Sunstar eBrief

According to a recent trend on TiKTok, anyone can take a scaling instrument to their teeth to remove plaque. No training needed.1 But some things are just better left to the pros. Normally performed in the dental office by a trained dental hygienist, scaling is key in removing plaque buildup. Because plaque can harden into calculus, the procedure involves...

When left untreated, dental caries can inflict major damage. In fact, should infections develop, the rest of the body can be at risk. So concerned is the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry about caries gaining a foothold in young teeth that it recommends all children see a dentist within 6 months of the first tooth eruption or by...

Researchers at Japan’s Hiroshima University recently explored the connection between periodontitis and atrial fibrosis. Atrial fibrosis results in scarring of the heart’s left atrial appendages (LAA). This can lead to a common type of heart condition known as atrial fibrillation, or Afib.1 Afib often manifests as an abnormal or erratic heart rate, known as arrhythmia, and is reported...

Crystal Adams, MA, CDA, RDH As a dental hygienist and dental assistant, Crystal Adams, MA, CDA, RDH, spent a career in dental education until she switched gears to move into advocacy. Today, she advocates for improving oral health in her home state of North Carolina as the director of the North Carolina Oral Health Collaborative (NCOHC), a program...

Jenny Zamora-Garcia, RDH, was recently honored with Flagstaff’s “Citizen of the Year” Award for her work in dental public health.

In spite of personal hardships, Karen Tyree, RDH, BSDH, continues to advance the professions of dental assisting and dental hygiene in her home state of Alabama.

Mounting evidence shows that vitamin D is much more valuable than previously realized.

In spite of personal hardships, Karen Tyree, RDH, BSDH, continues to advance the professions of dental assisting and dental hygiene in her home state of Alabama.

The WHO’s first-ever Global Oral Health Status Report paints a comprehensive picture of how oral disease impacts 194 countries, providing valuable statistical insights for decision-makers.

It’s not just adults who can develop bad breath. Children also can offend.