Imported lead prompts lawsuit; many dentists miss Sjögren's diagnosis

Dear DrBicuspid Member,

Concerns over contaminated products imported from China -- from dog food to toothpaste to even dental materials -- have been making news this year. Now, a woman in Ohio has taken it upon herself to pursue the matter legally.

Faye Lewis, a grandmother on a fixed income, has filed a lawsuit against a large, multistate dental practice and two of its dentists, charging that dental restoration products allegedly imported from China and containing large amounts of lead have left her permanently injured and disabled. The case has prompted state legislators in Ohio and elsewhere to enact new regulations regarding disclosure of dental material content and point of origin. Read more.

Meanwhile, a former dental student in Michigan also turned to the law after claiming she was inappropriately dismissed from the University of Michigan dental school in 2005. This time, the courts were on her side. Read more.

In clinical news, while Sjögren's syndrome profoundly affects dental care, many dentists miss diagnosing the condition, according to the results of a study on the cover of this month's Journal of the American Dental Association. The average patient in the study suffered for seven years before being diagnosed, the researchers found. Read more.

Elsewhere, a pilot study in Washington has shown that teledentistry can bridge the gap between orthodontists and underprivileged children who need their services. Some observers say there can be technical challenges and that, so far, the technology doesn't reduce costs. Still, could this be another approach to easing the access-to-care crisis?

And in part II of "Psychotropic drugs and the dental patient," we look at some of the most common psychotropic drug interactions a dental practice is likely to encounter.

Over on the Word of Mouth page, Dr. Helaine Smith -- the Mouth Physician -- comes to the defense of cosmetic dentistry. There's nothing unethical about making teeth look better, she says. In fact, restoring appearances can also mean restoring strength.

And coming tomorrow, be sure to check out our report on changes the ADA is making to its guidelines regarding bisphosphonates. How will the new recommendations impact your practice? Stay tuned.