Butler on stress management; CDA Presents highlights; can you recognize sleep apnea?

Dear DrBicuspid Member,

In her latest column, stress management expert Jen Butler urges you to think about your "I'm gonna start ..." statements, which can create disappointment, guilt, and even stress. Her advice is to focus on small steps and specifics. Go slow to go fast, she writes.

Last week, the California Dental Association (CDA) hosted the Northern California edition of CDA Presents in San Francisco. The conference featured clinical presentations, continuing education, and new product launches for the thousands of attendees and hundreds of exhibitors. View our slideshow of some highlights here.

In a presentation at CDA Presents, Dr. Steve Carstensen of Bellevue, WA, spoke on the importance of recognizing sleep apnea in patients who may not know they suffer from it. He also offered suggestions on how to treat this condition, such as oral appliance therapy. Read more here.

An unusual kind of immune cell in the tongue appears to play a pivotal role in preventing thrush, according to a study in the Journal of Experimental Medicine. The findings may suggest why some patients are more susceptible to this oral yeast infection and could lead to the development of treatments in these highly vulnerable patients. Read more here.

On Monday, we are launching a new Google+ Hangout, featuring infection-control expert Eve Cuny, of the Organization for Safety, Asepsis, and Prevention and the University of the Pacific's Dugoni School of Dentistry. Her thoughts on how infection control impacts your practice are well worth your time.