Thursday, May 17, 2012

The Morning Drill: May 17, 2012



Photo courtesy of Raven Maria Blanco Foundation


Good Thursday morning!

On to today's dentistry and health headlines:

Drugmaker discontinues pediatric oral sedative

Pharmaceutical Associates, a South Carolina-based drug manufacturer, has discontinued production of chloral hydrate oral solution, an anesthetic used in pediatric dentistry. The company cited "business reasons" as the source of the decision, which came in March.

I think it's probably going to have a fairly wide impact," Stephen Wilson, DMD, PhD, professor and director of the Division of Pediatric Dentistry at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, said in an interview with DrBicuspid.com. "I talked to a couple of colleagues who use it, and they're not quite sure what they're going to do to substitute it with a different drug or combination of drugs. That is the case with us, as well."

A bulletin from the American Society of Health System Pharmacists (ASHP) noted there are no other manufacturers of the oral solution form of the drug. However, 500-mg capsules or powder forms that can be used to create a solution are still available, according to Dr. Wilson.

But its use in dentistry has not been without controversy, and there are mixed opinions about its usefulness.

"Quite frankly, I'm surprised the manufacturer didn't discontinue it sooner," John Liu, DDS, immediate past president of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, told DrBicuspid.com. "There were issues and questions about its effectiveness and safety that I could clearly see in some of the patients I treated with chloral hydrate that concerned me enough that I stopped using it in the late 1980s."

The University of Florida discontinued its use after the death of a five-year-old boy in 2010 who had been sedated with the drug. Dylan Shane Stewart went into cardiac arrest during a procedure to have four fillings and eight crowns placed. The amount administered was reportedly "far more" than the recommended dosage, causing a toxic reaction. While the drug is safe and effective if the exact dosage is used, some experts say it can be "unforgiving" if too much is used.

Former Helena dentist on probation with dentistry board

A 45-year-old dentist charged inHelenafor a sex crime is now on probation with the state Board of Dentistry for not being forthcoming on his renewal about the charge and for being convicted of a charge involving violence.

Jason James Roan, who currently lives inBillings, initially charged with sexual intercourse without consent, entered an Alford plea on a lesser charge of felony criminal endangerment. Roan received a three-year deferred sentence after admitting to creating a substantial risk of serious bodily injury to his victim.

After the charges were filed in April 2010, Roan renewed his dentistry license. On the paperwork, he answered no to a question asking if any legal or disciplinary actions had been instituted against him since his last renewal, according to documents released by the Board of Dentistry on Wednesday.

The board ordered Roan’s license be placed on probation for three years with quarterly updates from his state probation officer, employment-supervising dentist and psychotherapist. He also was fined $4,000 and must be supervised while working.

Sports dentistry symposium to focus on female athletes


For the first time in its 30-year history, the Academy for Sports Dentistry Annual Symposium will offer continuing education that focuses on female athletes as ASD celebrates the 40th anniversary of Title IX.

The special track at the meeting, to convene June 21-23 at the Minneapolis Marriott City Center, will include the courses Girls & Women in Sport: Key Issues 40 Years After Title IX; Women in Sport–From Title IX to 2012; Treating the Female Athlete; Body Image Sports/Eating Disorders; and The Female Athlete Triad and Energy Deficiency. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 protects people from discrimination based on sex in education programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance.

“Saturday, June 23 is the 40th anniversary of Title IX and the ASD is proud to recognize the occasion by discussing the issues affecting treatment for the female athlete,” said Dr. Paul Nativi, ASD president. “Drs. Nicole Lavoi, Joel Boyd, Jillian Lampert and William Roberts will present various topics unique to the female athlete. Women athletes make up an increasing percentage of the athletes we see, making this a very appropriate topic.”

DenMat officially announces move to Lompoc

DenMat Holdings LLC, a dental products provider and major employer with plans to grow, announced Wednesday that it will vacate its facilities in Santa Maria and relocate its 350 employees to Lompoc.

The move by DenMat, which as been talked about behind the scenes for several months, will begin in June and take place over six months, according to Steve Semmelmayer, chief executive officer of DenMat.

“Our current and future space needs dictate a move to a facility where we can consolidate operations under one roof as well as provide room for expansion,” Semmelmayer said in a prepared statement.

DenMat, which also provides laboratory services to dentists in more than 68 countries, will be moving to 1017 W. Central Ave. in Lompoc. The building is now occupied by Central Plastics, Inc., a supplier for DenMat, which is expected to eventually relocate to another building in Lompoc, according to city officials.

Lompoc Mayor John Linn, who was out of town Wednesday but in touch with city hall, said the DenMat announcement is important news for Lompoc.

“This is the largest single-employer gain since the Space Shuttle,” Linn said, referring to the aerospace industry expansion in the 1980s. “It’s going to put a bunch of folks in Lompoc every day.”

Although few if any new hires will occur in Lompoc, DenMat’s expansion plans bode well for the city’s future, Linn said.

Enjoy your morning!

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