Military dentists’ pay causes controversy

Dentists in the Canadian Forces are getting paid tens of thousands of dollars more as specialists, even though their classification isn’t recognized by the Canadian Dental Association or provincial licensing boards.

Speciality status means about a 20 per cent increase in pay compared to a general dentist’s salary in the military. For for example, that represents nearly $50,000 extra a year.

Specialists make between $200,000 and $305,000, according to the Department of National Defence’s website.

The military has 19 advanced general dentists, according to documents obtained by CBC News.

Also known as comprehensive dentists, they take a two year upgrading program through the U.S. army.

Murray Cuff, a periodontist who retired from the military in 2010, wrote a report raising concerns about the sustainability of the dental corps. He urged the Canadian Forces Health Services to review the role of advanced general dentists (AGD).

There are nine nationally recognized dental specialties in Canada, including endodontics, periodontics, and pediatric dentistry. Advanced general dentistry is not on the list.

Kevin Desjardins, the director of public affairs for the dental association, supported the pay rates.

“The CDA is strongly supportive of the work carried out by the professionals of the Royal Canadian Dental Corps and we recognize that the pay levels of advanced general dentists recognize their higher levels of training and certification,” he told CBC News.

According to the Provincial Dental Board of Nova Scotia, AGDs are also not recognized by provincial licensing authorities even though they have been receiving specialty pay since the 1990s.

Col. Kevin Goheen, the commanding officer of the military’s dental unit, said AGDs saves the military money because of their ability to do in-house work.

In 2012, AGDs performed an average of $101,000 worth of dental procedures.

The military said the pay increases were approved by Treasury Board and survived a review in 2000.

Source: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/questions-over-military-dentists-specialist-pay-1.2581904

Long term breastfeeding may be linked to cavities

PORTO ALEGRE, Brazil: A Brazilian study shows new evidence that breastfeeding once the eruption of the child’s teeth can lead to an increased risk of caries. Caries has been identified as a significant public health problem that is associated with high consumption of sugary liquids, beverages and foods, i.e: juices and soft drinks.

Caries research examined the oral health status of 715 infants from low-income families in Porto Alegre.

The study found that prevalence of caries was highest in children who were breastfeed at 24 months or more compared with babies who have been breastfeed until 12 months or younger.

The World Health Organization recommends a infant be breastfeed up till six months of age. However, the organization does recommend breastfeeding be continued along with appropriate complementary foods up until the age of two, even though many case studies have linked prolonged on-demand and nocturnal breastfeeding to early childhood caries. This is primarily because breast milk is considered a critical source of energy and nutrients.
The study, titled “Association of Long-Duration Breastfeeding and Dental Caries Estimated With Marginal Structural Models,” was published online on Feb. 19 in the Annals of Epidemiology.

Source: http://www.dental-tribune.com/articles/news/americas/17322_prolonged_breastfeeding_may_increase_risk_of_cavities_in_primary_teeth.html

Sleep dentistry makes your visit to the dentist a sweet dream

For individuals who are worried or scared about sitting in a dentist’s chair, there is now a solution for you.

The team of professionals at MM Family and Sleep Dentistry can help you overcome your dental anxiety.

MM Family and Sleep Dentistry is a friendly and inviting dental office that uses all the latest technology.

Dr. Jasdey Bhalla, MM Family and Sleep Dentistry’s dental anesthesiologist is an expert both the field of Dentistry and Sedation.

The office will give patience the opportunity to discuss the risks and benefits of dental treatment performed using sedation.

Sedation will lessen pain symptoms and allow the dentist to work more efficiently.

Contact MM Family and Sleep Dentistry

Hamilton phone: (905) 573-6161

Burlington phone: (905) 681-1441

E-mail: reception@mmfamilyandsleepdentistry.com

Website: http://mmfamilyandsleepdentistry.com 

Source: http://www.thespec.com/shopping-story/4408157-sleep-dentistry-makes-your-visit-to-the-dentist-a-sweet-dream/

Illegal dentistry performed in basement gets man jail time

After performing illegal dentistry in his basement a Coquitlam man was sentenced to 45 days in jail on Wednesday and  ordered to pay $35,000 to the College of Dental Surgeons of B.C. 

Vladimir Shapoval appeared in B.C. Supreme Court in Vancouver after he was found to have breached court orders to not continue providing services.

The college became aware of Shapoval in 2006 after a client complained about treatment received.

After legal proceedings were brought against Shapoval, prohibiting him from performing dentistry services or advertising himself as a dentist, as he had never been registered as a dentist in B.C.

A surveillance was conducted on Shapoval’s Coquitlam home, where investigations gathered information that Shapoval had been in breach of the previous injunction and was providing dental services.

A Supreme Court judge granted the college permission to search Shapoval’s home and seize all dental equipment and materials.

Shapoval asked on Wednesday for the return of his dental equipment and materials seized during a search in October 2013 by the college, but was denied the request. The equipment will instead be donated to provide dental services for low-income individuals or will be destroyed if found to be not in good condition.

http://www.theprovince.com/news/Coquitlam+jailed+performing+illegal+dentistry+basement/9555614/story.html

Oh the weather outside is frightful but fundraisers are so delightful

On February 22 the Dalhousie Dentistry faculty, staff and students will walk with thousands of Canadians to raise money for those less fortunate.

‘The Coldest Night of the Year’ is a Canada-wide fundraiser that collects money for 65 different Canadian charities that serve the hungry, homeless and hurting.

“I was unable to participate last year, but my colleague Kim Marchand mentioned it to me and we decided to put a Dal team together,” said Denise Zwicker, a dental hygienist at the Faculty.

The Dal Dentistry team, named Miles for Smiles, along with the other teams participating in Halifax are donating their proceeds to the Ark, which is a youth drop-in centre in downtown Halifax.

“We treat many of these youth at the North End Dental Clinic and may even see some of them at the emergency room, public health or the GPR clinic at Dal,” said Zwicker. “Kim and I thought it was a great fit, considering these collaborations.”

“One of the things we focus on in class is how community service and service learning relates to professionalism. I really wanted to try and get some of my students thinking about being professionals in their communities, said Zwicker, who is also the course director for the first-year dental hygiene ethics class.

“I am trying to lead by example.”

Zwicker’s team has seven members and is expecting more to join. In two days, the team has raised over $500.

“We are very proud of the money we’ve raised so far, but we’re not done yet,” said Kwicker. “This is a great cause and I encourage our Faculty Family to donate or sign-up to walk.”

If you would like to donate to team Miles for Smiles, you can visit: http://bit.ly/1jvWKVH

For more information on The Coldest Night of the Year or to register to walk, please visit http://coldestnightoftheyear.org/home

Source:
http://www.dal.ca/faculty/dentistry/news-events/news/2014/02/17/baby__it_s_cold_outside.html

20-year-olds wishes come true after cycling accident

A 20-year-old women touched the hearts of many after telling her story of losing her front teeth in a cycling accident.

Alex Kerr appeared in the national and local press after being told that she would have to join a waiting list for treatment to replace her six missing teeth. Since Kerr’s story was picked up by the media, several dentists have come forward and offered to help restore her smile.

Kerr was involved in a serious accident when she was cycling home from work; she lost her six front teeth, dislocated both knees, snapped her wrist, broke her pelvis and suffered extensive cuts and bruising. After a lengthy recovery in hospital, Kerr was told that she would have to join a waiting list for dental implant treatment and that she may be liable to pay for treatment, which would cost £12,000 ($20,000).

After reading about Kerr’s, Dr Hennie van Jarsveld and Dr Wynand de Jager from Brooklands Dental Centre, offered to provide Kerr with treatment free of charge.

Before the story broke, Kerr was worried that she would never feel confident again. She said she felt very conscious of her missing teeth, which affected her confidence and also experienced difficulty eating.

During the treatment process Kerr will wear a custom-made denture, which as kindly been provided by Bridge Rite Oral Design Ceramics’ Jon Won. Kerr has also been offered sedation for the lengthy course of treatment courtesy of Andre von Backstrom, from Sedation Solutions.

Source: http://www.cosmeticdentistryguide.co.uk/news/dentists-flock-to-help-20-year-old-who-lost-her-teeth-in-a-cycling-accident-9612

Dental Outreach Activities Help 250

More than 250 students are better informed about their dental hygiene and preventative care all because of Neil and Sheila Stephan, a couple from the United Kingdom.

For the second year the two have undertaken dental outreach activities in partnership with the Sandal Foundation.

The students attend Balata, Babonneau, Roseau, Anse La Raye, and Gros Islet Primary Schools, and Anse La Raye and Gros Islet Infant Schools.

The couples efforts have been inspired by annual visits to St. Lucia for the past 20 years.

“The people of St. Lucia have been extremely nice to us so we wanted to find a way to say thank you,” Neil said. “We run a dental practice in the UK and so this is the very obvious way for us to help. We could not have done a better thing on our holiday, we look forward to it,” said the director of the Sandals Foundation, Heidi Clarke.

“The success of the sandals Foundation hinges heavily on our partners. Governments, NGOs, community groups and our guests and travel partners are great contributors to our work and we are grateful for the support. We salute Neil and Sheila Stephen for taking time out of their vacation to give back,” she said.

The Sandals Foundation facilitates healthcare initiatives across the Caribbean. The dental group provides free dental services to many Jamaicans each year and have benefited 62,000 Jamaicans with their services.

Source: http://www.stlucianewsonline.com/over-250-children-benefit-from-dental-outreach-activities/

HPV vaccination may help prevent oral cancer

Sir Paul Beresford requested that the vaccination against human papillomavirus (HPV) be acessanle to men to help prevent oral cancer.

Beresford raised the issue during an adjournment debate in the House of Commons. Minister Jane Ellison, said the matter was being considered by the relevant committee and that the Government would act if this was recommended.

The debate followed a letter from Dr Graham Stokes, chair of the British Dental Association’s (BDA) Health and Science committee, in the British Dental Journal earlier this month and an editorial by Stephen Hancocks in the same issue. Both called for an extension of the vaccination programme, which is currently restricted to 12/13 year old girls to protect them from cervical cancer. The BDA believes this should be done ‘both for reasons of equality and on the basis that it will significantly improve overall immunity in the general population’.

Beresford said that last November, the campaign on prostate cancer—Movember—caught the public imagination. But the other campaign, to improve awareness of oral cancer, although successful within the dental profession, ‘did not catch the public awareness’.

Beresford’s main point was the incongruity of vaccinating only women, when new cases of HPV-related cancers in the UK affected 7,538 females and 6,484 males in 2009. He pointed out that HPV vaccines protect against HPV infection and disease, including cancers, in men as well as women.

In 2011 more than 6,000 people in England were diagnosed with oral cancer and more than 1,600 people died of the disease. Ellison, said it as ‘a milestone in a significant and worrying increase in incidence since the 1970s’.

The Minister then stressed the importance of early-stage diagnosis. With spotting such cancers early, five-year survival rates are more than 80%.

Source: http://www.dentistry.co.uk/news/vaccination-help-prevent-oral-cancer 

The importance of keeping dental appliances clean

ADA and the World health Organization have carried out studies that demonstrate how poor orthodontic hygiene can lead to:

– Dry mouth

– Bad breath

– Toothaches

– Sore or bleeding gums

– Canker sores

– Sensitive teeth

– Cracked or broken teeth

– Tooth discoloration

– Jaw pain

– Cavities

– Oral infectious diseases

– Tooth decay

– Gum disease

– leukoplakia

– Oral cancer

– Periodontal/gum disease

– Dental carries

– Dental erosion

– Cold sores

Any users of the following orthodontic or dental devices have a higher risk of developing infections and/or poor oral health:

– Clear plastic aligners (i.e. Invisalign, Clear Correct, etc.)

– Dentures

– Retainers

– Night guards

– Bite plates

– Athletic mouth guards

– Partials

– Whitening trays

– Holding cases

– All Toothbrushes

OAP Cleaner is an innovative sanitizing solution that kills 99.9% of bacteria, germs, microbes, and viruses, within 1 minute of application. The risk of infection through the use of unclean orthodontic devices can be easily avoided by with OAP. Regular use of OAP Cleaner enhances oral hygiene and proper physical health.

The mild pH and gentle cleaning agents in OAP Cleaner’s proprietary formula will ensure that your oral appliances will not suffer from the discoloration or abrasion commonly caused by most currently-available oral-device cleaning products. OAP Cleaner is 100% safe to use all materials whether plastic, metal, porcelain or rubber.

In addition to killing the bad-odor causing germs left behind by most other products, OAP Cleaner leaves your orthodontic and dental appliances smelling fresh and clean. The solution is packaged in an easy-to-carry dispenser, making staying clean and healthy easy, whether at home, or on the go.

Sourced:

http://www.dentistryfacts.com/cleaning-your-dental-appliances-what-you-dont-know-could-kill-you/