Studies highlight CT scan risks; mouthwash/cancer link questioned

Dear DrBicuspid Member,

New concerns about radiation exposure from computed tomography (CT) surfaced last week following the release of two studies that found that multislice CT scans cause much more cancer than previously estimated. While dentistry in general is opting for lower dosage cone-beam CT, experts recommend exercising restraint when using any imaging modality. Read more.

Meanwhile, in the Hygiene Community, conflicting reports about whether alcohol-based mouthwashes can be linked to an increased risk of oral cancer prompted British researchers to examine two epidemiological studies to determine if, in fact, there is a clear answer. While their conclusions provide some guidance for dental professionals, they fall short of being definitive. Read more.

And in Practice Management news, recent studies suggest that adding diabetes screening to a dental visit can enhance detection of this disease and thus improve overall patient care. Should more medical diagnostic procedures become standard practice in the dental office? Read more.

Finally, over on the Second Opinion page, Dr. Sheri Doniger laments the fact that this time of year tends to bring out the worst in some patients, while Dr. Don Deems examines some common sources of "dental exhaustion" and offers 10 tips to help rejuvenate yourself and your practice.