Dear DrBicuspid Member,
This week's top story sheds light on something that oral and maxillofacial surgeons need to keep on their radars. It's a rare, serious oral fungal infection that may occur after COVID-19 treatment.
Rhinocerebral mucormycosis, also known as black fungus, occurred in a 75-year-old Tennessee man and led to several procedures, including the extraction of multiple teeth, removal of zygomatic and maxillary bone, and exenteration of his eye, according to a case report.
Another top article this week considered the public's perception of dentistry: At the moment, it isn't very positive. Part of the backlash is due to the ADA's urging of dentists to oppose the U.S. government's proposal to add a dental component to Medicare. The association is arguing that reimbursement rates are too low and the administrative costs too high for dentists. In a Second Opinion piece, Dr. Teresa Yang explained why the ADA should reconsider its approach to its message for dental care within Medicare.
Also this week, Dr. Alvin Danenberg explained what questions dentists should ask patients who frequently experience sore, inflamed, and sensitive gums, especially after dental procedures. The questions and their answers may surprise you.
As if the symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS) weren't debilitating enough, a new clinical paper indicates that patients with MS are at greater risk of developing periodontal disease and caries due to difficulties in performing oral care and accessing a dentist. Clinicians should develop a careful oral health plan that addresses their specific symptoms and needs, the authors advised.
Finally, researchers from Brazil explained how dental surgeons can acquire extraoral images of patients who are wearing masks to protect against COVID-19. They concluded that it's possible to obtain adequate images if clinicians take a few steps to counter potential artifacts.
Enjoy your weekend, and stay tuned for new content on Monday.
