Archive for October, 2007
Counterfeit Toothpaste Across the US, Canada, Other Areas
Counterfeit Colgate toothpaste was found earlier this year in many discount stores across New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Maryland, according to a June press release by the FDA. The imitation product does not contain fluoride, but does contain the unlisted ingredient, diethylene glycol (DEG), a chemical used in antifreeze. The label on the toothpaste states that is is “manufactured in South Africa,” and many of the packages have misspelled words. Compare the packaging on the at the Colgate site.
The Gray Blog reported in June that nearly one million tainted and counterfeit toothpaste packages were recalled in Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Other effected locations include Puerto Rico, Panama, Dominican Republic, and Australia. The packages state that the products are made in China, and the FDA says that these counterfeits also contain diethylene glycol. In July, Health Canada reported finding high levels of bacteria in counterfeit toothpaste, as well. No related illnesses or deaths have been reported to date.
While this information is no longer “news,” it does raise concerns regarding consumer safety. Knowledge is power, and you can pay a vital role in keeping your patients forewarned. As a dentist, you may want to warn your patients to:
Read toothpaste labels and consider misspellings a red flag
Don’t purchase toothpaste made in China or South Africa
Can’t find a job? Add a Fabulous Smile to Your Resume
Results of a study conducted by an independent research firm provide new evidence that a beautiful white smile has a direct effect on successful interpersonal interactions, both socially and professionally. The study shows that a whiter smile substantially affects how others think of you when you first meet.
According to the study, which included simulated job interviews, simulated first dates, and a quantitative online survey, more than half of the study participants were more likely to be hired (58%) and receive larger salary offers (53%) after their teeth had been whitened. I would assume that the same would apply if they had veneers or Invisalign to straighten the teeth.
The study also found that evaluators expressed greater interest in continuing their interaction or “date” with more than half of the study participants (54%) after their teeth had been whitened. Visible from 200 feet, a white smile is the intense focus of what other people look at and a sign of our warmth, confidence, and health.
During simulated job interviews, it was found that a majority of the study participants were viewed to be more professional (65%) and more confident (61%) after their teeth had been whitened. On their simulated first dates, more than half of the study participants were viewed to be more outgoing (59%) after their teeth had been whitened.
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www.DentistsforthePlanet.com
Dr. Kathy Frazar and Dr. Tom Hedge from Cincinnati, have started a “grassroots” effort to have dentist do their part in saving energy and helping out our planet. At your next dental hygiene visit, you will receive a Compact Fluorescent Bulb instead of a toothbrush. Dr’s. Frazar and Hedge are encouraging dentist nationwide to join in the effort.
There are 120,000 dentists in the United States. Each has an average of 800 patients. That would amount to almost a hundred million bulbs with just one check up.
If every patient took it home and replaced an incandescent 60 watt bulb, the energy saved would be enough to power a city of 1.5 million people!
This would seed an avalanche of people replacing other bulbs. Once you replace one and see that it provides the same light and with the education that it will last for ten years and use 75% less electricity, it is a no brainer to go out to the hardware store and replace the rest. The average home has between 50 and 100 sockets!
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