Week in Review: U.S. teen e-cigarette use & sales | 5 largest insurers | Epinephrine use

Dear DrBicuspid Member,

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported that more than 20% of U.S. high school students have used electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) and their flavor delivering systems on a regular basis in 2018, almost double the number from 2017. Learn more here.

In response, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, MD, issued a directive on how and where e-cigarettes can be sold. Read more here.

I think we can all agree that if 20% of high school students are admitting e-cigarette use, the actual number is significantly greater. I'm not sure the steps in the FDA directive are enough to combat this significant oral and public health issue, but it does create an opportunity for more discussion with your patients.

Also this week on DrBicuspid.com, we brought you an updated list of the top five large-group dental carriers in the U.S. While it is no surprise that MetLife is the first company on the list, four of the five companies saw their total dental premiums drop from 2017 to 2018. See the list here.

Should epinephrine be used with local anesthesia for dental procedures in adult patients who previously had heart failure? Researchers reported their answer to this question at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions on November 11. Read more here.

I want to thank everyone who voted for our Dental Excellence Awards. We had more than twice as many votes as last year, showing your enthusiasm for the best new products and services in dentistry. We're tallying the votes and will announce the winners in mid-December.