Copyright 2009 Medical News Today Latest Dentistry News From Medical News Today. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/sections/dentistry/ admin@medicalnewstoday.com (MNT Admin) editors@medicalnewstoday.com (MNT Editors) en-us Sun, 08 Nov 2009 01:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/170185.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/170185.php An "unacceptable and growing chasm" exists in the UK between those with good and poor oral health, according to the British Dental Association's (BDA's) Oral Health Inequalities Policy which is published today. The policy highlights the close association between low socio-economic status and poor oral health, calling for more focus on preventive care. It also says there should be a more integrated approach to oral health from health and social care providers. Dentistry Sat, 07 Nov 2009 00:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/170136.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/170136.php A dental abscess, or tooth abscess, is an accumulation of pus that forms inside the teeth or gums. The abscess typically originates from a bacterial infection, often one that has accumulated in the soft pulp of the tooth. Bacteria exist in plaque, a by-product of food, saliva and bacteria in the mouth which sticks to the teeth and damages them, as well as the gums. Dentistry Sat, 07 Nov 2009 00:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/170160.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/170160.php The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has awarded researchers in Rice University's new BioScience Research Collaborative (BRC) a $2 million Grand Opportunity (GO) grant to develop a fast, inexpensive test for oral cancer that a dentist could perform simply by using a brush to collect a small sample of cells from a patient's mouth. Cancer / Oncology Fri, 06 Nov 2009 01:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/170028.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/170028.php A new study indicates dentists can play a potentially life-saving role in health care by identifying patients at risk of fatal heart attacks and referring them to physicians for further evaluation. Dentistry Thu, 05 Nov 2009 05:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169968.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169968.php Unrelenting toothache means a visit to the dentist is inevitable, and if the tooth decay is really bad root canal treatment is often the only option. The dentist first removes the nerve completely and then closes the ensuing canal with a filler. This must be airtight to prevent bacteria from entering and causing renewed inflammation. On the other hand, the material must also be removable. Dentistry Wed, 04 Nov 2009 05:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169833.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169833.php New clinical guidelines released by the International Diabetes Foundation (IDF) emphasize the importance of periodontal health for people with diabetes. Diabetes affects approximately 246 million people worldwide, and this number is only expected to increase. The IDF is an organization of 200 national diabetes associations from 160 countries. Diabetes Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169426.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169426.php In today's state watch, Virginia plans to close a pharmacy for the mentally ill, Medicaid patients in Michigan are suing over dental care and Rhode Island reports that insurers remain relatively healthy. Mental Health Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169370.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169370.php The annual amount spent by Georgians and Ohioans or their insurers for dental care in 2006 averaged about $150 less than the national average of $607, according to the latest News and Numbers from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. The average annual dental expenditure for each Georgian who had dental care was $466, while for Ohioans, it was $474. Dentistry Fri, 30 Oct 2009 05:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169306.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169306.php An "unacceptable and growing chasm" exists in the UK between those with good and poor oral health, according to the British Dental Association's (BDA's) Oral Health Inequalities Policy which is published today. The policy highlights the close association between low socio-economic status and poor oral health, calling for more focus on preventive care. It also says there should be a more integrated approach to oral health from health and social care providers. Dentistry Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169196.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169196.php PAIR Technologies, a start-up company established by University of Delaware researchers and a former DuPont scientist, is preparing to commercialize a high-precision detector - a planar array infrared spectrograph - that can identify biological and chemical agents in solids, liquids, and gases, present at low levels, and in less than a second. IT / Internet / E-mail Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169049.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169049.php Philanthropists Irwin and Joan Jacobs of La Jolla, CA are giving a $6.5 million gift to UCSF for head and neck cancer research. It is believed to be the largest private, U.S. gift for research supporting this disease. Irwin Jacobs is the founder, retired CEO, and current board member of telecommunications giant Qualcomm. He is also a survivor of a rare form of the cancer. Cancer / Oncology Wed, 28 Oct 2009 02:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/168934.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/168934.php It has long been known that acids can erode tooth enamel but a new Swedish study from the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, shows that strong alkaline substances can damage teeth too - substances with high pH values can destroy parts of the organic content of the tooth, leaving the enamel more vulnerable. Dentistry Tue, 27 Oct 2009 03:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/168794.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/168794.php "Unions representing thousands of teachers and state and local government workers are bracing for the worst if Congress adopts a proposed 'Cadillac' tax on health insurance," Newsday reports. "The 40 percent levy on health care costs above $8,000 for individuals and $21,000 for families passed the Senate Finance Committee on Oct. 13. Health Insurance / Medical Insurance Mon, 26 Oct 2009 02:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/168648.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/168648.php Plastic Surgery 2009 keeping you up-to-date on embargoed studies and other news presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) held October 23-27 in Seattle. Neurology / Neuroscience Thu, 22 Oct 2009 00:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/168216.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/168216.php The University of Southern Nevada (USN), a private, non-profit institution of higher education, announced today plans to expand its College of Dental Medicine by starting a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) program at the university's campus located at 10920 South River Front Parkway in South Jordan, Utah. The university expects to admit its first class in fall 2011. "Currently no pre-doctoral dental program exists in Utah," said USN President Dr. Harry Rosenberg, Pharm.D., Ph.D. Dentistry Wed, 21 Oct 2009 03:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/168098.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/168098.php Pacifier, baby bottle or finger sucking may hamper a child's speech development if the habit goes on too long. In a study that took place in Patagonia, Chile, researchers associated the persistence of these sucking habits with an increased risk of speech disorders in preschool children. The children were more likely to have difficulty producing certain word sounds and to simplify their pronunciation. The results are published Wednesday, Oct. Pediatrics / Children's Health Tue, 20 Oct 2009 03:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/167947.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/167947.php West Virginia's Medicaid patients are nearing a crisis when it comes to access to dental care, West Virginia Public Broadcasting reports. Medicaid's reimbursement rates for dentistry haven't increased since 1991, and West Virginia cut rates in 1994 by 30 percent, causing fewer and fewer dentists to accept payment from the public program for low-income patients. Dentistry Sat, 17 Oct 2009 00:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/167671.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/167671.php In 1767, chemist Joseph Priestley stood in his laboratory one day with an idea to help English mariners stay healthy on long ocean voyages. He infused water with carbon dioxide to create an effervescent liquid that mimicked the finest mineral waters consumed at European health spas. Priestley's man-made tonic, which he urged his benefactors to test aboard His Majesty's ships, never prevented a scurvy outbreak. Nutrition / Diet Sat, 17 Oct 2009 00:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/167727.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/167727.php A mild form of gum disease with inflammation of the gum is called gingivitis. Gum disease is also known as periodontal disease. As gingivitis is usually very mild; many people may have it and not know. Gingivitis should be treated, because it can progress into serious gum disease. If a person's gums are red instead of pink, inflamed, swollen and bleed when they brush their teeth, they most likely have gingivitis. Dentistry Wed, 14 Oct 2009 03:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/167284.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/167284.php Kaiser Health News reporter Jessica Marcy reports on on the prospects in pending health reform proposals for improving access pediatric dental care. Dentistry Wed, 14 Oct 2009 01:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/167233.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/167233.php A number of challenges for local commissioning of dental services must be addressed, according to the results of a survey released yesterday. Alongside the survey is a practical guide to dental commissioning, produced by an independent working group led by Professor Chris Drinkwater of the NHS Alliance, to help primary care organisations to meet those challenges. Dentistry Wed, 14 Oct 2009 00:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/167223.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/167223.php Case Western Reserve University has received a $20.5 million gift from Donald Goodman, DDS (DEN '45) and Ruth Weber Goodman. The Donald J. and Ruth Weber Goodman Philanthropic Fund will reside at the University and the Cleveland Foundation. Income will be used to support education and research programs at the schools of medicine and dental medicine. The gift has been used to establish two professorships at the School of Medicine: The Dr. Medical Students / Training Mon, 12 Oct 2009 04:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/167057.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/167057.php Plans to change NHS dental registration in Scotland could harm patient care, according to a survey of high street dentists. Dentists are worried that proposals to introduce continuous registration, a scheme which would sweep away the need for patients to visit their dentist in order to remain registered with them, sends the wrong message about the value of regular check-ups. Dentistry Fri, 09 Oct 2009 05:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/166860.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/166860.php Many children still don't get Medicaid dental care, state officials told the Government Accountability Office. The Associated Press reports: "Two years after a 12-year-old Maryland boy died from an untreated tooth infection, low-income kids continue to face barriers to dental care despite state and federal efforts to improve access, government investigators said Wednesday. .. Dentistry Fri, 09 Oct 2009 03:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/166783.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/166783.php The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) has announced its selection of Amanda Gaynor Ashley, D.M.D., Ms.Edu., director of the Samuel Simmonds Memorial Hospital Dental Clinic in Barrow, Alaska, to receive a Community Health Leaders Award. She is one of 10 extraordinary Americans to receive the RWJF honor for 2009 at a ceremony at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C. Ashley brought new life to an oral health clinic in Alaska's remote North Slope Borough area. Dentistry