February 6, 2023
Trinity Cleveland, RDH, was volunteering at the Arizona Dental Mission of Mercy (AZMOM), an annual two-day event that provides dental services to underserved populations. It was her ninth time helping at AZMOM.
Consumers and providers support the use of algorithms and digital health tools to deliver more personalized, patient-centered care, according to findings in a report by CareQuest Institute.
The research report shares insights from surveys of consumers and providers about their attitudes toward the use of algorithms for clinical decision-making and for health insurance companies to develop benefits. Key findings include:
Tooth decay is the most common chronic disease among children and can negatively affect their overall health, well-being, and academic success. School-based dental sealant programs can help by providing a simple and effective way to prevent tooth decay, particularly among children who lack access to regular oral health care. These programs, however, are underutilized nationwide.
Although presented as a safer alternative to tobacco, electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use is associated with a variety of health risks. A visual report from CareQuest Institute explains the risks related to oral health.
Oral lesions such as nicotine stomatitis (“smoker’s palate”), hairy tongue (discoloration of the tongue), and angular cheilitis (sores in the corners of the mouth) are commonly seen in the mouths of e-cigarette users.
Inappropriate use of antibiotics can lead to a myriad of negative outcomes: an increase in antibiotic resistance, adverse drug reactions, increased health care costs, and serious infections and health problems for patients. Dentists and oral health teams can — and need to be — part of the solution.
December 13, 2022
Brush-on therapies have become a popular form of minimally invasive care in recent years. As an alternative to surgically managing caries, silver diamine fluoride (SDF), povidone iodine (PI), and non-staining peptide-guided enamel regeneration P11-4 offer patients and providers options that are often preferable to the “drill-and-fill” approach.
Change, in this case, is happening quickly.
According to the CDC, a quarter of all children in the United States have experienced some sort of maltreatment (physical, sexual, or emotional abuse), and a similar percentage of women have suffered domestic violence. For those individuals — and others outside of the statistics — a medical or dental exam can feel invasive. How can oral health providers recognize and respond to the signs, symptoms, and risks of trauma to better support the needs of patients?
Human papillomavirus (HPV) causes 70% of mouth and throat cancers, which are mostly preventable through the HPV vaccine. A visual report from CareQuest Institute summarizes what we know about the relationship between HPV and oral cancer, and outlines the role that dentists and dental hygienists can play in educating patients and preventing HPV through vaccinations.
A new article, co-authored by CareQuest Institute researchers, stresses the importance of dental hygiene and treatment of gum disease to prevent nonventilator hospital-acquired pneumonia (NVHAP).