Dentistry Commons^™

Early Intervention Within Orthodontics: The Sociological Aspects, Trenton Hammond

Honors Theses

Orthodontic treatment is one of the final phases of dental treatment. Its use is to provide aesthetics in some cases, yet the quality-of-life aspect that it can provide is greatly underestimated. Orthodontic care can provide proper function of teeth, improve facial structure, avoid tooth decay/loss, and improve gum health (AAO, 2024). Within this research the overarching goal is to understand the sociological aspects of families looking to start orthodontic care, what the reasons behind starting or not starting are, and providing information to the public about orthodontics that may be misunderstood or might push people away from searching for orthodontic …

Mathematical Modeling For Dental Decay Prevention In Children And Adolescents, Mahdiyeh Soltaninejad

Dissertations

The high prevalence of dental caries among children and adolescents, especially those from lower socio-economic backgrounds, is a significant nationwide health concern. Early prevention, such as dental sealants and fluoride varnish (FV), is essential, but access to this care remains limited and disparate. In this research, a national dataset is utilized to assess sealants' reach and effectiveness in preventing tooth decay, particularly focusing on 2nd molars that emerge during early adolescence, a current gap in the knowledge base. FV is recommended to be delivered during medical well-child visits to children who are not seeing a dentist. Challenges and facilitators in …

The Fight For Fluoridation In Stl, Noor Yousaf

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Fluoridation is the addition of fluoride to a source of drinking water. In St. Louis’s public water supply, the amount of fluoride remains the same since 1953 at 5ppm. Dr. Ralph Rosen and his team of dentists and researchers advocated for the fluoridation of the water because it reduced the frequency of dental caries occurring in children and adults alike, but the public had opinions on the sudden addition of chemicals to their water. This includes how the public’s health will be affected, how consumer products would change, and also how effective this addition of fluoride would be. This debate …

What You Should Know About Michigan’S Revised Kindergarten Oral Health Assessment Law, Michele Kawabe Mph, Rd, Cdces

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Starting from the 2024-25 academic year, Michigan mandates a pre-school oral health assessment for all incoming kindergarten students. Michele Kawabe, MPH, RD, CDCES, explains the legislative change, its implementation through the Kindergarten Oral Health Assessment (KOHA) program, and its potential impact on dental offices. This feature provides insights into frequently asked questions, covering assessment protocols, forms, patient records, reimbursement, and data tracking by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS).

News You Need, David Foe Ma

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

The upcoming Annual Session in Lansing, from April 17-20, offers opportunities for dental professionals to access quality continuing education, explore the expansive exhibit hall, and engage in special events like the Sparkling Smiles Celebration. The MDA Board of Trustees discussed the proposed new ADA Tripartite Membership Model, aiming to enhance engagement and offer targeted benefits. Additionally, volunteers are still needed for the Mission of Mercy program, and the MDA emphasizes the importance of dentists as mandated reporters for child abuse or neglect.

J Mich Dent Assoc April 2024

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Every 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.

In the April 2024 issue, the Journal focuses on the landscape of practicing in rural settings. Original content includes:

• A cover story highlighting Michigan’s Donated Dental Service Program
• A feature on Michigan’s Revised Kindergarten Oral Health Assessment Law
• A feature article on the origins, future, and use of the CDT Code
• Profiles of the 2024-25 MDA Officer, Trustee and ADA Delegation candidate
• An …

Agents Of Change: Which One Are You?, Michelle C. Dziurgot Dds

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

In her editorial, Michelle C. Dziurgot, DDS, explores various roles dentists play as agents of change, including catalysts for urgency, collaborators with specialists, diligent workers for accuracy, risk-taking entrepreneurs, charismatic leaders, and peacemakers who resolve conflicts within their practices.

The Mda’S Michigan Donated Dental Services (Dds) Program: How To Serve The Elderly And Disabled In Your Community And Build Your Team (Without Leaving Your Office!), April Stopczynski

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

April Stopczynski, MDA Manager of Access and Prevention, sheds light on the Michigan Donated Dental Services (DDS) program, elucidating its impact on individuals through poignant patient narratives and dentist testimonials. The article illustrates how DDS bridges the gap in dental care for the elderly, disabled, and financially compromised individuals in Michigan. The program not only restores smiles but also transforms lives by providing much-needed dental treatment through volunteer dentists and labs. This article presents the value of DDS for patients, providers, dental team members and the greater community. Information is provided on how to participate in this transformative program.

Governmental Affairs Update: Dental Medicaid, Neema Katibai Jd

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

The MDA spearheads an initiative to enhance Medicaid anesthesia services reimbursement, aiming to address the disparity between current rates and commercial standards. Despite recent improvements in Medicaid dental benefits, access to care remains hindered by low anesthesia reimbursement rates. The MDA advocates for a substantial investment to increase reimbursement to 85% of commercial rates, garnering support from various medical associations. This collaborative effort marks a significant stride towards achieving equitable Medicaid reimbursement. Grassroots advocacy is pivotal in influencing state budget decisions, urging constituents to engage with legislators via MDA text alerts.

Ada Report: Ada Board Discusses New Services, Ce Changes, And Dental School Issues, Michele Tulak-Gorecki Dds

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Michele Gulak-Gorecki, DDS, 9th District Trustee for the ADA, highlights discussions from the winter ADA Board meeting. Key points include the emphasis on ADA values, expansion of member services such as financial offerings, updates on revenue and membership models, collaboration with new dentists, improvements in continuing education programs, and insights from dental school deans on reducing education costs.

Mda At Your Service: What Is The Beneficial Ownership Information Report?, Kristin Johnson Dds

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

MDA Staff, with input from Kristin Johnson, DDS, explains the Beneficial Ownership Information Report required by the Corporate Transparency Act. Dental practices with fewer than 20 full-time employees and <$5M in annual sales must file by Jan. 1, 2025. They also address MIOSHA regulations, dental assistant duties, and access to MDA resources like the Delegation of Duties Chart and educational videos on infant oral health.

Dentistry And The Law: Why Dentists Must Pay Attend To Antitrust Law, Dan Schulte Jd

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

In this month’s Dentistry and the Law column, Dan Schulte, JD, MDA Legal Counsel, emphasizes the importance of understanding antitrust laws for dentists. He explains that agreements between competitors that restrain trade are illegal and highlights the risks of price-fixing and group boycotts. Dentists should avoid any activities that may be construed as anticompetitive. Enforcement of antitrust laws can lead to criminal or civil actions, making awareness crucial.

The New Professional: Prioritize Self-Care To Avoid Burnout, Amrita Patel Dds

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

In this inaugural column, “The New Dentist”, Dr. Amrita Patel shares her journey of recognizing and combating burnout in dentistry. She emphasizes the importance of self-care, boundary-setting, delegation, and seeking support. By prioritizing these strategies, professionals can safeguard their well-being, enhance job satisfaction, and deliver quality patient care without falling victim to burnout's detrimental effects.

Mda Foundation: Supporting Your Foundation Helps Those With The Greatest Need!, Anne Berquist

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

MDA Foundation aids the underserved through grants, scholarships, and events like Mission of Mercy (MOM). Mirlo Real Estate Partners, inspired by MOM's impact and aligned with the Foundation's mission, became its largest corporate donor. Mirlo's Nick Zagar and Remy Isdaner recognized dentists' needs and pledged substantial support. Their commitment mirrors the Foundation's ethos: helping those in need. Dental community support, volunteering, donations, and charitable distributions are vital for the Foundation's success in serving the community.

The Back Page Commentary: Care For Special Needs Patients: We Must Do Better, Craig C. Spangler Dds, Fscda

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Despite strides in providing resources for neurodivergent and geriatric patients, access to suitable dental care remains a challenge. A survey revealed finding capable dentists as the primary barrier to care for special needs individuals. Transitioning from pediatric to adult care lacks continuity, highlighting gaps in predoctoral dental education. Challenges include inadequate training, limited opportunities for continuing education, and reimbursement issues. Collaboration between medical and dental leaders is crucial for addressing these pressing issues and ensuring equitable access to care.

The Effect Of Dental Insurance Coverage And Economic Fluctuations On Oral Health Outcomes In The United States, Laura Singletary

Senior Theses

Proper oral health is imperative to overall health, but obstacles often persist in

receiving proper oral health care. Lack of dental insurance coverage and economic recessions are two main factors contributing to oral health outcomes. Extended time without cleanings or addressing current oral health concerns exacerbates oral health problems into more costly procedures for the patient that are conveniently not covered by many insurance plans. This thesis investigates the oral health outcomes associated with periods following economic downturns, specifically citing the time of the Great Recession from 2007-2009.

Dentistry’S Cdt Code: Its Origins, Use And Future, Frank J. Pokorny Ii, Mba, Facd(Hon)

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Today’s version of the Code on Dental Procedures and Nomenclature – commonly referred to as CDT 2024 -- is the latest iteration of the code set first published in 1969. The CDT Code is ADA intellectual property that serves dentists and the dental community at large as the HIPAA standard for documenting and reporting services delivered to patients. CDT supports multiple needs: e.g., documentation; billing and reimbursement; revenue; data analytics. The code set’s maintenance is an open process overseen by the ADA Council on Dental Benefit Programs’ Code Maintenance Committee. Any dentist or interested party may submit a maintenance request. …

Staff Matters: Implementing A Painless Performance Evaluation Process, Jodi Schafer Sphr, Shrm-Scp

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Jodi Schafer, HRM Services expert, addresses the common struggle of conducting employee evaluations. She emphasizes the importance of frequent, timely feedback and suggests breaking the review process into smaller, more manageable sessions to combat the "Recency Effect." Schafer also advises updating job descriptions, incorporating self-reviews, and simplifying evaluation forms for a more effective process.

Genetic Analysis Of Hereditary Gingival Fibromatosis Associated Sos1 Missense Variants Of Uncertain Significance In Caenorhabditis Elegans, Himani Patel

Theses

Hereditary gingival fibromatosis (HGF) is a disease that can present as benign overgrowth of gingival tissue in the mouth. The overgrowth can enclose the entire mouth and teeth in severe cases or present itself in a concentrated area. Researchers have identified that mutations in the SOS1 gene can be responsible for HGF. This disease can impair basic functions related to the mouth. Eating, smiling, speaking can all be affected. Additionally, excess inflammation can cause periodontal disease because of the difficulty in maintaining proper oral health. Periodontal disease can lead to severe bone loss which can lead to complete loss of …

The Role Of Oral Microbiota In Periodontitis And Alzheimer's Disease, Noah Al-Hassan, Taha Al Hassan, Juan C. Lopez-Alvarenga, Maria Quinones, Seratna Guadarrama

Research Symposium

Background: Periodontal disease (PD), affecting 20-50% of the global population is marked by biofilm-induced inflammation in oral tissues. Chronic PD results in systemic complications such as heart disease, stroke, and Alzheimer's. The red complex microbes, Porphyromonas gingivalis and Treponema denticola, play a pivotal role, penetrating the blood-brain barrier and contributing to neurodegeneration. Alzheimer's disease (AD), an irreversible neurodegenerative disorder, is linked to abnormal protein cleavage and potentially involves microbiologic components, including gram-positive cocci. Research suggests the presence of bacteria such as Porphyromonas, Actinomyces, and Treponema in autopsied AD brains. Investigating the microbiologic connection between PD and AD is crucial, considering …