Dear DrBicuspid Member,
Are dental x-rays necessary for diagnosing caries in primary teeth? In the top story of the week, one research team says no -- a conclusion creating some buzz in the comments.
The team looked at the accuracy of caries diagnosis through visual inspection versus x-rays. The results, published in BMC Oral Health, showed about one-third of caries diagnosed in preschool children using dental x-rays conflicted with assessments using oral exams alone.
Based on the findings, the authors concluded that visual inspection alone should be conducted in regular clinical practice. They also advocated for revisiting the clinical guidelines for caries diagnosis.
Mental health, dental health, and COVID-19
The link between mental health, dental health, and COVID-19 may not be as far-fetched as you might think, according to the findings of a pair of recent studies.
In the first study, people with orofacial pain experienced higher levels of depression, anxiety, and psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic. Approximately half of those with orofacial pain experienced symptoms that were representative of a severe psychological disorder, the Dental and Medical Problems study showed.
Additionally, patients with dental fear likely have anxiety and touch their faces more often, which may lead to greater spread of the novel coronavirus at dental practices, according to a study in BMC Oral Health. Understanding the links between anxiety disorders and physical behavior may help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and help clinicians compose effective interventions to improve oral healthcare in these patients.
Dental health vs. antibiotics
When it comes to preventing a type of heart infection caused by oral bacteria, good dental health is better than antibiotics, according to a new landmark statement from the American Heart Association (AHA).
The multidisciplinary team behind the statement reviewed the evidence around the AHA's watershed 2007 guidelines that recommended dentists limit the use of antibiotic prophylaxis to only four types of patients. The statement not only supported more restrictive antibiotic use but also upheld maintaining good dental health as a key component of preventing infective endocarditis.
Be a better leader
Leadership gets complicated when human interactions get complicated, noted Dr. Roger P. Levin in his weekly Do's and Don'ts column. Levin shared some practical tips for making leadership simple through the use of positivity and transparency.
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