Test your dental health knowledge with this quiz from the ADA’s MouthHealthy site:

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Smile Squared aims to provide access to basic oral healthcare to children in need — anytime you buy one of their toothbrushes, they send a toothbrush to a child in need! For more information, watch the following video:

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In the March 17 post,”National Facial Protection Month in April,” the ADA highlights the importance of gear to protect the face and teeth. From the article:

Every year about 3 million people are treated in emergency departments across the U.S. for facial trauma injuries.  Children who participate in contact sports, cheerleading, gymnastics, cycling and other activities are especially at risk for a facial injury.  National Facial Protection Month highlight[s] the need for proper supervision and appropriate protective gear…[such as] mouthguards, helmets, protective eyewear and face shields…when children and adults of all ages participate in these activities.

“Spring seems to bring an increase in dental trauma,” said Dr. Paul Nativi, a past president of the Academy for Sports Dentistry. “Skateboards, bicycles, swing sets and other recreational activities along with team sports can contribute to sport-related facial injuries.”

For more information, see the ADA’s March 17 article.

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The ADA released the news report on March 3, “U.S. Supreme Court agrees to hear N.C. board, FTC case,” which begins:

The U.S. Supreme Court will review a decision by the federal court of appeals affirming the Federal Trade Commission’s claim that the North Carolina Board of Dental Examiners’ actions against certain teeth whitening services providers violated federal antitrust laws.

The post continues:

“This case is important because it threatens to impede the ability of all professional boards, including dental boards, to fulfill the purpose for which they were created by their states,” said Craig Busey, ADA general counsel.  “As duly delegated agencies of the states, the boards’ actions should be protected from the federal antitrust laws under the well-recognized state action exemption.  We are pleased that the Supreme Court has recognized the case’s significance, and we hope that the Court may be persuaded to reverse the appellate court’s decision and to clarify these legal issues.”

To read the ADA’s full report, see this March 3 post.

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The ADA released the news report on January 17, “Surgeon General updates tobacco, oral health links,” which begins:

The U.S. Surgeon General’s 50th anniversary review of tobacco science since Dr. Luther Terry’s landmark report on smoking and health updates evidence on the implications for oral health from tobacco use and the “expanding use of multiple products or the replacement of conventional combustible cigarettes with other nicotine delivery systems.”

The post continued:

The Association congratulated acting Surgeon General Lushniak “for issuing a report that further examines the relationship between tobacco use and an array of health problems, including oral cancer, gum disease and dental caries.”

To read the ADA’s full report, or to see the original Surgeon General’s report, see this January 17 post.

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According to the ADA’s December 30th news article:

The ADA is urging all state dental boards to register U.S. dental laboratories to enhance patient health and safety.

The ADA Council on Dental Practice submitted House of Delegates Resolution 52H-2013 in response to a directive to take steps to ensure the continued high quality of prosthetic services. The…council determined that it would be beneficial for dentists and the public for state boards to require dental labs to register.

“As professionals, our number one concern is the health and welfare of our patients. Dentists will be more informed and assured the dental laboratory they use for services pertaining to their patients will be compliant with minimum standards, including infection control, through registration,” said Dr. Brendan Dowd, CDP member and chair of the council’s Subcommittee on the Dental Team. “As a professional organization, the American Dental Association considers the health and welfare of patients a basic tenant of our association.”

To read more, see the ADA’s post, “ADA House resolution urges dental lab registration.”

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The ADA recently reported on a study that shows that nanodiamonds can help treat oral-related diseases and bone loss.  From the article:

Scientists from the University of California, Los Angeles discovered that diamonds at a much smaller scale than those found in jewelry could be used to stimulate bone growth, treat oral-related diseases and improve dental implants.

Nanodiamonds, which are about four to five nanometers in diameter and invisible to the human eye, have certain surface properties that deliver bone growth-promoting proteins more effectively than conventional approaches, the researchers found.

The study’s findings could be used to improve treatment of osteonecrosis, and combat bone loss that can occur next to dental implants.

To read more, see the full article, “Study: Nanodiamonds can help treat oral-related disease, bone loss.”

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As the new health exchanges begin to roll out during October, we would like to share a pair of August ADA news articles that discuss the Affordable Care Act in relation to dentistry.  From the first article:

The “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act,” shorthanded as the ACA and as this report will refer to it, has the potential to reshape health care in America. Expansion of medical insurance coverage, a move toward more integrated care delivery and significant changes in the financing of health care are among the expectations of ACA legislators and regulators. The Association’s primary focus has been the law’s potential effects on dentistry and the delivery of dental services to patients.

To read more, see the full articles “Affordable Care Act and oral health: ADA analysis of impact,” and “Affordable Care Act: dental benefits examined.”

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The ADA has highlighted a number of publications concerning children’s oral health information.  Their June 17 news post includes materials from the National Maternal and Child Oral Health Resource Center (OHRC), where consumers can access various materials including consumer brochures.  These brochures cover topics such as oral health for infants and young children.  Other materials on the OHRC site include Publications, Topics, and the Bright Futures Toolbox, all of which can be accessed using the the list in the left sidebar of the OHRC site.

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On Monday, U.S. Surgeon General Regina Benjamin, M.D., officially re-endorsed community water fluoridation as “one of the most effective choices communities can make to prevent health problems while actually improving the oral health of their citizens.” Dr. Benjamin continued, “Fluoridation’s effectiveness in preventing tooth decay is not limited to children, but extends throughout life, resulting in fewer and less severe cavities. In fact, each generation born since the implementation of water fluoridation has enjoyed better dental health than the generation that preceded it.”  For more than 50 years, both the American Dental Association and U.S. surgeon generals have supported fluoridation of community water supplies as a safe and effective way to help prevent tooth decay.  For more information, see this April 22 news post from the American Dental Association.

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