Dental Did You Know: Alcohol and Maxillofacial Fractures

In a study of 2581 patients that presented with facial fractures in New Zealand,  49% were alcohol related. Males accounted for 88% while 59% were males in the 15-29 age group. 78% of the fractures were due to interpersonal violence and 13% to motor vehicle accidents.

Source: Lee K et al, Role of Alcohol in Maxillofacial Fractures, Oral Health, Vol 100, No 6, pg 40-49.

Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100

Dental Did You Know: The Central Core Theory

This theory stated that in the mandible, the outer nerves innervated molars while the inner nerves supplied incisors. The theory was suggested when studies showed that local anaesthetic failure after a mandibular block was highest in incisors, followed by premolars and  molars.

Source: Lecture from David Isen, May 26, 2010 (d.isen@rogers.ca) from a Powerpoint Slide referencing Kanaa et al, J of Endo, 32:919-923, 2006.

Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD

Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga

2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada

(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)

(905) 273-7100

Made it on to a Top Fifty List of Dental Blogs

Hi Everyone,

Saw this nice review of 50 great dental blogs at the Masters in Public Health website and we are on the list! Hooray!

Source: http://www.mastersinpublichealth.net/top-50-blogs-covering-dental-and-oral-health/ Top 50 Blogs Covering Dental and Oral Health, Read June 19, 2010.


Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100

Dental Did You Know: Medication Protocol for Severe Dental Pain

For severe dental pain, one of the recommended protocols is Motrin (ibuprofen) 600mg every six hours, in combination with two tablets of Percocet Endo (5mg oxycodone and 325mg acetaminophen per tablet) every 6 hours. This multimodal approach affects a number of pain pathways and mediators. As always, close examination of the patient's individual medical history is needed and the use of percocet should be limited due to its street desirability and addictive properties. 

Source:  Frydman W, Effective Post-Surgical Pain Management, Oral Health, June 2010, Vol 100, No 6, pg 27-38.
 
Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100

Fake 'Dentists' Take Advantage of Immigrants

A nice story from the Toronto Star Online on unlicensed dentists. Here's the teaser quote:

In basements and backrooms across the province, with outdated and unsterilized tools, a cottage industry of illegal and sometimes dangerous dentistry is thriving among immigrant communities, a Toronto Star investigation has found.

Offering cut-rate prices for inferior dental care, these bogus dentists attract patients, overwhelmingly new immigrants, who share the same culture. Vulnerable, ill-informed and desperate to save money, they have low expectations for care.

You can read the rest of the story here:  Bogus `Dentists` Prey on Immigrants

Source: Toronto Star Online, Bogus 'Dentists' Prey on Immigrants, June 10, 2010 http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/821527--bogus-dentists-prey-on-immigrants?bn=1, Read on June 17, 2010

Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100

Dental Did You Know: Dental Injection Pace

Giving a slower injection (60 sec) when giving a mandibular block increases the number of teeth that can be frozen vs. giving a fast injection (15 sec). 

(Slow injections are more accurate) 

Source: Lecture from David Isen, May 26, 2010 (d.isen@rogers.ca) from a Powerpoint Slide referencing Kanaa et al, J of Endo 32:919-923 2006.

Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD

Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga

2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada

(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)

(905) 273-7100

Dental Did You Know: Mandibular Block Failure Rates

On average, when giving an mandibular block (to freeze the lower teeth), the failure rate is approximately 20%. On teeth that are infected, this rises to 55%.

Source: Lecture from David Isen, May 26, 2010 (d.isen@rogers.ca) from a Powerpoint Slide referencing Claffey et al, J of Endo Aug, 2004.


Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100

Dental Did You Know: Oral Medicine and Oral Pathology

The specialty of Oral and Maxillofacial Medicine and Pathology (OM-OP) deals with the nature, identification and management of disease affecting the oral and maxillofacial areas. This specialty in Canada is currently only taught at two dental schools: The University of Toronto and the University of British Columbia.

Source: Hagen K, Oral Medicine and Oral Pathology: The Everyday Practice, Ontario Dentist, Vol 87, No 5, pg 20-22

Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100