The association between poor oral health and increased risk of cardiovascular disease should make the reduction of sugars such as those contained in junk food, particularly fizzy drinks, an important health policy target, say experts writing in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine.

Poor oral hygiene and excess sugar consumption can lead to periodontal disease where the supporting bone around the teeth is destroyed. It is thought that chronic infection from gum disease can trigger an inflammatory response that leads to heart disease through a process called atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries. Despite convincing evidence linking poor oral health to premature heart disease, the most recent UK national guidance on the prevention of CVD at population level mentions the reduction of sugar only indirectly.

Dr. Ahmed Rashid, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge, who co-wrote the paper, said: "As well as having high levels of fats and salt, junk foods often contain a great deal of sugar and the effect this has on oral health may be an important additional mechanism by which junk food elevates risk of CVD." He added: "Among different types of junk food, soft drinks have raised particular concerns and are the main source of free sugar for many individuals."

The authors refer to the well-publicized New York “soda ban” controversy, which has brought the issue to the attention of many. Yet, they point out, in the UK fizzy drinks remain commonly available in public areas ranging from hospitals to schools. Dr. Rashid said: "The UK population should be encouraged to reduce fizzy drink intake and improve oral hygiene. Reducing sugar consumption and managing dental problems early could help prevent heart problems later in life."

Source: SAGE Publications

The Friends of the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (FNIDCR), a broad-based consortium of oral health research stakeholders, held a congressional briefing titled, “Oral Health Research Advances: A Healthier America Starts Here,” Nov. 21, 2013 on Capitol Hill. FNIDCR held the briefing in cooperation with the Congressional Oral Health Caucus. 

The briefing featured experts at the cutting edge of research in preventing, diagnosing and treating Early Childhood Dental Carries and HPV-related Oral Cancer.  The significance of NIDCR-funded research in improving our understanding of these diseases, as well as their impact on underserved and vulnerable populations, were highlighted.

“We have to make oral health and oral health research a priority in Washington,” FNIDCR President Dr. Christian Stohler, who moderated the briefing, said. “It is important to elevate awareness of the advances made in oral health research on Capitol Hill, especially during such a critical time when our federal budget is being debated. We sincerely thank the co-chairs of the Oral Health Caucus and their staffs for helping make the briefing a tremendous success as well as the talented researchers who shared with us the latest developments and trends in their research fields.”

Top Researchers Inform Standing Room-Only Audience

The standing room-only audience (109), which consisted of NIH/NIDCR-funded researchers, oral health and dental organization representatives (ADA, ADEA, AADR, ADHA, DTA, NDA, NFED, OHA, Sjogren’s Foundation) Friends of NIDCR members, and congressional staffers received presentations from:

• Martha Somerman, DDS, PhD, Director, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (86, 185), who spoke on “Investments in Innovation: Transforming Health Care;” 

• Anne C. R. Tanner, BDS, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Oral Medicine Infection and Immunity, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, (157) who presented on “The Oral Microbiome: Progress toward understanding the cause of cavities in toddlers;” 

•  Linda Morris Brown, MPH., DrPH, Senior Research Epidemiologist, RTI International, (95) who spoke on the topic, “Oral Cancer Incidence: Role of HPV in Diminishing Racial Disparities;”

•  Jennifer Webster-Cyriaque, DDS, PhD, Associate Professor, University of North Carolina School of Dentistry, (146) who presented on “Oral Cancer Incidence in African American Males.”

• Caitlin Leach, Senior Program Manager, Research!America, (179, 182) provided a somber assessment about the risk to the leadership role of U.S. in research.

Oral Health Caucus Co-Chairs Give Passionate Support

Furthermore, the audience received passionate and candid remarks from the co-chairs of the Congressional Oral Health Caucus, U.S. Reps. Mike Simpson (R-ID) and Elijah Cummings (D-MD).

“Discoveries from NIDCR-supported research lead to improvements in dental practices and change the scope of public health policies across our nation,” Congressman Simpson (198, 189) said.  “The advances and trends presented at today’s briefing by experts who are on the cutting edge of research in preventing, diagnosing and treating Early Childhood Dental Carries and HPV-related Oral Cancer, were a further testament to the merits of NIDCR-funded research.”

“The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research continues to revolutionize the way we diagnosis and treat disease,” Congressman Cummings (118, 125) said.  “Their work is a powerful reminder of the value of our investments in medical research and the real impact on human lives.   We must maintain our commitment to this research so that we don't interrupt the important process of translating findings into improvements in patient outcomes.”

For more information, contact Executive Director Peter Anas at 240-778-6117 or email peter@FNIDCR.org or visit www.FNIDCR.org.

December 2, 2013 – The American Dental Association and the ADA Foundation announced that the foundation's Anthony Volpe Research Center (VRC) received a 5-year, $2.2 million grant from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) to develop new resin composite dental fillings. The grant started on Sept. 1 and the first year's funding is $450,000. NIDCR is a part of the National Institutes of Health.

VRC scientists plan to use the grant money to research and develop new polymers that are BPA-free and not susceptible to enzymatic or hydrolytic degradation. They also hope to establish self-healing systems to significantly extend the life of composites, and to formulate smart antibacterial components.

"All the members of our team, including Drs. Rafael Bowen, Gary Schumacher, Drago Skrtic, and myself, are excited by this grant," said principal investigator, Jirun Sun, PhD. "Our overall goal is to make new systems that exceed the performance of current commercially used materials. Ultimately, the new systems will double the service life of tomorrow's dental composites."

Dentists in the United States currently place more than 122 million composite dental fillings every year. But the average lifetime of those composites is only 8 years. Current composite filling technology is nearly 50 years old.

"There have been major advances over the past decade in chemistry, microbiology, imaging, and other potentially important areas," said Dr. Martha Somerman, NIDCR director. "Let's get the right people talking to each other and see if it's possible to double the service life of tomorrow's dental composites."

Source: Phys.org Science News Wire

In a study involving orthodontic diagnosis in PLOS One, a Dutch team reviewed the published literature and concluded that cephalograms are not needed for treatment planning in Class II malocclusions, digital models can replace plaster casts, and cone-beam CT (CBCT) is suitable for impacted canines. The researchers, therefore, are calling for more research on the topic, including on the contribution of newer technology such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and optical laser scanners, according to DrBicuspid.com.

To read the full DrBicuspid article, click here.

November 26, 2013 -- INTELIHEALTH -- People with gum disease may be more likely to have asthma, a Brazilian study finds.

The study compared people with asthma to people without it. It included 220 adults. All of them were examined for signs of gum disease. People with gum disease were five times as likely to have asthma as people who had healthy gums.

The researchers note that inflammation of the gums, as seen in gum disease, could affect asthma, which involves lung inflammation. However, this study does not show that asthma causes gum disease, or that gum disease leads to asthma.

Other studies have found that people taking inhaled asthma medicines may be at greater risk for periodontal disease. The studies suggest that the inhaled medicines affect the mouth.

The Brazilian study appears in the November 14 issue of the Journal of Periodontology.

Source: InteliHealth News Service

CHICAGO, Nov. 27, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A new consensus report from the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) and the European Federation of Periodontology (EFP) finds that periodontal health may play an important role in the management of diabetes. The report outlines clinical recommendations for dental professionals to use when treating people with diabetes and emphasizes the importance of annual comprehensive periodontal evaluations (CPE) as part of an effective diabetes management program. The consensus report is based on a large body of scientific evidence that suggests periodontal health may be helpful in controlling diabetes.

"The relationship between periodontal disease and diabetes is a bit of a catch-22," says Dr. Stuart J. Froum, DDS, President of the AAP, clinical professor and Director of Clinical Research in the Department of Periodontics and Implant Dentistry at New York University Dental Center. "People living with diabetes are more likely to develop periodontal disease. At the same time, periodontal disease makes it more difficult for people with diabetes to control their symptoms because it can impair the body's ability to process and/or utilize insulin."    

Periodontal disease, or gum disease, is an inflammatory condition that if left untreated may cause damage to the tissues and bone surrounding the teeth and can eventually lead to tooth loss. In addition to diabetes, periodontal disease has been linked to other systemic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and Alzheimer's disease.

"Both periodontal disease and diabetes present serious public health problems, with millions of Americans affected by one or both of these conditions," says Dr. Froum. "With what we now know about the impact periodontal health has on diabetes management, it is crucial for people diagnosed with diabetes to maintain healthy teeth and gums. This includes diligent home care, including brushing at least twice a day and flossing at least once a day, as well as receiving a CPE from a dental professional at least once a year. Treatment of periodontal disease in patients with diabetes has been shown to improve control of the disease."

To find out more information about periodontal disease or to find a periodontist in your area, visit perio.org.

The consensus report was published as proceedings from The Joint EFP/AAP Workshop on Periodontitis and Systematic Diseases and was sponsored through an educational grant from Colgate Palmolive. The consensus report can be viewed here: https://www.joponline.org/doi/pdf/10.1902/jop.2013.1340011

December 11, 2013 INTELIHEALTH - People infected with HIV have an increased risk of gum disease, a new study finds. This may be related to their weakened immune systems and a lack of dental care, the study found. The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) attacks the body's T cells. These cells are an important part of the defense against bacterial infections.

Gum disease is a bacterial infection. So researchers from University of the Western Cape, South Africa, suggested that people with later-stage AIDS might be more apt to have gum disease.

The study focused on 120 HIV-infected people who visited a clinic in Western Cape. They ranged in age from 20 to 55. The researchers found that people with lower T-cell counts also had more signs of gum disease. Low T-cell counts reflect more severe HIV infection.

Only 29% of people in the study said they had made at least 2 dental visits in the last 5 years. About 19% said they had never been to the dentist at all.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 60% of American adults visit the dentist at least once a year.

Other studies also have found that HIV-infected people do not get the dental care they need. One research group found that among people with HIV, having a consistent source of dental care was an important factor. About 65% of people who had established a relationship with a dental office got regular care. Only 12% of people without an established dentist had regular visits. People who had a dentist at the HIV clinic they attended were even more likely to receive regular dental care.

The South African study appears in the December issue of the journal BMC Oral Health.

Source: InteliHealth News Service

ADA News - The American Dental Education Association is accepting abstracts for the 5th ADEA International Women's Leadership Conference scheduled for Sept. 14-16, 2014, at the Renaissance Barelona Fira Hotel in Barcelona, Spain. The deadline for abstract submissions is Feb. 28, 2014.

Read full report here. 

Helsinki, Finland, December 23, 2013 – Planmeca, the world’s largest privately owned dental imaging company and equipment manufacturer, announced today that it has made a non-controlling, strategic investment in E4D Technologies, LLC, developer of the E4D CAD/CAM Restorative System.  This strategic investment reinforces Planmeca’s on-going commitment to help dental providers improve patient care by Offering a comprehensive portfolio of integrated digital dental solutions for dentists and dental laboratories.

Planmeca will co-develop CAD/CAM products with E4D Technologies and offer these products in North America under the brand names Planmeca PlanScan-E4D Technologies and PlanMill-E4D Technologies.  Henry Schein, Inc. will continue to be the exclusive distributor in the U.S., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. In addition, Planmeca will expand distribution of the E4D system to more than 120 additional international markets under the Planmeca PlanScan and PlanMill brands. In certain other markets, the E4D brand will remain in use.

“Planmeca’s investment in E4D Technologies offers us an opportunity to grow our company globally,” said Dr. Gary Severance, Chief Marketing Officer for E4D Technologies.“In addition, Planmeca has been a market leader in extra-oral digital imaging for many years, and we look forward to furthering the seamless integration of our CAD/CAM platform with the additional digital solutions offered by Planmeca. Our customers will benefit from the combination of these unique and innovative products and services.”

Under the new agreement, Planmeca joins the partnership of Henry Schein and Ivoclar Vivadent, who have been strategic equity partners in E4D Technologies since 2007, along with certain members of E4D Technologies’ senior management team.