The ADA Talks about Opioid Abuse

A dentist with a deep commitment to providing high-quality service to her clients, Dr. Kathryn Philpott-Hill worked from her own private practice in Sylva, North Carolina, for 12 years. Dr. Kathryn Philpott-Hill still maintains her membership in the American Dental Association (ADA). 

In February of 2017, the ADA issued a new comprehensive statement on opioids as pain management tools in dental medicine. In light of the ongoing epidemic of opioid abuse throughout the country, the ADA says it will continue to offer online education about best practices for prescribing these drugs - something it has done for the past six years. 

Just three years ago, the ADA developed a clinical reference manual that highlights alternative methods of pain management and effective screening procedures to determine if patients may be trying to obtain opioid medication to feed their addictions. In 2016, the ADA urged its members to follow CDC guidelines for prescribing opioid medications. 

In its latest efforts to help curb the epidemic, the ADA has partnered with other organizations, including the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids, to get the word out about the dangers of opioid addiction. The ADA says it is continuing to explore methods of ending opioid abuse.

Caring for Baby's Mouth Before Teeth Come In

A doctor of dental surgery graduate of the Louisiana State University School of Dentistry, Dr. Kathryn Philpott-Hill worked with patients at her own private dental practice for 12 years in Sylva, North Carolina. In this role, Dr. Kathryn Philpott-Hill provided oral health care to adults and children of all ages and gave advice on how to best care for their teeth. 

Even for infants, proper oral health care is important. Though the youngest babies don’t have teeth yet, that doesn’t mean that their mouths are immune from developing gum disease or other problems. Until they are six months old, it is recommended that a baby’s gums be gently wiped with a moist cloth after each feeding. 

It’s also important to make sure that items like bottle nipples and pacifiers are cleaned with sterile implements. To avoid the spread of bacteria and viruses to your baby, resist the temptation to check the temperature of a bottle by putting it in your mouth, and don’t clean bottles or pacifiers with the mouth.