CDC: Fluoride levels in some communities put caries prevention “in jeopardy”
The CDC published a report last week incorporating the results of 8 billion population-weighted monthly fluoride measurements of public water systems, noting that some were low to the point of “[placing] the prevention of cavities in jeopardy.” The agency’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report states that during 2016–2021, some 16% of the measurements fell below <0.6 mg/L and that “suboptimal water systems in which fluoride concentrations are <0.6 mg/L are both ineffective in using resources and in supporting the oral health of their communities … to promote receipt of the full benefits of community water fluoridation, water systems must manage resources to meet the established 0.7 mg/L target consistently, especially those serving communities where fluoride measurements were <0.6 mg/L.”
Top dental care regrets of millennials
An esthetics and dermatology website polled some 1,000 millennials on their greatest beauty regrets across five categories, among them dental care, with replies in that category ranging from skipping appointments to overusing whitening products. A key finding from the report: while in the past peers (68%) were the most common influencers for millennials, now more people in that age group are influenced by medical professionals, including their dental office.
Dental data theft largest health-care breach of 2023 so far
The Atlanta-based Managed Care of North America was the apparent victim of a ransomware attack that compromised the data of some 9 million patients, information that included, in some cases, Social Security numbers and driver’s licenses or other government-issued ID numbers. In a notice posted last month, the company said it became aware of “certain activity in our computer system that happened without our permission” on March 6 that resulted in the largest data breach of health information of 2023 so far.
What dentists wish patients knew
The American Council on Science and Health recently republished a New York Times piece on what dentists wish patients knew along with commentary, as well as its own suggestions. On the Times’ point that patients don’t need an electric toothbrush, the Council article stated that [while] “you don’t need an electric toothbrush, we think its use promotes oral health by making the time you spend brushing more efficient and easier.” Among its additions: to avoid unproven techniques, such as oil pulling, and to consider the dental health benefits of chewing sugar-free gum.
