Asian 'Superbug' causes trouble worldwide

HONG KONG/LEIPZIG, Germany: The emergence of a bacteria-resisted genetic mutation in Asia and other countries is posing a significant threat to global health, a multinational team of researchers reports. According to their study published in the current issue of The Lancet Infectious Diseases, evidence of increased prevalence of a gen that makes bacteria resistant to antibiotics was detected in Enterobacteriaceae isolated in India, Pakistan and the UK. The researchers called for co-ordinated international surveillance of the enzyme to prevent its spread through medical and dental tourism.

Aug 11, 2010 | ASIA PACIFIC

Interview: 'Ethical guidelines in India are deficient'

The first handbook on ethical and legal issues for dentists in India was recently released by the Christian Dental College in Ludhiana in India. Dental Tribune Online spoke with author Assistant Prof. Saurab Bither about the book and its discussion of ethical issues in dental practice.

Jun 25, 2010 | ASIA PACIFIC

Human bite holds up to primates

HONG KONG/LEIPZIG, Germany: Modern humans are able to achieve higher bite forces than previously thought, a study from Australia has revealed. In the first comparison of its kind, researchers from the University of New South Wales’ School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences in Sydney found that the slenderly built human skull has a far more efficient bite than that of the chimp, gorilla or orangutan, or that of two prehistoric members of the hominid family, Australopithecus africanus and Paranthropus boisei.

Jun 23, 2010 | ASIA PACIFIC

Early decay diagnosis and preventive intervention prove effective

BALMAIN, NSW, Australia: The prevention of caries has been, and still is, a major goal for the dental profession. A recent study published in Value in Health, the official journal of the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR), highlights the disparity between routine dental clinical practice and a model of care which is evidence-based in terms of diagnosis and preventive intervention.

Jun 17, 2010 | ASIA PACIFIC

AU dental scheme in need of radical surgery

DEAKIN WEST, ACT, Australia: Dental and oral health experts have called for the immediate implementation of a coordinated Commonwealth and state/territory dental programme, arguing that dental health has been put in the ‘too hard basket’ during the health reform package agreed by the Council of Australian Governments.

May 20, 2010 | ASIA PACIFIC

Patients in Malaysia go on record

HONG KONG/LEIPZIG, Germany: Malaysia Healthcare, a medical tourism facilitator in Malaysia, is offering a medical record storage device to foreign medical tourists and domestic patients who wish to go abroad for treatment. The Individual Personal Health Electronic Record (iPHER) USB device, which is produced by a US company based in Florida, is able to carry basic patient data, such as blood type, allergies and dental records. It allows medical professionals to access a patient’s medical history quickly.

May 20, 2010 | ASIA PACIFIC

Sea animals could help cement dental cavities

HONG KONG/LEIPZIG, Germany: Students at the Hwa Chong Institution in Singapore are currently investigating the adhesive properties of barnacles for use in dentistry. Their research, which recently received a Gold Award at this year’s Singapore Science and Engineering Fair, could open new ways to hold dental braces or cement cavities in teeth.

May 20, 2010 | ASIA PACIFIC

Interview: 'Caries is not easily prevented or treated in the most susceptible children'

In two months, paediatric dentistry specialist will gather in Pasay City, the Phillipines, for the 7th biennial congress of the Pediatric Dentistry Association of Asia. Dental Tribune Online spoke with the presenters Prof Jill Fernandez, Dr Neal Herman and Lily Kim from the University of New York, about their participation and recent developments in the field.

May 12, 2010 | ASIA PACIFIC

Japanese students lack interest in private dental schools

TOKYO, Japan: Enrolment in private dental schools in Japan has decreased again during spring term, a survey by the Japanese Association of Private Dental Schools has found. Figures released by the organisation last month show that almost 70 per cent of the schools missed their intake quota. The total number of people who took entrance examinations for private dental colleges was 4,318, a sharp fall from over 10,000 in 2006.

Apr 18, 2010 | ASIA PACIFIC

IDEM confirms role as major Asia-Pacific meeting

SINGAPORE/LEIPZIG, Germany: With final participation numbers having been announced, the International Dental Exhibition & Meeting (IDEM) has confirmed its position as a major dental meeting for the Asia Pacific region. An improved scientific programme and a higher number of exhibitors drew again more than 6,000 of dental professionals to Singapore. Exhibitors and the organiser said that they were content with the quantity and quality of visitors this year.

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