From legal challenges to practice acquisitions, here are six dental industry updates that have taken place in North Carolina since Sept. 5: 

St. Mary's Health Center Medical and Dental Clinic in Wilmington, N.C., has filed a restraining order against the Basilica of St. Mary, WECT reported Oct. 17.

A California dentist and five of his employees were recently charged with defrauding the state Medi-Cal program of nearly $900,000.

A driver was taken to the hospital with unknown injuries after crashing their vehicle into an Illinois dental office, WLS reported Oct. 17.

Bill Sasser, DMD, was recently named the recipient of the ADA's 2024 Humanitarian Award.

The American Dental Association expressed its support for tax policies to benefit dental professionals, according to an Oct. 16 news release. 

Theresa Gonzales, DMD, was named the recipient of the American Dental Association's 2024 Distinguished Service Award. 

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights imposed a $70,000 monetary penalty against a Maryland dental practice for failing to provide timely access to patient records.

A former North Carolina oral surgeon was recently found guilty of sexually assaulting patients while they were sedated, WECT reported Oct. 17.

From new openings to leadership appointments, here are seven dental school updates Becker's has reported on since Sept. 30:

An Arizona dental assistant and the practice for which he worked are being sued after the dental assistant was accused of molesting three children while at work, according to an Oct. 17 AZFamily report.

Venture capital deals in the oral health industry have surpassed a total of $400 million so far in 2024, according to an Oct. 15 report by CareQuest Innovation Partners.

Creekview Dental Care is preparing to open a dental practice in Leander, Texas, according to an Oct. 15 report by Community Impact.

Exeter (N.H.) Hospital's two pediatric dental practices will be taken over by two dentists from Core Physicians, New Hampshire Public Radio reported Oct. 10.

Here are eight updates on the oral surgery space to know that Becker's reported on during the third quarter of 2024:

Atlanta-based 19th Street Dental is now an official associate partner of the Atlanta Falcons, according to an Oct. 15 news release. 

Dental leaders have been forced to make some difficult decisions in the wake of a tough economic environment, staffing challenges and other obstacles facing the industry. 

Margaret Conde, DDS, recently opened Conde Family Dental in Buckhannon, W.V., My Buckhannon reported Oct. 14. 

Here are 10 lawsuits happening in the dental industry so far in 2024, as reported by Becker's:

Thirty percent of dentists reported their safety being threatened by a patient, according to a new report from the American Dental Association.