The foundation of a beautiful smile starts with the appearance of healthy gums. Now, thanks to a new laser gum treatment offered by Washington Center for Dentistry, patients will be able to lighten and improve gum discoloration. The new gum bleaching procedure is now available to general and cosmetic dental patients in Washington D.C., Maryland, and Northern Virginia. The normal color of gum tissue is pink. However, due to high concentrations of melanin, gums can appear to have dark spots or black patches. Dark gum pigmentation often occurs with people who have dark ...

Sleep apnea isn't just about the snoring, it is one of the most common sleep disorders in the United States and is also often undiagnosed. Washington Center for Dentistry is proud to announce they have expanded their practice areas to include sleep apnea treatment for their Washington D.C., Maryland, and Northern Virginia patients. Sleep apnea is caused when breathing is interrupted during sleep- sometimes hundreds of times. People suffering from sleep apnea get restricted amounts of oxygen to the brain and the body. Sleep apnea sufferers often stay in a lighter sleep ...

New York Wants Spouses Awaiting Divorce Fairly Provided for Financially Divorce can be devastating financially for the spouse who makes less money during the time period when related legal matters are pending. Not uncommonly, when the decision to divorce is made, one spouse moves out of the family home pending resolution and two households are set up on the same number of dollars that previously supported one. Effective Oct. 12, 2010, a new temporary maintenance law took effect in the state of New York to address this and similar types of situations. What Is Temporary ...

Divorce in Oregon: Understanding the Basic Legal Issues Most people understand some of the fundamentals about divorce in Oregon, from the benefits of crafting prenuptial agreements to the challenges of dividing marital assets. Oregon's family law statutes detail those and a range of related issues, from the distinctions between divorce and separation to methods of apportioning child or spousal support. Any spouse who is contemplating the need to end a marriage can benefit from a basic explanation of the most common legal issues. By further discussing those issues ...

Details of OSHA's Fall Prevention Campaign For Construction Workers According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), falls are the leading cause of death in the construction industry. In 2010, 264 of the 774 total fatalities in construction were due to falls. Further, greater than 10,000 workers were injured as a result of construction falls. Falls are preventable, however, and OSHA - in conjunction with the American Society of Safety Engineers and The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health - has launched a national fall prevention ...

2012 IRS Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Program Remains in Effect Among the many issues that can lead to a criminal tax investigation is a taxpayer's failure to disclose taxable offshore assets. In recent years, the Internal Revenue Service has renewed its Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Program (OVDP) to give taxpayers incentives to comply with tax laws and potentially avoid penalties for tax evasion. Last summer, the IRS announced that it had collected more than $5 billion in back taxes, as well as penalties and interest, as a result of more than 33,000 disclosures ...

As of October 18, the multistate fungal meningitis outbreak has caused 20 deaths. The total number of reported cases has now risen to 257. With new fungal meningitis infections coming to light almost daily, many victims are looking for a meningitis outbreak lawyer with a national practice focus for help bringing suit against the maker of the steroid injections that have been linked to the deadly epidemic. Background of the Outbreak and Telltale Fungal Meningitis Symptoms As many as 14,000 patients were exposed to tainted steroid injections produced by the New England ...

A new Sallie Mae study found that fewer college students own credit cards, and the number has dropped during the past two years. Experts are encouraged by the study and say this shows hope for the long-term financial health of the students and their parents. There are many factors that contribute to the decrease in credit cards and credit card debt, but one of them is the credit card reform provisions of the Credit CARD Act of 2009 targeted towards students. Students Who do Own Credit Cards Paying Off Balances Students are avoiding debt by either not opening credit ...

If you're heading toward divorce, you likely have a lot on your mind. With all the other things going on in your life, it's possible that you haven't given a lot of thought to how your insurance needs will change as a single person. But, insurance is important in the wake of divorce. Knowing how to handle your health, life, home and auto insurance policies correctly can not only save you thousands of dollars, it can ensure you don't lack the coverage you need at a critical time. Health Insurance: Getting Your Own Coverage and the COBRA Safety Net In discussions ...

It has become increasingly common for towns across Texas to establish ordinances that greatly restrict the movement of registered sex offenders. The ordinances often force offenders out of towns entirely due to lack of housing far enough away from public areas where children are present. These ordinances go beyond Texas sex offender laws and can greatly impede on the rights of sex offenders to find adequate housing. Rash of Ordinances Appear in Texas Towns The state of Texas allows municipalities to enact town ordinances that restrict the movement of sex offenders ...

It is a sad and unfortunate truth that medical expenses have skyrocketed over the last several years. The fact that so many people have lost their jobs -- and thus their health insurance -- during the recession has only made matters worse. Of course, a serious illness or injury can be financial devastating, even for people who have insurance. Between copays, deductibles and benefit caps, it does not take long for the bills to spiral out of control. Indeed, medical debt is now one of the leading causes of consumer bankruptcy, both in Texas and throughout the United States. According ...

To a certain extent, the risk of encountering a dangerous or deadly traffic accident is always present. No matter what day it is, some drivers will make the choice to get behind the wheel after drinking alcohol, taking drugs or not getting enough sleep. Others will take their eyes off the road to send a text, program their GPS or play with the stereo. Add in speeders, red light-runners and a whole host of other dangerous but common behaviors, and it begins to become clear why 1,200 people were killed and another 12,800 were seriously injured in New York motor vehicle accidents ...

The Supreme Court of the United States has reversed a ruling of the Third Circuit Court of Appeals on a Chapter 11 bankruptcy issue known as credit bidding. The Supreme Court unanimously ruled that Chapter 11 reorganization plans cannot sell the property of a secured creditor without giving that creditor the opportunity to credit bid on it. Two Important Terms: Credit Bidding and Cramdown In order to understand the Supreme Court's recent decision, it is necessary to understand two key Chapter 11 bankruptcy terms: credit bidding and cramdown. In the Chapter 11 bankruptcy ...

Car accidents have the potential to cause very serious injuries. Although nothing can completely erase the risk of harm that comes with a crash, good vehicle design can go a long way to minimize the severity of crash victims' injuries. Most people are probably aware that automobile manufacturers use crash-test dummies to measure the risk of injury in a car accident. These measurements are then translated into consumer safety ratings. However, many people may be surprised to learn that most of these safety rankings apply only to average-sized males. Until recently, automakers ...

Construction zones are inherently dangerous, with job duties that often require working at extreme heights. Every year, 225 construction workers die and another 10,000 are injured in preventable falls. In 2010, 264 out of 774 total construction worker deaths were caused by falls. Now, several safety agencies, including the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), have launched campaigns to prevent falls and construction worker deaths. Safety Groups Team Up for Construction Fall Safety OSHA, the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) ...

The sexual abuse of children is a serious matter. Public discussion has most recently centered on the Penn State scandal as many within the media debate the proper punishment that should be served not only against Jerry Sandusky but against the university as well. While this discussion is taking up media attention, another related discussion is gaining momentum among legal and legislative professional communities. This controversial topic focuses on the fact that over the past 22 years federal sentences for the possession of child pornography have increased dramatically, ...

There's no doubt about it, going to college is expensive. Between rent, food, books and the ever-increasing price of tuition, many Texas students find it hard to make ends meet. Since few students have the time to work as many hours as it would take to support themselves and still do well in school, many go into debt to pay the bills. When student loans don't provide enough support, they turn to credit cards. Although credit cards can be helpful for college students, they can also be very dangerous if not used carefully. A few mistakes or missed payments could start ...

American workers are filing more lawsuits against employers than ever before. In 2012, wage and hour lawsuits are the highest they have been in 20 years. As of March 31, 2012, there were 7,064 federal wage and hour cases filed compared to the 1,184 cases filed in 2000. What are Wage and Hour Lawsuits? The federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and Florida state's employment laws dictate an employee's rights, as well as the legal remedy to enforce those rights. For example, in Florida: - Workers must be paid a minimum wage of $7.67. - Employees who receive tips ...

When you purchase insurance and pay your premiums every month, you expect that the insurance company will uphold its end of the bargain when a loss occurs. Unfortunately, this isn't always the case. Like all businesses, insurance companies are concerned about protecting their bottom lines. Sometimes, they try to save money by wrongfully denying valid claims. When it comes to dealing with insurance companies, small injustices happen every day. However, when a big event hits, it is much easier for insurance bad faith to be brought into the light. As a case in point, ...

A Florida man has sued his employer for wrongful termination, claiming that he was fired, not for falsifying time sheet records, as the company claims, but because of his daughter's high medical costs. The case shows employees that it is possible to hold employers responsible for wrongful termination. Man Asserts He Was Fired Due to Daughter's High Medical Expenses The Palm Beach County man was fired at his job at a bank on the pretext that he falsified his timesheet. However, the man believes the real reason he was let go was the high cost of his late daughter's ...

Recently, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) put 11 luxury vehicles through a new test called the small overlap test. The results were rather disturbing: Only two vehicles earned a "Good" rating and several rated "Poor", including at least one current IIHS "Top Pick" for safety. The IIHS Luxury Car Safety Tests The small overlap test evaluates a vehicle's ability to withstand an impact to the driver's side front corner. This is the type of motor vehicle accident can occur, for example, when a vehicle crashes into a telephone ...

Over the last 15 or so years, young people anxiously awaiting the freedom that comes with turning 16 years old and receiving a driver's license have seen the process of obtaining their licenses become longer and more restrictive. All 50 states now have graduated driver's license programs. The purpose of these licensing programs is to ensure that young drivers gain experience in the safest possible manner; often by restricting new drivers from driving late at night, ensuring an experienced driver is in the passenger seat, and limiting the number of passengers allowed ...

The right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures is one of the most important constitutional protections afforded to the American public. Among other things, this right means that police may not search your vehicle unless they have an objective and compelling reason to suspect that a crime has been committed. When police conduct a search that violates your right to be free from unreasonable searches, any evidence that is uncovered as a result cannot be used against you in court. All too often, police take note of strong odors of marijuana or some other drug ...

Burj Al Arab, the World's Most Luxurious Hotel, recently unveiled its fully transformed aquarium, with an innovative decor and newly introduced exotic species of fish. The recently re-opened aquarium also boasts some of the most technically advanced underwater lighting, new artificial coral reefs and improved filtration systems. The fish tanks at the Dubai hotel are a captivating attraction for both guests and local visitors, with the resident marine biologists being highly commended for their great efforts in looking after its stock. Going beyond the standards usually ...

King Ice, an online men's jewelry company, is hosting its first short film contest. King Ice, in an attempt to branch out from their usual rap contests, is giving aspiring filmmakers and actors the chance to win up to a thousand dollars in prizes. The short film video contest will be held online from October 22 through November 26 via the King Ice website and official Facebook contest page. Filmmakers are free to choose any genre for their entry however they are required to incorporate the online jeweler. The contest will be administered through the company's official ...