Dr. McGlennen: Tell me how you were introduced to OralDNA® salivary diagnostics.
Neusha Najafi DDS: Unfortunately, I was first introduced to OralDNA at a very low point in my life. I had just suffered a late term loss at 24 weeks pregnancy called PPROM. I was told that my condition was due to an infection that caused my membrane to rupture prematurely. Up until that point, I had had zero complications in my pregnancy. The doctors said the cause of the infection was unknown and that sometimes these things happen. That was not enough for me, I made it a priority to learn more about my body; that’s when OralDNA fell into my lap. My results were shocking, but very telling. I had Fn above the reference line. It was as if the test was speaking to me; from that moment, I realized the immense benefit of testing and now I make it a priority to share my findings with all my patients and peers.
Dr. McGlennen: What are the top two things to consider when you select a patient for testing?
Neusha Najafi DDS: I would have to say personal medical history and family history. In the past, a lot of my care was focused on what conditions the patients currently suffered from, what medications they were on, and what they were actively being treated for. Now in addition to all that, I do a deep dive into the family history. By understanding the connection between these aggressive transmissive bacteria and their proven links to systemic conditions, I now like to approach my care as preventive as possible, predicting and preventing instead of just repairing.
Dr. McGlennen: What are the biggest benefits to using salivary diagnostics?
Neusha Najafi DDS: Heart disease and dementia are two conditions that have generationally impacted my family. I feel that the use of salivary diagnostics provides, for the first time, a tool to help those people most at risk maintain more control over their health outcomes.
Dr. McGlennen: What is your favorite part of the MyPerioPath® results? Why?
Neusha Najafi DDS: I think the big wow factor is how the patient can see a firsthand report on how their treatment is progressing. The percentage of bacteria decrease/reduction has been a positive reinforcement tool that allows patients to be more engaged and active in their care
Dr. McGlennen: How do your patients respond to this technology? What is their #1 question?
Neusha Najafi DDS: I think when I share my personal experience, my passion comes through and often patients become engaged and interested to learn more about their options and benefits of testing. The most common question is, “why has my medical doctor not discussed this with me?”
With that, I explain how my role as their dentist now provides me a unique opportunity to order a lab test that gives additional information that I will share with their medical provider to provide them with more optimal health outcomes.
Dr. McGlennen: What is your biggest challenge? How do you overcome that obstacle?
Neusha Najafi DDS: I think often the biggest challenge is the additional cost; but when we actually discuss the overall long term health benefits, patients often see that the benefits far outweigh the cost, and that in fact, in the long term might save them money.
Dr. McGlennen: If a new OralDNA provider were to ask you for advice, what would be your best tip?
Neusha Najafi DDS: Start with testing yourself and your staff. Firsthand experience helps give you confidence in discussing testing and results.
Do not be intimidated, just start somewhere, even if that means just discussing it during your exam and handing them a pamphlet to read about.
Dr. McGlennen: Where do you see salivary diagnostics in 3-5 years? 10 years? What would be the impact on your practice/patients?
Neusha Najafi DDS: I believe salivary diagnostics is the future of not only dentistry but medicine as well. For far too many years we have been taught standards of care that might not be ideal for each individual case. Having the bio-specific data that saliva brings will allow so many different treatments and therapies to be tailored more specifically to the patients’ personal status/condition. I’m so excited to see how things will advance in the next decade with liquid biopsies and personalized care plans.
“As my patient, you can expect the utmost in clinical excellence combined with a caring and nurturing environment. My goal is to make the patient feel comfortable first, everything else will fall into place”
- Diagnostic Dialogues with Dr. Neusha Najafi DDS - August 2, 2024