And the winners are:

The Golden Smile! - Not only did Modern Family’s beauty Sofia Vergara look stunning in her strapless diamond and gold fitted dress, but she had one of the most radiant smiles of the night! Vergara topped Dr. Austin’s list for “best female celebrity smile”.

A Smile That Makes You Want To Sing!- Actor Mathew Morrison of the hit show Glee topped Dr. Austin’s list for “best male celebrity smile”.

A Winning White Smile! - CSI Miami actress Eva LaRue showcased a dazzling white smile along with her beautiful white one shouldered dress. From head to toe she was simply gorgeous!

“Truly” A Great Smile! - Despite having pointy canines like a true vampire should, actor  of True Blood rocked a very sexy natural looking smile.

And the biggest losers are:

A Smile That You Wouldn’t Kill For! - Currently on the hit show Dexter, veteran actor John Lithgow’s teeth topped Dr.Austin’s “worse celebrity smile list”. Austin says “John Lithgow’s teeth desperately need straightening. I recommend either porcelain veneers that could cosmetically align his teeth in just 1 week or clear removable braces like the new Clear Correct brand that could straighten his smile in approximately 1 year”. In addition, Dr. Austin says that Lithgow needed a boost of teeth whitening to brighten his dull yellow smile.

Teeth whitening is the number one requested cosmetic procedure in cosmetic dentistry practices across the nation. Dr. Austin says “Celebrity smiles are not just reserved for Hollywood’s rich and famous! For those who are on a budget but still want a red carpet smile, I recommend skipping the costly 1 hour in-office whitening and start of the fall fashion season in style with the new Crest and Oral-B 3D White collection. You can actually see results in just 1 DAY when you use the entire 3D White collection which includes Crest 3D White Pro Effects Whitestrips, Crest 3D White Vivid Toothpaste, Crest 3D White Multicare Whitening Rinse, and Oral-B Pulsar or Advantage 3D White Vivid Toothbrushes!”

A Smile That Belongs On the D-List! - Dressed in her purple Zac Posen dress, Mad Men’s Christina Hendricks could also use a smile makeover. Dr. Austin says “Christina is a beautiful girl, but you’ll notice that she rarely smiles in her pictures on the red carpet perhaps because her smile is far from perfect

As the effects of methamphetamine use are devastating, the Pennsylvania Dental Association (PDA) wants to educate the public about this destructive drug.

An individual can become almost immediately addicted after their first use of the drug. Methamphetamine is a potent central nervous system stimulant that mirrors chemicals in the brain that transmit messages of gratification and euphoria. It releases large amounts of dopamine, creating an intense high or feeling of pleasure. It then damages and blocks dopamine transporters, which affect motor skills, memory, attention and the ability to feel pleasure. Eventually, it depletes the brain’s production of normal chemical messages that create pleasurable feelings.

Methamphetamine use can cause serious health problems, including permanent and irreversible brain damage, respiratory problems, hyperthermia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, irregular heartbeat, strokes, high blood pressure, extensive tooth decay and even death.

“The ill effects of methamphetamine use on the oral cavity is particularly profound,” said

Dr. Brian M. Schwab, a PDA member and general dentist from Reading. “As health-care professionals, we need to think outside the box and treat not only the patient’s dental needs but also address their social, psychological and emotional needs, so that an individual with addiction can access treatment. Dentists need to be a member of the addiction-treating team, not just repairing the effects on the dentition.”

The mouth of a methamphetamine user is often referred to as a “meth mouth,” because of the rampant tooth decay that occurs with the use of this drug. Methamphetamine use affects dental health in several ways, including:

* The teeth become blackened, stained and rotted, and crumble and fall apart. Many users also experience sore and bleeding gums.

* The acidic ingredients of methamphetamine can damage teeth. Ingredients can include battery acid, lantern fuel, antifreeze, hydrochloric acid, drain cleaner and over-the-counter cold medications containing ephedrine.

* Users of methamphetamine habitually grind and clench their teeth.

* Users can experience dry mouth as methamphetamine use dries up the protective saliva around the teeth.

* While high, users often crave sugary beverages, bathing the teeth in sugary acids.

* The high from methamphetamine typically lasts about 12 hours, during which time users are usually not brushing or flossing their teeth. This can lead to long periods of poor oral hygiene.

“Many people believe that methamphetamine use is isolated to the inner cities and suburbs, but the truth is that drug abuse reaches into every crevice of Pennsylvania,” Dr. Schwab said. “A dentist anywhere can and will encounter a patient who abuses methamphetamine, and we all need to be well versed in its side effects and treatment protocols.”

An estimated 28 percent of all U.S. toddlers and preschoolers are affected by Early Childhood Caries (ECC), which is the appearance of tooth decay in young children. Tooth decay is the most common chronic childhood disease — five times more common than asthma. More than 51 million school hours are lost every year to dental-related issues, and in the long term, dental disease can be associated with serious illnesses including heart disease and stroke.

Tooth decay is highly preventable through early dental visits, healthy nutrition, and home care. In addition to causing unnecessary pain and suffering, tooth decay impacts the learning, development, self-esteem, and quality of life of children who are afflicted by this disease, sometimes lasting into adulthood. Access to regular care is critical to solving this oral health issue.

“We are seeing an alarming increase in Early Childhood Caries, or ECC. It is truly a national health crisis. This trend, coupled with a shortage of pediatric dentists, educational facilities, and integrated policy approach were the primary reason and driving force behind the formation of The Center for Pediatric Dentistry,” said Dr. Joel Berg, director of The Center for Pediatric Dentistry. “In King County alone there is a four month wait for a child needing oral surgery to repair many teeth. Soon after its opening, The Center for Pediatric Dentistry will reduce that wait time to one week.”

The Center for Pediatric Dentistry is a joint partnership between the University of Washington, Seattle Children’s, Washington Dental Service and its Foundation. It is located in the newly renovated 28,000 square foot Washington Dental Service building for Early Childhood Oral Health. Outfitted with the latest in modern dentistry equipment and practices, the institute will provide dental care, as well as educate parents, dentists, physicians, and policy makers on infant and childhood oral health. The new facility will have the ability to handle 40,000 patient visits annually, serving children from birth to age 21, with an emphasis on early childhood — birth to age three.

“The Center for Pediatric Dentistry will serve as a leader in early childhood oral health, working to improve the health of children throughout the region, the country, and the world,” said Dr. Tom Hansen, CEO of Seattle Children’s. “We are pleased to partner with the University of Washington on this important initiative.”

“I am thrilled by the successful creation of The Center for Pediatric Dentistry,” said Phyllis Wise, provost and interim president of the University of Washington. “Interdisciplinary research and collaboration, exemplified by The Center’s approach, continue to increase in importance. The Center’s efforts to deliver care more effectively, especially to those most at risk, coupled with an emphasis on discovery, are at the heart of the University of Washington’s mission. We have an unprecedented opportunity here to lead the national effort to combat disease and improve the lives of our children at home and abroad. I applaud the work of the experts and partners at The Center for Pediatric Dentistry.”

“We need a giant step forward in disease reduction and we believe that this Center will be the catalyst,” said Laura Smith, president and CEO of the Washington Dental Service Foundation. “This is a unique opportunity to address early childhood oral disease through a multi-pronged approach: expanding the available care to prevent and treat, research on more effective ways to deliver care and focus on those children most at risk, engaging medical providers in prevention by ensuring that their education includes oral health, and identifying needed public policy.” In November 2007, Washington Dental Service and Washington Dental Service Foundation gave the largest combined oral health-related grant in Washington — $5 million — to help finance The Center for Pediatric Dentistry.

In addition to getting an oral health screening by the first birthday, there are some other common sense steps parents should follow to protect their child’s baby teeth during the critical early years:

* Beginning at birth, wipe your baby’s gums with a washcloth or piece of gauze after feeding.

* Brush your baby’s teeth with a soft toothbrush twice daily as soon as you see the first tooth, usually around six months.

* Using just a small amount of fluoridated toothpaste — the size of a grain of rice — try putting your child’s head in your lap to make it easier to brush their teeth.

* Avoid constant snacking on sticky or starchy foods or sipping sweet liquids throughout the day.

* Choose healthy snacks such as cheese, fruits, or vegetables. Avoid snacks that are sugary, starchy, or sticky.

* If you put your baby to bed with a bottle, fill it with water.

* Ask your dentist or physician about fluoride varnish, a quick and effective way to help prevent cavities and even reverse early decay.

For more information on the Center for Pediatric Dentistry please call (206) 543-5800, or visit: http://www.thecenterforpediatricdentistry.com/.

“At Smile in the City, we understand that each patient’s needs are unique,” said Dr. Joseph Zelig, Board Certified periodontist at Smile in the City. “When a patient came to us after a previous dentist couldn’t achieve her desired results – for her new crown to match the rest of her stained teeth caused by tetracycline – we welcomed the challenge and worked closely with her to produce the smile she wanted. Thanks to advanced dental technology and skilled training, we custom stained the crown in-office within an hour, so she could enjoy her improved smile in just one appointment.”

When used during pregnancy or in babies and children up to 8 years old, tetracycline can cause teeth to become permanently stained. Adults with permanently stained teeth due to tetracycline can come to Smile in the City for the results they want, even if they do not want perfectly white teeth.

The New York dentists at Smile in the City offer a wide range of cosmetic dental services, including one-visit crowns, teeth whitening, laser periodontics, full mouth reconstruction and other dental treatments customized to meet patients’ needs.

“We want our patients to feel comfortable and be healthy in their smiles,” said Dr. Zelig. “Stained teeth caused by tetracycline are a very real and unfortunate side effect. The Smile in the City team is committed to keeping our patients happy and healthy, achieving the results they deserve through the most advanced dental treatment and specialized expertise.”

Tooth decay affects approximately half of all second graders and nearly 80 percent of 17-year-olds.³ Despite this, nearly three-quarters (74%) of U.S. parents don’t necessarily consider tooth decay to be a chronic childhood disease.⁴ However, many parents do recognize that, if left untreated, tooth decay can negatively impact a child’s well-being, self-esteem, or even concentration level.

The cause resonated with Chris O’Donnell, someone accustomed to striking a smile on many red carpets.

“As a parent of five children, I know first-hand the importance of healthy dental habits for my family,” said O’Donnell. “The Smiles Across America program helps to not only promote healthy habits, but also provides critical dental care services through schools reaching those kids that might not otherwise have access. I’m thrilled to be joining this effort to help celebrate and protect smiles.”

The Importance of Education

It’s no surprise that education can play a large role in preventing cavities. Nine in 10 (92%) parents believe cavities in children are preventable, yet a majority of parents (86%) struggle to get a child to take care of their teeth.⁵

While convincing a child to take proper care of his or her teeth is no easy task, here are a few important reminders for parents:

• The foods children consume also can have an impact on oral health. For example, foods such as cheeses, fruits and vegetables can help build strong teeth and gums. On the flip side, overindulging in foods that are sticky or sugary can have a negative impact on teeth and gums. That’s why it’s important to have children floss once a day to remove food and plaque that can get stuck between and on teeth.
• Clinical studies have shown that chewing sugar free gum after meals helps fight cavities.⁶ The Trident survey uncovered that less than half (41%) of parents surveyed who believe cavities are preventable know the role that sugarless gum-chewing plays as a cavity-fighting tactic. And of those parents surveyed who allow their children to chew gum, only one-third (34%) say their child’s gum chewing is likely to happen after a meal, when it has the most impact on fighting cavities.
• It’s also important that children receive dental check-ups twice a year to ensure that they are taking proper care of their teeth and gums, and have x-rays taken to check for cavities that may not be easily identified.
• Parents can help children take proper care of their teeth by teaching them the correct way to brush. Brushing with a soft-bristle toothbrush on the front, back, inner and outer surfaces, as well as their tongue – with short, gentle back and forth motions – can help children maintain good oral health. It’s important for children to brush at least twice a day for two minutes each time using no more than a pea-size amount or fluoride toothpaste.

Raising the Goal

Smiles Across America supports dental services for over 250,000 children annually in underserved communities nationwide. Smiles Across America pledged to deliver one million sealants, a critical preventative oral health care procedure for children, by the end of 2010. The program has already reached that goal and has now raised it to two million sealants by 2020.

“Through this program, we’re committed to raising public awareness about the importance of healthy mouths for healthy lives,” said Beth Truett, President and CEO of Oral Health America. “Our three-year partnership with Trident has enabled us to expand our area of service in 2010, helping us to be well on our way to meeting our increased goal.”

Smiles Across America provides its network with the funding and technical assistance in the areas of communication and coalition building, enabling them to more than double the number of children who receive oral care and address barriers to care such as lack of resources and transportation, low literacy and language diversity.

“We believe that every family should have access to preventative dental care for healthy smiles,” says Becky McAninch, Senior Brand Manager, Trident Marketing. “Smiles Across America provides such an important service to communities around the country. We’re proud to help aid their efforts.”

How To Get Involved

Purchase any pack of Trident gum from September 13, 2010 through September 19, 2010 and five cents per pack will be donated to Smiles Across America.⁷ In addition, parents can follow campaign efforts on Facebook at www.facebook.com/tridentgum.

The endorsement enables CDA’s nearly 25,000 members to receive an immediate savings on DentalXChange’s innovative, easy-to-use electronic transaction services including electronic claims, real-time eligibility, claim status and electronic remittance advice ERA. Using DentalXChange’s ClaimConnect online application, CDA members have immediate access to a robust claim tracking tool that is capable of managing all claims transactions with custom reporting options.

“In our RFP process, we found that DentalXChange’s products and services are superior. They are dedicated to providing a significant savings to our membership and they have the capacity and ability to deliver exceptional customer service,” said Evet Dickinson, manager, CDA Endorsed Programs. “We are excited to add DentalXChange to our roster of CDA Endorsed Programs that deliver quality services and exclusive benefits to our members.”

ClaimConnect, which was designed to remove the barriers associated with conducting electronic transactions between dental offices and insurance companies, is compatible with most dental software programs for claim submission. In addition to batch upload claim services, providers who do not want to invest in electronic dental interchange EDI modules or dental software programs, can conduct on-line transactions using a simple, intuitive browser-based interface.

The service offers providers the tools to improve the flow of registration, enrollment and billing processes, verify patient eligibility, and process claims in near real-time. The ERA, which is an electronic version of an Explanation of Benefits, can be viewed and printed or imported into certain dental software programs. It provides a complement to Electronic Funds Transfer programs offered by many insurance companies.

“We’re particularly excited about this endorsement by CDA because it reflects the quality services we offer, our extensive participation in the dental industry and the vision shared by our entire team,” said Scott Wellwood, president of EHG. “DentalXChange has been supporting California dental providers for more than two decades and we’re proud to be able to provide them with a discount on a valuable business service that not only helps them to improve office efficiencies, but also enables them to save money and improve cash flow year in and year out.”

“The new SoproLife dental technology is an effective, advanced form of dental caries detection,” said Dr. Snyder. “The device allows for more accurate identification and diagnosis, as well as a procedure that is less invasive and aggressive than traditional methods. With the ability to detect cavities early on, I can give my patients the treatment they need right away to prevent further damage and improve their smile.”

Dental caries, better known as dental cavities, often do not have any symptoms until the decay has eaten through the enamel, causing pain and sensitivity. Cavities caught too late can cause serious damage and, in some cases, can lead to tooth loss. Identifying cavities early with SoproLife dental technology allows dentists to treat cavities before they become worse.

As a leading dentist in Orange County, Dr. Snyder specializes in general and cosmetic dentistry procedures. His office offers general dentistry services in addition to in-office bleaching, TMJ treatment, full mouth reconstruction and much more.

“The SoproLife is changing the way cavities are diagnosed and treated,” said Dr. Snyder. “Conventional methods of cavity detection include visual observation, probing with an explorer, and radiographs. These methods can miss early carious lesions and require a more aggressive excavation once the cavity has been identified. The SoproLife is extremely accurate and non-invasive, putting patients at ease in the dentist’s chair.”

About Aesthetic Dental: Aesthetic Dental Designs provides award-winning dental procedures including teeth whitening, dental implants, and porcelain veneers in Newport Beach, Laguna Niguel and the surrounding areas. Dr. Todd Snyder is licensed as a general dentist in the state of California providing cosmetic dentistry procedures.

The tri-calcium phosphate ingredient, which is exclusive to 3M ESPE, uses an innovative technology customized to work with Vanish white varnish to deliver fluoride, phosphate and calcium—all key ingredients for building strong teeth. During the manufacturing process, a protective barrier is created around the calcium, and as the varnish flows on the teeth it comes into contact with saliva, breaking down the protective barrier and making calcium, phosphate and fluoride ions available to the teeth. Fluoride and calcium react to form calcium fluoride, which aids in sensitivity reduction.

Vanish white varnish with TCP flows and doesn’t just harden and stop where applied. The varnish beneath the surface layer stays fluid longer, and continues to flow from treated to untreated tooth surfaces—including interproximal areas, which traditional varnishes may miss. Because of this ability to flow across and between teeth, more varnish reaches more tooth surfaces, making increased amounts of fluoride available.

The product is easy-to-use and no complicated pretreatment is necessary. Teeth to be treated only need to be “toothbrush clean” prior to application, and the product can be swept on in one simple coat. The treatment is completed in just seconds, and the color is similar to enamel, so the product is virtually invisible when applied. Vanish white varnish with TCP is available in cherry, melon or mint flavors, and is sweetened with xylitol. The product is very convenient for patients, as they can eat and drink immediately following the application. “Vanish white varnish with TCP is an essential product for dentists and hygienists who place value on prevention,” stated Karen Capiz, marketing manager. “With 3M ESPE’s unique tri-calcium phosphate technology added to the already successful Vanish white varnish, both fluoride and calcium are accessible to the tooth, relieving hypersensitivity with a virtually invisible coating.”

3M ESPE is the first to incorporate this tri-calcium phosphate ingredient into a varnish, adding to its position as a proven leader in dental preventive care. 3M ESPE is also the first to offer unit dose packaging of varnish to ensure consistent mixing, the first to offer a white varnish product, and the first to offer enhanced flow properties to access the hardest-to-reach areas in the mouth.

For more information on Vanish™ 5% Sodium Fluoride White Varnish with TCP from 3M ESPE Preventive Care, visit www.3mespe.com/PreventiveCare or call 1-800-634-2249. For more information on a source for a range of reliable, technical insights and clinical results, visit the Espertise Interactive Learning website at: http://espertiseinteractivelearning.com/.

For the past 24 years, Dentistry Today has recognized the industry’s leading dental products through its “Top 100 Products” awards program.  The “2010 Top 100 Products” marks the third consecutive year that the STA Single Tooth Anesthesia System has been honored as a winning technology.  As such, the STA Single Tooth Anesthesia System has been featured in the special Top 100 section of the publication’s July issue.

Leonard Osser, Chief Executive Officer of Milestone, stated, “We’re very proud to have our STA Single Tooth Anesthesia System again recognized as one of the dental market’s leading technologies by one of the industry’s most respected publications.  The sheer volume of awards that the STA Single Tooth Anesthesia System has won over the past three years is unprecedented in our Company’s 15-year history and has served to support our objective of establishing the instrument as the new global standard of care for painless dental injections.”

The STA Single Tooth Anesthesia System takes the guesswork out of the administration of anesthetic by providing real-time visual and audible feedback via Milestone’s portfolio of patented technologies for subcutaneous drug delivery for medical and dental applications.  The instrument utilizes Milestone’s patented CompuFlo® technology with DPS Dynamic Pressure Sensing® for the painless delivery and aspiration of all medicaments.  During an injection using the STA Single Tooth Anesthesia System, continuous monitoring of the exit pressure of the anesthetic enables a predictable and painless “Single Tooth Anesthesia” to be performed, something that was never before possible using conventional techniques.  The benefits of administering injections with the instrument are significant for the patient, the dentist and the business of Dentistry.

At the core of EvoraPro(TM) is Oragenics’ patent pending probiotic technology ProBiora3(R). When applied following a cleaning or scaling, ProBiora3(R) accelerates the repopulation of beneficial bacteria. This safe, easy to use and completely natural probiotic mint extends the “fresh from the dentist” clean feeling.

Oragenics, Inc. also announces Peter Maroon has joined the Oragenics team to help guide Oragenics into the professional dental arena. Mr. Maroon is an industry veteran with extensive experience in the dental channel. He has been servicing dentists and dental professionals for the past 15 years. Gerry David, Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing for Oragenics said, “We are delighted to announce that Peter has joined the Oragenics team. Highly respected throughout the dental industry, Peter is the ideal executive to help launch EvoraPro(TM) into the professional marketplace.”

Mr. Maroon and other Oragenics team members are expected to be located at booth #500 at RDH Under One Roof in Orlando, FL August 5-7. Oragenics, Inc. also expects to be exhibiting at major dental shows this year including the ADA Annual Session in Orlando, FL, October 9 - 11, the New York Greater Dental Meeting in New York City, November 28 - December 1, and the Yankee Dental Congress in Boston, MA, January 27-29, 2011.

EvoraPlus(R) and EvoraPro(TM) naturally support gum and tooth health while freshening breath and whitening teeth. The active ingredient in these products, ProBiora3(R), was developed by Oragenics’ Chief Scientific Officer, Dr. Jeffrey Hillman, D.M.D., Ph.D., during more than 25 years of research, which began at the Harvard-affiliated Forsyth Institute in Boston and continued at the University of Florida. The technology has only recently become available for the general public. ProBiora3(R) contains three strains of beneficial bacteria that help maintain an optimal balance in the mouth. It is 100% natural and is made in the USA in an FDA-registered and GMP-certified facility ensuring safety, quality and efficacy.