Laird Harrison[email protected]Home2009 brought disruption to dentistryThat howling noise the dental community heard throughout 2009 came from the winds of change, as technological innovation, the healthcare crisis, and tough economic conditions combined to test many of the profession's long-standing traditions.December 27, 2009Federally Qualified Health CenterU.S. Senate votes botax out, dental therapists inA compromise amendment to the U.S. Senate healthcare bill would allow dental health aide therapists to practice outside Alaska where supported by new state or federal law and eliminate the proposed "botax" on cosmetic procedures. The amendment would also extend the Children's Health Insurance Program to 2015.December 21, 2009X-RayStudies highlight danger of CT scansTwo studies published last week in the Archives of Internal Medicine found that medical multislice computed tomography (CT) scans cause much more cancer than previously estimated. They also give impetus to efforts dental organizations have undertaken to reduce patients' exposure to x-rays.December 20, 2009Dental AssistantCalifornia dental assistants take on restorationsTo the new classes of dental professional cropping up around the U.S., add one more: California's registered dental assistants in extended function 2. Starting January 1, they may have the widest scope of duties of any dental assistants in the country.December 13, 2009Dental TherapistsDental groups battle over therapists for Native AmericansOrganized dentistry in the U.S. has split over proposed legislation that would prevent Alaska's dental health aid therapist (DHAT) program from expanding to American Indian health programs in the other 49 states.December 6, 2009Whitening'Botax' could apply to cosmetic dentistryA proposed 5% tax on cosmetic procedures included in the healthcare reform bills being debated by the U.S. Senate has legislative experts puzzling over how it might apply to dentistry.December 1, 2009HomeStudy finds Medicaid doesn't help kids' teethTrue or false: If Medicaid were expanded to cover more children, their oral health would improve. If you answered "true," think again. A new study found that kids who are covered by Medicaid are no more likely to have healthy teeth than kids who aren't.November 29, 2009RestorationsWHO tackles pollution from amalgamsConcerned about mercury pollution, the World Health Organization (WHO) last week convened a meeting of experts to discuss possible new guidelines for the global use of dental amalgams.November 23, 2009HomeU.S. Senate healthcare bill would change dentistryThe healthcare reform bill introduced on the floor of the U.S. Senate Wednesday would extend dental care to millions of uninsured children, set up new oral health surveillance programs, and train new dental professionals -- including midlevel providers.November 19, 2009HomeDental clinics proposed for large retail outlets'Honey, I'm headed over to Wal-Mart to get dish detergent and garbage bags -- and have my teeth cleaned.’ You're likely to hear remarks like this all the time if the vision of the California HealthCare Foundation comes true.November 17, 2009Previous PagePage 6 of 24Next PageTop StoriesLegal IssuesDentist accused of drug deal near his office enters pleaA dentist entangled in a 2023 fatal hit-and-run case has pleaded not guilty in a separate case in which he allegedly was involved in a drug deal near his dental office.FluorideWhat’s stopping kids from getting fluoride at well visits?Oral-Systemic LinkWhen it comes to smoking, teeth don’t liePodcastsPodcast: The keys to transforming patient relationships in dentistryRegulatory UpdatesOpinion: Why advocacy in dentistry matters