Dental Public Health and Education Commons^™

Observation, Analysis, Compassion, William J. Maloney Dds, Pgcertmed, Facd

Journal of the American College of Dentists

Drawing on examples from literature, art, and history, this article argues that optimal health care rests on a triad of observation, analysis, and compassion. Referencing physician-writers and keen observers such as Anton Chekhov, Arthur Conan Doyle, and Leonardo da Vinci, the discussion illustrates how careful attention to the human condition enhances diagnostic insight and ethical care. In the context of unprecedented global migration and strained health care systems, clinicians are challenged to move beyond technical competence toward a deeper understanding of patients’ fears, cultural barriers, and dignity. At the intersection of careful observation, thoughtful analysis, and genuine compassion, the highest …

Long-Lasting Impact Of Public Health Dentistry, Michal Herman Dds, Facd

Journal of the American College of Dentists

This article reflects on the enduring impact of public health dentistry through the author’s 25-year professional journey serving underserved and marginalized communities. It examines persistent barriers to equitable oral health care, including workforce shortages, inadequate insurance coverage, racial disparities, and limited access in rural and low-income populations. Drawing on experiences in nonprofit and community dentistry, the article highlights the importance of mentorship, advocacy, leadership, and community engagement in addressing oral health inequities. It argues that public health dentistry represents a form of professional altruism grounded in service and social responsibility, and calls on dental professionals to expand access, support workforce …

J Am Coll Dent 2026 92 3

Journal of the American College of Dentists

The Journal of the American College of Dentists (JACD) publishes scholarly articles, editorials, essays, and reflections addressing the ethical, professional, and social dimensions of dentistry. The Journal serves as a forum for advancing ethics, professionalism, leadership, and excellence within the dental community. By fostering dialogue across disciplines and perspectives, JACD provides readers with insights that encourage ethical, professional practice, lifelong learning, and service to the public, reinforcing dentistry’s commitment to advancing oral healthcare and the common good.

J Am Coll Dent 2026 92 2b

Journal of the American College of Dentists

This special issue of the Journal of the American College of Dentists responds to a growing but long-underrecognized demand for humanities and ethics in dental education, practice, and scholarship. It emerges from the work of the National Collaborative on Humanities and Ethics in Dentistry (NCHED), a multi-institutional partnership formed in 2023 to address the persistent exclusion of dentistry from broader health humanities conversations. Through national webinars and scholarly collaboration, NCHED has demonstrated substantial interest in ethical reflection, historical analysis, narrative inquiry, and the arts as essential to understanding oral health and dental care.

The unexpectedly strong response to the call …

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 …

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.

Generational Differences In Dentistry And Dental Practice, Ellen Lee Dds, Brian Chin M.B.A., Hazel Hong, Daranthea Atmadja, Jong Soo Lim, Jamie Chen, Chloe Lin, Chloe Naeun Kim

The New York State Dental Journal

Society is composed of workers from different generations. These include the Silent Generation, or Traditionalists, Baby Boomer Generation, Generation X, Millennials and Generation Z. Generation Alpha will join the workforce in the next decade. The way each generation has approached dentistry depends on available materials and technology, as well as contemporary societal values. In addition, major historical events and the state of the economy may have been and are contributing factors in how each generation practiced or practices dentistry.

Hiv Screenings In Dental Settings Feasibility, Challenges And Opportunities, Leander Nguyen, Melissa Yap, Ezzard Rolle Dds, Alison Newgard Dds

The New York State Dental Journal

Integrating human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) screening into dental settings presents a valuable opportunity to enhance early detection and reduce transmission rates. Dentists regularly interact with at-risk populations and can use rapid oral fluid tests, which are noninvasive and reliable. Studies show that both dental professionals and patients are generally receptive to this practice, though barriers remain, including cost, provider training and concerns about scope of practice. Implementing structured education, clear protocols and interprofessional collaboration can support widespread adoption. Overall, dental HIV screening holds promise as a feasible and impactful public health intervention.

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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.

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.

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.

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, …