Gorillas in the operatory; the secret life of biofilms

Dear DrBicuspid Member,

How well do states across the U.S. follow Medicaid's early and periodic screening, diagnosis, and treatment (EPSDT) guidelines for at-risk children?

The March issue of the Journal of the American Dental Association features a report on state compliance with recommended best practices for infants and toddlers as defined by state EPSDT schedules. The survey was sponsored by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) and is the first of its kind to assess state-by-state compliance with the guidelines. Click here to read how your state fared.

In a related op-ed piece, Dr. Paul Casamassimo, director of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry's Oral Health Policy Research Center, looks at how the Affordable Care Act could affect children's oral healthcare, given inadequate Medicaid reimbursement rates, middle-class economic challenges, oral health literacy issues, and other "gorillas in the operatory."

Finally, bacteria flowing through medical devices form biofilms that then trap more bacteria, ultimately creating a barrier that can clog critical tubes and filters much more quickly than previously thought, according to a new study out of Princeton University that includes a fascinating time-lapse video of how biofilms do their dirty work. Read more.