Salivary Diagnostics

Interview with Dr. Lilit Alikhanyan

Posted on by Lilit Alikhanyan DDS
Dr. McGlennen: Tell me how you were introduced to OralDNA® salivary diagnostics. Dr. Alikhanyan: I was fortunate enough to have been introduced to OralDNA 5 years ago in a previous office. Dr. McGlennen: What are the top two things to consider when you select a patient for testing? Dr. Alikhanyan: As a provider, I look at both the patient’s systemic health and their periodontal health. For example, if a patient has auto-immune issues, gut health concerns, a history of cancer, fertility or m...
Read More

Practicing Dental Medicine: The Partnership with a Clinical Laboratory

Posted on by Diane Larson RDH, BSDH
If you are reading this article, you were likely born in a country and era where medical testing is a routine part of healthcare. From birth, data collection begins with tracking weight and height, followed by simple blood tests to screen for potential concerns. As we progress through life, additional tests are conducted based on signs and symptoms, reflecting a reactive approach essential for treating existing conditions. On the other hand, some tests are used proactively to intercept disea...
Read More

Throwback: Soft Tissue Program with a Microscope & MyPerioPath®

Posted on by Cori Creeks RDH
As with most dental practices we have a soft tissue program in place to help treat periodontal disease as well as gingivitis. We use the traditional x-rays and periodontal probing exams that allow us to assess periodontal damage that has already occurred within the soft tissues and bone. We have also implemented a new type of exam that can show us bacteria that is present in the gum tissues. Our team recently received training on the use of a microscope and Dr. Hawkins decided to pu...
Read More

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...
Read More

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...
Read More

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...
Read More

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...
Read More

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...
Read More

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...
Read More

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.  ...
Read More