Five Dental Tips for Teenagers from Family Tree Dental Group

 Teenagers care about their appearance. One of the first things their friends and classmates will notice about them is their smile. Teens lead active lives, but following a few simple rules will help them ensure that they continue to smile bright both during school and in the years ahead. Dr. Chad Denman, an Austin dentist / Round Rock dentist at Family Tree Dental Group, has put together a list of simple but important tips for teens to follow for a happy and healthy smile:

1. Skip sodas. Not only do sugar-laden soft drinks increase the risk of becoming overweight and developing type 2 diabetes, they also can cause cavities and destroy the enamel that protects teeth. Once enamel is gone, there’s no replacing it, so teens are cautioned to choose their beverages wisely. Sports drinks and juices are typically just as bad for the teeth. Water and milk are the dentist-recommended drink choices, but if a teen can’t resist the soda, follow it up immediately by rinsing the mouth with water.

2. Avoid tongue piercings. It’s no secret that teenagers like to experiment and push boundaries, which may include body piercings. One type of piercing that can do major damage to the teeth is, of course, tongue piercings. These piercings are notorious for causing simple cosmetic damage like chipped teeth, but can also lead to major problems like fractures that may require a root canal to repair.

3. Protect one’s assets. A person’s smile is one of their most valuable assets and should be protected when playing contact sports. Oral injuries are frequent among teens that play sports like football, soccer, basketball, hockey, and many more. While mouth guards can be purchased at a store, the best protection comes from a custom-fit guard created by the family dentist.

4. No smoking. Many teens go through a phase where they may want to try smoking tobacco. Long-term effects of smoking include increased risk for several types of cancer, strokes, lung disease and coronary heart disease. Immediate effects, however, include tooth and gum staining, tartar build-up and bad breath – that’s not cute on anyone.

5. Care for dental braces. Many teens wear dental braces at some point, whether the traditional variety or an Invisalign-type product. It’s extremely important that teenagers take particular care of their teeth while wearing braces, as food particles are more likely to get stuck in braces, which can lead to serious cavity problems. Keep a travel toothbrush and floss handy at all times for regular use and emergencies.



Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/1263594#ixzz2UmM1ZlJ6

Five Dental Tips for Seniors from Austin Dentists

 Similar to the rest of the body, aging takes its toll on teeth. Even with those who take pristine care of their mouths, years of use can lead to lessened enamel, surface cavities, tooth sensitivity, darkened teeth and gum disease. Although these are common oral healthcare issues, if left untreated, they can lead to larger, more serious health concerns. Elderly adults should be prepared to handle mouth-related issues to maintain total body wellness, so Dr. Chad Denman, an Austin dentist / Round Rock dentist at Family Tree Dental Group, has put together a list of tips for their consideration:

1. Don’t skip the basics. After a lifetime of maintaining oral healthcare habits, one may be tempted to skip now and again, but the basic rules still apply – brush twice a day with a fluoride-enhanced toothpaste, floss once a day, rinse with mouthwash, and maintain regular dental visits as instructed by the dentist.

2. Get a discount. Organizations like the American Association for Retired People (AARP) offer dental plans for elderly adults that act as a discount program. These programs are often less expensive than dental insurance and don’t have the yearly limitations of the insurance plans. The discounts can be used in tandem with dental insurance, though, for maximum savings.

3. Know the signs. Seniors are more susceptible to types of oral cancer, particularly if using or having previously used cigarettes, tobacco and/or alcohol. Oral cancer is very treatable if caught early. Warning signs include odd lumps or lesions in the mouth and chronic bleeding. While the dentist should check for these signs during regular visits, older adults should watch for any symptoms and, if found, schedule a dental appointment immediately for evaluation.

4. Make adjustments, if needed. Arthritis or other medical conditions may lead to difficulty in brushing and flossing. If so, don’t give up, just readjust your approach. Consider purchasing an electric toothbrush. Try a water pick or irrigator instead of traditional floss. A temporary solution may include using a damp washcloth or gauze to remove food from teeth, while rinsing regularly.

5. Care for dentures. Dentures and dental bridges should receive the same level of care as regular teeth. Brush inside and out daily and put in water each evening. Use an appropriate denture power/paste or baking soda for cleaning. Remember to brush and floss any remaining natural teeth and gums. If the denture becomes broken, chipped, doesn’t fit properly or is causing pain, see your dentist for adjustments. 



Sources: Watch Lists News
              PRWeb            

The bottom line: It's time to restore dental care for the poor

SACRAMENTO — State Capitol politicians may have an extra $3.2 billion to play with. Or they may not.

It depends on whose figures you believe: nonpartisan Legislative Analyst Mac Taylor's or contrarian Gov. Jerry Brown's.

I tend to have more confidence in Taylor, suspecting that Brown may be lowballing it to be on the safe side so legislators won't try to overspend and plunge the state back into a deficit hole. That's noble. But it may not be looking at the world as it really is and making wise use of the revenue that taxpayers are generating.


Taylor last week predicted that the state would take in an extra $4.4 billion through the next fiscal year, compared with the $1.2 billion projected by the governor when he revised his $96.4-billion general fund proposal.

Whoever is right, the politicians should break out the checkbook for at least one new expenditure: restoring adult dental care for poor people. It would be unconscionable not to.

The estimated cost ranges from $75 million to $131 million, depending on how many services are resurrected. That's relative budget dust.

The background is this: In 2009, when the Capitol was desperately fighting a $42-billion budget deficit, then-Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and legislators eliminated adult dental coverage for 3 million Medi-Cal recipients.

"Nobody wants to return to 2009 or 2011 — the $42-billion deficit, or $27 billion when Brown took over—but it's important to recognize that we made some very harmful cuts for a lot of people in need," says Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento). "We have an obligation to help restore some of what was lost."

Restoring dental care shot to the top of Steinberg's priority list after he visited a Sacramento "dental fair" last fall. Volunteer dentists were caring for poor people.

"I don't know what I expected, but I certainly didn't expect what I saw," the Senate leader recalls. "I thought it was going to be the usual Saturday morning say hello and thank the dentists. But what I saw was appalling. People — mostly working people — waiting hours, not to have their teeth cleaned or a dental checkup, but to deal with abscesses and root canals.

"Dental health is also a key to physical health," he says. "This is not what California should be about. Now we have a chance to both live within our means and make this right."

There was another free dental clinic last weekend in San Jose where 2,200 patients were treated. Scores lined up the night before, huddled in blankets.

Dr. Lindsey Robinson, a Grass Valley dentist who is president of the California Dental Assn., was in charge of screening patients. Many brought their children, who had been exempted from the Medi-Cal cuts.


"The children were in good shape," Robinson says. "They had fillings, crowns, and just needed basic maintenance.

"But when the parents opened their mouths, it was like a bomb had gone off. It was stunning."

"One father," Robinson continues, "had had an infected lower molar for six months and been to an emergency room four times. All he could get was pain medication and an antibiotic. We were able to extract the tooth. By the end of the day, the amount of relief expressed in his face was profound."

The San Jose Mercury News reported one middle-aged woman's horror story. Unemployed and without dental insurance for several years, most of her teeth had turned black and rotted away. All that remained were three bottom teeth that had bit into and infected her upper gums.

"I've been very depressed and hiding out," the newspaper quoted her as saying. "I haven't wanted to go to the corner store. I haven't wanted to talk to people. My kids didn't want their friends to meet me or go to their schools. A relationship was out of the question."

At the free clinic, she was fitted with dentures. When she looked in a mirror, she broke down in tears.

Maybe this is bleeding-heart stuff for many conservatives — even Brown, who likes to project a tightwad image and isn't supporting the move to restore dental care for poor people.

But one Republican, Sen. Bill Emmerson (R-Hemet), a former orthodontist, says he favors "some level" of restoration. He learned of an Alameda County hospital that offers emergency dental care. There, the number of emergency room dental visits doubled to around 4,700 from 2009 to 2011, he says.

"Emergency rooms are overwhelmed as it is," the senator says. "Dental care can be done more efficiently in Medi-Cal programs."

There also are other worthwhile priorities for spending any extra money.

Assembly Speaker John A. Pérez (D-Los Angeles) wants to pump $100 million into the starved judicial system and perhaps double that in the succeeding budget. Courthouses have been closed and civil cases long delayed for lack of money.

It's inexcusable that two branches of government — the executive and legislative — have allowed the third branch upon which democracy depends to deteriorate.

Pérez also would like to sock an extra $200 million into a "rainy day" reserve on top of $1.1 billion proposed by Brown. Another Pérez priority is middle-class college scholarships.

Steinberg also is advocating increased funding for career tech courses and mental healthcare.

One thing you can bank on: There'll be no tax increase, not even on oil or tobacco. This may disappoint people who make a living fighting taxes — and perhaps even the governor who would enjoy vetoing a tax hike. But legislative leaders won't allow it. They view it as potential Democratic suicide.

Meanwhile, Brown should spend time with a few of the toothless poor.



Source: LA Times

Throat Cancer Survivor Urges People To Consider Clinical Trials

Ken Hook, a cancer survivor from Waterlooville, is encouraging people to consider taking part in clinic trials after undergoing treatment that saved his jaw.

Mr Hook was diagnosed with throat and nasal cancer in 2000 and underwent treatment, including surgery to remove the tumour and chemotherapy; after treatment, his jaw was very weak and susceptible to damage and doctors warned him that trauma could result in him losing his lower jaw.

Last year, Mr Hook was told that he needed a tooth taking out during a routine dental check-up and he was referred to an Oral and Maxillofacial Department, where doctors informed him of a new clinical trial where patients receive oxygen to help produce red blood cells and lower the risk of damage and injury to the jaw. Mr Hook agreed to take part in the trial, which involved sitting in an oxygen chamber for 2 hours; on total, there were 20 sessions.

After Mr Hook had his tooth extracted, he had more treatment and since the hyperbaric oxygen therapy, he has not experienced any problems.

Peter Brennan, consultant oral and maxillofacial surgeon, explained that the jaw is susceptible to damage following radiotherapy because it holds the teeth; once the blood supply is reduced, the risk of trauma, infection and decay is increased.

The trial, which is entitled, ‘Hyperbaric Oxygen to Prevent Osteoradio Necrosis’ is being run by the University of Liverpool.

Mr Hook is now encouraging others to take part in clinic trials as part of the ‘It’s Okay to Ask’ campaign.


Source: Cosmetic Dentistry Guide

Demand for Dental Care Drives Growth in the Dental Orthodontic Supplies Market, According to New Report by Global Industry Analysts, Inc.

GIA announces the release of a comprehensive global report on Dental Orthodontic Supplies markets. Global market for Dental Orthodontic Supplies is projected to reach US$1.1 billion by 2018, driven by increasing volumes of orthodontic procedures due to rising awareness about dental care.

San Jose, CA (PRWEB) May 15, 2013

Follow us on LinkedIn - Orthodontic supplies, although a small category in the overall dental supplies market, hold enormous promise as growing number of patients come forward to seek orthodontic treatment for malocclusions. The urgent need to address dental issues created by malocclusions, jaw disease, tooth decay or loss, and jaw joint pains, is driving patients to undergo orthodontic treatments. The growing focus on appearance enhancement and aesthetics is also a major stimulant for orthodontic treatments. Advancements in the field of material science, procedures and techniques which pave the way for cost-effective and faster treatment methods are expected to foster adoption of orthodontic procedures and products. Increasing penetration of procedures among the adult patient population as against the conventional base of teenagers is also expected to spur growth for orthodontic procedures.

Economic conditions and the level of comfort and duration of procedures typically determine the number of orthodontic procedures carried out each year. Being elective in nature, these procedures are significantly affected by the discretionary spending levels of consumers. Lack of adequate reimbursement coverage also impacts patient demand for orthodontic treatment.

As stated by the new market research report on Dental Orthodontic Supplies, the United States represents the largest market worldwide. Demand for dental orthodontic supplies is higher in developed regions of North America and Europe than in developing regions largely due to the greater awareness about dental care. However, future growth in the market will be led by developing countries driven by factors like favorable demographics, increased access to quality healthcare services, and rising affluence which spurs spending on healthcare in general including orthodontic treatments. The market in Asia-Pacific is forecast to grow at a CAGR of 5.3% over the analysis period.

Major players profiled in the report include 3M Unitek, Align Technology Inc., American Orthodontics, BioMers Pte Ltd, ClearCorrect Inc., DENTSPLY International Inc., Great Lakes Orthodontics Ltd., Ortho Organizers Inc., and Sybron Dental Specialties Inc., among others.

The research report titled “Dental Orthodontic Supplies: A Global Strategic Business Report” announced by Global Industry Analysts Inc., provides a comprehensive review of market trends, company profiles, mergers, acquisitions and other strategic industry activities. The report provides market estimates and projections for major geographic markets such as the US, Canada, Japan, Europe (France, Germany, Italy, UK, and Rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and Rest of World.




Source: SFGate

Fluoride necessary for better dental health

Twenty years ago I took my first job in the public health field in San Diego where I worked my way through graduate school as a dental health educator. The name of the program wasn't fancy; it was called the Dental Disease Prevention Program. And it guaranteed that the kids in San Diego's poorest schools had access to basic oral health tools. At that time San Diego's water supply wasn't fluoridated and dental decay rates among school age children were high.

Now, two decades later, I am the executive director of First 5 Yolo Children and Families Commission. The Commission's goal is to improve the well being of children ages 0-5 and their families. First 5 Yolo provides more than $225,000 per year to CommuniCare Health Centers to fix children's teeth. That $225,000 will buy a lot of fillings, extractions and baby root canals. In essence, we fund a Dental Disease Treatment Program. And yes, there is much need for treatment, right here in Woodland. But treatment isn't the Commission's goal... Prevention is! In 2009, First 5 Yolo made a modest contribution toward water fluoridation in West Sacramento. Now that fluoridation began in 2009, rates of dental disease among low income preschoolers and kindergarteners have decreased by 10 percent.

With the new Woodland-Davis water system being built, members of the Woodland City Council find themselves with the perfect opportunity to do right for the children of Woodland. Fluoridating Woodland's water will have a lasting impact on our children's health and academic achievement. Nationally, an estimated 51 million school hours per year are lost because of dental-related illness. Obviously, it is difficult for a child to learn when he is in pain. Children with healthy teeth are able to attend school and pay attention to what is taught.

And, I'm happy to say, in 2011, the city of San Diego voted to fluoridate its water supply, adding that city to a growing list of over 270 cities in California that are currently fluoridated.

JULIE GALLELO, executive director, First 5 Yolo, Woodland 


Source: Daily Democrat

Obstacles for Pregnant Women Seeking Dental Care

In pain because of infected teeth, Luatany Caseres, 34, then a factory worker in Durham, N.C., was desperate to see a dentist.

At an emergency dental clinic that treats the uninsured, a receptionist told Ms. Caseres that the schedule was full. When she returned a second time in still greater pain, the receptionist told her, “I can’t get you seen.” On her third visit, Ms. Caseres’ swollen cheek bulged as if a lollipop were stuck there. Still, she was told that she would have to wait.

Why? “It was because I was pregnant,” Ms. Caseres said. She was in her second trimester, and the receptionist said she needed a doctor’s note before the office would consider treating her.

Finally, Ms. Caseres found Dr. George Soung, a fourth-year dental student who was trained in a new prenatal program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. By that time, two premolars had broken to the gums, exposing nerves. Her pain was so acute she was bedridden, taking sleeping pills and painkillers.

Dr. Soung extracted Ms. Caseres’s two abscessed teeth at once, because a far-gone infection could spread to the jaw or even throughout the body. “This wasn’t something that popped up a week ago,” he said. “Nobody would treat her.”

Too many pregnant women like Ms. Caseres are not getting timely dental care, experts say. There are plenty of reasons: Some dentists are reluctant to treat pregnant patients, in no small part because of outdated thinking. OB-GYNs too often fail to check for oral problems and to refer women to dentists. And many women fail to seek out oral care or mistakenly think it’s dangerous, even though pregnancy itself may lead to gum inflammation.

The problem among dentists is decades old. Many “were taught in dental school that you can’t treat a pregnant woman,” said Dr. Renee Samelson, a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Albany Medical Center, who was an editor of the first guidelines on oral health in pregnancy, which were published by the New York State Department of Health and advised on two more sets of guidelines. Dentists simply erred on the side of caution, she added: “There was no evidence of harm.”

Today, although dental treatment during pregnancy is considered beneficial, some dentists still hesitate to see pregnant women, because they fear litigation or harm to the fetus, or their knowledge of appropriate care lags behind the current evidence. One 2009 survey of 351 obstetrician gynecologists nationwide found 77 percent reported their patients had been “declined dental services because of pregnancy.”

“A lot of dentists still fear treating pregnant women, and think, ‘What happens if I have to do an X-ray?’ or ‘What happens if I give antibiotics or local anesthesia?’” said Dr. Howard Minkoff, the chairman of obstetrics and gynecology at Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn. “None of these are legitimate reasons not to provide appropriate care for women.”

Since 2006, a few state organizations and dental associations have issued practice guidelines declaring that dental care is safe and effective at any stage of pregnancy, including diagnostic X-rays, cavity restorations and root canals.

OB-GYNs should check for bleeding gums or oral infection and refer a patient to a dentist if her last visit was longer than six months ago, according to the first national consensus statement on dental care during pregnancy, published in September by the National Maternal and Child Oral Health Resource Center at Georgetown University.

The statement advised dentists to provide emergency care in any trimester. OB-GYNs can be consulted, as necessary, if a pregnant patient is diabetic or hypertensive, or if general anesthesia is required.

Dr. Sally Cram, a periodontist in Washington, and a spokeswoman for the American Dental Association, said dentists she knows provide complete care. She added, “In the last 10 to 15 years, a lot of dentists have promoted the importance of pregnant women having regular cleanings.”

Delaying oral care can have serious consequences. Gingivitis, or gum inflammation, affects 60 to 75 percent of pregnant women, and left unchecked, it can become periodontal disease. Untreated periodontal disease can lead to tooth loss. And a mother with active tooth decay can spread cavity-causing bacteria to her child through saliva, perpetuating poor oral health.

Pregnant women with dental pain also may self-medicate inappropriately. In a March 2001 letter to the New York State Department of Health, a doctor described a patient who was unable to get urgent care for her abscessed teeth in upstate New York. She took such excessive doses of Tylenol that she developed acute liver failure, and the fetus died. That prompted the drafting of new state guidelines.

Still, some OB-GYNs do not address oral health during visits with pregnant women, an oversight that angers some dentists. “If you take your dog to the vet, the first thing they do is look in their mouth,” said Dr. Nancy Newhouse, a periodontist in Independence, Mo., and the president of the American Academy of Periodontology.

Many pregnant women simply don’t seek dental care, perhaps out of misplaced fear or neglect. Some states offer dental Medicaid benefits to low-income expectant mothers, for example, but utilization rates are low. Only 28 percent of eligible women seek and receive services in Oklahoma. In New York, 41 percent of pregnant women on Medicaid visited dentists in 2010, up from 30 percent in 2006.

Such a multifactorial problem requires a coordinated effort between OB-GYNs and dentists to reach mothers-to-be, said Dr. Stefanie Russell, a dentist and an epidemiologist at New York University. But for women with low-risk pregnancies, she said, “things will change when women realize dental care is their right during pregnancy.”



Source: NYTimes

Get Healthy Teeth For Life

For decades, Conni Sota left every dental checkup with a clean bill of health. But then came a string of troubles: first the "twinges" with cold drinks, then thinning gums. Inconsistent flossing got some of the blame, admits Sota, 51, who works in a Philadelphia-area law office. But the bigger culprit was age: "Teeth and gums are vulnerable to wear, and it's during your 50s and 60s that problems often start to show up," says Robert Palmer, MD, head of geriatrics at the Cleveland Clinic.

The good news: A few changes to your dental routine can help. Here, a few dental care tips for healthy teeth and the warning signs to watch for—and fixes that will keep your smile healthy.

Warning Sign: Twinges

Fluoridated water was less widespread when Sota was growing up, and there were no fluoride rinses. Without that protection, "most of us in this age group have fillings, and that's where we often see cracks in patients over 50," says Kimberly Harms, DDS, a consumer advisor for the American Dental Association. "When a tooth is repaired, it's never as strong as the original." But with age, even unfilled teeth become vulnerable to cracks. And those are prime breeding grounds for bacteria. 

Another dental care tip, beware a common entry point: the gum line, where tissue recedes with age. "Decay here can become serious quickly because it's close to the tooth's nerve," says Harms. "If you don't prevent or catch it early, you could need a root canal."

Fix it: Call your dentist if you feel even a slight twinge. It may take an x-ray to pinpoint the crack, which can be smoothed or filled. Larger breaks often require a full crown or cap.

Prevent it: Your best defenses: brushing, flossing, and using a fluoride rinse. (In one study, twice-daily rinsers had nearly one-third the risk of root cavities as did people who used fluoride toothpaste and a placebo rinse.) But avoid rinses with alcohol, says Margaret Lappan Green, RDH, past president of the American Dental Hygienists' Association; they can irritate older gums.

Warning Sign: Sensitive Teeth and Painful Gums

For people with sensitive teeth, often the reason is that periodontal disease has eroded their gums. This bacterial disease starts without symptoms, and many people don't know they have it until extensive damage has occurred. More than half of adults over age 55 have at least a mild case.

As bacteria build up at the base of your teeth, you may just notice a little bleeding when you brush. But as the microbes multiply, they loosen gum tissue, eating into underlying ligaments and bone that hold teeth in place. Bacteria may also get into your bloodstream, increasing your risk of heart disease, diabetes, and other conditions.

Fix it: Halt early gum disease and get healthy teeth with professional deep cleaning, daily antibacterial rinses (like Crest Pro-Health or stronger prescription varieties), and more-frequent dental care visits (typically once every 3 months). If you have sensitive teeth, ask your dentist about topical fluoride or other prescription desensitizing agents. Over-the-counter fluoride rinses or toothpastes such as Sensodyne can also help. And go easy on bleaching, which can temporarily increase sensitivity. (Always check with your dentist before beginning to bleach.) 

Prevent it: "Get religious about flossing," says Harms. Choose a toothbrush with soft, rounded bristles. Or try a rotation oscillation electric brush (check the label); research shows that these reduce plaque and gum inflammation better than manual types.

Warning Sign: Dryness

Saliva is a magical healthy teeth elixir: It's antibacterial, acid neutralizing, and full of minerals that strengthen enamel. But 25% of women in their 50s don't produce enough, so they suffer bad breath and other problems as a result. 

Fix it: If your tongue or lips are often dry, tell your doctor. More than 400 medicines are linked to dry mouth, including antidepressants and blood pressure and bladder medicines. A Tufts University study showed that patients taking at least one dryness-causing medication developed three times as many cavities as those not on a drug. Your doctor may be able to switch your prescription—and check for other causes of dry mouth, such as Sjogren's syndrome or sleep apnea. (Think you could have sleep apnea? Here's how to tell.)

Prevent it: For minor dryness or bad breath, Palmer suggests sugarless hard candy or gum sweetened with xylitol. Daily tongue cleaning also helps. Brush on top, underneath, and as far back as you can reach. A tongue-scraping device, like the BreathRx Gentle Tongue Scraper or the one built into the Colgate 360 toothbrush, can make the job easier.

 

Whiter Teeth the Way You Want

You want easy: Try Listerine Whitening Quick-Dissolving Strips ($24; drugstores). No removal needed! They melt away.

You want portable: Try Britesmile to Go ($30; britesmile.com). The pen-style applicator goes with you anywhere.

You want fast: Try Crest Whitestrips Daily Multicare ($40; drugstores). They take just 5 minutes a day.

You want comfortable: Try Aquafresh White Trays ($35; drugstores). These soft, flexible trays conform to your teeth.

Read more: http://www.prevention.com/health/health-concerns/dental-care-tips-and-warning-signs-healthy-teeth?page=3#ixzz2T07loPMt

Cleaning up the facts about Maine dental care

Let’s begin our discussion on oral health care with good news: As of 2011, third graders in Maine have the second lowest rate of untreated tooth decay in the nation, according to state data submitted to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The benchmark of oral health access is the rate of untreated tooth decay. It is how the oral health care community measures the success of dental programs and the efficiency of the dental delivery system.

Maine’s rate of 14.6 percent is lower than New Zealand, a country chosen by outside groups as the one to emulate. A decade ago, 20 percent of Maine’s third graders had untreated tooth decay. The decrease indicates that access to proper care continues to improve.

Even more good news: The Pew Center on the States, which analyzes children’s dental health programs and services in all 50 states, awarded Maine “A” grades in its 2011 and 2012 reports. Maine is one of only two states to receive the highest mark from Pew for the past two years.

While we are pleased with this progress, Maine dentists believe even more should and could be done so that greater numbers of Maine children and adults have access to quality dental care.

That’s why so many of us showed up to oppose a bill being considered by the Maine Legislature that would add one more provider type to a list that is already longer than any other state.

What we need to do, instead, is get Maine people to dentists and reduce overall disease levels through prevention.

Swirling around the bill, backed by Pew, is a lot of misinformation that demands clarification.

A recent report by Medical Care Development, being touted by proponents of the bill, included incomplete data that has led to inaccurate conclusions.

A major flaw of the MCD report was in defining dental safety net providers, those who tend to the oral health of MaineCare patients. It is standard practice to include dentists who are Medicaid providers as part of the state’s safety net.

Yet, hundreds of dentists who treat MaineCare patients were excluded. This is particularly troubling, since dentists provide the majority of care to Medicaid-enrolled patients.

Another point not included in any discussion on access is approximately $4.5 million in free and reduced care dentists across the state provide annually.

The MCD report also confuses definitions of “rural” drawn from two different federal agencies. If the data had been compared properly, the results would indicate that Maine is considered 25 percent rural by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service.

Under the USDA definition, we find that 25 percent of Maine dentists practice in small towns with at least 2,500 people (11.7 percent) and in communities with fewer than 2,500 people (13.5 percent).

Independent practice dental hygienists (IPDH), a category included in the safety net, were established in 2009 to address the issue of access to dental care in rural Maine. The Maine Board of Dental Examiners reports that only 17 IPDHs have registered their practices in Maine and work out of 21 practice sites. Only two practice sites are located in a town defined as being “rural.”

The MCD report does not include a comprehensive discussion of pediatric dentistry in Maine. Since 2003, Maine has seen a 300 percent increase in the number of pediatric dentists. Each can care for thousands of children in a year. All 15 pediatric dentists in Maine are accepting new patients, and all but one accept MaineCare.

Further, a federally funded residency program in pediatric dentistry, located in Bangor, will graduate its first students this June. One will be practicing in Presque Isle, offering children in Aroostook County advanced pediatric dental services.

Another topic worthy of discussion, but omitted from the MCD report, is the impact of the University of New England’s College of Dental Medicine. The students entering this fall already include a number from Maine.

In their fourth year, student externs will provide services in communities across the state under the direct supervision of adjunct faculty. Because these externs will not be compensated for their work, clinics and practices will be able to open their doors wider than ever to patients in need.

Maine dentists will continue to focus on programs that increase access to quality dental care for all Maine people. We will continue our efforts to provide more education and prevention. And, we will continue to undertake initiatives to get more Maine children and adults into dental offices and clinics. We’re doing it now.

Dr. Jonathan Shenkin is a pediatric dentist in Augusta and on faculty in Health Policy, Health Services Research and Pediatric Dentistry at the Boston University School of Dental Medicine.




Source: Bangor Daily News

Material loss protects teeth against fatigue failure

Scientists of the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig and the Senckenberg Research Institute in Frankfurt together with dental technicians have digitally analysed modern human teeth using an engineering approach, finite element method, to evaluate the biomechanical behavior of teeth under realistic loading. They report results, showing that very widespread loss of dental material (enamel and dentine) at the base of the crown might be linked to the reduction of tooth wear in our industrialised societies. The study is published today in the professional journal PLoS ONE.

Our teeth are important and expensive for us. In this respect aesthetic aspects are of major interest. A healthy dentition should show shiny white tooth crowns and possibly no occlusal wear. The evolutionary history of our dentition teaches us something different. Natural tooth wear as an inevitable consequence of chewing food and habitat accompanying human evolution since ancient times.

“In our industrialised societies we find an increase in dental cervical defects,” explains Ottmar Kullmer of the Senckenberg Research Institute: “Based on the results of our simulations of chewing loads, we assume that much of the enamel failure we find today frequently in tooth crowns is probably caused by cyclic tensile stresses during chewing.”

The researchers used methods from engineering science (Finite Element Analysis, FEA), after applying a new Software tool (Occlusal Fingerprint Analyser) developed in the Senckenberg Research Institute to precisely determine tooth to tooth contacts.

“The computer simulation of chewing forces creates high tensile stresses exactly in the cervical areas where we frequently find tooth lesions in our teeth,” reconsiders Stefano Benazzi of the Max Plank Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig, who carried out the Finite Element Analysis. To investigate changes in the stress pattern in the same tooth crowns with varying tooth wear ages, two premolars were artificially abraded in the laboratory, based on their individual data of occlusal movement. So, it was possible to calculate the changes in the stress pattern, depending on the wear stage.

The stress in the teeth with advanced wear shows a far better distribution of the loads over the whole tooth crown, so that the tensile stresses will be remarkably reduced.“Evolutionary factors have apparently led to a quite successful compromise between material loss and longest possible preservation of function,” says Benazzi. The extension of the lifespan and the quick changes in our lifestyle with a remarkable reduction in tooth wear present a major challenge for modern dentistry, say the scientists.




Source: Max Planck Institute
             RD Mag 

Dental discount plans offer deep savings

 LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- For Steve Less, a self-employed father of three, the price of traditional dental insurance was tough to swallow.

"The cost was excessive on a monthly basis," he said. "When you added it up, it just didn't make any sense."

According to the National Association of Dental Plans, 97 percent of dental insurance benefits are offered through employers. For the self-employed and unemployed, that leaves few options.

Now, an increasing number of consumers are signing up for discount dental plans. That discount rate can range anywhere from 10 percent to 60 percent.

"With the economic downturn, discount dental plans are one of the only products that have been available to individuals to purchase on their own," said Evelyn Ireland.

The plans are marketed on sites like DentalPlans.com, Brighter.com and DentalSave.com. They operate similar to warehouse clubs. Customers pay a yearly membership, typically between $75 and $200.

"The dental plan negotiates the discounts with the dentist, but the dentist gets the full fee, or their payment at the negotiated discounted rate from the consumer at the time of service," Ireland said.

Jenn Stoll is with DentalPlans.com, which lets customers compare the cost of more than 30 different dental savings plans.

"Dental savings plans allow people to save on typical procedures, such as cleanings and X-rays, root canals, crowns and even dental implants," Stoll said.

Many also offer discounts on cosmetic procedures and orthodontics.

"Through DentalPlans.com we actually hooked up with a terrific orthodontist. It came in a little under $3,000," said Less, adding that he was originally quoted around $6,000 for his son's braces.

Is a discount dental plan for you? Think about the coverage you need.

While there are no co-pays, deductibles or annual limits, only about 3 percent of the population that has dental benefits reaches that annual maximum, Ireland said.

Also, savings vary considerably, by plan, network, dentist, procedure and even by zip code, so call your dentist beforehand to confirm prices.



Source: ABC Local / http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/consumer&id=9084456