Sarah Handzel, BSN, RN

To receive funding, dentists must be a victim of any type of disaster. 

Hurricanes Harvey and Irma brought unprecedented levels of destruction to Texas, Florida, and the surrounding southeastern states. Unfortunately, people from all walks of life saw their homes, schools, businesses, and community centers flooded and destroyed.

Dentists in coastal communities were also affected by these natural disasters — and in a supportive effort, the American Dental Association (ADA) is helping dentists get back on their feet by providing much-needed financial assistance for essential items like food, clothing, shelter, and medicines.

 was created to help dentists affected by any natural disaster receive money that can be used to obtain necessary supplies, such as food and bottled water. Eligible dentists can use the funds for urgent and vital needs following any type of disaster, but the money granted cannot be used to offset any kind of damage to dental practice property, to replace dental equipment or supplies, or to fund staff salaries. The grant funds are also not intended to replace any lost income a dentist may incur as a result of a disaster.

Grants of up to $2,000 are awarded to eligible dentists from the 

 (ADAF). To receive funding, dentists must be a victim of any type of disaster.  Dentists can apply for a grant within 60 days of a disaster using the 

 or paper application, which can be downloaded 

. While the ADAF tries to serve as many dentists as possible, grants are limited by the amount of available funds.

In addition to the small grants provided to individuals, the ADAF is also providing grants of up to $10,000 to any 501(c)(3) organizations providing dental care after a disaster. These organizations must be based within the U.S., and grants are dependent on the amount of available funds. Anyone involved in such an organization who is interested in applying can use the 

 to begin the process of obtaining a grant. Paper applications can also be downloaded 

ADA member dentists who are interested in helping their colleagues in hurricane-affected areas are also welcome to donate funds directly to the ADAF. All the monies donated to the Foundation’s Disaster Assistance programs go toward supporting dentists affected by disasters. Dentists can 

, or can call or mail a check to the Foundation in support of other dentists.

The ADAF was established with the goal of providing charitable assistance for dentists nationwide. The Foundation also works to improve the oral health status of communities through increased access to care, research, and support for educational programs. Every year, the ADAF provides more than $800,000 in awards, scholarships, and grants to programs that adopt and further the Foundation’s mission.

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Across the United States, dentists affected by the recent hurricanes are struggling to get back on their feet. Luckily, the ADA is offering grants to those who qualify. Continue below to find out how you can apply or help your fellow practitioners. 

ADA Provides Assistance to Dentists After Hurricanes

Toothaches were the top complaint among patients visiting the 

Many emergency department visits involve dental problems and disorders, according to a new study, and the data demonstrates a clear need for increased access to affordable dental care.

While there is no standard definition for an “avoidable” ED visit, researchers estimate that between 4.8 percent and 90 percent of all ED visits are avoidable or unnecessary.

Currently, avoidable is defined using several factors, including discharge diagnoses, triage scores, hospital admission data, and patient self-reported data. However, it’s difficult to use this information to create significant health care policy changes that could help avoid unnecessary ED visits.

In an attempt to better characterize and understand the nature of avoidable ED visits, researchers examined patient records spanning six years as part of a new 

. More than 115,000 records were investigated, representing as many as 424 million ED visits involving patients 18 to 64 years old. Each patient in the study was evaluated in the ED and discharged home.

Toothache was the top complaint bringing patients to the ED, followed by back pain, headache, mental health issues, and sore throats. Dental disorders were also included among the top three ICD-9 discharge diagnoses, together with alcohol abuse and depressive disorders, and accounted for 3.9 percent of clinical classifications software (CCS) grouped discharge diagnoses.

Unfortunately for patients, many, if not most, EDs in the U.S. are unequipped to treat dental conditions or disorders. While a limited number of medical facilities and hospitals have dentists on staff in EDs, this is the exception rather than the rule. Most patients seeking dental care in EDs receive only pain medications or antibiotics and are referred back to dental providers in the community. But due to affordability concerns and 

, patients often return to the ED for the same problem, which, in many cases, becomes more advanced.

According to the American Dental Association

 (ADA), the number of patients seen in EDs for the treatment of dental pain has increased from 1.1 million in 2000 to 2.1 million in 2010. As many as 80 percent of these visits can be attributed to preventable dental conditions.

 that if $520 million that is reimbursed by Medicaid each year for ED dental visits is instead diverted to private dental practices, care could be provided for up to 1 million additional people annually.

The authors of the study suggest increasing access to dental care, including preventative coverage expansions under programs like Medicaid, as a possible solution to this issue.

Currently, 46 states offer dental insurance coverage for adult Medicaid enrollees, but only 28 of those states provide coverage for preventative services. Additionally, the ADA suggests hospitals and other health care facilities could help to reduce the number of ED visits for dental complaints by implementing urgent dental care clinics.

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Each year, thousands of patients are forced to visit the emergency department for tooth-related pain and disease. A new study identified it as one of the top causes of avoidable trips to the emergency room. Continue below to find out how health care policy plays a part in this phenomenon. 

Dental Disorders Rank in Top 3 Avoidable Emergency Visits

More than half of consumers look at online reviews before deciding on a dentist. 

A new survey completed by Ceatus Media Group shows just how important impressions are to drumming up more business.

The survey, which was completed by individuals who visited one of three Ceatus-owned elective health care educational sites, included seven questions related to Internet use and healthcare provider reviews. The questions were used to determine how consumers research specific health care providers, including cosmetic dentistry providers, plastic surgeons, and eye surgeons, and how they ultimately choose their dentists and doctors.

The survey results pertaining to cosmetic dentistry were obtained from Ceatus Media’s Consumer Guide to Dentistry educational 

, which features information on common cosmetic and general dentistry procedures, oral health conditions and diseases, dental insurance, and tips for choosing a dental provider. The survey was open to participants from May 1 to 31. While this was the only website used to look at trends in selecting cosmetic dentistry providers, Ceatus has a total of seven healthcare educational websites. Combined, these sites receive more than six million independent visitors each year.

 gave a surprising look into the minds of dental care consumers. As many as 63 percent of consumers who are considering any type of cosmetic dentistry procedure find online dentist reviews to be a vital part of their decision-making process. Another 33 percent believe that dental provider reviews are at least somewhat important when choosing a dentist. Only 4.4 percent of consumers responded that provider reviews are not important at all when seeking out cosmetic dentistry services.

“These first-of-their-kind findings are really eye-opening and will change the way plastic surgeons, dentists, and eye surgeons think about and execute their review strategies,” Dr. David Evans, CEO of Ceatus Media Group, 

. “Our data clearly demonstrates the importance of reviews to patients seeking elective healthcare procedures. We are excited to share this unique data specific to dentistry, plastic surgery and eye surgery."

According to the consumers polled, Google ranked as the most important review site, followed closely by Healthgrades and Facebook. Other directories, such as the Yellow Pages, were not considered important review sites among the consumers polled. However, some respondents indicated that sites like Google and Healthgrades were not important in their decision-making process, indicating a high amount of variability among people who chose to participate.

Young dentists know the importance of establishing a digital presence and positive online reviews. A new survey from Ceatus Media Group confirms that in this day and age, consumers consult the Internet before making appointments. Read on for more on the survey's findings. 

Survey Shows Dentists Reviews â€œExtremely Importantâ€ When Choosing Providers

While nicotine itself is not responsible for smoking-related illnesses, it keeps users hooked. 

In August, the head of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) introduced a proposal to cut nicotine levels in cigarettes to non-addictive levels, 

The announcement fuels the debate around whether e-cigarettes are a safer alternative to traditional cigarettes. As Dentist’s Money Digest has 

, multiple studies have examined the links between e-cigarette use and gum and teeth damage. While companies that make these products tout them as a safer alternative to traditional cigarettes, 

 have suggested that e-cigarette use was just as harmful, if not more so, than regular cigarettes.

While it is not possible to reduce nicotine levels to zero, or to ban cigarettes outright, the proposed regulation of nicotine levels could help remove the addictive component in cigarettes. The announcement comes as the FDA considers shifting its focus to regulations that will entice more smokers to switch to electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes).

“Nicotine itself is not responsible for the cancer, the lung disease and heart disease that kill hundreds of thousands of Americans each year,” FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb said. “It's the other chemical compounds in tobacco and in the smoke created by setting tobacco on fire that directly cause illness and death.”

The FDA’s announcement is only the first step in the process of formally regulating nicotine levels in cigarettes. Before any measures can take effect, the public must be allowed to comment on the proposal. Input from industry stakeholders will also need to be considered.

 “While there's still much research to be done on these products and the risks that they may pose, they may also present benefits that we must consider,” Gottlieb added.

The manufacturers of cigarettes have already begun to move toward greater e-cigarette production alongside other alternative nicotine delivery systems. This could help mitigate the damages to big tobacco’s bottom line, since, soon after the regulatory announcement was made, the world’s major tobacco companies lost around $26 billion in market value.

While this action is currently only underway in the U.S., experts expect regulators in European nations to take a similar regulatory stance on nicotine-containing products. For now, companies making e-cigarettes have four years to comply with a 2016 ruling giving the FDA oversight over those types of products, allowing e-cigarette manufacturers to continue to saturate the market without any oversight or regulation.

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August brought a new FDA proposal for traditional cigarettes, whose nicotine levels are said to be responsible for addiction. Continue below to find out more about the proposal. 

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Participants with previously diagnosed mood disorders and high sugar intake are at an increased risk of developing depression.

Scientists are now finding that it’s more than just your teeth that are affected by sugar — your mental health could be, too.

, researchers examined the relationship between the consumption of sweet foods and beverages and common mental disorders (CMDs), including depression. The goal of the study was to examine any links between sugar intake and new or recurrent mood disorders.

Researchers also hoped to find whether having a mood disorder made a person more likely to choose food and drinks sweetened with sugar.

Dentist’s Money Digest has reported previously on excessive sugar consumption and its effect on the teeth and gums of both adults and children nationwide. Even as Americans consume more sugar than ever in processed foods, sweet treats, and sugary beverages, organizations around the globe, including the World Health Organization, have continued to push for legislation taxing sugary drinks at higher rates in attempts to curb the negative side effects of too much sugar consumption.

Using food-frequency questionnaires, scientists measured study participants’ intake of 15 common food and beverage items containing sugar, including cakes and sugar added to coffee or tea. Each participant’s sugar intake total was then calculated by multiplying sugar consumption frequencies each day by the item’s sugar content and portion size. Scientists also used two separate health questionnaires to measure depressive symptoms over the course of two weeks.

The results of the study indicated that men with no previously diagnosed mood disorder who consumed over 67 grams of sugar each day were at 23 percent greater risk of developing a mood disorder like depression after five years. However, no relationship between sugar and common mental disorders could be identified in women who participated in the study.

It was also shown that both men and women with previously diagnosed mood disorders and a higher level of daily sugar intake were at a greater risk of developing depression after five years, compared to people who typically consumed less sugar. Factors like socioeconomic status, physical activity, smoking, alcohol consumption, sleep patterns, and overall physical health were accounted for but did not affect the results of the study.

Even though the results seemed to indicate a link between sugar consumption and common mental disorders, the study authors note that further research is needed to determine a definitive link between the two. However, it is certain that excessive sugar consumption can lead to many different health problems, from tooth decay to diabetes.

What is not up for debate, however, is that cutting down on sugar is still a good idea.

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Dentists have warned of sugar's adverse impact on oral and general health for years, but they can now add another negative side effect to the list. A new study suggests that high sugar consumption is linked to common mental disorders, specifically depression. Continue below to find out more about the study. 

Study Finds Link Between Sugar and Common Mental Disorders

Many Americans remain ignorant to the ways oral health affects their general health. 

 (AGD) shows that Americans are uncertain about the many health benefits they can receive by visiting a dentist on a regular basis.

The survey, which included responses from 1,174 adults, collected data on various topics, including views on dentists as experts in teeth cleaning and whitening, knowledge of other health problems related to good oral care, and the number of participants who visit a general dentist for wellness checkups.

Dentist’s Money Digest has already reported that several studies have described the relationship between good oral care and hygiene and a number of other health issues, like cardiovascular disease and diabetes. The AGD emphasized that other health problems, such as anorexia and bulimia, are often initially identified by dentists since the first signs of these problems are localized within the mouth.

The data collected during the survey revealed a wealth of information about U.S. adults’ views and opinions on dentists and on the importance of regular dental checkups. According to the survey, only 14 percent of respondents view their general dentist as an expert in improving overall health, and only 25% associated going to their dentist with being screened for oral cancers. Other survey findings revealed that:

·50 percent of participants don’t view dentists as experts on prevention

·59 percent don’t view dentists as experts on overall, systemic health and wellness

·Less than 23 percent of respondents say their dentists keep up with the latest advances in dental technology and equipment

·Less than 30 percent view dentists as experts in teeth whitening procedures

·22 percent of survey participants don’t have a general dentist they visit on a regular basis

“The AGD represents nearly 40,000 general dentists who treat millions of patients each year; we know dental visits can feel unnecessary when patients don't perceive anything to be wrong. This survey underscores the need for greater awareness about oral health's relation to overall health,” Maria Smith, D.M.D. and AGD President, 

.  “The condition of your mouth often mirrors the condition of the rest of your body, and maintaining a healthy body includes taking care of your oral health on a regular basis.”

Smith added that general dentists are unique because of the frequency with which patients see them, even in the absence of symptoms. As the gateway to the body, poor oral health can cause or exacerbate cardiovascular conditions, diabetes, and more. Regular dental visits allow dentists to establish an oral care home base, educate patients, prevent disease, and screen for other conditions.

According to a new Academy of General Dentistry survey, many Americans are unaware that oral health is part of their overall health. Out of a sample of more than a thousand adults, a shocking 50 percent of participants reported that they don't view dentist as prevention experts, and more than 20 percent do not have a general dentist. For more figures from the AGD survey, continue below. 

AGD Survey Shows Americans Unclear about Wellness Checkup Benefits

D'Souza and her colleagues plan to begin their research using mice. 

, as many as 16.2 percent of individuals suffer from congenital missing teeth (CMT) in the permanent dentition (excluding third molars) or teeth that are missing as a result of genetic mutations.

Rena D’Souza, D.D.S. and Professor of Dentistry at the University of Utah Health, hopes that a recently awarded grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) will help determine the causes of these mutations and pave the way for the development of treatments to reverse the process.

Because these mutations prevent teeth from forming, the negative impact to affected patients can be significant. In many cases, patients with CMT have problems with self-esteem, oral communication patterns and quality of life.

These patients also have complications ranging from malocclusion and periodontal damage to changes in skeletal relationships. Efforts to correct the damage these genetic mutations cause is often costly and time-consuming.

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The NIH awarded D’Souza and her colleagues a grant totaling more than $1.7 million. The monies will be used to study how certain genetic mutations, like those that can occur on gene PAX9, influence protein pathways that play a role in tooth formation. The team plans to study a certain protein pathway — the WNT pathway &mdash; that has already been shown to pass signals on to certain cells that are ultimately responsible for normal tooth formation.

“This genetic disorder is not life threatening, but it severely affects the quality of life for patients and can be expensive. As a clinician, I always wanted to explore how a single shift in the genetic code could cause such a big problem,” D’Souza said. “It is like peeling away the layers of the onion so that you can develop new treatment strategies.”

For those affected by these types of genetic mutations, it’s not uncommon to spend as much as 

 to replace several missing teeth. If successful, the planned research could be instrumental in developing new therapies that reestablish normal pathways between specific genes and protein pathways, leading to a restoration of normal tooth development.

The research team plans to begin their investigation of this problem using mouse models, and colleagues at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, the University of Lausanne, the University of Pittsburgh, and the Perelman School of Medicine will also contribute to the effort. If any potential treatments are identified during the course of their research with the NIH grant, additional research will be performed before any testing on people.

“The journey to translate an animal model to humans is daunting, but these studies are the first steps to find new therapies to treat devastating craniofacial disorders. This research is not just about the science, but about sharing with the community and helping to treat patients with safe and non-invasive measures,” D’Souza 

Congenital missing teeth affects millions of people around the world. A new research initiative, backed by a grant from the National Institutes of Health, hopes to determine the causes of the genetic mutations that prevent teeth from forming. Continue below to find out more about the grant-supported research. 

Understanding of Genetic Tooth Malformation Could Help Develop Future Reversal Therapies

Seven out of nine dentists rated the Care Free Pay It Foward Program a success.

Today, almost 108 million people in the U.S. lack dental insurance. Even with insurance, many people still have difficulty obtaining needed services due to expense and location.

While the need for greater access to more affordable care is already widely known, a new program in Michigan could soon become a template by which dental practices around the country operate.

, which ran from January 2014 to October 2015, tested a new method that connected patients to desperately needed dental services in exchange for volunteer work. 

, completed by both participating dentists and volunteers, show the program was effective and of value — nearly 80 percent of those surveyed said they enjoyed the program and would recommend it to friends and family.

 The Care Free Pay It Forward program was initially developed as a partnership between the Central District Dental Society of Michigan and 

, a nonprofit organization serving underinsured and uninsured patients in Michigan. To qualify for inclusion in the program, Michigan residents had to demonstrate extraordinary financial hardship, including falling below 250 percent of the national poverty level and an inability to qualify for the state’s Medicaid program.

Once enrolled, the participants took a one-hour oral health education class and donated four hours of volunteer work at one of 80 non-profit organizations. In exchange for completing this preliminary community service, participants received an initial dental examination, X-rays and a cleaning from area dentists who volunteered their time and skills.

During the initial dental exam, volunteer dentists determined appropriate treatment plans for each patient, including estimating the total cost of treatment — based on Medicaid fee schedules — and determining approximately how many volunteer hours would be needed in order to continue treatment.

On average, program participants volunteered 33 hours of community service and received more than $1,150 in dental treatments. The majority of patients received cleanings, dental exams, tooth extractions and simple tooth restorations. However, some dentists chose to provide more extensive dental work, like crowns or bridges, if needed.

Nine dentists responded to the follow-up survey, and of those nine dentists, seven rated the program as a success in all measurable aspects. The two dentists who responded unfavorably did so because they did not find volunteering their time and skills rewarding. They also noted the quality of care provided to patients wasn’t as extensive as it should have been.

Because working adults may find it difficult to find time to devote to volunteer work, a program of this type shouldn’t be viewed as an end-all solution to the country’s affordable dental care problem. However, because of the numbers of respondents who viewed their participation in the program as beneficial, it may be something that is considered as dental practices and organizations around the country look for ways to get care to those in need.

The United States' lack of affordable dental care is a serious and visible problem in communities across the nation. The Care Free Pay It Forward program aims to change that, with both patients and dentists responding with a resounding "Yes." Continue below to learn more about the success of the program. 

Dentists and Patients Say 'Yes' to Free Dental Care for Community Service

Polyphenols are the natural plant compounds found in green tea plants.

According to the latest statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

, almost 30 percent of adults in the U.S. have problems with tooth sensitivity.

The results from a new study offer hope for finding effective treatment for sensitive teeth. The study involved the use of green tea polyphenols, or certain compounds found in green tea plants, to help make up a new type of biomaterial which may help eliminate tooth sensitivity while also protecting teeth from harmful cavity-causing bacteria.

As dentists already know, there are many existing 

 for tackling this common dental issue, including desensitizing toothpastes and fluoride gel. However, some patients still don’t find relief, even with these treatment options. 

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In the majority of cases, tooth sensitivity occurs as a result of the wearing away of the protective enamel layer on the surface of teeth and resulting exposure of the dentin, which contains many tiny, empty microtubes. When the ends of these microtubes are open and exposed to the oral environment, hot or cold liquids, or other sensitivity-causing agents, can pass directly from the mouth to the nerve of the tooth. As patients will tell you, this can be a significant source of pain.

Currently, treatments for tooth sensitivity involve the 

. But blocking these tubes can make teeth more susceptible to erosion, weakness and abrasion. Harmful bacteria, like 

, produce a biofilm that sticks to the porous dentin surface, causing dental caries.

, researchers set out to create a different type of treatment. Using a special green tea compound, epigallocatechin-3-gallate (ECGC), combined with the traditional material nanohydroxyapatite, they developed a new type of biomaterial capable of both sealing off exposed dentin and fighting harmful bacteria. In previous studies, ECGC was shown to 

The new nanohydroxyapatite-ECGC mixture was enclosed within special silica nanoparticles. Then, the research team performed a series of tests to determine the new biomaterial’s ability to inhibit the formation of any biofilms by 

. It was found that the new treatment was successful in blocking both the dentin microtubes and any biofilm formation, and it was resistant to abrasion and erosion. Further, EGCG was released from the new material for more than 96 hours.

“The development of [this new biomaterial] bridges the gap between multifunctional concept and dental clinical practice and is promising in providing dentists a therapeutic strategy for the management of the dentin surface to counter dentin hypersensitivity and caries,” the authors of this study 

 Further development of this new biomaterial could prove to be an effective therapeutic treatment option for people suffering from tooth sensitivity.

Tooth sensitivity is a common complaint amongst patients, and while there are plenty of products on the market, not every patient is able to find a successful solution. Certain compounds found in green tea leaves not only provides a new treatment option, but a more natural one for patients who prefer a more organic approach. Continue below to find out more. 

Green Tea Polyphenols â€“ A New Treatment for Tooth Sensitivity?

Though many people understand the importance of dental care, they often feel they have no time to visit a dentist.

In a new effort to connect American adults with dentists around the country, the American Dental Association (ADA) has launched a new digital campaign to encourage regular dental visits.

New online advertisements can be viewed through a mixture of Facebook posts, animated display advertising and search advertising. Those that click on the ads will be sent to the ADA’s 

 online search tool, which allows users to enter their address or zip code, the distance they’d travel to see a dentist, the dental specialty they require and even a specific dentist’s name. People who visit the site can also learn more about important oral health issues, and dentists can update their ADA member profiles to help patients find them more easily.

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Using the tagline “your teeth are amazing,” the ADA hopes the campaign will emphasize how vital it is for people to take care of their teeth. It is anticipated that this targeted effort will reach up to 19.6 million prospective new patients, allowing them to easily connect with the more than 161,000 ADA member dentists.

“ADA dentists make a substantial impact on the health and well-being of their communities,” Joseph P. Crowley, ADA President-elect, 

. “Our research indicated that many people understand the importance of regular dental visits, but their busy lives get in the way of scheduling an appointment. This campaign reminds them that seeing a dentist is an important part of taking care of their teeth.”

The new campaign is the first phase in a larger, three-year initiative projected to cost around $18 million. It was approved during the 2016 ADA annual meeting after a review of research insights from the ADA health policy institute. Data collected from a study identifying prospective patients who were most likely to seek out dental care was also included.

Patients' busy lives often lead them to neglect to schedule regular dental visits. The American Dental Association hopes to change that with their new campaign, a digital effort to target more than 19 million potential patients and connect them with dentists. Continue below to find out more about the campaign, 