Wisdom Teeth

Children Visit the Dentist More If Parents Do So

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A new report in the journal Pediatrics shows that children’s level of regular dental care is strongly associated with their own parents’ dental care history. This really comes as a no brainer to me. It is noted that tooth decay and cavities is particularly common among   low-income and minority children. The researchers looked at data from the 2007 National Health Interview Survey and its Child Health Supplement. This consisted of   a cross sectional study of basic health and demographic information and answers to questions on health topics of current interest. There were around 6000 matched pairs of data regarding dental visits for both a child and parent in the same household. Among parents who reported seeing a dentist during the preceding year, 86% of children had also seen a dentist. On the other hand 64% of the children of parents … Read more

Third Molar Patient Information DVD

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The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS)  is really trying to increase their marketing campaign to attract young adults for choosing wisdom teeth removal. They have recently made available a Third Molar Patient Information DVD available at http://www.aaomsstore.com/p-107-third-molar-patient-information-dvd.aspx. The DVD is sold in lots of 25. The price varies depending on whether or not you are a member, part of an institution, or a non-member. The non-member cost is $135 for 25 DVDs. A brief one minute trailer is available. The DVD features 3D illustrations along with a comprehensive discussion of third molar (wisdom teeth) surgery. I haven’t seen this DVD so I don’t know the quality of it. However it is clearly being promoted as a marketing tool to attract patients to want to proceed with wisdom teeth removal. Of course I disagree with AAOMS and their … Read more

Wisdom Teeth Removal Survey

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I recently made this survey on your wisdom teeth removal experience. Please take a moment to complete it. This will help others who may elect to have wisdom teeth removed in the future. Thanks for your help! http://teethremoval.polldaddy.com/s/6E8CF57E23BD9041

American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS) Contact Information and Request

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I encourage you to submit emails, phone calls, and /or letters to the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS). Here is an convenient email list containing emails of the current AAOMS officers and trustees in which you can your message to iradc@aol.com, drljmoore@aol.com, ajeeone@aol.com, eslade@comcast.net, rlynnwhite@austin.rr.com, brinaldi@aaoms.org, snelson@rmoms.com, lawrencebusino@gmail.com, lkrafetto@gmail.com, etgoms@comcast.net, wnelson@baycare.net, mapavelka@msn.com, windellh@gmail.com, ejohnson@aaoms.org Here is the message I recently sent to them. By promoting the idea of removing healthy impacted wisdom teeth the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons are not living up to their mission statement, are being unethical, irresponsible, and contributing to the public health hazard that is facing many Americans. Each year thousands of Americans are left with permanent disability as a result of elective oral surgery to remove their wisdom teeth. This practice is not justified by any scientific evidence and … Read more

IRA D. CHEIFETZ, D.M.D. – American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS) President 2009-2010

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2009-2010 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS) president Dr. Ira Cheifetz has said some disappointing and upsetting words in his recent inauguration speech on October 15, 2009  in Toronto, Canada. We have known empirically for many years that untreated third molars are likely to cause problems. Now we have the evidence-based data to back us up. The Third Molar Clinical Trials, undertaken jointly by the AAOMS and the OMS Foundation, has shown a correlation between third molars, their associated biofilm, and systemic disease. Despite the reams of evidence reported by this ongoing study, the American Public Health Association recently released a policy statement that notes, “. . . the removal of ‘asymptomatic’ third molars is unnecessary and is a drain on the resources of the health care system”. How do we respond to this challenge? Recognizing the effect … Read more