midline

More athletes wearing mouth guards

jawsurgerywire — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 06:00:40 +0000

Three years ago, only two Cleveland Cavalier basketball players used mouth guards on a daily basis. Now, 10 of the 15 players wear mouth guards, which are supplied by the Cleveland Clinic, the Cleveland Plain-Dealer reported this week.

The article, “In a physical league, more players choosing to have their teeth well-guarded,” focused on some of the accidents that can occur when athletes who play contact sports run into each other. It also noted a clash between two players–Carl Landry of the Houston Rockets and the Dallas Mavericks’ Dirk Nowitzki–which cost Landry five teeth.

For more information, use the link.

Dental spending bill for the homeless up for vote before holiday

jawsurgerywire — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 03:35:42 +0000

A Senate vote on legislation that would triple funds for homeless veterans’ dental care over a four-year period through 2011 could be voted on before Thanksgiving, the American Dental Association reported.

The bill includes more than $500 million for VA homeless assistance programs. The dental provisions would increase homeless veterans’ dental funding to $26 million from $9 million in 2007.

The proposed expansion is part of the Obama administration’s five-year plan to end homelessness among veterans.

Groups push to restore Michigan dental aid

jawsurgerywire — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 03:04:58 +0000

The Michigan League for Human Services plans to send a letter to state lawmakers this week arguing that dental benefits in the state need to be restored.

The letter was signed by more than 30 advocacy groups, according to The Detroit News. The groups allege that the lack of dental care may have caused the death of a disabled female who died from advanced gum disease. She was unable to have surgery to repair the disease after her benefits were cut.

Michigan eliminated its dental benefits in July to offset a $1.3 billion deficit in the state budget. The benefits were not restored in this year’s budget, and advocates say Medicaid dental benefits needs to be restored. The program had previously paid for routine exams and fillings.

Michigan also cut its dental benefits in 2003, but restored them in 2005. Medicaid dental care for adults is optional under federal regulations.

Click here for the full article.

Many children can’t get Medicaid dental care

jawsurgerywire — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 02:43:16 +0000

Although more low-income children are receiving dental care under Medicaid, many still don’t see dentists, according to government investigators.

The Associated Press reported Wednesday that state officials told the Government Accountability Office (GAO) that lack of funding, administrative burdens and low provider participation are preventing children from receiving care through Medicaid–which is a federal-state health insurance program that provides health coverage for low-income individuals.

The GAO released a report on the subject as part of a House Oversight subcommittee hearing on the inadequacies of pediatric dental care among Medicaid enrollees. “Continued attention and action is needed to ensure children’s access to Medicaid dental services,” the report said.

The group began investigating dental services for low-income children after a 12-year old boy from Maryland died when bacteria from an untreated tooth abscess spread to his brain. The child may have been saved by a tooth extraction, but he could not receive care from a Medicaid oral surgeon in time.

For more information, use the link.

FDA: Mercury fillings are safe

jawsurgerywire — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 02:15:40 +0000

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ruled Tuesday that silver dental fillings with mercury–or dental amalgam–are safe for fillings in adults and children age 6 and above. The American Dental Association announced today on its website that it agrees with the agency’s ruling.

The FDA based its decision on more than 200 scientific studies, which indicated that the mercury vapor released by the fillings did not cause brain damage (The New York Times July 28).

The FDA last year settled a lawsuit with groups that opposed the use of mercury in fillings by posting a warning on its website regarding the risks of using mercury fillings on mothers who are pregnant, infants who are breastfeeding, or on children under the age of six.

The agency has advised manufacturers to label amalgam reminding dentists to use ventilation when handling the material. They also are advised to discuss the risks and benefits of the fillings with patients.

Silver fillings, used in about one-third of cavity fillings, are the least expensive type of filling.