Dr. McGlennen: Tell me how you use OralDNA® salivary diagnostics.
Brittany Blue DDS: We use MyPerioPath® to determine the levels of aggressive periodontal pathogens present in our patients’ oral flora. Traditional periodontal therapy will not be as effective and is certainly more prone to relapse if these harmful bacteria remain in the mouth. The bacterial diagnostics allow us to target the specific harmful bacteria with the specific systemic antibiotic that will help control the level of infection present.
Dr. McGlennen: What are the top two things to consider when you select a patient for testing?
Brittany Blue DDS: We certainly take their entire medical history into account, as well as the presence of gingival inflammation.
Dr. McGlennen: What are the biggest benefits to using salivary diagnostics?
Brittany Blue DDS: We started providing these services in 2012. However, we struggled with consistent use until recently. We can definitely agree that we are seeing more successful periodontal therapies and more sustainability long-term.
Dr. McGlennen: What is your favorite part of the MyPerioPath® results? Why?
Brittany Blue DDS: The patients have really enjoyed learning about what we are looking for and what we are treating. We are able to use the lab report to educate the patient on the pathogenicity of periodontal disease and help them understand that periodontal disease is multi-factorial and immune-modulated.
Dr. McGlennen: What is your biggest challenge? How do you overcome that obstacle?
Brittany Blue DDS: Our biggest challenge was ourselves – taking the plunge and committing to the systems we had set up to actually commit to performing salivary diagnostics. In the past, we have done it here and there, and now it is a part of our regular periodontal therapy system. There is no question if and/or when we perform the testing, if you have active periodontal disease, you will be tested.
Dr. McGlennen: If a new OralDNA® provider were to ask you for advice, what would be your best tip?
Brittany Blue DDS: Good systems are a must, have them in place for organization and follow-up with test results. Educate your team well, so that they can educate the patients on the true nature of periodontal disease and why testing and periodontal therapy is important.
Dr. McGlennen: Where do you see salivary diagnostics in 3-5 years? 10 years? What would be the impact on your practice/patients?
Brittany Blue DDS: We envision our patients being healthier – not just with their oral health, but with their overall systemic health as well. As dentists, we are not just doctors of the mouth – we are healthcare providers, and the overall health of a patient is just as important to us as a cavity. We also imagine that our patients with a history of periodontal disease will see less disease regression and fewer refractory cases over time.
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Her belief in continuing education is confirmed through her work with Triangle Dental Institute, International Congress of Oral Implantologists, and Kois Center. She is a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, the Guilford County Dental Society, the American Dental Association, the Academy of General Dentistry, and the North Carolina Dental Society.
Community service is held in strong commitment by Dr. Blue. She is involved with Junior League of Greensboro, North Carolina Missions of Mercy and Future Fund.
She enjoys all things Chapel Hill, especially Carolina Basketball.She recently married her college sweetheart, Tom Blue, hence the recent change of name to Blue!She enjoys staying active, spending time with her family and friends, and taking trips to the Greensboro Farmer’s Market.She loves experiencing new things, and you are likely to find her checking out the local haunts of Greensboro (new and old) and traveling.She is most cozy, however, sitting on her deck with some good conversation, good food, and her Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Penny and Piper!
- Interview with Brittany Blue DDS - June 11, 2021