OUTTHERE www.mddus.com


PREHISTORIC DECAYThe world’s oldest toothache has been discovered in Texas in the jawbone of a 275 million-year-old omnivorous reptile called Labidosaurus hamatus. The 75cm-long, stout- legged beast had a single set of permanent teeth, making it vulnerable to the same type of bacterial decay that plagues humans. Researchers found evidence of massive infection, suggesting the similar adult human system of having permanent teeth also makes us more susceptible to infection.


BRUSHING WITH BIEBERA new Justin Bieber toothbrush collection has been launched in the USA. The brushes play Bieber tracks like Baby or U Smile for two minutes while brushing to encourage people to keep to the recommended time. Patients can also buy Bieber dental floss. Perhaps the products could be marketed in the UK under the slogan “Rot your brain, not your teeth”?


KILL DRILLA new invention offers hope for frightened patients by blocking the noise of dental drills. Patients can listen to an MP3 player attached to a special device that cancels out unwanted noise but still allows the dentist to be heard. Experts in London developed the gadget after 10 years of research.


BOOZE BRIBE Texas dentist Clint Herzog has found his own unique way of luring patients to his surgery – free booze. He serves up wine and beer to nervous types while they wait for treatment. The unorthodox incentive seems to have paid off with a rise in patient visits.


Back For More


15 •


1 6 7 8 9 10


23


4


NAME THAT BITE CROSSWORD


Stumped? The answer is at the bottom of the page 5 ACROSS


4 Attention (4) 6 Insignia of a sovereign (7) 7 More unusual (5) 9 Long-armed ape (9) 11 Small crustacea eaten by whales (5) 12 Seat (5) 14 To beset with insistent or repeated requests (9) 15 Shoulder wrap (5) 16 Capital of Kenya (7) 17 Nautical call (4)


11 13 14 12 DOWN 15 16 17


1 Common complication in tooth extraction (3,6) 2 Antibacterial gel used to treat 1 (7) 3 Wear ______, indicate tooth-grinding (6) 4 Also known as a dental cap (5) 5 Light area on an X-ray (10) 8 X-ray by another name (10) 10 PBC, _________bonded 4 (9) 12 Not acute (7) 13 Occlusal _____ – removable appliance to treat bruxism (5)


14 Type of filling, usually made of gold (5)


See answers online at www.mddus.com. Go to the Notice Board page under News and Events.


NAME THAT BITE: Lower jaw of a python


PHOTOGRAPH: SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16