Relationship Between Periodontal Disease and Chronic Diseases

The association between periodontal diseases and systemic conditions such as heart disease and stroke, and a higher risk of preterm low birth-weight babies, is garnering attention in the media. Similarly, recognition of the threats posed by periodontal diseases to patients with chronic diseases such as diabetes, respiratory diseases and osteoporosis is acknowledged.

The following are some links to recent stories and resources on these topics:

• Recent publications in PubMed.
• Colgate White Papers:  Markers of Systemic Bacterial Exposure in Periodontal Disease and Cardiovascular Disease Risk: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
• MedlinePlus: Gum Care Helps Control Type 2 Diabetes and Its Complications , Gum Disease Might Boost Cancer Risk,
• American Academy of Periodontolgy:  The Mouth/Body Connection
• National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse:  Prevent diabetes problems: Keep your teeth and gums healthy
• American Heart Association: Good dental hygiene may help prevent heart infection
• American Dental Association:  Periodontal Disease and Systemic Conditions ; Dentists discuss oral health at landmark meeting

Dental Amalgam and Health Issues

Update:  The FDA has set a deadline for its reclassification of dental amalgam.  See the ADA News Press Release. 

Ongoing concern over the use of mercury amalgam as a dental filling centers around possible long-term health effects which may be associated with constant mercury exposure.

In 2002, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) called for a reclassification of dental amalgam and its components. A final ruling will be issued in July 2008 on the basis of empirical data and scientific evidence.

In a recent press release, the American Dental Association (ADA) stated that “dental amalgam remains a safe, affordable and durable cavity filling choice for dental patients“.

The following is a list of links to resources and research pertaining to this issue:

• Clinical trials indexed in PubMed.
• Recent articles indexed in PubMed.
• Consumer information from the FDA.
• FDA dental products panel meeting documents.
• FDA amalgam classifications.
• Overview from the ADA
• From the National Library of Medicine Environmental Health and Toxicology.

ADA Developing Evidence Based Dentistry Website

On March 27, 2008 the ADA conducted an evidence based dentistry (EBD) workshop to teach critical summary skills. Participants learned to write critical summaries of systematic reviews. These summaries will be a key feature of a new website focusing specifically on EBD. An additional workshop will be held in June.

The ADA has created a temporary web page as they work to develop an enhanced EBD website. This new content area features a searchable directory of systematic reviews, a glossary of terms, and additional resources on evidence-based dentistry. The project is supported with a grant from the National Library of Medicine.

Read more about the workshop here.

If you are interested in learning more about EBD or using EBD resources, please contact us.

National Board Exam News

Beginning January 1, 2010, candidate performance on Part I, Part II, and the Dental Hygiene examination will be reported to candidates, state boards, and dental schools only as pass or fail. The decision was made at the Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations’ meeting on March 11-12, 2008. The Commission also decided that standard scores will no longer be developed or reported. Further, they will continue to report raw score performance information in the disciplines covered on the examinations for failing candidates only.

For additional information see:

• ADA National Board Dental Exams
• Exam Resources on the Internet
• Exam Resources at Bibby Library

ADA Releases Recommendations for Bisphosphonates

Do you treat patients who are currently taking biophosphonates?  If so, you will want to read the ADA’s expert panel recommendations “Dental Management of Patients Receiving Oral Bisphosphonates”.

• The full release may be read here.
• The actual recommendations may be found here.
• Information to share with your patients is available here.

Dental Ergonomics - Resources

The following is a list of resources pertaining to dental ergonomics.

Recent publications as indexed in Medline.

American Dental Association Health and Wellness:  Ergonomics

Books at Bibby Library

Reinforced periodontal instrumentation and ergonomics for the dental care provider / Diane Millar. WU 240 M645r 2008

Ergonomics and the dental care worker / edited by Denise C. Murphy.  WU 77 E67 1998

Clinical Recommendations for Sealants

Q&A on evidence-based clinical recommendations for sealants

To assist dentists in using the new Evidence-Based Clinical Recommendations for the Use of Pit-and-Fissure Sealants, the ADA has developed a set of questions and answers to aid dentists in interpreting the new guidelines and discussing them with patients.

Read about the recommendations here.

For more information on Evidence Based Dentistry visit this posting.

Recognize a Dental Assistant

March 2-8 is Dental Assistant’s Recognition Week!

Each March, a special week is set aside to acknowledge the unique talents of dental assistants. This year, the theme is One Team, One Goal: Improving Oral Health.

The following is a list of resources to help you learn more about the profession and recognize the Dental Assistants you work with:

• The American Dental Assistants Association has published a downloadable Dental Assistant’s Recognition Week toolkit.
• The New York State Dental Assistants Association  offers information on state and local networking and support for Dental Assistants
• Dental Assisting National Boards (DANB)- provides credentialing services
• Read the Certified Press, DANB’s quarterly newsletter featuring information, updates, and news for DANB family and friends
• From the American Dental Association - information about careers in Dental Assisting
• “One Team One Goal, Improving Oral Health” - a dowloadable flyer recognizing Dental Assistants
• From ADA News Today, “Its time to say thanks“

Facts on Dental Fillings

The ADA has produced a fact sheet about the benefits and drawbacks of dental restorative materials, to assist patients in reviewing their best options.

Click here to download the flyer.

Dental Liscensure

The following is a list of resources to assist you in preparing for liscensure:

American Association of Dental Examiners
American Board of Periodontology Board Examinations
American Board of Prosthodontics- Guidelines for the Certification Process
American Dental Association - All About Liscensure
National Board Dental Exams (NBDE)
North East Regional Board of Dental Examiners (NERB)
New York State Office of the Professions - Dental Liscensing Information
U.S. Licensure for International Dentists - For dentists educated outside the US and Canada seeking a dental license in the US

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month

Each February, the American Dental Association sponsors National Children’s Dental Health Month (NCDHM) to raise awareness about the importance of oral health.  The ADA has provided a NCDHM resource page that includes downloads for children and caregivers.

You may also wish to check out these resources:

Internet Resources for Parents and Children - prepared by Bibby library - links to information, games and more

MedlinePlus Child Dental Health topics.

Bibby Library patient resources.

National Maternal and Child Oral Health Resource Center

Evidence Based Dentistry Resources

The ADA has compiled an A-Z list  of published systematic reviews that have direct clinical relevance to dentistry. Each topic has links to abstracts of the systematic reviews available on PubMed. View the list here.

The ADA has also added a new Evidence Based Dentistry content area to its website. The section includes links to clinical recommendations, terminology and EBD conferences.

In addition, Miner Library Online provides a list of resources for Evidence Based Healthcare.