Scott Tomar’s “...sad commentary on the state of dental research…”
or, What Has Taken So Long to Confirm the Obvious?
“There is Weak Evidence* that a Single, Universal Dental Recall Interval Schedule Reduces Caries Incidence.”
Click here for Tomar’s Review** of: Patel S, Bay RC, Glick M. A systematic review of dental recall intervals and incidence of dental caries. J Am Dent Assoc 2010;141(5):527-39
* Editor begs to differ. There is no evidence.
** J Evid Base Dent Pract 2011;11:89-91.
Can Gingivitis Overcome World Overpopulation?
Gum Disease Can Increase the Time It Takes to Become Pregnant
ScienceDaily (Aug. 1, 2011) — Professor Roger Hart told the annual meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology that the negative effect of gum disease [e.g., gingivitis] on conception was of the same order of magnitude as the effect of obesity.
“…women with gum disease took an average of just over seven months to become pregnant -- two months longer than the average of five months that it took women without gum disease to conceive.”
[Editor’s Note: Gingivitis is more prevalent, but is it more effective than abstinence?]
Is the Political Culture of Dental Insurance in Quebec Superior to the U.S.? Oui!
“In the United States dental care is not covered in its remarkably and effectively well-administered Medicare Program. Medicare provides an existing framework on which Federal dental insurance can be built….Changes in dental health policy in the United States would have measurable benefits for both medical and dental healthcare of its people. Further, such augmentation of overall healthcare would have positive implications for the nation’s economy. Better dental healthcare would mean fewer toothaches and oral infections, which translate into less time lost at the workplace. Commitment to dental coverage in addition to medical insurance is a commitment to the health of the labour force and the people of the United States.”
Click here here for: Flaer PJ, Younis MZ, Benjamin PL, Al-Hajeri M. The political culture of healthcare: why substantial dental care in Canada is covered by government insurance only in Québec – lessons for the United States? Brit Dent J 2011;210(11):519-521.
Shenkin Battles Big Potato in Maine
From Jonathan Shenkin’s Op-Ed in The Portland Press Herald, September 7, 2011:
“Potatoes in school lunches may seem an innocuous addition to the menu. However, studies show that french fries and other potato products are a real problem in children's diets. The issue is that potatoes are most often served in schools as french fries, by no means a healthy food for children to consume on a daily basis at school or at home.” For the complete attack, go to: http://www.pressherald.com/opinion/snowe-collins-standing-in-the-way-of-better-nutrition-in-schools_2011-09-06.html
HIV and Dental Neglect
“Of 3,643 participants, 45% needed HIV case management, 33% needed mental health counseling, and 32% needed assistance finding dental services during the 12 months before the interview; 8%, 13%, and 25% of these participants who needed the services, respectively, had not received these services by the time of the interview."
From: Clinical and Behavioral Characteristics of Adults Receiving Medical Care for HIV Infection Medical Monitoring Project, United States, 2007
[Submitted by Helene Bednarsh]
A Shared Vision: Optimal Oral Health for All
The U.S. National Oral Health Alliance provides the platform on which diverse partners in oral health come together to forge common ground. Alliance partners focus and align efforts to assure optimal oral health for all and build on collective strengths for more effective impact.
The Alliance will convene three (3) colloquia over the next year, starting on the east coast and moving west:
• Nov. 7 – 8, 2011 Washington, D.C.
• March 13 – 14, 2012 TBD
• June 6 – 7, 2012 TBD
Click here for the Fall 2011 Informational Sheet.
See alsothe Alliance website: http://www.usalliancefororalhealth.org/
Announcing the AADR 4th Fall Focused Symposium
Registration is now available to attend AADR’s 4th Fall Focused Symposium, themed “Oral Health Disparities Research and the Future Face of America.” This meeting will take place Nov. 3-4, 2011, at the Renaissance Washington, D.C., hotel. The complete program is available online.
Visit www.aadronline.org/ffs2011 for additional information and to register.
[Referred by Gary D. Podschun]
The Times Got It Right on Wisdom Teeth
In case you missed it in The NY Times, Sept. 6: The most comprehensive report on wisdom teeth yet to appear in the public press. It is unambiguous in pointing to the lack of objective evidence for prophylactic extractions.
Read the article online at: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/06/health/06consumer.html?_r=1&ref=science