Today's Dental News

More dentists will soon be performing Botox treatment.

The Massachusetts Board of Dentistry has okayed plans that would allow general dentists to administer Botox treatment. This new policy states that general dentists may provide Botox, in addition to antiwrinkle injections in Massachusetts.

The board confirmed the fact that it’s necessary for dentists to have practical training in this field, including training that involves live patients. These rules fall under the Massachusetts Dental Practice Act, which relate to diagnosis, treatment and management of any health issue that relates to the teeth, alveolar bone, jaw and gums.

Read more: Massachusetts Board Says Dentists Can Perform Botox Treatment

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.

Read more: Colorado Advocates Look out for Children’s Dental Care

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.

Read more: New Drug May Aid in Oral Cancer Treatment

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.

Read more: Audit of Massachusetts Medicaid Program Reveals Questionable Claims