California Oral Health Literacy Toolkit helps dentists implement OHL during patient visits The California Oral Health Literacy Toolkit is a new digital resource to help oral health care providers learn or review the basic principles of oral health literacy, including the importance of communicating clearly and with cultural humility and creating a welcoming environment for patients. View resource California Oral Health Literacy Toolkit helps dentists implement OHL during patient visits
COVID-19 vaccine toolkit for dentists featured in CDA Journal The July issue of the CDA Journal provides a COVID-19 vaccine toolkit with multiple resources dentists can use in their practice. New research on prosthesis design and TMJ is also explored. Read the digital issue. View resource COVID-19 vaccine toolkit for dentists featured in CDA Journal
HPV vaccine approved for prevention of head and neck cancers The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on June 12 approved the HPV vaccine Gardasil 9, produced by Merck, for the prevention of oropharyngeal and other head and neck cancers. View resource HPV vaccine approved for prevention of head and neck cancers
New oral health objectives added to national 10-year plan for improving health of Americans Healthy People 2030, a 10-year national plan to promote and improve public health and prevent disease, launched Aug. 18 via webcast with experts from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention speaking on health equity, well-being and business partnerships. View resource New oral health objectives added to national 10-year plan for improving health of Americans
Routine dental care may protect against severe COVID-19-related complications Researchers are examining the link between periodontal disease and COVID-19-related respiratory complications, and early research findings suggest that dental professionals may need to shift their focus to preventing underlying conditions, such as periodontitis, that promote systemic inflammation. View resource Routine dental care may protect against severe COVID-19-related complications
Antibiotics not needed to manage most pulpal-related dental pain, ADA guideline advises A new guideline from the American Dental Association advises against using antibiotics to manage pain and swelling for most pulpal and periapical conditions in immunocompetent adults. The guideline, published in the November issue of the Journal of the American Dental Association, recommends only the use of dental treatment for pulpal and periapical conditions. The new guideline comes at a time when antibiotics are under scrutiny. View resource Antibiotics not needed to manage most pulpal-related dental pain, ADA guideline advises
California dentists can now apply for new general anesthesia, sedation permits Updated Sept. 1, 2022: California-licensed dentists can now apply for the new general anesthesia/deep sedation, moderate sedation and pediatric minimal sedation permits through the dental board's online licensing system BreEZe. View resource California dentists can now apply for new general anesthesia, sedation permits
CDA clarifies oral irrigants that meet state law A new law to ensure proper irrigation and disinfection of exposed pulpal tissue went into effect Jan. 1 of this year. As explained in a December 2018 Update article, the law states that water and other methods used for irrigation when performing procedures on exposed dental pulp must be “sterile or contain recognized disinfecting or antibacterial properties.” View resource CDA clarifies oral irrigants that meet state law
CDA Journal earns award for issue focusing on dentistry and COVID-19 The October 2020 issue of the CDA Journal, which explores COVID-19 connections in oral health care and dentistry, has been awarded a Maggie Award in the category of Best Digital Edition or ePublication/Consumer, Trade, Association. View resource CDA Journal earns award for issue focusing on dentistry and COVID-19
CDA Journal features toolkit to help patients reduce sugar-sweetened beverage consumption The May 2022 issue of the Journal of the CDA Journal features a toolkit with simple visuals and messages dental providers can use to talk with patients about reducing and eliminating sugar-sweetened beverage consumption. View resource CDA Journal features toolkit to help patients reduce sugar-sweetened beverage consumption
CDA Journal spotlights dental care for people with special health care needs The June 2022 issue of the CDA Journal addresses the chronic problem of access to dental care for people with special health care needs and discusses effective and compassionate approaches dentists can take to provide that care. View resource CDA Journal spotlights dental care for people with special health care needs
Dental student research featured in CDA Journal The November 2022 issue of the Journal of the California Dental Association showcases dental student research and includes an opportunity to earn C.E. by reading an article and completing a quiz. View resource Dental student research featured in CDA Journal
Dentists can help detect monkeypox during patient examinations The CDC has urged health care providers to be alert for patients who have rash illnesses consistent with monkeypox regardless of specific risk factors. Dentists are well-positioned to help detect the virus during patient examinations. View resource Dentists can help detect monkeypox during patient examinations
Dentists must screen patients for measles, other ATDs, prior to providing treatment As the number of measles cases in California and at least 25 other states continues to rise, becoming the highest number of reported cases in the U.S. since 1994, dental practices should ensure that they are screening patients for the highly contagious virus and other aerosol transmissible diseases prior to providing treatment. View resource Dentists must screen patients for measles, other ATDs, prior to providing treatment
Dentists: Watch for updated oral health assessment form as part of Kindergarten Oral Health Care Requirement Dentists and dental professionals should watch for the updated oral health assessment form and be ready to complete section 2. State law requires every child in public school in California to have this assessment completed by May 31 of their first year in school. View resource Dentists: Watch for updated oral health assessment form as part of Kindergarten Oral Health Care Requirement
Diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging in dentistry highlighted in CDA Journal The October 2022 issue of the Journal of the California Dental Association provides a candid view of exclusion and underrepresentation in dentistry from both the patient and clinician perspective. View resource Diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging in dentistry highlighted in CDA Journal
Drug-resistant diseases could become leading cause of death by 2050 Recommendations for dentists, other health care providers View resource Drug-resistant diseases could become leading cause of death by 2050
Facing reality: Communicating and managing achievable aesthetic outcomes While many patients are pleased with their treatment outcomes, occasionally there are patients who claim that reconstructive work did not meet their expectations. Through thoughtful communication, dentists have opportunities to mitigate patient complaints and manage expectations for increased patient satisfaction. View resource Facing reality: Communicating and managing achievable aesthetic outcomes
General anesthesia, sedation permit requirements changing Jan. 1 for California dentists As of Jan. 1, 2022, California-licensed dentists who administer or order the administration of general anesthesia, moderate sedation and minimal sedation are subject to new requirements under legislation signed into law in 2018. Dentists can now apply for the new permits. View resource General anesthesia, sedation permit requirements changing Jan. 1 for California dentists
Handle with care: Minimizing risk with short-term and traveling patients A variety of situations can prompt patients who are not local to seek dental care while they are temporarily visiting or residing in your area. As the “secondary“ general dentist, you have more liability exposure than the dentist who is performing their routine dental care. Discover how to mitigate risk when you choose to treat these patients. View resource Handle with care: Minimizing risk with short-term and traveling patients
Haste, pressure and staffing shortages contribute to costly mistakes Identity or treatment plan mistakes can occur in any dental practice. Research by TDIC’s analysts reveals the most commonly occurring elements are referral slip errors, performance or production pressure and staffing shortages. Prevention requires a proactive approach. View resource Haste, pressure and staffing shortages contribute to costly mistakes
Healthy Teeth Healthy Communities program spotlighted in CDA Journal The March 2022 issue of the Journal of the California Dental Association explores the dental care coordination system implemented in Alameda County, California, to increase access for Medicaid dental program beneficiaries. Other articles discuss the mouth-COVID-19 connection. View resource Healthy Teeth Healthy Communities program spotlighted in CDA Journal
Improving oral health during pregnancy explored in CDA Journal The April 2022 issue of the Journal of the California Dental Association discusses the need for a health care-public health partnership to improve the oral health of pregnant people and infants and children. View resource Improving oral health during pregnancy explored in CDA Journal
Improving patient safety with a timeout policy Patient safety remains a top priority for practice owners and dental teams; however, the dental office can often be a fast-paced working environment with distractions that can impede best safety practices. To better prevent mishaps, the Joint Commission requires accredited dental practices to implement a timeout before all surgical procedures. View resource Improving patient safety with a timeout policy
In case of emergency, preparedness is key In dentistry, optimal patient safety exists when all members of the dental team actively work together to ensure the well-being of each patient. When a crisis does arise, a prepared team is an effective team. View resource In case of emergency, preparedness is key