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J Mich Dent Assoc August 2025

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Each month, The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association provides news, information, and features about Michigan dentistry to our state's oral health community and the MDA's 6,200+ members. It stands as the primary publication reaching Michigan dentists. The August issue marks the end of digital only publishing, as the MDA announced it will provide members a bimonthly print issue along with monthly digital distribution. This issue includes:

• A cover feature on the impact on the dental community of the recently adopted Big Beautiful Bill federal budget
• Mandibular Lingual Concavity Evaluation Using CBCT
• A reprinted clinical feature from New York on …

Water Fluoridation: A Personal Perspective On The Effectiveness Of Community Water Fluoridation, William Chase Dds, Maom

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This article offers Dr. William R. Chase's personal insights into community water fluoridation, emphasizing its effectiveness in preventing dental caries. It traces the discovery of fluoride's benefits back to Frederick McKay's 1901 observations and highlights the pivotal 1945 Grand Rapids Study, which demonstrated significant caries reduction, especially in younger age groups. Despite long-standing support from the American Dental Association, controversies regarding fluoride's safety persist, leading to recent state-level bans. Dr. Chase's experiences in countries without fluoridated water, where he observed severe decay and life-threatening cellulitis, underscore his belief in fluoride as a "miracle supplement" when properly utilized. The Michigan Dental …

The Back Page: Hospital General Dentistry: Needed Now More Than Ever, Tanaya K. Porter Dds, Craig C. Spangler Dds

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This commentary emphasizes the increasing necessity of hospital-based general dentists. Historically, dentists faced challenges for privileges in hospitals, but today they are crucial, especially for neurodivergent adult patients and those with complex chronic illnesses requiring general anesthesia for dental care. Untreated oral issues can lead to severe infections, complicating acute medical conditions and threatening the success of life-saving surgeries like organ transplants. Hospital dentists provide vital pre-surgical evaluation, diagnosis, and follow-up care to prevent dental complications and improve patient quality of life post-surgery. Despite their critical role, the article highlights a concerning trend of fewer hospitals having general dentists on …

What The ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ Means For Dentists, John Looby Cpa, Theodore C. Schumann Ii Mba, Msf, Cfp, Aif

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Executive Summary: The One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB), signed July 4, 2025, significantly impacts dentists by extending and making permanent many 2017 tax policies. Key tax changes include permanent tax rates, an increased state and local income tax (SALT) cap, and new deductions for seniors, qualified tips, overtime wages, charitable donations, and auto loan interest. The qualified business income deduction is now permanent, and first-year bonus depreciation is restored. New "Trump Accounts" are established for children. Crucially, the OBBB introduces $50,000 annual and $200,000 lifetime caps on professional degree student loans, effective July 2026, and establishes the Repayment Assistance Plan …

Dentistry And The Law: Length Of Covenants Not To Compete, Dan Schulte Jd

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This article clarifies the distinct legal standards for covenants not to compete in Michigan, particularly relevant for dentists selling their practice and remaining employed. A covenant in an employment agreement is enforceable if "reasonable," typically limited to two to three years and the employer's patient draw area. In contrast, a covenant within a purchase agreement, considered a commercial contract, is judged under a more lenient "rule of reason" standard. This standard is easier to satisfy, requiring only that the covenant does not adversely impact the relevant market. Consequently, purchasers often use the purchase agreement to impose harsher, longer-term restrictive covenants.

Guest Editorial: Who’S Special Now?, Michael Maihofer Dds

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This editorial discusses a controversial change in Michigan's dental specialty advertising law, which occurred in 2020. Previously, only state-recognized specialists, undergoing rigorous advanced training, could advertise their specialty status. However, a new rule, resulting from an out-of-court settlement, paradoxically allows general dentists not recognized as specialists to advertise as such without following advertising rules. This change is criticized for undermining public protection and creating unethical, misleading situations where general dentists advertise as pediatric dentists, for instance. The Michigan Dental Association (MDA) is actively working to revert this law by supporting House Bills 4593 and 4594 to ensure only recognized specialists …

Mda At Your Service: What’S The Mda Doing To Help The Hygienist Shortage?, Rachel Sinacola Dds

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This article details the MDA's efforts to address Michigan's dental hygienist shortage, which saw about 3,000 licensed RDHs leave the workforce since 2020. Initiatives include paid social media campaigns targeting potential and former RDHs, although enrollment impacts have been minimal. The MDA is also collaborating with hygiene schools, helping Ferris State University secure funding to double its size and working with North Central Michigan College to establish a new school. Discussions are underway to explore allowing internationally trained dentists to perform hygiene duties. Additionally, the MDA endorses MEDVA for virtual assistant staffing, promoting HIPAA-compliant human professionals who handle remote administrative …

The New Professional: Tracking Success: Essential Kpis For Owners And Associates, Amrita Patel Dds

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This article underscores the importance of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for data-driven success in modern dental practices. For new practice owners, essential KPIs include production, collections, and overhead ratio to ensure financial stability and operational efficiency. Patient flow metrics, such as new patient numbers and retention rates, are vital for growth. For both owners and associates, case acceptance rate reflects treatment plan conversion, and chair time utilization measures clinical efficiency. Other critical KPIs encompass hygiene production, patient satisfaction scores, online reviews, and accounts receivable aging. Associates can also track personal production and referral patterns for career development.

Pre-Emptive Analgesia For Periodontal And Implant-Related Surgery: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Christos Gousias, Zainab Alsuwaiyan, Alissa Fial, Shengtong Han, Dimitris N. Tatakis, Vrisiis Kofina

Library Faculty Research and Publications

Objective

This systematic review aimed to answer the question: In patients undergoing periodontal and peri-implant surgery, gingival augmentation, implant site development or placement, are pre-emptive analgesics effective in controlling post-operative pain compared with patients not receiving pre-emptive medications?

Materials and Methods

After comprehensive electronic and manual literature searches, randomised placebo-controlled clinical trials on adults undergoing the aforementioned surgeries were included. A meta-analysis was performed comparing pain (standardised mean difference) between pre-emptive medication and placebo at post-operative hours 1, 3, 6, 8, 24 and 72.

Results

Two reviewers screened 1995 titles, included 18 studies in the systematic review (open flap debridement, …

Evaluating The Antimicrobial Properties Of Different Dental Cleaning Tablets Against S Aureus Grown On Two Denture Base Materials, Sindi Vishaj, Alissa Villhauer, Mandi Morris, Donald M Belles, Daher Antonio Queiroz, Maria D Gonzalez, Ransome Van Der Hoeven

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of three commercially available denture cleaning tablets Efferdent, Polident, and Val-clean against Staphylococcus aureus biofilms formed on two denture base materials: milled polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) and 3D printed denture resin.

Material and methods: Eighty samples were fabricated, with 40 specimens per denture base material: CAD/CAM milled PMMA (Lucitone Digital Fit LT; Dentsply Sirona, Charlotte, NC, USA) and 3D printed resin (Denture Base Resin; Formlabs Inc., Somerville, MA, USA). Each group was divided into four subgroups (n = 10), Efferdent, Polident, Val-clean, and deionized water (control). Surface roughness was measured using a …

Hyperglycemia And Oral Health: A Review Of Dental Clinicians’ Perceptions And Practices Of Blood Glucose Monitoring In The Dental Office, Kathleen Wozniak

Dental Hygiene ETDs

This study aims to review the current practices and perceptions of dentists regarding the likelihood of dental professionals incorporating blood glucose monitoring into patient care protocol of patients with diabetes mellitus and prediabetes in dental offices. A survey link was shared by DentalOffices, a dental resource center. The survey included a series of questions which aimed to review dentists' current attitudes, practices, and considerations for implementation of in-office blood glucose testing as it relates to the treatment of patients with diabetes mellitus. Forty-seven dentists participated in the survey. This study determined blood glucose testing is not a common protocol or …

An Analysis Of Employment Patterns And Career Decisions Among Dental Hygienists: In A Transforming Healthcare Landscape, Shirley Calderon Jamarck

Dental Hygiene ETDs

The purpose of this study was to identify the factors contributing to dental hygienists’ consideration of changing careers, retiring early, or feeling burned out. A 26-question survey was emailed to members of the American Dental Hygienists’ Association, with 742 responses meeting inclusion criteria. Participants evaluated aspects of their careers, including job satisfaction, wages and benefits, personal growth, work-related stress, burnout, work-life balance, and retirement plans. Results revealed that one-third of respondents planned to leave the profession, citing burnout, physical strain, and limited career growth as reasons. High correlations were found between job satisfaction and feeling valued, professional accomplishment, and growth …

Genotoxicity Assessment Of Conventional And Cad/Cam Denture Base Materials, Alanood Aldubayan

Master's Theses (2009 -)

Aim: In prosthodontics, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) has been widely used. Their biocompatibility and potential genotoxicity remain a concern due to the residual monomer release. Computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) denture base materials have emerged and offered some improved mechanical and physical properties compared to the standard conventional heat-cured denture base material. However, their long-term biocompatibility remains unstudied. Therefore, this study evaluates the genotoxicity effects of conventional and CAD/CAM denture base materials on human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs). Methodology: Disk-shaped samples were fabricated of six denture base resins, including heat-cured PMMA, milled PMMA, and four 3D-printed resins. HGFs were exposed to the …

Comparing The Mechanical Properties Of Conventional, Milled, And 3d-Printed Occlusal Splint Materials: An In Vitro Study, Sadeem Alzaghran

Master's Theses (2009 -)

Aim: Evidence on the mechanical properties of digitally manufactured occlusal splint materials remains scarce. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the mechanical properties of CAD/CAM fabricated occlusal splint materials versus conventionally heat-cured acrylic resin materials. Materials and Methods: A total of 100 specimens were manufactured for the present study. One CAD-CAM milled (ProArt CAD Splint), one heat-polymerized (SR IVOcap Clear), and three 3D-Printed (KeySplint Hard, NightGuard Firm2 and RoDIN Splint 2.0) resin materials were evaluated. Flexural strength, flexural modulus and surface hardness were measured. The three-point flexure test was used for the determination of flexural strength …

Effect Of Margin Thickness And Cement Gap On The Fabrication And Fit Accuracy Of Additively Manufactured Crowns In Definitive Resins With Different Filler Content, Mustafa Borga Dönmez, Gülce Çakmak, Çiğdem Kahveci, Amir H. Nejat, Burak Yilmaz, Pinar Altinci

School of Dentistry Faculty Publications

PURPOSE: To evaluate how commercially available composite resins in varying filler content affect the fabrication and fit accuracy (trueness and precision) of additively manufactured (AM) definitive crowns with different margin thickness and cement gaps by comparing them to subtractively manufactured (SM) polymer-infiltrated ceramic crowns. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two identical unprepared mandibular right first molars were prepared by an experienced prosthodontist for crowns with either 0.5 mm or 1.0 mm chamfer margins, verified using silicone indexes and a periodontal probe, and then digitized with an industrial-grade scanner. These scan files were used to design reference crowns with either 50-µm or 80-µm …

July 15, 2025 — Ada Letter To House Subcommittee On Health, Energy And Commerce Committee On "Legislative Proposals To Maintain And Improve Public Health Workforce, Rural Health, And Over-The-Counter Medicines.", American Dental Association

Advocacy in Action letters

No abstract provided.

Centering And Shaping Abilities Of Three Different Cross-Section Rotary Systems In Curved Canals Using Cbct, Sherif Shafik

Dentistry

ABSTRACT The aim of the study was to examine the centering and shaping abilities of the E3 Azure, T Blue and XPRS rotary devices in severely curved root canals utilizing CBCT. 51 mesial roots were used in this study, then distributed into three groups of 17 mesial canals each according to the instrumentation technique: T-Blue, E3 Azure and XPS. The final apical size of instrumentation was 30/0.04 for all groups. At 2 mm, all pairwise comparisons were statistically significant, with Azure showing the highest transportation, followed by T-Blue, and XPS showing the least (p< 0.001). At 4 mm and 6 mm, Azure and T-Blue showed significantly higher transportation than XPS (p< 0.001). For XP-Shaper files, centering ratios followed a descending order from 6 mm to 4 mm and were lowest at 2 mm, with all pairwise comparisons being statistically significant (p< 0.001). it was concluded that XPS show lesser transportation and better centering ability.

Centering And Shaping Abilities Of Three Different Cross-Section Rotary Systems In Curved Canals Using Cbct, Muhammed Ahmed Omar Abouel Seoud Phd, Maha Nassar

Dentistry

he aim of the study was to examine the centering and shaping abilities of the E3 Azure,T Blue and XPRS rotary devices in severely curved root canals utilizing CBCT. 51 mesial rootswere used in this study, then distributed into three groups of 17 mesial canals each according to theinstrumentation technique: T-Blue, E3 Azure and XPS. The final apical size of instrumentation was30/0.04 for all groups. At 2 mm, all pairwise comparisons were statistically significant, with Azureshowing the highest transportation, followed by T-Blue, and XPS showing the least (p< 0.001). At 4mm and 6 mm, Azure and T-Blue showed significantly higher transportation than XPS (p< 0.001).For XP-Shaper files, centering ratios followed a descending order from 6 mm to 4 mm and werelowest at 2 mm, with all pairwise comparisons being statistically significant (p< 0.001). it wasconcluded that XPS show lesser transportation and better centering ability (PDF) Centering and Shaping abilities of three different cross-section rotary systems in …