Research Spotlight: Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma and the Role of Salivary Diagnostics by Emily Long, BS

Posted on by Emily Long
Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) accounts for 90% of all head and neck cancers, posing a significant public health concern worldwide (Shafiq et al., 2023). Despite increasing awareness, OSCC is frequently diagnosed at advanced stages, leading to poor prognoses and lower survival rates (Roi et al., 2019). If untreated, this type of cancer can metastasize, spreading to other regions of the body. According to the National Cancer Institute, 53% of cancers in the oral cavity and pharynx are id...
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A Competitive Advantage – Part Two

Posted on by Michael Goldberg DMD
    Now that we've explored how salivary diagnostics can elevate your practice from routine care to comprehensive health management, let's dive deeper. In Part 1, we introduced how identifying bacteria linked to systemic diseases like heart disease and Alzheimer’s positions you as more than just a dentist—you become a key partner in your patients’ overall health. In Part 2, we’ll take this further by exploring how adopting this approach can transform your relationships—not...
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A Competitive Advantage – Part One

Posted on by Michael Goldberg DMD
    Imagine this: Your patients walk into your dental practice, thinking they’re just going to get their teeth cleaned or a cavity filled. But what if, instead, you offer them something radically different—a path to better health, not just a better smile? That’s where salivary analysis comes in. You’re not just fixing teeth; you’re delivering insights that can change lives. By identifying specific bacteria that don’t just cause gum disease, but also contribute to heart dis...
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Revolutionizing Periodontal Disease Screening and Treatment with OFC and Alert 2™ Diagnostics

Posted on by Robert Benavides DDS
In the evolving field of dental diagnostics, early detection is the key to effective management of periodontal disease. One of the latest advances in our practice is the utilization of OFC (Oral Fitness Check) by DentoGnostics, a groundbreaking tool that allows us to screen for active matrix metalloproteinase-8 (aMMP-8). The presence of aMMP-8 signals ongoing collagen breakdown, providing valuable insight into the health of the periodontal tissues. When detected, this makes our providers cur...
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Are Tooth Extractions Getting Out of Hand?

Posted on by Taylor Oltman
Today, we highlight a critical message from Dr. Lee Sheldon, an experienced periodontist, who challenges common misconceptions about extractions and periodontal disease. Dr. Sheldon points out a common but misguided notion in dentistry: Periodontal disease often leads to unavoidable tooth extraction. He states, “There are way too many teeth that are being extracted...People are told ‘You've got periodontal disease, you’ve got to lose your teeth,’ or ‘You won't have enough bone...
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Why You? – Part Two

Posted on by Michael Goldberg DMD
In part one, we covered the importance of defining your Unique Value Proposition (UVP) to set your practice apart in today’s competitive landscape. You learned that a strong UVP is more than a statement—it highlights the unique value your practice offers. In part two, we’ll focus on how to put that UVP into action, using practical strategies and tactics to ensure it drives your practice’s growth and success. Let’s say you like one of these previously mentioned as a UVP; communicating it e...
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Why You? – Part One

Posted on by Michael Goldberg DMD
A UVP, or Unique Value Proposition, is the answer to the question a prospective patient asks: “Why should I go to your practice, rather than the other one around the corner?”  The same question might be asked by a current patient.  That question would be “Why should I stay with this practice, rather than go somewhere that might be more convenient, less expensive or takes my insurance?” The answer to these questions is the differentiating factors that set your practice apart from others.  ...
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Investing in Technologies that Help You While Helping Your Patients

Posted on by Miranda Adams RDH
I have been a dental hygienist for 12 years now; my back and neck pain started while I was in school. The assumption was that if you’re a dental professional, you will have neck and back pain. My first full time job out of school was taking over for a hygienist who had to retire after 20 years due to back problems caused from her profession. Every time I would go to the chiropractor, he would always remind me that dental professionals were one of his largest patient bases. That wasn’t very r...
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MyoMentor®: Mouth Breathing the Missing Piece

Posted on by Jennifer Rooney, BSDH
Continuous learning is essential, especially in healthcare. Although I have been a hygienist for over 30 years, it wasn’t until two and a half years ago that my understanding of how to best help patients and colleagues drastically changed—much like it did when I was first introduced to OralDNA® Labs in 2009. Research has long shown the strong connection between oral health and overall body health, especially through the control of oral bacterial biofilm. However, one challenging aspect is...
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Certificate Program for RDHs Earns Prestigious ANSI Accreditation

Posted on by Jamie Dooley RDH BIS
National Network of Healthcare Hygienists is the leading organization dedicated to offering accredited certificate programs to RDHs in specialty areas of medicine. Through its innovative programs and collaborative initiatives, NNHH is committed to making it easy for hygienists with specialized knowledge to share their expertise with each other, advancing the entire profession. NNHH also partners with individuals and organizations to fast-track offering accredited certificate programs to RDHs...
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