USciences’ Mayes College of Healthcare Business and Policy is proud to present the Fifth Annual Lois K. Cohen Endowed Lecture Series in Global Health.

This series will feature a lecture by Eric Bing, MD, Senior Fellow & Director of Global Health, George W. Bush Institute, Professor of Global Health, Southern Methodist University, and author of Pharmacy on a Bicycle.

Dr. Bing's lecture, "Making Healthcare as Accessible as a Coca-Cola®," is set for Thursday, Oct. 30, 2014 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. A reception and author book signing will follow Dr. Bring's lecture.

The Lois K. Cohen lecture series is free and open to the public, and will be held at the University of the Sciences, McNeil Science and Technology Center on 45th Street at Woodland Avenue.

To share your thoughts during this event, or join the discussion, use #usciencesglobal on Twitter.

Click Here for more information or to register by Monday, Oct. 27, 2014.

The Lois K. Cohen Endowed Lecture Series in Global Health is made possible through the generosity of Ilene Warner-Maron PhD'07.

CHICAGO, Oct 8, 2014 — Robert Weyant, D.M.D., associate dean for dental public health and community outreach, University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine, will be honored as this year's recipient of the American Dental Association/American Association for Dental Research (ADA/AADR) Evidence-Based Dentistry Faculty Award. The ADA and the AADR will present the award to Dr. Weyant at the AADR's Fall Focused Symposium, which takes place in conjunction with ADA 2014 - America's Dental Meeting, in San Antonio. Dr. Weyant was selected for his service as chair of the expert panel that lead to the ADA's Council on Scientific Affairs publishing an updated clinical practice guideline for the professional use of topical fluoride. Dr. Weyant is also being honored for his work promoting and educating dental students and faculty about evidence-based dentistry (EBD) at the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine and Oxford University in England, as well as the numerous research projects and articles he has written on EBD. The EBD Faculty award was created to acknowledge a dental school faculty member who has made significant contributions to implement and advance evidence-based dentistry. EBD focuses on providing personalized dental care based on the most current scientific knowledge, integrating scientific evidence, the patient's oral and medical condition, medical history and treatment preferences, and the dentist's clinical judgment. The Evidence-Based Dentistry Faculty Award is supported by a contribution from Procter & Gamble.

SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, October 2, 2014 — German dental supplier Heraeus Kulzer GmbH has acquired the Italian CAD/CAM manufacturer Enhanced Geometry Solutions (EGS Srl).Heraeus Kulzer GmbH is the parent company of Heraeus Kulzer, LLC, the worldwide leader in dental esthetics.

EGS is a CAD/CAM company recognized for its leading 3D expertise and technology, targeted at the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) market.  Headquartered in Bologna, Italy, EGS distributes its technologies worldwide. With over 15 years of CAD/CAM experience, EGS provides 3D scanners, CAD software and other digital tools for the entire scanning, modeling and designing workflow in dental laboratories.  EGS also offers digital solutions in such areas as aerospace, automotive, consumer products and sports.

Heraeus Kulzer, with world headquarters in Hanau, Germany and North American headquarters in South Bend, Indiana, supports dental practices and dental laboratories worldwide with a broad range of products for digital and traditional techniques.  The company’s cara® CAD/CAM system, which is not currently available in North America, offers a solution for the complete workflow in digital prosthetics. The range of indications in cara® manufacturing centers extends from milled or sintered crowns and bridges to implant suprastructures and abutments.

As part of Tokyo-based Mitsui Chemicals Inc., Heraeus Kulzer is continuously expanding the group’s international healthcare business. By acquiring EGS, Heraeus Kulzer strengthens its software competence and extends its digital portfolio. “The experts from EGS will significantly strengthen our expertise in the growing area of digitization of the dental value chain”, said Dr. Andreas Bacher, Head of the Digital Services division at Heraeus Kulzer GmbH. “Importantly, this will allow our customers to benefit from enhanced product and services development. In particular, EGS complements and extends the range of our cara® CAD/CAM system offerings with easy-to-use software and scanner modules at attractive prices. This enables us to open up new markets in digital prosthetics to spur both our growth and our ability to support our customers.”

According to Emidio Cennerilli, CEO EGS, “The core competencies and product ranges of Heraeus Kulzer and EGS complement each other very nicely. Our customers in dental labs will benefit enormously from the collaboration between our teams of experts. We trust that both companies’ cultures will foster a strong collaboration leading to expansion of our combined portfolio in the growing digital dental market.”

EGS will continue to operate independently, and all contact persons and programs for the customers of EGS remain unchanged. 

BOSTON (October 1, 2014) — Despite a policy focus on expanding access to care for adults with developmental disabilities, this vulnerable population continues to have significant dental disease. In this month's issue of The Journal of the American Dental Association, researchers from Tufts University School of Medicine and Tufts University School of Dental Medicine report on the first large-scale survey to investigate factors influencing at-home oral care provided by caregivers to adults with developmental disabilities. The study findings suggest that, in addition to addressing access to care, policy initiatives must improve support for caregivers.

"While access to dental care is a necessary component of good oral health, it is not enough to guarantee positive oral health outcomes in this vulnerable population. Our findings highlight the need for additional training and support for caregivers in promoting oral health," said principal investigator and corresponding author Paula M. Minihan, Ph.D., M.P.H., an assistant professor in the department of public health and community medicine at Tufts University School of Medicine.

The research team's landmark 2012 study found that access to specialized dental care alone was not sufficient to meet the substantial oral health needs of adults with developmental disabilities. People with developmental disabilities have a high prevalence of cavities, gum disease, and tooth loss. If a person with a developmental disability cannot independently brush or floss, caregivers provide assistance and support.

In the new study, the researchers surveyed 808 caregivers (family caregivers as well as paid caregivers) with extensive experience providing care to adults with developmental disabilities (DD) in either family homes or supervised residences in Massachusetts.

Survey results revealed that:

• 85% of adults with DD received assistance with teeth cleaning

• 79% brushed twice daily as recommended by the American Dental Association

• 22% flossed daily as recommended by the American Dental Association

• 45% never flossed

More caregivers (63%) reported that behavioral problems interfered with oral health care routines than any other factor.

Although the frequency of brushing and flossing among the adults with DD in this study was higher than reported in previous studies, many still did not meet American Dental Association recommendations regarding brushing and flossing. Flossing in particular presented substantial challenges. The researchers commented that innovative strategies are necessary to ensure adults with DD are benefitting optimally from at-home oral care to prevent dental disease.

"Oral health disparities among people with developmental disabilities are a significant public health issue," said senior author Aviva Must, Ph.D., professor and chair of the department of public health and community medicine at Tufts University School of Medicine. "We were surprised to find that, while 71.6% of paid caregivers who participated in our study reported having received formal group training in oral health care, only 6.4% of family caregivers reported the same. Given the vital role that caregivers play in promoting good oral health in this population, we need to ensure that all receive the guidance and support they need to be effective."

Co-principal investigator John Morgan, D.D.S., an associate professor in the department of public health and community service at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, added, "In addition to the effective use of fluoridated toothpaste and the application of topical fluorides, policy makers should also consider establishing an organized system that provides caregivers, including family caregivers, with information and support."

The caregivers who participated in this study visited the Tufts Dental Facilities for Persons with Special Needs (TDF), a network of clinics that have provided comprehensive oral health care to adults and children with developmental disabilities throughout Massachusetts since 1976. Through a partnership between Tufts University School of Dental Medicine and the state's Department of Developmental Services and Department of Public Health, this nationally recognized program serves more than 7,000 patients annually and supports education and research to improve the oral health of this population, which is at high risk for oral disease.

The authors acknowledged certain limitations in their study. The TDF clinics are designed for and financially accessible to people with developmental disabilities in Massachusetts, and many caregivers and patients have developed long-term relationships with dental professionals at the clinics. The study authors recognize that caregivers in this survey may not represent the experiences of caregivers more broadly. Caregivers who participated in the survey may also be particularly interested in oral home care and the information they provided reflects self-reports. In addition, the survey's focus was on the occurrence of oral home care practices and not on their quality.

Caregivers who would like tips on how to help people with developmental disabilities with oral care can visit "Dental Care Every Day: A Caregiver's Guide," a resource published by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.

Additional study authors are Angel Park, M.S., M.P.H., research analyst in the department of public health and community service at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine (TUSDM); Konstantina Yantsides, M.P.H., research assistant in the department of public health and community medicine at Tufts University School of Medicine (TUSM); Carrie Nobles, M.P.H., former research assistant in the department of public health and community medicine at TUSM; Matthew Finkelman, Ph.D., formerly an assistant professor at TUSDM; and Paul Stark, Sc.D., M.S., professor in the department of public health and community service at TUSDM.

Minihan PM, Morgan JP, Park A, Yantsides KE, Nobles CJ, Finkelman MD, Stark PC, Must A. (2014). "At-home oral care for adults with developmental disabilities: A survey of caregivers." The Journal of the American Dental Association, 145(10), 1018-1025. DOI: 10.14219/jada.2014.64

This research was supported by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research of the National Institutes of Health, under award number 1RC1DE020396.

A new series of videos from The Pew Charitable Trusts shows how they are incorporating these midlevel providers into their practices. Dentists discuss dental therapists’ education, as well as how they expand their practices to treat more low-income patients. Some compare therapists to using hygienists—taking care of routine restorative duties and allowing dentists to focus on “higher level” procedures.

See full story here. 

MELVILLE, N.Y., Oct. 2, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Henry Schein, Inc. (NASDAQ: HSIC), the world's largest provider of health care products and services to dental, animal health and medical office-based practitioners, today announced the opening of the Henry Schein Ebola Relief Fund to support relief efforts related to the Ebola outbreak in West Africa. 

The Henry Schein Ebola Relief Fund has been established through the Henry Schein Cares Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization, to provide a way for Team Schein Members and others who are interested in supporting relief efforts to contribute.  Henry Schein will match all donations contributed to this fund by Team Schein Members, and the proceeds will be applied directly and completely to Ebola relief efforts through the CDC Foundation, which helps the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention do more work faster to fight threats to health and safety, as well as other relief organizations.

The money raised will augment donations of personal protective equipment that Henry Schein is making through Henry Schein Cares, the company's global corporate responsibility program, to the CDC to help health care workers in West Africa as they combat the Ebola outbreak, which has claimed more than 3,000 lives.

In the past, Henry Schein Cares has responded to other disasters, including Hurricane Sandy and the Colorado Wildfires in the United States in 2012; the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, earthquake in New Zealand, and flood in Australia in 2011; the earthquakes in Haiti, China and Chile in 2010; the flood in Pakistan in 2010; the cyclone in Myanmar and earthquake in China in 2008; Hurricanes Katrina and Rita on the U.S. Gulf Coast in 2005; the 2005 earthquake in Pakistan; the 2004 Asian tsunami; the conflict in the Middle East; and the September 11 attack.

Anyone wishing to contribute to the Ebola Relief Fund can make a donation by credit card through the Henry Schein Cares Foundation website, https://www.hscaresfoundation.org/ (click the "donate button" to be directed to an online credit card processing page, and select "Ebola Relief Fund" for the gift designation.)  Those who wish to contribute by check should make the check payable to "Henry Schein Cares Foundation" with "Ebola Relief Fund" noted in the memo of the check, and send it to Ashley Lenz at Henry Schein, Inc., 135 Duryea Road, Melville, NY  11747.  Donations to the Henry Schein Cares Foundation are tax deductible in the United States.

Chicago (Oct. 2, 2014) — The “Transforming Dental Hygiene Education: Proud Past, Unlimited Future” symposium — a collaborative event convened by the American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA), the Santa Fe Group and the ADHA’s Institute for Oral Health (IOH) — took place a year ago, but continues to affect positive change for the dental hygiene profession. The three-day forum in Chicago brought together more than 100 key stakeholders with diverse perspectives to discuss the need to transform the educational requirements and practice for the dental hygiene profession. 

“Our goal for the symposium was to bring dental hygiene educators, researchers and practitioners together with leaders from other health disciplines, dental industry, government, philanthropy, and business to strategically discuss the role that the dental hygiene profession could play in improving the public’s overall health,” said ADHA Executive Director Ann Battrell, MSDH. “We gained a wealth of information from the participants. The outcomes from the symposium highlighted the need for change in dental hygiene education, and the need for dental hygienists to be integrated into the overall health care delivery system to meet the changing needs of society.” 

Increasing educational demands and the necessity for a widened scope of practice framed the discussion. Professionals from nursing, pharmacy, and physician assistant disciplines offered their perspectives on the process by which a profession can expand and adapt to environmental factors. These three professions underwent changes in a similar manner in years past, serving as an apt precedent for future models. 

“The symposium served as a catalyst to heighten awareness of the need for dental hygiene education and practice to advance in order to better meet the needs of the public,” said ADHA Director of Education and Research Pamela Steinbach, RN, MS. “It will be the responsibility of the profession, dental hygiene educational leaders, academic institutions and the professional association to continue to drive this change.” 

The Transforming Dental Hygiene Education symposium was instrumental in leading change on many fronts. The ADHA Board of Trustees undertook the process of strategic planning immediately following the symposium. According to ADHA President Kelli Swanson Jaecks, MA, RDH, the global perspectives and forward thinking shared during the symposium proved the need to update the ADHA’s vision and strategic plan. 

“The new ADHA strategic plan changed most significantly through our core ideology and vision statement. The core ideology reflects our commitment to leading the transformation of the profession to improve the public’s oral and overall health,” said Swanson Jaecks. “Our vision is to integrate dental hygienists into the health care delivery system as essential primary care providers to expand access to oral health care. The opportunities that lie before us to profoundly transform dental hygiene are truly exciting, and afford us the chance to impact and improve both the public and our profession in ways never done before.” 

The symposium fueled the long term multi-dimensional transformation of the dental hygiene profession by providing an outline for necessary steps and factors needed to advance the profession. Educational curriculum and programs will be the primary focus. Other factors such as finding the right people to engage the masses and drive change, advocating for an interprofessional educational experience for students, and establishing pilot programs within existing programs, have created a foundation upon which to revolutionize the profession. 

The ADHA will continue to engage various organizations to bolster the transformation over time. Since the symposium, the ADHA partnered with the Academy for Academic Leadership (AAL) and Pamela Overman, BSDH, MS, EdD, to pilot seven dental hygiene education programs to develop new domains and competencies within their curricula. These models hold the potential for country-wide adoption and serve as a testament to the long-lasting effects the symposium is having on the profession. 

Other successful outcomes include a contract with the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) for a commissioned proceedings summary, as well as the formation of a joint work group between the ADHA and the American Dental Education Association (ADEA) Commission on Change and Innovation (CCI). 

“The health care system is changing rapidly in the wake of a variety of economic, demographic and legislative factors,” Battrell added. “The symposium was the catalyst for change, and it is incumbent upon us to seize the opportunity and meet the evolving needs of the public we serve.” 

Newtown, Pennsylvania, October 6, 2014 –AEGIS Communications is pleased to announce that its affiliate company, Dental Learning Systems, has recently partnered with the American Dental Assistants Association(ADAA) to provide continuing education through a customized online portal at CDEWorld, through which dental assistants, administrators, and other professionals may access a variety of high-quality courses.

This new venue is part of the ADAA’s mission to offer Continuing Education that informs and uplifts professionally while providing the needed information to prepare for testing and required hours for re-certification and state registration needs. The ADAA continually works to provide the most current information available in dental assisting education. The relationship with CDEWorld, which has more than 18,000 active members, will expand the organization’s reach.

One of the fastest growing dental education sites, CDEWorld works closely with university, association, and industry partners to provide high-quality resources that meet dental professionals’ needs. CDEWorld facilitates education by developing, organizing, and presenting a broad array of courses, events, and webinars through one accessible site.

“We’re very pleased to welcome the ADAA to our platform,” says Daniel W. Perkins, CEO of Dental Learning Systems, LLC, the developer of CDEWorld. “Dental assistants are on the frontlines of patient contact, and the quality of their continuing education impacts the quality of patient outcomes.”

To participate in current ADAA courses, visit adaa.cdeworld.com. New courses and other educational opportunities will be continually added and updated.

About the American Dental Assistants Association

The American Dental Assistants Association is the largest group representing professional dental assistants. Its members include clinical personnel (those working chairside with the dentist), as well as those on the administrative side: the receptionist, office manager, practice manager, and those working behind the scenes in dental product sales, insurance, and—of course—educators. The ADAA provides continuing education to dental assistants and encourages education, registration, and certification for dental assisting professionals while providing a network of personal services for its members. For more information, visit dentalassistant.org.

About Dental Learning Systems

Dental Learning Systems, LLC, a healthcare education company located in Newtown, Pennsylvania, is dedicated to creating and disseminating high quality education materials, resources, and events in a manner that improves accessibility for today's oral healthcare professionals and students. Widely recognized for its affiliations with dental schools and organizations, Dental Learning Systems also delivers turnkey education communication solutions for the healthcare community. 

Chicago (Oct. 1, 2014) — Collaborating for the fifth consecutive year during October for National Dental Hygiene Month (NDHM), the American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) and the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company, the makers of Orbit® sugar-free gum, are again showcasing their commitment to educate the public on the importance of developing a daily oral health regimen of “Brush, Floss, Rinse, Chew,” and how such a program can help not only improve individuals’ oral health, but their overall health as well. 

“Dental hygienists work daily with people of all ages, educating the public on the importance of developing strong oral health habits such as twice-daily brushing, daily flossing, the daily use of an anti-microbial mouthwash, and chewing sugar-free gum after meals,” said ADHA President Kelli Swanson Jaecks, MA, RDH. “A healthy mouth is an important part of disease prevention, both for oral health and overall health, and the ADHA is proud to partner with Wrigley to help educate and share this important knowledge with people nationwide. The ADHA thanks Wrigley for their continued commitment to optimum oral health, and reminds hygienists and patients to be mindful of ‘Brush. Floss. Rinse. Chew.’ when it comes to oral hygiene.” 

“Chewing sugar-free gum like Orbit after eating or drinking helps you get a just brushed clean feeling, which gives you the confidence to do your best when it matters most,” said John Starkey, vice president of gum and mints, Wrigley North America. “Wrigley is proud to work with ADHA as a partner to promote a good oral health routine, including chewing sugar-free gum when on-the-go.” 

This year’s Dental Hygiene Month will feature a national radio media tour on Oct. 2, 2014, centering on the importance of proper dental hygiene and the benefits that developing a strong oral health regimen can have in maintaining healthy teeth and gums. ADHA President Kelli Swanson Jaecks will be on air that morning with more than 20 radio stations in major markets that include New York, Chicago, Seattle, Charlotte and Philadelphia, offering tips and information that individuals can use in their daily lives and discuss with their dental hygienist during their next check up or appointment. 

In addition, the Wrigley Company Foundation, in partnership with the ADHA Institute for Oral Health (IOH), will offer community service grants of $2,500 or $5,000 to dental hygienists who are pursuing projects intended to improve their community’s oral health. 

The ADHA is also encouraging dental hygienists, as well as the public, to share their oral health care experiences, outreach efforts and thoughts via social media. Share your photos and stories with the ADHA on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/youradha), Instagram (https://instagram.com/youradha) and Twitter (https://twitter.com/ADHADOTORG). Dental hygienists can find valuable resources to share with patients on the NDHM webpage, https://www.adha.org/national-dental-hygiene-month, including fact sheets in both English and Spanish, as well as research and data on the benefits of chewing sugar-free gum after meals to help prevent cavities and other oral health problems. 

CHICAGO, September 18, 2014 – One of the most significant ways to maintain a healthy smile is to visit the dentist on a regular basis. However, according to a new public opinion survey done by Harris Poll on behalf of Oral Health America (OHA), low-income Americans, young adults and those living in urban areas are more likely to visit the emergency room for dental care than the general public, which is ultimately more expensive than visiting a dentist and often only provides temporary pain relief.

These results are why OHA is encouraging all Americans to spread the word about this year's Fall for Smiles campaign, which educates the public about maintaining good oral health through brushing and flossing, regular dental visits, eating a healthy diet and avoiding tobacco. The Fall for Smiles social media guide, sponsored by Midmark Corporation, offers several ways dentists and families can participate in the campaign and spread the word about maintaining a healthy mouth. Sharing the message of Fall for Smiles through social media dramatically increases the number of Americans who learn about the campaign and the importance of oral health.

“We’re excited to support the Fall for Smiles initiative again this year,” said Midmark’s Vice President and General Manager, Dental Division Eric Shirley. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for us to partner with Oral Health America and other organizations to help provide education about the importance of oral health and developing good dental habits.”

In addition to providing suggested language for Facebook and Twitter, the social media guide features articles for enewsletters and a press release template. Those wishing to participate in the campaign are encouraged to use the hashtag #FallforSmiles with any social media messages about oral health sent during September and October. OHA will also be hosting two Twitter chats centered around the Fall for Smiles campaign. The Sept. 18 Twitter chat will go into detail about the OHA survey results and on Oct. 9 a chat will take place focusing on Halloween and mouth healthy snacks and treats. Visit the campaign's webpage or follow OHA on Twitter @Smile4Health for more details.

To download the social media guide and for more information about Fall for Smiles, visit the campaign's webpage at www.oralhealthamerica.org/fallforsmiles.