Interview with Dr. Alex Vasserman DMD

Posted on March 31, 2023March 29, 2023 by Alex Vasserman DMD

Dr. McGlennen: Tell me how you were introduced to OralDNA® salivary diagnostics. Alex Vasserman DMD: I learned about the OralDNA® labs testing system through Doug Thompson, DDS at the Kois Center. Our hygiene department started using it 3 years ago, and they have made it a success. Dr. McGlennen: What are the top two things to consider when you select a patient for testing? Alex Vasserman DMD: Compliance is key- will the patient follow through with the prescribed treatment and what ...

Interview with Ziv Simon DMD MSc

Posted on March 3, 2023February 28, 2023 by Ziv Simon DMD MSc

Dr. McGlennen: Tell me how you were introduced to OralDNA® salivary diagnostics. Ziv Simon DMD MSc: I am a periodontist and implant specialist in Beverly Hills where I have practiced for the past 20 years (our practice has been in this location for 42 years!). When I started, we were already doing bacterial testing using paper points inserted into the pockets. These were then sent to a lab for aerobic and anaerobic cultures. Although that system worked, the testing process was inconsisten...

How Do You Speak Testing? With Yemia White RDH

Posted on February 3, 2023August 14, 2024 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 ...

Educated in Dental Hygiene, Practicing Dental Medicine

Posted on January 20, 2023January 18, 2023 by Stevey Cline RDH

Think about a smile, what does it mean to you? As a dental professional it likely means more than friendliness and beauty. Does the word medicine come to mind? I have been practicing dental hygiene for five short years and have begun to understand the degree that dental and medical are interchangeable. Dental medicine is a key term used when you understand the interchangeability. I believe in dental medicine. As a clinician, most of us have heard our patients say, “There is just a little ...

There is No Failure, Only Feedback

Posted on December 16, 2022December 14, 2022 by Diane Larson RDH, BSDH

As 2022 ends, most people generally reflect on what was accomplished, maybe started but not finished, successes or failures, and what is to come in 2023. If 2022 didn’t meet your expectations, 2023 is just around the corner with endless possibilities. However, before we think about next year, let’s reflect on if failures are truly failures. In a recent podcast by Jim Kwik, the quote “There is no failure only feedback” resonated with me. As an extension of every OralDNA® provider’s team, d...

Neglected Active Periodontal Disease

Posted on August 19, 2022August 15, 2022 by Chelsea Gonzales DDS

Challenge: A new patient, 59-year-old male, presents to our office with no specific concerns. However, a previous provider recommended a “deep cleaning.” This “deep cleaning” treatment was never completed. Patient has 4 fully erupted wisdom teeth that are difficult to access for daily cleaning. Background: Age 59 Sex: Male Medical History: High Blood Pressure but is taking medication Last Dental Exam: 2019 Home Care: Manual toothbrush 2x daily, baking soda with peroxide, ...

Periodontal Disease with a Patient Experiencing Vision Impairment

Posted on March 11, 2022March 9, 2022 by Monica Vigon DMD

Challenge: Patient experiencing recent vision impairment presented as Stage III Grade B, active generalized periodontal disease with localized severe periodontal disease in the maxillary anterior area. Background: Age: 36 Sex: M Medical History: Patient reports recent vision impairment with the right eye. Under the care of the ophthalmologist, a diagnosis has not been found. No other systemic diseases or conditions reported. Last Dental Exam: Within 3 years Chi...

Classic Periodontal Disease after COVID with Brenda Sullivan RDH

Posted on January 28, 2022January 21, 2022 by Brenda Sullivan RDH

Challenge: Patients are avoiding routine dental visits due to fear of contracting COVID. This patient had missed several hygiene appointments during the pandemic. Our goal was to re-establish health and increase homecare to help this patient’s general immunity. Background: This case study involves an 84-year-old male with a history of scaling and root planing, who before this assessment was in good periodontal health. His blood pressure was 114/72 and his pulse 83. He has a history of cancer,...

Periodontal Disease and Rheumatoid Arthritis – Controlling Two Birds with One Stone?

Posted on September 10, 2021September 9, 2021 by Pete Williams

Challenge: Our case study represents an example of the emerging evidence from interventional and, more recently, animal studies showing how seemingly unrelated diseases such as periodontal disease and rheumatoid arthritis can be related through similar genetic, biological, and clinically consistent mechanisms.1,2,3,4 Background: The initial medical assessment for a 57-year-old female diagnosed with palindromic rheumatoid arthritis was conducted at our functional medicine clinic....

Classic Periodontal Disease

Posted on July 16, 2021July 9, 2021 by Brenda Sullivan RDH

Challenge: A new patient with poor home care and lack of dental attention presented wanting whiter teeth along with a cleaning. Background: A male 40-year-old new patient whose last dental appointment was 3/8/2017 presents with adult chronic periodontal disease, severe wear on anterior teeth and decay on #19. The patient appears generally healthy (BP 118/79) with no medical conditions or medications. There is a suspicion of sleep disordered breathing along with an anterior tongue tie. Solu...