Archive for September, 2009
Careers in the Dental Field
Tuesday, September 29th, 2009
In our last off to college article, today we will talk about different aspects of careers in the dental field such as hygienists, assistants, lab techs, as well as dentists. If you know students that are interested in health sciences, you might show them this information.
As with many business decisions nowadays, it can be helpful to see where the ‘baby boomers’are. That’s a large group of our population that was born in about a fifteen year period after 1945, which was the year that World War II ended. All the hot young soldiers came home, found wives and started having babies. It was a baby boom, and businesses that catered to that group always fared well. Gerber baby food, Mattel toys, Wilson, K-Mart, Las Vegas, and Bow Flex have all made a fortune on the baby boomers and their children as they progressed through life. And now the drug companies are wantonly peddling their drugs on TV because the boomers are in their fifties and sixties, and the politicians are worrying because this group is going to want their money that the government robbed from the Social Security coffers long ago.
So much for the history lesson. The point is that a large percent of dentists in this country are baby boomers, and they will be retiring soon. There will be a big demand for dentists in about eight to ten years, which incidentally is about how long it takes to get a dental degree and maybe a specialty degree or residency. So if you made it, you would probably have a good chance at a successful practice. And it’s easier now to get into dental and hygiene schools. When I got into the University Of Michigan Dental School, I was one of only two out-of-state students accepted from thousands of applicants, but now there are more dental and hygiene schools and fewer applicants, so it’s almost a shoe-in. The only requirement I recommend is that you desire to serve others. No other consideration matters.
Many scholarships are available through the universities and other institutions. Here’s where your ability to do research would come in handy. I can give you one lead. Google the American Dental Education Association and look for scholarships. They sponsor many students through their Academic Dental Careers Fellowship Program, but you need pretty good grades. Also, three weeks ago we discussed the generous military health career programs available. Talk about your free ride!
For those interested in becoming a dental lab technician, you can work your way up as an apprentice in an existing lab, or enter one of the 20 U.S. dental laboratory technology education programs. Either way, if you have a lot of talent for art and precision, you can do quite well. Believe me, they charge a lot!
The number of students graduating from dental assistant schools is increasing by 1.4% a year, so the competition is fierce. It’s probably easier to become a dentist than to get a job as a dental assistant. It just takes a lot longer.
If you would like a copy of the latest Survey of Advanced Dental Education available from the ADA Survey Center, go to www.adacatalog.org. It costs $270, so if you would like to check out ours, give us a call. It gives all the information on enrollment requirements, application deadlines, tuition, and scholarships for all the accredited schools.
Dr. Moulton’s article was published in the Desert Valley Times, May 2008
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The Origin of Life
Tuesday, September 29th, 2009
In our off to college series, we are going to explore the difference between theory and law. Have your children read this so they can recognize a tall tale when they run across one in college, because this is the most scientific treatment of the subject that they will probably ever read.
In high school, they learned about scientific theory. A theory is a proposed explanation whose status is still conjectural. In the Scientific Method, a theory is proposed to possibly explain an observation. Then data is gathered that might support or disprove the theory. If the data supports the theory, then it becomes a scientific principle, or law. Otherwise, the theory is abandoned and another is explored, except in the case of the theory of evolution. Its proponents doggedly cling to it in spite if the mounting evidence to the contrary, such as the law of entropy, the fact that no mutation has ever been observed in plant or animal to produce a different species, but only a significantly inferior byproduct, and the fact that of the billions of fossils collected, not a single transition phase between one species and another has been observed. Even Charles Darwin eventually abandoned his theory because of these conflicts.
The only place you will observe evolution is when you see that theory evolve into law when you go from high school into college. There, they give no credence to any other theories and treat them with disdain. But there is an evil twin they’ve got hiding in the basement that can bust the whole charade wide open. It’s the theory of spontaneous generation.
It’s one thing to fear another point of view, but another altogether to subscribe to a faith that is wilder than the wackiest religion that anyone has ever come up with. You can differ all you want on the subject of evolution, but how can you explain the appearance of life in the first place? The evolutionists believe that some primordial soup was lying around and it was struck by lightening just as about ten million atoms lined up just right to form a DNA molecule. It sounds a little like Frankenstein’s monster.
That explanation might have been believed two centuries ago, but here’s the real science. Through modern technology, we have become aware of many facts that totally discredit the theory of spontaneous generation. First off, a DNA molecule cannot survive without a cell, so the whole cell had to spontaneously appear living and breathing. I know it’s a very small structure, but the smallest cell has one hundred thousand million atoms containing thousands of exquisitely designed pieces of intricate molecular machinery far more complicated than anything ever built by man. Harold Morowitz, a renowned physicist from Yale University declared that “the odds for any kind of spontaneous generation were one in ten to the hundred billionth power.” If you know anything about math, then you know that in the physical world, that number is the same as zero. Fred Hoyle, a popular evolutionist admitted that it would be more likely “that a tornado sweeping through a junkyard could assemble a Boeing 747 jet.”
Evolutionists will gloss over the subject of the origin of life, mumbling something about soup, but actual scientists on both sides of the issue agree that spontaneous generation has been totally disproved long ago. The stubborn ones have come up with other equally impossible theories such as life being transplanted to the Earth by aliens, but I bet you students could come up with something better than that!
Dr. Moulton’s article was published in the Desert Valley Times, May 2008
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Portrait of a Successful Career
Thursday, September 24th, 2009
If you know any high school or college students, please encourage them to read this article about an exceptional man in our community, Dr. James Judkins. Whether they are planning careers in dentistry or dog grooming, they are sure to be instructed and inspired by the example of one of the most outstanding dentists in military history.
People in Mesquite only know Jim as a very humble, kind, and caring person, but he reminds me of the saying, “talent shouts, genius whispers.” Under that mild exterior is an amazing man.
James T. Judkins made two major changes in his life in 1970, both of which proved to be excellent choices. He married his wife, Margaret, and enrolled in a Navy healthcare educational program. He served as an Ensign and Lieutenant JG in the Naval Dental Corps Reserve until he received his Doctorate of Medical Dentistry at Farleigh Dickinson University School of Dentistry in 1974.
As he was traveling and training, Dr. Judkins was assigned as Assistant Dental Officer at Naval Dental Clinic in Camp Pendleton, and the Naval Station at Adak, Alaska. He then served his residency in the Comprehensive Dental Program at the National Naval Dental Center in Bethesda, Maryland, where he received the Commanding Officer’s Award for Excellence and the Chief of the Dental Corps Award for Excellence.
From 1979 to 1981, Lieutenant Judkins served as Assistant Dental Officer on the USS Jason in San Diego. He was then assigned to the 21st Dental Company, First Marine Brigade, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific at Kanehoe, Hawaii. In 1982, Dr. Judkins became Board Certified as a Diplomat of the Federal Services Board of General Dentistry and in 1984 he reported to Quantico, Virginia for duty under instruction at the Marine Corps Command and Staff College, where he graduated in 1985.
Most would consider the next three years the pinnacle of Dr. Judkins’ career, where, in Bethesda he served as Chairman of the Military Dentistry Department in the Naval Dental School, he was appointed Assistant Professor in the Departments of Military and Comprehensive Dentistry and in the Department of Military Medicine at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, he served as Specialty Advisor to the Naval Medical Command for Military Dentistry, I believe it was during that time he wrote the official History of the Navy Dental Corps, oh and by the way, he was the Dentist to the President of the United States. If you get a chance to talk to Dr. Judkins, he might share some exciting and historic experiences during that time. President Reagan always loved to tell a good joke, and he and Nancy were always very gracious. Since Nancy was so short, they ordered a new dental chair because the previous one had been designed for President Johnson, who was very tall. The new chair arrived in two weeks which was considered a modern military miracle.
However, I think Dr. Judkins would consider his next assignment the highlight of his career, the Dental Department Head on board the USS Enterprise from 1988 to 1990. When he was in dental school he dreamed of being a dentist on the Enterprise, the first nuclear aircraft carrier, and it was everything he expected. It was there he attained the grade of Captain in July, 1990.
In 1990, Captain James T. Judkins went on to assume command of the 22nd Dental Company and then the 2nd Dental Battalion of the 2nd Force Service Support Group, US Marine Corps Forces, Atlantic at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. In 1993 he was assigned as the Force Dental Officer, Marine Forces Pacific at Camp HM Smith, Hawaii, where he oversaw dental care and operational dental platforms throughout the Pacific and Middle East. From 1998 until his retirement in July 2000, Captain Judkins was the Marine Corps Bioscience Program Manager, assigned to the Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory, Quantico, Virginia. While there he managed bioscience and expeditionary medical programs for the Marine Corps.
I’m not going to attempt to list all of Captain Judkins’ medals, awards and decorations. There are seventeen I know of, and I’m sure there are at least that many more. But for us old crones, we can appreciate a life well lived in the service of his country and his fellow man, and the young ones can truly realize that there is no limit to what you can accomplish if you set your goals and follow your dreams.
Dr. Moulton’s article was published in the Desert Valley Times,
April 2008
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Simple Solutions for Complicated Dental Problems
Wednesday, September 23rd, 2009
What would be your reaction if the U.S. Olympic committee handed you a speedo and said they were short a swimmer in the 400 meter individual medley? Perhaps you might feel a little overwhelmed and at a loss for what to do.
This is sometimes the feeling experienced when confronted with difficult dental situations. The action some choose is what the Zen masters call the no action. That “deer in the headlights” reaction is perfectly natural and explains the tendency to just put things off. Unfortunately this is usually not the best choice for you, so maybe if we categorize these problems, we can improve your understanding and offer some moral support. Maybe a gradual approach or halfway measure can break that insurmountable situation into something more palatable.
The most common problem we see is just an overwhelming number of things that need attention. Cavities, fractures, missing teeth, gum problems, all can leave a person not knowing where to start, so you don’t start at all. The best defense, of course is to take care of that first problem before they compound, but if it’s too late for that, then you can get out of that rut the same way you get there, one thing at a time. Like the movie line, “baby steps”, it becomes only as hard as the next step. The first thing is a check up to prioritize things. This can usually be done at little or no cost. Many things can be postponed, but some can be very serious and even dangerous, so it’s good to find that out. A little solution now could prevent a big problem later. Then we make a plan of action. Many people like our cavity of the month club. We work our way
down from the most urgent things to the ones that can wait a while. It may take years, but at least your going back in the right direction.
Another roadblock could be finances. The gradual approach also assists you in that department, but now there are many interest –free options that can dispel that concern. Also, it’s much less expensive to do a small filling that to wait until it becomes a root canal and crown.
The fear factor can be a big one. All I can say is it’s just like getting into that cold swimming pool. The best way is to just jump right in. I can’t tell you how many avowed cowards have completely overcome their fears after that first appointment with us.
A crown that comes off usually needs to simply be recemented if done immediately, however waiting or trying to glue it in yourself will turn that simple solution into a difficult one.
Concern about appearance is often ignored when you consider the time and expense of going through braces or porcelain veneers. Now we do the Invisalign snap-on braces that are much more comfortable and can work faster for children or adults. (I’ll let you in on a little Invisalign shopping tip next week). If you choose to go the veneer route, not only do you have the option of instantly straightening the teeth, but you can change the color and eliminate blemishes and stained fillings. And now with the new Diamond Lite composite, you can do them at about one fourth the cost without worrying about strength or discoloration.
With extremely decayed or fractured teeth, the recommended treatment is usually a crown, and putting it off can be a dangerous choice, however you still have a more conservative option. The core of the tooth can be rebuilt with a bonded composite filling which will stop the decay or repair the fracture, and keep things from getting any worse until a crown can be done later. I have many patients that have been able to postpone those crowns for up to ten years.
Finally, there is the frightening situation of extreme pain or swelling. That person usually has no other choice but to get it taken care of, but they might be calmed a little with the knowledge that the visit may be no more than getting a prescription. That would probably not be the final solution, but it’s a good way to just get their feet wet.
Dr. Moulton’s article was published in the Desert Valley Times,
September 22, 2009
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Thinking of a Health Profession?
Wednesday, September 23rd, 2009
Spring is traditionally the time for high school students to start thinking about college. The juniors are considering their professions and where to go, and the seniors are firming up their entrance requirements. Personally, I was never so organized. I just wanted to get as far out of town as possible. I ended up at the University of Washington and joined a fraternity that I’m sure they used as the model for the movie, ‘Animal House’! But then I fell into a bad crowd – a group of pre-dental students. It started off innocently enough, I began studying. But that led to good grades, and before I knew it, I ended up in dental school.
I wish I had it to do over, because when I got out of dental school, I was so far in debt, it took me ten years to catch up. I would still go into dental school, but on a military scholarship. The Army, Navy, and Air Force all have excellent healthcare scholarship programs, and for those of you who are interested, I will tell you about one of them.
The United States Army Medical Department will give you a $20,000 bonus just for signing up in the F. Edward Hebert Armed Forces Health Professions Program. In addition, they pay all your tuition, books, school expenses, and give you $1900 a month living expenses stipend that increases each year throughout all your undergraduate and medical or dental school! Can you imagine completing an entire dental or medical education without having to spend a thing? Of course, they own you for four years afterwards but it’s better than the bank owning you! And it’s not such a bad gig. The pay and the hours are great, and you get to travel and learn at some of the best facilities in the world. In fact, most military medical personnel like it so much they make an entire career out of it. Just call 800-USA-ARMY or go to www.goarmy.com/amedd/hpsp.jsp to get the details. There are also other branches of the service and other professions besides healthcare that they sponsor. It would be well worth researching.
Dr. Moulton’s article was published in the Desert Valley Times,
April 2008
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HOMEOPATHIC DENTISTRY
Tuesday, September 15th, 2009
You’ve probably heard this term, but might have wondered exactly what it referred to.
Homeopathic, or biological dentistry, is simply the practice of using materials and procedures that are the least toxic and allergenic as possible. Metals rank high on the list of substances that are harmful to you; however the two most common materials used by dentists are mercury and nickel.
Mercury, the main ingredient in silver amalgam fillings, is the most toxic metal to your body, and nickel is the most allergenic. It comprises about 62% of the metal in porcelain fused to metal (PFM) crowns. Throw in some fluoride, a potent cellular poison, and you have a pretty dangerous environment right in your own mouth. That is the main reason there is this movement by dentists who want to offer their patients safer alternatives. If a dentist would completely avoid the use of those three materials he would be halfway on the road to becoming homeopathic. For a real eye-opener on the subject, just Google “smoking teeth video”.
There are many other considerations, though. While acrylic fillings are considered safer than mercury amalgam fillings, most brands contain resins that can be harmful, and their physical properties are often inadequate. We use a composite called Diamond Lite, a non-BISGMA-resin filling material that is rarely used because it is more expensive and time consuming. However, its rewards are worth it. It is the strongest of all the filling materials, including amalgam, and is by far the most biocompatible. That’s because it is completely inert in the mouth. It is also nonabsorbent and has the same coefficient of thermal expansion as your natural tooth. Those two factors combine to eliminate leakage and discoloration.
The compatibility of the materials you put into your mouth is very important, but the safety in properly removing unwanted materials is equally important. For instance, if you use a high speed drill on metals, you can vaporize those metals, especially the mercury, and end up inhaling it, giving you a high dose of the very thing you are trying to eliminate. There are procedures outlined by the leading biological researchers to protect you from exposure to these toxins, such as drilling under water and using rubber dams, low speed drills, and high speed vacuums. There are also other factors we take into consideration, such as electrical analysis to make sure we avoid increasing the currents between your teeth, sensitivity tests to identify materials which may cause allergies, and equilibration of the bite to protect the TMJ, possibly the most neglected aspect of dentistry.
If you’re considering future dental work, you may want to consider having it done homeopathically. However, more than anything else I might say on the subject, I urge you not to let anyone put mercury in your child’s mouth.
Dr. Moulton’s article was published in the Desert Valley Times, September 15, 2009
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Do it Yourself Dentistry
Tuesday, September 15th, 2009
Most of us have had some kind of dental mishap along the bumpy road of life. Sometimes it can save further trouble if you’re aware of a few do’s and don’ts.
Probably the most common trouble we see is a loose crown or bridge. If it doesn’t come all the way out, leave it in place and try to avoid using it as much as possible. Then have it checked by your dentist as soon as you can. It’s a temptation to put it off, but that situation becomes a real breeding ground for decay and could turn a problem into a disaster.
If the crown or bridge comes out, it’s safest to leave it out. However, if it is too noticeable visually, you may want to carefully replace it. Be aware if it is loose enough to come out again, it may be a choking hazard. Don’t try to use anything to glue it back in, that could harm the crown or the tooth. Super glue is a popular fix, but if the warning on the label says to avoid even breathing the fumes, I’m guessing it’s probably not a good idea to actually put it in your mouth.
Leaving a crown out for a long time could harm the nerve in the tooth through exposure. Also, the neighboring teeth will begin to move around without that crown in place, until it may not even fit back on. So the bottom line in the case of a loose crown or bridge is to do as little as possible and get straight in to the dentist.
The second most common dental mishap is a broken denture or a denture tooth that has come out. Again, the temptation is to use super glue, but that could actually ruin your denture. It’s a special process to repair it more securely and aesthetically.
Finally, there are the broken fillings and chipped teeth. In those cases, it might be ok to use a temporary filling material you can find at the pharmacy if there is sensitivity to temperature. However, if there is sensitivity to pressure or you’re just not sure, leave it alone and see a dentist right away.
Looking back over this article, it seems like I’ve given you more don’ts than do’s. Maybe I should have titled it, ‘Don’t do it yourself’!
Dr. Moulton’s article was published in the Desert Valley Times, April 2008
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Dental Provisions in the Nationalized Health Bill
Wednesday, September 9th, 2009
As Americans brace themselves for what Congress might do to our health care, the country’s leading dental organizations are communicating and lobbying in both houses to make sure that any provisions that may affect dental care are represented. The American Dental Association is taking the lead in the political arena, and surprisingly, their main interest is in reforming the reform bill. The reason this is surprising is that the ADA has become quite liberal in their political activism, but even leftists are now beginning to see through the flaws and deceptions in H.R. 3200.
To begin with, the primary vehicle for government aid in dental care is Medicaid, and according to Dr. John S. Findley, the ADA president, “The whole concept of a public plan remains troubling….and none of the bills enhances Medicaid reimbursement, which translates as no significant improvements for the poor and other vulnerable populations.” Dr. Findley says this, and the ADA has introduced its own Medicaid amendment, H.R. 2220, all because the healthcare bill has clearly stated that it will be funding a half trillion dollars of its costs from reductions in Medicaid and Medicare. The dental provisions in Medicaid are already worthless, but at least the medical benefits from Medicare offer a little hope for the group that needs it the most, the elderly. If H.R. 3200 passes as it is, Medicare and Medicaid will still exist, but only as a means of providing jobs for more government workers. Even AARP, the most liberal senior organization in existence, has made a token complaint on that issue, but I suspect it’s just for appearances, so they won’t lose any more members.
You can see then how the “healthcare” bill will actually become a drastic reduction in care for the elderly, and that’s why they are up in arms at the townhall meetings. All H.R. 3200 will end up providing is pain pills and assisted suicide. Isn’t it amazing how we’re now embracing what was so appalling to us only ten years ago?
Secondly, there is the issue of funding. The ADA and 10 other major U.S. dental organizations formed a coalition to protest the taxes proposed on healthcare services. As we are exposing this bill to the light of day we are finding all sorts of hidden agendas. The new health “reform” bill will tax businesses on their employee health and dental care insurance, a heretofore necessary and legitimate business deduction. I bet you didn’t know that. Together with the public option plan, that will make it virtually impossible for businesses to afford private medical and dental insurance for their employees, thus forcing just about everyone into the government “option”, and bankrupting all but a chosen few of the medical insurance companies. The sections dealing with dental care seem to be an afterthought, with many regulations, but providing no benefits. This plan appears to be more like anti-insurance, preventing people from even accessing the coverage they already have.
This is why the ADA President has issued the surprising statement, “The ADA does not support a single-payer system because we believe it would stifle access and innovation and reduce the quality of patient care.” And the Public Dental Coalition has petitioned the Senate Finance Committee, one of the five committees that will be crafting the healthcare legislation, saying, “The effect of limiting the exclusion from taxation for employer-provided coverage on health care benefits plans could be profound, potentially leading to a marked reduction in the purchase of dental benefit coverage. A reduction in dental coverage will increase the out-of-pocket costs to those who receive dental care, which may serve as a barrier to seeking regular preventive care”. These are some amazing statements coming from organizations that are generally committed to public healthcare.
After robbing Medicare, Congress will still need to come up with two trillion more dollars, a staggering sum. And here’s another thing many people don’t realize. The estimated two trillion is not a one-time cost. We have to cough up that much each and every year, providing they can stay within their budget, which has never happened in the history of this country. It is a mathematical impossibility for us to meet this cost, but rest assured, they will certainly be raising your taxes and doubling your employer’s taxes, in a futile attempt to come up with that much money.
So why and who would want to impose a decidedly inferior dental and medical system on us for an exorbitant cost that will unquestionably bankrupt our country? You won’t like the answers to these questions but I’m going to let you find out for yourselves, because it behooves every American to become educated about the bill, and the background of its authors. And then discover which ‘czars’ are going to be operating outside the legal constraints of our government with all that money, what their political agendas are, and what special interest groups are in line to receive a large portion of our money. Healthcare smellcare! It’s like the convicts are left alone to guard the bank. It’s a ten trillion dollar shakedown, for heaven’s sake! An impartial observer would have to conclude that this healthcare scheme is just a cover for someone who is intentionally trying to bankrupt us for some nefarious reasons, and loot our country in the process. Finally, it is our civic duty to clue in our Congressman about what’s going on, bless their narrow little partisan hearts.
All of us have stories of loved ones that have been able to extend their lives ten or twenty years because of immediate and comprehensive medical treatment, but have you heard any stories like that coming out of other countries with government medical rationing plans? That could be us down the road if we let this thing pass. With all this emotional rhetoric about our right to healthcare, H.R. 3200 would actually be taking away our rights to healthcare. I urge you to write all of our congressman and express your opinions on the subject while you still can.
Dr. Moulton’s article was published in the Desert Valley Times, September 1, 2009
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Chinese Checkers
Tuesday, September 8th, 2009
I’m really beginning to wonder if China is out to get us. Last year, they exported poison pet food and poison toothpaste, now we are getting computer chips with built-in viruses and dental crowns and bridges that contain lead. So who thought it was such a wonderful idea to trade freely with a country whose government is dedicated to destroying us? Not that this petty stuff is part of their master plot, but they just don’t care if these things happen.
Large labs in the U.S. farm a lot of work out to Asian countries because it can be done so cheaply there. Agencies are in place to check those products and the materials that go into them, but apparently they’re not infallible. The American National Standards Institute and the International Standards Organization coordinate in an effort to create international standards for the profession. But now, the ADA Standards Committee on Dental Products is all over their case to find out how to get the lead out. Experts believe the contaminants could be introduced in pigments, glazes, or solder used in the production of the dental work, or from other environmental influences. More stringent monitoring protocols are expected.
The best thing you can do right now to insure your safety is to ask your dentist to request that their labs not export your work, but have it done in the good old USA, and be very specific about types of materials used. All those restrictions and standards we have to meet are good for something I guess.
Dr. Moulton’s article was published in the Desert Valley Times,
March, 2008
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How Safe is Your Dental Office?
Tuesday, September 8th, 2009
With the recent contaminations at the Endoscopy Center of Southern Nevada, patients are becoming concerned about the safety of outpatient procedures. In Las Vegas, six patients contracted hepatitis C, the most severe form of hepatitis, from the reuse of anesthetic syringes and vials. A man who was a hepatitis carrier has come forth and disclosed that he did in fact receive treatment at that endoscopy center just before the subsequent six patients contracted the disease, confirming the findings of the Southern Nevada Health District. Thus far, the Endoscopy Center of Southern Nevada and three other clinics in Las Vegas owned by the same medical group have been closed for public endangerment.
Officials say that this is just the tip of the iceberg. Nobody knows how many illnesses may have resulted from this practice that has persisted since the days before AIDS and hepatitis B and C. In those days, nobody cared so much about a little cross contamination. So you might catch someone else’s cold. The needles were sterile of course, but the barrel of the syringe was reused for economy, and occasionally a little blood would back up through the needle, causing contamination of the syringe barrel. The medications, especially anesthetics, are cheaper in bulk vials, but entering that vial with a contaminated syringe could do the same to the whole vial.
I’m sure this notorious incident in Las Vegas has done a lot to clean up the act of many clinics across the country that may have been oblivious to the practices of their staff members, or were just trying to cut corners to save a buck, so it may have served some purpose. I’m equally sure this is the exception rather than the rule. The physicians I have known have been caring and conscientious and gifted clinicians, who would know better than to violate such a simple principal, so don’t let this incident prevent you from following through with your medical appointments.
As for the dental office, we use a system that makes it impossible to accidentally cross-contaminate anesthetic injections. Disposable needles are used and single-use carpules serve as disposable syringe barrels. No multiple-use vials are present. All instruments are completely sterilized in an autoclave, and everything else is either sterilized or disposable. Plastic covers are placed over the chair and headrest for each patient, so it’s as if nobody had been there before, and we have installed a closed, anti-siphon water system so you even have sterile water in the water-squirter!
Dr. Moulton’s article was published in the Desert Valley Times,
March 2008
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