CareQuest Institute Releases New Data on Inequities in Oral Health Care

CareQuest Institute for Oral Health® released new data on inequities in oral health care from the second annual State of Oral Health Equity in America survey in a webinar last week. According to the survey, 77 million adults in the US do not have dental insurance, and disparities in oral health exist for many populations, including people of color, low-income or uninsured people, and veterans.

The State of Oral Health Equity in America survey created by CareQuest Institute is a nationally representative survey of 5,682 adults to study knowledge, attitudes, experiences, and behaviors related to oral health.

“We created this survey to better understand the disparities in oral health,” said Myechia Minter-Jordan, MD, MBA, president and CEO of CareQuest Institute for Oral Health. “These newly released findings give additional insight into the many barriers facing historically underserved populations and will help inform our ongoing work to address inequities in our oral health care system.”

This new data was released during a virtual discussion, “How’s America’s Oral Health? Barriers to Care, Common Problems, and Ongoing Inequity,” based on the survey results and attended by more than 300 people.

“This survey is the most comprehensive of its kind and the results validate the inequities we already knew exist in oral health,” said Ifetayo B. Johnson, Executive Director of The Oral Health Progress and Equity Network (OPEN), who was a panelist during the virtual discussion. “We look forward to working with CareQuest Institute and our other partners to use those findings to implement systemic change and break the cycle of oral health disparities.”

The new survey results show the challenges many populations face related to oral health, including:

Black, Hispanic, and Asian Populations Face Disparities in Oral Health

● Higher proportions of Asian (49%), Hispanic (49%), and Black (48%) populations reported experiencing discrimination in oral health care compared to their white counterparts (33%). 

● Nearly 6 in 10 (59%) of Black adults have lost one or more permanent teeth due to decay or gum disease compared to 45% of all adults. 

● Higher proportions of Black (34%) and Hispanic (25%) adults rate their oral health as fair or poor compared to white adults (23%). 

● 32% of Black adults and 30% of Hispanic adults report at least moderate difficulty getting care for oral pain, compared to 21% of white adults. 

Oral Health Disparities Exist Due Lack of Dental Insurance 

● 77 million adults do not currently have dental insurance (29.8%). 

● 3x more adults lack dental insurance than health insurance.

● 1 in 4 (25.1%) people without dental insurance reported that their overall health has gotten worse over the past year compared to those with dental insurance (19.9%).

Oral Health Inequities Persist for Veterans

● 14% of veterans reported losing 6 or more teeth due to decay or gum disease, compared to 8% of non-veterans. 

● 6% of veterans reported losing all their teeth due to decay or gum disease, compared to 3% of non-veterans. 

● Nearly half (49%) of veterans reported that a disability in their household made it difficult to access needed care compared to non-veterans (19.9%). 

Disparities in Oral Health Status Exist by Income

● More than twice the proportion of Americans in the lowest income category (13%) compared to those in the highest category (5%) rate their oral health as poor. 

● About 1 in 4 (24%) of adults who make less than $30,000 are often embarrassed or self-conscious of their mouth, compared to 8% of adults who make more than $100,000. 

● 29% of adults who make less than $30,000 report delaying care due to COVID-19, compared to 19% of adults who make more than $100,000. 

To access more information about the data, click here. More information on the 2022 survey can be found here, and 2021 survey information can be accessed here.  

According to a bill recently signed into law by New York Governor Kathy Hochul, dental hygienists in the state of New York will now be allowed to administer nitrous oxide analgesia or local infiltration anesthesia for any dental procedure given that they obtain a certificate to do so or do so under the supervision of the dentist.¹ Previously, hygienists in New York could only administer these forms of analgesia and anesthesia for dental hygiene specific procedures.¹ The bill was justified as a means to “allow dental offices to function more efficiently [and] provide greater access to care.”^1,2

In their news report on the bill, Rivkin Radler Attorneys at Law state that hygienists should obtain their own malpractice insurance before being permitted to administer nitrous oxide or local infiltration anesthesia.¹

References

Brocki L; Rivkin Radler LLP. NY Dental Hygiene Bill Expands Hygienists’ Authority to Administer Anesthesia - UPDATED June 2022. JD Spura website. https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/ny-dental-hygiene-bill-expands-9355579/. Updated June 21, 2022. Accessed June 22, 2022.

State of New York Senate Bill S6694B, 2021-2022 Legislative Session. The New York State Senate website. https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2021/s6694/amendment/b. Accessed June 22, 2022.

Through material donations and employee participation, VOCO aims to assist in elevating oral health for the nation’s under-served youth

VOCO is proud to announce a new partnership with TeamSmile, a national non-profit organization based in Kansas City, Missouri dedicated to the oral health of under-served youth in America. VOCO has established an ongoing material sponsorship, that includes restorative and preventive materials, as well as a presence at local TeamSmile events in support of the dental professionals who volunteer their services. The VOCO America team is excited to support TeamSmile in the execution of their mission to “provide children in need with a life-changing dental experience through the power of sports.”

TeamSmile is the nation’s premier advocacy group that partners with local sports franchises, including MLB and the NFL, and dental professionals to promote their community events and increase oral health awareness within the child and adolescent at-risk population. During these events at which games, dancing, music, face painting and more are involved, TeamSmile brings together professional athletes, cheerleaders, team mascots, dentists and lots of community member volunteers to deliver oral health education, screenings, treatment, and teach those children in attendance how their oral health is linked to their overall health.

“We are very happy to join Team Smile,” said Leif Ebert, CEO of VOCO America, “I can’t think of a better organization that combines the family values of our organization with the rewarding purpose of our profession. It’s a great volunteer opportunity for our team members to become engaged in their communities and give back while providing support to local dental professionals that volunteer their services all in an effort to help local children in need. We are grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with our local communities at both the company and individual levels, knowing our efforts and materials are a part of something bigger that will contribute to bringing smiles to the faces of children across the country, making their lives healthier and happier.”

“We’re incredibly grateful to VOCO for their support of TeamSmile,” shares John McCarthy Executive Director of TeamSmile. “By contributing restorative and preventative materials, as well as their volunteer time, they are helping TeamSmile serve children in need throughout the country. The TeamSmile model is unique, and our impact is deep, and it is partners like VOCO that help provide top-of-the-line materials to the dentists and hygienists to make this a first-class operation. We truly appreciate the support from VOCO.”

VOCO America will participate in various upcoming TeamSmile events across the nation including Milwaukee, Washington D.C., and others.

For more information, visit vocoamerica.com or teamsmile.org. 

Congratulations to Toyosi Coker, a recent graduate of East Carolina University School of Dentistry, as she is the 2022 grand prize winner of the “Hanau™ Best of the Best: Excellence in Prosthodontic” award from Whip Mix. The award is presented to the graduating senior who has excelled in the study and clinical applications of prosthodontics.

Each dental school is given an opportunity to nominate a student that has shown excellence in both clinical applications and academic performance. Each of the nominees receives a Hanau™ Wide-Vue Articulator in recognition of their outstanding accomplishments. Out of these nominees, Whip Mix evaluates the entries and selects one student as the grand prize winner who receives an all-expense-paid trip to the Dawson Academy Meeting Seminar 1 Meeting.

Toyosi was nominated by Maged Abdelaal, BDS, MDS, MS, Clinical Associate Professor and Division Director of Prosthodontics at East Carolina School of Dentistry.

“Dentistry is truly my passion, and I am excited to have the opportunity to not only do what I love but also make an impact on my community. I look forward to continuing my time at ECU as an AEGD-1 resident over the next year and finding my footing as a practitioner.” Said Dr. Coker. “I feel very honored to have been selected as the recipient of this award, not only by the faculty at the ECU School do Dental Medicine, but also to be chosen amongst many other recipients of this award across the country. I look forward to attending the Dawson Academy course in October and hope to learn concepts and techniques that will continue to expand upon my dental knowledge as a new practitioner.”

For more information on the Best of the Best program, contact Whip Mix at 800-626-5651 or visit us at www.whipmix.com

Annual Sharing Smiles Day event provided an opportunity for uninsured or underinsured children and adults to receive free dental care and treatments from Sunnybrook Dentistry & Braces volunteers

Sunnybrook Dentistry & Braces, in partnership with dental practice support organization Benevis, helped provide free dental care and treatment to over 200 children and adults across the nation during its annual Sharing Smiles Day event. Sharing Smiles Day, held on May 22, 2022, provides an opportunity for uninsured or underinsured children and adults to receive dental care and treatments at no cost, including dental exams and cleanings, emergency care, extractions, and restorative care. The event started in 2015 to support Sunnybrook Dentistry & Benevis’ belief that every family has the right to quality dental care in a convenient, safe, and supportive environment.

Three dentists from Sunnybrook Dentistry volunteered their time, Dr. Thomas Sagrera, Dr. Kineshia Roark, and Dr. Cristie Rives were part of 30 dentists who provided free dental services for Sharing Smiles Day. “Our volunteer team treated 17 patients and although our target was underserved young patients, we also treated adult patients needing surgical and simple extractions. The appreciation shown by the patients was palpable,” shared Dr. Sagrera.

This year 294 team members from Sunnybrook Dentistry and 22 other Benevis partner dental offices participated in Sharing Smiles Day. “I’m so thankful for my team; they had such servant hearts to come on their day off and help those in need,” shared Dr. Rives. Since the program began, Sharing Smiles Day has provided dental relief to more than 2,000 uninsured and underinsured patients across 16 states through the efforts of more than 1,200 volunteers. Sharing Smiles Day was a wonderful opportunity to give back to our community. “Our patients and parents were educated on dental care needs and prevention. Also, care was provided that alleviated areas of pain and eliminated decay that could have led to tooth pain/loss in the future,” said Dr. Roark. “It is such a privilege and pleasure to make a difference in the lives of the patients in the community to whom we were able to provide services.”

According to data from the Health Policy Institute, 49.6% of children with Medicaid coverage did not receive dental care in the previous 12 months. “Oral health is critical for good overall health and quality of life for everyone. Poor oral health can increase the risks associated with chronic diseases including heart disease and diabetes,” said Dr. Dale Mayfield, Benevis Chief Dental Officer. “Sharing Smiles Day provides a much needed health service to our neighborhood families who may face gaps in coverage or insufficient dental insurance.”

For more information about Sharing Smiles Day, visit SharingSmilesDay.com. 

Since its launch 10 years ago, Biodentine®, based on Septodont’s innovative Active Biosilicate Technology™ platform, has proven successful in replacing dentin in the crown and in the root. Sold in more than 60 countries and with more than 1000 worldwide publications, Biodentine has saved more than 5 million teeth!

Due to its unique features, Biodentine has become a gold standard in preserving tooth structure by offering high bioactivity with complete dentin bridge formation and outstanding sealing properties. The clinical benefits promote vital pulp therapy and help save teeth from root canal treatment and possible extraction.

Today, Septodont introduces a new version of Biodentine: Biodentine XP includes all the science of Biodentine embedded in an upgraded system, designed to provide practitioners an optimal daily experience from crown to root with nine indications.

Biodentine XP will ensure a consistent & perfect mix thanks to its proprietary mixer and easy delivery directly into the tooth with the Biodentine applicator gun. The all-in-one cartridges are available in 2 formats (XP 200 & XP 500), depending on the procedure and volume of material needed.

The Biodentine XP Starter Pack contains the mixer, applicator gun, and packages of XP 200 and XP500 cartridges. Biodentine XP is also available in boxes of 10 refill cartridges. For more information, visit the new dedicated Biodentine XP website at www.biodentinexp.com or the Septodont website at www.septodontusa.com.

Assured Dental Laboratory's new Z-Brux™ is a 100% full-milled, high translucency Zirconia restoration with no porcelain overlay, resulting in no porcelain fractures. The Z-Brux restoration is less than half the price of gold crowns and is an esthetic alternative to gold restoration and PFM. It has a 1250 MPa flexural strength, conventional chamfer prep and cementation, works well with limited occlusal clearance, and has an excellent marginal fit. Indications include single units to full roundhouse for frames and full contour.

For more information visit assureddentallab.com.

Innovative company brings new standard for dental AI to millions of Canadians

VideaHealth, the leading dental artificial intelligence (AI) solution provider, today announced it received a Medical Device Establishment License (MDEL) from Health Canada for Videa Caries Assist, an AI-powered dental caries (cavity) detection algorithm. Crafted with efficiencies and ethics in mind, VideaHealth's AI and software solutions help dentists better analyze patient X-rays and capture faster reimbursements and provide greater transparency and accuracy for treatment recommendations.

Achieving MDEL in Canada follows VideaHealth’s recent FDA 501(k) clearance of Videa Carries Assist and its trial that demonstrated how the company’s cavity detection AI algorithm significantly improved dentists’ diagnostic accuracy without introducing new workflow steps. The FDA trial showed that VideaHealth's AI helped dentists identify more true cavity regions while simultaneously reducing their identification of false regions. The study also highlighted how VideaHealth's AI helps dentists regardless of their experience level. Earlier this year, a joint study with VideaHealth partner Heartland Dental revealed similar findings.

Florian Hillen, founder and CEO of VideaHealth, said, “We’re excited to partner with dentists and industry-leading DSOs within Canada’s innovative dental market as we work together to bring the power of AI to all. VideaHealth’s core mission is to expand clinical access to our sophisticated AI so we can provide more effective preventative care for millions of people.”

Videa Caries Assist lets dentists strengthen their clinical expertise with VideaHealth’s Videa Factory, which houses over 100 million data points to help reduce potential AI bias in dentistry and provide comprehensive benchmarks for data trends, pathology detection and treatment recommendations. Videa Factory is a powerful data set that both new and experienced dentists use to enhance clinical expertise and decision-making.

Over 600 dental professionals came together to Integrate, Educate, Celebrate last week from June 9th to June 11th at Neoss Integrate 2022 in Gothenburg, Sweden. The participants were treated to three days of social activities, multiple integration opportunities and a scientific program with 40 speakers, who for the first time ever in the dental industry presented on a 4K wall and floor screen.

“I am overwhelmed with the positive feedback we have received from the participants and our speakers alike. Really pleased with how we at Neoss have managed to take dental events to a new level with the implementation of new technology never seen before in the industry. The future is bright for Neoss,” said Dr. Robert Gottlander, CEO and President of Neoss Group.

This milestone celebration marked 20 years since the first Neoss implant was placed, and that initial patient was present on stage to commemorate the event. This was also the first time the latest 10-year data on the Neoss implants was presented along with a significant amount of positive clinical research.

“Wow, this has been 3 amazing days of education and celebration. I think all speakers did an outstanding job and that has also shown in the extremely positive response that we have received!" said Prof. Christer Dahlin, Scientific Chairman.

Neoss launched multiple new products at the meeting. The most notable was the Neoss branded intraoral scanner, NeoScan 1000TM. An easy to use, fast, light weight intraoral scanner that fits perfectly into any practice’s digital workflow. Other notable launches were a new surgical tray, new surgical tools, SLM implant bridges and more.