As published in the Jerusalem Post:

Due to increased patient activity at its trauma unit, Jerusalem’s Shaare Zedek Medical Center has opened a new maxillofacial surgery unit. Headed by Dr. Eran Regev, who is a physician and a dentist, it offers an outpatient clinic, hospitalization, consultation, treatment and surgery with local and general anesthesia. Maxillofacial surgeons undergo a long course of dental and other training after becoming physicians.

Dr. Ofer Merin, the hospitial’s deputy director-general and head of the trauma unit, said that patients who suffered damage or disease in the facial and neck area need the best care available. Patients with infections, benign and malignant tumors, congenital defects, salivary gland disorders, bone and dental implants and other medical problems will get coverage from the health funds. Those who want non-medical esthetic surgery may pay for it.

PREVALENCE OF ASTHMA HAS DECLINED SIGNIFICANTLY

Meanwhile, a new study at SZMC’s pediatric pulmonary institute has shown that the prevalence of asthma has declined significantly over the last decade. The study was published in the journal Respiration.

Among the reasons given for the decline was that the smoking rate has fallen in all sectors during this period and laws preventing smoking in public places (even though enforcement of them is inadequate). In addition, the dropping rate of air pollution, especially from vehicles, and increasing use of spray bronchodilators have helped cut the number of asthma attacks. The researchers, headed by SZMC pulmonologist Dr. Shlomi Cohen, recommend a boosted information campaign to discourage smoking, more enforcement of the laws and continuing to reduce pollution.