Sarah Handzel, BSN, RN

Across the United States, dentists affected by the recent hurricanes are struggling to get back on their feet. Luckily, the ADA is offering grants to those who qualify. Continue below to find out how you can apply or help your fellow practitioners.

Each year, thousands of patients are forced to visit the emergency department for tooth-related pain and disease. A new study identified it as one of the top causes of avoidable trips to the emergency room. Continue below to find out how health care policy plays a part in this phenomenon.

Young dentists know the importance of establishing a digital presence and positive online reviews. A new survey from Ceatus Media Group confirms that in this day and age, consumers consult the Internet before making appointments. Read on for more on the survey's findings.

August brought a new FDA proposal for traditional cigarettes, whose nicotine levels are said to be responsible for addiction. Continue below to find out more about the proposal.

Dentists have warned of sugar's adverse impact on oral and general health for years, but they can now add another negative side effect to the list. A new study suggests that high sugar consumption is linked to common mental disorders, specifically depression. Continue below to find out more about the study.

According to a new Academy of General Dentistry survey, many Americans are unaware that oral health is part of their overall health. Out of a sample of more than a thousand adults, a shocking 50 percent of participants reported that they don't view dentist as prevention experts, and more than 20 percent do not have a general dentist. For more figures from the AGD survey, continue below.

Congenital missing teeth affects millions of people around the world. A new research initiative, backed by a grant from the National Institutes of Health, hopes to determine the causes of the genetic mutations that prevent teeth from forming. Continue below to find out more about the grant-supported research.

The United States' lack of affordable dental care is a serious and visible problem in communities across the nation. The Care Free Pay It Forward program aims to change that, with both patients and dentists responding with a resounding "Yes." Continue below to learn more about the success of the program.

Tooth sensitivity is a common complaint amongst patients, and while there are plenty of products on the market, not every patient is able to find a successful solution. Certain compounds found in green tea leaves not only provides a new treatment option, but a more natural one for patients who prefer a more organic approach. Continue below to find out more.

Patients' busy lives often lead them to neglect to schedule regular dental visits. The American Dental Association hopes to change that with their new campaign, a digital effort to target more than 19 million potential patients and connect them with dentists. Continue below to find out more about the campaign,

Estrogen has long been prescribed to women dealing with menopause and osteoporosis. But according to a new study, the hormone's benefits for post-menopausal women does not end there. Continue below to learn about new research on the relationship between estrogen therapy and gum disease.

There are few feelings more satisfying than being well rested. But according to a new study, a full and consistent sleep schedule does wonders for overall health and productivity. Continue below to find out more about how a good night's rest can help you and your practice.

Babies who are breastfed show stronger resistance to viruses and bacteria, ear infections, respiratory illnesses and digestive problems. Even mothers can benefit from the release of the hormone oxytocin, which aids weight loss, as well as a lowered risk of breast and ovarian cancer. However, breastfeeding too long may have unexpected consequences. Continue below to find out how prolonged breastfeeding impacts oral health in children.

Everyone wants a whiter, more attractive smile, and according to research, that desire is creating a goldmine for dentists. With the dental restoration market expected to grow more than 5 percent over the next several years, dental health care providers would be wise to tap into it. Read more about the new report outlining growth trends in cosmetic dentistry below.

The American Heart Association put out guidelines in 2007 regarding use of prophylactics prior to dental procedures. A recent study from the Rochester Epidemiology Project has found that since the implementation of the guidelines, dental surgeons have remained compliant. Continue below to learn more about the AHA's efforts to reduce needless antibiotic use.

The Dentists Service Company, the CDA's newest subsidiary, has launched in an effort to provide practice management outreach to dentists. Thanks in part to the CDA's many members, TDSC is the answer to the base's interest in assistance with issues related to business. Continue below to learn how TDSC can help your practice.

Consumers have always looked for affordable at-home solutions to teeth whitening, but many of them come with a set of risks. Even with the continual use of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide, a whitening trick passed down for generations, damage to tooth enamel outweighs the benefits of a more attractive smile. Now with the ADA's seal of approval, Crest 3D White 'Glamorous White' Whitestrips are providing a safe and effective do-it-yourself product for those looking to whiten their smiles.

Virtual reality has the power to transport its users. Doctors and dentists have caught on to this technology and taken advantage of it to make their patients more comfortable, but according to a new study, not all VR destinations are created equal. Read on to find out which VR environments are most effective in reducing pain and anxiety during procedures.

The latest research from the University of Helsinki revealed some surprising results regarding fertility and oral health. According to the study, a woman's dental hygiene can potentially have adverse affects on her ability to conceive. Read on to see what the researchers advise young women who plan to eventually become mothers.

Malpractice suits are one of the contributors to rising health care spending, which reached 17.8 percent in 2015. New legislation recently passed by the House hopes to put a limit on how much patients, including those with permanent damages as a result of malpractice, can win in court. While doctors, including dentists, can benefit from this potential protection, opponents argue it comes at too great a cost to patients. Read on to find out more about the new bill.

Root canals are one of the most dreaded procedures for patients. At Oregon Health & Science University, principal investigator Luis Bertassoni, D.D.S., and his team have discovered a new method that uses synthetic means to repair infected dental tissue. Inspired by the latest technology, this development has the potential to revolutionize dental care. Read more about the report and the benefits of the improved root canal procedure.

Dental care is an essential piece of everyone's health, but for children, having access to a dental provider is especially urgent. For the half-million Los Angeles children enrolled in Medi-Cal, that urgency is being recognized in the form of increased coverage for preventative care. Continue below to learn about UCLA's efforts to create a generation of healthy smiles.

The formation of a new partnership between the ADA, FDI World Dental Federation, California Dental Association (CDA) and more has materialized in an effort make dynamic dental conferences. In the future, attendees and vendors can expect engaging programs and experiences. Continue below to learn more about the collaborations.

Everyone knows about the damage tobacco can cause to one's oral health, but according to a new study from Columbia University, the risks can extend to another habit. For frequent recreational marijuana users, the risk of gum disease is apparently present, a surprising discovery for the researchers. Users of marijuana in other forms are vulnerable as well. Continue below to learn more about the relationship between frequent marijuana use and periodontal disease.

This month, Colgate's Share More Smile More campaign is taking aim at the oral health of Hispanic communities within the U.S. Partnering again with the American Dental Association, Colgate has pledged to donate $1 to the Give Kids a Smile® program each time someone interacts with #TimetoSmile. Keep reading about the campaign and its goals below.

While science has yet to find a definitive cause of Autism Spectrum Disorder, recent studies suggest a connection between heavy metals like lead. Using baby teeth, researchers were recently able to assess metal concentrations in 32 pairs of twins, the results of which suggest exposure to heavy metals may be a directly associated with the development of ASD. Read on to learn more about how the researchers reached their conclusions.

Dentists in Illinois are owed more than $200 million in back payments from Delta Dental of Illinois, according to a recent report in the Chicago Business Journal. The amount pertains to services performed on state employees between 2016 and 2017. The late payments are having a dire effect on dentists in the state.

New American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) guidelines warn against giving fruit juice to children under the age of one. Recent evidence suggests that fruit juice has little nutritional benefit, causes dental erosion and contributes to obesity. Children should get nutrients through whole fruit instead to eliminate exposure to the excess sugar and negative effects of fruit juice.

A 14-year study published in the American Journal of Industrial Medicine shows how dental lab technicians in the U.S. may be at risk for developing mesothelioma. The Italian study identified four patients who developed mesothelioma after working in dental laboratories. Researchers hypothesized that the technicians were exposed to asbestos contained in casting rings.

A new study from the University of Illinois at Chicago's School of Dentistry shows that grape seed extract could be beneficial in strengthening dentin, thus helping to prevent filling failure. Typically, resin fillings have a lifespan of five to seven years. Adding to that lifespan by strengthening dentin, thus promoting filling adherence, could save dental costs as populations age.