Four Dead in Painkiller Use

The deaths of two patients prescribed a powerful painkiller as a headache treatment were among four fatalities linked to the recently approved drug, its manufacturer reported Thursday. All four deaths apparently involved improper use of the drug, called Fentora, manufacturer Cephalon Inc. said. The Food and Drug Administration was monitoring the situation, a spokeswoman said. The FDA approved the drug in September for use only by cancer patients already taking morphine or other prescription narcotics for their pain. Fentora contains fentanyl, which is similar to morphine, but far more potent. Besides the two headache patients, the other deaths involved a suicide and a patient administered the drug outside the recommended dosing. “None of the reports were in cancer patients, which leads us to believe they were inappropriate candidates for the product,” Cephalon spokeswoman Candace Steele said. Cephalon reminded doctors and … Read more

Neanderthals had good oral hygiene

Two molar teeth of around 63,400 years old show that Neanderthal predecessors of humans may have been dental hygiene fans, the Web site of newspaper El Pais reported on Tuesday.The teeth have “grooves formed by the passage of a pointed object, which confirms the use of a small stick for cleaning the mouth,” Paleontology Professor Juan Luis Asuarga told reporters, presenting an archaeological find in Madrid. The fossils, unearthed in Pinilla del Valle, are the first human examples found in the Madrid region in 25 years, the regional government’s culture department said. Neanderthals were predecessors of modern humans who inhabited much of Europe, North Africa and parts of Asia from about 125,000 to 30,000 years ago. “There are two (teeth), perfectly preserved, in which the wear and tear of a human of about 30 years old is perceptible,” a government … Read more

Is Your Dentist Taking Shortcuts?

Most people think of a routine dental appointment as a checkup for cavities and an opportunity to get their teeth polished for a brighter smile. Indeed, those two items are standard. However, you can give your dental professional an A+ for competence if your dental visit goes beyond the basics. There is growing evidence that chronic bacterial infections of the mouth are linked to a number of life-threatening illnesses. According to the American Academy of Periodontology, “Researchers have found that people with periodontal disease are almost twice as likely to suffer from coronary artery disease as those without periodontal disease.” Periodontal disease is an infection, and all infections are dangerous. Researchers have found that mouth bacteria can be aspirated into the lung to cause respiratory diseases, such as pneumonia. Gum infections may make it more difficult for people who have … Read more

How to Chose the Best Dental Insurance

You understand that you need dental insurance. After all, it is an essential part of life, no different than any other medical coverage. And, despite the fact that you hate going to the dentist, you know that, one day, you may need more than a simple check-up. If an extensive amount of work is done, you need to find yourself covered. So, you need the right plan to suit your lifestyle. Often, businesses will cover dental insurance and offer plans to their employees. This is how the majority pays for their dental work so, below, we will explain the must common plans used to give you an idea of where to start: One: direct reimbursement plan. The most favored plan, this lets employees be reimbursed for any money they spend on dental care. If you have anything from a check-up … Read more

Finding the right Dentist

Oral health receives a lot of of attention these days with the resurgence of modern teeth whitening systems and a new consciousness regarding oral hygiene. However, the development of new technologies in dentistry necessitates the attention of committed dentists and dental work experts. Recent studies indicate that more dental health workers are just in for the money and treat dentistry and its branches as means to make lucrative business. Therefore, choosing a dentist is a crucial move, for the sake of your oral and financial health. Before qualifying as dentists and dental work practitioners, candidates are required to take up a pre-dental degree and dental school courses. Dental school studies are divided in two: pre-clinical studies for two years and a practicum under a licensed faculty for the latter two. Dentistry candidates are then required to pass the state and … Read more