Charlotte, NC, July 23, 2014 – Septodont has generously donated over $138,000 in sealant and anesthesia reversal products to National Children’s Oral Health Foundation: America’s ToothFairy^® (NCOHF) to help save young smiles. The donation of over 1,000 Toothfairy™ Pit & Fissure Sealant Kits and Oraverse^® was distributed to America’s ToothFairy Affiliate clinical programs reaching at-risk children across the US with vital oral health services. The America’s ToothFairy Affiliate network consists of community-based, non-profit programs throughout North America dedicated to providing the best educational, preventive and treatment services for vulnerable children and families.

“Septodont is a Proud Underwriter of National Children’s Oral Health Foundation: America’s ToothFairy and we are committed to supporting the efforts of their Affiliate network to help children in need,” said Paul Mondock, Vice President of Septodont North America. “We are thrilled to provide this donation of Toothfairy™ BPA Free Pit & Fissure Sealant Kits and Oraverse anesthesia reversal products to help prevent pediatric dental disease and rescue children from pain.”

“We are so grateful for Septodont’s tremendous support of America’s ToothFairy and our mission to prevent children’s suffering from dental disease,” said Fern Ingber, NCOHF President & CEO. “Their generous donation of ToothFairy Pit & Fissure Sealant and Oraverse products will help the America’s ToothFairy Affiliate Network ensure thousands of vulnerable children have the healthy smiles they need and deserve.”

July 23, 2014 -- A new study by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Emerging Infectious Diseases, May 2014, Vol. 20:5, pp. 822-828) says vaccines that are currently available for the human papillomavirus (HPV) could prevent most oropharyngeal (OP) cancers in the U.S., according to DrBicuspid.com. The retrospective study of patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) found that most were HPV-positive, especially for HPV types 16 and 18, and the majority of patients were white men.

To read the full article at DrBicuspid.com, click here.

PRINCETON, NJ, July 22, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Geistlich Pharma North America is pleased to announce that Dr. Peter Geistlich, Chairman of the Board, Geistlich Pharma AG was presented with Loma Linda University's Distinguished Humanitarian Award on May 25, 2014.

The award recognized Dr. Geistlich as an "internationally renowned pioneer in materials research, global leader in regenerative medicine, and passionate advocate for high quality research and education that translate into improved patient outcomes.  His generous philanthropic engagement supports advancement of the University's model 'to make man whole'".

Dr. Geistlich shares an enduring and vibrant bond with the University, built through decades of scientific collaboration with Professor Philip Boyne.  Together, their commitment to advancing quality of care in the fields of oral and maxillofacial surgery and tissue regeneration led to the joint creation and the funding of the Boyne-Geistlich Professorship in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at The School of Dentistry.

"It is a highlight in my life to be honored by this very fine university and to have had the opportunity to collaborate on research projects for many years with Dr. Philip Boyne and now with Dr. Alan Herford. For me it is a joy to participate in and to support quality research. I have always been very impressed with the innovative research activities and the quality results that the Loma Linda University School of Dentistry has generated," said Dr. Peter Geistlich, Chairman of the Board, Geistlich AG.

"The company is very thankful and proud of Dr. Geistlich's many accomplishments.  It is through the collaboration with Dr. Phillip Boyne and Loma Linda University that many of our product innovations were born.  The result has been scientifically proven products that have helped millions of dentists and their patients worldwide," said Mr. Greg Bosch, CEO, Geistlich Pharma North America.

Jersey City, NJ –  July 22, 2014 -The Nash Institute, Charlotte, North Carolina, is offering a 2-day hands-on seminar covering all aspects of indirect esthetics. The course will take place July 25-26, and will be conducted by Dr. Ross Nash, director of the Nash Institute. The program is being held at the Institute’s headquarters in Charlotte, and is designed for dentists with all levels of experience with indirect procedures.

Key topics to be covered include preparation and placement techniques for various materials, diagnosis, treatment planning, case set-up, impression taking, provisionalization, lab communication, step-by-step placement, and follow-up procedures. The techniques will be demonstrated and discussed in study club format. Participants will practice on Typodont models.

To register, click here: www.thenashinstitute.com/register or call Sure Business Logic at (516) 883-3443.

JOHANNESBURG, July 18, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- In an effort to appraise the current clinical evidence regarding the merits of glass-ionomers as tooth restorations and sealants, the SYSTEM Initiative of the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, has conducted a number of systematic reviews of clinical trials while simultaneously investigating the accuracy of comparison results from longitudinal studies with that from randomised control trials (RCT).

SYSTEM's results show that no clinical evidence exists to substantiate the belief that high-viscosity glass-ionomers are inferior to the current gold standard when placing restorations in posterior load bearing teeth and when sealing pit and fissure to prevent the development of tooth caries.

When all longitudinal studies, published during the last ten years, for high-viscosity glass-ionomer restorations were compared with that of amalgam restorations placed in posterior load bearing teeth a largely higher performance for amalgam was found. However, no difference between high-viscosity glass-ionomer and silver amalgam was found in all RCTs, published during the same time period.

A similar systematic review of available literature also indicated a deficiency in clinical evidence to support the idea that resin based fissure sealants protect better against tooth caries than glass-ionomer based sealants. A subsequent investigation to the original systematic review in 2008 was conducted in 2013 and established that its conclusion remains current.

The published full reports of the findings are available online:

[1] Mickenautsch S, Yengopal V. Failure rate of high-viscosity GIC based ART compared to that of conventional amalgam restorations - evidence from a systematic review update. S Afr Dent J 2012; 67: 329-31. 
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23951787

[2] Mickenautsch S, Yengopal V. Direct contra naive-indirect comparison of clinical failure rates between high-viscosity GIC and conventional amalgam restorations. An empirical study. PLOS One 2013; 8: e78397. 
https://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0078397

[3] Mickenautsch S, Yengopal V. Caries-preventive effect of glass ionomer and resin-based fissure sealants on permanent teeth: An update of systematic review evidence. BMC Res Notes 2011; 4: 22.
 https://www.biomedcentral.com/1756-0500/4/22

[4] Mickenautsch S, Yengopal V. The modified Ottawa method to establish the update need of a systematic review: Glass-ionomer versus resin sealants for caries prevention. J Appl Oral Sci 2013; 21: 482-9.
 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3881834/

More than 80% of oral health patients are willing to receive rapid HIV-testing in dental settings, which could help reduce the spread of the HIV, according to a groundbreaking study revealed July 17 at a Sydney (Australia) University HIV Testing Symposium.

The first of its kind study of 521 Sydney-based dental patients assessed patients' willingness to undergo rapid HIV testing in dental settings, their preference for HIV testing-type type and their willingness to pay for the test.

Rapid HIV testing is a screening test that swiftly detects the presence of HIV antibodies in a person's body by testing blood or oral fluids.

It can be done as a simple finger prick or a saliva swab, and results can be made available within 20 minutes.

Rapid HIV testing is currently unavailable in dental settings anywhere in the world although the technology has been widely available for a decade.

Australians will soon be able to access rapid HIV-testing themselves after the federal government last week announced that it had lifted restrictions preventing the manufacture and sale of oral home-testing kits.

"Dentists are well placed to offer rapid HIV testing because they're located throughout the community, have ongoing relationships with their patients, and have the necessary training and expertise to recognise systemic diseases that have oral manifestations, such as HIV/AIDS," says the study's lead author, Dr Anthony Santella of the University of Sydney.

The new research finding has important policy implications, according to Dr. Santella: "If rapid HIV testing was widely available in dental settings it could help to reduce the spread of the virus by informing people who aren't aware that they are HIV-positive.

"It's important that policymakers and other stakeholders consider expanding rapid HIV testing beyond medical and sexual health clinics because the average time from HIV infection to diagnosis in Australia is currently more than three years."

"As well, we have fresh evidence that around 45% of dentists feel prepared and willing to perform rapid HIV-testing. This means it would be feasible to offer rapid HIV testing through dental settings, especially in targeted at risk communities."

Among those saying they'd be willing to undergo rapid HIV testing in a dental setting, 76% preferred an oral saliva swab, 15% preferred a pin prick test, and 8% preferred a traditional blood test that draws blood through a needle.

Fast fact

- Sixty percent of Australians see their dentist once in 12 months with 80% seeing a dentist in the course of 2 years.

- Ten to 20% of people living with HIV are undiagnosed and therefore run the risk of spreading the virus unknowingly.

- The Australian Government's HIV Strategy aims to reduce the sexual transmission of HIV by 50% by 2015, as a key step towards a 2020 elimination target.

Alexandria, Va., USA – Today, the American Association for Dental Research (AADR), as part of the Coalition for Health Funding (CHF), which represents more than 90 public health advocacy organizations, released a new report documenting the dire consequences of Congress’s deep cuts to public health programs in recent years. “Faces of Austerity: How Budget Cuts Hurt America’s Health” illustrates how recent outbreaks of measles, the steady drumbeat of school shootings at the hands of mentally ill gunmen, and an epidemic of heroin abuse have all been exacerbated by cuts to programs designed to address such issues of public concern. AADR’s contribution to the publication highlighting the recent austerity measures significant impact on dental, oral and craniofacial research may be found on pages 36-37 of the report.

The National Institutes of Health – National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research lost $23 million in funding in fiscal year 2013 and only $10 million of that was restored in fiscal year 2014. However, when adjusted for inflation, the NIDCR budget is 22 percent, or $75 million, less than it was in 2002, resulting in the lowest number of research grants awarded in 13 years. Additionally, these cuts translated into fewer training slots at some universities for young and promising researchers; increased competition for grants; and layoffs of laboratory support staff, thus slowing the progress of promising oral health research.

Nationally, budget cuts have forced the layoffs of more than 50,000 public health professionals who monitor and respond to virus outbreaks, immunize children and the elderly, inspect restaurants, and care for the indigent. Public health departments in 33 states and the District of Columbia have reduced their budgets. Funds for public health overall, let alone the workforce, have been eroding for nearly a decade and the sequester cuts have led to a situation that makes us all less secure and puts our health at risk. It only gets worse from here: while we have some limited sequester relief in 2015, we face the full impact of sequestration again in 2016 and for years to come.

Treating oral health conditions is costly, with $110.9 billion in expenditures on dental services in 2012. Oral health disparities exist for many racial and ethnic groups. Future advances in health care depend on a sustained investment in basic research to identify the fundamental causes and mechanisms of disease, accelerate technological development and discovery, and ensure a robust pipeline of creative and skillful biomedical researchers.

“Continuation of budget cuts dictated by the Budget Control Act of 2011 would significantly impact our members, universities and research supported by the National Institutes of Health, and ultimately deny Americans a healthier future. This is particularly alarming because NIDCR-supported scientists are on the verge of improving detection for diseases through the use of salivary diagnostics, said AADR President Timothy DeRouen. “We call on Congress to stop further cuts to biomedical research and public health programs.”

To read “Faces of Austerity: How Budget Cuts Hurt America’s Health,” please visit www.iadr.org/files/public/14JulyFacesAusterityReport.pdf.

New York University College of Dentistry’s (NYUCD’s) Dr. Maureen McAndrew, Clinical Professor of Cariology and Comprehensive care and Senior Director of Professional Development, has been awarded the 2014 American Dental Association (ADA) Golden Apple Award for Inspiring Careers in Dental Education.                                      

Dr. McAndrew is the creator and director of the Excellence in Clinical Teaching Program and Class ACTS (Advanced Clinical Teaching Scholars) program at the NYU College of Dentistry. Dr. McAndrew also serves as the course director for the Selective in Teaching Skills and the Practicum in Clinical Teaching for third- and fourth-year dental students with an interest in academia and teaches Introduction to Pedagogy to all postgraduate residents.

“Maureen McAndrew is an exemplary educator,” said Dr. Charles N. Bertolami, Dean of the NYU College of Dentistry. “At the core of her commitment to excellence in teaching and learning is her understanding that the secret to success in healthcare education is a synthesis of scholarly expertise, the dynamic delivery of evidence-based materials, and a focus both on outcomes and on nurturing intellectual joy and enthusiasm in students.”

The ADA Golden Apple Awards commend dental society leaders, members and staff who have contributed to the success of their oral health-related programs and activities. As a recipient of the Golden Apple Award for Inspiring Careers in Dental Education, Dr. McAndrew is recognized as an outstanding mentor, willing to share her knowledge in order to enhance the scholarly, professional and personal development of aspiring and emerging dental faculty. Reflecting this sentiment, one of her students has said, “Dr. McAndrew has instilled in me the tools I need not only to do well in dental school, but to become a successful researcher, and hopefully, professor.”

Dr. McAndrew is a recipient of two NYU Humanities Council Curricular Development Grants and a PrMEIR grant from the NYU School of Medicine. She was the 2009 ADEA/Gies Education Fellow and a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry. In 2011, she received the Association of Women Dentists P&G/Gillette Hayden Memorial Foundation Research Award and was inducted into the NYU Academy of Distinguished Educators.

It's no secret that running can be great for the mind, body and soul, but what it's doing to peoples’ teeth may be surprising. According to the Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, a new study is linking an increase in cavities and tooth erosion among runners and athletes who train for long periods of time, multiple days a week. 

The aim of this investigation was to give insights into the impact of endurance training on oral health, with regard to tooth erosion, caries, and salivary parameters. The study included 35 triathletes and 35 non-exercising controls. The clinical investigation comprised oral examination, assessment of oral status with special regard to caries and erosion, saliva testing during inactivity, and a self-administered questionnaire about eating, drinking, and oral hygiene behavior. In addition, athletes were asked about their training habits and intake of beverages and sports nutrition. 

"Expending that much energy requires an increase in carb and sugary food intake like sports drinks and protein bars," explains Dr. Jessica Emery, cosmetic dentist and owner of Sugar Fix Dental Loft Chicago. "Sugar feeds the decay causing bacteria. Our defenses against this bad bacteria live in our saliva. Because of this sugary food, the dry mouth that comes with the way we breath during our exercise and the dehydration that comes with sweating for long periods of time, these make a perfect trifecta for cavities."

There are a few things people can do to combat this:

- Always drink plenty of water before, during and after your workouts. If you are a distance runner, consider increasing your salt intake, which allows your body to retain water.

- Carry some sugar-free gum to pop in right after you finish your run. This will get rid of the dry mouth and allow your saliva glands to start working again.

- Continue to brush and floss regularly and if you are experiencing increased sensitivity or pain, see your dentist immediately.  

Chronic oral infection with the periodontal disease pathogen, Porphyromonas gingivalis, not only causes local inflammation of the gums leading to tooth loss but also is associated with an increased risk of atherosclerosis. A study published on July 10th in PLOS Pathogens now reveals how the pathogen evades the immune system to induce inflammation beyond the oral cavity.

Like other gram-negative bacteria, P. gingivalis has an outer layer that consists of sugars and lipids. The mammalian immune system has evolved to recognize parts of this bacterial coating, which then triggers a multi-pronged immune reaction. As part of the "arms race" between pathogens and their hosts, several types of gram-negative bacteria, including P. gingivalis, employ strategies by which they alter their outer coats to avoid the host immune defense.

Caroline Attardo Genco, from Boston University School of Medicine, USA, in collaboration with Richard Darveau, at the University of Washington School of Dentistry, USA, and colleagues focused on the role of a specific lipid expressed on the outer surface of P. gingivalis, called lipid A, which is known to interact with a key regulator of the host's immune system called TLR4. P. gingivalis can produce a number of different lipid A versions, and the researchers wanted to clarify how these modify the immune response and contribute to the ability of the pathogen to survive and cause inflammation—both locally, resulting in oral bone loss, and systemically, in distant blood vessels.

They constructed genetically modified strains of P. gingivalis with two distinct lipid A versions. The resulting bacteria produced either lipid A that activated TLR4 (called "agonist") or lipid A that interacted with TLR4 but blocked activation ("antagonist"). Utilizing these strains, they demonstrate that P. gingivalis production of antagonist lipid A renders the pathogen resistant to host bacterial killing responses. This facilitates bacterial survival in macrophages, specific immune cells that normally not only gobble up the bacteria but also "digest" and kill them.

When the researchers infected atherosclerosis-prone mice with the P. gingivalis TLR4 antagonist strain, they found that this exacerbates inflammation in the blood vessels and promotes atherosclerosis. In contrast, the ability of P. gingivalis to induce local inflammatory bone loss was independent of lipid A variations, which demonstrates that there are distinct mechanisms for induction of local versus systemic inflammation.

The researchers conclude, "P. gingivalis modifies its lipid A structure in order to evade host defenses and establish chronic infection leading to persistent systemic low-grade inflammation". They go on to state that "uniquely among gram-negative pathogens, P. gingivalis evasion of TLR4-mediated host immunity results in progression of inflammation at a site that is distant from local infection by gaining access to the vasculature."

Source: EurekaAlert!