池田勇太、好発進が一転噛み合わず4位タイに後退

2011年07月29日19時39分




リーダーズボード
順位 選手名 スコア1 平塚　哲二 -13
2 K・アフィバーンラト -9
3 井上　忠久 -8
4 キム・ヒョンテ -6
J・チョイ -6
丸山　大輔 -6
池田　勇太 -6
8 片岡　大育 -5
9 海老根　文博 -4
武藤　俊憲 -4


順位の続きを見る





池田勇太はスコアを伸ばせず4位タイに後退（撮影：岩井康博）






＜サン・クロレラ クラシック　2日目◇29日◇小樽カントリー倶楽部(7,471ヤード・パー72)＞

　北海道にある小樽カントリー倶楽部で開催されている、国内男子ツアー「サン・クロレラ クラシック」。初日6アンダー2位と好スタートを切った池田勇太だったが、この日はボギーが先行する苦しいゴルフ。2つスコアを伸ばして迎えた8番ではダブルボギーを叩き、この日はスコアを伸ばせず4位タイに後退した。

3度目予選落ちの遼、スイング改造「1、2か月はかかる」

　初日とは打って変わって停滞した池田だが、「絶好調とかではないから。昨日みたいに噛み合えば良いスコアになるし、今日みたいならその逆になる」と深刻にとらえてはいない。この日午後組で回った選手は風にも悩まされたが「吹くことを前提に回ってるんだから、なんてことはない」とあるがままの状態でコースと向き合っている。

　「バーディチャンスを獲れていないのが、流れに乗れない理由」。首位の平塚哲二とは7打差と差が開いたが、この男がひとたび流れをつかめばまだまだわからない。


【2日目の順位】
1位：平塚哲二(-13)
2位：キラデク・アフィバーンラト(-9)
3位：井上忠久(-8)
4位T：池田勇太(-6)
4位T：H・T・キム(キム・ヒョンテ)(-6)
4位T：J・チョイ(-6)
4位T：丸山大輔(-6)
8位：片岡大育(-5)
9位T：海老根文博(-4)
9位T：武藤俊憲(-4)
9位T：井上信(-4)

40位T：※松山英樹(E)他15名

勝負強さ発揮！松山英樹、土壇場の猛チャージで予選通過！

2011年07月29日19時53分




リーダーズボード
順位 選手名 スコア1 平塚　哲二 -13
2 K・アフィバーンラト -9
3 井上　忠久 -8
4 キム・ヒョンテ -6
J・チョイ -6
丸山　大輔 -6
池田　勇太 -6
8 片岡　大育 -5
9 海老根　文博 -4
武藤　俊憲 -4


順位の続きを見る





驚異の粘りで見事予選を突破した松山英樹（撮影：岩井康博）






＜サン・クロレラ クラシック　2日目◇29日◇小樽カントリー倶楽部(7,471ヤード・パー72)＞

　国内男子ツアー「サン・クロレラ クラシック」の2日目。初日1オーバー61位タイの松山英樹はこの日1つスコアを伸ばし、トータルイーブンパー40位タイで予選通過を果たした。

【関連ニュース】3度目予選落ちの遼、スイング改造「1、2か月はかかる」

　スーパーアマチュアの力を見せた。序盤は12番パー3で1オンしながら、まさかの4パットでダブルボギー。思うようなプレーをさせてもらえず「つまらないミスが多くて、ラウンドしながら悔しいことが多かった」。しかし、3オーバーと予選落ちが見えている中で迎えた5番で4メートルを沈めてバーディを奪うと、続く6番でもバーディ。さらに、8番では残り約100ヤードのセカンドショットを1メートルにつけバーディを奪取。「ホッとしています」土壇場で驚異の粘りを見せ予選通過をはたした。

　この2日間は得意なはずのパッティングで苦しんだ。「まったく入る気がしなかったですね。12番のファーストパット打ってから変な感じになって4パット。今からでも、ホテルに帰ってからでもパターの練習をしたい」と小樽の難グリーンに悩まされた。それでも、最後は勝負強さを発揮して急浮上。「5番、6番、8番は良いバーディが獲れて、(そこまでを)忘れるくらい良い内容だった」もう怖いものはなにもない。残り2日間はプロのトーナメントを思う存分暴れてみせる。


【2日目の順位】
1位：平塚哲二(-13)
2位：キラデク・アフィバーンラト(-9)
3位：井上忠久(-8)
4位T：池田勇太(-6)
4位T：H・T・キム(キム・ヒョンテ)(-6)
4位T：J・チョイ(-6)
4位T：丸山大輔(-6)
8位：片岡大育(-5)
9位T：海老根文博(-4)
9位T：武藤俊憲(-4)
9位T：井上信(-4)

40位T：※松山英樹(E)他15名

※はアマチュア

大洗、和合制した難コースキラー平塚、13アンダーで一人旅

2011年07月29日20時36分




リーダーズボード
順位 選手名 スコア1 平塚　哲二 -13
2 K・アフィバーンラト -9
3 井上　忠久 -8
4 キム・ヒョンテ -6
J・チョイ -6
丸山　大輔 -6
池田　勇太 -6
8 片岡　大育 -5
9 海老根　文博 -4
武藤　俊憲 -4


順位の続きを見る





平塚哲二がスコアを6つ伸ばして首位をキープ！（撮影：岩井康博）










＜サン・クロレラ クラシック　2日目◇29日◇小樽カントリー倶楽部(7,471ヤード・パー72)＞

　小樽カントリー倶楽部で開催されている、国内男子ツアー「サン・クロレラ クラシック」の2日目。平塚哲二が連日の大爆発を見せトータル13アンダーでホールアウト。2位のキラデク・アフィバーンラト(タイ)に4打差をつけて独走態勢に入った。

【関連ニュース】池田勇太、好発進が一転噛み合わず4位タイに後退

　比較的風の穏やかな午前組でプレーした平塚は初日の勢いそのままに序盤から快調にスコアを伸ばしていく。前半を9アンダーで終えると、1番、2番で連続バーディ、さらに5番、6番でもバーディを奪いもはやこの時点で一人旅。「(チャンス)上がりで外してしまって、3つ。もったいなかった」と余力すら感じさせる内容で単独首位をキープした。

　全英オープンを終えて痛めた左手首は完治しておらず、「ラフに入れると痛い」とコンディションは万全とはいえない。しかし、好調のパッティングに加え、「ここはいつもスコアが良い。嫌いじゃないんですよね」という小樽カントリー倶楽部との相性良さも好スコアを後押ししている。

　「このまま続けて上がっていきたい。いけるところまでいきたい。少しでも伸ばしたい」と語る平塚は、各選手が苦しむのを尻目に一人別のコースでプレーをしているかのような雰囲気を漂わせている。これまでの5勝を挙げている平塚だが、大洗、東京よみうり、和合、難しいコースにめっぽう強い。難コースキラーが北の名門・小樽完全攻略を視界にとらえた。


【2日目の順位】
1位：平塚哲二(-13)
2位：キラデク・アフィバーンラト(-9)
3位：井上忠久(-8)
4位T：池田勇太(-6)
4位T：H・T・キム(キム・ヒョンテ)(-6)
4位T：J・チョイ(-6)
4位T：丸山大輔(-6)
8位：片岡大育(-5)
9位T：海老根文博(-4)
9位T：武藤俊憲(-4)
9位T：井上信(-4)

40位T：※松山英樹(E)他15名

※はアマチュア

＜中間速報＞平塚哲二が首位をキープ、池田勇太は3打差4位

2011年07月30日13時29分




リーダーズボード
順位 選手名 スコア1 池田　勇太 -14
2 平塚　哲二 -13
3 K・アフィバーンラト -11
4 井上　忠久 -10
5 丸山　大輔 -9
6 松山　英樹 -8
岩田　寛 -8
J・チョイ -8
9 S・コンラン -7
K・バーンズ -7


順位の続きを見る


＜サン・クロレラ クラシック　3日目◇30日◇小樽カントリー倶楽部(7,471ヤード・パー72)＞

　北海道にある小樽カントリー倶楽部を舞台に開催中の国内男子ツアー、「サン・クロレラ クラシック」3日目。すべての選手が前半のプレーを終了した。

　平塚哲二は前半ではスコアを伸ばせなかったもののトータル13アンダーで首位をキープ。2打差でキラデク・アフィバーンラト（タイ）、14ホールを消化し8つスコアを伸ばした岩田寛が3打差で追走している。

　池田勇太は10ホールを消化し、3つスコアを伸ばしてトータル9アンダーで暫定4位。昨日驚異の粘りを見せ予選を突破したスーパーアマ、松山英樹は15ホールを消化しトータル6アンダー暫定11位タイに浮上している。

Research Developed to Increase Cancer Knowledge

Written by Dentistry TodayFriday, 13 January 2012 12:34



New information will help scientists better understand cancer.

A research team can now learn more about oral cancer thanks to a 3-dimensional model of lab-made tissue that represents the oral cavity. Using this model, researchers discovered that the tissue can trigger something in the cell adhesion protein involved with the development of cancer.

The study was published in the January issue of Epigenetics.

This information indicates that drugs being tested for the purpose of treating cancer need to undergo more rigorous standards before being placed on the market. These new tissue-like systems can tell the researchers more than petri dish-type models.

The reason why this model is successful is because of the way the system triggers mechanisms that determine whether or not genes involved with cancer will be activated or not. The researchers were able to see the interaction between cells because of the tissue structure.

Invasion and metastasis happen when the cells break off from the main cancer site. Finding ways to treat cancers to bring back the protein E-cadherin is a vital method to limit the progression of cancer.

The research team included Teresa DesRochers, PhD, a graduate of the Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences at Tufts, and currently in the department of biomedical engineering at Tufts University School of Engineering; Jonathan Garlick, DDS, PhD, a professor in the oral and maxillofacial pathology department at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine; Laurie Jackson-Grusby, PhD, associate in pathology at Children's Hospital, Boston, and assistant professor at Harvard Medical School; Yulia Shamis, MSc, a PhD student at the Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences; Addy Alt-Holland, MSc, PhD, an assistant professor at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine; Yasusei Kudo, DDS, PhD, and Takashi Takata, DDS, PhD, both of the department of oral and maxillofacial pathobiology, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Hiroshima University, Japan; and Guangwen Wang, PhD, previously a fellow at Children's Hospital Boston, now a senior scientist at Stemgent.

Licorice Battles Bacteria That Causes Tooth Decay

Written by Dentistry TodayWednesday, 18 January 2012 15:35



There are two substances in licorice that may be extremely beneficial to dentistry.

The substances, which happen to be used in Chinese medicine, kill the bacteria associated with tooth decay and gum disease. A study from theJournal of Natural Products states that they could successfully treat dental problems like tooth decay and gum disease.

The dried root that comes from the licorice is what does the trick, according to the studies. It will be great for people in China since it's a common substance in many forms of medicine. In the United States, however, the dried licorice root has been replaced by anise oil, something that is said to have to a similar taste.

In the past, dried licorice has been used to treat many health issues, such as respiratory and digestive problems. According to some modern science, however, it's unclear if the licorice actually works, and it may clash with other prescriptions or cause unwanted side effects.

Researchers wanted to analyze all aspects of the substances in the dried licorice to determine what factor is capable of killing bacteria.

There are two licorice compounds, known as licoricidin and licorisoflavan A, that were the most effective in eliminating bacteria. The substances killed bacteria associated with cavities and gum disease. The evidence was overwhelming that these substances were effective in treating oral issues.

Smoothies Can Cause Dental Problems

Written by Dentistry TodayThursday, 19 January 2012 14:49



Parents should stay away from allowing their children to drink smoothies.

The high acidity level in the smoothies is capable of resulting in dental problems. Even smoothies that claim to have a health value are actually causing a type of acid erosion.

Half of children around age 5 in some countries have shown signs of tooth wear, and the cause is the multitude fruit-based acidic drinks. The acid loosens up the enamel, making way for tooth erosion. The teeth are then more susceptible to damage and decay.

The problems stem from the fact that children aren’t drinking enough water. With so much access to fruit drinks, children are opting for those instead.

According to some dentists, children understand that consuming too many sweets is terrible for their teeth. The children, however, don’t understand the idea that fruit juices can have a similar type of negative impact.

The problem with fruit juice and smoothies stems from the fact that the pH level is in the range between 2 and 3. Any substance with a pH lower than 5 will attack the teeth.

This problem is pervading all groups of people, regardless of their economic means. To combat the issue, it’s essential for manufacturers of these types of drinks to show information about the possible effects of the products.

Consuming these drinks through a straw can limit the impact of the acidity, but that doesn’t completely nullify the impact of it.

Drug Could Lower Risk for Oral Cancer

Written by Dentistry TodayMonday, 02 April 2012 15:01



Metformin, a drug commonly used to treat diabetes, could lower the risk of oral cancer.

A new study in Cancer Prevention Research, which is a publication for the American Association for Cancer, came to this conclusion.

J. Silvio Gutkind, chief of the Oral Pharyngeal Cancer Branch of the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research at the National Institutes of Health, and some of his colleagues conducted extensive research involving premalignant lesions in laboratory mice and the impact metformin had on them. One of the reasons for the drug’s success was based on mTORC1, which is something that results in oral cancer.

Metformin may be the most commonly used treatment for type 2 diabetes. At the same time, people who take the drug have seen lower a risk for cancer. Specifically, metformin lowered the size and the number of carcinogen-induced oral tumoral lesions in mice. It also reduced the development of squamous cell carcinomas by about 70 to 90 percent.

The metformin was found to stop the spontaneous development of oral premalignancies into the head and neck squamous cell.

More research is necessary to determine whether or not this information will be applicable to humans during an extended period of time.

Free Clinic Enables Some Californians to Receive Dental Care

Written by Dentistry TodayWednesday, 04 April 2012 07:56



Thousands of people benefitted from a free medical clinic in Sacramento, Calif. last weekend.

During the four-day clinic, more than 3,000 people paid a visit for some kind of treatment. The clinic, which was organized by Remote Area Medical, included dental treatment, health checks, and vision checks. There were 400 medical professionals who volunteered for the event and 600 volunteers total.

There were some dentists who saw in the area of 200 to 300 patients, a figure that could take more than a week at a dentist’s regular office.

Some of the dental treatment included basic cleaning, while some of the more involved treatment included tooth extractions. There were even a few cases in which people had to have all of their teeth removed.

The goal of the clinic was to provide the unemployed and people without government assistance the kind of dental and medical treatment they wouldn’t otherwise have access to.

The total medical coverage at the clinic would have cost $1.3 million, according to FOX40 in Sacramento.

Dental Tattoo Could Be Innovative Addition to Dentistry

Written by Dentistry TodayThursday, 05 April 2012 09:35



Scientists are working on a tooth tattoo that could aid dentists in a significant way.

This new tooth tattoo would have the ability to detect early signs of tooth decay.

This tooth tattoo is made up of a chemical sensor, which would be able to notice the early signs of decay. It would then alert a dentist about this information through a type of wireless technology.

The tattoo is currently being worked on by a research team at Princeton University. The technology involved in the tattoo is similar to the technology used in electronic key cards.

This information comes from a research paper, which was recently published in the journal Nature Communications.

The researchers believe this would be an extremely beneficial way to monitor tooth decay. More research is necessary on specific aspects of the tattoo, like whether or not the device could hold up against the brushing. More tests will be conducted to learn about this issue and others that arise before the tattoo would be available.

Bad Brushing Techniques Could Result in Sensitive Teeth

Written by Dentistry TodayThursday, 31 May 2012 15:13



Brushing in the correct manner is just as important as brushing enough.

Many people brush their teeth too hard, and long-term problems could result. When brushing too hard, the gums can start to recede and make teeth more sensitive.

Teeth sensitivity from brushing too hard, among other reasons, is a common problem. Sugary drinks and teeth bleaching can also wear down enamel, leaving open the possibility of tooth sensitivity.

When people complain about sensitive teeth, their brushing technique is often called into question. Using a softer brush is the first step toward curbing the issue. Applying less pressure can be better then brushing one’s teeth firmly in many cases.

Informing people about the correct way to brush their teeth is the best step to prevent tooth sensitivity stemming from brushing too hard. After experiencing the initial sensitivity, seeing the dentist is the best option. If someone is encountering sensitivity to hot/cold drinks or food, the issue could be resulting from something other than poor brushing technique.

Dentists Attempt to Cut Down Patient Anxiety

Written by Dentistry TodayFriday, 01 June 2012 14:36



Dentists in Canada are trying to get more people to visit the dentist regularly. They figure limiting patient anxiety is a good way to make it happen.

Many people delay dental visits because they fear the possible treatment or the needles and drills that they may see. The result is obviously increased oral diseases and dental problems.

One Canadian dentist has even set up a Hate Dentists blog where people can express their fear of visiting the dentist and tell their stories. The goal is help people realize discussing these issues can help with their phobia of going for dental treatment.

Years ago, dentists weren’t as in tune with the fears that people encounter when facing dental visits. Based on the advances in dentistry, combined with the fact that dentists are more aware of dental fears, people don’t need to be as afraid as they were in the past.

The demeanor and attitude of the dentist can also be beneficial in allaying dental fears. That’s why the amount of people that fear dental visits isn’t as high as it was years ago.

Medicaid Fraud Busters Look to Prevent Repeat Occurrences

Written by Dentistry TodayMonday, 04 June 2012 15:17



Texas will try to make sure some dentists and orthodontists don’t try to pull any more Medicaid fraud.

The state hired a managed care firm to overlook all dental services provided in the state. Orthodontists now receive a flat payment for the work performed. The Texas Medicaid program now requires full dental molds to process a claim. The claims processing contractor also replaced the previous dental director. More orthodontists and staff have been added to cover all bases.

These sweeping changes were precipitated by the Medicaid payments Texas made two years ago. There was $185 million in reported Medicaid payments that year. The problem was that figure was more than the total the other 49 states combined spent on Medicaid.

This information led to an investigation in which it was discovered that people in Texas collectively don’t actually have teeth in that poor condition. Instead, some orthodontists were putting braces on children who didn’t them to drive up the cost of their Medicaid reimbursement payments—and making adjustments on the braces while keeping them on for an extended period of time.

Unfortunately for Texas, the figure in which the state has lost to fraudulent orthodontics is only a small portion of the total money Texas Medicaid loses. Nationwide, about $22 billion was lost last year due to improper Medicaid payments, according to some studies.

This national amount lost due to these fraudulent payments has declined in recent years, however. The percentage of Medicaid income lost due to fraud, abuse or other reasons was at 11 percent in 2008. In 2011, the figure was down to 8 percent. With more safeguards in place, widespread Medicaid fraud will likely continue to decrease.

Dental Care Necessary for Pets

Written by Dentistry TodayTuesday, 10 July 2012 15:27



The most common problem for pets is something the average pet owner would not suspect. But dental problems impact about three quarters of pets by the time they’re 4 years old.

The problems that develop can be considered similar to the problems that humans develop after leaving their teeth untreated.

When a pet’s breath smells poorly, it’s not just something that comes with the territory for pet owners. It generally signals some of kind of dental problem for your cat or dog. A smaller appetite, discolored teeth and the possibility of bleeding gums likely signify a dental problem as well.

Professional teeth cleanings by a veterinarian are the best way to prevent these problems from occurring.

There are also several ways for the pet owner to maintain their pet’s oral health at an acceptable level. Brushing your pet’s teeth is a key and can be done by using a soft-bristle brush and designated pet toothpaste. Rawhide chews and rubber chew toys serve as a method to remove plaque from dogs’ teeth. There are also specific foods and treats designed with your pet’s oral health in mind.

Molecule Thwarts Tooth Decay-Causing Bacteria

Written by Dentistry TodayWednesday, 11 July 2012 15:52



A molecule has been discovered that destroys the bacteria associated with tooth decay in just a matter of seconds.

The molecule eliminates streptococcus mutans within 60 seconds, stopping any possible development of cavities and tooth decay. Two entrepreneurs—one has a PhD in molecular biology from Yale (Jose Cordoba) and the other graduated from the University of Chile (Erich Astudillo)—have made the discovery.

Because of the natural presence of bacteria in the mouth, streptococcus mutans is often present. It doesn't develop into a potential problem until there is a buildup of plaque. The bacterial colonies then have the ability grow and wreak havoc on the mouth.

That's why it's so important to maintain solid oral health. That way, cavities and tooth decay won't be a problem. But this new molecule has the ability to pinpoint streptococcus mutans and prevent the lactic acid release, dental enamel erosion and the eventual cavity formation.

Before this molecule gets put into practice, safety regulations must first be passed. If all goes well, the product may be readily available by the end of 2013 in products that prevent tooth decay, like gum, toothpaste, mouthwashes, etc.

Dental Gum Recommended to Improve Oral Health

Written by Dentistry TodayThursday, 12 July 2012 15:30



Dental health gum could be used to prevent infection-causing oral bacteria from impacting your teeth.

Dental health gum, such as Lotte Xylitol, contains natural sugar called xylitol and calcium phosphates. When these substances are combined, they battle tooth decay and gum disease, while also serving to strengthen enamel.

The dental gum also serves as a way of stimulating saliva flow, while exercising facial muscles at the same time—both positive things for your oral health.

Dental patients can learn more about this gum by asking their dentists.

Chewing this type of gum, in addition to practicing the other basic steps to maintaining oral health, are the best to not worry about developing a dental problem.

Sugary McDonald’s Drink Declared Healthy in United Kingdom

Written by Dentistry TodayThursday, 13 September 2012 15:16



A health committee in the United Kingdom may want to re-explore a recent decision.

The Advertising Standards Authority claimed the McDonald’s drink Fruitizz can be part of the five-a-day portions of fruit and vegetables. The five-a-day portions of fruits and vegetables is a program that encourages healthy and drinking for children.

This ruling comes in spite of the fact that the drink contains six teaspoons of sugar.

The drink comprises fruit juice concentrate, fizzy water, natural flavorings and potassium sorbate.

A serving size of 250 mL has roughly 100 calories and 25 g of sugar. These levels of sugar stem from the amount of fruit juice content. Still, these levels did not nullify its ability to be considered healthy, according to the authority that makes these rulings.

This issue was examined after a British commercial mentioned the drink’s health benefits.

The ruling calls into question the standards used to determine a food or beverage’s health value.

Based on various studies, sugary drinks have been determined to cause tooth decay and erosion. There are also various other problems that can result from sugary drinks.

Still, based on the health standards for the five-a-day guidance in the United Kingdom, this drink manages to meet the requirements.

Nearly Half of American Adults have Gum Disease

Written by Dentistry TodayFriday, 14 September 2012 15:34



More adults in the United States have gum disease than one would think.

A new study shows that about 50 percent of American adults age 30 and older have gum disease. The study appears in a recent issue of the Journal of Dental Research.

Periodontitis is a major problem and leads to tooth loss in many cases.

To compile the data for this study, a research team looked through data from a previous study involving 3,700 adults age 30 and older. There were 47 percent of the people who had periodontitis—9 percent had mild gum disease, 30 percent suffered from moderate gum disease and 8.5 percent had severe gum disease. According to this information, roughly 65 million American adults have gum disease.

The research also concluded that 64 percent of adults age 65 and older had some type of periodontitis that could at least be considered moderate. This estimation is much larger than previous studies have indicated, according to the lead author Paul Eke.

The study also showed that the gum disease rates were highest for males, Mexican Americans, adults with less than a high school education, adults whose income would be considered below the poverty line and people that currently smoke.

There are several warning signs for gum disease, including swollen, tender, or bleeding gums. Chronic bad breath is another sign of gum disease.

Tooth Provides Dental History

Written by Dentistry TodayThursday, 20 September 2012 15:49



A recent discovery may provide the first tangible proof of dentistry.

A 6,500-year-old tooth was found and it contained traces of beeswax filling, according to the journal PLOS ONE.

The research team from the Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics in Italy determined that the beeswax was placed inside the person’s mouth right around the time the person died. If the beeswax was placed while the person was still alive, the goal was most likely to lower pain and sensitivity in the tooth. The pain likely stemmed from a vertical crack in the enamel and dentin.

The tooth was in poor shape, likely resulting from activities the tooth was involved in other than eating.

There is little proof in recorded history to show when the first usage of dentistry occurred. This specimen, which was was found in Slovenia, could provide an answer to this question.

This could be considered one of the most ancient examples of dentistry in Europe and it is likely the first instance in which there was some kind of treatment to alleviate pain from a “filling.”

New Jersey Dental Group Defrauds Medicaid

New Jersey Dental Group Defrauds Medicaid

Written by Dentistry TodayTuesday, 20 November 2012 16:40

A New Jersey dental company allegedly defrauded Medicaid out of more than $181,000.

The state Comptroller’s Office filed the claim against an East Orange dental group. The claims state that Anicia Cruz-Sledge took over the Gentle Dental Group in 2007 because her husband suffered from a medical condition prohibiting him from working in his dental practice.

Cruz-Sledge then proceeded to make Medicaid charges using her husband Edward's name. She even hired someone—Carl McGloster—who had been disbarred from participate in Medicaid in an attempt for him to take the place of her husband.

McGloster issued 290 prescriptions and 63 were for controlled dangerous substances, according to the reports. The prescription came from the prescription pad of Edward Cruz-Sledge.

Anicia Cruz-Sledge also admitted to posing as a dental assistant and hygienist without being licensed to do so. In addition, she hired two other dentists who weren’t approved to provide services to patients.

New Jersey stopped the Medicaid payments to Gentle Dental earlier this year and looks to recoup $1.3 million. The state is also seeking $510,000 from McGloster for the improper Medicaid claims. McGloster allegedly wrote 427 prescriptions to Medicaid patients, even though he wasn’t allowed to partake in the program.

Lack of Knowledge May Result in More Mouth Cancer Cases

Lack of Knowledge May Result in More Mouth Cancer Cases

Written by Dentistry TodayTuesday, 27 November 2012 11:04

Not being educated about mouth cancer could lead to a major problem.

The number of people impacted by mouth cancer has risen drastically in recent years. A recent survey indicated that a lack of knowledge about the causes and risk factors for oral cancer may be why the amount of cases has gone up so much as of late.

The survey was conducted by the British Dental Health Foundation.

About two out of three people said they would alter their lifestyle and change their diet if the changes would lower the risk of developing mouth cancer. One out of three people said they would make changes to their life if they were more educated about mouth cancer. And about 90 percent of the people surveyed said they did not think they were at any risk for mouth cancer.

The reason for many of the responses in the survey is simple: people just don’t know enough information about mouth cancer. It’s unfortunate because mouth cancer kills more people than cervical and testicular cancer combined.

To avoid the risk of oral cancer, it’s best to visit the dentist on a regular basis. That way, any irregularities in the mouth will be noticed before it’s too late.

New Book States Flossing Serves No Purpose

New Book States Flossing Serves No Purpose

Written by Dentistry TodayTuesday, 27 November 2012 12:35

Utilizing dental floss may be a waste of time, according to a new book.

Ellie Phillips, author of Kiss Your Dentist Goodbye, claims that flossing provides no benefit with regards to preventing tooth decay. Phillips, who was one of the first female dentists to train at Guy’s Hospital London, proposes certain types of mouthwash for the function that she claims flossing doesn’t accomplish.

She suggests using a certain mouthwash to eat away at the bacteria, then another mouthwash after brushing and a third mouthwash to protect and strengthen teeth. Phillips also recommends chewing gum containing xylitol, which has proven to lower the risk of decay.

Phillips’s book likely will create controversy based on the recommendations of many other dentists, who for years have been saying that people should floss regularly. In Phillips’s favor, however, there isn’t an overwhelming amount of research to suggest flossing is 100 percent effective in eliminating tooth decay.

Other dentists would argue that in instances when dental floss doesn’t work, it may be an issue with the person utilizing the floss. The person may not be doing so correctly, making the flossing process useless.

While flossing benefits may be up for debate, there isn’t much debating about the controversy this book is sure to cause.

Blackberries May Lead to Healthy Gums

Written by Dentistry TodayMonday, 28 January 2013 12:23



Blackberries could be beneficial for one’s oral health.

A new study shows that this type of fruit could lead to healthy gums. The study appeared in the Journal of Periodontal Research. The study states that the antibacterial properties of blackberries lower the risk of gum disease and promote gum health.

There are also prior studies that have indicated the positive aspects of blackberries and claim they prevent cancerous cells from spreading.

Many studies have shown that eating a diet filled with fruits and vegetables is beneficial to one’s oral health. This type of diet can also lower the risk of developing oral cancer, diabetes and heart disease, among other health ailments.

Since good oral health leads to good overall health, it can be extremely beneficial for a person to implement blackberries into his or her diet.

Study on Chimps Questions Tooth Development Research

Written by Dentistry TodayTuesday, 29 January 2013 16:44



Tooth development and weaning in chimpanzees were thought to have a correlation—until now.

For more than two decades scientists concluded that juvenile primate tooth development had an impact on when the primates started to move on from their mother’s milk. But that isn’t true. The Harvard Department of Human Evolutionary Biology utilized high-resolution digital photographs of the chimpanzees to demonstrate that when the first molar appears, they continue to nurse.

The information appears in a January 28 paper in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Previous studies attempted to tie the correlation in chimpanzees to the way things play out in humans. But this study refutes that link.

Also, many previous chimpanzee studies involved captive animals or skeletons. Those studies proved to not be representative of most of the chimp population.

This study was different because it analyzed chimps in the wild and captive ones. Then, using advanced technology, the researchers were able to pinpoint the exact time in which the chimp’s molars erupted.

In this study, chimps still were interesting in nursing even after their first molar erupted. Essentially, they showed adult-like feeding behavior but still wanted to be nursed. The mothers sometimes have to fight off their children from nursing at that age. The reason for this behavior is unknown.

This study provides enough information for scientists to look to other species to determine a correlation involving tooth development and weaning that could be considered similar to human patterns.

New Method of Treating Children’s Tooth Decay Explored

Written by Dentistry TodayWednesday, 30 January 2013 15:27



A needleless, drill-free method of treating tooth decay may have been created by a New Zealand college.

University of Otago researchers generated this new treatment, called the Hall technique, for the purpose of limiting the anxiety of children when they visit the dentist.

There were around 190 children ages 5 through 8 studied to compile the data. About 100 children were treated by using this new method and the others were treated using conventional methods.

The new process includes the placement of a stainless steel crown over a baby molar to seal the decay instead of using a drill to take out the decay and then add a filling. With the new method, the decay stops or slows down because the tooth is deprived of nutrients. The crown stays in place until it naturally falls out with the tooth.

The new method resulted in less dental anxiety among those children compared to the ones treated with the more standard methods. The final numbers showed that about 90 percent of the children enjoyed their dental visit when treated with the new method compared to only about 52 percent who enjoyed their visit with traditional treatment.

The new method also is 20 minutes faster and more successful.

There could be an even greater impact in the future. If people enjoy their dental visits as children, they will be more likely to visit the dentist as they grow older.

More work, however, needs to be done to determine the exact reasons for the more enjoyable dental visits.

As it stands now, these crowns are more expensive that traditional amalgam or white fillings. In the long term, however, this method could be more cost effective based on the fact that the new treatment is successful at a higher rate.

The study was funded by the Health Research Council of New Zealand.

Audit of Massachusetts Medicaid Program Reveals Questionable Claims

Audit of Massachusetts Medicaid Program Reveals Questionable Claims

Written by Dentistry TodayWednesday, 13 March 2013 13:02

Dental providers in Massachusetts may have made some faulty Medicaid claims.

A state audit has found that about $1.3 million in bad medical claims were made from January 2008 through June 2011.

The auditor, Suzanne Bump, claims that MassHealth needs to be more thorough when screening payments from dental providers.

Many of the questionable charges stem from detailed oral screenings, which are only allowed for patients undergoing radiation, chemotherapy or organ transplant, according to MassHealth regulations.

The audit, however, discovered that 10 dental providers billed that state and received payments for about 20,000 oral screenings involving patients not eligible for these types of oral screenings.

Roughly 2,000 dentists took part in the state’s dental program during the audit period

New Drug May Aid in Oral Cancer Treatment

New Drug May Aid in Oral Cancer Treatment

Written by Dentistry TodayThursday, 14 March 2013 15:37

There could be a new method to treat mouth sores normally associated with cancer.

Mouse model studies have shown that protein Smad7, when given genetically or topically, could thwart the mouth sores that develop in cancer patients.

Mouth sores are a major problem for some cancer patients. They can become so severe that feeding tubes are necessary for nutrition and painkillers are later needed. Roughly 40 to 70 percent of patients with upper-body radiation encounter this problem. And, unfortunately for these patients, there is no known treatment as of now.

The study involving this new protein appears in Nature Medicine.

The group of researchers would like to further explore the possibilities of Smad7 as a way to combat human oral mucositis. In some of the studies, Smad7 was combined with a short peptide to permit the protein to cross through cell membranes. This was produced from cultured bacteria. After the substance was applied to the mouse’s oral cavity, it prevented oral mucositis, in addition to healing ulcers that were already present.

The ultimate goal from this research is to create a drug that can be given topically that will treat oral mucositis and deter more sores from developing.

The mice were engineered in a manner that they developed oral mucositis similar to the condition that human cancer patients are afflicted with. This made way for numerous tests and experiments.

Colorado Advocates Look out for Children’s Dental Care

Colorado Advocates Look out for Children’s Dental Care

Written by Dentistry TodayFriday, 15 March 2013 11:39

Officials recently called dental benefits an optional treatment for Colorado’s new state insurance exchange. But Colorado health advocates are pushing to make sure the dental care is mandatory.

These dental-care policies will be available in October but there is no federal mandate to buy oral health coverage as of now.

It’s essential for the health of the children in the state to have the same chance to receive dental care as they have to receive medical care.

As of now, however, there are no plans to do anything beyond the federal decision, which focuses on the consumer choice as opposed to state mandates.

Dental and vision coverage will be offered and bundled in some cases but dental coverage is not required for children.

In the three years prior to 2011, the number of children in Colorado without dental insurance rose 17 percent to 2.1 million children, according to a Colorado Trust study. There are some people who will be aided by the Medicaid expansion process, which is part of health reforms in 2014.

Some studies have shown that 240,000 people from Colorado without coverage will receive medical care after the Medicaid expansion.

The state insurance exchange is anticipating 150,000 people will sign up during the first year. Private foundations are doing their part to attempt to close the dental gap in Colorado.

Alligators May Help Some Human Dental Issues

Alligators May Help Some Human Dental Issues

Written by Dentistry TodayWednesday, 15 May 2013 14:59

Scientists are now looking at one of the unique qualities of alligator teeth: the capability the animals have of regrowing their teeth.

At any time, they can have 80 teeth while producing 50 sets of replacement teeth. In their lifetime, they may go through more than 2,000 teeth. This ability to regrow teeth has given scientists the idea to study the way this process happens to aid people who encounter numerous dental issues.

Most vertebrates can replace teeth repeatedly but humans have only one replacement set. In analyzing the replacement process, the researchers will hope to create a way of regrowing human teeth. Alligators, like many other mammals, have teeth implanted in sockets in the jawbone and secondary plates.

The University of Southern California research team has been studying alligators by using molecular analysis and modern scanning techniques. The early findings indicate that there are three parts to the alligator teeth throughout different times in their development. Teeth are ready to replace an old one as soon as the old one falls out.

The information appears in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Children, Low-Income Adults Benefitting from Dental Therapists

Children, Low-Income Adults Benefitting from Dental Therapists

Written by Dentistry TodayThursday, 16 May 2013 14:17

Midlevel dental providers are now giving treatment to the people who need it most: children and low-income adults.

The report comes from Community Catalyst and concluded that these dental providers in Alaska and Minnesota cost their employers 27 and 29 percent of their generated revenue, respectively. The report showed that 85 percent of the treatment would be considered routine and preventative and 25 percent of patients need cavities filled.

This report is the first to comprehensively view the economics of practicing midlevel dental providers in the United States as a method of increasing the reach of dental care. Based on information from the government, 45 million Americans live in places without the requisite number of dentists. Millions others simply can’t afford dental care.

In addition to Alaska and Minnesota, eight other states have moved forward with legislation to permit dental therapists. Other states may soon put together legislation to allow them while 50 countries around the world utilize dental therapists.

The other findings in the report, which was commissioned from August 2011 through December 2012, included the majority of services being preventative in 32.8 percent of cases. Also, 44 percent of people were treated with sealants while 43 percent were given fluoride varnishes.

Only 23.7 percent of the cases for dental care therapists were restorative. Only 3.8 percent of the patients needed extractions.

The largest portion of revenue (46.7 percent) came from restorative procedures.

In Minnesota, 78 percent of the patients for dental therapists were publicly insured—and most of the patients were younger than 21. There were about 66 percent of the patients in Alaska under age 21.

Dental therapists have been practicing in Minnesota since 2011 and Alaska since 2006. Among the more than 2,000 patients served in Minnesota, about 84 percent were enrolled in Medicaid and 9 percent didn’t have insurance. In Alaska, more than 40,000 patients have been treated in tribal health clinics in rural Alaska. These people would not receive dental treatment, if not for these dental therapists.

More than 50 million Americans lack basic dental care. As a result, nearly 60 percent of children encounter tooth decay.

Lack of Fluoride May be Root of Calgary Dental Problems

Lack of Fluoride May be Root of Calgary Dental Problems

Written by Dentistry TodayMonday, 20 May 2013 13:03

A lack of fluoride exposure may be posing some problems in a Canadian city.

Dentists in Calgary, Alberta are blaming the rise in cavities over the stoppage of water fluoridation. Water fluoridation in the city was ceased two years ago and many now claim that was a mistake.

The standards of children’s oral health have declined in the last two years, based on information from the Alberta Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. More children are developing cavities and more are developing more severe cavities.

The statistics show that 30 percent of the children 5 and younger have encountered an issue with cavities.

Many dentists in the city would like government officials to overturn the legislation that ended fluoridation, returning to fluoridation again.

One of the reasons for ending fluoridation stemmed from the idea that the money could be spent elsewhere in the area of children’s dental health programs.

Many studies have been done on fluoride, yet there isn’t a conclusive answer on its impact on teeth. Many people state that it’s beneficial for teeth while others claim its does more harm than good over time.

Law Attempts to Thwart Unnecessary Dental Treatment

Law Attempts to Thwart Unnecessary Dental Treatment

Written by Dentistry TodayFriday, 28 June 2013 13:23

It will soon be harder for dentists in Texas to perform unnecessary dental treatments.

A new Texas law will take effect January 1, 2014 that will give more power to regulators in regards to determining what dental treatments are essential. The law was set in motion based on numerous reports of transgressions that came to a head after an investigation by the Center for Public Integrity and PBS Frontline.

The reports indicated that Kool Smiles, a dental chain that focuses on Medicaid dental treatment for children, was performing dental procedures that didn’t have to be done. Former employees of the chain came out and said that they were instructed to perform the more costly procedures whenever possible. There were instances of putting more expensive stainless steel crowns in the teeth of babies instead of fillings, which would have easily sufficed.

In 2010, there were more than 15,000 children who had unnecessary dental procedures performed on them. Only one dentist, however, had his or her license revoked based on these unnecessary procedures.

The law, which was spearheaded by Republican State Rep Lois W. Kolkhorst, allows the state dental board to have a greater ability to look into these situations. The law will also ensure that parents always have the ability to be in the room when their children visit the dentist.

It will be mandatory for dentists working for these chains to report information to the dental board. Prior to this law, the state didn’t have any information about the dental procedures performed by chains such as this one.

Will Botox Become Widespread in Dentistry?

Will Botox Become Widespread in Dentistry?

Written by Dentistry TodayTuesday, 02 July 2013 08:32

Botox is now being used for practical purposes in some places.

Treating jaw tension and pain is one of the side benefits of Botox and it’s beginning to catch on in some places. In some places, there may even be debates about using it more frequently.

In Utah, for example, the law permits dentists to administer drugs that could be construed as related to dentistry.

In other places, such as Massachusetts, the dental board passed a law last March that permits dentists to administer botulinum toxins and other substances that reduce wrinkles. There are 20 other states that allow such procedures, according to the American Dental Association.

Some people say that Botox is within a dentist’s boundaries to administer.

Botox, however, is the same neurotoxin protein that causes botulism when a person receives large doses. In some cases, botulism results in paralysis, according to the US Food and Drug Administration. Botox generally wears off, though.

Botox doesn’t solve the problems associated with TMJ disorders but definitely provides much-needed relief. It doesn’t leave jaw muscles feeling weak after treatment and there isn’t any numbness.

More research is necessary to determine the eventual effects from using to Botox to relieve jaw pain.

Cause of Colorectal Cancer May Stem From Mouth Bacteria

Cause of Colorectal Cancer May Stem From Mouth Bacteria

Written by Dentistry TodayFriday, 16 August 2013 12:33

There may be a newly discovered cause of colorectal cancer.

Two new studies indicate that a type of gut bacteria located in the mouth can cause colorectal cancer as a result of influencing the immune response and turning on cancer genes. The research team thinks this information could result in more efficient ways to diagnose, treat and possibly prevent colorectal cancer.

The information from the two studies appears in the August 14 issue of the online journal Cell Host & Microbe.

The gut contains trillions of bacteria, which outnumber the number of cells in our bodies. The microbe communities maintain their health by training the immune system and aiding in the digestion of food. The down side is that they could cause disease.

Previous studies have demonstrated that when there is an imbalance, the bacteria could cause colon cancer.

Of all cancers, colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of death for Americans. The researchers have determined Fusobacteria from the mouth are also plentiful in tissues of colorectal cancer patients.

The first study concluded that Fusobacteria in benign tumors can eventually become cancerous. In mice bred to have a form of colorectal cancer similar to that of humans, the bacteria increased the rate in which tumors formed.

In the second study, it was determined that Fusobacteria utilize a molecule that inhabits the surface of the bacterial cell. It then sticks to and attacks the human colorectal cancer cells.

Stomach Cancer Detection in the Dental Office

Stomach Cancer Detection in the Dental Office

Written by Dentistry TodayWednesday, 21 August 2013 14:45

The UCLA School of Dentistry recently received 5 million dollars in funding from the National Institutes for Health to study biological markers in saliva to detect stomach cancer.

There are hopes that this study could advance salivary diagnostics, potentially leading to evidence that saliva can be used to detect other types of cancer, such as pancreatic cancer, breast cancer, and ovarian cancer, as well as diabetes.

The ultimate goal is this: Patients give a saliva sample at the dental office, have it analyzed within minutes, and then are able to find out if they are at risk for stomach cancer.

The research is slated to last five years, and Dr. David Wong is leading the study. As the dentistry school’s associate dean of research, he is considered a pioneer in the field of salivary diagnostics.

Dr. Wong’s team will conduct a prospective study to develop a salivary biomarker panel that would validate stomach cancer detection. The team hopes to capture RNA in saliva samples secreted by stomach cancer cells. This would confirm whether a patient is at risk for stomach cancer.

Study reveals target for drug development for temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJD) - a chronic jaw pain disorder

Main Category: Dentistry
Also Included In: Pain / Anesthetics
Article Date: 05 Aug 2013 - 1:00 PDT

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Study reveals target for drug development for temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJD) - a chronic jaw pain disorder

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Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJD) is the most common form of oral or facial pain, affecting over 10 million Americans. The chronic disorder can cause severe pain often associated with chewing or biting down, and lacks effective treatments.

In a study in mice, researchers at Duke Medicine identified a protein that is critical to TMJD pain, and could be a promising target for developing treatments for the disorder. Their findings are published in the August issue of the journal PAIN.

Aside from cases related to trauma, little is known about the root cause of TMJD. The researchers focused on TRPV4, an ion channel protein that allows calcium to rapidly enter cells, and its role ininflammation and pain associated with TMJD.

"TRPV4 is widely expressed in sensory neurons found in the trigeminal ganglion, which is responsible for all sensations of the head, face and their associated structures, such as teeth, the tongue and temporomandibular joint," said senior study author Wolfgang Liedtke, M.D., PhD, associate professor of neurology and neurobiology at Duke. "This pattern and the fact that TRPV4 has been found to be involved in response to mechanical stimulation made it a logical target to explore."

The researchers studied both normal mice and mice genetically engineered without the Trpv4 gene (which produces TRPV4 channel protein). They created inflammation in the temporomandibular joints of the mice, and then measured bite force exerted by the mice to assess jaw inflammation and pain, similar to how TMJD pain is gauged in human patients. Given that biting can be painful for those with TMJD, bite force lessens the more it hurts.

The mice without the Trpv4 gene had a smaller reduction in bite force - biting with almost full force - suggesting that they had less pain. In normal mice there was more TRPV4 expressed in trigeminal sensory neurons when inflammation was induced. The increase in TRPV4 corresponded with a greater reduction in bite force.

The researchers also administered a compound to normal mice that blocked TRPV4, and found that inhibiting TRPV4 also led to smaller reductions in bite force, similar to the effects of the mice engineered without the Trpv4 gene.

Surprisingly, the researchers found comparable bone erosion and inflammation in the jaw tissue across all mice, regardless whether the mice had TRPV4 or not.

"Remarkably, the damage is the same but not the pain," Liedtke said. "The mice that had the most TRPV4 appeared to have the most pain, but they all had similar evidence of temporomandibular joint inflammation and bone erosion in the jawbone as a consequence of the inflammation."

The results suggest that TRPV4 and its expression in trigeminal sensory neurons contribute to TMJD pain in mice. Given the lack of effective treatments for this chronic pain disorder, TRPV4 may be an attractive target for developing new therapies.