The Journal of the American Dental Association
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"Human trafficking" is a term for a modern form of slavery. It is a criminal human rights violation and a significant health issue. Dental professionals can assist in recognizing victims of trafficking. ⋯ Dental professionals are on the front lines with respect to encountering and identifying potential victims who seek dental treatment. Dentists can combat human trafficking by becoming informed and by maintaining vigilance in their practices.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Multivitamin therapy for recurrent aphthous stomatitis: a randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled trial.
Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is a painful condition of unknown etiology, affecting more than 2.5 billion people worldwide. Vitamin deficiencies have been implicated as a possible cause. ⋯ Clinicians should not recommend multi-vitamin supplementation routinely as prophylaxis for RAS.
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Damage to the inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) during the extraction of impacted mandibular third molars in close proximity to the mandibular canal is a postoperative complication that most frequently occurs in patients 40 years and older. ⋯ Coronectomy appears to be a valid surgical alternative in patients 40 years and older who are at a higher risk of experiencing neurological deficits than are younger patients.
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Nitrous oxide-oxygen sedation is used widely in dentistry because of its relative safety and efficacy. The most important safety consideration is the prevention of hypoxia. Safety features have been designed to prevent hypoxia by ensuring a minimal oxygen flow, thus limiting the amount of nitrous oxide that can be administered. ⋯ Nitrous oxide-oxygen delivery systems typically are limited to a maximum of 70 percent nitrous oxide and 30 percent oxygen delivery, which ensures that the patient is receiving at least 9 percent more oxygen than found in ambient air. Other safety features stop the delivery of nitrous oxide if oxygen flow stops. The pin-index safety system prevents the accidental attachment of a nonoxygen tank to the oxygen attachment portal, and diameter-index systems help ensure that the appropriate gas flows through the appropriate tubing. Although these safety features are in place, dentists have reported incidents of hypoxia involving incorrect equipment installation or equipment damage. Practice Implications. If a safety feature failure is suspected during administration of nitrous oxide-oxygen sedation, the clinician should remove the face mask from the patient immediately.