Author

Kristen Pratt Machado

Kristen Pratt Machado is executive editor for Dimensions of Dental Hygiene and Decisions in Dentistry and director of publishing operations for Belmont Publications, Inc. She has been with Belmont Publications since its inception in 2002.

News Alert

New ADA Sedation Guidelines Are Here, Is Your Practice Still Compliant?

Apr 20, 2026

The American Dental Association’s first major sedation and anesthesia update in nearly a decade introduces stricter safety protocols, clearer documentation standards, and new expectations for training.

Quiz

Measles Is Back: The Preventable Disease Threatening Modern Practice

Apr 17, 2026

Once considered eliminated in the United States, measles is resurging due to declining vaccination rates, placing oral health professionals on the front lines of early detection and prevention.

News Alert

AB 1952 Showdown: Dental Professions Divided Ahead of Critical Vote

Apr 16, 2026

With a pivotal vote days away, AB 1952 has sparked a major divide between CDA and CDHA, raising urgent questions about workforce shortages, professional standards, and the future of dental care in California.

News Alert

Fluoride Is Cleared by Science but Supply Threats Raise New Concerns

Apr 16, 2026

A landmark long-term study confirms fluoridated water is safe for brain health, yet geopolitical disruptions are now putting access to this critical public health tool at risk.

News Alert

British Man Dies by Suicide After Traveling to Turkey for Dental Care

Apr 13, 2026

A devastating case highlights the clinical, ethical, and emotional risks of dental tourism, and why oral health professionals must lead the conversation.

News Alert

Chicago’s School Dental Program Is Unraveling and Dentists Say Bureaucracy Is to Blame

Apr 10, 2026

Once a national model for access to care, Chicago’s in-school dental program is losing providers fast amid mounting concerns over oversight, reimbursement, and clinical autonomy.

News Alert

Study Reveals Alarming Gap in School Dental Programs

Apr 10, 2026

New research shows children without prior dental visits are significantly less likely to receive school-based caries prevention.

Quiz

What Oral Health Professionals Are Missing About Undiagnosed Diabetes

Apr 9, 2026

With millions of cases still undiagnosed, xerostomia may be one of the earliest warning signs oral health professionals can identify if they know what to look for.

News Alert

Michigan Licenses Its Second Dental Therapist While Other States Still Wait

Apr 9, 2026

As many states stall after passing dental therapy laws, Michigan moves forward with its second licensed provider.

News Alert

NC Dental Board Issues Sedation Warning After Child’s Death Raises Oversight Concerns

Apr 9, 2026

A new memo from the North Carolina Dental Board clarifies that dentists, not CRNAs, remain fully responsible for sedation oversight, following inspection findings and heightened scrutiny after a tragic pediatric case.

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Author

Kristen Pratt Machado

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