Top 5 news and clinical articles of June 2015

DrBicuspid.com takes a look back at the most-read news and clinical articles from June 2015, as measured by page views. During June, we ran what will probably be our most-read article of the year about the New York state attorney general announcing a settlement with Aspen Dental Management. Also among the stories our members read the most are the latest in the ongoing Texas Medicaid situation, a study on a leading cause of oral cancer deaths, Medicare reimbursement data, and how hand washing is a key part of infection control.

You can read our top five most-read columns here.

1. NY AG: Aspen Dental Mgmt engaged in unauthorized practice of dentistry
   June 18, 2015 -- New York State Attorney General (AG) Eric Schneiderman announced a settlement on June 18 with Aspen Dental Management that requires the company to change the way it does business in the state. Read more.

2. OIG: Texas owes $133M for unallowable orthodontic Medicaid services
   June 9, 2015 -- Texas owes the U.S. government $133 million for unallowable orthodontic Medicaid treatments from 2008 to 2010, according to a new report by the Office of Inspector General (OIG). Many of the claims were improperly approved because they did not have required documentation or lacked the necessary scores to qualify for orthodontic services. Read more.

3. Study: Half of oral cancer deaths due to cigarettes
   June 15, 2015 -- Almost half of the deaths caused by cancers of the oral cavity and pharynx in U.S. adults 35 and older in 2011 were attributable to cigarette smoking, according to a multi-institution research letter published in JAMA Internal Medicine. Read more.

4. 2013 Medicare data: $60 per service for oral health providers
   June 16, 2015 -- In 2013, oral health-related providers received an average of $60 per Medicare service performed, according to research from the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released on June 1. In contrast, the average payment for all types of healthcare professionals was $304 per Medicare service. Read more.

5. AGD 2015: Hand washing is key part of infection control
   June 23, 2015 -- Washing your hands -- it's a ritual you do so often, you probably don't think much about it anymore. However, skimping on the basics could be costing your practice patients, according to a presentation at the 2015 Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) meeting in San Francisco. Read more.