Dentistry’s mental health crisis

New research examines suicide among dentists, shining a light on mental health in the profession. In policy news, the FDA has placed new restrictions on fluoride supplements for children. We also take a look at a surprisingly toothy donation to the Salvation Army and a new AI platform aiming to make the business of dentistry easier. 

Plus, catch the latest on TikTok. This viral video claims men and women should be using different types of toothpaste. 

A toothy donation. Someone donated a gold tooth worth roughly $100, dropping it into a Salvation Army bucket in Arizona. 

A new AI-powered dental platform. Archy, an AI-powered platform for dentistry, raked in $20 million in funding and promises to consolidate multiple administrative functions. 

Responding to patient reviews. An episode of Henry Schein One's podcast, "Spilling the Teath," focuses on how to build a strategy for tracking and responding to patient reviews. 

Teen dies following wisdom teeth extraction. Seventeen-year-old Sophia Farmer died due to complications that occurred while she was under sedation for a wisdom teeth extraction. 

Making new products work for you. New products are exciting, but dentists need the right approach for evaluating and integrating them into their practices.

MAHA keeps coming for fluoride

The Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission directed the FDA to restrict fluoride supplements for children. The FDA is focused on "unapproved fluoride-containing ingestible drugs labeled for use in children under age 3 or older children at low or moderate risk for tooth decay," according to the agency's press release. The FDA highlighted concerns regarding fluoride's impact on children's gut microbiome and intellectual development. 

Why it matters: Fluoride continues to face scrutiny and bans in multiple states and cities, raising alarm with many oral health experts who continue to point to its benefits and safety. (CNN)

Another exciting development in regenerative dentistry

Researchers at the University of Nottingham in England have developed a new gel that can regenerate tooth enamel. This gel is designed to be easily applied. One of the study leaders hopes that the new findings will translate into a product that could be available next year. 

Why it matters: Repairing natural tooth enamel would be a big win for regenerative dentistry. (BBC)

A spotlight on mental health in dentistry 

A new study draws on data from 1979 to 2018 to understand the suicide rate among dentists. The research found that the suicide rate for male and female dentists was higher than that of the general population. As the demographics of dentistry change over time, new research is necessary to understand mental health issues in a more diverse workforce. 

Why it matters: Ongoing research and discussion regarding the mental health of dentists is an important way to combat stigma. (Oral Health Group)

• Talking to patients about cavities and consequences
• Untangling the link between MS and the oral microbiome
• Different ways to become a dental practice owner
• Recognizing the potential of salivary testing 

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Dental Bite is curated and written by Carrie Pallardy and edited by Lesley McKenzie.