More FQHC dentists will be needed; DentaQuest awards 20 oral health grants

Dear DrBicuspid Member,

Here's some welcome news stemming from the U.S. healthcare reform law: It sets aside enough funding to double the number of federally qualified health centers (FQHCs), according to a presentation last week at the ADA annual session.

And these facilities -- which supply valuable training for dental students and a "second home" for many retired dentists -- are likely to need more manpower. Read more.

In related news, the DentaQuest Foundation is moving forward with efforts to spur a national movement to reverse oral health disparities in the U.S. The foundation this week announced the first Oral Health 2014 Initiative awards, with each grantee receiving up to $100,000 plus additional resources to develop and implement oral health projects in their states.

Click here to read what states and organizations received the awards, and what they plan to do with them.

And in clinical news, what can you do for a patient whose braces are shredding the inside of their mouth or who is suffering from stomatitis?

One new solution is the PerioPatch, an oral patch with a hydrogel barrier and an effective adhesive that keeps the patch in place -- and speeds the healing process, according to the company that manufactures and markets it. Read more.