Clinical

Laura Dorr is the former executive editor of DPR's Modern Dental Network and a regular contributing author.

Articles

Criminals be warned: Leaving a tooth fragment at a crime scene could be your undoing. A new test lets police determine important identifying information about suspected perpetrators from tooth samples.

New test helps law enforcement predict criminal’s age based on teeth samples

Blueberries are a popular snack, but do their benefits go beyond their satisfying taste? Absolutely, says a new study by the American Chemical Society, which found that blueberries could help treat periodontitis and reduce the need for antibiotic therapy.

New study finds blueberry extract could reduce antibiotic use in treating gum disease

A new study by researchers at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found 77 percent of dentists do.
It also found that more than half of dentists (54 percent) believe it is their responsibility to conduct these screenings.

Many dentists now ask patients about illegal drug use

Researchers from the Cochrane Oral Health Group, however, did find data suggesting water fluoridation may reduce cavities in children, although they most of the studies were conducted before widespread adoption of preventive measures such as fluoridated toothpaste and sealants.

Researchers find no evidence water fluoridation improves or worsens tooth decay and cavities

How much school missed: 18 percent of parents reported their children missed at least a half a day of school, while 4 percent said their children missed one day, 4 percent reported children missing two days and 6 percent said their children had to miss three or more days.

31% of U.S. parents say kids missed school due to dental problems

In the case of baby formula, the need to better understand human iron metabolism has become more urgent with the global popularity of formula and fortified cereals. Adding iron to formula has been an industry standard for decades, in part because about two billion people worldwide – mostly in developing nations – are thought to have chronic anemia and iron deficiency.

Teeth reveal link between iron levels in infant formula, Parkinson's disease

The study was published in Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, the journal of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA).

Dental care linked to risk of respiratory infections in ICU patients

 With thousands of British children being admitted into National Health Services (NHS) hospitals every year to treat tooth decay, a British-based company is imploring dental practices to look at how they promote and encourage regular check-ups. 

British company urges dental practices to step up amid claims of tooth decay crisis in children

 “Jedes kind kostet die mutter einen zahn,” says an old German saying; “every child costs the mother one tooth.” While many people dismiss old wives tales, this is one that has some basis in reality: According to researchers at New York University, the risk of tooth loss and gum disease increases with the number of children a woman bears.

Does having more children equal fewer teeth for mothers?

Many people dread going to the dentist, but at least they only have to think about it a few times a year. This is not the case for one British man who, due to a bizarre case of amnesia, wakes up every morning thinking it’s the day of his dental appointment.

Emerging Research