Dentistry in the News
Evidence Indicates Children Strongly Benefit From Sealants.
The ADA News (7/25, Manchir) reports that the August edition of The Journal of the American Dental Association contains “a systematic review” of the use of sealants as well as “clinical practice guidelines” that have been updated as a result of that review, which indicate the benefit of using sealants to prevent and manage occlusal caries in children and adolescents. “The guidelines show that sealants are more effective in managing pit and fissure caries than fluoride treatments, such as varnish,” said the article’s lead author, Dr. John Timothy Wright. “They also show that benefits are obtained by the variety of materials currently marketed in the United States for sealant use (e.g. resin based materials, glass ionomer materials, polyacid-modified resin, and resin-modified glass ionomers).” According to the article, the analysis indicated that “children treated with sealants have about a 70 to 80 percent reduction in the incidence of occlusal caries compared with children that do not receive sealants.”
The ADA Catalog offers three illustrated handouts to help explain sealant benefits to patients: the brochure “Dental Sealants: Protecting Teeth, Preventing Decay,” ( W291); the mini-brochure “Seal Out Decay” ( W191); and the “Sealants Quick Reference,” a two-sided card ( W276).
MouthHealthy.org provides additional information on sealants.
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Dental Benefits
Senate Passes Bill That Allows Veterans To Purchase Low Premium Dental Coverage.
The ADA News (7/25, Garvin) reports in continuing coverage that on July 13 the Senate passed the VA Dental Insurance Reauthorization Act, which would allow “veterans to purchase low premium dental coverage from private insurers.” ADA president Carol Gomez Summerhays, a third-generation Navy veteran, said, “We’re supportive of all efforts to extend dental coverage to veterans, and reauthorizing this program certainly would do that.” Sen. Richard Burr, (R-NC), who sponsored the bill, said in a news release, “Making sure veterans have dental care is the right thing to do.”
People May Be Unaware Medicare Does Not Cover Many Dental Services.
Motley Fool (7/25, Feroldi) states that although “Medicare covers an extensive range of healthcare services,” it still leaves “a few gaping coverage holes.” For example, “Medicare doesn’t cover a wide range of dental services,” such as preventive cleanings or cavity fillings. The article recommends retirees consider a Medicare Advantage Plan if they’re concerned about “coverage gaps.”
Health and Safety
Flossing Advised “If You Want To Keep Your Teeth.”
In an articled titled, “Turns out, you really only need to floss if you want to keep your teeth,” the New York Daily News (7/25, Pesce) discusses flossing, noting the CDC’s recent National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey found one-third of adults do not floss. “Do you need to floss? It depends on whether you want to keep your teeth or not,” said Dr. Matthew Messina, a spokesperson for the American Dental Association. Although many Millennials have benefited from fluoridated water and fluoride toothpaste, resulting in a lower decay rate, “our body chemistry does change as we get a older,” said Dr. Messina. “So some people might have a very high host-resistance (against bacteria) when they’re young, but they are going to find that is not the case as they get older.”
Regular Dental Visits Advised At Intervals Determined By Dentist.
The Huffington Post (7/25, Cohen) discusses the importance of regular dentist visits, noting a Colorado dentist recommends people receive regular dental care at intervals determined by their dentist.
The ADA also recommends people receive regular dental care at intervals their dentist determines.
Dental Industry
Smithsonian Offers Digitized Collection Of Personal Care Products.
The Epoch Times (7/21, Vereshaka) reported that the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History’s website offers a digital collection of “approximately 2,000 personal care and beauty products,” including oral care products. According to the article, “The collection documents the advances and changes made in health and wellness throughout American history.” Discussing some of the dental products highlighted from the 20th century, the article stated, “The Smithsonian website notes that in 1931 the Journal of the American Dental Association gave four examples of harmful products and reported on the danger of tooth cleaning products which all contained hydrochloric acid.”
The JADA article from February 1931 is available online.
ADA in the News
ADA President Visits Rosebud Reservation.
The ADA News (7/25, Garvin) reports that ADA president Dr. Carol Gomez Summerhays, together with her husband Soames Summerhays, and Dr. Steve Geiermann, senior manager with the ADA’s Council on Access, Prevention and Interprofessional Relations, visited the Rosebud Reservation on July 15 “to hear and see firsthand the health care challenges that the Rosebud Sioux Tribe faces.” Paul Knecht, executive director, South Dakota Dental Association, and Dr. Ed Vigna, a past ADA trustee and SDDA consultant, also joined Dr. Summerhays. “It was a high priority to visit Rosebud,” said Dr. Summerhays. “I was aware of the challenges the Lakota people face, but to see it firsthand was very impactful.” According to the article, “Dr. Summerhays offered the ADA’s assistance to support the tribe in pursuing optimal oral health as integral to overall health.” Dr. Summerhays said, “Funding training for more community health representatives and Community Dental Health Coordinators to work together would be tremendously positive in improving oral health by addressing individual specific needs, whether it is transportation, increasing oral health literacy, or securing appointments.”
CAPIR Examines Options Available To Help Dental Students Pay Off Loans.
The ADA News (7/25, Manchir) reports that in June the ADA Council on Access, Prevention and Interprofessional Relations “organized a dental loan repayment panel to review some of the options dental students have to receive assistance in paying off their educational debt.” Dr. Cesar Sabates, council chair, said, “In the spirit of helping all of our members succeed, the Council on Access, Prevention and Interprofessional Relations decided to assemble a panel of experts to help students understand the options that are available to them in dealing with the ever increasing educational loan burden.” Several options discussed include the National Health Service Corps’ Students to Service Program, scholarships, and loan repayment program.
The ADA-endorsed student loan refinancing offer through Darien Rowayton Bank may also be an option for ADA members. Additional information on the DRB ADA member benefit is available at student.drbank.com/ADA.
Charitable Dentistry
North Carolina Missions Of Mercy To Take Place In Fuquay-Varina July 29-30.
The Raleigh (NC) News & Observer (7/25) reports that North Carolina Missions of Mercy, “an outreach program of the North Carolina Dental Society,” is holding a two-day dental clinic in Fuquay-Varina this Friday and Saturday. During the event adults can receive free teeth cleanings, fillings, and extractions. “The services are made possible by community donations and support,” the article adds.
Coverage Continues: Minnesota Mission Of Mercy Provides Free Dental Care.
Perfect Science (7/25, Bretting) reports in continuing coverage that the Minnesota Mission of Mercy took place Friday and Saturday at Concordia College Memorial Auditorium in Moorhead, “aiming to treat 1,000 patients on Friday, and 1000 more on Saturday.” The article adds, “According to a spokeswoman for the event, by Friday 950 patients had already undergone treatment and volunteers provided nearly $500,000 in care.”
Also in the News
State-Run ACA Exchanges Facing Financial Challenges As Federal Funds Are Depleted.
Congressional Quarterly (7/25, Mershon, Subscription Publication) reports the 13 states running their own Affordable Care Act exchanges are having trouble “raising enough money, through user fees or state funding, to maintain their operations” because the $5 billion provided by the federal government to help establish state exchanges is now almost depleted. CMS officials “hope to ascertain what’s working – and what’s not” by discussing the state exchanges with state officials this week.
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