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Hi, I’m Ali Cook for the Dental News Network. Today is May 16,
2012, and this is your Wednesday Watch.
Here are today’s top stories, brought to you by Schick Technologies.
The ADA has responded to a recent story in the New York Times.
The Times reported that emergency room doctors are having trouble
differentiating between patients coming in with legitimate dental problems and
those who are just trying to procure prescription painkillers.
The ADA has insisted that the Times failed to address the underlying issue,
which is the fact that there is, quote,
“virtually no consistent, substantive dental safety net for low-income adults.”
The ADA went on to say that this story just points out the problems the
United States has in providing proper dental care for those who can’t afford
regular visits to the dentist.
The May issue of Dentistry Today, like all of our issues, provides you an
opportunity to earn continuing education credits.
This month’s CE article deals with pH buffering and dissolved carbon dioxide
with regards to dental anesthetics.
We caught up with Dr. Stanley Malamed’s co-author, Dr. Mic Falkel.
Dr. Falkel, over to you.
Great, thanks, Ali. I really appreciate the opportunity. I want to thank Dentistry
Today for allowing us to submit this article.
It's been a true honor to work with Dr. Stanley Malamed on this, bringing
an article - a CE article, actually - on the advancements in local anesthetics,
particularly around pH buffering as well as what carbon dioxide
solution has to offer us in dentistry,which we haven't had before. So this is a
great new science for you to understand and learn, and I think this article will bring you
right up to speed.
So if you have a chance,
go to Dentistry Today, the May issue. It's great articles, it's 2 CE credits, and I
hope you enjoy. Thanks very much.
Thanks, Dr. Falkel.
Up next, Products and Procedures. But first, here is a message from our sponsor.
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And now, products and procedures.
Doctor and lecturer Vikki Peterson has urged the general public and their
dentists to pay close attention to white spots on teeth
that may be indicative of celiac disease.
She has stated that nearly 90% of those who suffer celiac
disease have tooth enamel defects, such as white spots, discoloration, grooves, and
undersized teeth.
While these tooth flaws may of course be the result of more common causes, such as
issues with fluoride or an early childhood illness, Dr. Peterson has urged
dental professionals to become acquainted with the signs of
celiac disease.
Here on the Wednesday Watch, we recently gave you an update on the Michigan State
Dental Association’s comments on the use of Botox and dermal fillers in
the dental practice.
We are now joined by Dr. Malcmacher, president of the American Academy
of Facial Esthetics.
Thanks, Ali.
As president of the American Academy of Facial Aesthetics, I can tell you that I've
worked personally with many of the state dental boards on the issue of Botox
and dermal fillers in dentistry.
What people really have to understand is that these are pharmaceuticals
that are used just like a local anesthetic
for dental aesthetic and dental therapeutic purposes in the oral
maxillofacial areas.
And, you know, they're not just procedures on their own, and with training - with
really proper training - dentists, just like they learned once upon a time to use
local anesthetic,
can use Botox and dermal fillers
in you know...
by learning the anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and adverse reactions in
how to handle complications. It's just like anything else that they use in
dentistry. So don't get keyed in so much on the fact that dentists are using Botox and
dermal fillers.
The question is,
what are they using them for? As long as they are using them for dental
purposes. And there are lots of dental purposes, ranging from gummy smile
ranging from proper lip smile-lines and phonetics, anesthetics and all
those different things - all we're talking about is dealing with all the soft
tissue around the mouth,
which is exactly the area that we treat and inject everyday to go ahead and deal
with the hard-tissue aesthetics that we do
in the mouth. So Botox and dermal fillers in dentistry,
they've been around for quite a few years at this point in time. Many of...
Most of the states allow it already for dental aesthetic and dental therapeutic
purposes
and it is taught at over fifty continuing education venues across the United
States, and really, around the world.
So Botox and dermal fillers in dentistry?
Yes, it is really here to stay.
Thanks, Dr. Malcmacher. And you thanks for checking out the Wednesday Watch.
We’ll see you next week with more from Dentistry Today and DNN.