2009 News Archive

Corning, N.Y.—In the end, a ballot measure to prohibit the city council from enacting legislation to fluoridate Corning's water supply won by only nine votes, 1,395-1,386.

The Direct Reimbursement Promotional Co-op Program will continue to reimburse state dental societies for their promotional and marketing activities related to DR in 2009.

Mingladon, Myanmar—International Medical Relief volunteers traveled to several villages in the Southeast Asian nation of Myanmar in October 2008, serving victims of a cyclone that hit earlier in May.

Mingladon, Myanmar—International Medical Relief volunteers traveled to several villages in the Southeast Asian nation of Myanmar in October 2008, serving victims of a cyclone that hit earlier in May.

"What To Do Before, During, and After An Emergency or Disaster: A Preparedness Toolkit for Office-based Health Care Practices," is described by Dr. David Glotzer as "the most sophisticated and comprehensive" resource ever developed on the topic.

The American Public Health Association is seeking abstracts to be presented at its 137th annual meeting and exposition Nov. 7-11 in Philadelphia.

Columbus, Ohio—The Ohio State University named Carole Anderson, Ph.D., dean of its College of Dentistry, effective Feb. 1.

Preventing childhood caries is what the ADA Foundation's Dr. Samuel Harris Fund For Children's Dental Health Fund is all about.

A dentist begins treatment on a 20-year-old patient with a soft-tissue impacted third molar. Anxious about the procedure, the patient has received oral sedation. Immediately after the dentist administers local anesthesia, the patient has difficulty breathing.

Stockholm—The Swedish government Jan. 15 said it has decided for environmental reasons to ban use of all mercury in the country effective June 1. The ban includes dental amalgam.

Last week I was asked by two different patients if I heard on the morning news that "... the FDA says that the mercury in silver fillings is bad for you." Being skeptical (without discrediting my patients), I said I would "do a little research on it."

Chennai, India—Udavum Karangal, or "Helping Hands," seeks donations of dental equipment that will be used to establish a dental clinic.

Charleston, W.Va.—The West Virginia Dental Association says its "serious negotiations" with state officials led to state approval of higher Medicaid reimbursement rates for dentists.

The government Jan. 13 announced an updated online health history tool designed to make it easier for consumers to assemble and share family health history information.

In June 2008, the ADA began its search for a new executive director/chief operating officer.

Washington—More than 15,000 homeless veterans have received dental care through a two-year Veterans Administration initiative, Dr. Elizabeth Nunez, program director, told the ADA News.

At first look, the ADA Hillenbrand Fellowship is just a 12-month internship at ADA Headquarters, but it can make a lifetime of difference to the chosen dentist.

Baltimore—Dental spending increased from $90.5 billion in 2006 to $95.2 billion in 2007 but at a more modest pace than other health care spending, government actuaries said in the latest annual report on national health care expenditures.

Baltimore—Government actuaries report a "significant acceleration" in Medicaid dental expenditures in 2007 as overall health care spending slowed to its lowest rate of growth since 1998.

Washington—The Environmental Protection Agency, the American Dental Association and a national wastewater treatment organization have signed an agreement to promote voluntary use of the ADA's best management practices for handling amalgam waste.

A new study in the January issue of The Journal of the American Dental Association suggests that the use of oral bisphosphonates can lead to osteonecrosis of the jaw following certain dental procedures.