Miscellaneous
03/30/2006
Is competition over prices and patients the key to corralling skyrocketing medical costs? Bart McMullan, a physician and president of Regence BlueCross of Oregon thinks it might be. Health insurance companies as well as employers, especially small business employers are having trouble keeping up with the rising costs of health care because it is increasing at twice the rate of inflation. This has forced many employers to shift the financial burden of health insurance to employees and has prompted insurers to raise their rates and deductibles for many procedures.
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03/27/2006
SACRAMENTO - Dentists and hygienists are battling in the Capitol over legislation intended to increase dental cleanings and other preventive care for children, senior citizens and disabled Californians who get little or no care now.
At issue is whether a special category of dental hygienists can provide such care safely to isolated and often low-income groups without a prescription from a dentist.
Assembly Bill 1334 by Assemblyman Simon Salinas, D-Salinas, would drop the current prescription mandate but still require hygienists to have a contract with a dentist for referrals and emergency care.
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03/15/2006
During the period after the new teeth are fitted, the success of each treatment stage will be the main factor determining how the implants are performing. Once the implants and surrounding soft tissues are seen to be healthy and the new teeth comfortable and correctly adjusted, it is the quality of your home care and willingness to present for regular maintenance reviews that will have most influence on how long they will last.
When poorly cared for, implants will develop a covering of hard and soft deposits (calculus and plaque) which is very similar to that found on neglected natural teeth.
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03/14/2006
Many parents are well aware of the fact that teaching children to properly care for their teeth can set the stage for a lifetime of good dental health. What most parents may be surprised to learn, however, is that the condition of their own dental well-being may impact their children’s dental health — even before the babies are born.
Every mouth, even one filled with sparkling white teeth and firm, pink gums, harbors millions of bacteria. While some good bacteria aid in digestion, some bad bacteria can lead to tooth decay and gingivitis (inflammation and infection of the gums).
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03/11/2006
State Children's Health Insurance Program Affects Access To Dental Care And Use Of Dental Services
11 Mar 2006
Access to dental care is a major problem for low-income children in the United States. States have been able to make important gains in removing financial barriers to health care since 1997 because of Federal legislation to establish the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). The program is the most significant expansion of public health insurance since the Medicaid program began in the 1960s. No national evaluation of the program has examined the impact of SCHIP on children's dental care.
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03/08/2006
Contact: Linda Hemphill
lhemphill@iadr.org
703-299-8091
International & American Association for Dental Research
Earlier periodontal treatment leads to lower medical costs
Chronic conditions such as diabetes mellitus (DM), coronary artery disease (CAD), and cerebrovascular disease (CVD) have been associated with periodontal disease. These conditions can be extremely costly to treat, and it has been unclear if earlier periodontal treatment could lead to a reduction in overall risk and medical expenditures.
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03/07/2006
Endocarditis Prophylaxis for People with the Marfan Syndrome
Who Have Had Cardiac Surgery
October 2002
In 1996, the American Heart Association (AHA) revised its guidelines for antibiotic treatment at the time of dental procedures and other medical situations in which there is a high likelihood of bacteria entering the blood stream. In general, the AHA guidelines are the "gold standard" in the United States for how physicians and dentists should practice with respect to this important issue of preventing infections of heart valves (endocarditis).
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03/02/2006
Tea, ice, and chewing gum can soothe you until a dental appointment. If a toothache strikes someone in your family, your first step should be to dial a dentist. Toothaches indicate a problem that likely won't go away - a lost filling, a cavity, or a serious infection. After you've made an appointment, try these home remedies to deal with the pain.
More >>
From Better Homes and Gardens Magazine
Disinfect with Alcohol? Hydrogen Peroxide?
Question: I've heard that alcohol shouldn't be used to disinfect cuts and scrapes. Is hydrogen peroxide a better choice?
More >>
From Better Homes and Gardens Magazine
Pretty or Poisonous?
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03/01/2006
It is the ID card you will never lose or forget to
carry with you unless your teeth fall out. Scientists have implanted an
ID chip into a tooth to show how detailed personal information can be stored.
The scientists say the tooth chip will be useful to
forensic scientists trying to identify bodies after natural disasters and
terrorist attacks with numerous victims. They say it will also have advantages
over a simple identity card.
"You put your ID card in your pocket, we put it
in a tooth," said Patrick Thevissen, a forensic odontologist at the
Catholic University of Leuvenin in Belgium.
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02/28/2006
Aetna Announces Appearance At SG Cowen & Co.
26th Annual Healthcare Conference
HARTFORD, Conn., February 28, 2006 - Aetna (NYSE: ΑET) announced today that Alan M. Bennett, Chief Financial Officer of Aetna, is scheduled to make a presentation at the SG Cowen & Co. 26th Annual Healthcare Conference on March 7, 2006, in Boston, M.A.
Aetna’s presentation is scheduled to begin at 8:00 a.m. Eastern standard time. Investors, analysts and the general public are invited to listen to this presentation over the Internet via Aetna’s Investor Information link at www.aetna.com/investor.
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02/28/2006
New Radiology Quality Initiative Program
To help control rising health care costs, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) has contracted with American Imaging Management (AIM) to implement a statewide utilization management and quality improvement program of high-tech outpatient diagnostic imaging services. Beginning April 3, a Radiology Quality Initiative (RQI) program will be implemented for elective, outpatient, high-tech imaging services - MRI, PET, CT, Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA) Scans and Nuclear Cardiology - for all members, except HMO, residing in Illinois and Lake County, Indiana.
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02/27/2006
Cranberries
May prevent: cancer, dental cavities, heart disease, stroke, ulcers, urinary tract infections
This traditional red Christmas berry does more than add zest to turkey dinners. Its many phytochemicals make it a power-packed punch to fight disease. Cranberries are best known for their ability to ward off urinary tract infections (UTIs). Large molecules called A-linked condensed tannins act as a coating to prevent bacteria from adhering to bladder walls therefore reducing incidence of infection.
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02/27/2006
Cramoy was the first speaker at the New York City conference, sponsored by the American Dental Association and the American Medical Association and underwritten by the Colgate Palmolive Company.
Cramoy and other doctors reporting on recent research
emphasized that scientists haven't yet found definitive proof that gum disease
ups risks for more serious illness. But the evidence is mounting.
"The evidence is increasingly strong and deserves the
attention of both the medical and dental professions," added Robert Genco, a distinguished professor of oral biology at the School of Dental Medicine at SUNY Buffalo.
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02/24/2006
To preventtooth decay, use goodoral hygiene. A low sugar diet is recommended along with regular flossing, brushing with fluoride toothpaste, and regular professional cleaning. Sealants and fluoride applications by the dentist are important for preventing tooth decay.
When to Contact a Medical Professional
there is a persistent (longer than a day or 2) or severe toothache.there is a fever, earache, or pain upon opening the mouth wide.
Note: The dentist is an appropriate person to see for most causes of toothaches. However, if the problem is referred pain from another location, you may need to see your primary health care provider.
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02/22/2006
Air abrasion is a relatively new decay removal/tooth preparation procedure we often use in place of the traditional dental drill. We find it useful because it allows us to both conserve the patient's natural tooth structure and reduce the risk of enamel micro-fracturing. It also entails minimal discomfort, since the equipment does not produce vibration or heat, thus requiring little or no anesthetic. It is also both quieter and faster than using a drill.
So how does it work? Air abrasion applies the principle of kinetic energy to bombard the tooth area with a high-pressure stream
of tiny aluminum oxide particles.
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02/13/2006
4. Periodontal disease is an infectious and contagious disease.
5. Only people who don't brush their teeth get periodontal disease.
6. Only people over 50 years old get periodontal disease.
7. Periodontal disease is the number one cause of tooth loss - even over cavities.
Answers
1. TRUE - Periodontal disease can enter the blood stream and create new infections. Research is showing that it is linked to cardiovascular disease, stroke, low birth weight babies, osteoporosis, and diabetes
2. FALSE - With diligent home care and regular 3 - 6 month cleanings at the dentist, your teeth will last your entire life.
3.
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02/12/2006
If the thought of a freezing scoop of ice cream sends pain screaming though your gums, and a steamy, hot cup of coffee makes you cringe, you probably have sensitive teeth. The good news is that sensitive teeth, while common, are not something you have to live with.
Sensitive teeth are a direct result of when either your gums or the hard, protective layer of your teeth, known as the enamel, begins to wear away. This exposes the microscopic, hollow canals of your teeth, called dentin. Because they are hollow, these canals easily send sensations of hot and cold to the nerves of your teeth.
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02/10/2006
When Long Beach students smile, the teeth they flash aren't always pearly white.
A survey released Monday reveals that tooth decay is a major problem among students in the Long Beach Unified School District. It is five times more prevalent than asthma and can lead to speech problems, a lack of concentration due to the pain, a host of other illnesses brought on by the decay, and missed school days.
A statewide survey, also out Monday, showed similar, although slightly better, results throughout California.
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02/10/2006
Senate Honors Dentists, Dental Hygienists, and Dental Assistants
On February 7, the Senate approved, by unanimous consent, a resolution (S. Res. 369) congratulating the American Dental Association for establishing and continuing its sponsorship of the "Give Kids a Smile" program. Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) sponsored the resolution.
According to S. Res. 369, "Access to dental care is a vital element of overall health care and development." The resolution notes that the dental community provides an estimated $1.7 billion annually in non-reimbursed dental care to low-income Americans.
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02/10/2006
Full-Mouth Reconstruction
A full-mouth reconstruction is a challenging treatment modality.
The entire dentition is rehabilitated during a full-mouth reconstruction.
The restorative dentist needs to thoroughly understand every aspect of the dentition, its relationship to the temporo-mandibular joints, and the functional interactions of the masticatory
muscles. A full-mouth
reconstruction approaches the oral cavity truly holistically. It leads to a complete
rehabilitation of the mouth.
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02/09/2006
Links To Oral Health-Related Sites of Interest
Links: DENTAL
| GUM DISEASE | ORAL HYGIENE
| ORAL IRRIGATORS
| PREVENTION | NUTRITION | GINGIVITIS |
Primary Care Oral Health Secrets Revealed
-
The cause and cure for tooth and gum disease was discovered nearly 200 years ago. The overwhelming odds are that you and your family will be affected and my not know it until costly damage has been done.
Why is it important to your heart, lungs or kidneys that you KNOW where you stand now, and stop this disease in its tracks? Why is it that no amount of dental insurance or dental work is going to stop this disease?
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02/09/2006
Feb. 9 (Bloomberg) -- Aetna Inc., said fourth-quarter profit rose 41 percent as the third-largest U.S. health insurance provider added customers to its dental, drug and medical plans.
Net income rose to $423 million, or $1.42 a share, from $300.7 million, or 98 cents a share, a year earlier, the Hartford, Connecticut-based company said today in a statement. Revenue climbed 13.5 percent to $5.9 billion.
Enrollment in dental plans rose 9.5 percent from a year earlier, drug plans were up 12 percent and medical plans increased 8 percent, the company said. Aetna also lowered operating expense to 19.4 percent of revenue from 20.1 percent.
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02/02/2006
CIGNA Dental has taken the guesswork out of planning for costs associated with dental treatment by launching a first-of-its kind Dental Treatment Cost Estimator. With 117 million adults now using the Internet to find health related information(1), this comprehensive web-based service, which allows CIGNA Dental members to estimate and plan for their dental care costs before they receive services, is one of the next generation of information tools.
"Consumers have a growing need for actionable information to help them make decisions about their health care, including their dental care," said Karen Rohan, president of CIGNA Dental.
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02/01/2006
Under the UIC program, partially funded by the grant, each fourth year UIC dental student must complete a rotation at one of 12 urban or rural community facilities in Chicago or in the state. The grant became available after a 2000 U.S. Surgeon General's report on the nation's oral health, said UIC spokesman Sam Hostettler.
The report revealed that the prognosis for preventing decaying teeth, gum disease and other problems associated with bad oral care is gloomy when it involves many minorities.
And the issue hits across board with health and social concerns, said Dr.
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01/31/2006
Licorice for Healthy Teeth?
(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Could licorice root keep cavities away? New research says maybe so.
Streptococcus mutans is a bacterium that is a major cause of dental cavities. In the study, authors write, "There is an urgent need for new antimicrobial compounds that can inhibit S. mutans effectively." Researchers from Oragencis explain most human tooth decay is caused by S. mutans, which sits on the surface of the tooth and converts sugar to lactic acid. That lactic acid is excreted by the bacteria and causes tooth decay by dissolving the mineral that comprises enamel and dentin.
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01/29/2006
Pain associated with hot foods and drinks usually implies that
the nerve in a tooth is dying and an abscess may be forming at the
tip of the root. It is not uncommon for a tooth nerve to die off
and a number of reasons, including decay or trauma can bring it
on - when you least expect it.
When the nerve of a tooth dies off, it starts to disintegrate and
gasses are formed in the tiny nerve chamber within the root.
When hot foods and liquids are consumed the gasses in the nerve
chamber expand with the heat, causing significant pressure build
up, which results in pain.
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01/27/2006
Although this
may look nice, it is not necessarily the best long-term option for this
tooth
The life-span averages above are based on scientific data and the history
of the dental material. There are many factors that influence the
life-span of a restoration.
Our
treatment recommendations are occlusal based. This means that every
patient is evaluated to make sure the joints, muscles and teeth are
working together to ensure the longest lasting dentistry.
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01/19/2006
Tooth whitening is a bleaching
process that lightens discoloration of enamel and dentin.
A gel is placed in a thin bleaching tray that fits over your
teeth. As hydrogen peroxide, the active ingredient in the
gel, is broken down, oxygen enters the enamel and dentin
bleaches the colored substances. Only the tooth is made
lighter, while the structure of the tooth is unchanged.
Results are often seen after the first application, but ideal
results occur when the process is continued for 10 - 14 days.
Is it safe? YES!
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01/19/2006
Overview
What is the difference between a DDS and a DMD?
The DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) and DMD (Doctor of Dental Medicine) are the same degrees. The difference is a matter of semantics. The majority of dental schools award the DDS degree; however, some award a DMD degree. The education and degrees are the same.
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01/19/2006
Please note: When you look at the tooth chart, you are looking into a person's mouth with the jaws open. You're facing the person, so their upper right jaw will be on the left of this image.
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01/19/2006
More than fifteen percent of American adults suffer from chronic facial pain. Some common symptoms include pain in or around the ear, tenderness of the jaw, clicking or popping noises when opening the mouth, or even headaches and neck aches.
Two joints and several jaw muscles make it possible to open and close the mouth. They work together when you chew, speak, and swallow. These structures include muscles and ligaments, as well as the jaw bone, the mandible (lower jaw) with two joints, the TMJ’s.
The TM joint is one of the most complex joints in the body.
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01/19/2006
Cracked teeth demonstrate many types of symptoms, including pain when chewing, and temperature or pressure sensitivity. It is also common for pain to come and go, making it difficult to diagnose the cause of discomfort.
Chewing can cause movement of the cracked pieces of your tooth, and the pulp within the tooth becomes irritated. At the same time, when biting pressure is released, the crack can close quickly, resulting in sharp pain. Eventually, the pulp will become damaged and tooth will consistently hurt, even when you are not chewing.
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01/19/2006
What
Causes Tooth Discoloration?
Teeth become discolored
for different reasons:
Frequently drinking
coffee, tea, or colas.
Inadequate oral hygiene.
Some antibiotics may
darken developing teeth in children.
Aging - The dentin
underneath the enamel of a tooth gradually darkens with age.
Use of tobacco products.
Accidents
- If a tooth has been traumatized, sometimes the nerve will gradually "die",
and the tooth becomes dark.
After Root Canal Therapy,
a tooth will sometimes darken.
What
Can Be Done About Tooth Discoloration?
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01/19/2006
Periapical
(root-tip) Abscess
A
periapical (root-tip) abscess is a pocket of infection at the base of a tooth's
root. The tooth becomes abscessed after the pulp (nerve) of the tooth becomes
infected. A periapical abscess is usually caused by deep decay or an accident
(trauma to the tooth involving nerve damage). A periapically abscessed tooth
will require either Pulp Therapy or an Extraction.
In some cases an antibiotic will also be prescribed.
Lateral
Abscess
A lateral
abscess is similar to a periapical abscess, but develops along the lateral
surface of the tooth's root.
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01/16/2006
Dental crisis treatment
Many
people don't see a dentist on a regular basis. They go only when they
feel they have a problem. At Joe F Griffin II DDS we call this "crisis treatment" as opposed to
"preventive treatment".
While these patients may feel they are saving
money, it usually ends up costing much more in both dollars and time. The reason for this is that most dental problems don't have any symptoms
until they reach the advanced stages.
An example is tooth decay. At Joe F Griffin II DDS we hear all the time, "Nothing hurts. I
don't have any problems". But tooth decay doesn't hurt!
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01/16/2006
Neuomuscular Dentistry & other Testimonials - Page 2
Ean
Ean had extreme wear due to a closed bite and heavy grinding. He had a history of chipping teeth and had the wear of an 80-year-old even though he was in his twenties. He also had a chronic problem with headaches. Ean was always self-conscious of the way his teeth looked and was careful to not smile too broadly.
After finding a relaxed position for Ean's facial muscles, he was restored to ideal form and function with full-mouth porcelain restorations. Not only does he feel better from having a correct bite, but he is thrilled with his new found self-confidence in the way he looks.
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01/09/2006
DENTAL HEALTH INFO
Dental Health Info
Welcome to the Dental Health Information section of the Chicago Dental Society's Web site. This section provides basic dental health and prevention information for the general public.
Dental Health Topics
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There are no Dental Health Topics for this section
To find a dentist in a non-emergency situation, select "Find A Dentist" above, the CDS Online Referral Network.
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01/04/2006
Obesity has nearly doubled is the last 20 years.
Think twice before stocking a grocery store in your office drawer. Food storage may attract pests to your work area. If your office already has a problem with pest infestation, it might be best to avoid setting your desk up as a feeding station. Plus, if food spills over into the desk drawer and isn't thoroughly cleaned, it can become a breeding ground for bacteria or what Gerba would call a "bacteria cafeteria." Higher temperatures when the office is closed also may contribute to food spoilage in a desk drawer.
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01/03/2006
There are people out there who don't floss their teeth.
Shocked? Some of them don't brush, either. Some damage their teeth by smoking. And some never go to the dentist.
Even so, oral health is improving.
A recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institutes of Health found that oral health has improved among all age groups, all racial groups, and all income levels. It also found that the proportion of adults over 60 who have lost all their teeth has dropped from one-third to one-fourth over the past decade.
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01/02/2006
Heart disease was present in 4.7 percent of those without tooth loss, 5.7 percent of those with 1 to 5 missing teeth, 7.5 percent of those with 6 to 31 missing teeth, and 8.5 percent of those with total tooth loss, reports lead investigator Catherine Okoro, epidemiologist in the Division of Adult and Community Health at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
This finding emerged after adjusting for sex, race and ethnicity, education, marital status, diabetes, smoking status, alcohol consumption, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol and body mass index, Okoro said.
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