Dentists Journal

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6/26/2021

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Columbia University of Dental Medicine has a long history of Education and Research

The Columbia University College of Dental Medicine, often abbreviated CDM, is one of the twenty graduate and professional schools of Columbia University. It is located at 630 West 168th Street in Manhattan, New York City. According to American Dental Education Association, CDM is one of the most selective dental schools in the United States based on average DAT score, GPA, and acceptance rate. In 2014, 2,029 people applied for 80 positions in its entering class. The median undergraduate GPA and average DAT score for successful applicants in 2014 were 3.7 and 23, respectively.

The College of Dental Medicine traces its origin to 1852, as the New York College of Dentistry, later the New York College of Dental and Oral Surgery. In 1916 Columbia University, recognizing dentistry as an integral part of the health sciences, established its own school of dental education and absorbed both the New York Post-graduate School of Dentistry and the New York School of Dental Hygiene. In 1923, the New York College of Dentistry merged with the New York College of Dental and Oral Surgery to form the present School of Dental and Oral Surgery of Columbia University. In January 2006, the School of Dental and Oral Surgery was renamed the Columbia University College of Dental Medicine.

The College of Dental Medicine possesses several research facilities, including the Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine Laboratory as well as the Center for Craniofacial Regeneration. The faculty engages in wide-ranging areas of research, from Oropharyngeal Cancer to Biomaterials/Regenerative Biology/Stem Cells, Neuroscience and Pain, Microbial Pathogenesis/Microbiome, Behavioral and Social Sciences/Population Oral Health, and Systemic and Oral Disease Interactions.

Columbia University has a long-standing, rich history in dental education and research. Dr. Gies (1872-1956), a professor of Biochemistry at the College of Physicians & Surgeons and a founder of the College of Dental Medicine, is recognized as a pioneer in the profession. He was an advocate for rigorous medical and scientific instruction in dental education. In the early 1950s the Birnberg Research Medal Award of the Dental Alumni of Columbia University was established to encourage dental research excellence and help stimulate public interest in support of dental research.

(06/18/2021)

More Information: https://www.mybestdentists.com/dental-schools/ColumbiaUniversity


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An all-encompassing survey has revealed how COVID-19 has changed the lives and attitudes of dental professionals. Dentistry reports

COVID-19 has changed life for us all but how has it impacted dentistry? 

A major new study carried out by Dentistry and Dentistry Online has shed light on what life after COVID-19 could look like for dental professionals. The results, compiled from more than 400 responses, make some positive reading. 

The message is one of optimism, with a focus on growth, maximising time with patients. Also a desire to face the future on practices’ own terms. 

Investment ahead 

The past 12 months has been very challenging for UK dentistry. However there is significant interest in developing private treatment as we come through the pandemic. 

A substantial number (70%) of practices anticipate doing more private work in the next 12 months. Much of this is will be an increase in cosmetic work. And 62% expect to offer more of these treatments in future.

Nearly half (46%) of practices are actively trying to grow their businesses in the next year. Therefore the need to differentiate is accelerating spending habits too. 

Investment is set to back the surge in private and cosmetic work. Half (56%) of the practices in the UK are planning on spending £15,000 or more on capital equipment in 2021. 

Top of the shopping lists are digital intraoral scanners. Half (43%) of practices plan on picking one up in 2021. Digital X-rays and new patient chairs are also high up on the priorities in high street dentistry.

Appetite for events 

The study revealed the pent-up demand for face-to-face interaction. Dental professionals bemoaned the lack of networking and ‘live learning’ imposed by COVID restrictions. 

Conferences and exhibitions are back on the agenda! Three quarters (76%) of professionals are keen to get back out into ‘real’ meetings again in the second half of the year, with regional-type events especially favoured. 

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, webinars are now clearly a central part of practice learning. Four fifths (82%) of respondents said they were now even more likely to attend webinars over the year ahead. 

The internet has stepped in to fill the gaps in a big way, for education as well as commerce. Webinars are also a great way to link up with companies, respondents agreed. More than half (53%) say they were more likely to contact a company after attending a webinar event. 

CPD learning has migrated almost completely online. The vast majority (85%) now turn to the web for CPD, relying on the two biggest providers, Isopharm (53%) and FMC (47%). 

Media moguls 

The pandemic has accelerated the growth of the internet for education and networking. It has also cemented readers’ preference for a choice of platform in others. 

Online, the clear (non-association) leader for dental professional’s news and information is our own Dentistry.co.uk, which is markedly ahead of all other dental websites outside of the BDA. 

But demand for an app is growing as more dentists seek to stay in touch through their mobile devices. Two thirds (64%) of professionals agreed they would use a news app if it remained free to access. 

Despite the immediacy of the digital world, there is still a huge appetite for the convenience and practicality of traditional media in dentistry. The vast majority of dental professionals (78%) still values printed dental magazines, highlighting the value of a varied media. 

Reassuringly for the dental trade, the role of advertising – in any media – is as vital as ever.

Almost half (47%) of readers say they act on seeing adverts in dental publications. And 45% of respondents will click on company stories and banners if their products are of interest.

Presence and consistency of advertising came out as crucial in the survey. Two thirds (67%) of respondents agreed they were more likely to contact suppliers having seen them in magazines or online. Perhaps a consequence of meetings with reps having been curtailed? 

A healthy way forwards 

‘After months of anguish, we’re definitely seeing much more positive signs from UK dentistry going forward,’ said Guy Hiscott, editor of Dentistry. 

‘We knew there would be an appetite for normality – and that the pandemic would change peoples’ outlooks too. But what’s fascinating is how many of the core values that define dentistry remain unchanged. 

‘Practices want to grow; they want to spend more time with their patients and provide treatments that bring joy into their lives. To me, the statistics show a profession looking to harness patient satisfaction to their own success, which is a healthy way forwards for any business. 

‘When it comes to the dental media, professionals want things on their own terms here too, which makes absolute sense. 

‘Live events are in demand and badly missed with a strong appetite to get back to them – when it’s safe to do so. Practices also want CPD provided online so that they can access it as and when they want to: convenient and effective. 

‘They want their professional media on their terms – digitally when the need strikes, and as magazines when they need time away from the screen or through an app when travelling or away from other options. 

‘Much of these strides are already being taken. The pandemic has ushered in a new, richer media industry around dentistry that can truly say it’s risen to meet professionals’ needs. 

‘It’s going to be exciting to see how these changes continue to play out as recovery continues.’

(06/22/2021)
by Dentistry

More Information: N


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Canadian Parliament Rejects Proposal to Provide Free Dental Care

Canada’s Parliament has rejected (June 18, 2021) a proposal by the New Democrat Party (NDP) to provide free dental coverage to 6.7 million people who make less than $90,000 a year by a vote of 285 to 36.

“Canadians across the country are struggling to afford a visit to the dentist. They need the government to have their backs instead of making excuses while refusing to help,” said NDP leader Jagmeet Singh.

“In the last year, the Liberal government gave billions of dollars in subsidies to large corporations and refused to put a wealth tax on the ultra-rich to ensure they’re paying their fair share. But when it’s time to help seniors, students, and single moms get the dental care they deserve, the answer from the Liberals is no,” Singh said.

“It couldn’t be clearer that the Liberal government is more interested in helping the ultra-rich than everyday Canadians. It’s not good enough. New Democrats will keep fighting for Canadians to get the healthcare services they need,” he continued.

Liberal, Conservative, and Bloc members of Parliament rejected the proposal, the NDP said, even though one in five Canadians skip dental visits because they can’t afford them. The NDP also said that people across Canada are going to emergency rooms for dental pain when they really need to see a dentist. 

“Though I have spoken to figures that indicate access issues exist, this data is limited, often quite dated, and not available equally across the country,” said Minister of Parliament Francis Drouin, a member of the Liberal Party.

“We do not have full comprehensive data on unmet dental care needs at a national level, nor do we have a full understanding of the need of various subpopulations. This is why our government has committed to support a parliamentary study on the issue,” Drouin said.

“Healthcare is a shared responsibility between the provinces and the federal government. The Supreme Court has made that very clear,” said Minister of Parliament Jack Harris, a member of the NDP, who introduced the proposal to Parliament.

“The government had an opportunity to show some real leadership by working with us to improve people’s health and their quality of life. Instead, they’re claiming that they just haven’t gotten around to collecting enough data on the situation,” Harris said.

“The need is urgent, and there is a cost to doing nothing. The government’s choice not to help people who can’t afford dental services has serious consequences for Canadians’ health, and it also costs the healthcare system to treat the infections and complications that occur,” he said

“There are also reports of over $1 billion of lost productivity annually due to untreated oral health issues. It is Canadians who are paying the price for the government’s lack of leadership,” Harris said. 

According to the independent Office of the Parliamentary Budget Officer, the proposal would have cost $1.5 billion a year.

(06/19/2021)
by Dentistry Today
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Kansas City University (KCU) broke ground for a new facility for the College of Dental Medicine on its Joplin, Missouri campus.

KCU said in a press release that the Dental College is being established to meet the oral health needs of the four states of southwest Missouri, northwest Arkansas, northeast Oklahoma, and southeast Kansas. 

The region, like many rural areas in the United States, does not have enough dentists. Almost all counties within 125 miles of Joplin are qualified as Dental Health Professional Shortage Areas (DHPSAs) by the US Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).

In Missouri alone, 376 additional dentists will be needed to remove the DHPSA label. Oklahoma needs 166, and both Arkansas and Kansas need more than 100 to address that shortage. 

In addition to modern teaching aids, the dental university will open a dental clinic where the population can be treated.

The first class with 80 students should sit in August 2023.

The cost of building the dental school is more than $ 80 million. The university has allocated $ 40 million for the project; the rest should come from donations.

The KCU opened its Joplin Medical Faculty campus in Joplin in 2017. The first class of Osteopathic Physicians graduated last month.

(06/20/2021)
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BioHorizons has donated funding and in-kind support to NYU Dentistry

BioHorizons Implant System, a leading global provider of dental implant and tissue regeneration products, has donated funding and in-kind support to the New York University College of Dentistry (NYU Dentistry) to facilitate access to dental implants for patients in need and to enhance the college’s continuing education programs.

The donation includes BioHorizons dental implant products, and this will help lower the cost of implant therapy for patients, including those treated at the NYU Dentistry Oral Health Center for People with Disabilities and NYU Dentistry Brooklyn Patient Care. In addition, the gift will contribute towards the newly created Patient Care Access Fund, which supports those patients who otherwise would not be able to afford dental implants as part of their treatment.

“This generous gift from BioHorizons will subsidize the cost of dental implant treatment for many patients and put this restorative option within reach,” said Prof. Robert Glickman, associate dean for clinical affairs and hospital relations and chair of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at NYU Dentistry, in a university press release.

Steve Boggan, president and CEO of BioHorizons, commented: “BioHorizons is honored to support the faculty and be part of the education and training for NYU residents, students, and comprehensive dental provider network. We hope that this donation will provide the NYU dental community with the tools needed to enhance smiles and overall health for those who need it most during this time.”

The funding will also support NYU Dental’s continuing dental education programs and will allow the college to develop new offerings in prosthodontics and implant dentistry.

“NYU is a leader not only in implant dentistry, but in the hands-on training of new dentists and seasoned professionals to provide cutting-edge, evidence-based care that restores healthy smiles. We are grateful for BioHorizons’ investment in the ongoing learning of dentists,” said Dr. Charles N. Bertolami, the Herman Robert Fox dean of NYU Dentistry.

(06/21/2021)
by Dental Tribune International
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New Research Links Dental Amalgam Mercury Fillings To Arthritis

The International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (IAOMT) is raising awareness of research linking cases of arthritis to dental amalgam fillings. These silver-colored fillings are 50% mercury and are still used in the United States, often in disadvantaged children and adults.

In this new study, researchers David and Mark Geier report on a significant relationship between the number of dental amalgam filling surfaces and diagnoses of arthritis. They find that incidences of arthritis peak among adults with 4 to 7 dental amalgam filling surfaces.

It is important to note that the number of surfaces is not the same as the number of fillings. Each tooth has five surfaces, which means that a person with only one filling could have up to five surfaces. 

The authors examined data from the 2015-2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) including demographics, dental exams, and arthritis diagnoses. Data about the patient's type of dental filling recently became accessible. With this information, the researchers were able to discover higher incidences of arthritis in people with silver-colored mercury amalgam fillings than those with other fillings such as tooth-colored composites.

In September 2020, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) updated risks of dental amalgam fillings for susceptible groups. However, arthritis was not specifically mentioned when the FDA warned of "harmful health effects of mercury vapor released from the device."

The groups that FDA advised to avoid getting dental amalgam fillings include pregnant women; women planning to become pregnant; nursing women and their newborns and infants; children; people with neurological disease such as multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease or Parkinson's disease; people with impaired kidney function; and people with known heightened sensitivity (allergy) to mercury or other components of dental amalgam.

FDA is currently open for comments on how information about medical devices including dental amalgam fillings should be shared with patients and providers.

"Mercury is continually off-gassed from dental amalgam fillings," explains David Kennedy, DDS, Past IAOMT President. "With the Geiers' new research joining the ranks of thousands of other studies, it is abundantly clear that mercury from amalgams poses a danger to everyone, including patients, dentists, and dental employees."

The Geiers' study was partially funded by the IAOMT, a non-profit organization that evaluates biocompatibility of dental products, including mercury filling risks.

(06/23/2021)
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How Dental Issues May Impact Speech

Did you know your teeth play an important role in how you speak?

Sometimes, dental issues may impact or hinder a person’s pronunciation. Other issues that may affect speech include tongue thrust, immature swallow patterns, open bite or a cleft lip or palate.

A tongue thrust is when the tongue pushes on the teeth and causes pressure which leads to a change in the position of the teeth.

Untreated tongue thrusts or an immature swallow pattern can lead to crooked or misaligned teeth in children and adults. If the tongue thrust goes untreated, the pressure on the teeth will continue during and after orthodontic treatment. This is why some children and adults who have had braces in the past still have crooked or misaligned teeth even after the braces have been removed.

A normal swallow pattern includes the placement of the tongue against the hard palate with the tip of the tongue slightly behind the upper teeth.

However, a tongue thrust swallow pattern may have the tongue pushing directly behind the teeth causing the teeth to push forward. This may affect top teeth, bottom teeth or both sets of teeth and lead to an open bite.

Speech therapy can help correct a tongue thrust swallow pattern through the use of oral exercises and the correct placement of articulators.

A speech therapist can also work with a patient with a cleft lip or palate to improve the patient’s swallow pattern and speech sound production.

Some patients may require corrective surgery to help with these issues. However, after surgery he or she may continue to use patterns they used before surgery. A speech therapist can help re-teach the patient how to produce sounds and swallow correctly.

Speech therapy can be started before, during or after treatment in order to facilitate effective dental care. A speech therapist can be a great ally to help achieve and maintain a healthy, beautiful smile.

(06/25/2021)
by All Dentals

More Information: https://blog.epichealthservices.com/dental-issues-may-impact-speech/


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We strive to achieve a close professional relationship with each patient

The Kentucky Center for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery has convenient locations to serve you in Lexington, Nicholasville and Richmond, KY Our board-certified surgeons view patient care from a unique professional and personal standpoint. As a family our hallmark and forte is in academic achievement. And while we devote time to maintaining academic excellence, we feel that an oral surgeon of quality is one who also stresses personal care. We all strive to achieve a close professional relationship with each patient.

We have selected our staff with particular concern for a warm, dedicated and efficient attitude. Please feel free to approach anyone on the staff if you have a question or concern.

(06/24/2021)

More Information: https://www.mybestdentists.com/resources/TheKentuckySocietyofOralandMaxil


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How An Earache Can Indicate a Dental Problem

Depending on the cause and intensity, the pain and tenderness from an infected or decayed tooth can extend beyond the tooth and feel like a headache or earache. In fact, many common dental and oral health problems can result in symptoms, like ear pain. A dental exam is necessary to determine the cause of your symptoms, so you should schedule an appointment if your pain intensifies or lasts for more than a few days. Our dentist Dr. Mehrnoosh Darj offers cosmetic and general dentistry services in El Paso, Texas and surrounding areas for all your oral health care needs. 

Dental issues that can cause earaches

Dental pain can be deceptive. Common oral health problems, like an abscessed tooth, an impacted wisdom tooth or molar, or even a cavity, can result in an earache. If you grind your teeth or clench your jaw, or have joint issues, like temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder or arthritis, you may also experience tightness in the jaw and pain that reaches up to your ears. In fact, many people mistakenly believe that their ear pain is caused by a problem, like an ear infection or wax buildup, only to learn that they actually need to visit the dentist.

When to see the dentist

Ideally, you should go to the dentist every six months to a year on average for preventive dental care, including a check-up and dental cleaning according to the American Dental Association (ADA). If you have ongoing oral health problems or have a higher risk for periodontal (gum) disease or underlying medical problems, like heart disease or diabetes, Dr. Darj may recommend more frequent visits. 

But emergencies happen and some dental problems require immediate attention. Pain is usually the main sign that something’s wrong, so you shouldn’t wait more than a day or two to schedule an appointment if the pain persists. 

Other signs of an oral health problem include:

Bleeding gums

Swollen, red, or tender gums

Persistent bad breath

Receding gums

Signs of infection, like pus, blisters, or sores on the gums or inside your mouth

Jaw pain

Hot and cold sensitivity

Trouble chewing your food 

Loose teeth 

Changes to your bite (how your teeth fit together when you close your mouth)

It can be difficult to tell the difference between a toothache or an earache, so it’s important not to ignore your symptoms to ensure that you get timely and accurate treatment. If you have an infection, you may need prescription medication to clear it up. 

In the case of tooth decay or gum disease, the earlier you get treatment the better. Waiting too long can make your symptoms worse, and increase your risk of permanent damage or even tooth loss.

(06/25/2021)
by Dr. Dari Dental

More Information: https://www.drdarjdental.com/blog/how-an-earache-can-indicate-a-dental-problem


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