Interview with Brittany Blue DDS

Posted on June 11, 2021June 8, 2021 by Brittany Blue DDS

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 i...

How Do You Speak Testing? With Janice Kaeley DDS, MSD

Posted on June 4, 2021June 3, 2021 by Janice Kaeley DDS, MSD

Patient Background: A 41-year-old female patient is seen for a new patient exam. Her last dental appointment was 10 months ago. Today her primary concern is occasional bleeding gums with brushing. Currently, there are no medical conditions reported and no medications or supplements reported. The patient indicated she may be experiencing peri-menopausal symptoms, but this is not confirmed by a medical doctor. Upon dental examination, generalized 4mm to 6mm pockets were revealed with generaliz...

Interview with Rosie Jimenez RDH

Posted on May 28, 2021May 28, 2021 by Rosie Jimenez RDH

Dr. McGlennen: Tell me how you use OralDNA® salivary diagnostics. Rosie RDH: Let me begin by sharing; I have been very fortunate to work in practices that support my passion for treating periodontal disease. My patients have benefited through the communication, assessment, and treatment I provide. I know there are hygienists who work under different conditions. My advice: stay strong, keep educating yourself on new technologies and keep asking to use these technologies. Our patients deser...

Why Join the American Academy for Oral Systemic Health (AAOSH)?

Posted on May 21, 2021May 19, 2021 by Susan Maples DDS

The length of my dental career has been shadowed by the declining health of our population. With great sadness, I have witnessed my patients arriving with new lists of lifestyle-related diagnoses and an assortment of medications, prescribed as “band-aids” for those ailments. In congruence, the ever-increasing prevalence of oral disease (caries, periodontitis, oropharyngeal cancer, and occlusal disease) has not surprised me. As a dedicated friend to my declining patients, I started looking fo...

Light the Flame of Awareness

Posted on May 14, 2021May 5, 2021 by Brittany Hill RDH

Incorporating OralDNA® testing into our practice has been a game changer. It finally gives us, the clinicians, an advantage when getting ahead of this progressive disease--periodontal disease. The research is mounting, periodontal pathogens do not just exist in your oral cavity; the bacteria can enter the bloodstream through inflamed periodontal tissue. Hence, the mouth is connected to the body and so are the pathogens. It is all linked. Now with MyPerioPath® results to show what periodontal...

Part 2: Build the Microscopic Army in Your Mouth to Fight Oral Cancer and Improve Dental Health

Posted on May 7, 2021May 20, 2021 by Cass Nelson-Dooley MS

Last week in part 1, oral cancer was defined with a potential cause being oral dysbiosis identified. This week, I will give supporting evidence of this connection along with strategies to avoid this dysbiosis. When we talk about an unhealthy microbiome, we often use the word, “dysbiosis.” Oral dysbiosis is a mouth that is unhealthy because the microorganisms are out of balance. An imbalanced microbiome may lead to symptoms or disease. Symptoms of Oral Dysbiosis: Bad breath Blee...

Part 1: Build the Microscopic Army in Your Mouth to Fight Oral Cancer and Improve Dental Health

Posted on April 30, 2021April 30, 2021 by Cass Nelson-Dooley MS

Oral Cancer Is No Match for a Healthy Oral Microbiome Fostering a healthy oral microbiome can fight oral and other cancers. That’s nothing to say for its benefits on cavities, root canal infections, and gum disease. Your friendly bacteria protect you from disease, fight tumors, cool off inflammation, and boost your immune system. Who wouldn’t want this army of microscopic warriors on their side?! In this two-part blog, you will learn that cancers can be caused by bacteria, viruses, ...

Ask Why? Medicine

Posted on April 23, 2021May 20, 2021 by Patti DeMatteis, RDH, AS

The balance between health and disease is delicate. When disease begins, restoring health may be a difficult journey. One strategy is to find the root cause(s) versus treating the symptoms of the disease. Defining the problem(s) and collecting the appropriate data will assist in identifying the cause. Prioritizing the cause(s), rather than the symptoms, will help implement necessary changes to re-establish health. It is easy to struggle with your health, especially when there is...

The Co-management of an Esophageal Cancer Survivor

Posted on April 16, 2021May 20, 2021 by Camille Luke RDH MSDH

Background: The patient is a 75-year-old female with a history of esophageal cancer in 2013. The origin of the cancer was determined to be lichen planus. Surgical removal of the lesion occurred, and no reconstructive surgery was needed. However, post-surgery to present date, the patient experiences severe acid reflux and sleeps with her head elevated. She has great home dental care and follows a 3-month periodontal maintenance. During the head and neck exam, no significant findings were disc...

How Investing in Your Staff Pays Off in a Big Way

Posted on April 9, 2021May 20, 2021 by Reza Sanjar DMD

Payroll is one of the biggest expenses for any dental practice owner, taking up 24-28% of a standard practice’s income.1 If you are trying to increase your income and reduce your costs, you might be tempted to achieve this by hiring lower wage dental staff. While this notion might look great on paper, it does not work out as well in reality. In fact, it is likely to cost you more money overall. Instead, you should consider investing in quality staff to boost your practice’s revenue. No...