Dental Public Health and Education Commons^™

J Mich Dent Assoc January 2026

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Each month, the Journal of the Michigan Dental Association delivers news, information, and features about Michigan dentistry to our state's oral health community and the MDA's 6,200+ members. It remains the main publication reaching Michigan dentists and is available worldwide through ADA Commons. The January 2026 (Volume 108, No. 1) issue of the Journal is published in a print format to provide updates and insights for Michigan's oral health community and MDA members. Print editions occur every other month beginning with January.

This issue includes feature articles on Pediatric Dentistry and 2025 Life Membership recipients.

Regular monthly contributions include:

• Editorial …

Unpacking And Re-Imagining Dental Ethics With Anti-Oppressive And Interdisciplinary Praxis, Eleanor Fleming Phd, Dds, Mph, Ficd, Facd

Journal of the American College of Dentists

Dental ethics are assumed to be neutral in their intent. With a social contract grounded in liberalism and assumptions centering whiteness, the resulting ethics reinforce hierarchy, otherness, and inequities. Because concepts and practices are rarely neutral, dental ethics is embedded with biases, which results in it falling short of the demands of the 21st century and exacerbating health inequities rather than supporting efforts for health justice. This manuscript invites the reader to reflect critically and re-imagine dental ethics using anti-oppressive and interdisciplinary praxis. For the improvement of public health, the narrowing of inequities, and a functioning oral health system, the …

Evaluation Of Finger-Tightening Torque Applied To Implant Healing Abutments By Dental Providers With Varying Experience And Physical Characteristics: An In-Vitro Study., Bayan Abuhalimeh

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Evaluation of Finger-Tightening Torque Applied to Implant Healing Abutments by Dental Providers with Varying Experience and Physical Characteristics: An In-vitro Study

Bayan Abuhalimeh, D.D.S

Aim: The primary objective of this project is to measure the actual torque applied by dental providers when finger-tightening a healing abutment and assess the variability among individuals. A secondary objective is to analyze the correlation between applied torque and: provider experience level (residents, general dentist, specialist); gender; age; and, physical attributes (e.g., grip strength, hand size, and dominant hand used for tightening). The null hypothesis is that there is no difference in the mean finger-tightening …

N Y State Dent J June 2026

The New York State Dental Journal

In the June/July 2026 issue, the reader will find the following feature articles:

• HIV Screenings in Dental Settings: Feasibility, Challenges and Opportunities
• Oral Myeloid Sarcoma
• Generational Differences in Dentistry and Dental Practice

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.

How Dentists Can Remain Advisors Of Merit To Their Patients, Daniel L. Orr Ii, Dds, Ms (Anesth), Phd, Jd, Md, Facd (Nevada Section Chair)

Journal of the American College of Dentists

This article examines how members of the dental profession can sustain their longstanding reputation as trusted advisors amid declining public confidence in major institutions. Grounded in ethical principles, informed consent, and professional self-regulation, dentistry has historically ranked among the most trusted professions. The discussion explores challenges to credibility, including media scrutiny, concerns about anesthesia safety, controversial treatment hesitancy, and debates over community water fluoridation. Emphasizing the concept of the “advisor of merit,” the author argues that continued trust depends on truthful communication, transparency about risks, respect for patient autonomy, and freedom from conflicts of interest in clinical and public health …

Empathy And Human-Centered Leadership In Community Health Center Dental Clinics, Pamela S. Alston Dds, Mpp, Facd

Journal of the American College of Dentists

A person-centered approach, with empathy toward patients, can improve satisfaction among both patients and dental health professionals. A dental director with a human-centered leadership style can improve the well-being of oral health team members. This article describes the role that empathy, a core value of humanism and professionalism, plays in accomplishing these improvements in community health center dental clinics. This article also describes the risks of empathy, as experienced by the author in her role as a dental director and practitioner, as well as documented in the literature. It further focuses on dental directors’ human-centered approaches to supporting oral health …

Perbandingan Faktor Risiko Gangguan Kesehatan Gigi Dan Mulut Pada Usia 20-59 Tahun Berdasarkan Wilayah Di Indonesia: Analisis Survei Kesehatan Indonesia (Ski) Tahun 2023, Khadijah Qurrata Ayun, Asri Adisasmita Prof

Jurnal Epidemiologi Kesehatan Indonesia

Oral and dental health is one of the indicators of health, well- being, and quality of life. In addition, poor oral health can increase the economic burden, including treatment costs, loss of work productivity, and worsen the burden of other diseases. Globally, the average prevalence of dental and oral diseases is around 45%. In 2023, dental and oral health problems in Indonesia reach 57,6%. This study aims to analyze risk factors for dental and oral health disorders among people aged 20-59 years based on regions in Indonesia. This study uses a cross- sectional design. The secondary data used is data …

The Effect Of Loading On The Success Of Dental Implants After Immediate Extraction Compared To Delayed Dental Implants: A Systematic Review, Hassen Merzouk, Samir Habibi, Ben Ali Boutabout

International Arab Journal of Dentistry

Introduction: The study focuses on dental implants, which are used to replace missing teeth. A key decision in implant dentistry is when to place the implant relative to tooth extraction. This review compares two main approaches: immediate implant placement (placing the implant during the same surgery as tooth removal) and delayed implant placement (placing the implant after the extraction site has healed, typically 6 to 12 months later).

Objectives: The study aims to compare the success rates and complications associated with these two-timing strategies, especially concerning the implant’s ability to withstand chewing forces. The primary objective was to compare post-extraction …

Factors Affecting Interest In Orthodontic Treatment Among Adults In Jakarta, Joko Kusnoto, Lia Hapsari Andayani, Budi Kusnoto

Journal of Dentistry Indonesia

Objectives: The misalignment of teeth and/or jaws caused by abnormalities in the dynamic process of craniofacial growth and development is known as malocclusion. Over half of children and adolescents worldwide experience some form of malocclusion. Orthodontic treatment is the process of adjusting the position of teeth and jaws to achieve optimal occlusion. In recent decades, there has been a global surge in the need for orthodontic treatment among adults. This study aims to evaluate the factors affecting interest in orthodontic treatment among adults in Jakarta. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from October to December 2023. A total …

Evaluation Of Maxillary Posterior Teeth Proximity To The Adjacent Sinuses In A Turkish Subpopulation: Implications For Dental Education And Clinical Practice, Damla Yiğit, Gizem Dolaşir, Sabri Çelik, Rüya Sessiz, Raif Alan

Journal of Dentistry Indonesia

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the proximity of upper posterior tooth roots to adjacent sinus borders using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) in a Turkish subpopulation and to assess dental students’ competence in identifying this anatomical relationship. Methods: CBCT scans of 171 patients were analyzed. The vertical relationship between premolars and molar roots, and the maxillary sinus (MS) border was categorized into four types (Type 0–3). Interrater agreement between three final-year dental students and an experienced radiologist was measured. Results: Type 0 was the most frequent classification, except for first molars, where Type 2 and Type 3 predominated. MS-root distances …

Impact In Action: Your Michigan Dental Association Foundation, Anne Berquist

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

The Michigan Dental Association (MDA) Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit, works to promote better dental health and support the future dental workforce through educational scholarships. The Foundation’s impact is increasing yearly, evidenced by a 42% increase in scholarship awards in 2024, providing $44,000 to 15 recipients. It also provides grants to statewide organizations delivering dental care to uninsured, impoverished, and underserved populations, awarding $141,500 in 2025. A high-profile program is the biannual Michigan Mission of Mercy (MOM), which provided over $1.1 million in donated care in Flint in 2024. Support is generated through various fundraisers, including the Year-End Fundraising Campaign.

Mda At Your Service: A Deaf Person Wants To Become My Patient, Rachel Sinacola Dds, Ms

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

The column clarifies that under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), dental offices must provide auxiliary aids or services for patients with hearing impairments, which may require a professional interpreter paid for by the dentist in complex visits. Members are encouraged to notify the MDA about practice/life changes (e.g., address changes or caseload shifts) to ensure proper benefits and dues discounts. New associates are strongly urged to utilize the MDA resource for contract review, which offers a 10% discount with Kerr Russell Attorneys. Additionally, the MDA Store provides free Labor Poster Packets, fulfilling state and federal employer requirements.

Articulator Volume 31, Issue 4

Metro Denver Dental Society Articulator Magazine

The 4^th Quarter 2025 of the MDDS Articulator Magazine offers a preview of the 2026 Rocky Mountain Dental Convention, taking place January 22–24 in Denver. The collection spotlights RMDC speakers and the future of dentistry, from the rise of AI and the shift toward integrated whole-health care to the hidden challenges of chronic illness, and a commitment to preserving natural dentition. The articles challenge dental professionals to rethink assumptions, embrace interdisciplinary collaboration and adopt more personalized and evidence-driven approaches to care.

An Art Of Port Wine Birthmark - A Case Report On Type Ii Sturge Weber Syndrome, Dr Sushmitha S, Dr Aravind Warrier S, Dr Dhivya Bharathi

Chulalongkorn Medical Journal

Sturge Weber Syndrome is a Phakomatoses group of neurocutaneous disorders. They manifest in the dermal, neural, ocular, and oral regions due to a mutation in the GNAQ gene. These lesions often are unilateral following the course of the trigeminal nerve.Here we present a case of 54-year-old woman with a history of glaucoma with a unilateral reddish-purple discoloration of the palate and a port-wine stain limited to the left side of her face. The clinical course of Sturge-Weber syndrome is quite complex and necessitates a multidisciplinary approach. In type 2 cases of Sturge-Weber syndrome, patients present with facial angiomas and glaucoma, …

Evaluation The Awareness Of Using Brushing And Interdental Cleaning Aids Among Dental Students In Najaf City, Iraq, Ali Faisal Madhloom, Firas Bashir Al-Taweel, Mustafa Faris Shubbar, Ali Falah Rfysh

Maaen Journal for Medical Sciences

Background: The consensus is that overall health is significantly impacted by oral health. It is anticipated that dental students will have a strong understanding of oral health. The aim of this preliminary pilot study was to evaluate of the awareness of using tooth brushing and interdental cleaning aids between dental students from 1^st grade to 5^th grade in Najaf city, Iraq.

Methods: A cross-sectional study and questionnaire with 12 questions was based on the use of brushing tongue and interdental cleaning aids were conducted among 1^st grade to 5^th grade dental students in Alkafeel …

Color Stability Of Enamel Exposed To Chlorinated Water After Remineralization, Sara Adel Botros, Mohamed Samy Salama, Mahmoud Al Ankily, Nora Alzayyat

Dentistry

No abstract provided.

Remineralization Effect On Enamel Physicochemical Properties After Chlorine-Induced Erosion, Sara Adel Botros, Mohamed Samy Salama, Mahmoud Al Ankily, Nora Ahmed Alzayyat

Dentistry

No abstract provided.

J Mich Dent Assoc November 2025

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Each month, the Journal of the Michigan Dental Association delivers news, information, and features about Michigan dentistry to our state's oral health community and the MDA's 6,200+ members. It remains the main publication reaching Michigan dentists and is available worldwide through ADA Commons.

The November 2025 (Volume 107, No. 11) issue of the Journal is published in both hard copy and with a digital-only format to provide updates and insights for Michigan's oral health community and MDA members. Print editions will resume in November.

The November issue focuses on membership along with a reprinted clinical article on the Oral Manifestations …

The Battle Over Water Fluoridation Comes To New York City: Organized Dentistry Is Quick To Respond To Ill-Conceived Effort To End 60-Year Practice And Vows To Stay With It Until The Threat Passes., Lance Plunkett Jd, Llm

The New York State Dental Journal

Water fluoridation has been experiencing its woes lately, beset by an adverse court decision, questionable science, collapsing federal public health priorities and public suspicion often fueled by hysteria. Against all this, New York City stood strong as a pioneering large municipality safely fluoridating its water since 1965 for the benefit of the public and reducing dental caries significantly over decades.

A Qualitative Assessment Of The Role Of Dental Specialists In The United States Opioid Epidemic: Dental School Faculty And Postdoctoral Trainee Perspectives, Rochisha Singh Marwaha D.D.S., M.P.H., Ficd, Gunnar Hasselgren D.D.S., Ph.D., Sarah Douglas-Broten D.M.D., M.P.H., Sidney B. Eisig D.D.S., Kavita P. Ahluwalia D.D.S., M.P.H.

The New York State Dental Journal

This research used qualitative methods to compare the prescription opioid-related knowledge, opinions and behaviors of oral surgery (OS) and endodontics (E) faculty and postdoctoral trainees. Semi-structured interview guides were used to conduct 10 key-informant interviews with faculty and focus group discussions with 18 postdoctoral trainees. Interviews and focus group discussions were recorded, transcribed and coded for thematic content. E faculty reported infrequent use of opioids for dental pain management, while OS faculty frequently prescribed opioids. Conversely, E faculty were more likely to use prescription drug monitoring programs to track patients’ potential for addiction compared to OS. In conclusion, the frequency …