Journal of the California Dental Association
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A case of acetaminophen overdose in a patient presenting with a mandible fracture is presented to illustrate the clinical scenario, pathophysiology, and treatment of acute toxicity with this commonly used over-the-counter medication.
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The recent introduction of intraosseous injection devices has renewed interest in the modality of local anesthesia. Three devices currently available are the Stabident System, the Hypo Brand Intraosseous Needle, and the Cyberjet System. The Stabident System is the most popular and the only one for which published research is available. ⋯ During use of an anesthetic solution with a vasoconstrictor for intraosseous anesthesia, 46 percent to 100 percent of patients reported an increase in heart rate. There was a 2 percent to 27 percent incidence of moderate and sometimes severe pain during the intraosseous procedure. Postoperative complications occurred in 2 percent to 15 percent of patients and lasted one to 14 days.
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While oral appliance therapy for the treatment of sleep-disordered breathing can be an exciting and rewarding adjunct to the practice of dentistry, it is essential that dentists realize that snoring and obstructive sleep apnea are medical and not dental problems. Sleep-disordered breathing and its sequelae are diseases that should remain in the purview of the medical community. While the dentist can identify patients with sleep-breathing disorders and participate in their treatment, it is essential to emphasize that sleep-breathing disorders are potentially life-threatening diseases whose diagnosis and treatment are the domain of the medical profession. Accepting dentistry's position as part of a treatment team, ongoing review of scientific literature, cooperation with medical colleagues, and attendance at educational meetings dedicated to the study of sleep-related disorders are essential to proper and ethical dental participation in the treatment of sleep-disordered breathing.
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This article discusses the many tacks CDA has taken with its marketing campaigns over the years. The keys to success have been reasonable goals and sufficient funds to make an impact. The current campaign, while underfunded due to budget constraints, carries on the successful theme of positioning CDA and its member dentists as the trusted sources of dental information for consumers, legislators, and health care decision-makers. An accompanying article discusses the proposed ADA national marketing campaign.
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A review of published data, together with previously unpublished information, shows that the use of spit tobacco among professional baseball players continues to be alarmingly high. In spite of efforts to make players aware of the harmful effects, approximately 35 percent to 40 percent of professional baseball players still use spit tobacco, and about half of those have associated lesions. However, current efforts of the National Spit Tobacco Education Program, Major League Baseball, the Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers Society and the Major League Baseball Players Association are expected to result in a significant reduction in spit tobacco use in this population in the next decade.