Oral health care professionals from more than 70 countries will be commemorating World Oral Health Day with the 2015 theme of “Smile for life." As our article below mentions, customizable World Oral Health Day posters are available, and can be shared on social media with colleagues and friends worldwide, as well as displayed in offices, schools, or public health facilities.
In other news, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning that the prescription smoking cessation medicine Chantix (varenicline) can change the way people react to alcohol. (1) Also, rare reports of seizures in patients treated with Chantix have been documented. The FDA approved changes to the Chantix label to warn about these risks. Until patients know how Chantix affects their ability to tolerate alcohol, they should decrease the amount of alcohol they drink. Patients who have a seizure while taking Chantix should stop the medicine and seek medical attention immediately. The complete press release is available here.
New research shows possibility of a cure for some patients with human papillomavirus-positive oropharyngeal cancer (HPV+ OPC). (3) Researchers from Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University of Toronto, Canada, have substantial evidence that patients with HPV+ cancer of the oropharynx can be cured, in some cases even after the disease has metastasized.
March 20 is also the First Day of Spring (Spring Equinox)! Enjoy the season.
Sincerely,
References
1. FDA updates label for stop smoking drug Chantix (varenicline) to include potential alcohol interaction, rare risk of seizures, and studies of side effects on mood, behavior, or thinking. U.S. Food and Drug Administration website. http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm436494.htm. Published March 9, 2015. Accessed March 18, 2015.
2. FDA approves CPR devices that may increase chance of surviving cardiac arrest. U.S. Food and Drug Administration website. http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm437247.htm. Published March 9, 2015. Accessed March 18, 2015.
3. New research shows possibility of cure for HPV positive throat cancer patients. ScienceDaily. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/02/150212183507.htm. Published February 12, 2015. Accessed March 18, 2015.
