Dentistry of Future? Gene Responsible for Formation of Enamel Discovered
from Science Daily
A team of researchers has identified a gene responsible for the formation of enamel, which is the key component of the teeth. The experiments were accomplished in mice carrying a deletion of the transcription factor Tbx1, a gene that plays a principal role in several human malformations (heart, thymus, parathyroid, face, and teeth) associated to the DiGeorge syndrome. These findings, just published in Development Biology, represent a major contribution to the understanding of the production of enamel, the "hardest organic tissue" found in nature. More

Surgical Best Practices for Infection Prevention
from Infection Control Today
The goal of surgical best practices is to prevent surgical site infections, which can be triggered by contamination from the surgical instrument or by skin flora at the incision site, as well as by bacterial cross-contamination or by surgical hypothermia. More

Finding Genes That Make Teeth Grow All in a Row
from The Associated Press
Ever wonder why sharks get several rows of teeth and people only get one? Some geneticists did, and their discovery could spur work to help adults one day grow new teeth when their own wear out. A single gene appears to be in charge, preventing additional tooth formation in species destined for a limited set. When the scientists bred mice that lacked that gene, the rodents developed extra teeth next to their first molars — backups like sharks and other non-mammals grow, University of Rochester scientists reported. More

Obama Taps Sebelius, DeParle for Health Posts
from CNN
President Obama announced his choices for two key health care positions on Monday, tapping Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius for health and human services secretary and former Clinton administration official Nancy-Ann DeParle as White House health care czar. More

CAD/CAM Fabrication of Esthetic Ceramic Crowns for Dental Implants
from Osseo News
One-visit in-office CAD/CAM fabrication of esthetic ceramic crowns as a superstructure for posterior dental implants is quite new. The aim of the study was to evaluate the strength of esthetic ceramic CAD/CAM crowns with varied occlusal thickness and seated with adhesive and nonadhesive cements on titanium and zirconia abutments. More

'Toxic Teeth' Investigation Prompts Call for Federal Probe
from WKYC-TV
U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown has called on the Food and Drug Administration to investigate the problem of lead-contaminated dental products that are being imported into this country. Brown said "it is essential that the FDA take action to ensure the safety of these dental products. The CDC determined that lead levels under 200 parts per million are safe. However, some of the dental implants tested by Ohio labs indicate higher levels of lead than that ceiling." More

Oral Microbiome: Spit Reveals A Lot About What Lives in Your Mouth
from Science Daily
Like it or not, your mouth is home to a thriving community of microbial life. More than 600 different species of bacteria reside in this "microbiome," yet everyone hosts a unique set of bugs, and this could have important implications for health and disease. Scientists have now performed the first global survey of salivary microbes, finding that the oral microbiome of your neighbor is just as different from yours as someone across the globe. More

Basis of Immunity to Oral Thrush, Common in AIDS, Identified by University at Buffalo Researchers
from University at Buffalo News Center
Oral thrush, a hallmark symptom in AIDS patients, is caused by a type of yeast that grows unchecked in people with weakened immune systems, and appears in colonies of white patches in the mouth. More

Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia
from RDH Magazine
Evidence-based research continues to reveal that oral health has a significant impact on general health. A good example is poor oral hygiene as a risk factor for a condition called ventilator-associated pneumonia. VAP is a pneumonia associated with patients in critical care who are on mechanical ventilation. This patient population might include a near drowning victim, a car accident casualty, or a person who suffered a stroke. VAP accounts for 47 percent of all infections in ICU. More

Half of Americans Skimp on Health Care
from UPI
U.S. adults have postponed or skipped treatments due to cost, as economic conditions worsened during the past year, a survey indicates. Kaiser Family Foundation's health care tracking poll found 53 percent of Americans say their household cut back on health care due to cost concerns in the past 12 months. Thirty-five percent say they rely on home remedies and over-the-counter drugs rather than visiting a doctor, while 34 percent report skipping on dental care. More