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The saliva of people with pancreatic cancer and pancreatitis varies from that of healthy people, according to a study published online Oct. 12 in Gut.

Researchers at University of California Los Angeles—led by James J. Farrell, MD, an assistant professor in the Division of Digestive Diseases at David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA—conducted a three-phase study to measure the variations in salivary microbiota and evaluate their potential associations with pancreatic cancer and chronic pancreatitis.

They found that the levels of 31 types of bacterial species were increased in the saliva of patients with pancreatic cancer, compared with that of healthy control participants, and that the levels of 25 types of bacteria were reduced. For example, the levels of Granulicatella adiacens, which is associated with systemic inflammation, were elevated in patients with pancreatic cancer. The levels of Streptococcus mitis, which may play a protective role against inflammation, were lower in patients with pancreatic cancer.

Researchers say their findings add to growing evidence that saliva may be a credible biomarker source to track and diagnose nonoral diseases. They add that the results of their study also offer new research directions for focusing on inflammation as a contributor to pancreatic diseases.

The study was funded by the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md.

Source:  JADA

Reference:  http://gut.bmj.com/content/early/2011/09/23/gutjnl-2011-300784.abstract

Thank you for taking time to read this letter. As the problem of food safety has been becoming worse and worse nowadays, I am obliged to write to you.

Several days ago, one of my classmates came back from supermarket with a large bag of food. Because of having found a new style of tinned?ish in the food store, she was very glad. Several other roommates were invited to enjoy the “mouth?atering chicken”. Unfortunately, after finishing the food, all of my three friends had stomachaches and vomited, their faces having become paler and paler. Due to sensitivity to that kind of tinned food, I escaped that suffer. At that time, my mind went blank. I dialed the emergency number with my trembling hand, therefore they were quickly sent to hospital. The doctor said they were lucky to be out of danger because they did not eat too much of that rotten fish and were hospitalized on time.

This is the matter that happened around me which made me realize the seriousness of the food safety problem. I sincerely hope that the whole society could attach much importance to this issue

We hope you all have a great and prosperous New Year! My most sincere thanks to you for an exceptional 2011 and I look forward to our continued partnership of success for 2012.

Nearly 20 million Americans annually visit a dentist but not a general healthcare provider, according to an NYU study published in the American Journal of Public Health. 

The study, conducted by a nursing-dental research team at NYU, is the first of its kind to determine the proportion of Americans who are seen annually by a dentist but not by a general healthcare provider. 

This finding suggests dentists can play a crucial role as health care practitioners in the front-line defense of identifying systemic disease which would otherwise go undetected in a significant portion of the population, say the researchers. 

"For these and other individuals, dental professionals are in a key position to assess and detect oral signs and symptoms of systemic health disorders that may otherwise go unnoticed, and to refer patients for follow-up care," said Dr. Shiela Strauss, an associate professor of nursing at the NYU College of Nursing and co-director of the statistics and data management core for NYU's Colleges of Nursing and Dentistry. 

During the course of a routine dental examination, dentists and dental hygienists, as trained healthcare providers, can take a patient's health history, check blood pressure, and use direct clinical observation and X-rays to detect risk for systemic conditions, such as diabetes,hypertension, and heart disease. 

The NYU research team examined the most recent available data, which came from a nationally representative subsample of 31,262 adults and children who participated in the Department of Health & Human Services 2008 annual National Health Interview Survey, a health status study of the U.S. population, which at that time consisted of 304,375,942 individuals. Physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants were among those categorized as general health care providers for the purposes of the survey. 

When extrapolated to the U.S. population, 26 percent of children did not see a general health care provider. Yet over one-third of this group, representing nearly seven million children, did visit a dentist at least once during that year, according to survey results. 

Among the adults, one quarter did not visit a general healthcare provider, yet almost a quarter -- nearly 13 million Americans -- did have at least one dental visit. When combined, adults and children who had contact only with dentists represent nearly 20 million people. 

Ninety-three percent of the children and 85 percent of the adults had some form of health insurance, suggesting that while many of those who did not interact with a general healthcare provider may have had access to general health care, they opted not to seek it. 

From: www.medicalnewstoday.com

Professional tooth scaling was associated with fewer heart attacks and strokes in a study from Taiwan presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2011. 

Among more than 100,000 people, those who had their teeth scraped and cleaned (tooth scaling) by a dentist or dental hygienist had a 24 percent lower risk of heart attack and 13 percent lower risk of stroke compared to those who had never had a dental cleaning. The participants were followed for an average of seven years.

Scientists considered tooth scaling frequent if it occurred at least twice or more in two years; occasional tooth scaling was once or less in two years.

The study included more than 51,000 adults who had received at least one full or partial tooth scaling and a similar number of people matched with gender and health conditions who had no tooth scaling. None of the participants had a history of heart attack or stroke at the beginning of the study.

The study didn't adjust for heart attack and stroke risk factors -- such as weight, smoking and race -- that weren't included in the Taiwan National Health insurance data base, the source of the information used in the analysis.

"Protection from heart disease and stroke was more pronounced in participants who got tooth scaling at least once a year," said Emily (Zu-Yin) Chen, M.D., cardiology fellow at the Veterans General Hospital in Taipei, Taiwan.

Professional tooth scaling appears to reduce inflammation-causing bacterial growth that can lead to heart disease or stroke, she said.

Hsin-Bang Leu M.D., is the study co-author. Author disclosures and funding are on the abstract.

Type of periodontal disease predicts degree of risk for heart attack, stroke, and heart failure

In a separate study, researchers found that the value of markers for gum disease predict heart attack, congestive heart failure and stroke in different ways and to different degrees.

Anders Holmlund, D.D.S., Ph.D. Centre for Research and Development of the County Council of Gävleborg, Sweden, and senior consultant; Specialized Dentistry, studied 7,999 participants with periodontal disease and found people with:

• Fewer than 21 teeth had a 69 percent increased risk of heart attack compared to those with the most teeth.
• A higher number of deepened periodontal pockets (infection of the gum around the base of the tooth) had a 53 percent increased risk of heart attack compared to those with the fewest pockets.
• The least amount of teeth had a 2.5 increased risk of congestive heart failure compared to those with the most teeth.
• The highest incidence of gum bleeding had a 2.1 increased risk of stroke compared to those with the lowest incidence.

Source:  Science Daily

Invisalign is a modern approach to straightening teeth, using a custom-made series of plastic trays called aligners.  Invisalign treatment has grown in popularity over the past few years and has been used to treat over a million patients.  Many potential patients are drawn to the treatment for esthetic reasons; however, Invisalign offers several other great benefits that make it a more practical and comfortable option than traditional braces.  If you have wanted to straighten your teeth for a while, consider the following advantages that Invisalign provides over traditional braces.

5 great reasons to straighten teeth with Invisalign treatment:

• Same results as traditional braces.  Since its inception in 1997, Invisalign’s ability to move teeth has improved dramatically.  Today’s Invisalign is able to accomplish many of the treatment goals that traditional braces are able to do via a much more comfortable and attractive system.
• Easy to eat.  Invisalign retainers are removable.  Patients simply remove the retainers when they eat, making it possible to eat all their favorite foods, including apples and corn-on-the-cob, while teeth are being straightened. 
• Less expensive.  The overall cost of Invisalign treatment may be up to several thousand dollars less than that of traditional braces. 
• Low maintenance.  Traditional braces may be difficult to care for and maintain.  Patients have to use special floss and other cleaning instruments. With traditional braces it may be more challenging to maintain a healthy mouth and fresh breath, and the process is oftentimes very time consuming. On the contrary, it’s easy to brush with Invisalign since the retainers are removable.  You simply brush and floss as you normally would. 
• Can’t see them.  Invisalign retainers are clear, making them much less awkward looking than traditional braces.  This system works really well for anyone in the working sector, who would like to straighten teeth, but need to maintain a professional appearance.

Straightening teeth with Invisalign has many advantages.  In addition to the more obvious esthetic advantage, they are more comfortable, easy to care for and more affordable than metal braces.  Orthodontists and family dentists who have been properly trained can provide Invisalign treatment.

New research from the University of Kent suggests that many of the common orthodontic problems experienced by people in industrialised nations is due to their soft modern diet causing the jaw to grow too short and small relative to the size of their teeth. The research, which was conducted by Dr Noreen von Cramon-Taubadel from the University's School of Anthropology and Conservation, tested the long-debated theory that the transition from a largely hunter-gatherer to an agricultural subsistence strategy across many parts of the world has had a knock-on effect on the growth and development of the human skull and lower jaw.

Dr von Cramon-Taubadel compared the shape of the cranium (skull) and mandible (lower jaw) of 11 globally distributed populations against models of genetic, geographic, climatic and dietary differences. She found that lower jaw shape, and to some extent the shape of the upper palate, was related to the dietary behaviour of populations, while the cranium was strongly related to the genetic relationships of the populations.

In particular, the lower jaw reflects whether populations are primarily hunter-gatherer or agriculturalist in nature, irrespective of what part of the world they come from. This therefore suggests that chewing behaviour causes the lower jaw to grow and develop differently in different subsistence groups, while the skull is not affected in the same way.

Overall, the hunter-gather groups had longer and narrower mandible, indicating more room for the teeth to erupt correctly, while the agriculturalists had generally shorter and broader mandibles, increasing the likelihood of dental crowding.

Dr von Cramon-Taubadel, a lecturer in Biological Anthropology with research interests in human and primate evolution, and in particular the causes of modern human skeletal diversity, said: 'Chewing behaviour appears to cause the lower jaw to develop differently in hunter-gatherer versus farming populations, and this holds true at a global level. What is interesting, is that the rest of the skull is not affected in the same way and seems to more closely match our genetic history.'

Source:  Science Daily

A mouthwash concocted by a UCLA microbiologist may render cavities and tooth decay a thing of the past.

The innovation developed by Wenyuan Shi, chairman of the UCLA School of Dentistry’s oral biology section, acts as a sort of “smart bomb” against harmful bacteria like, S. mutans, a main cause of cavities and tooth decay.

Wenyuan Shi(credit:UCLA) 

“With this new antimicrobial technology, we have the prospect of actually wiping out tooth decay in our lifetime,” he said.

A successful clinical study involving a dozen people found that those who rinsed with the UCLA-developed mouthwash just once over a four-day testing period experienced a near-complete elimination of the S. mutans bacteria.

Shi has been working on the innovation for over a decade with support from Colgate-Palmolive and a company he founded, C3-Jian Inc.

He said the findings may lay the groundwork for developing other target-specific anti-microbials to combat other diseases.

In a news release issued by the school, UCLA School of Dentistry, Dean, Dr. No-Hee Park is quoted as saying, “the work conducted by Dr. Shi’s laboratory will transform the concept of targeted antimicrobial therapy into reality.

“We are proud that UCLA will become known as the birthplace of this significant treatment innovation.”

More extensive clinical trials on the mouthwash may begin as early as March 2012.

Source:  Yahoo! News

How to protect your tooth, we teach you some easy tooth protect methods.
Dear friends, do you how to protect your tooth? The writer like most people, brush my tooth 2-3 times/one day. If there are no time at noon, I will also drink some water to make a simple brush. But I usually take a long time to brush my tooth at night, and sometimes do some oral sports or make a gingiva massage.
I like using a soft bristle brush, the size of the brush according to my comfortable feel degree. I have no special taste on toothpaste, because I think it is more important to have a right brush habits and method than what kind of toothbrush and toothpaste you use.
At here, I want to tell you a secret: the special method for me to protect my tooth is "The diet variety must diversify with reasonable matching, satisfies the human body to many kinds of nutrition needs. And then brush your tooth after eating." This is because if the sugar, protein content is high in food you eat, when you chew them, it is easy to stick in the tooth surface or in your teeth embrasure. But if you eat some coarse fiber food, like vegetables, fruits. It can reduce viscosity, so the food is not easy to stick in the teeth.
If you have a long-term coffee or tea drinking habits, that can make the teeth to become yellow and then black gradually. So in order to avoid the teeth from becoming"Coloring", we suggest every people if you have no time to brush your tooth after drinking coffee or tea, then you can use your tongue to lick your tooth up and down, this method also can clear part of coffee on your tooth. Some friend if you like to have a drink of tea, you can also try to do that.

An important new study from the Laboratory for Developmental Genetics at USC has confirmed cytomegalovirus  (CMV) as a cause of the most common salivary gland cancers. CMV joins a group of fewer than 10 identified oncoviruses - cancer-causing viruses - including HPV.

The findings, published online in the journal Experimental and Molecular Pathology over the weekend, are the latest in a series of studies by USC researchers that together demonstrate CMV's role as an oncovirus, a virus that can either trigger cancer in healthy cells or exploit mutant cell weaknesses to enhance tumor formation.

Lead author Michael Melnick, professor of developmental genetics in the Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC and Co-Director of the Laboratory for Developmental Genetics, said the conclusion that CMV is an oncovirus came after rigorous study of both human salivary gland tumors and salivary glands of postnatal mice.

CMV's classification as an oncovirus has important implications for human health. The virus, which has an extremely high prevalence in humans, can cause severe illness and death in patients with compromised immune systems and can cause birth defects if a woman is exposed to CMV for the first time while pregnant. It may also be connected to other cancers besides salivary gland cancer, Melnick added.

"CMV is incredibly common; most of us likely carry it because of our exposure to it," he said. "In healthy patients with normal immune systems, it becomes dormant and resides inactive in the salivary glands. No one knows what reactivates it."

This study illustrates not only that the CMV in the tumors is active but also that the amount of virus-created proteins found is positively correlated with the severity of the cancer, Melnick said.

Previous work with mice satisfied other important criteria needed to link CMV to cancer. After salivary glands obtained from newborn mice were exposed to purified CMV, cancer developed. In addition, efforts to stop the cancer's progression identified how the virus was acting upon the cells to spark the disease.

Thus, the team not only uncovered the connection between CMV and mucoepidermoid carcinoma, the most common type of salivary gland cancer, but also identified a specific molecular signaling pathway exploited by the virus to create tumors, being the same in humans and mice.

"Typically, this pathway is only active during embryonic growth and development," Melnick said, "but when CMV turns it back on, the resulting growth is a malignant tumor that supports production of more and more of the virus."

The study was conducted by Melnick with Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC colleagues Tina Jaskoll, professor of developmental genetics and co-director of the Laboratory for Developmental Genetics; Parish Sedghizadeh, director of the USC Center for Biofilms and associate professor of diagnostic sciences; and Carl Allen at The Ohio State University.

Jaskoll said salivary gland cancers can be particularly problematic because they often go undiagnosed until they reach a late stage. And since the affected area is near the face, surgical treatment can be quite extensive and seriously detrimental to a patient's quality of life.

However, with the new information about CMV's connection to cancer comes hope for new prevention and treatment methods, perhaps akin to the development of measures to mitigate human papilloma virus (HPV) after its connection to cervical cancer was established. Jaskoll added that the mouse salivary gland model created to connect CMV to cancer might also be used to design more effective treatments.

"This could allow us to have more rational design of drugs used to treat these tumors," she said.

Melnick said that in the not too distant future, he expects much more information about viruses and their connections to cancer and other health issues seemingly unrelated to viral infection to emerge.

"This should be a most fruitful area of investigation for a long time to come," he said. "This is just the tip of the iceberg with viruses."

Source:  Medical News Today

In a report on a preclinical investigation titled "Flagellin Enhances Saliva Ig A Response and Protection of Anti-caries DNA Vaccine," lead author Wei Shi, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and his team of researchers demonstrate that anti-caries DNA vaccines, including pGJA-P/VAX, are promising for preventing dental caries. However, challenges remain because of the low immunogenicity of DNA vaccines.

This study is published in the Journal of Dental Research, the official publication of the International and American Associations for Dental Research (IADR/AADR).

In this study, Shi and team used recombinant flagellin protein derived from Salmonella as mucosal adjuvant for anti-caries DNA vaccine (pGJA-P/VAX) and analyzed the effects of Salmonella protein on the serum surface protein immunoglobulin G and saliva surface protein immunoglobulin A antibody responses, the colonization of Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) on rodent teeth, and the formation of caries lesions. The results showed that Salmonella promoted the production of surface protein immunoglobulin G in serum and secretory immunoglobulin A in saliva of animals by intranasal immunization with pGJA-P/VAX plus Salmonella.

Furthermore, Shi found that enhanced surface protein immunoglobulin A responses in saliva were associated with inhibition of S. mutans colonization of tooth surfaces and endowed better protection with significant less carious lesions. In conclusion, the study demonstrates that recombinant Salmonella could enhance specific immunoglobulin A responses in saliva and protective ability of pGJA-P/VAX, providing an effective mucosal adjuvant candidate for intranasal immunization of an anti-caries DNA vaccine.

Daniel Smith, The Forsyth Institute, wrote a corresponding perspective article in response to the Shi et al report titled "Prospects in Caries Vaccine Development." In it, he states that DNA vaccine approaches for dental caries have had a history of success in animal models. Dental caries vaccines, directed to key components of S. mutans colonization and enhanced by safe and effective adjuvants and optimal delivery vehicles, are likely to be forthcoming.

"These papers highlight the exciting potential of using vaccines to protect against dental caries," said JDR Editor-in-Chief William Giannobile. "This research is promising and provides optimism to help promote public health of caries-susceptible individuals."

Source:  Science Daily

Journal Reference:

1. W. Shi, Y. H. Li, F. Liu, J. Y. Yang, D. H. Zhou, Y. Q. Chen, Y. Zhang, Y. Yang, B. X. He, C. Han, M. W. Fan, H. M. Yan. Flagellin Enhances Saliva IgA Response and Protection of Anti-caries DNA Vaccine. Journal of Dental Research, Published online Oct. 25, 2011 DOI: 10.1177/0022034511424283

I work since 1985 as a dentist.

I found some ideas which  make our work easier..

Some other dentsist who like ti share those ideas ?

For many dental implant patients, restoring facial volume can be as critical as the dental restoration for optimizing cosmetic outcomes.  In a workshop at the American Academy of Implant Dentistry Annual Scientific Meeting in Las Vegas, Pankaj Singh, DDS urged attendees to pay close attention to facial structures and consider using Botox and dermal filler agents for patients who need facial volume restorations.

"Besides creating beautiful smiles, we like to create harmony between the dento-facial complex by addressing the deep lines and wrinkles in the face that can prevent our patients from looking their best," said Singh.  "Soft tissues that ring the mouth are as important as perfectly restored teeth for an attractive and confident smile," said Singh.  

Botox is a natural and purified protein that relaxes facial muscles by blocking nerve impulses.  Once the muscles are at rest, the skin becomes smoother, creating a more natural and relaxed appearance.  The effects last about three to four months and patients feel little, if any, discomfort after the procedure.  

For older dental implant patients with facial aging, the corners the mouth begin to turn down and wrinkles appear around the lips.  "Botox can be used by dentists to relax affected muscles to raise mouth corners and smooth wrinkles to assure successful and satisfying outcomes," said Singh.

Dermal filler agents, such as Restylane, treat fat and collagen volume loss due to the aging process that causes static lines to develop.  "As we age, our body's production of Hyaluronic Acid (HA), the body's natural filler decreases, which causes facial lines to appear," Singh explained.  He added that it takes about two weeks for dermal filler agents to show results and some patients experience side effects, such as localized pain, infection, bleeding, swelling, redness, bruising and tenderness in and near the injection site.  Results are not permanent and injections will need to be repeated periodically to maintain the cosmetic improvement.

An estimated 8 percent of dentists in North America now provide Botox and dermal filer cosmetic treatments for patients and the number is growing, as state dental boards lobby to allow dentists to use the agents for cosmetic dentistry.    

"Facial volume restoration is the future for the achieving optimal aesthetic outcomes in the delivery of cosmetic and restorative dental care," said Singh.  "Dentists have as much training and knowledge in the oral and maxillofacial area as dermatologists and other providers, so they, with proper training, can be as proficient in administering these agents," said Singh.  

About AAID

AAID is the leading professional society dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of implant dentistry through research and education.  The annual meeting is the field's leading venue for cutting-edge, evidence-based implant research presentations and demonstrations of state-of-the art implantation techniques.  

AAID can help consumers find a local credentialed implant dentist at www.aaid.com.  AAID is based in Chicago and has more than 3,500 members.  It is the first organization dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of implant dentistry by supporting research and education to advance comprehensive implant knowledge.

SOURCE American Academy of Implant Dentistry

Bad teeth can pose more of a health problem to a person than just an aesthetics problem.   More and more studies indicate that the health of the teeth and gums can affect the health of the whole body, and inflamed gums (periodontitis) can especially negatively affect the health of the whole body.   The chronic inflammation weakens the immune system, and is an increased risk of diabetes, heart attacks , rheumatism and lung diseases.

Periodontitis is mostly painless

Inflamed gums – popularly known as gum disease  – usually affects people over the age of 40.  Caused by poor oral hygiene or improper brushing technique itself is a bacterial plaque that eventually attacks the gums. The onset of infection often remains undetected because it causes no pain. The trouble usually begins with bleeding gums, swelling of the gums and bad breath. In extreme cases, it will form gum pockets and bone loss is reduced.

Inflammation spreads throughout the body

But the inflammation is not restricted to the oral cavity.  From the gingival pockets, bacteria and pro-inflammatory mediators travel into the bloodstream.   Inflammation occurs in the blood vessels or even in previously damaged heart valves. The result: the risk for atherosclerosis, heart attack and stroke increases. Studies show, for example, that the likelihood of cardiovascular disease in people with periodontal disease is increased by 70 percent.

Bacteria attack the heart and lungs

The connection between bad teeth and the lungs was showed recently by researchers from the U.S.. They found that people with bronchitis or COPD often have bad teeth.  Lung disease is caused when bacteria from the upper throat are inhaled and reach the lower respiratory tract. Various factors such as smoking or a weakened immune system increase the risk of developing lung disease. However, further research is needed to clarify the precise relationship, the researchers said.

Diabetics often have inflamed gums
Particularly well studied is the relationship between diabetes and gum disease. Those with poorly controlled blood sugar levels can result in bad wounds. The excess sugar in the blood promotes inflammation and inhibits healing. Diabetics can suffer up to 3.5-fold increased risk of developing periodontal disease. Conversely, the inflamed gums increase the insulin resistance.

Preventing periodontal disease

To prevent gum disease proper oral hygiene is essential.  Teeth brushing should occur at least twice a day.   The spaces between the teeth should also be cleaned daily with floss or special interdental brushes.   At least twice a year a prophylaxis should be performed by a dentist.   Here, the deposits and tartar are removed, and the teeth are treated with fluoride and given a thorough guide to dental care.

Periodontal Associates

Source:  News Around The World

It's almost Halloween.  As each October creeps up on Cindy Flanagan, DDS, MAGD, spokesperson for the Academy of General Dentistry(AGD), her mind always wanders to the amount of sweets both children and adults will be consuming during the last few months of the year.

"Too many sweets can cause a spooky mouth," says Dr. Flanagan. "People have the tendency to graze on the sugary treats lying around the house during the holidays, and this increases the likelihood of cavities."

Dr. Flanagan knows that candy consumption is almost unavoidable at this time of the year, so she's offering some advice as to which sweets are less damaging to your teeth than others.

The Good:

1. Sugar-free lollipops and hard candies: These treats stimulate saliva, which prevents dry mouth. A dry mouth allows plaque to build up on teeth faster, leading to an increased risk of cavities.

1. Sugar-free gum: Chewing gum can actually prevent cavities, not only because it helps to dislodge food particles from the teeth, but also because it increases saliva. Saliva works to neutralize the acids of the mouth and prevent tooth decay.

1. Dark chocolate: Chocolates are loaded with sugar, but studies have shown that the antioxidants in dark chocolate can be good for the heart and may even lower blood pressure. Just be sure to eat it in moderation.

The Bad:

1. Sugary snacks: Candy corn, cookies, and cake all contain a high amount of sugar, which can cause tooth decay.

1. Chewy/sticky sweets: Gummy candies, taffy, and even dried fruit can be difficult for children and adults to resist, but they are a serious source of tooth decay, particularly when they get stuck in the crevices between teeth and make it nearly impossible for saliva to wash away.

1. Sour candies: High acid levels in these treats can break down tooth enamel quickly. The good news: Saliva slowly helps to restore the natural balance of the acid in the mouth. Dr. Flanagan recommends that patients wait 30 minutes to brush their teeth after consuming acidic foods or drinks, otherwise they will be brushing acid onto more tooth surfaces, increasing the erosive action.

Dental students in a Seattle study had very high rates of colonization with MRSA, the drug-resistant strain of staph, raising new questions about the prevalence of the bacteria outside of hospitals in community health care settings.

People who are colonized with MRSA carry the bacteria in their nose or on their skin, but they may or may not have signs or symptoms of infection. They can spread MRSA to others, however.

Nasal swabs from one in five University of Washington (UAW) Dental School students tested showed evidence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and four of seven dental clinics at the school also tested positive for the bacteria in samples taken from dental chairs and floors.

The rate of MRSA colonization was significantly higher than that reported in the general population and in other non-hospital medical settings, but an official with the CDC says the public should not be overly alarmed by the findings.

Arjun Srinivasan, MD, says the high MRSA rate suggests a specific transmission at the UAW facility and is probably not indicative of rates in dental offices in general.

Srinivasan is assistant director for the CDC's Healthcare-Associated Infection Prevention Program.

"This study is one of the first to look at MRSA in the dental setting, but it was a small study with just 61 dental students in one facility," Srinivasan tells WebMD. "We don't believe this study necessarily represents a systematic problem in dental clinics across the country."

Community MRSA Rates Rising

MRSA is usually highly resistant to the antibiotics most often used to treat staph infections, and it is a significant cause of illness and death among hospitalized patients with compromised immune systems.

Infections that happen outside the hospital setting -- known as community-acquired MRSA -- tend to occur in otherwise healthy people and they typically show up as skin infections.

Recent surveys suggest that hospital-acquired MRSA has declined within the past few years, while rates of community-acquired MRSA appear to be increasing, according to the CDC.

Outbreaks of community-acquired MRSA have been reported in locker rooms, gymnasiums, prisons, military barracks, and other facilities where skin-to-skin contact is common and people share close quarters.

It is not clear how many people carry MRSA, but studies suggest that health care workers have slightly higher rates of colonization than the general population, University of Washington professor of environmental and occupational health Marilyn C. Roberts, PhD, tells WebMD.

MRSA Common in Buffalo Dental Study

In a study reported earlier this year, Roberts and colleagues found a high rate of MRSA colonization among a group of Seattle-area firefighters.

In their latest investigation conducted at the UAW dental school, the researchers took nasal swabs from 61 dental students and swabbed 95 surfaces considered potential reservoirs for MRSA.

Thirteen (21%) of the students and eight (8.4%) surfaces from four of the seven clinics harbored MRSA.

The study was published online today and will appear in the October issue of the American Journal of Infection Control.

An unrelated study of dental school students and instructors in Buffalo, N.Y., showed an even higher rate of colonization, with 31% of the 84 people showing evidence of MRSA.

That study was presented at a 2009 meeting of dental researchers held in Miami.

Roberts says the Buffalo findings show that the high MRSA colonization rate reported in her study is not limited to her institution.

Roberts and the CDC's Srinivasan do agree that more study is needed to develop a better understanding of the rate of MRSA colonization in non-hospital health care settings.

The extent to which this colonization impacts MRSA infection rates is also not clear, he adds.

"We know a great deal about the infection control challenges related to MRSA in acute care hospital settings, but we know a lot less about this issue in non-acute care settings such as dental and dialysis centers and ambulatory surgical centers," Srinivasan says.

Srinivasan says it does not appear that these settings represent a major source of community-acquired MRSA transmission.

Source:  WebMD

The 2010 House of Delegates resolved to encourage certified dental technicians to attend ADA continuing education seminars, including as presenters.

That resolve will be carried out at ADA Annual Session in Las Vegas this month when Dentists and Dental Laboratory Technicians Team Up for Success is presented. The course, created for both dentists and dental laboratory technicians, is scheduled for 8-10:30 a.m. Oct. 13 in room L3 Palm C. Its goal is to outline techniques dentists and dental lab technicians can use for successful long-term collaborative treatment planning.

“This course is designed to deepen and further define the long-standing symbiotic relationship between dental laboratory technicians and dentists, which has proven through the years to deliver the highest quality dental solutions available to patients in the world,” said Dr. Charles (Bill) D’Aiuto, member of the Council on Dental Practice and chair of its Subcommittee on the Future of Dental Laboratory Technology. “As the dental office paradigm shifts so will the working relationships, needs and requirements that dentists share with our dental laboratory technicians colleagues.”

The course will be presented by Nelson Rego, certified dental technician, who will help participants learn how to communicate about lab prescriptions more effectively, create better impressions and more successful restorations and understand how digital photography can be used for treatment planning.

"In the past, we have become aware of the need to strengthen the long-standing working relationship we as dentists have with our dental technician colleagues,” Dr. D’Aiuto said. “With the advent of vast new technologies in delivering dental prostheses with facilities available around the world to fabricate them, it is now starkly evident that no amount of outsourcing of basic dental prostheses can or ever will replace the need for the collaboration of the dentist with the domestic dental technician in delivering the total dental product that has become the envy of the world. "

Source:  American Dental Association

The British Dental Health Foundation released a rather shocking report that may cause many women to step up their oral hygiene routine. The report, released on February 11, 2011, states that women with gum disease and or missing teeth may be up to 11 times more likely to develop breast cancer.

Sweden's Karolinska Institute studied over three thousand patients, ending with 41 women developing cancer. The women with gum disease and tooth loss were found to be 11 times more likely to develop cancer. This study is said to be the first to examine the relationship between gum disease, tooth loss and cancer. More studies will be necessary in order to fully explain the link, if any, between gum disease, tooth loss, and cancer.

Gum disease is continually popping up in the news as a link or result of serious health concerns. Diabetes, preterm birth, and heart disease are only a few conditions related to this preventable disease.

Source:  About.com

When considering a potential new dentist, there are many important factors to take into account. Blindly picking  a name out of your insurance provider's list of in-network dentists without getting the right information about the practice is not the ideal option! In this article, we'll cover the top 10 key questions to ask your possible future dentist.

Basic Questions

These basic questions can help you figure out if you can work with a dentist in the first place.

1. Are you taking new patients?

Some dentists will only work with a certain number of patients at a time. Once they reach that number, they stop taking new patients and just focus on the ones they already have.

2. Do you treat children, and if so, what types of accommodations do you make for them?

Not all dentists work with kids. Even if you're looking for a dentist for yourself and not your kids right now, it might be better to find a practice that works with children. This way,  you'll already have a good relationship with an office by the time your kids need a check-up or dental work.

If you have kids, it's important to find someone who makes adjustments for young children. This should include smaller tools for smaller mouths, plus comforting items like happy decorations or even TV sets.

3. Do you make accommodations for people with dental anxiety?

If the thought of going to the dentist scares you stiff, you're not alone. According to a study published in the Journal of the American Dental Association, approximately 35 million Americans experience significant apprehension about dental procedures. Plus, an extra “10 to 12 million are considered to be 'dental phobic' and avoid needed dental care altogether.”

However, dentists are getting better at working with anxious people. Many dentists now offer calming music, nitrous oxide, anti-anxiety medications, and other accommodations to help patients chill out. Again, if you don't have dental anxiety, but someone else in your family does, you may want to start building a relationship with a helpful practice now.

Expertise Questions

These questions are meant to determine if your dentist has what it takes to take care of you.

4. How long have you been practicing?

All else being equal, it's clearly better to pick a dentist who has been practicing longer. Experience is the best teacher.

5. How often do you take continuing education classes?

Both dentists and dental hygienists are supposed to take continuing education courses throughout their careers. If your potential new dentist can't tell you the last time they've taken a continuing education course, that's a big red flag.

6. Do you have any area of expertise, other than general dentistry?

If you know you're going to need a certain procedure soon, like a root canal, it makes sense to start building a relationship with a dentist that specializes in endodontics.  Endodontics deal with how a tooth's pulp and tissues work.

7. Do you have patient testimonials as well as before and after pictures from past patients that I can look at?

Yes, even with online reviews widely available, dentists should still keep patient testimonials, as well as before and after pictures on hand. If a dentist can't provide these, that might be a red flag.

Financing Questions

Daniela Baker from CreditDonkey says, “Of course, finding the best dentist in the world won't do you much good if there's no way you can afford their services, so ask about payment options ahead of time.”

 8. Which types of dental insurance do you accept?

It's important to ask which types of dental insurance your potential dentist accepts, or just ask if they accept your insurance. Also, ask if they will file your insurance claims for you, or if you have to do it yourself.

9. Do you take credit card payments, and if so, which credit cards do you accept?

Many dentists today accept credit card payments, since they are popular with patients. Even if you don't think you'll need this option, it's good to know you'll have it as a plan B in case your co-pays are higher than expected.

10. Do you accept discount dental plans?

Dental offices that accept discount dental plans will perform services at a discounted price for discount dental plan members. If you already have dental insurance, you can still use a discount dental plan to keep costs down after you reach your insurance plan maximum.* Unlike insurance plans, discount dental plans usually do not have annual limits.

These are just 10 of many important questions you should ask a potential new dentist. You should also ask questions that apply to your own needs. The Forestream Dental Group in Buffalo, New York advises making an appointment with a potential new dentist to interview them before having work done.

Remember, the oral health of you and your family depends, in part, on your new dentist, so go the extra mile to get to know them!

*Please consult with your provider prior to beginning treatment.