This week, we learn about students in
Pennsylvania improving oral health in the developing world, discuss why you
should be sure to ask your dentist for an oral cancer screening, and talk to a
dentist who stitches up NHL players during games. Join the conversation on
Twitter using #FridayDentalDL.
The Massachusetts
Board of Registration in Dentistry announced this week that dentists are now
required to evaluate a patient’s substance abuse history and current
medications, and provide a ‘‘letter of medical necessity’’ to the pharmacy
before prescribing Zohydro, a powerful new prescription painkiller. The state’s
medical board issued similar regulations to doctors last month to prevent
abuse.
This Time Magazine article explains how to
check your tongue for warning signs of health issues such as vitamin deficiency
or a clogged salivary gland. Oral cancer can also be identified by warning
signs found on the tongue, such as abnormal coloring or texture. Check your
tongue daily- it could save your life!
People in developing countries don’t always have access to toothbrushes
and toothpaste and there is often a lack of dentists to provide preventive care
and treatment for oral health issues so a group of students at the University
of Pennsylvania is working on an alternative: a special chewing gum with added
dental-hygiene benefits. There are already gums with xylitol on the market, but they are typically too expensive
for individuals in the developing world, so the students are working with a
private chewing gum company to try to secure a low-cost product for
distribution in countries that are lacking oral health resources.
Oral cancer rates
are on the rise- over 42,000 Americans will receive a new oral
cancer diagnosis this year, and many cases go unnoticed without the proper
screening, which you should receive each time you visit your dentist. Don’t be
afraid to ask your dentist during your next checkup if they’ve screened you for
oral cancer. For more questions you should ask your dentist, check out our Q&A with DentaQuest Institute’s Dr. Brian Nový.
The official team dentist for the National Hockey
League's San Jose Sharks, Donald Goudy, explains how he provides emergency
treatment for players (for both teams) in a small office at the Sharks’ rink.
According to Dr. Goudy, his treatment goes something like this: "We bring
them back, remove any loose pieces, numb them up, and they go back out."
As for those teeth that get knocked out during games? Dr. Goudy says that they usually end up in
the Zamboni.