Volume 106, Number 8 (2024)

Every month, The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association provides news, information, and features about Michigan dentistry to our state's oral health community and the MDA's 6,200+ members. It stands as the primary publication reaching Michigan dentists.

In the August 2024 issue, the Journal focuses on the 2024 Mission of Mercy event held in Flint. Original content includes:

• A cover story on the MOM
• A feature article on Locum Tenens Dentists
• A New Professional Column
• News You Need, an editorial, and regular department articles covering MDA Foundation activities, MDA Services, Dentistry and the Law, and Staff Matters.

An additional feature article is reprinted from The Ontario Dentist addressing when a patient taking bisphosphonates needs a tooth extraction, the risk of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) must be considered. MRONJ can result from antiresorptive medications, especially if administered via injection or for cancer treatment. Dentists should assess MRONJ risks, employ preventive measures, and consider alternatives to surgery. If extraction is necessary, proceed with caution, informing the patient of risks and utilizing strategies to minimize them. The AAOMS guidelines provide insights on prevention, diagnosis, and management of MRONJ to aid dental professionals in decision-making.