Sealants Not Filling Gaps in U.S. Oral Health
The Pew Center on the States recently published an up-to-date report that graded each of the 50 U.S. states based on their compliance with four major benchmarks related to children’s oral health. This year, the focus was on prevention and efforts to improve access to sealants for low-income children…
Detecting Gum Disease with a Tooth Tattoo?
US scientists recently announced they have created a tooth ‘tattoo’ made of gold, graphite, and silk that is supposed to aid in both the detection and measurement of bacteria within the oral cavity.[1] Led by a Princeton nanoscientist, and a team of Tufts bioengineers, the tattoo acts like a sensor that gives a 24-hour panoramic view of what’s [...]
Why Dental Professionals Take Blood Pressure
When dental professionals take their patient’s blood pressure, they may not always realize that some patients have absolutley no idea why it is being done, or what the implications can mean for both their oral and general health. As hypertension continues to affect 66.9 million Americans (making it the most common medical condition known today), it is important for the dental profession to relay to their patients the [...]
Poor Oral Health May Ultimately Lead to Dementia Later on in Life
While we know the obvious repercussions of not properly taking care of our teeth and gums, more studies are coming out showing us why our oral health is an even bigger concern than we may have thought. Researchers have found that those who do not regularly brush may have a higher risk of developing dementia later [...]
*New* CE Course: Cleansing & Polishing Part II
This month, The Richmond Institute has published an all new CE course titled, “An Evidence-Based Approach to Cleansing and Polishing: Part II” by leading clinician and author, Michele Darby, RDH. It represents the second half of the first part of the course (which was published last May), but concentrates more on the selective polishing of restorative materials, [...]
Children’s Dental Fillings Linked to Slight Social Behavioral Issues
Recent research has shown that a simple procedure that is meant to help children, may be harming them in another way. The BPA used in non-metal fillings is being linked to social behavioral problems in children, causing results such as increased anxiety, depression, and social stress. [Read Article]
‘Keep 32′: Winning the Fight Against Streptococcus Mutans?
Yale researchers have recently discovered a new molecule that is able to destroy the common bacteria—Streptococcus Mutans—which is often responsible for the onset of tooth decay. So far, tests show it can kill the harmful bacteria in as little as 60 seconds, and will prevent it from coming back for another several hours after it’s applied. [VIEW [...]
Geo-Mapping Childhood Caries Risk: A New Preventive Method
A study was recently published on geo-mapping the risk of childhood caries across low socioeconomic populations over a significant period of time.[1] With a high need to conveniently monitor these national demographics, the goal is to formulate a system that identifies areas with the greatest need for oral health resources by analyzing trends and changes [...]
