NJDA sues over fee capping; perio laser research lacking; Ultreo returns

Dear DrBicuspid Member,

Upset by insurance companies that cap fees for procedures they don't cover, dentists around the U.S. are asking state legislatures to outlaw the practice -- and a growing number have complied. Now the New Jersey Dental Association (NJDA) is taking a different approach: litigation. Read more.

In other legal news, a West Virginia woman who claims she received defective and ill-fitting dentures from Allcare Dental and Dentures is suing the company for breach of contract and breach of implied warranty. Read more.

In clinical news, the use of lasers as an adjunct or alternative to conventional therapies for perio disease is based on the claim that subgingival curettage and eradication of pathogenic bacteria will lead to the elimination of periodontal pockets, according to a study in the Journal of the Canadian Dental Association. While the author contends there is little scientific evidence to support these claims, some experts believe the issue is not so black and white. Read more.

And it appears Ultreo, once a competitor in the power toothbrush market before closing its doors in 2008, has resurfaced with a new Web site, new investors, and a new manufacturing facility. Click here to find out when the company expects its first batch of replacement heads to be available.

Finally, in her latest Dental Diaries entry, Dr. Sheri Doniger shares her experiences with the four types of "emergency patients" that tend to walk through her door. Sound familiar?

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