Today's Dental News

Children may be afraid to visit the dentist thanks to their parents.

A new study indicates that when a person fears a dental visit, his or her children will also develop that fear. The research at the Rey Juan Carlos University of Madrid analyzed the role that parents played in some of the fears their children develop.

The study appeared in the International Journal of Pediatric Dentistry. It explored data from 183 children ages 7 to 12 and compared it to data from the children’s parents. The data confirmed the belief that the children had many of the same fears as their parents had.

Read more: Parents Pass Fear of Dentist onto Children

It’s not a stretch for oral cancer to develop after excessive alcohol consumption.

The Finnish Dental Association recently issued a warning about the danger of drinking alcohol and the adverse effect it may have on one’s oral health. According to recent data, around 400,000 to 600,000 people in Finland consume too much alcohol. Alcohol and smoking are two of the top risk factors for oral cancer.

Oral cancer can be extremely serious. It kills more people than cervical cancer and Hodgkin’s disease.

Read more: Alcohol Can Have Disastrous Impact on Oral Health

Obesity and dental cavities become worse as impoverished children grow older, according to a new study.

The researchers determined that as body mass index went up as children got older, the numbers of cavities increased as well. Groups at the Case Western Reserve University and the University of Akron conducted the research. The information appeared in the Journal of Pediatric Health.

The research was compiled after analyzing data from 157 children, aged 2 to 17, at an urban homeless shelter. Most of the fathers were not in the picture.

Read more: Link Exists Between Obesity and Poor Dental Health for Homeless Children

The University of Utah plans to finish what it started.

The school is going forward with plans to build Utah’s first public dental school, even though there are some people against the move. Officials just announced the location for the school, which will be named after donors Ray and Tye Noorda.

Many local dentists don’t think there is a necessity for a dental school in that area. The dental school, however, will be a less expensive choice for dental students in Utah. It will also aid the community clinics with dental treatment, which will be provided by students close to graduating.

Read more: University of Utah to Add Dental School