one of the best ways dentists get new patients through their doors. But now, dentists in Nevada are faced with the possibility of professional discipline for producing false or misleading advertisements. If the proposed bill is passed, dentists in the state could have their licenses suspended or even revoked for violations of the law.

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Senate Bill 334 was proposed to regulate how Nevada’s dentists advertise online. According to a report in the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Steven Saxe, an oral surgeon in Las Vegas, spoke about the issue before Nevada’s Assembly Commerce and Labor Committee. He 

, “The public needs protections against ‘unscrupulous advertising’ in the dental industry. The standards of professional conduct for dentists who advertise need to be updated to include online advertising. Specifically, no specific rules specifically apply to search engine optimization.”

At the heart of the issue is misleading advertising that takes advantage of search engine optimization standards. According to the report, dentists can pay companies that maintain search engines in order to be positioned at the top of the list of search results when a patient searches for a term online, like “oral surgeon” or “pediatric dentist.” Saxe said, “Dental specialists should not have to compete with people who are misleading the public by using the internet.”

While the bill received unanimous support in the Nevada Senate, lawmakers have been hesitant to take action. One lawmaker was 

 as saying he was a “little bit leery” when it came to making dentists responsible for all their advertising. Another commented that there is a clear distinction between keywords used to increase search result positioning and those used to advertise a dental practice or provider, noting that keywords should simply drive traffic to a website.

In further comments, Saxe drew attention to the fact that many people do not read a full website after arriving there based on a keyword search. He said, “the irresponsible internet companies are not interested in the accuracy. No specific rules specifically apply to search engine optimization. The standards of professional conduct for dentists who advertise need to be updated to include online advertising.”

A bill making its way through the Nevada legislature would hold dentists accountable for all online advertising they use specifically search engine optimization. Currently, all state dental advertising laws do not cover SEO. Under the bill, dentists could face suspension or revoked licenses if they break the law.

One prediction states that all healthcare facilities will be using cloud-based computing and data storage by 2015.

In healthcare facilities nationwide, data storage — including patient records, billing, and analytical information – is moving into the cloud. As a result, more facilities are focusing on eliminating their on-site servers in favor of integrating the entirety of their electronic information into cloud-based storage systems. Some are even seeing large rewards from doing so.

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Migration to the cloud is not a new concept, according to a 

 in Healthcare IT news. In 2003, an article suggesting the eventual commoditization of IT sent shockwaves through the industry, although many people did not realize the full implications of such commoditization. Many businesses used their own datacenters to store information and increase computing power, but now a growing majority are realizing it makes more sense to outsource those functions to multiple providers for less expense, especially when compared to what is necessary for maintaining their own systems.

One prediction estimates that all types of healthcare facilities, including dental practices both large and small, will integrate fully to a cloud-based technology infrastructure within the next five years. In fact, many organizations have already made the transition and have seen several benefits from doing so.

In one example, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services are beginning to see big dividends from cloud integration. The organization created a cloud-based analytics platform that has already eliminated $5 million in infrastructure spending.

James Lawson, Chief Solutions Officer at Verge Health, says, “Several years ago it was ‘You're crazy if you think we'll put patient data in the cloud.’ Today, it's, ‘You're crazy if you think you're going to put patient data in my servers.’”

The implications for larger dental practices and organizations could be more significant than for smaller dental practices, at least for now.

Lawson continued, “When you're the last man standing with a datacenter, and your competitors are using that capital to generate revenue, the upside of moving to the cloud will become crystal clear.”

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The days of having a data server in your dental practice may be numbered. Health care, including dentistry, is embracing the shift toward cloud-based computing. One study expects a complete shift to cloud storage in the next five years. The cloud computing change has specific implications for dentistry.

The interior of the Axess mask is designed to fog over when the patient is breathing through his or her nose.

Crosstex International, Inc. and its subsidiary, Accutron, Inc., have launched a new sedation mask that is designed to improve the delivery of anesthetic gases and patient comfort. The mask, called the 

, is a single-use, low profile nasal mask that is lightweight and contoured for a better fit around each patient’s nose.

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To help assure clinicians that the mask is operating properly, fogging will appear in the translucent mask as the patient breathes through his or her nose. The mask is designed to promote a better nasal/facial seal in order to minimize ambient nitrous oxide and gas flow into the patient’s eyes during the procedure. Due to the contour of the mask, providers should be able to avoid the use of tape or nasal cannulas.

Additionally, the new AXESS mask is accompanied by a low-profile scavenging circuit that can be easily retrofitted to most scavenging circuits. The system can also be steam-sterilized and reused, and it is available in three sizes and three scents — mint, bubblegum, and unscented – to maximize patient comfort.

Both the AXESS mask and scavenging circuit are made of lightweight, slender tubing that reduces the drag that can lead to mask displacement. Both are designed to increase patient comfort while also allowing the anesthesiologist unobstructed access and viewing of the patient’s oral cavity. There is no natural rubber or latex in either the mask or the circuit.

Jackie Beltrani, Vice President of Global Marketing for Crosstex International, 

, “Patient safety has always been the cornerstone of the Crosstex mission. The growing emphasis on patient comfort and nitrous oxide/oxygen sedation correlates with an increase in positive patient experiences. For dental professionals, that has the potential to mean more referrals and more opportunities to grow their practices.”

A new sedation mask, created by Crosstex International and Accutron, Inc., is intended to improve how nitrous oxide and other anesthetic gases are delivered to patients. The single-use mask is designed to have a better seal around patients noses to keep gas out of their eyes. The mask, which can also be steam sterilized, should help dentists avoid the use of tape or nasal cannulas.

	Researchers have identified another correlation associated with left-handedness: slender jaws.

Almost one in five of all U.S. teenagers have slender jaws, making it one of the most common facial features of this age group. Typically, individuals with slender jaws have an overbite caused by their lower jaw biting backward. This can also cause these people to have a convex facial profile. But there’s one anatomical feature that most don’t associate with the jawline at all — left handedness. In a 

, Philippe Hujoel, professor at the University of Washington School of Dentistry, describes a new relationship between slender lower jaws and left handedness.

Hujoel gathered data for the study from three national surveys that collected information from 13,536 individuals in the U.S. The findings indicated that left-handed people were more likely to have slender lower jaws compared to right-handed people. Slender jaws have previously been associated with a susceptibility to tuberculosis.

, “Almost 2,000 years ago a Greek physician was first to identify slender jaws as a marker for TB susceptibility, and he turned out to be right! Twentieth-century studies confirmed his clinical observations, as slender facial features became recognized as one aspect of a slender physique of a TB-susceptible person. The low body weight of this slender physique is still today recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as a marker for TB susceptibility."

Based on the findings of this study, Hujoel hypothesized that the genes responsible for facial features and susceptibility to tuberculosis might also increase a person’s likelihood of being left-handed. He also noted that certain geographical coincidences, such as recorded high rates of tuberculosis infection, slender faces, and left-handedness in the United Kingdom. In contrast, Eskimos have historically been described as tuberculosis-resistant, with broad facial features and a greater incidence of right-handedness.

Researchers have known for years that the shape of a person's jaw can be used to determine the likelihood of certain diseases and disorders. However, new research out of the University of Washington School of Dentistry shows that jaw shape may correlate to which hand is a person's dominant hand. The data indicate that people with slender jaws tend to be left-handed.

Left-handed? Your Jaw Might Have Given It Away

The online survey asked 500 adults age 18 — 75 about their knowledge and perceptions of oral cancer and screening efforts.

The majority of people surveyed — 62% - admitted to knowing very little to nothing about oral cancer. Only 29% of those surveyed stated their dentists actually performed an oral cancer screening at their last dental checkup.

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A full 81% of survey respondents indicated they wanted their dentists to screen them for oral cancer at every dental visit. Most people polled were interested in simple screening tools that could test for early indicators of oral cancer, and 79% of respondents would like the option of being screened for oral cancer using a test that collected cell samples via a saline rinse.

People also want more education from their dentists. Over 77% of survey respondents were interested in learning the ways they could help to reduce their risk of developing oral cancer. The results of the survey showed that there is a great disparity between the public’s knowledge of oral cancer risks and actual risk factors. For instance, less than half of those surveyed — 41% - were able to identify human papillomavirus (HPV) as a risk factor for oral cancer. For those that were already diagnosed with HPV prior to the survey, only 36% considered themselves to be at greater risk for developing cancer. Only 17% of respondents were aware that up to 40% of people diagnosed with oral cancer die within five years of diagnosis.

Dentists are in prime position to discuss oral cancer risk factors and the ways in which a patient can help reduce their likelihood of developing the disease. Less than 5% of those polled had previously discussed the relationship between HPV and oral cancer with their dentist, and only 20% said their dentists had spoken with them about risk factors for oral cancer. Dentists can help their patients by offering educational opportunities, reviewing risk factors specific to each patient, and taking steps to actively screen for oral cancer.

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A national survey conducted by Vigilant Biosciences, in collaboration with the Head and Neck Cancer Alliance, Oral Cancer Foundation, and Support for People with Oral and Head and Neck Cancer, shows the majority of adults living in the U.S. want their dentists to screen for oral cancer during visits.

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In an effort to understand American’s consumption patterns related to time, a 

 examines the public’s perception of individuals living an overworked lifestyle.

The report authors defined busyness as “long hours of remunerated employment and lack of leisure time." The goal of the research was to capture data about both the quantity of time devoted to work, as well as the quality of the time spent on work.

Data for the study was captured from several studies, which enrolled participants from the U.S. and Italy. In one study, participants viewed status updates on Facebook and written letters — some of which relayed a sense of busyness, others that indicated more leisure time - from a hypothetical “friend”. A second study used online surveys to capture information about participant’s perceptions of status after reading brief descriptions about an imaginary friend. One description suggested an overworked lifestyle, while a second description focused on a more leisurely approach to daily life.

In both of these studies, participants were asked to answer a series of questions related to the level of busyness in the imaginary friend’s life, rating the friend’s social status, perceived wealth, and expected income level. Finally, study participants were asked to rate whether they believed the friend to be competent, ambitious, a “scarce resource”, and holding skills thought of as “in demand”.

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As the authors expected, the imaginary friend was perceived as possessing of higher human capital characteristics the busier she was thought to be.  When more leisurely status updates or letters were viewed, study participants ranked the friend as having less status and possessing of professional skills that were less in demand.

Two more studies were conducted to help confirm the overall results. In the third study, volunteers from both America and Italy completed a survey after reading another description of an imaginary individual. In a departure from the expected results, Italian participants indicated that a busy lifestyle was less preferred than a leisurely one, and that being overworked and perpetually busy was not an indicator of higher social status. However, the American respondents still indicated a higher social status was achieved through busyness.

Finally, a fourth study used the same methods to collect information from American participants, but focused on brands, like Whole Foods and Bluetooth, and an imaginary consumer. The results indicated that brands and products that are associated with an overworked lifestyle, like a Bluetooth headset which frees a user’s hands to continue work, were seen as indicators of higher social status, wealth, and income among in the study sample group.

It's been said before that Americans are busier than ever, and many people claim they have no free time because of the demands of their jobs. But there's one upside to being so busy you can't stop to enjoy life, a higher perceived status in society.

Busyness, the New Status Symbol

Despite many gains in the involvement of women in dentistry, a gender pay gap persists. New research published in the Journal of the American Dental Association attempts to understand why.

In 1982, women made up only 3 percent of practicing dentists in the U.S. By 2014, women represented 47 percent of students enrolled in dental programs. And by 2020, 28-30 percent of the dental workforce is expected to be women.

Yet, female dentists consistently earn less. In an attempt to understand gender pay differences, a 

Journal of the American Dental Association

 has examined the factors among three professional occupations, including dentistry, that could influence earnings.

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The study authors used data from the Integrated Public Use Microdata Series census and a five-year American Community Survey sample to identify a large sample of male and female dentists. Researchers constructed a basic earnings model using data related to several factors, including:

· Whether the individual was a business owner

The results of the study showed that, while there has been progress in closing the wage gap, men still out earn women in dentistry. In 1990, male dentists made almost twice as much as female dentists, earning, on average, $143,874 — women brought home $65,744.

Researchers analyzed data from the two subsequent decades and determined that the difference in gender pay decreased. However, even in 2010, female dentists were still earning less than their male counterparts. In 2010, male dentists earned about $185,200, but female dentists only earned about $120,475. But in 2010, male dentists were also on averag, 11 years older than the women included in the study. Additionally, men were more likely to be self-employed and tended to work more hours per week and more weeks per year.

Still, the pay gap between men and women in dentistry persists. The study authors were not able to account for all variables that might influence the pay gap, and there are still significant unexplained differences in earnings that cannot be explained. They raised questions regarding the choice of dental specialty, employment history, and years at a particular dental practice or facility. Also, the researchers did not account for other factors that could influence earnings, like the size and location of a dental practice or time spend away from work due to illness.

Without a clear understanding of all the factors that could contribute to a difference in earnings, the authors caution against any policy changes that are created to help alleviate earnings differences. If a better understanding is not reached through further research and study, such changes could actually make the problem worse instead of better, they say.

Women have made many gains in dentistry. Consider that in 1982, they made up 3 percent of all practicing dentists in the U.S. By 2014, 47 percent of dental students were female. And yet, a gender pay gap persists among dentists. New research published in the Journal of the American Dental Association aims to understand why.