What's causing war vets' tooth decay? And, bib clips harbor tough bacteria

Dear DrBicuspid Member,

A number of U.S. military veterans who served in Iraq have developed severe tooth decay and other oral health problems after returning to the states, and so far no one has been able to figure out why.

But a news reporter in Texas better known for his groundbreaking investigation into dental Medicaid fraud has taken it upon himself to try and solve the mystery -- and his efforts have helped some of the veterans get much-needed care that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs refused to provide. Read more.

Meanwhile, dentists in Florida who participate in the state's Healthy Kids and Medicaid programs have been frustrated by delays in reimbursement from DentaQuest for fluoride treatments they've provided to hundreds of pediatric patients. Click here to read what caused the delays and what DentaQuest is doing to fix the problem.

In Hygiene Community news, a significant number of dental bib clips harbor bacteria from patients, dental clinicians, and the environment even after the clips undergo standard disinfection procedures, according to a new study in the Compendium of Continuing Education in Dentistry.

Finally, how are your patients reacting to the recent news about thousands of dental patients in Oklahoma potentially being exposed to hepatitis and HIV at an oral surgeon's practice? In her new column, Sheri's Solutions, Dr. Sheri Doniger shares some interesting infection-control conversations she's had this week.