Lead Apron Use During Imaging Exams May Be Unnecessary, Some Radiologists Say

Kaiser Health News (1/15, Jaklevic) discusses the use of lead aprons to cover “reproductive organs and fetuses during imaging exams,” stating that “new thinking among radiologists and medical physicists is upending the decades-old practice.” The article says the aprons have been used based on the idea that they shield patients …

Early antibiotics linked to risk of childhood health conditions

A study in Mayo Clinic Proceedings found that early antibiotic exposure was linked to an increased risk of childhood-onset asthma, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, obesity, overweight, celiac disease, atopic dermatitis and allergic rhinitis, with the number, type and timing of antibiotic exposure influencing the associations. The findings are based on data involving …

Evidence Does Not Support Classifying Fluoride As Cognitive Neurodevelopmental Hazard, Review Finds

The ADA News reports, “The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine announced March 5 that it does not find that the National Toxicology Program adequately supported its conclusion that fluoride is ‘presumed’ to be a cognitive neurodevelopmental hazard to humans.” The academies’ review of the National Toxicology Program’s draft …

Treating Periodontitis In Patients With Diabetes May Reduce Tooth Loss, Microvascular Diseases

HealthDay reported a new study found that “providing nonsurgical periodontal treatment to patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and periodontitis may significantly reduce tooth loss and diabetes-related microvascular diseases via improved glycemic control.” In the study, researchers “built a microsimulation model to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of expanding periodontal treatment coverage …

Catching Up On Medical And Dental Care Visits For Children Considered “Critical”

Consumer Reports (9/18, Loria) said that “when the COVID-19 pandemic first took hold in the U.S. last spring,” many families skipped or postponed vaccines and medical and dental care visits. Consumer Reports said, “Though COVID-19 is still spreading, catching up is critical.” The article shared tips to help families get …

Study: Nearly All Toddlers, And The Majority Of Babies, Eat Too Much Added Sugar In The US

CNN reports that a new analysis of national data “published Wednesday finds 98% of toddlers and two-thirds of infants consume added sugars in their diets each day.” In the study, infants aged 6 to 11 months “were typically given added sugars via flavored yogurt, baby snacks and sweet bakery products; …