FTC investigates dental association; U.S. officials pledge oral care support

Dear DrBicuspid Member,

The relationship between the University of Alabama at Birmingham dental school and a nonprofit dental clinic, and why that relationship was recently terminated, has put the state dental association under the scrutiny of the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

In an April 26 letter to the Alabama Dental Association (ALDA), the FTC said it is looking into whether ALDA engaged in unfair competition or deceptive acts by allegedly refusing to deal with Sarrell Dental Clinic, which treats primarily young Medicaid patients. Read more.

In other news, public health dentists, hygienists, administrators, and advocates attending the National Oral Health Conference last week welcomed news that the U.S. government is putting more emphasis on -- and potentially more money into -- improving oral care through its new Oral Health Initiative 2010. Read more.

And with the recent earthquakes in Haiti and Chile, there has been a growing number of relief missions going to these countries to provide medical care, including much-needed dental services. But one U.S. doctor learned the hard way that even the best of intentions can sometimes go awry. Click here to read what happened when she tried to take some prescription meds to Haiti as part of a dental mission.

Finally, over in the Imaging & CAD/CAM Community, the latest Canon digital single-lens reflex camera has hit the market and is garnering rave reviews. Is this the camera you've been waiting for? Read more.