Dear DrBicuspid Member,
A study published this week in the journal Cancer is creating quite a stir in the mainstream media and the radiology community.
The study, conducted by researchers from Yale University, Duke University, the University of California, San Francisco, and the University of Texas, found that people who received frequent dental x-rays are at greater risk of developing meningioma, a largely benign brain tumor that is the most commonly diagnosed brain tumor in the U.S.
While these findings support the need for practitioners to "image wisely," some dental and radiology experts question the study's methodology and conclusions.
In other news, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation has released another report that favors the dental therapist model. The extensive literature review of care provided by dental therapists worldwide indicates that these healthcare professionals offer safe and effective dental care, especially for children. But the ADA and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry say the report falls short on many counts.
And in response to a Second Opinion op-ed piece published last week on DrBicuspid.com, Pam Quinones, RDH, president of the American Dental Hygienists' Association (ADHA), took pen in hand to defend the ADHA's advanced dental hygiene practitioner model. Read more.
Finally, a Texas dentist specializing in oncology has seen his practice expand rapidly in recent years as he helps cancer patients battle the oral side effects of chemotherapy and radiation treatment. Is dental oncology becoming a specialty in its own right?
Click here to read more.
