As kids head back to school this fall, there is probably one item many parents haven’t thought to put on the to-do list: dental checkups. But they should make sure their children’s teeth are in good shape, said Dr. Natasha Flake, president of the American Association of Endodontists. First, remember that kids grow, and so…  read on >  read on >

Emboldened by success in its initial efforts to cut dietary salt intake by Americans, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Thursday announced Phase II of the endeavor. U.S. Dietary Guidelines recommend that a person consume no more than 2,300 milligrams (mg) of sodium per day, the equivalent of about one teaspoon of salt. Excess…  read on >  read on >

The Biden administration said Thursday that it has signed deals with drug companies that will lower the prices on 10 of the most popular and expensive drugs used by American seniors. Taxpayers should save $6 billion because of the new prices, while seniors using Medicare could save roughly $1.5 billion on their medications, the U.S.…  read on >  read on >

A study of more than 400,000 people tracked for up to 24 years finds that those who got their dietary fat from plants versus animals had significantly lower odds of dying during the study period. Plant-based fats’ benefit included a reduced odds for deaths due to heart disease, the research showed. Conversely, the study “provides…  read on >  read on >

Advocates for the use of the psychedelic drug MDMA (midomafetamine) to treat mental health conditions were delivered a setback on Friday after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration declined to approve it as treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). There is insufficient evidence that MDMA — currently illegal and also known as Ecstasy or molly…  read on >  read on >