Friday, February 7, 2014

Friday Dental Download: February 7, 2014


This week, Dr. Mark Doherty discussed the DentaQuest Institute’s Safety net Solutions program, we’re reminded that good oral health practices begin in infancy and we sum up the 2014 Yankee Dental Congress. Have thoughts on today’s news? Join the conversation on Twitter using #FridayDentalDL.

DentaQuest’s Safety Net Solutions (SNS) Executive Director Dr. Mark Doherty was interviewed by DrBicuspid on DentaQuest Institute’s SNS program. Dr. Doherty sums up the program well saying, "The health centers that we work with are these one-stop shopping places, where patients and parents can have social interaction, healthcare, dental care, recreation, get food, get their pharmacy needs taken care of, and more." You can read more about the SNS program here.

This article  reiterates the fact that dental hygiene is a vital part of overall health, and cites the Surgeon General’s Report,Oral Health in America,which found that oral diseases and disorders affect health and wellbeing throughout one’s life. The article goes on to explain that studies have linked periodontal (gum) disease to a heightened risk of heart attack and stroke, and poor dental health to Alzheimer’s disease. Because cavities can happen as early as nine months of age, it’s important for parents make sure their children are brushing, flossing and visiting a dentist regularly, starting in infancy.

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry’s recently released State of Little Teeth report was another hot topic this week. DrBicuspid’s article calls out the fact that early childhood caries (ECC) is a growing epidemic in America, and that ECC is the most common childhood disease. The article explains that poor children between ages 2 and 9 are twice as likely to have dental caries than those in higher economic groups, possibly caused by poor diet and lack of education. Check out DentaQuest Institute’s Early Childhood Caries collaborative, which aims to lower the rates of ECC in today’s children through education and preventive care.

The 39th annual Yankee Dental Congress in Boston came to a close this week, and what a success it was! Over 450 exhibitors offered products and services at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center and more than 300 continuing education courses were offered, some of which were taught by members of the DentaQuest team. You can read more about Dr. Brian Novy, Dr. Mark Doherty and Dori Bingham’s sessions here.

The FDA launched a new anti-smoking campaign this week targeting teenagers by focusing on how smoking affects teenagers' appearance by ruining their skin and teeth. One graphic TV ad shows a teenager buying a pack of cigarettes at a convenience store and literally pulling out a tooth with a set of pliers to pay for them, while a narrator says "What's a pack of smokes cost? Your teeth.” Watch all the commercials here.