Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Insuring Dentistry, Sarah Friend Dds

Virginia Dental Journal

Dr. Sarah Friend emphasizes the importance of insurance and organized dentistry in protecting the dental profession. While insurance provides financial security against unforeseen events, membership in organized dentistry and advocacy serve as the best "insurance policies" to ensure the profession's future. She encourages all dentists to get involved, contribute, and work together to address challenges and shape the future of dentistry for themselves and future generations.

Call To Arms, Dustin Reynolds Dds

Virginia Dental Journal

Dr. Dustin Reynolds, President of the VDA, expresses gratitude for the strong member participation in Dental Days at the Capitol and highlights the success of the 2024 Virginia legislative session. Key legislative victories include the passage of the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact Bills, Remote Supervision Bills, Safe Haven Bills, and the Dental Insurance Transparency Bill. Dr. Reynolds emphasizes the importance of maintaining and growing membership to continue influencing legislative decisions and encourages members to reach out to colleagues to join or renew their membership. He also highlights the need for increased contributions to the Tooth PAC to further support …

Va Dent J April, May And June 2024

Virginia Dental Journal

The April-June 2024 issue of the Virginia Dental Journal (VDJ) explores significant themes affecting the dental profession in Virginia. Key highlights include a feature on the dental workforce crisis, addressing shortages and its impact on patient care and practice expansion. The Virginia Dental Workforce Council provides a comprehensive report with recommendations to enhance workforce capacity through educational investments, policy changes, and collaborative efforts. Other topics include scientific studies, such as a pilot investigation on non-invasive treatments for xerostomia, advocacy updates on legislative successes like the SafeHaven™ program for mental health support, and industry insights on sustainability and cybersecurity in dental …

Piedmont Smiles Mom Event – Back For Second Year, Michelle Mcgregor

Virginia Dental Journal

The Piedmont Smiles Free Dental Day, hosted for the second year in Warrenton, provided free dental care to residents of Fauquier and Rappahannock Counties. Organized by the PATH Foundation, Fauquier Free Clinic, and the Virginia Dental Association Foundation's Missions of Mercy (MOM) team, the event transformed Fauquier High School into a temporary dental clinic. Volunteers, including dental students from VCU and Howard University, offered services such as cleanings, fillings, and extractions to 259 patients, delivering over $152,851 in donated dental care. The event highlighted the community's commitment to providing essential dental services to those in need.

Serving The Petersburg Community: Vda Foundation Collaboration With Central Virginia Health Services, Colleen Davis Dds

Virginia Dental Journal

The Virginia Dental Association Foundation (VDAF) collaborated with Central Virginia Health Services (CVHS) to host a Missions of Mercy Project in Petersburg on November 11, 2023. This event provided free dental extractions to thirty-six patients, valued at $18,356, with the help of seventy-three volunteers, including dentists and dental students. CVHS-Petersburg, one of twenty CVHS health centers, offers comprehensive healthcare services to medically underserved families in Central Virginia. CVHS is a non-profit organization that provides care regardless of insurance status, with a sliding scale discount based on family size and income.

Lawmakers, Media, And Patients: Conveying Key Messages With Authority, Michaela Mishoe

Virginia Dental Journal

The Virginia Dental Association’s Communications Team uses media relations to advocate for the dental profession and oral health initiatives. They provide media training to help members and leaders effectively communicate with reporters, lawmakers, and patients. Key strategies include keeping messages simple, relying on key messages, using a problem-solution framework, and practicing through role-playing and mock interviews. These techniques ensure clear, focused, and persuasive communication.

Virginia Board Of Dentistry Meeting Notes December 8, 2023, Ursula Klostermyer Dds, Phd

Virginia Dental Journal

The Virginia Board of Dentistry meeting on December 8, 2023, introduced new members and discussed various updates. Key points included the approval of draft botulinum toxin regulations, the introduction of a dental licensure compact for easier multi-state licensing, and the report on disciplinary actions. The Board also highlighted the ongoing healthcare workforce shortage and the upcoming budget presentation by Governor Youngkin. Additionally, the meeting covered the success of the Piedmont Smiles event, which provided dental care to underserved communities.

Ethical Or Legal?, William Bennett Dds

Virginia Dental Journal

The document discusses the importance of ethical behavior in dentistry, emphasizing the principles of the Hippocratic Oath and the American Dental Association's Code of Ethics. It contrasts the historical and current legal regulations governing dental practices in Virginia, highlighting changes in advertising, practice ownership, and technology. Despite legal changes, ethical standards remain crucial. The document urges Virginia dental professionals to uphold high ethical standards, ensure patient care quality, and support the Virginia Dental Association to maintain public trust and professional integrity.

An Interview With Dr. Richard Roadcap Virginia Dental Journal Editor (2007 – 2023), Richard F. Roadcap Dds

Virginia Dental Journal

Dr. Richard Roadcap, who served as the editor of the Virginia Dental Journal from 2007 to 2023, reflects on his journey, challenges, and achievements. He highlights the transition from print to digital, the satisfaction of recognizing community members' accomplishments, and the importance of persistence and collaboration with contributors. Roadcap emphasizes the editor's role in fostering debate and adapting to change. As he retires, he hopes the Journal continues to meet members' needs and plans to start a new online publication focused on public service.

Cheiloscopy, Sarah Friend Dds

Virginia Dental Journal

Cheiloscopy is a forensic odontology field focused on identifying individuals through the analysis of unique lip prints, which are as distinctive as fingerprints. Lip patterns form in utero and remain stable over time unless altered by injury or disease. Lip prints can indicate sex, ancestry, and familial lineage, and are used as evidence in criminal investigations. They can be collected using photography, lipstick, and digital methods, and are viable evidence at crime scenes. Despite their potential, there is no standardized method for their forensic application, and research on postmortem lip prints is limited. Advances in technology could integrate lip print …

Treatment Access And Outcomes For Craniofacial Care: Patient And Parent Perspectives, Benjamin F. Lowe Iii, Dds, Bhavna Shroff, Steven J. Lindauer, Caroline K. Carrico, A Abubaker

Virginia Dental Journal

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to evaluate craniofacial patients and parent attitudes toward access to care, quality of care, and use of telehealth.

Methods: An original survey was sent to families in treatment with the Virginia Commonwealth University craniofacial team to assess opinions toward various aspects of care.

Results: On average, no factors were considered a barrier to care. Quality of care was highly rated. Respondents felt neutral about telehealth overall, but those with past telehealth experience were significantly more likely to find value in its use (p < 0.01).

Conclusion: Respondents had satisfactory treatment outcomes and good access to …

Through The Looking Glass, Sarah Glass

Virginia Dental Journal

The feature discusses three oral pathology cases presented by a dental student. The first case involves a 60-year-old female with red, swollen gums and frequent bleeding, diagnosed as Mucous Membrane Pemphigoid, an autoimmune disease. The second case is a 9-year-old male with a large radiolucency around a developing tooth, diagnosed as a Dentigerous Cyst, a developmental odontogenic cyst. The third case is a 67-year-old female with a bump on her gums, diagnosed as Squamous Cell Carcinoma, a type of oral cancer. Each diagnosis includes recommended treatments and referrals.

It’S Time To Rally Together And Advocate For Dentistry, Laura Givens

Virginia Dental Journal

The Virginia Dental Association (VDA) is actively advocating for dental insurance reform, licensure changes, and better mental health resources for dentists during the 2024 Virginia General Assembly session. Members are encouraged to contribute to the VDA PAC and attend Dental Days at the Capitol to support these efforts. The 2023 VDA PAC contributions report shows progress towards their goal, with Southwest Virginia surpassing its target. Additionally, the VDA Foundation collaborated with Central Virginia Health Services to provide free dental care to underserved residents in Petersburg, highlighting their commitment to community health.

Virginia 2023 Election Alters Power In The General Assembly, Chuck Duvall, Tripp Perrin, Missy Wesolowski

Virginia Dental Journal

The recent 2023 elections have resulted in Democrats narrowly controlling both chambers of the Virginia legislature, leading to significant turnover and new leadership. The VDA emphasizes the importance of building relationships with the new legislators to advance their advocacy efforts.

We’Re Taking On The Fight For Fairness And Transparency, Laura Givens

Virginia Dental Journal

The Virginia Dental Association (VDA) is advocating for increased transparency and accountability in dental insurance by requiring carriers to disclose their actual loss ratios annually. Dentists are encouraged to support this initiative by contacting legislators, joining the VDA Grassroots Network, and contributing to the VDA PAC.

Advocating For Transparency And Better Patient Care, Ryan Dunn

Virginia Dental Journal

Ryan Dunn, CEO of the VDA, emphasizes the importance of transparency and advocacy in dental care. He highlights the challenges faced by dentists due to insurance companies, including inadequate reimbursement rates and claim denials. The VDA is pushing for legislation requiring insurance companies to disclose how premiums are used for patient care, aiming to help patients and employers make informed decisions. The VDA also seeks regular meetings with insurers to address business practices that hinder patient care. Dunn encourages VDA members to stay engaged and support legislative efforts to improve oral healthcare in Virginia.

Let Me Introduce Myself - Leslie Hicks, Leslie Hicks

Virginia Dental Journal

Leslie Hicks, the Manager of Member Relations at the Virginia Dental Association (VDA), is dedicated to developing and managing membership outreach and engagement efforts. With a background in accounting and experience in building professional relationships, she aims to reinvigorate recruitment efforts and strengthen the VDA community. Leslie emphasizes active listening and addressing the needs of both current and prospective members. She is excited about the "Lead 3" program, which encourages current members to recruit new ones, fostering peer-to-peer mentorship and professional growth.

Where We Have Been And Where We’Re Going In 2024, Gary Oyster Dds

Virginia Dental Journal

Gary D. Oyster, DDS, reflects on his tenure as the 16th district trustee of the American Dental Association (ADA) and highlights significant changes. Key initiatives include the formation of the Strategic Forecasting Committee to enhance responsiveness, the partnership with the Forsyth Institute to boost research capabilities, and efforts to engage new dentists and dental students to reverse declining membership. The ADA is also transitioning to Salesforce/Fonteva for better membership data management and adopting a flexible Financial Operating Plan to quickly adapt to program changes. Workforce shortages and dental benefits programs remain ongoing challenges. The ADA aims to thrive through collaboration …

Farewell, Richard F. Roadcap Dds

Virginia Dental Journal

Dr. Richard Roadcap reflects on his 16-year tenure as Editor of the Virginia Dental Journal, highlighting the transition from analog to digital publishing and the sense of community he aimed to create. He expresses gratitude to his Managing Editor Shannon Jacobs, publishers Dr. Terry Dickinson and Ryan Dunn, and his supportive wife Norma. He acknowledges the contributions of the Journal’s Editorial Board and thanks the VDA staff. As he steps down, he introduces Dr. Sarah Friend as the new Editor and hopes the Journal continues to thrive.

The Professional Student, Sarah Friend Dds

Virginia Dental Journal

Dr. Sarah Friend, a dentist, shares her journey of embracing new technology through a fellowship in forensic dentistry. Despite initial challenges and reliance on younger colleagues for tech support, she highlights the importance of continuous learning and adapting to technological advancements in the dental field. She encourages fellow professionals to expand their comfort zones, learn new techniques, and stay current to succeed in the evolving world of dentistry.

Challenges And Change, Dustin Reynolds Dds

Virginia Dental Journal

Dr. Dustin Reynolds, President of the Virginia Dental Association (VDA), reflects on the past three months and outlines key challenges and initiatives for 2024. He emphasizes the importance of supporting dental education programs to address workforce shortages and highlights the need for legislative support for interstate licensure compacts and transparency in dental insurance. Dr. Reynolds also discusses the impact of staffing challenges on dental practices and the importance of innovative technology in shaping the future of dentistry. He remains optimistic about improving access to oral healthcare in Virginia.

Va Dent J January, February And March 2024

Virginia Dental Journal

The latest issue of the Virginia Dental Journal (Volume 101, Number 1) highlights significant advancements and challenges in Virginia's dental community. A central feature is a farewell to Dr. Richard Roadcap, who reflects on his impactful 16-year tenure as editor. The issue includes a compelling research study on patient and parent perspectives regarding craniofacial care, with a focus on treatment access, outcomes, and the role of telehealth. Advocacy efforts take center stage with updates on legislative initiatives aimed at increasing transparency in dental insurance and improving patient care access. Additional columns emphasize the importance of embracing technological advancements in dentistry, …

The Impact Of Asymmetry In Lower Limb Muscle Strength And Power On Straight-Line Running Speed In Female Soccer Players, Dariusz Skalski, Magdalena Prończuk, Kinga Łosińska, Michał Spieszny, Maciej Kostrzewa, Piotr Aschenbrenner, Adam Maszczyk

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

The aim of this study was to investigate and determine the impact of asymmetries in muscle strength and power between the right and left lower limbs on straight-line running speed in female soccer players.30 right-footed female soccer players playing in the Ekstraliga participated in the study. The Modulus. Number formula was used to avoid negative results and to assess only the difference in relative strength and power between the lower limbs, not the dominance of one of them. A result equal to or below the threshold defined group G1 "with lower asymmetry," and a result above the threshold defined group …

Behind The Curtain, Angelina Hong

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

One of my favorite themes in medicine is the concept of identity. Medicine is layered. It is continually saving lives, expanding in capabilities, and recruiting new students. But how does it shape us, and where does one draw the line between self and profession?

Physicians are classically a symbol of hope and healing. But medicine is challenging physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Add on top of that the daily burdens of our personal lives, and the responsibility can become quite heavy, making it difficult to walk with a smile every day. There is a time to stand behind a “curtain”, for …

Lyrical Stillness, Madhav Patel

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

“Lyrical Stillness” is a poem I wrote during my radiation oncology rotation, during which I was provided the opportunity to learn more about multidisciplinary cancer care while delving deeper into radiotherapy. Cancer can be an overwhelming disease process physically, psychologically, and emotionally. Patients undergoing treatment often experience stress and anxiety with the uncertainty of their prognoses. In this poem, I describe a patient receiving radiation therapy whom I enjoyed speaking to about his favorite hobby: bird watching. During his subsequent radiation treatment sessions, I decided to play a CD of mockingbirds singing in a tropical forest, in the hopes it …

Apocrine Breast Cancer With Psammoma Bodies In A Male Patient, Alena Bashinskaya, Eric W. Baum, Michael B. Morgan

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

Introduction

While male breast carcinoma is a relatively uncommon occurrence, its incidence is on the rise, potentially attributed to sporadic pathophysiological mechanisms, primarily involving hormonal imbalances. Invasive apocrine carcinoma represents a small fraction of global breast malignancies, with limited instances reported among male patients in the literature. The clinical presentation of an apocrine breast carcinoma closely resembles that of other breast cancer subtypes, as it is most often described as a solitary ulcerative nodular lesion occupying a retro-areolar region of the breast. Herein, we describe a novel case of an apocrine male breast carcinoma metastasizing to the skin, given that …

Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis In A Critically Ill Patient: A Case Report Of A Potentially Fatal Entity, Ali Khreisat, Inna Mikaella Sta Maria, Giovi Grasso-Knight, Meghan Mansour

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

Background

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a non-neoplastic proliferation and macrophage activation that induces cytokine-mediated bone marrow suppression and features of intense phagocytosis in the bone marrow and liver, leading to multi-organ dysfunction and ultimate failure. The diagnosis of HLH in an intensive care setting is challenging, and it is associated with high morbidity and mortality. HLH-94 is the standard protocol for treatment, consisting of dexamethasone and chemotherapy like etoposide.

Case Presentation

We present the case of a 73-year-old woman who had a prolonged hospitalization for vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration. Her conditions were complicated by acute refractory pancytopenia on the 12th …

Evaluation Of A Patient With A Severe Systemic Inflammatory Response To Nitrofurantoin, Brigitte Vanle, Timothy Beatty

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

Background

Nitrofurantoin is a prevalent antibiotic used to treat urinary tract infections. Despite nitrofurantoin’s general safety, it can cause serious side effects, including acute pulmonary toxicity, fulminant hepatitis, and severe systemic inflammatory responses, which may mimic conditions such as ischemia and infection. However, reports of acute systemic inflammatory response syndrome after nitrofurantoin ingestion are uncommon in medical literature.

Case Presentation

This case describes a severe systemic inflammatory response syndrome in an 85-year-old woman presenting with hypoxia, altered mental status, and profound leukocytosis after exposure to a single dose of nitrofurantoin.

Conclusion

Herein we report on a patient with suspected bacteremia …

Veillonella Discitis: A Rare Presentation And Review Of Literature, Akankcha Alok, Vidya Sagar Kollu, Gautam Kalyatanda

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

Background

Veillonella is an anaerobic gram-negative coccus found as a commensal organism in the oral, respiratory, gastrointestinal, and genitourinary tract of humans. Rarely, it can cause serious infections by the production of lipopolysaccharide, an endotoxin. Although most Veillonella infections occur in immunocompromised individuals, we herein describe cases of Veillonella discitis, a rare presentation of Veillonella, in immunocompetent patients.

Case Presentation

The first presented case was encountered in a patient admitted at our facility. All patient data were obtained from the hospital's electronic medical record system. Thereafter, a literature search and subsequent review was done on PubMed with the MEDLINE …

Clinical Variant Of Serpentine Supravenous Hyperpigmentation Following Subcutaneous Bortezomib Injection, Madelyn Richards, Stephen E. Weis

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

Introduction

Bortezomib is a reversible proteasome inhibitor that is a first-line chemotherapeutic agent for multiple myeloma. Bortezomib can be administered intravenously or subcutaneously with similar efficacy. Subcutaneous administration has fewer side effects. Many cutaneous reactions have been associated with bortezomib treatment. These include morbilliform exanthems, erythematous nodules and papules, leukocytoclastic vasculitis, Sweet syndrome, and rarely Stevens-Johnson Syndrome.

Case Presentation

This paper reports the occurrence of serpentine supravenous hyperpigmentation (SSH) after subcutaneous administration of bortezomib. SSH is a rare, characteristic cutaneous reaction that has been reported following intravenous administration of chemotherapeutic agents. Intravenous administration of bortezomib rarely results in documented cases …