Today's Dental News

Nova Southeastern University in Florida is offering free dental services to victims of domestic violence who otherwise may not have access to such services.

Battered women can have significant dental needs that often go untreated. In some cases, a battered woman’s dental problems are the direct result of abuse, and her abuser has kept her from receiving dental care for years, or even decades.

Using a 3-year, $850,000-grant from the US Health Resources and Services Administration, NSU’s College of Dental Medicine is ready to help by providing examinations, preventive services, restorations, and some dentures to victims of domestic violence.

Read more: Domestic Violence Victims Receive Free Dental Services

Scientists have found that the protective shield fluoride forms on teeth is up to 100 times thinner than previously believed.

It raises questions about how this renowned cavity-fighter really works and could lead to better ways of protecting teeth from decay, the scientists suggest.

Frank Muller and colleagues point out that tooth decay is a major public health problem worldwide.

Read more: Does Fluoride Really Fight Cavities?

Beginning December 17, mobile dental clinics around the country are encouraged to apply for $20,000 in program funding as part of Tom’s of Maine’s annual Dental Health For All program. A public vote in February will determine which five mobile clinics will ultimately split $100,000 to grow and support their programs. Dental clinics with a mobile treatment facility can apply at tomsofmaine.com and learn more about this year’s program.

Throughout its 40-year history, Tom’s of Maine has been dedicated to supporting local non-profit dental clinics that provide greater access to quality, affordable dental care. The Dental Health for All program was created to award dental clinics that make a difference in their communities by ensuring underserved communities have access to quality oral health care.

Read more: Tom’s of Maine Invites Mobile Dental Clinics to Apply for Funding

Dentists in England will be paid according to the number of people they treat, rather than the courses of treatment they provide, under new plans to reform the dentistry contract.

The move follows the government’s intention, set out in the Coalition Agreement, to introduce a new dental contract in a bid to shift practice away from “drill and fill” payments to incentivizing preventive treatment and quality care.

The previous reform of the dental contract in 2006 was widely criticized for rewarding dentists on activity against set targets. A House of Commons Health Select Committee concluded in 2008 that the new contract had not solved access problems nor improved quality, and that the payment system was extremely unpopular with dentists.

Read more: Dentists in England Set to be Paid per Head