DrBicuspid.com Hygiene Insider

Dear Hygiene Insider,

Oral microbiota could play a role in identifying patients at risk for healthcare-associated pneumonia, according to a study presented October 22 at the annual meeting of the Infectious Diseases Society of America.

Researchers from Yale University used advanced DNA sequencing to show that the types of bacterial communities that normally reside in adults' mouths change substantially as their risk for developing pneumonia increases.

In fact, there was a distinct divergence between the oral bacteria of mechanically ventilated intensive care unit patients who developed pneumonia and those who did not. Read more in this latest Hygiene Insider Exclusive.

In other Hygiene Community news, a Massachusetts dentist is being sued by the U.S. Department of Labor for firing an employee after she voiced concerns about needlestick hazards in the office and filed a health hazard complaint with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Click here to read more.

And Fort Hays State University intends to offer a bachelor's degree program to train registered dental practitioners (RDPs), pending passage of legislation establishing RDPs as a class of dental care provider in Kansas. Read more.

In product news, Philips showcased its new Sonicare AirFloss at the CDA fall session. Will this unique device, which uses compressed air to accelerate microdroplets of water or mouthwash in between teeth to remove plaque, motivate more patients to floss? Click here to read more.

Also, a self-adhering, slowly dissolving disk that releases xylitol, cellulose gum, and mint flavor is effective in relieving dry mouth during prolonged periods of sleep, according to a study in the International Journal of Dental Hygiene. Read more.

And a new option is available for helping patients recover from everything from oral surgery to a nasty cheek bite. The PerioPatch is a hydrogel barrier with an effective adhesive that keeps it where it is placed in the mouth -- and speeds the healing process, according to the manufacturer.

On the clinical front, a number of studies have investigated whether treating periodontal disease reduces adverse pregnancy outcomes, but the jury is still out. A recent meta-analysis found that it doesn't, but some experts still disagree.

Also, can a medicinal root that tastes like candy help prevent caries and treat alveolar bone loss in periodontal disease? A literature review in Oral Diseases found that licorice root appears to have many beneficial effects in the oral cavity, but the study authors caution that more clinical trials are needed. Read more.

And durian fruit, popular in Southeast Asia, has a tough, spiky rind that appears to have some positive oral hygiene implications. In a study presented at the recent ADA annual session, a team of Thai researchers found that it is nontoxic, reduces bad breath, and reduces bacteria in the oral cavity. Click here to find out more.

Finally, research has shown that, even with the use of barrier envelopes, bacterial contamination of digital radiography sensors can still occur. A recent study offers some practical tips to help ensure that dental practices keep patients safe from cross-contamination during digital x-ray exams.