News about the COVID-19 pandemic has dominated nearly all of DrBicuspid.com's communities, so it's no shock that these stories account for eight of our top 10 stories of 2020. Surprisingly, our top story of the year wasn't about SARS-CoV-2.
Here are the top 10 stories of 2020:
- Imaging reveals baby girl in SC born with 2nd mouth
Magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography helped clinicians determine that a mass located on the chin of a newborn girl was a second oral cavity. The cavity contained unerupted teeth and an accessory tongue that moved in sync with her oral tongue, according to a case report. - Sugar substitutes lead to long-term changes in rats
Sugar substitutes, such as aspartame and stevia, may have long-lasting effects on the brain and gut. Rats with in-utero exposure to low-calorie sweeteners had altered insulin sensitivity, gut bacteria, body weight, and even dopamine pathways, a study revealed. - 2 things every dentist should do in the wake of ADA's unprecedented action
In March, the ADA called on dental practices across the U.S. to postpone nonemergency procedures due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This article offers guidance on recommended actions following the ADA's unprecedented move. - Dental teams not at risk of getting COVID-19 at work, study finds
Public health dentists and dental assistants in Italy who treated patients while the COVID-19 pandemic ran rampant did not appear to develop the disease. The occupational risk of dentists and dental assistants for COVID-19 was estimated to be zero when they adhered to basic infection control standards, according to an article in Oral Diseases. - 46% of dental offices may collapse if COVID-19 restrictions continue
An astounding 46% of dentists reported that they would not be able to sustain their practices if they were forced to keep postponing all nonemergency treatments through the end of August due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to data from the ADA Health Policy Institute. - An open letter to Dr. Anthony Fauci from a dental hygienist
Amanda Hill, RDH, BSDH, asked Dr. Anthony Fauci to consider dental care when he begins looking at healthcare inequities and access to care after the pandemic is over. - 6 steps to reduce the tension between dentists and dental hygienists
As dental practices began reopening following COVID-19 shutdowns, tensions began flaring between dental hygienists and dentists. Hill offers tips to get the two sides to understand each other and resolve their issues. - Which mouthwashes inactivated SARS-CoV-2 the best?
Over-the-counter mouthwashes may inactivate SARS-CoV-2, reducing the viral load in patients' mouths for a short period of time and potentially cutting the risk of transmission. Three mouthwashes that contained the active ingredients of either dequalinium chloride and benzalkonium chloride, polyvidone-iodine, or ethanol and essential oils significantly reduced the viral infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 to undetectable levels, according to a study. - Ultraviolet light shows where PPE failures occur
Many healthcare workers improperly use personal protective equipment (PPE), which shields them from viruses, such as the one causing COVID-19, according to an article published in Medical Education. Healthcare workers participated in a training exercise in which they wore full PPE to treat a pretend patient sprayed with a simulated contagion. Once they finished the exercise, ultraviolet light showed that they exposed themselves to infections by failing to put on or take off PPE properly. - Colo. dental offices accused of defying COVID-19 orders
Several dental practices in Colorado were sent cease-and-desist letters for performing elective procedures, violating the state's stay-at-home order to slow the spread of COVID-19. The U.S. Attorney General's Office for the State of Colorado sent the letters in March after receiving "alarming" reports that clinicians at many Comfort Dental franchises were treating patients for elective surgeries and procedures.
