A strong connection exists between the food people eat and their oral health, according to an updated position paper from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, May 2013, Vol. 113:5, pp. 693-701).

A new study conducted by researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the University of Adelaide, Australia, has produced the strongest evidence yet that fluoride in drinking water provides dental health benefits to adults, even those who had not received fluoridated drinking water as children.

Stars like Jessica Alba and Scarlett Johansson need killer smiles for their livelihood, but for us mere mortals, a whiter, brighter smile can do wonders for our appearance and self-confidence. Plus, surveys reveal that one of the first things that people notice about others is their smile, and as that old saw goes, you only get one chance to make a first impression.

Developmentally disabled children often have higher rates of oral diseases because they have oral aversions or are unable to find dentists who are comfortable treating them, according to a new study in Pediatrics (February 25, 2013).

Red wine is a bigger culprit than coffee when it comes to stains following teeth whitening treatments, according to a new study in Acta Odontologica Scandinavica (February 19, 2013).

With medical costs rising, many employers are getting rid of the extras. Things like eye care and dental insurance are no longer being offered. You can live without the eye care. Most people only go for an eye exam every 3 or 4 years. A visit to the dentist, even if only once every calendar year, can cost one person $125-$250 for an exam, Xrays and a cleaning. If the dentist finds a problem your cost can be hundreds of dollars more. I work in a dental office and process patients with no insurance, dental discounts and insurance. Having seen it all, I can offer some suggestions.

Dental technology is keeping up with the busy lives of dentists and their patients. Gone are the days of multiple office visits to have a single crown fashioned and fitted. Today, with new CAD/CAM cameras, Sirona is helping single visits become the new norm. 

The Insurance regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA) drafted some health insurance guidelines on 31^st May 2012. These will restrain the role of the TPA to process claims. There are still some issues which have to be addressed.