Every month, our team reads through the industry news so you don't have to. October brought a new oral cancer guideline, an updated tinnitus guideline, an FDA warning about mail-order aligners, and fresh data on how hard it is to hire hygienists. Here are the stories we think are worth your time, with links to the full articles.
Oral and maxillofacial surgery
Training may matter most in office-based pediatric anesthesia
A new analysis in the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery looked at claims data and state dental board reviews from 2002 to 2026. The authors found the evidence does not show that adding a separate anesthesia provider makes a child's office procedure safer. They argue that clinician training and competency should guide policy instead. Read the AAOMS release
Why it matters: Safe sedation depends on training and monitoring. It also depends on an operatory where the team can reach the patient quickly from every side.
Flumazenil is in short supply
ADA News reports that several manufacturers have flumazenil injection on back order, and some have not given return dates. The drug reverses benzodiazepine sedation, and some states require practices to keep it on hand. Now is a good time to check your emergency kit and talk with your supplier. Read the ADA News story
ADA's first living guideline: exam and biopsy still lead for oral cancer
The ADA's updated guideline says a thorough clinical exam followed by biopsy is still the most reliable way to find and confirm early oral and lip cancers. It advises against routine use of screening adjuncts such as cytology, light-based tests and vital staining. It is the first guideline released under the ADA's Living Guideline Program, which launched in 2025. Read more on DrBicuspid
ENT (Otolaryngology)
AAO-HNSF updates its tinnitus guideline
The American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation released its first tinnitus guideline update since 2014. It includes 16 key action statements, including a comprehensive hearing evaluation for every patient with tinnitus. It recommends against routine use of medications, dietary supplements or repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation. Read the AAO-HNSF release
Also this month, Daniel C. Chelius, Jr., MD, a pediatric otolaryngologist at Baylor College of Medicine, began a one-year term as president of the AAO-HNS and its Foundation. Read the announcement
Orthodontics & pediatric dentistry
FDA warns about unsupervised direct-to-consumer aligners
The FDA says it has not authorized clear aligners sold directly to consumers without a dentist or orthodontist overseeing care. It cites reports of tooth and jaw pain, bite problems and new gaps between teeth. It also notes that "FDA registered" is not the same as FDA authorized. Read the ADA News story
Why it matters: It is a clear, factual talking point when patients ask about mail-order options.
Study links toddler screen time to more cavities
A study of more than 71,000 children in Japan, published in Pediatrics and Neonatology, tracked screen time from 18 months to age 3. Children who began watching an hour or more of screens a day by age 3 had higher odds of caries and severe caries. Screen time was reported by caregivers. Read more on DrBicuspid
The orthodontic workforce has grown 17% since 2001
ADA Health Policy Institute data show 10,844 orthodontists in 2025, up from 9,265 in 2001. That is slower growth than dentistry overall, which grew 26% over the same period. Read more on Becker's Dental Review
AAO opens 2027 Ortho Innovator Awards
The American Association of Orthodontists is taking entries through January 31, 2027, in two categories: Emerging Innovation and Market Impact Innovation. Winners will be announced at the 2027 AAO Annual Session in Vancouver. Read more on Orthodontic Products
Running the practice
1 in 5 dentists waited six months or more to fill hygienist roles
The ADA Health Policy Institute's latest quarterly survey found about 21% of dentists who filled a hygienist opening in the third quarter had it open for more than six months. About a third of dentists were still recruiting, and fewer than 10% filled the role within two weeks. Read more on DrBicuspid
There is some good news on supply. ADA data show U.S. hygiene programs graduated 7,447 students in 2025, up 5.9% from 2015. Read more on Becker's Dental Review
Why it matters: When hiring takes this long, keeping the team you have is worth a lot. A comfortable, well-set-up operatory is part of that.
What practices really pay to accept credit cards
A review of 500 dental merchant statements found an average effective rate of 3.37%, and nearly 1 in 5 practices paid 4% or more. Practices on interchange cost-plus pricing paid less on average. The study came from a payments group, so it is worth checking against your own statements. Read more on DrBicuspid
From Boyd: plan ahead for Section 179
If an operatory upgrade is on your list, the calendar matters this time of year. Section 179 may let your practice deduct qualifying equipment on this year's return. To count for 2026, equipment must be installed and in use by December 31, so plan for lead times and installation now. Learn about Section 179
Not tax advice. Please check with your tax professional.
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