Dental Public Health and Education Commons^™

J Mich Dent Assoc December 2024

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 December issue includes a timely cover feature on evidence supporting community water fluoridation, a clinical feature answering questions on patient dental records, a guest editorial on leadership by former MDA Journal Editor Dr. Bill Chase, and a Back Page article on how a personal touch makes a difference. We also provide our annual 2024 Author/Title Index and regular departments: The New Professional, …

Water Fluoridation: The Evidence Behind The Risk Of Fluoride Use, Margherita Fontana D.D.S., Ph.D., Carlos González-Cabezas D.D.S., M.S.D., Ph.D., Livia Tenuta D.D.S., M.Sc., Ph.D.

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

The debate surrounding fluoride use for caries control has intensified due to recent events, including a National Toxicology Program (NTP) report and a court ruling mandating EPA action on fluoride levels in tap water.

Despite concerns about fluoride's potential neurodevelopmental impact at high concentrations, current evidence shows no adverse effects at the recommended levels of 0.7 ppm in U.S. community water fluoridation programs. While studies in regions with endemic fluorosis suggest an association between high fluoride exposure and lower IQ, methodological limitations undermine causal conclusions.

Global and U.S. health authorities, including the WHO and ADA, reaffirm the safety and efficacy …

Dental Therapy In Washington State: Exploring Dental Hygienists’ Perceptions And Attitudes Towards An Emerging Workforce Model, Soy Mouy Gearheart

Dental Hygiene ETDs

Purpose: This study examines dental hygienists' perceptions of dental therapy in Washington State. Methods: A cross-sectional survey utilizing a Likert-scale questionnaire was conducted among dental hygienists recruited from Washington State Dental Jobs Facebook groups. Descriptive statistics and cross-tabulation analysis examined key variables. Results:Of the 46 participants (n=46), 72% reported that they believed dental therapy could improve access to care in underserved areas. Concerns about current educational standards for safe practice were noted. 11% expressed interest in pursuing a dental therapy degree within the next five years, motivated by interest and career opportunities. Notably, 67% of all male respondents indicated …

J Mich Dent Assoc November 2024

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Each month, The Journal of the Michigan Dental Associationprovides 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 November issue includes:

• Clinical Feature on discontinuation of lead apron use for dental radiology
• An introduction to the MDA Team and how they can be contacted to serve specific member needs
• A Back Page article on beginning practice and family
• Regular Departments: New Dentist Column, Updates on the MDA Foundation, MDA Services, Dentistry and the Law, Staff Matters

This month we welcome …

The Courts Strike Back, Lance Plunkett Jd, Llm

The New York State Dental Journal

Issues of water fluoridation and noncompete agreements continue to undergo legal scrutiny, with no clear-cut answers in the offing.

N Y State Dent J November 2024

The New York State Dental Journal

In the November 2024 issue, the reader will find the following feature articles:

• NYS Workers' Compensation & No-Fault Cases: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
• Social Media Use by Dental Students in Dental Education
• Guidelines for Interproximal Enamel Reduction (IPR)
• Exophytic and Focally Ulcerated Mass on the Mandibular Gingiva

This issue includes regular columns with regional news impacting the New York membership including: editorial and perspectives columns, legal, association activities, component news, continuing education opportunities, and classifieds.

Your Mda Team: Working For You, John Tramontana Ms, Cae

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This month's cover feature introduces the Michigan Dental Association (MDA) team based in Okemos, highlighting their dedication to providing exceptional service and value to MDA members.

The team, many of whom have decades of experience, is always available to answer questions and offer support. With a focus on delivering top-notch service, the MDA staff strives to be the best dental association in the country. The article includes an overview of the team members, their roles, and a helpful "Who to Call" guide for members seeking assistance.

The executive director emphasizes the team's expertise and institutional knowledge, inviting members to reach …

Reach Out When Help Is Needed, Michelle C. Dziurgot Dds

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This editorial emphasizes the importance of recognizing signs of emotional distress, particularly in the dental field, where long work hours and patient stress can take a toll. It highlights the need for suicide prevention and awareness training, advocating for open communication and mental health support within work families.

The author shares a personal story of losing a colleague and stresses the value of the American Dental Association's Postvention Toolkit. The Michigan Dental Association’s Member Assistance Program is also recommended as a resource for mental health and emotional support.

The New Professional: Starting A Practice Vs. Buying: What’S Right For You?, Amrita Patel Dds

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This month's New Professional column explores the key decision of whether to start a new dental practice or purchase an existing one. Starting a practice offers flexibility in creating a brand and using the latest technology but requires building a patient base from scratch and managing upfront costs. Purchasing an existing practice provides immediate cash flow and an established patient base but requires more upfront investment and adapting to existing systems. Dentists should consider financial readiness, long-term goals, and work-life balance when making this decision.

Discontinuing The Use Of Lead Aprons And Thyroid Collars In Dental Imaging: Evidence-Based Guidance For Michigan Clinicians, Erika Benavides Dds, Phd, Fabiana Soki Dds, Mdsc, Phd, James R. Geist Dds, Ms, Dennis Palmieri Mph, Jd

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Recent guidelines from the AAOMR and ADA recommend discontinuing the routine use of lead aprons and thyroid collars during dental imaging, citing negligible radiation exposure from modern technologies and the ineffectiveness of these shields against internal scatter radiation. Despite strong evidence, Michigan clinicians may face challenges in adopting this change due to patient concerns and outdated regulations.

This article offers practical guidance for transitioning to these updated standards, emphasizing the importance of patient communication and education while highlighting Michigan's current regulatory framework.

Mda Foundation: How Your Donations Help Support The Vina Dental Clinic -- And Other Programs, Too, Anne Berquist

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

In 2007, Dr. Fredric Bonine and Dr. Sam Daniels founded the VINA Community Dental Center in Brighton, Michigan, to provide affordable dental care to low-income residents. The clinic opened in 2008, charging minimal fees for cleanings and appointments. Serving 1,500 to 2,000 patients annually, the clinic relies on volunteer dentists, partnerships with educational institutions, and grants. Notably, the University of Michigan’s Victors for Veterans program offers free dental care to qualifying veterans. The MDA Foundation supports the clinic through grants, contributing to VINA’s $250,000 annual budget. Donations to the MDA Foundation fund these efforts, ensuring continued access to affordable dental …

Advances In Understanding Vitamin D Deficiency As A Risk Factor In Periodontal Disease Management, Marina Cristina Giurgiu, George Alexandru Denis Popescu, Stana Paunica, Dragos Nicolae Ciongaru, Brandusa Florina Mocanu, Ana Maria Alexandra Stanescu, Anca Silvia Dumitriu

Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences

This study investigates the relationship between periodontal disease and vitamin D deficiency by correlating clinical periodontal parameters with serum levels of vitamin D; (2) Methods: Data from the literature and the periodontal status of two patients diagnosed with both periodontal disease and vitamin D deficiency were evaluated. Clinical parameters were measured, including plaque index, bleeding on probing, and bone resorption (%). Serum levels of vitamin D were also analyzed. Additionally, the patients underwent initial periodontal treatment to improve the periodontal status; (3) Results: Both patients exhibited advanced periodontal disease with elevated clinical parameters and significant bone resorption. Serum levels of …

How An Mda Policy Becomes State Law, Daniel Miller Dds, Tom Steinbis

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

The MDA Committee on Government and Insurance Affairs is addressing concerns raised by dentists regarding the use of virtual credit cards (VCCs) by insurance companies, which have led to financial challenges such as transaction fees and delayed payments. The MDA has initiated a structured legislative process to resolve the issue, involving data collection, policy review, and drafting a bill in collaboration with legal experts and insurance companies. The legislation, introduced by Rep. Sharon MacDonell, aims to ensure that dental practitioners have alternative payment options that guarantee full reimbursement. The MDA continues to advocate for the bill through the legislative process, …

Dentistry And The Law: Update On The Ftc’S Rule Banning Covenants Not To Compete, Daniel Schulte Jd

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

The Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) Final Rule to ban most employee non-compete agreements, originally set to take effect on September 4, 2024, has been delayed due to ongoing litigation. Court decisions in Pennsylvania and Texas have resulted in conflicting rulings regarding the FTC's authority to enforce such a ban. A Pennsylvania district court upheld the FTC's power to regulate non-compete agreements, while a Texas court ruled against it, declaring the ban arbitrary and capricious. No appeals have been filed yet, and the issue remains unresolved, with potential appellate court decisions and the results of the presidential election likely influencing the …

J Mich Dent Assoc October 2024

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 October issue's key content includes:

• Clinical Feature on Endodontics and Vital Pulp Therapy
• Practice Management Feature with Tips on Surviving the Death of a Partner
• An update on Advocacy

The New Professional: Debt Repayment Strategies: What New Dentists Should Know, Amrita Patel Dds

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Dentists face significant financial challenges due to educational and practice-related loans. Effective debt repayment strategies are essential for financial stability and long-term success. Dentists should prioritize high-interest debts and explore consolidation or refinancing options to simplify debt management and reduce interest costs. Popular repayment methods include the "snowball" and "avalanche" methods, focusing on either debt balances or interest rates. Income-driven repayment plans for federal educational loans offer flexibility and potential forgiveness. Financial literacy, budgeting, emergency funds, and professional advice are key to successful debt management.

How Mda Advocacy Saves You Money – And More, Michelle C. Dziurgot Dds

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

The editorial emphasizes the value of the Michigan Dental Association’s (MDA) advocacy efforts in improving the dental practice environment and saving dentists money. Key initiatives include a bill ensuring dentists receive full payment without fees, laws regulating network leasing, and the elimination of a state tax on dental prosthetics. The MDA also helped expedite dental office reopenings during COVID-19 and ensured dental professionals were prioritized for vaccinations. Additional efforts include regulating mobile dental operations and updating regulations around sharps container replacement. The editorial encourages support for MDA advocacy through engagement and donations to the MDA Dental PAC.

Outcome Of Vital Pulp Therapy Using Mta And Biodentine In Permanent First Molars With Or Without Pulpitis In Pediatric Patients, Daniel Nho Dmd, Ms, Susan Paurazas Dds, Ms, Mhsa, Mazin Askar Bds, Ms, Salwa Atwan Dds, Ms

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Purpose: This study evaluated the outcome of vital pulp therapy (VPT) in permanent first molar teeth using Biodentine (Septodont, Saint Maur des Fosses, France) or ProRoot MTA (Dentsply Tulsa Dental Specialties, Johnson City, Tenn.) in pediatric patients. Methods: Permanent first molar teeth with or without a history of pulpitis from patients aged 7 to 14 years old were treated at the Graduate Endodontic Clinic from September 2007 to August 2022. A retrospective cohort clinical trial was conducted. VPT was performed on a total of 22 teeth. There were 13 teeth in the Biodentine (BD) group and nine teeth in the …

Effect Of Smoking And Finishing/Polishing On Roughness Of Nanohybrid-Composite, Sara Adel Botros, Mohamed Salama Dr., Fatma Makkeyah Ass. Dr., Mohamed Shamel Ass. Prof., Mahmoud Ankily Ass. Prof.

Dentistry

To evaluate effect of conventional cigarette and heated tobacco product smoking and finishing/polishing protocol on surface roughness of a nanohybrid composite. Thirty-six discs (6mm diameter/2mm thickness) fabricated from nanohybrid composite (Palfique LX5, Tokuyama, Japan) were assigned to 6 groups according to: tobacco product (conventional cigarette/LM, Philip Morris International Inc., Egypt; and heated tobacco/Heets, Russet, Philip Morris International Inc., Italy); and finishing/polishing protocol (control /discs cured against Mylar strip; finishing discs/Diamond Master Kit, FGM, Brazil; two-step polishing system/DIACOMP PLUS TWIST, EVE, Germany). Prior to finishing/polishing protocols, all specimens were wet ground with medium grit finishing stone (komet, Germany) as baseline. Following …

Influence Of Smoking And Finishing/Polishing On Composite Color Stability, Mohamed Samy Salama Dr., Sara Adel Botros, Fatma Makkeyah Ass. Dr., Mahmoud Ankily Ass. Prof., Mohamed Shamel Ass. Prof.

Dentistry

To assess the influence of conventional cigarette and heated tobacco product smoking and finishing/polishing systems on color stability of a nanohybrid composite. Thirty-six discs (2mm thickness/6mm diameter) fabricated from nanohybrid composite (Palfique LX5, Tokuyama, Japan) were divided to 6 groups according to: tobacco product (conventional cigarette/LM, Philip Morris International Inc., Egypt; and heated tobacco/Heets, Russet, Philip Morris International Inc., Italy); and finishing/polishing system (control /discs cured against Mylar strip; finishing discs system/Diamond Master Kit, FGM, Brazil; two-step polishing system/DIACOMP PLUS TWIST, EVE, Germany). All specimens were wet ground with medium grit finishing stone (komet, Germany) as baseline before performing finishing …