The SoundBite: An Oral Approach to an Auditory Problem

Recently, there has been several major scientific advancements in the dental community, namely the discovery of viable stem cells in the dental pulp of baby and wisdom teeth. The FDA recently approved an oral device that aids in the restoration of hearing in those with Single Sided Deafness and Conductive Hearing loss through conducting sound through the TEETH!

This is the World’s first non-surgical removable conduction system that is made up of a behind-the-ear microphone unit and a removable in-the-mouth hearing device. The process is based on the well known principle of sound conduction in which sound captured by the microphone is transmitted to the device fitted in the mouth. This device then yields unnoticeable sound vibrations that are conducted through the teeth to the cochleae in the ear providing clear high fidelity sound to the patient.

For more detailed information about this device visit www.soundbitehearing.com

Dr. Wendy AuClair Clark's Mission of Mercy

This past weekend I had the opportunity to help hundreds of patients at the Georgia Dental Association’s first Mission of Mercy. Many emergency and mission clinics provide only extractions or other very limited treatment options. This 2-day clinic provided fillings, cleanings, root canals, and also complete and partial dentures. I volunteered for the denture department, where prosthodontists, orthodontists, and laboratory technicians worked together for 2 days to make over 150 prosthetics for patients in need.

It was heart-warming to hear so many words of gratitude, see tears of joy, and get hugs and blessings from so many people. It was inspiring to see over 1,500 volunteers working so hard together, giving so much of their time and efforts to help so many people. But it was equally heart breaking to see so many people get turned away. Over 4,000 people waited for treatment, some waiting outside for over 24 hours to be seen. Throughout the 2 days, about 2,100 patients received treatment. Considering the short time frame, this is an outstanding amount of treatment that was provided, and I am honored to have been a small part of something so big.

For more information, check out the AJC article here: www.ajc.com/news/more-than-2-000-1105463.html

-Wendy