Dental patient deaths, dental professionals caught up in crimes, and the latest research related to caries, and more were the topics that made DrBicuspid.com's top 10 top articles of 2024, which are based on member views.
In 2024, some of our top stories related to two patient deaths, including a 23-year-old who died in November following a medical emergency during a dental procedure. Other favorites included research that suggests diabetes may heighten a person's risk of tooth decay.
Without any further hesitation, below are our top stories of 2024.
23-year-old dies following dental procedure
A 23-year-old woman from Canada died after experiencing a medical emergency during a dental procedure in November, triggering an investigation by the Manitoba Dental Association. The investigation into the woman's death is ongoing.
Trouble keeping an erection? The culprit may be in your mouth
Poor occlusal support conditions may be independently and significantly correlated with erectile dysfunction in men, but the mechanisms behind the link remain unclear. However, the number of remaining teeth and periodontal health status were not linked to erectile dysfunction, according to a study published in the International Journal of Urology.
Woman dies after swallowing dental plate
A 33-year-old woman from Ireland died following complications after swallowing her dental plate. Despite an initial x-ray, which did not detect the foreign object, Beata Kunicka was subsequently discharged by hospital staff and later died.
3, including a dentist, arrested in high-profile murder case
A man was arrested for the 2023 murder of a woman along with his father, a well-connected dentist in Kentucky, and another man who are accused of hiding evidence and cleaning up the woman's blood.
On July 30, Michael "M.K." McKinney III, 24, was arrested and charged with the June 18, 2023, murder of Amber Spradlin, 38. M.K. McKinney III, his father, Dr. Michael K. McKinney II, 56, and Josh Mullins, 23, were arrested and charged with seven counts of complicity to tamper with physical evidence.
New ways to restore teeth may upend dentistry
Researchers at the University of Buffalo in New York are exploring novel therapies like injecting human dental pulp stem cells into damaged teeth to restore them, which may upend the way dental care is delivered, according to a school news release. Additionally, the new treatment may reduce the need for invasive root canals, according to the release.
Orthodontist sued for $28M
Align Technology filed a $28 million lawsuit in U.S. court against an orthodontist claiming that he lures patients to his practice in Oregon with promises of treatment with Invisalign clear aligners and instead gives them a competitor's brand.
The clear aligner maker filed a suit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon, Portland Division, against Dr. William Dischinger and Dischinger Orthodontics in Lake Oswego, OR, claiming they are unlawfully using Invisalign's U.S.-registered trademarks to pass off other systems as if they belong to Align or are affiliated with it.
Patients with diabetes at increased risk of caries
Type 2 diabetes may increase the risk of caries and reduce salivary flow, pH, and buffering capacity. Dentists should prioritize the oral health of this population due to these heightened risks, according to a review published in the Journal of Dentistry.
ADHD patients may be twice as likely to experience TDIs
Individuals with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may be at twice the risk of sustaining traumatic dental injuries (TDIs). Therefore, clinicians should be trained to raise awareness and implement preventive strategies to reduce the risk of TDIs in individuals with ADHD, according to a systematic review in the European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences.
Dentist accused of hiding $3.5M from the U.S. government
A Colorado dentist was indicted for allegedly using an illegal tax shelter to conceal more than $3.5 million from the IRS. Dr. Ryan Ulibarri, who has owned and operated Ulibarri Family Dentistry in Fort Collins, CO, since 2014, was indicted on six counts of tax evasion for his use of an illegal tax shelter.
Ex-employee accused of stealing $400K from dental practice
A former employee at a dental practice in New York has been accused of stealing more than $400,000 from the business, according to a story published March 26 in Syracuse.com. Carla Fisher-Schmitt, 44, was charged with felony grand larceny for reportedly stealing money from Cicero Dental Associates while working there as director of operations. Her case is heading for a grand jury. She is free without bail and faces up to seven years in prison if convicted.
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