How Do You Speak

How do you speak Dementia/Brain Health and Periodontal Disease with your patients?

Posted on by Steven Ritzi DDS
Dr. McGlennen: Concerning dementia and brain health, recent medical studies point to poor oral health, and high levels of the bacteria in our gums with the increased risk to develop Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia1-3. Specifically, there is now evidence of the oral pathogen, Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg), present in brain tissue and cerebrospinal fluid and it may be involved with the production of the abnormal proteins that are characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease4.  Additionally, the d...
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How Do You Speak Joint/Musculoskeletal Health and Periodontal Disease To Your Patients?

Posted on by Jill Wade DDS, MAGD
Dr. McGlennen: Like periodontitis, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory condition. But unlike periodontitis, where the genesis of the inflammation is the complex infections in the gingival sulcus, the cause of RA is unknown. Recent studies, however, provide insights that, in part, oral bacteria play a role in evoking an abnormal immune response that then leads to joint disease. In a recent meta-analysis of 21 separate studies, there was a significantly increased risk of period...
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How Do You Speak Testing? With Karina Diaz, BASDH, CRDH

Posted on by Karina Diaz BASDH, CRDH
Patient Bio: A new patient, female, age 41 appointed to your practice. Upon medical history review, she is currently not taking any medications, only nutritional supplements recommended by her dietician. Her family history revealed her father has cardiovascular disease and sister has Type 2 diabetes. Completing the periodontal assessment identified: How would you introduce therapy including MyPerioPath® to this patient? (Patient) we understand that the health of our mouths and the heal...
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How Do You Speak Testing? With Emily McCleary, RDH

Posted on by Emily McCleary RDH
Patient Bio: Your 54-year-old female patient of record has been absent from your practice for 5 years. At the last appointment in 2018, this patient was going through a divorce, and it was recommended that the patient receive periodontal therapy. Now, the patient is emotionally and physically ready to address any concerns as she is caretaker for her mother who has Alzheimer’s. She is taking medication for blood pressure and fluctuating hormones. She does express an occasional bout of brain fog. ...
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How Do You Speak Testing? With Kim Ramos RDH & Ali Carr RDH

Posted on by Kim Ramos RDH - Ali Carr RDH
Patient Bio: Your new female 39-year-old patient hasn’t been seen by a dentist since 2020. She was recently diagnosed as pre-diabetic with elevated blood pressure. With her medical doctor’s approval, she is attempting to control or reverse her pre-diabetes and lower her blood pressure with diet and lifestyle changes. Her medical doctor recommended she have a dental exam. She is interested in fixing her crowded maxillary anterior teeth. Here are the findings of the periodontal assessment: ...
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How Do You Speak Testing? With Yemia White RDH

Posted on by Yemia White BSDH RDH
Patient Bio: Your new male patient, age 45, presents with the below findings. He has smoked 1 pack per day for the past 25 years. Upon medical history review you discover his blood pressure and cholesterol are being controlled by medication. He confides that his father passed away at age 53. How would you introduce therapy including MyPerioPath® to this patient? Mr. Smith, thank you for allowing us to collect pertinent information for your comprehensive oral health assessment. May I ...
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How Do You Speak Testing? with Judith Nwagwu RDH

Posted on by Judith Nwagwu RDH
Patient Bio: Your female patient, age 63, struggles as she enters the operatory. You have been seeing her for 4 years. Her wheezing and appearance of being out of breath are due to her new diagnosis of COPD. She is recently widowed. How would you introduce therapy including Alert 2™ testing to this patient?  Welcome to our office where we are big advocates of the Mouth Body Connection™. We are not just here for your teeth and gums, but also your overall health and wellness. We would love to h...
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How to do you speak Risk of Cancer and Periodontal Disease to your patients?

Posted on by Michael C. Rogers, DDS
  Dr. McGlennen: Cancer is a word that receives a lot of attention. There are walks, runs and bike rides every day to raise awareness of various types of cancers and billions of dollars are spent on research directed to improve diagnosis and treatments. As health care professionals, we should perform a cancer risk assessment for each patient with a goal to reduce the patient’s risk and to find cancers earlier when cure is more likely. One way that the dental office can contribute to ...
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How Do You Speak Testing? With Katherine Gutierrez RDH

Posted on by Katherine Gutierrez
Patient Bio: Your patient is 34 years old, and she is new to your practice. She recently moved back to the area to be closer to her father who was recently diagnosed with dementia. Her partner and two children will also be joining your practice soon. She is not taking any medications and her last dental visit was before she moved about 9 months ago. She presents with these clinical signs. How would you introduce therapy including MyPerioPath® to this patient? In our practice, the doc...
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How do You Speak Testing? With Dr. Michael Perpich

Posted on by Michael Perpich DDS
Patient Bio: A 24-year-old male new patient, who recently graduated is seeking treatment. His chief complaint is crowding and a bothersome #14 which had endodontic treatment 7 years prior. His periodontal clinical signs are listed below. The patient hasn’t seen a medical doctor in two years as his studies were very demanding. His blood pressure today is 108/73. How would you introduce therapy including Alert 2™ to this patient? In reviewing your exam, it looks like you have several a...
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