Dear DrBicuspid Member,
Oral piercings may make parents shudder and dentists cringe, but they are here to stay. Consequently, it's in the best interest of everyone involved to ensure that it's done safely, and the Association of Professional Piercers wants to work with oral health professionals to make that happen. Read Associate Editor Rob Goszkowski's feature here.
Genetic testing may predict the aggressiveness of oral cancer, according to a new study in Clinical Cancer Research. A highly accurate diagnostic test could alter the clinical management of oral cancer patients, according to Missouri researchers. Read Features Editor Donna Domino's article here.
U.S. scientists have applied a new technique to comprehensively analyze the human oral microbiome, providing greater knowledge of the diversity of the bacteria in the mouth, according to a study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The findings will enable researchers to examine the role of bacterial communities in health and disease. Read more here.
Diode lasers may have an important role in nonsurgical periodontal therapy for some patients, especially those with diabetes or compromised health. But the use of these lasers is somewhat controversial, report the authors of a recent study in the Journal of Dental Hygiene. Read more here.
As Rob Goszkowski's well-sourced and researched article on oral piercing details, the issues include safety, cleaning, drainage, and proper placement. Even if you aren't a pediatric dentist, chances are you're going to see patients with piercings, and having the proper treatment knowledge builds a bridge to your patients, whether they retain the piercings or not.
Have a safe and happy Fourth of July.
