Local groups retain control of Greater NY Dental

Local groups retain control of Greater NY Dental

By Kathy Kincade, Editor in Chief

November 19, 2008 -- Looks like the Greater New York Dental Meeting -- billed as the largest dental meeting in the world -- will remain in the hands of the two local groups that have long co-sponsored it: the New York County Dental Society (NYCDS) and the Second District Dental Society (SDDS).

Last June, after the New York Legislature voted to adopt a bill that would give the New York State Dental Association (NYSDA) the right to "expel" the NYCDS, there was a flurry of editorials in New York newspapers questioning the motives of many of those involved, including New York Gov. David Paterson.

Last week, the NYSDA board decided to leave well enough alone.

"Our board did vote this summer to have another component serving Manhattan, but at last week's board meeting they decided not to do this," said Sandra DiNoto, the association's director of public relations. "They voted to have only one component serving one county." She declined to comment further on the board's decision.

As a result, the association that was formed earlier this year to take the place of the NYCDS -- the Manhattan Dental Association -- has been disbanded.

"For a time there was a second component serving that area, but they do not exist anymore," DiNoto said. "The NYCDS serves Manhattan."

She also dismissed speculation that control of the meeting might have changed hands had the NYSDA exercised its right to expel the NYCDS.

"The Greater New York Dental Meeting has always been a separate, independent business entity of the two local county dental groups," DiNoto said. "It was never part of this equation."

Thus it will be business as usual at this year's Greater New York Dental Meeting, which opens November 28 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center and runs through December 3.

"There are no changes with the Greater New York Dental Meeting. It will be bigger and better than ever!" said Ellen Gerber, executive director of the NYCDS.

Waterproof dental keyboard now wireless too

Waterproof dental keyboard now wireless too

By DrBicuspid Staff

November 19, 2008 -- Man & Machine, a manufacturer of hygienic waterproof keyboards and mice, has introduced the U Hot Keyboard, the company's first wireless keyboard for dental practices. The keyboard works for days without needing to be recharged, giving the user the freedom of movement in and around the dental operatory, according to the company.

The U Hot Keyboard can be rinsed and submerged in water. The capacity for the U Hot to be thoroughly washed reduces the quantity of surface germs, therefore mitigating infection risk to dental team members and patients. The inside of the keyboard is sealed to protect it against fluids, including blood, saliva, food, drink, and most cleaning agents. Drainage holes in each key pocket allow excess water or spilled fluids to quickly exit the keyboard before causing damage.

"Dentists have been asking Man & Machine to develop a wireless version of our popular waterproof, hygienic keyboards and now we have what they are looking for," said Clifton Broumand, CEO of Man & Machine. "This looks like it will be our biggest seller to the dental market."

The U Hot Keyboard is available directly from Man & Machine or through Henry Schein.

Copyright © 2008 DrBicuspid.com

Fluorescence finds mercury in dental amalgam

Fluorescence finds mercury in dental amalgam

By DrBicuspid Staff

November 19, 2008 -- Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have developed what they say is a simple and quick method for detecting mercury in dental amalgam, according to a university press release.

The technique involves a fluorescent substance that glows bright green when it comes into contact with oxidized mercury, the researchers report in the current online edition of theJournal of the American Chemical Society. The intensity of the glow indicates the amount of mercury present.

Developed in the laboratory of Kazunori Koide, a chemistry professor in the university's School of Arts and Sciences, the new method can be used onsite and can detect mercury in 30 to 60 minutes for dental fillings, Koide explained.

To test for mercury leaching in dental amalgams, the research team pressed a cloth onto a tooth containing an amalgam filling for one minute, then exposed it to a mercury-detecting agent. The resulting fluorescence came from the reaction of mercury ions with hydrocarbons called alkynes; the alkyne is converted into a ketone and creates a fluorescent molecule.

The researchers also submerged two amalgam-filled teeth in the amino acid cysteine to mimic sulfur-rich foods, which are thought to increase mercury seepage from amalgam. Again, the cysteine solution turned bright green when the indicator was added, suggesting that this method could also be used to monitor mercury leaching caused by sulfur-rich food.

Koide suggested that his method could also be used to test dentist office wastewater for mercury content onsite without sending samples to analytical laboratories.

Dental researchers receive breast cancer grant

Dental researchers receive breast cancer grant

By DrBicuspid Staff

October 7, 2008 -- The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation has awarded a New York University (NYU) dental research team a three-year, $600,000 grant to study whether nutrients and antioxidants found in broccoli, grapes, and other naturally occurring compounds could prevent breast cancer.

The study's principal investigator, Joseph Guttenplan, a professor of basic science and craniofacial biology, is testing multiple formulations of a half-dozen nutrients and antioxidants to determine which formulations could most effectively prevent the mutations that can lead to cancer.

Guttenplan and his co-investigator, Peter Sacks, also a professor of basic science and craniofacial biology, are testing the formulations in vitro in rat mammary cells that have been exposed to carcinogens. The cells are genetically engineered to make any resulting mutations easy to detect.

"There is evidence to suggest that taking very high doses of each of these antioxidants could prevent cancer, but those doses might be toxic," Guttenplan stated in a press release. "By combining these compounds, we hope to devise more potent formulations that could be safely ingested as dietary supplements in a natural preventive regimen."

VELscope sales better than expected

VELscope sales better than expected

By DrBicuspid Staff

October 6, 2008 -- LED Dental says that sales of its recently introduced VELscope Vantage Oral Cancer are exceeding expectations and helped drive company revenues well above prior year levels for the May-September period, according to a press release.

The company noted that the VELscope Vantage system offers several features not available in the original VELscope device: more powerful lamp technology, providing improved fluorescence and camera imaging; a two-year comprehensive warranty; enough disposable products to cover 200 screenings; a camera adapter kit for digital photography; and access to several continuing education courses related to use of the VELscope system.

"Despite its higher price tag, the VELscope Vantage is clearly being appreciated by customers for the truly outstanding value it represents," said David Cox, president and chief operating officer of LED Dental. "If practices charge only a nominal fee of around $35 for a VELscope screening, the system will be fully paid for by the time the practice consumes the disposables that come with it. And for most practices, that could take only two or three months."