2,000 people received $1 million worth of dental

(Newsleader.com)–Around 200 dentist volunteered Friday and Saturday to provide dental care to hundreds of Missourians who otherwise might not have been able to obtain the care.

Some waited in line as long as 17 hours outside the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds in hopes of receiving the free dental services, hosted by the Missouri Mission of Mercy charity dental clinic.

“We couldn’t be happier with how things turned out — we hope to host similar events around the state in years to come,” said Darren Mahaffey, co-chair of the Missouri Mission of Mercy.

Read more here of the article here on News-leader.com

Dental Care Evaluations by State

(Huffington Post)–Growing up, most of us learned how to brush our teeth and gums, and were instructed to do so at least twice a day, without exception — and for good reason. Beyond the obvious benefits of dental health, which include avoiding unsightly teeth stains and painful cavities, a healthy mouth has been increasingly linked to other health issues.

Just this summer, a study found a possible link between gum disease and an increased difficulty conceiving children, and periodontal disease has been linked to a host of heart problems — including coronary artery disease — as well as an increased chance of becoming diabetic. It seems fairly clear that oral health is something that we shouldn’t be neglecting. Unfortunately, a recent Gallup poll suggests that many Americans do just that.

Read more of the article here from Huffington Post

Public Demands FDA Take Immediate Action on Mercury Fillings

PR Newswire:

At an FDA Town Meeting Thursday, injured consumers, dentists, and healthcare professionals will challenge the Food and Drug Administration to protect the public from “silver” dental amalgam fillings containing 45-55% mercury. Dr. Jeffrey Shuren, Director of the Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH), will host the meeting September 22, from 8 a.m.-noon at the Embassy Suites Hotel, San Francisco Airport.

Dr. David Kennedy, past president of the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (IAOMT) and 30-year veteran of mercury-free dentistry, will address health-related risks of mercury fillings. Kennedy states: “In many cases, after amalgam fillings were safely removed, my patients’ health dramatically improved, including those with mercury-related conditions such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s, and infertility.”

Read more here: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/public-demands-fda-take-immediate-action-on-mercury-fillings-2011-09-20

New York Medicaid finds $40M in dental fraud

New Yorkers are taking it on the chin for bad dental bills.

The state’s Medicaid program paid out $40 million for excessive dental cleanings and examinations over five years, according to an audit out today from state Controller Thomas DiNapoli. 

One dental clinic got paid for 79 exams given to one patient over four years, according to the audit, a copy of which was obtained by the Daily News.

The law allows only eight exams over four years.

Steps on How to Care for Dental Braces Between Dental Visits

Many people wish for that perfectly straight smile and will go to any lengths to achieve it. Some wear metal braces for years and undergo several and somewhat painful treatments to finally get a better bite and smile. However, in order to reach your goals you need to take care of the dental braces in between dentist visits so that your time, money and pain are minimized.

Unfortunately, you can not eat just anything and everything you used to until you have your dental braces. Care for your orthodontic treatment by avoiding gooey, sugary and sticky food like gummy candy, raisins, hard bubble gum and the like. You may not notice it but small specks of hard food like popcorn or nuts and potato chips can lodge themselves in the nooks and crannies between your teeth and case complications.

Read more: http://www.weightlossdietinformation.com/how-to-care-for-dental-braces-between-visits.html

$1M grant given to support teeth regrowth study

A University of Alberta dentistry professor has received a $1-million US grant to continue his research into restoring damaged dental roots using ultrasound and stem cells.

“When we get to the point that we can stop teeth root degeneration by ultrasound only, that would be great,” he said. “If it happens, then we can use the stem cells together with ultrasound to regenerate the degenerated [teeth].”

Man accussed of practicing dentistry without a license

A man is free on bail after he was arrested on a charge of practicing dentistry in Castle Hills without a license, officials said.

Julio De La Fuente, 54, was released Saturday, several hours after being arrested, when he posted $15,000 bail.

Castle Hills police said De La Fuente’s wife, Yolanda, recommended her husband to a girl, 15, who needed braces in 2006. De La Fuente operated on the girl in August in an office in the 6600 block of Blanco Road, police said, but she experienced pain from the procedure as some of the wires broke and cut her mouth. [article excerpt taken from http://www.mysanantonio.com]

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Tackling Four Big Health Phobias

Study Shows 65% of School Children Have Dental Cavities

According to a new study, in Jordan about 65% of school children have dental cavities. The study also indicated that only 2% of school children use dental floss and only 18% of school children brush their teeth effectively.

The sample size of the study was 1,004 children from schools across the nation of Jordan.

According to other studies, 15% of parents neither car for their dental health nor advise their children on how to brush and floss, 60% advise their children on how to brush and floss but don’t monitor them, and 25% advise their children on how to brush and floss and supervise the procedure.

[taken from worlddental.org]

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