dentistlistings.org Miniblog

How Marathon Man Turned an Old Dental Fear Into Pop-Culture Legend

Nearly half a century on, Marathon Man still hovers over dentistry like a malevolent ceiling lamp. The 1976 thriller’s most infamous moment features Laurence Olivier’s Christian Szell, a Nazi war criminal, using dental tools and a drill on Dustin Hoffman’s character without anesthetic. It remains a remarkably efficient machine for making audiences grip their armrests and reconsider routine appointments.

But blaming the film for dental fear is rather like blaming rain for umbrellas. Anxiety about dental treatment was well established before Marathon Man arrived. Surveys from both before and after 1976 found that many people already linked the dentist’s office with pain, helplessness, and the peculiar indignity of surrendering control while someone peers into your mouth under a light bright enough to interrogate planets.

What the film appears to have done is give that older fear a memorable emblem. The dental chair is not exotic; it is ordinary, familiar, and therefore far more useful to terror than any monster. In the 1970s, when rougher and less refined dental procedures were still within living memory, the scene likely felt disturbingly plausible.

Its afterlife matters. People who have never watched Marathon Man often still know Is it safe, or meet references to the sequence in discussions of dental phobia. The film probably did not invent the fear. It gave it a face, a drill, and excellent lighting.

Posted on 16 June 2026

The Best Time to Brush, If Coffee Is Nonnegotiable

Coffee inspires a particular kind of morning optimism, but dentistry would like a quiet word about the sequence.

The better move, dentists say, is to brush before the first sip, not after. Christina Meiners of CommuniCare Health Centers in San Antonio says a freshly brushed mouth has less plaque, which means fewer places for coffee’s pigments to cling. Coffee also brings acid to the party, and that matters more than most people realize.

If you brush immediately after drinking it, you are scrubbing during an acidic window, when enamel is temporarily more vulnerable. Sonya Krasilnikov of Dental House in New York City warns that brushing in that environment is chemically abrasive. Meiners notes that this can speed enamel breakdown and increase sensitivity. Siama Muhammad of Brooklyn Oak Dental Care says a single mistake is likely only a micro-abrasion, but doing it habitually can wear enamel away over time.

A more tooth-friendly routine is Meiners’ own: brush first, drink coffee, then rinse and swish with water to help bring the mouth back toward neutral.

If you forgot to brush beforehand, wait at least 30 minutes before doing it. Krasilnikov explains that saliva gradually restores a healthier pH, making brushing safe again after about half an hour. In the meantime, sugar-free gum, especially with xylitol, can stimulate saliva and slow bacterial growth. Muhammad also recommends a vigorous water rinse; flossing first is even better.

Posted on 7 June 2026

A Sharper Light in the Dental Chair

After 45 years in dentistry, John Hutcheson is changing his practice not by abandoning old skills, but by refining them with laser technology. A University of Edinburgh graduate in 1980, he works at Rosemount Dental Clinic in Aberdeen and, last year, added the Ultrapulse CO2 Laser Surgical System ML030 to a career already shaped by postgraduate study in implant dentistry, orthopaedic orthodontics, restorative care and advanced surgery.

Within five months, the system had significantly altered both his clinical workflow and the clinic’s profile. Supported by specialised training through Dental Sky, Hutcheson incorporated lasers into daily care, using them for soft-tissue surgery, gingival hypoplasia, periodontal treatment, TMJ-related care and to ease pain after orthodontics or root canal treatment.

The greatest shift has come in paediatric dentistry, the centre of his work. Hutcheson links early oral dysfunctions—mouth breathing, poor tongue posture and thumb sucking—to malocclusion, impaired craniofacial growth and wider health issues. Laser frenectomy procedures for tongue-ties and lip-ties now allow more exact tissue release, with less bleeding, quicker healing and shorter appointments; a lingual frenectomy can take just 10 to 15 minutes. Adjustable settings also make the laser suitable for both infants and adults.

Rosemount now offers Scotland’s only myofunctional dental practice, pairing laser treatment with in-house orofacial myofunctional support and referrals to a chiropractor and other professionals. Posted on 5 June 2026

Neanderthals May Have Invented Dentistry the Hard Way

Root canal is scary enough when somebody’s got gloves, anesthesia, and a framed degree on the wall. Now picture the same basic idea happening about 60,000 years ago with a sharpened rock in Siberia.

A study in PLOS ONE argues that Neanderthals may have carried out the oldest known invasive dental treatment yet found. The evidence is a lower molar from the Altai Mountains, a region stretching across China, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, and Russia, where roughly 70 Neanderthal fossils have been discovered.

The tooth, known as Chagyrskaya 64, has a distinct hole that researchers tested as a possible intentional cavity opening. Using scans, chemical analysis, 3D modelling, and experiments on a modern Homo sapiens molar, the team asked whether a stone tool could drill the tooth, whether the procedure could be reproduced, and whether it could reach the pulp chamber.

Their conclusion: a pointed stone instrument called a lithic perforator could do it, and do it well. The shape and markings suggest deliberate drilling to remove infected tissue rather than accidental damage.

That matters because dentistry is not random animal behavior. It means locating pain, deciding to intervene, and having the hand control to carry it out while another individual knowingly endures severe pain.

The finding pushes medical intervention deeper into human evolution and adds to evidence that Neanderthals made bone tools, created symbolic art, and practiced patrilocal social organization.

Posted on 1 June 2026

When the Implant Becomes the Infection

Dental implants promised permanence, and for tens of millions they delivered it. Yet for 10% to 20% of patients, that promise gives way to peri-implantitis, a severe infection that erodes the jawbone and often resists antibiotics. A study from Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, published in PNAS Nexus, suggests the failure was never only about bacteria.

The implant itself appears to join the pathology. Oral bacteria form acidic biofilms on titanium surfaces, slowly corroding them and releasing microscopic particles, sometimes during routine cleaning if abrasive metal instruments are used. In gum tissue, those particles become coated with lipopolysaccharide, a bacterial toxin. Macrophages then engulf what resembles an oversized microbe they cannot digest.

Instead of clearing infection, the cells stall in a destructive inflammatory mode, producing molecules such as interleukin-1 beta while taking up less than half as many bacteria as unaffected cells. The inflammation strips away bone; the immune defense falters.

Using human tissue, cultured human immune cells, and a genetically engineered mouse model, the Rutgers team identified the calcium channel TRPC1 as the switch in this response. Mice engineered without TRPC1 showed smaller abscesses, lower inflammatory cytokines, and restored bacterial clearance.

Georgios Kotsakis, senior author and assistant dean for clinical research, said the finding explains why therapies effective around natural teeth often fail around implants and points to the first credible drug target for a disease costing more than $1 billion globally each year.

Posted on 31 May 2026

Aye, the Smile Gap Is Real

Tooth decay isn’t just a minor problem for many children — it’s actually the most common long-term health issue affecting kids, with around half of Americans aged 2 to 19 experiencing it, even though it can mostly be prevented. About one in three cases is left untreated, which can lead to pain, missed school and ongoing health problems. It also highlights a wider issue: access to basic dental care still depends too much on where families live, how much money they have and whether treatment is easy to access.

Against that backdrop, Colgate’s Bright Smiles, Bright Futures program is marking 20 years with TeamSmile by widening a partnership aimed at underserved children. Since TeamSmile began in 2007, the link-up has delivered more than $24 million in free dental care and oral-health education to over 65,000 children across the U.S., often by setting up clinics at major sports venues.

This year’s run starts May 29 at the ShopRite LPGA Powered by Wakefern tournament in Galloway, New Jersey, where a one-day clinic will provide free education, screenings, on-site treatment and a chance for children to meet LPGA players.

Colgate is also backing TeamSmile’s expansion with funding for extra staff, a second trailer and new dental equipment. TeamSmile brings more than $650,000 in kit and supplies to each pop-up clinic.

The wider BSBF program, launched in 1991, has reached about 2 billion children and families in more than 100 countries. Further 2026 TeamSmile events are scheduled for Arkansas, Georgia and Texas.

Posted on 30 May 2026

America’s ToothFairy Expands June Oral Health Campaign to Reach More Children and Families

June is Oral Health Month, and America’s ToothFairy is once again rolling out its annual Share Your Smile campaign—a cheerful little effort aimed at a very uncheerful reality: millions of families still struggle to get dental care.

The nonprofit is inviting dental professionals, educators, and community groups to use free campaign materials all month long. The resources are designed to help children and caregivers learn healthy habits, understand why oral health matters, and even consider future careers in dentistry. Support for this year’s campaign comes in part from returning sponsors Sun Life and DentaQuest, a Sun Life company.

The need is substantial. More than 57 million people in the United States live in dental provider shortage areas. The burden falls especially hard on rural and remote communities, people of color, Indigenous populations, migrant families, and individuals with special healthcare needs, among others facing systemic inequities. When care is out of reach, the result can be untreated decay, pain, missed school, and long-term health consequences.

Launched in 2023, Share Your Smile has expanded steadily. In 2025, participants used its materials to reach more than 105,000 children and caregivers in 44 states and eight other countries.

For 2026, the campaign offers downloadable family materials, educator and provider tools, social media content, dental career information, and summer-focused hygiene resources for use in schools, libraries, clinics, dental offices, and community events.

Posted on 28 May 2026

Sensei Adds Cloud Platform for Dental Practices Without Replacing Core Systems

Sensei has introduced Sensei Cloud Apps, a cloud platform aimed at helping dental teams begin the day with fewer nasty little surprises and a bit more of that rarest of office luxuries: knowing what’s going on.

Launched May 20, 2026, the system is built to work with existing Sensei practice management products rather than bulldozing them. It extends WinOMS, PracticeWorks, SoftDent, OrthoTrac, and Sensei Cloud into a single cloud experience, so practices do not have to migrate or replace current systems.

The idea is straightforward: give teams one place to see the day, check patient readiness, communicate, and get support, including before the office opens. Sensei says the platform provides cloud access alongside current software, a centralized view of daily operations, and remote access for preparation away from the practice.

The suite includes Morning Huddle for team planning, notes, and patient flags; Cloud Scheduler for remote schedule and patient access; Sensei Phones, a VOIP tool with business-number calling, caller ID, missed-call tracking, and custom routing; Eligibility IQ, which shows insurance coverage and benefit details three days before appointments; Team Chat for internal messaging between front desk and clinical staff; and In-App Support Chat.

Sensei says the aim is smoother workflows, fewer disruptions, and better patient experiences. Early access is open now to Sensei customers, with a broader rollout to follow.

Posted on 25 May 2026

ProEncia Raises Early Funding to Expand Non-Invasive Gum Disease Treatments

Periodontal disease is one of those problems that sounds local but behaves global. The World Health Organization estimates it affects more than 1 billion people worldwide, including over 100 million in the U.S. Now ProEncia Biotechnology, a fast-growing startup in the Twin Cities, says it has secured significant pre-seed funding to push forward a new lineup of treatments aimed at that very large, very irritated audience.

The company plans to use the money to develop, commercialize, and license a pipeline of non-invasive periodontal care products for patients across the full severity range, from gingivitis to periodontitis. Founded in 2022, ProEncia was built with scientific and clinical leadership from Dr. Tarun Ghosh and Dr. Thomas Hoover.

It also received confirmation from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office that its provisional patent application, No. 63/765,225, titled Compositions and Method for Prophylactic, Symptomatic, Therapeutic, and Cosmetic Periodontal Care, has been folded into a non-provisional PCT International application, No. 19/548,447, and entered into the federal patent system.

ProEncia’s focus is straightforward: easy-to-use, non-toxic, non-invasive oral care based on patent-pending technology, including both preventive and therapeutic products.

The medical backdrop is not small. Periodontal disease can damage gums, ligaments, and bone, causing bleeding, sensitivity, bad breath, tooth mobility, and tissue and bone loss. Research also suggests possible links to Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, heart and lung disease, worse COVID-19 outcomes, and immune compromise.

Posted on 23 May 2026

CaviSense Brings 10-Second Sensor and 30-Second Full-Mouth Tray to AAPD

In Las Vegas, amid the annual migration of lanyards and optimism that is the AAPD Annual Session, CaviSense Inc. will return as an exhibitor from May 21–24 with a device aimed at catching trouble before X-rays can be bothered to notice it. The Harvard/Tufts spin-out, which develops radiation-free diagnostics for active tooth demineralization, will be at Booth #104.

The company plans live chairside demonstrations of a single-point sensor that takes 10 seconds to detect interproximal active demineralization before lesions appear on radiographs. It will also preview a new full-mouth tray system intended to screen the entire dentition for localized active demineralization in 30 seconds.

According to founder Dr. Gili Naveh, “Today with our CaviSense single point sensor and our upcoming, full mouth tray system, we’re rapidly shifting the caries management paradigm. We’re enabling detection to extend beyond the four walls of the dental office and into home testing. Clinicians can now detect the early stages of caries and intervene earlier, when minimally invasive treatments are most effective.”

Both products are designed to fit pediatric practice workflow without radiation or invasive steps. Dr. Adam Silevitch, DMD, an early adopter, said: “Anything we introduce into our pediatric operatories has to be fast, kid friendly, and clinically meaningful,” adding that the system supports clearer conversations with families. He will appear at Booth #104 on Saturday, May 23, at 11AM. CaviSense will also promote virtual Lunch & Learn sessions for practices after the meeting.

Posted on 20 May 2026

Kulzer’s cara Print Cube Targets Precision, Throughput, and Fewer Headaches in Dental Labs

Kulzer is pitching its cara Print Cube as the sort of machine that makes a dental lab exhale for once.

Built to smooth out production rather than romanticise it, the 3D printer is aimed at dentists and lab technicians who need speed without the usual little catastrophes. Its build platform holds as many as five full dental models in a single run, which means more work moving through the day and less standing about waiting for one print to finish before the next can begin.

On the technical side, the cara Print Cube works at 6K resolution and reaches 34 µm accuracy, a level of precision intended to satisfy current dental manufacturing demands. In other words: it is designed to turn out repeatable, dependable parts, not just pretty-looking specs on a brochure.

Kulzer is also leaning on the economics. The printer uses LCD technology, which the company says gives it a strong price-to-performance balance and lowers the barrier to advanced 3D printing for dental professionals. The broader promise is familiar but useful: cleaner workflows, fewer mistakes, more output, and results that patients can actually benefit from.

The larger point is not glamour. It is consistency. And in dentistry, consistency is often the whole game.

Posted on 18 May 2026