Back in the '90s, Clark first talked about breakthrough laser technology being developed for the dentistry field. He went for a cleaning shortly after and discovered his dentist was very upset with him. Several other customers heard Clark on the air and were already asking about the laser! It turns out the technology is very expensive, but it eliminates most of the discomfort for common dental procedures.

USA Today now reports that less than 10% of dentists use laser technology. Yet if people become aware of the laser, they'll ask for it and dentists may comply just to seize market share. Dentists also would be able to charge more for laser services.

Clark has an old filling that he needs replaced. Why should he go the Novocain route when he can have the laser instead? There's even a special laser for root canals that reduces discomfort and the time you're in the chair by 30 minutes.

Laser could be a very promising option for people who take care of their teeth. But 1 out of 3 people don't get dental care in the United States. We're a developed country, yet we have people with rotting teeth! Clark thinks one possible solution would be to allow dental techs to do a special 2-year program that certifies them for basic dental procedures. Such a plan has already been enacted in Alaska.

When is the last time you went to the dentist? More than a quarter of all kids and a third of all adults are walking around with untreated cavities. The percent of people with untreated tooth decay is the highest it's been in decades. The scary thing is that tooth decay can lead to more serious health problems that are not related to your mouth. People instinctively fear dentists, but they should be really afraid of what happens when tooth decay goes untreated. Dentists as a whole are free marketers because dental insurance payments are so minimal. They also can raise rates significantly because they're in such short supply. Because of prohibitive costs, only a quarter of people who don't have dental insurance were able to go to a dentist over the course of a year. There is one potential answer to this cost issue. Alaska has a number of licensed dental therapists who can fill cavities and treat tooth decay. They're like medical nurse practitioners for the dental field. There are now over 50 countries in the world where dental therapists do their work and help consumers. When will the American Dental Association get on board and stop blowing off dental therapists? On a related note, The Wall Street Journal recently reported on new ultrasound toothbrush technology that promises wonderful cleanings at home. But the market price is around $169, so Clark will wait until the product becomes a deal.

Do you remember when you walked into a drug store or supermarket and you’d see maybe three or four toothpastes on the shelf? Last year, about 112 new toothpastes were added to the market. A study done in Britain compared different types of toothbrushes and found that it doesn’t make much difference which kind you use. They all do about the same thing. There are a few exceptions. If you do a bad job brushing your teeth, meaning you rush through it or don’t have make the correct circular motions, you need a rotating and oscillating brush. If you have arthritis or bad manual dexterity, these electronic toothbrushes would be good for you. And the most important thing you can do for your teeth is floss. You prevent so many dental problems if you just floss every night.

Does going to the dentist wig you out? For many people, a visit to the dentist is one of the most dreaded experiences of the year. But procedures at the dentist’s office are getting much more pain free, according to Forbes Magazine. One of them is called “Teeth in an Hour,” and it allows customers to receive replacement teeth with very little time and discomfort. It was developed in Sweden and uses a cat scan to make an exact image of your teeth that is then replicated as a perfect fit. Right now, only 45 dentists use it and it’s very expensive. But it’s growing. Many people avoid going to the dentist because they want to avoid pain.

When was the last time you tossed your toothbrush? If it takes a while to remember, it may be time to replace it. You should get a new toothbrush whenever you get sick and every three months if you haven’t been sick. Toothbrushes carry tons of harmful germs, including salmonella. If you’re very concerned about this, there is now a device that sterilizes your toothbrush every time you use it. It uses ultra-violet rays to clean the toothbrushes and takes about 10 minutes to do. It costs $50 and you can find out more at violight.com.

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In other health news, ABC recently covered the germ population in health clubs. With everyone back in the gym this time of year, ABC wanted to know how clean, or in this case dirty, fitness equipment is. Suffice it to say that all kinds of disgusting germs are on machines. So, clean the machine before you get on it, and wipe it down as a courtesy to others when you get off. Just remember that many people are not as sanitary or careful as you might be. If you want to read the full report, go to abcnews.com.

Clark has been poked and prodded since he broke his hand in a skiing fall over Thanksgiving. He doesn’t like needles very much, but he’s dealing with it. And, there is some good news coming on the needle front. According to ABC News, researchers at Georgia Tech in Atlanta have developed needles that are smaller than a strand of hair. They are designed to go into a patch, so that they deliver medicine painlessly and can be administered by the person wearing the patch. You no longer need a doctor or nurse to administer the medicine. Think about how great this development is for children who are scared of needles. Maybe more people will get the flu vaccine because of this news.

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There is also a segment of the population that has become obsessed with whitening their teeth. Dentists, who are struggling for revenue, are marketing all kinds of whitening techniques. But Consumer Reports has some warnings. It’s okay to whiten your teeth every once in a while, but if you go overboard you could damage the enamel on your teeth. Over-the-counter treatments work just fine and are not as damaging. They’re also pretty cheap at about $15 a system. Consumer Reports rated Colgate “Simply White Night” the best treatment available. Just be careful and don’t get too obsessive.