Stop Diagnosing the Pocketbook

Posted on May 18, 2018May 19, 2021 by Richard H. Nagelberg, DDS

Cost is a consideration for all of us, which we take into account when deciding whether or not to purchase a wide variety of goods and services. Our responsibility as clinicians is to make recommendations to help patients achieve the best health possible, without letting our preconceived ideas about the patient’s ability to afford treatment get in the way – what I refer to as diagnosing the pocketbook. One of the things we do not know and cannot predict is how much value the patient puts on ...

An Interview with Kristen King

Posted on May 11, 2018October 12, 2021 by Kristen King BSDH

Dr. McGlennen: Tell me how you use OralDNA® salivary diagnostics. Kristen RDH: We recommend OralDNA® saliva testing on all patients that have bleeding/inflammation regardless of probe depths. We utilize MyPerioPath® for these patients to customize treatment plans and target the cause of the inflammation. We utilize a post MyPerioPath®, called MyPerioProgress®, to measure the effectiveness of the therapy we provided. It is awesome to use an approach where we can have objective measurements t...

Testing and Coding Improving Patient’s Health

Posted on May 4, 2018May 19, 2021 by Patti DiGangi RDH BS

Periodontal disease starts with a biofilm-based infection that creates a wound that in turn, induces the inflammatory cascade responsible for the disease. This wound should be taken seriously! A variety of tests are available to determine risk, genetics, and the specific pathogens involved with periodontal disease. OralDNA® Labs salivary diagnostic testing helps improve oral health outcomes and enables patients to make more informed choices regarding their professional treatment and at-ho...

Where Does the HPV Go?

Posted on April 27, 2018May 19, 2021 by Ronald C. McGlennen, MD

The alarming incidence of oral cancer connected to oral infections caused by the human papillomavirus, HPV, should rightly raise concern. For too long healthcare has overlooked the potential of HPV to cause serious disease in the oral cavity, the pharynx and larynx. Fortunately, early detection is key, and there is now a highly sensitive test that can identify early HPV infections called OraRisk ® HPV. OraRisk ® HPV identifies the HPV infection often before any clinical symptoms can be se...

The Co-management of an Esophageal Cancer Survivor

Posted on April 20, 2018May 19, 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 disco...

What’s the difference between the two OraRisk® HPV testing options offered by OralDNA® Labs?

Posted on April 13, 2018May 19, 2021 by Brianna Neil

One of the most commonly asked questions from patients and providers alike is – “What’s the difference between the two OraRisk® HPV tests you offer?” Simply answered: the main difference is the total number of HPV types tested. The OraRisk® HPV Complete Genotyping test option will analyze the oral rinse specimen for 51 different types of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), including high risk, low risk and unknown risk types. If the sample is positive for the presence of HPV, it will then ...

Advancing Patient Care Through the Use of OraRisk® HPV Salivary Testing: An Interview with Camille Luke

Posted on April 6, 2018May 19, 2021 by Camille Luke RDH MSDH

Dr. McGlennen: Tell me how and why you utilize OralDNA® salivary diagnostics. Camille RDH: Currently we use the OraRisk® HPV test in 5 different dental practices. Our team members use this test as part of our oral cancer screening process. At a continuing education course, we were introduced to the correlation between HPV and oral cancer, and felt this would be an important service to provide for our patients, especially with the increased risk of developing oral cancer associated with ...

Definition: Collecting a Salivary Diagnostic Specimen

Posted on March 30, 2018May 28, 2021 by Diane Larson RDH, BSDH

According to an article written in the Journal of Clinical Microbiology, January 2009, “Saliva is a representative diagnostic specimen for an overall view of the oral microbiota, since bacteria from various sites and surfaces of the oral cavity are found in saliva and mouth rinses.”1 The OralDNA® salivary diagnostic collection is based on this principle, among several others, supporting saliva as a testing medium. Over the past decades, cumulative research has been instrumental in elevating ...

One Size Does Not Fit All

Posted on March 23, 2018May 19, 2021 by Sandra Lindo RDH

Periodontal disease is an inflammatory, polymicrobial, multifactorial disease that not only affects the periodontium but has also been linked with systemic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and diabetes. Periodontal disease is a silent disease that affects over 64 million Americans. Most are unaware they have it or possess the bacteria placing them at risk. The use of MyPerioPath® is essential in determining which bacteria are present. It is a key factor in pa...

Flu Season… Why Is This Any Different Than An Infection In The Mouth?

Posted on March 16, 2018May 19, 2021 by Kandra Sellers

Is your home plagued with the flu virus? It seems to be everywhere. The young and the elderly are those most commonly affected by it; in fact there have been many reports of death associated with the 2018 flu virus. Here’s the scenario: You bring your sick loved one to the doctor, and the doctor orders laboratory test(s) typically, by a blood and urine sample. From those lab results, a determination is made if your loved one has a virus or bacterial infection. With this valuable information ...