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Social media sites have become an established means of communication due to the exponential growth in number of users across the world and the encouragement of interaction between users through site features. The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which Loma Linda University School of Dentistry students use social media accounts, the types of accounts they prefer, their interest in incorporating social media into courses and their perceptions of the usefulness of social media in private practice. In addition, we wanted to determine the degree of student interest in the integration of these social tools into their instruction. One thousand one hundred and sixty-two students from Loma Linda University School of Dentistry were invited by e-mail to complete a confidential 18 item multiple choice survey through Surveymonkey.com. The overall response rate was 30% (n = 351) from the pooled response periods; the first in 2011 and the second in 2013. Similar to other studies, Facebook was used by 91% of the School of Dentistry students, and less than half used Google+, Twitter and LinkedIn. Of the respondents, 68% of students reported communicating on social media daily and 80% saw value for practising dentists to operate accounts. Time and privacy concerns were the largest barriers to usage at 16% and 12% respectively. One third of respondents were in favour of the incorporation of social media in their courses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Smoking remains the largest single preventable cause of death and disability in the UK and costs the NHS 1.7 billion pound each year. More than 120,000 people die prematurely due to smoking related diseases. Worldwide smoking is the single most important public health problem. The detrimental effects of smoking and tobacco use on oral health are well recognised. Oral cancers and pre-cancers, periodontal diseases and poor wound healing are the most significant and serious effects of smoking on the mouth. In addition, staining of the teeth, soft tissue changes and halitosis are aesthetic and social impacts of smoking directly related to oral health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reports on the launch of a First Aid Kit for Tooth Injuries by a group of dentists in Ulster County , New York, for those who lead sports activities and professionals who may encounter dental trauma. Prevention of distress of permanent tooth loss; Funding by the Mid-Ulster Local Heath and Social Care Group; Components of the tool kit.

Few dentists play integrated roles within hospital settings and few hospital emergency rooms have dentists. Existing research shows that only 67% of ER visits for dental problems are managed appropriately. Every year Americans die in hospital after being admitted because of dental disease and a recent study found that 20 people died after such hospitalisations in the United States in 2008. Authors of the current correspondence have conducted extensive research on characteristics of emergency room visits and hospitalisations due to various dental conditions using a nationwide dataset for the United States. This opinion article is intended to provoke discussion about the restructuring of hospitals to integrate oral health professionals into the hospital team. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In response to Stephen Hancocks' editorial Sawbones no longer, this paper examines the future role of oral physicians and patients' need for dental professionals to play a larger part in overall healthcare. Whilst the financial structures behind the US and UK dental systems differ, it can be questioned whether the outcomes of impending change will be as diverse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The defining characteristics of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are impairment in communication and restricted and repetitive activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on the final regulation issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) which classifies dental amalgam and its component used in dental fillings. The regulation classifies dental amalgam as Class II to offer reasonable assurance of the effectivity and safety of the device. FDA is hopeful that the regulation would help dentists and patients make informed decisions pertaining to its usage.

The article presents guidelines issued to dentists by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for dealing with the swine flu outbreak. The guidelines discuss how to work with infected or symptomatic patients or coworkers. A website is presented that offers updated guidelines and other information.

The article presents the author's view about the major development of dentistry in the recent years in the U.S. He states that the access for the improvement for the less fortunate in dental care has been the priority of the American Dental Association (ADA) and American dentists for decades. He believes that as dentistry evolves and improves in the country and in Great Britain, both could achieve better healthcare outcomes for the patients' future.

The article reports that the U.S. Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) has announced the recipients for its 2007 Fellowship and Mastership Award. The awards were given during the AGD's Annual Meeting & Exhibits held in San Diego, California. The grantees were dentists from nearly every state in the U.S. who have shown their dedication to remain current in their profession and to provide excellent patient care.

The article cites a study published in the "Journal of Dental Education" which found that the number of Latino dental graduates in Los Angeles, California decreased by nearly 80% between 1982 and 1999. The study indicated that there will be fewer dentists who will be serving a growing Latino population which increased by 42.7% during the same span of time. The authors of the study stated that the shortage could be so big that a significant increase would not make up a difference.

Presents a calendar of congresses and conventions organized by dental and oral surgeon organizations in the U.S. from January to April 2005.

Reports that Martin Thornhill and Joan Kowolik have become the first British graduates to become Fellows of the American Dental Education Association Leadership Institute. Announcement of the Fellowships during the association's annual metting in Seattle, Washington; Fellowship selection process; Qualifications of Thornhill and Kowolik.

Compares treatment planning options, for dental care of a child in pain, offered by general dental practitioners (GDP) in Los Angeles, California and North-west region of England. Differences between methods used by American and British dentists for managing the problem; Treatment suggested by British GDPs in respect of long term care.

Reports that Great Britain's General Dental Council (GDC) is launching a national recruitment campaign to find members to form a new independent Appointing Body. Making judgments on dentists' fitness to practice; Objectives of the campaign; Web sites for potential applicants.