More midlevel providers? And, loan repayment programs threatened

Dear DrBicuspid Member,

The midlevel provider debate is already making its way to the national level. The first draft of healthcare reform legislation by the U.S. Senate proposes to fund 15 pilot programs for midlevel dental providers across the U.S. Read more.

And as recession-battered U.S. states look for ways to trim their budgets, some are eying programs that will affect dental students -- now, and in the future. At risk are several state-based loan repayment programs. Read more.

Orofacial pain, biofilms, and too-white teeth

The complexities of orofacial pain, combined with a lack of adequate pain education, make diagnosing and treating conditions such as temporomandibular disorder a challenge. And the situation isn't likely to change any time soon unless dental schools alter their curricula, according to pain experts.

In clinical news, researchers at the University of Southern California and Loma Linda University have developed a dental probe that uses nonthermal plasma to eliminate biofilms in the oral cavity. They say it's better and safer than lasers when it comes to endodontic disinfection.

Also, a study published in the June Journal of the American Dental Association found that dental practitioners and patients alike do not always favor the whitest smile, nor do they perceive all skin colors to be equally attractive with bright white teeth. Read more.

And dentist/comic Jimmy Earll is back, this time with a warning that, when it comes to halitosis, dental practitioners should practice what they preach.

Finally, two housekeeping items: First, all content on DrBicuspid.com is now available only to registered members. If you're a registered member, you'll need to log in with your user name and password to view our content; if not, you'll need to register in order to read articles and view other information on the site. If you have any questions, please e-mail [email protected].

And starting June 22, you'll be able to enjoy DrBicuspid's Letter from the Editor twice a week. Look for it in your e-mail inbox every Monday and Wednesday. More great dental news from your favorite online source!