Tackling Substance Use and Mental Health in Dental Care
Simple screening tools and brief interventions can help dental teams identify substance use and mental health risks.
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Utah Opens Hospital Doors to Dental Hygienists
Utah has passed new legislation expanding where dental hygienists can practice, officially adding hospitals to the state’s definition of public health settings. The move is expected to broaden access to preventive oral healthcare while…
A Pan, a Hunch, and a Life Saved
A routine panoramic X-ray turned into a potentially life-saving moment when a dentist spotted suspicious calcifications near a patient’s carotid artery. The discovery ultimately revealed a dangerous blockage, proving once again that the…
Resolution Defends Fluoridation as Florida Ban Sparks National Debate
A new congressional resolution urges states to maintain scientifically recommended fluoride levels in public drinking water following Florida’s ban on water fluoridation. Dental and public health organizations say the measure reinforces…
Lettuce-Based Delivery Could Change How GLP-1 Drugs Reach Patients
Researchers are exploring whether obesity and diabetes medications currently delivered by injection could someday be taken orally using plant-based technology. Early findings suggest genetically engineered lettuce cells may protect GLP-1…
Expanding Access to Care: AB 1952 and Internationally Trained Dentists
California’s AB 1952 proposes an alternative licensure pathway allowing internationally trained dentists to work as dental hygienists. While most dentists recognize the potential of this measure to increase access to care, it raises…
Oklahoma Dental Plan Legislation Raises Questions About Cost, Contracting, and Care Access
Oklahoma lawmakers are considering SB 1942 and HB 4329, bills that would modify how dental plans define covered services and negotiate reimbursement rates. Dentists and employers alike are evaluating how these changes could affect…
Adult Dental Benefits at Risk
A newly proposed federal rule would reinstate a prohibition preventing routine adult dental services from being included as an essential health benefit under the Affordable Care Act. If finalized, the policy could limit states’ ability to…
How Nutrition Shapes Periodontal Health
Understanding the role of macro- and micronutrients empowers oral health professionals to help patients reduce inflammation, strengthen tissues, and protect against periodontitis.
Coast Guard Expands Oral Healthcare Team With Dental Therapists
The United States Coast Guard has partnered with the University of Minnesota to integrate dental therapists into its healthcare delivery model. The 5-year initiative aims to address provider shortages, strengthen operational readiness, and…
