Week in Review: Girl swallows orthodontic wire | Harassment of hygienists | The cost of periodontal disease

Dear DrBicuspid Member,

Summer is approaching and more relaxed days may be on the horizon, but the dental news shows no sign of slowing down.

Our top story of the week detailed the diagnosis and recovery of an 11-year-old girl in California who unknowingly swallowed a 2.7-cm orthodontic wire. The authors of the new report, which was published in the August issue of the Journal of Pediatric Surgery Case Reports, believe this is the first case of dental hardware being dislodged and causing appendicitis in a child.

A computed tomography scan revealed the wire and helped clinicians make the diagnosis. The case highlights the importance of promptly moving forward with appropriate treatment when imaging reveals a radiolucent object in the appendix, the authors wrote.

In other news, dental hygienists experience multiple inappropriate behaviors at work, including verbal attacks, sexual innuendos, and evaluation of their appearance, according to a study published in the International Journal of Dental Hygiene. Using a questionnaire that measures what dental hygienists experience can help monitor situations and prevent hostile work environments, the study authors concluded.

According to an editorial in Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology and Oral Radiology, handheld intraoral x-ray units should not replace conventional fixed dental x-ray machines; instead, portable units should be supplemental. Learn about three factors to consider before integrating handheld x-ray into your practice.

The U.S. lost $154.1 billion in 2018 due to periodontal disease, according to a new analysis in the Journal of Periodontology. The loss was worse in Europe, where periodontal disease cost the region approximately 158.6 billion euros ($194 billion U.S.).

Finally, implementing point-of-care pregnancy testing before dental procedures that involve the use of intravenous sedation could help manage practice risk, researchers have found. They reviewed the feasibility of implementing preprocedure pregnancy testing at an outpatient oral and maxillofacial clinic in New York City. The cost came to $70.40 per pregnancy identified; however, testing also limited the liability of surgeons.

Until next time, enjoy your weekend and stay tuned for the latest news and research.