Tooth Tattoos

New technology developed at Princeton not only may be a new fad among tattoo enthusiasts, but it can detect tooth decay, gum disease, and even AIDS or stomach ulcers.  Though I myself would not want a tattoo on my tooth I'm sure there are people out there that would not be opposed.  These tattoos are another way in which dentists could protect teeth before they begin to decay, ultimately saving the patient time and money.  -

The tattoo, which was developed at Princeton University and Tufts University, contains a sensor that measures the bacteria levels in the mouth. The sensor is made of gold, graphite and silk.  After completing the bacteria measurement in the mouth, the sensors can determine when a patient is at risk for developing gum disease. The sensors may also have the ability to predict the risk for other diseases, which is a result of studying the data from the saliva. AIDS and stomach ulcers were two of the diseases the sensor was able to determine risk for.  The tooth tattoo hasn’t been tested on people yet, however, the trials on cow teeth have yielded promising results.

Cited:

"Tooth Tattoo May Curb Gum Disease." Tooth Tattoo May Curb Gum Disease. N.p., 9 Nov. 2012. Web. 10 Nov. 2012. <http://www.dentistrytoday.com/todays-dental-news/8262-tooth-tattoo-may-curb-gum-disease>.

Evaluating Sources

The fluoride debate, was brought up to point out the fault in putting fluoride in public drinking water. Though it does remove some bacteria and keep teeth that much cleaner, it needs to be removed from the public water supply.  By recommending that fluoride be in drinking water, the ADA is doing more damage than good.  Children under the age of three have an unsafe amount of fluoride in their system just from their home drinking water.  The FDA has not approved fluoride as a safe drug and therefor it should be taken out of the populations safe water.  There isn't even enough evidence to prove that it really effects the overall population in a beneficial way.

We believe that if people take the time to read and study both sides of the fluoridation debate — especially the science that has emerged over the last ten years — they will be appalled by the practice of putting this known toxic substance into the public drinking water. The benefits have been wildly exaggerated and the risks have been downplayed.

Behind the scenes many dentists acknowledge this situation but the ADA maintains such a stranglehold on the profession that it is dangerous for them to become openly critical of the practice of fluoridation. Even though the ADA is an association, not a governmental agency, it has a great deal of influence on dental matters through its lobbyists in Washington, DC and the almost universal and dominant presence of its members on State Dental Boards. These Boards have the power to remove a license from a practicing dentist in the state, and thus can keep dentists in line on controversial issues like fluoridation.

We hope that this website will encourage more dentists to break ranks with the ADA and rescue this profession from its shortsighted promotion of this dangerous, unethical and unnecessary practice.

THIS WEBSITE CONTAINS EVIDENCE THAT ...

• Fluoridation is not about "children's teeth". Rather, it is about industry ridding itself of crude hazardous waste products, silicofluorides, for a profit. Silicofluorides are 85 times more toxic than naturally-occurring calcium fluoride.

• Fluoride is more toxic than lead and like lead in minute doses, accumulates in and can be damaging to brain/mind development of children, producing abnormal behavior in animals and reducing IQ in humans, especially in conjunction with deficiencies of key nutrients such as calcium, iodine and vitamins. It can also contribute to many disease processes. Because it is almost as toxic as arsenic, fluoride's ability to play havoc in the human body should surprise no one.

• There is as much, or more, dental decay in fluoridated communities as there is in the non-fluoridated areas; however, the dental costs are higher in fluoridated communities due to dental fluorosis. Drinking fluoridated water may delay decay, but it does not prevent it.

• Dental fluorosis is not simply a "cosmetic effect". Dental fluorosis is the first visible sign of fluoride poisoning. Today there is an increased prevalence of dental fluorosis, ranging from about 15% to 65% in fluoridated areas and 5% to 40% in non-fluoridated areas in North America.

• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) scientists, after studying all the evidence, concluded that the public water supply should not be used "as a vehicle for disseminating this toxic and prophylactically useless ... substance."

• The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) states that fluoride is not a mineral nutrient; it is a prescription drug. Every prescription drug has side-effects, including fluoride. Fluoride has never received FDA approval and does not meet the legal requirements of safety and effectiveness necessary for such approval. Once this drug is put in the water there is no control over individual dosage.

• The American Dental Association supplement schedule shows that fluoride prescription drugs should not be given to infants under 6 months of age. One cup of water per day for children age 6 months to 3 years matches the supplement controlled dose. Therefore, in fluoridated areas, most children under 3 are getting an overdose of this drug via their drinking water, yet the ADA continues to recommend fluoridation.

• The widespread and uncontrolled use of fluoride in our water, dental products, and foods and beverages (grown and processed in fluoridated communities), is causing pervasive over-exposure to fluoride in the U.S. population. Most developed countries have rejected, stopped, or banned fluoridation because there is no margin of safety.

• Fluoride is not just "one of forty chemicals used to treat water". It is the only chemical added to public drinking water to treat individuals, rather than the water. It is mass medication. This website explains why a good number of leading scientists, doctors, and some dentists are avidly opposed to putting fluoride in our water supply. It also shows that this controversy has existed in the scientific field from the onset.

http://www.fluoridedebate.com/

Dental Supply

http://www.purelifedental.com/AboutUs.aspx

Pure Life dental supply is a dental supply company that attempts to provide good products while being environmentally savvy.  In the about us section of their website they state that they are, "dedicated to providing dental practices with the highest quality dental supplies and waste solutions available at truly affordable prices."  They have almost everything needed for a full practice on this site, including a "Green Collection" which is a list of supplies which are produced with the environment in mind.  

Applying to UofM

These are the requirements for applying to dental school at UofM.  They include lists of tests, classes, and general requirements and advice for those thinking to apply.  I posted this because it is where I want to go to graduate school after graduating from Michigan State University.  As is, I am already on track due to the fact that I am already taking Intro Psych this semester, and am enrolled to take Chemistry (including the lab portion) next semester.  Though this list is extensive and requires a lot of me I think I should be able to handle it.  :)

UofM Admission Instructions

The program in dental hygiene starts in the fall of each year. Prospective students should complete the Transfer Student Online Application and indicate Dental Hygiene BS as the unit of study. Applications and application materials are all processed through the University of Michigan, Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Prospective students should apply by February 1 of the year acceptance is desired in order to receive equal consideration with other applicants. Generaladmission policies of the University of Michigan are observed. For tuition information, see theOffice of the Registrar website.

Students enter the dental hygiene program as sophomores. All candidates must complete the equivalent of thirty semester hours of college level work in liberal arts. Prerequisite courses include:

• English composition
• Speech
• Introductory psychology
• Introductory sociology
• Chemistry (preferably with laboratory)

Suggested electives include Biology, additional English or Literature.

Required Tests

If you did not take the ACT or SAT as a high school student, these scores will not be required as part of your transfer application to the University of Michigan and you should not sit for the exams as a college student.

If you took the ACT or SAT as a high school student, we require that you send those scores to the University so they can be evaluated as part of your transfer application. If your ACT or SAT scores are not posted on your high school transcript, please have the scores sent directly to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions from the testing agency. If you have not yet had your scores reported to the University of Michigan, you may request to have them sent online using these links:

• ACT (U-M code is 2062)
• SAT (U-M code is 1839)

Rush paper scores are not accepted.

MELAB, TOEFL, or IELTS test scores are required of all speakers of English as a second language. Please click here for minimum score requirements.

Application Materials

All transfer students are required to submit the following prior to the deadline date:

• Completed application (The Common Application)
• Final official secondary school record (high school), including 9th-12th grades, test data, and graduation date
• Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions (colleges, universities, technical institutes)
• Essays (3)
• Application fee
• Test scores (ACT, SAT, MELAB, TOEFL, IELTS), if applicable

High school graduates desiring to spend their first year of study for the dental hygiene program at the University of Michigan should apply to the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts. College transfer students applying for admission must present at least a 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale.

Admission to the dental hygiene program is based upon scholastic achievements. Consideration is given to applications from all qualified resident and non-resident candidates. Applicants are encouraged to arrange an interview. The purpose of the interview is to acquaint the prospective student with the areas of study in dental hygiene and with the university campus. E-mail hygiene.info@umich.edu for more information.

Defining Ethics

Below are the ethics of the dental field as defined by ADA (American Dental Association).  With official advisory opinions revised to April 2012.  Just as these ethics are very defined and to the point, I hope to adhere to the same strong ethics in my life.  With the dental field being a medical profession, there is not a lot of room for bad ethics.  This is a mindset which I want for myself.  Three ways in which what I am doing in college will help me prepare for the field are:  I am taking science classes such as chemistry, as well as biology.  I am learning from these blog posts what it means to be in the dental profession.  I am also maturing in many ways which will hopefully allow me to succeed in achieving my dream job.

The dental profession holds a special position of trust within society. As a consequence, society affords the profession certain privileges that are not available to members of the public-at-large. In return, the profession makes a commitment to society that its members will adhere to high ethical standards of conduct. These standards are embodied in the ADA Principles of Ethics and Code of Professional Conduct (ADA Code). The ADA Code is, in effect, a written expression of the obligations arising from the implied contract between the dental profession and society. 

Members of the ADA voluntarily agree to abide by the ADA Code as a condition of membership in the Association. They recognize that continued public trust in the dental profession is based on the commitment of individual dentists to high ethical standards of conduct. 

The ADA Code has three main components: The Principles of Ethics, the Code of Professional Conduct and the Advisory Opinions. 

The Principles of Ethics are the aspirational goals of the profession. They provide guidance and offer justification for the Code of Professional Conduct and the Advisory Opinions. There are five fundamental principles that form the foundation of the ADA Code: patient autonomy, nonmaleficence, beneficence, justice and veracity. Principles can overlap each other as well as compete with each other for priority. More than one principle can justify a given element of theCode of Professional Conduct. Principles may at times need to be balanced against each other, but, otherwise, they are the profession's firm guideposts. 

The Code of Professional Conduct is an expression of specific types of conduct that are either required or prohibited. The Code of Professional Conduct is a product of the ADA's legislative system. All elements of the Code of Professional Conduct result from resolutions that are adopted by the ADA's House of Delegates. The Code of Professional Conduct is binding on members of the ADA, and violations may result in disciplinary action. 

The Advisory Opinions are interpretations that apply the Code of Professional Conduct to specific fact situations. They are adopted by the ADA's Council on Ethics, Bylaws and Judicial Affairs to provide guidance to the membership on how the Council might interpret theCode of Professional Conduct in a disciplinary proceeding. 

The ADA Code is an evolving document and by its very nature cannot be a complete articulation of all ethical obligations. The ADA Code is the result of an on-going dialogue between the dental profession and society, and as such, is subject to continuous review. 

Although ethics and the law are closely related, they are not the same. Ethical obligations may—and often do—exceed legal duties. In resolving any ethical problem not explicitly covered by the ADA Code, dentists should consider the ethical principles, the patient's needs and interests, and any applicable laws

Cited:"ADA Principles of Ethics and Code of Professional Conduct." - American Dental Association. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Oct. 2012. <http://www.ada.org/194.aspx>.

Invisalign vs. braces

Saw this on the invisalign site.  It maps out the reasons for more family dentists to switch completely to their product.  Though this list may be bias because it's on their website, ultimately invisalign is very practical, cost effective, and more comfortable for the patient.  One reason many dentists don't want to make the switch is because the price of braces is slightly higher than invisalign.  Switching would lose them some money.  However, it is a great solution to having metal braces which cut your cheeks, and are uncomfortable.  A practice which is aimed toward pleasing the customer should adopt these.  There are cases where braces are a better option but hopefully invisalign will become much more prevalent in coming years.

Cited:
" How Invisalign Works ." How Invisalign Invisible Braces Straighten Teeth. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Nov. 2012. <http://www.invisalign.com/How-Invisalign-Works/Pages/Default.aspx>.

Observing Community

I called a neighbor from my cottage at Glen Arbor who was also a pre-dental student at MSU.  She now attends UofM dental school and is on her way to her own practice.  I interviewed her over the phone about pre-dental work at Michigan State.

Q: What courses required for dental school were the most challenging?
A: General as well as organic chemistry

Q: Were there a lot of other pre-dental students that you know of?
A: Not really sure.  She met several people when interviewing for a job after graduation who also went to MSU but didn't know any of them personally.  However, she did know of a fair amount of people who were in the pre-dental club.

Q: Did you find that the heavy course load impeded your ability to have a good time at college?
A: Not at all, "Work hard, play hard"

Q: Was MSU a good place for a pre-dental student?
A: Absolutely, out of the 100 students in her graduate dental program there are 35 from Michigan State.

Though the community of pre-dental students at MSU is not large, they are successful in their work and are going on to graduate schools to begin practices.  MSU is a great place for getting into graduate programs.  To draw conclusions about its beliefs and values, I would say "work hard, play hard" is pretty accurate.  I hope I can pull it off.