The Impact of Environmental Factors such as Air Pollutions on Older Adults
Environmental issues affect us all, but older adults face unique vulnerabilities when it comes to pollution. As the global population ages, understanding how pollution affects older adults becomes increasingly urgent. Let's explore how pollutants impact their health,...
Temporomandibular disorders and systemic diseases
Orofacial pain encompasses a range of conditions affecting the jaw, mouth, face, and associated regions. Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are a subset of these conditions, characterized by symptoms such as face and neck muscle pain, nerve pain, temporomandibular...
Physical Activity Recommended as Intervention for Chronic Pain
Many people who have chronic pain live sedentary lifestyles, which could be contributing to their condition. Increasingly, there is support for living a more physically active life, and that goes for whether or not one has chronic pain. While those who have chronic...
Can neck exercises help with chronic pain?
Millions of people experience chronic neck pain on a regular basis. The pain may result from their job, poor posture, or any number of reasons. Finding relief is at the top of their list, and new research shows that they may not need to look further than certain types...
Embracing Technology in Geriatric Dental Education: Preparing for the Future of Oral Healthcare
This blog is part of the Geriatric Dentistry Program weekly special – updates in Advancement and Oral Health in Geriatric Dentistry. Students in programs at dental schools across the country are increasingly benefiting from the flexibility of advanced education...
Are Older Adults More Vulnerable to Oral Systemic Link?
This blog is part of the Geriatric Dentistry Program weekly special - updates in Advancement and Oral Health in Geriatric Dentistry. The link between oral and systemic diseases has been under intense investigation in recent years. This is certainly an exciting...
Hybrid Learning for Orofacial Pain Expertise
In an ever-evolving world where technology continually reshapes how we learn and practice, the realm of dental education is no exception. While the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry at USC has pioneered a Hybrid Online Competency-Based Residency Training, if...
New Advances in Oral Cancer Detection
Oral malignancy ranks among the most prevalent cancers worldwide. Dentists, as frontline healthcare specialists, play a crucial role in detecting benign and potentially malignant oral conditions, including oral cancers. The high prevalence and often delayed detection...
Is Drinking Alcohol Easing the Chronic Pain?
Millions of people in America suffer from chronic pain. Millions also love to drink alcohol on a regular basis. When combining the two, there may be some issues that those who work with chronic pain patients and those who have alcohol use disorder need to be aware of....
Can Improving One’s Mood Help with Inflammatory Bowel Disease?
Most people know first-hand that they feel better when in a good mood. What they may only sometimes be aware of are the details about what those mood-boosting feelings are doing to the inside of their body. New research has emerged, sharing the results of a study...
The Impact of AI on Orofacial Pain and Oral Medicine
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming various fields, and orofacial pain and oral medicine is no exception. This blog explores the impact of AI on diagnostic accuracy, patient care, and the overall practice of dental medicine. Understanding Orofacial...
Teledentistry: Embracing Its Utility for Oral Healthcare
Telehealth services for teleconsultations and telemonitoring have increased since the pandemic [1], though teledentistry, in various forms, has been employed for at least the last 25 years [2]. Teledentistry may revolutionize oral healthcare by overcoming access...
Can School Nurses Help Adolescents with Chronic Pain?
Chronic pain is something that can impact people of all ages. There are many studies being done over the years that try to find ways to help people find relief. While ones that focus on adolescents experiencing chronic pain are not as common, when there is information...
How Conferences Keep Dentists on the Cutting Edge
As dentists and any other healthcare providers, we continually evolve with new research, techniques, and technologies. Attending professional conferences is an invaluable opportunity to stay updated, network with peers, and enhance practice. These past weeks, four...
Using Art for Effective Health Education
A key responsibility of public health is disease prevention and the promotion of overall well-being. Investing in disease prevention benefits individuals, the healthcare system, and society at large. To fulfill this responsibility, effective health education must be...
Connect and Collaborate: The Power of Geriatric Dentistry Conferences
As we start returning to in person live conferences, we are excited to share insights, tips, and highlights of geriatric dentistry conferences to help you navigate the world of professional development and networking opportunities! Special Care Dentistry Association...
Meditation Shows Promise in Helping those with Chronic Pain
Those unfamiliar with meditation may think of it as some new-age practice that they find confusing. Many people believe they can't meditate or that it's something only people from certain religions engage in. The truth is not even close to this, as more people learn...
Overlooked Factors for Dental Service Utilization
Gender, race, and ethnicity may be missed opportunities to explore how social identity components can hinder dental service utilization. Recognizing the psychosocial benefits of oral health and the importance of maintaining healthy teeth requires insight and empathy...
Misconceptions in the Cleft Lip and Palate Community
Cleft lip (CL) and cleft palate (CP) are congenital deformities caused by unusual embryonic facial development during intrauterine life [1,2]. This medical condition is not a significant cause of mortality in developed countries; however, it does cause considerable...
Busted! 5 Myths About Aging
Myths are beliefs that while widely held are not true. There are so many myths about aging that an entire book could be filled. Below we discuss some old and some new myths that you may have heard in your professional and personal circles. See if you recognize them....
TMJ-OA: Not Just an Older Person’s Problem
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) comprises the mandibular condyle and the glenoid fossa of the temporal bone, covered by fibrocartilage, which provides greater resilience and support to mechanical stress [1]. This joint can be affected by bone deterioration, causing...
Older Adults with Chronic Pain Can Benefit From Being Physically Active
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), around 50 million adults in the U.S. experience chronic pain each year [1]. Those who are more likely to be impacted by it are older adults. Often, those who are experiencing chronic pain will shy away...
The Link Between Tobacco, Alcohol, and Oral Cancer
Oral cancer is a significant public health problem worldwide, ranking as the 6th most common cancer with a 5-year survival rate of 50% [1]. It accounts for roughly 3% of all cancers diagnosed annually in the United States. On average, 90% of these cases are oral...
The Essential Do’s and Don’ts of Successful Oral Health Programs
In this blog, we'll explore some essentials of establishing a Community Oral Health Program, some “Do” and “Do not.” Creating a robust community oral health program is more than a goal; it's a commitment to the well-being of a community. Community Oral Health Program,...