Dear DrBicuspid Member,
A report published January 7 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute confirmed what many recent studies have suggested: that the rate of human papillomavirus (HPV)-related oropharyngeal cancers is on the rise. What is driving this trend, and what can be done to combat it?
Dr. Michael B. Prystowsky, a leading head and neck cancer researcher, shares his thoughts in the latest Leaders in Dentistry Q&A.
Meanwhile, there are a host of reasons to avoid exposing children to secondhand smoke. Here's another: A new study in Anesthesia Progress that examined the impact of environmental tobacco smoke on children undergoing general anesthesia found that children exposed to secondhand smoke had much longer recovery times despite not having significantly more dental caries or longer procedure times. Read more.
Finally, as the dental industry moves steadily into the digital age, the issue of multivendor interoperability is becoming increasingly important to vendors and practitioners alike. To help all involved make a smooth transition, the ADA is promoting participation in the 2014 Connectathon, the healthcare IT industry's only large-scale interoperability testing event.
Click here to read more about this unique event, which has played a key role in the development of medical imaging standards for nearly 15 years.
Finally, it's the final week to vote in the final round of the 2013 Dental Excellence Awards. If you haven't done so already, click here to cast your ballot for the best and brightest in dentistry. Voting ends at midnight on January 18.
