Life

Socioeconomic Status Remains a Primary Driver of Dental Decay in U.S. Adults

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A comprehensive study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine (December 2025) reveals that oral health disparities in the United States remained starkly tied to socioeconomic status (SES) between 2011 and 2020. Researchers found that disadvantaged populations consistently experience significantly higher rates of dental caries (cavities) compared to their wealthier, more educated counterparts. Lead author Dr. Vahan Boyajyan of Drexel University noted that these findings highlight how financial and structural barriers continue to shape the oral health of the nation, suggesting a critical need for public policy reform. Analysis of the Data The study analyzed data from 22,855 adults (ages 25+) using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Researchers measured “caries experience” using the DMFT Index (Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth). The researchers evaluated five key socioeconomic markers: Key Findings: The “Inequality Gap” After adjusting for age, … Read more

Former Oklahoma Dental Assistant Pleads Guilty to Multiple Sexual Assaults

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Cody Allen Stolfa, a 36-year-old former dental assistant, pleaded guilty on January 14 to a series of harrowing charges involving the sexual assault of patients and the clandestine recording of victims, including children. Stolfa’s conviction follows an investigation that began in August 2024 and quickly expanded as authorities uncovered a significant number of additional victims. Image by Dr. Nazia Malik from Pixabay Key Details of the Case The investigation into Stolfa’s actions revealed a pattern of abuse that took place during his employment at Central Oklahoma Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Associates. Charges and Sentencing Stolfa pleaded guilty to a comprehensive list of charges, which include: Beyond his actions in the dental office, Stolfa was also linked to a 2021 cold case involving the secret filming of individuals inside a bathroom at Oklahoma State University. Stolfa is currently in custody and … Read more

Social Isolation in Old Ages Leads to Fewer Teeth

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An interesting article titled “Social isolation, loneliness and accelerated tooth loss among Chinese older adults: A longitudinal study.” appears in Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology in 2022 written by Xiang Qi, Yaolin Pei, Katherine Wang, Shuyu Han, and Bei Wu. The article sought to explore the effects of social isolation and loneliness for older Chinese adults by looking particularly at the number of teeth remaining and the rate of tooth loss over time. In the article the authors analyzed data from 4,268 adults ages 65 and older fromthree different timepoints of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (2011-2012, 2014, 2018). The surveys captured measures of social isolation, loneliness, and tooth loss. In these surversy more than a fourth (27.5%) of the study participants were socially isolated and also more than a fourth (26.5%) reported feeling lonely. The authors found that if … Read more

Easing the Burden of Undergraduate Education Costs such as being awarded scholarships like one from Nancy Etz

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For those who are considering additional education beyond undergraduate education, the costs can really start to add up. According, to the article “Considering Students’ Cost of a Dental Education: Return on Investment and Debt to Income Ratio” appearing in the Journal of Dental Education (vol. 81, no. 8, Aug. 2017, eS28-eS32), written by Allan J. Formicola, 28% of students graduating from dental school had debt of between $200,000 and $300,000. Even so, with such staggering amounts of debt for some students, most feel that the economic return of having a dental degree exceeds the costs of paying to acquire. Although at some point in the future this may no longer be the case. For those, who want to attend graduate level education like law, medical, and dental school, after undergraduate education, it makes sense to begin thinking about costs at … Read more

Clever Ways to Pay for College including a Scholarship from Melvin Brewing

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It has been well document that college students today who graduate are facing mounting challenges, see for example the post Medical School Student Costs in the U.S. are Affecting Mental Health. The cost of college is a primary barrier for many in the U.S. According to the article Why Is College in America So Expensive? appearing in The Atlantic (Amanda Ripley, 2018), Americans spend about $30,000 per student a year—nearly twice as much as the average developed country. For many families finding a creative way to pay for college can be the difference between being able to attend full-time. Below describe some of the traditional ways along with more clever ways to help pay for college. 1. Scholarships Traditional routes to pay for college include scholarships. When looking for scholarship opportunities be sure to look far and wide. As many … Read more