Dentists blast new Minnesota law; will Medicare adopt dentistry?

Dear DrBicuspid Member,

It's been quite a week in Minnesota, where state lawmakers made history by passing the first midlevel oral care provider legislation in the U.S. While some are hailing this as a landmark in the access-to-care issue, many in the dental community remain unconvinced and are concerned about the long-term implications for patients and practitioners alike. Read our coverage here and readers' comments here.

On the national front, after years of trying to stay out of government programs, organized dentistry in the U.S. is now working to be included in government healthcare programs. Will President Barack Obama's healthcare reform plans lead to dentistry becoming part of Medicare? Read more.

Meanwhile, regulatory agencies and dental associations are examining reports that overuse of zinc-based denture adhesives may cause neurological damage. While a direct causal link has not yet been established, dentists are being advised to counsel denture-wearing patients to ensure they aren't using too much adhesive. Read more.

And more clinical reports from the recent International Association for Dental Research meeting: A study presented by Brazilian researchers adds to the growing body of evidence that it is not necessary to remove all caries prior to doing a restoration; details here. And results from ongoing research at New York University found that pregnant women with periodontal disease may be at increased risk of developing gestational diabetes even if they don't smoke or drink. Click here to read more.