Barriers in Teledentistry Exist

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An interesting article titled “Teledentistry Adoption and Use During the COVID-19 Pandemic” written by M, Fernando T, Surdu S, and Romero A. appears in the Oral Health Workforce Research Center, Center for Health Workforce Studies (July 2023). The article sough to explore how the adoption of teledentistry has changed in recent years and what barriers still exist with its use. Teledentistry has been discussed before on this site such as at the post Delivering Dentistry and Counseling to Patients using Telemedicine. Teledentistry is defined as using electronic information including interactive audio, video, and data communications to provide and support dental care whereby the care occurs virtually from where the oral health professional is licensed. Teledentistry provides an efficient way for dental professionals to consult, diagnose, follow up, and offer health education to patients and helps to reduce the number of in-person visits.  The … Read more

How Often Do Problems Occur with Dental Sedation in Children

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An interesting article titled “Assessing the safety of deep sedation in outpatient pediatric oral health care,” written by Henal Alpesh Gandhi and et. al. appears in the Journal of the American Dental Association (2023). The article assesses the safety of deep sedation supported care with pediatric dental treatment carried out in an outpatient setting. It is estimated that in the US, 100,000 through 250,000 cases of pediatric dental procedures with sedation occur each year. Most of the cases of among kids 3 to 5 years old. Children are predisposed to deep sedation and d general anesthesia related respiratory problems because of age-related variations in anatomy and physiology. Some of the reasons children need deep sedation for dental health care include extent of dental disease and amount of treatment needed,limited ability of the child to cooperate, and intent to protect the … Read more

Fluoridated Water: Still a Valuable Tool, but Benefits May Be Diminishing

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Tooth decay remains a significant public health concern worldwide. For decades, adding fluoride to community water supplies (CWF) has been a cornerstone of dental health strategies. However, a recent Cochrane review (titled “Water fluoridation for the prevention of dental caries” written by Tanya Walsh and et. al., 2024) suggests that the benefits of CWF may be less pronounced today than in the past, particularly in developed countries where fluoride toothpaste is widely used. The Review’s Findings: The review analyzed 157 studies comparing tooth decay in children living with fluoridated water and those without. Why the Change? The authors attribute this shift to the widespread use of fluoride toothpaste. With fluoride readily available through oral hygiene products, the incremental benefit of CWF may be less pronounced in modern populations. Important Considerations: The review emphasizes that these findings do not negate the … Read more

Updated Guidance on Patient Shielding During Dental x-rays

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An interesting artice titled “Patient shielding during dentomaxillofacial radiography,” written by Erika Benavides and et. al. appears in the Journal of the American Dental Association (vol. 154, no. 9, pp. 826-835, 2023). The article discusses the American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology updated evidence-based recommendations and clinical guidance for patient contact shielding during dental x-rays. Types of dental x-rys include intraoral, panoramic, cephalometric, and cone-beam computed tomographic (CBCT) imaging and even in some cases multidetector computed tomography (CT), to evaluate the jaws and soft tissues. Dentists attempt to perform imaging techniques while minimizing patient radiation dose and offering the diagnostic views. Any benefits from imaging must outweigh any potential radiation risks. Shielding is a common practice reduce radiation exposure to sensitive tissue. Gonadal shielding is a long-standing practice during imaging that aims to reduce the risk of radiation-induced hereditary … Read more

Tragedy in Southern Manitoba Canada: Young Woman Dies Following Dental Procedure

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A heartbreaking incident has occurred in southern Manitoba Canada, where a 23-year-old woman tragically passed away following a routine dental appointment. The Manitoba Dental Association confirmed the news stating that the woman, residing in the Morden-Winkler area, experienced a medical emergency during the procedure on November 27th. Despite being transported to the hospital immediately, the young woman sadly passed to her condition. Investigation Underway The Manitoba Dental Association has launched a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding this tragic event. The association’s president, emphasized their commitment to uncovering the facts. The specific nature of the dental procedure or whether anesthesia was involved was not disclosed yet in this case. It was however confirmed that information is being gathered from both the dental clinic and the Southern Regional Health Authority. Rare but Serious While deaths following dental procedures are thankfully rare, … Read more