Health News

Health News

February is … Children’s Dental Health Month

Health · February 2, 2024 · The Editors

Brought to the public by the American Dental Association, National Children’s Dental Health Month is observed every February. According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, dental caries are four […]

Toothbrushing in Hospital Reduces Infections and Death

Health · January 22, 2024 · The Editors

Toothbrushing is potentially more effective than antiseptic at reducing the oral microbiota because the mechanical action breaks up plaque and other biofilms. Yet, guidelines have focused very little on brushing as […]

Poor Oral Health Influences Head and Neck Cancer Patient Survival: An International Head and Neck Cancer Epidemiology Consortium Pooled Analysis

Health · December 8, 2023 · The Editors

Poor oral health has been reported as an independent risk factor for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. In a study published in September 2023 in the Journal of the […]

Proposed Rule to Include Adult Dental Coverage as an Essential Health Benefit on the ACA Exchanges

Health · November 29, 2023 · The Editors

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) published on November 24, 2023, in the Federal Register a proposed rule that would allow states to include adult dental services as […]

Opinion: How to Combat Racism and Bias in Dentistry

Health · November 27, 2023 · The Editors

In this op ed article published on November 8, 2023, in the California Health Report, Elisa M. Chávez, D.D.S., discusses disparities in oral health care and highlights some of the […]

November is TMJ Awareness Month!

Health · November 3, 2023 · The Editors

November is TMJ Awareness Month, a national movement to help people understand this ailment and how to find relief. Temporomandibular disorders, also commonly referred to as TMJ or TMD, are […]

Addressing Disparities in Oral Health

Health · October 25, 2023 · The Editors

In a 2022 global oral health status report, the World Health Organization reported that globally, three out of every four people (more than 4 billion) who live in low-and middle-income […]

Improving Knowledge, Comfort, and Attitudes for LGBTQIA+ Clinical Care and Dental Education

Health · October 18, 2023 · The Editors

Historically, LGBTQIA+ people have experienced stigma and discrimination when accessing health care services, creating significant disparities such as feeling self-conscious or embarrassed about their dental status, anticipating difficulty finding dental […]

The Connection Between Women’s Oral Health and Cancer

Health · October 17, 2023 · The Editors

Good oral health is important from the moment we take our first breath to our first meal and throughout our lives. Good oral health helps us express joy, develop speech, […]

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Health · October 10, 2023 · The Editors

Did you know that 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime? While you can’t usually prevent cancer, it is important to be proactive about […]

October is National Dental Hygiene Month

Health · October 2, 2023 · The Editors

The month of October serves as a dedicated period to raise awareness about the importance of oral health and hygiene practices. It offers an opportunity to educate the public about […]

Senior Dental Care and Mental Health: The Powerful Mouth and Mind Connection

Health · September 28, 2023 · The Editors

Many seniors are suffering from a self-perpetuating cycle of poor oral health and mental health. Our oral health not only affects our overall health, but also our quality of life […]

Report Calls for US to Align Equity and Emerging Science, Technology, and Innovation in Health and Medicine

Health · September 25, 2023 · The Editors

A new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine and the National Academy of Medicine (NAM) presents a governance framework to align emerging science, technology, and innovation […]

September is Gum Care Month!

Health · September 13, 2023 · The Editors

September is Gum Care Month! Your gums play a crucial role in supporting your teeth and overall oral health, so taking care of them is essential. Gum disease, or periodontal […]

Systemic Health in Autoimmune Disease: Dental Care is Critical

Health · August 29, 2023 · The Editors

The Consortium for Medically Necessary Oral Health Coverage undertakes educational, community-building, and advocacy efforts to expand access to medically necessary oral health care. Take advantage of their resources, which include […]

Poor Dental Health May Increase Alzheimer’s Risk

Health · August 23, 2023 · The Editors

A new study published on July 5 in Neurology has found an association between tooth loss, gum disease, or periodontal disease, and a shrinking of the brain area thought to […]

Improving Access to Oral Health Care: Integrating Dental Hygienists Into Federally Qualified Health Center Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinics In Michigan

Health · August 18, 2023 · The Editors

Dental hygienists (DHs) are well positioned to be part of primary care teams to increase access to oral health care, particularly for those who encounter barriers to oral care, such […]

Evidence Mounts for the Use of SDF

Health · August 15, 2023 · The Editors

In 2017, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommended that silver diamine fluoride (SDF) be used “for the arrest of cavitated caries lesions in primary teeth as part of a comprehensive […]

Disabilities and Dental Care: Why More Must Be Done to Improve Access

Health · August 8, 2023 · The Editors

Many people with disabilities have physical conditions that exacerbate dental problems. Access to dental care is also challenging for these individuals for a variety of reasons. As part of its […]

Researchers Publish Guide to Support Dentists in Treating Patients With Epilepsy

Health · July 14, 2023 · The Editors

Affecting over 70 million people globally, epilepsy is a disorder that may give dental professionals pause, as the treatment of patients with epilepsy can be complex and many clinicians may […]

June Is Oral Health Month

Health · June 2, 2023 · The Editors

June is recognized as Oral Health Month in the United States. Observed as a time to promote the benefits of oral health care and encourage good dental hygiene, Oral Health […]

Revolutionizing Healthcare Is Not Easy

Health · May 25, 2023 · The Editors

Researchers and healthcare professionals have studied the connection between oral health and systemic health for many years now. The US Surgeon General drew attention to that connection in its 2000 […]

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

Health · May 8, 2023 · The Editors

Mental Health Awareness Month has been observed in the United States since 1949. Our mental health is in constant flux and ebbs and flows daily. Many things can impact this […]

WHO Releases the Largest Global Collection of Health Inequality Data

Health · April 25, 2023 · The Editors

On April 20, 2023, the World Health Organization launched the Health Inequality Data Repository, the most comprehensive global collection of publicly available disaggregated data and evidence on population health and […]

April is National Oral Cancer Awareness Month

Health · April 3, 2023 · The Editors

This April, the nation observes the 24th Annual Oral Cancer Awareness Month. In 2023 an estimated 54,600 new cases of oral cancer will be diagnosed in the U.S. Of those […]

Spending on Emergency Care Due to Nontraumatic Dental Conditions in the United States

Health · July 14, 2022 · The Editors

As the only possible source of oral healthcare for those who have no dental insurance coverage, emergency departments are increasingly used to address nonurgent oral health problems in the United […]

June Is Oral Health Month!

Health · June 1, 2022 · The Editors

June is national oral health month in the United States. Supported by the American Dental Association (ADA), oral health month serves as a reminder of the importance of good oral […]

9th Annual Linda C. Niessen Geriatric Dentistry Symposium

Health · April 26, 2022 · The Editors

April 26, 2022 For nine consecutive years, the Linda C. Niessen Geriatric Dentistry Symposium has been addressing key topics to help to improve dental treatment outcomes in older adults. The […]

Your Teeth Are Worth Saving – May Is Save Your Tooth Month!

Health · April 19, 2022 · The Editors

Our teeth: a gateway to nutrition, a way to signal our emotions, and a reflection of overall good health. Our teeth are truly worth respecting, preserving, and saving. Before the […]

Association Between Preventive Dental Care and Healthcare Cost for Patients With Diabetes or Coronary Artery Disease

Health · March 24, 2022 · The Editors

The two-way link between periodontitis and diabetes has been highlighted in numerous studies in recent years—yet the impact of preventive dental treatments on diabetes control remains unclear. Likewise, while researchers […]

Oral Health for All — Realizing the Promise of Science

Health · March 22, 2022 · The Editors

Although the past two decades have seen progress in raising awareness about the importance of oral health for overall health, dental and oral diseases remain problematic for many Americans. In […]

Be Proud of Your Mouth! World Oral Health Day – March 20

Health · March 18, 2022 · The Editors

World Oral Health Day (WOHD), observed annually on March 20, provides a platform for raising global awareness of oral health issues. The theme for this year’s WOHD is “Be Proud […]

NCD Report Shows a Return on Investment for Offering Medicaid Dental Care to Adults With I/DD

Health · March 16, 2022 · The Editors

On March 9, the National Council on Disability released the results of a preliminary Medicaid study focused on the costs and return on costs associated with offering basic dental benefits […]

New ADEA Policy Research Series Issue 5

Health · March 14, 2022 · The Editors

The American Dental Association (ADEA) has released their most recent Policy Research Series Report, “Oral Health Care and Primary Health Care: Stronger Together in Recognizing and Managing Diabetes.” A growing […]

Colgate-Palmolive Introduces Global Know Your OQ™ Campaign as part of $100 Million 5-Year Oral Health Commitment

Health · February 16, 2022 · The Editors

Company Broadens Signature Bright Smiles, Bright Futures Program, Launches Global Oral Health Accelerator with Enactus, Initiates Groundbreaking Research and Expands Diversity Scholarships

WHO’s Global Oral Health Strategy

Health · July 23, 2021 · The Editors

The Lancet Commission on Oral Health calls on the World Health Organization (WHO) to support key action items as they develop global oral health strategy and action plan.

Can the Integration of Dental and General Healthcare Reduce the Prevalence of Periodontitis? EIU Report on the Societal and Economic Burden of Periodontitis

Health · July 13, 2021 · The Editors

On June 14, the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) published a report commissioned by the European Federation of Periodontology that provides a cost analysis of periodontitis in six Western European countries. […]

Three Domain Framework Addresses Oral Health Delivery

Health · November 9, 2020 · The Editors

Three Domain Framework Addresses Oral Health Delivery Industry leaders look to expand access and integration The DentaQuest Partnership for Oral Health Advancement, along with 120 organizations, leaders, and stakeholders in […]

Expanding Access through Dentistry

Health · November 5, 2020 · The Editors

Study Details How Dental-Medical Collaborative Program at Health Center Improved HPV Vaccination Rates of Young Patients A new study describes a first-of-its-kind program designed to increase the rates of HPV […]

ADA Board of Trustees: Dentistry is Essential Health Care

Health · August 10, 2020 · The Editors

The American Dental Association Board of Trustees has adopted an ad interim policy stating dentistry is essential health care to help guide advocacy for the dental profession during the COVID-19 […]

Accessible Care is Equal Care

Health · July 29, 2020 · The Editors

People with disabilities have a long history of unequal access to, and discrimination in, oral health and primary care, which has resulted in large health disparities between disabled individuals and […]

New National Health Objectives in Healthy People 2030

Health · January 8, 2019 · The Editors

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is soliciting written comments regarding the Healthy People 2030 objectives. Healthy People provides science-based, 10-year national objectives for improving the health of all […]

National Study Finds Higher Blood Pressure with Poor Oral Health

Health · October 23, 2018 · The Editors

Periodontal disease is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the tissues surrounding the teeth, with evidence of systemic effects. Some studies showed the benefit of periodontal therapy on blood pressure (BP), but […]

Mississippi’s New Medicaid Waiver Requires Enrollees to Make Less Than 27% FPL per Year

Health · August 9, 2018 · The Editors

More states are seeking to impose work requirements for parents and caretaker relatives to obtain health coverage. Mississippi’s new waiver amendment to CMS requires enrollees to work at least 20 […]

HHS Commissions New Surgeon General’s Report on Oral Health

Health · August 2, 2018 · The Editors

On behalf of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, the Office of the Surgeon General, the National Institutes of Health, and the National Institute of Dental and […]