Interview with Ben Mendoza, RDH

Posted on July 26, 2019May 20, 2021 by Ben Mendoza RDH

Dr. McGlennen: Please tell me how you use OralDNA® salivary diagnostics in your practice. Ben Mendoza RDH: OralDNA® salivary diagnostics is the most applicable tool we use at Dr. Katherine Brown’s practice in order to guide our patients toward optimal oral care as well as total health well-being. We use this testing to help identify, confirm, and convey both the risk and presence of bacterial pathogens that increase patients’ potential for tooth decay and gum disease, as well as any negat...

Microbiology Terminology

Posted on July 19, 2019May 20, 2021 by Kimberly Babauta, RDH, BS, BCPA

MyPerioPath® is a laboratory test that screens saliva for specific bacteria known to cause periodontal disease. Bacteria are often described using their scientific name, by categorizing as gram-negative or gram-positive, and by identifying their shape. These descriptors provide us with useful information about each bacteria. For example, it is plausible that motile bacteria are more resistant to localized treatment due to their ability to move away from areas where the environment does not ...

Periodontal Disease, Perio Pathogens & Rocket Science

Posted on July 5, 2019May 20, 2021 by Richard H. Nagelberg, DDS

Risk factors for heart attack include; age, tobacco, high blood pressure, lipid profile, diabetes, family history of heart attack, lack of physical activity, obesity, stress, illicit drug use, history of preeclampsia, history of autoimmune condition such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis and so on and so on. Why have all these risk factors been identified? Because it is better to prevent a heart attack than it is to have one. Risk factor identification and modification is the cornerstone of p...

What is the Therapeutic Threshold?

Posted on June 28, 2019May 20, 2021 by Diane Larson RDH, BSDH

In a previous blog, Salivary Diagnostics—Your Molecular X-ray, I introduced the concept of using salivary diagnostics to provide objective understanding to the clinical signs observed with periodontal disease. Once a saliva specimen is analyzed and the results released, the clinician must correlate the lab results to the clinical signs, and decide the next steps for treatment. One feature of the MyPerioPath® test report is the “Therapeutic Thresholds”, displayed as black lines overlying the ...

A Periodontist’s Nonsurgical Approach to Periodontal Disease: Part 2

Posted on June 21, 2019May 20, 2021 by Lee Sheldon DMD PA

Last week I wrote on how MyPerioPath® testing impacts patient diagnosis. Now I will address another aspect of the report, the systemic antibiotic option. There are some “purists” out there who say they don’t need antibiotics, and that they only need clinical evaluation to treat a periodontal infection. I can’t see the bacteria. I don’t know the involvement or virulence of these pathogens. While I strongly believe that antibiotics are overused in health care, when there is a true infection of...

A Periodontist’s Nonsurgical Approach to Periodontal Disease: Part 1

Posted on June 14, 2019May 20, 2021 by Lee Sheldon DMD PA

I am a periodontist who has been using OralDNA® testing to determine periodontal pathogens for many years. Our practice consists of two periodontists and a restorative dentist. Most of our patients have major dental needs such as implants, bone grafts, and restorative needs, as well as a large population with chronic periodontitis. Philosophically, I believe that saving teeth is the role of a periodontist. Too many teeth are being extracted that can be saved in health for many years. There a...

Where to Start

Posted on May 24, 2019May 20, 2021 by Richard H. Nagelberg, DDS

A common dilemma among many dental practices is how to transition the hygiene department from prophylaxis to comprehensive periodontal diagnosis and treatment. Among the concerns is the perception that if we are starting something new, does that imply that up until now patient needs have been inadequately addressed? The simple solution to this dilemma is referring to the constantly evolving knowledge in healthcare. Using phrases such as “Research has shown” or “We now know” can help with the...

Periodontal Patient with Poor Diabetic Control Combined with Poor Home Care

Posted on May 17, 2019May 20, 2021 by Carter Lamb RDH

Challenge: A periodontal patient of record is diagnosed with active periodontal disease. Therapy is needed to achieve a healthier oral state; however the patient has uncontrolled diabetes combined with poor home care that may be contributing to the patient’s oral health status. Background: A female patient of record, age 48, presented for periodontal maintenance on 11/19/2018. Upon periodontal assessment, the patient exhibited oral inflammation with bleeding, moderate calculus deposits a...

Periodontal Disease & Pregnancy

Posted on May 10, 2019May 20, 2021 by Carmeliza dela Paz DDS

Challenge: The patient is expressing oral inflammation and is pregnant. The clinical signs of periodontal disease due to pathogenic bacteria look identical to the clinical signs produced by pregnancy hormones. Background: A 21-week pregnant patient, age 34, presented for care. Upon periodontal assessment, there was generalized marginal inflammation with moderate bleeding on probing. The probe depth readings were generalized 3-4mm. The patient’s oral homecare consisted of twice daily brus...

3 Surefire Ways To Make 2019 Your BEST Year Ever

Posted on April 26, 2019May 20, 2021 by Tanya Brown, DMD

WOW! How time flies! It’s hard to believe that the first quarter of 2019 is over. Every day there are countless opportunities to enhance our patient care, create more efficiency, increase our production, and improve team morale. If you are one of those people, like me, who enjoys setting goals and celebrating when you reach them; then you will love these 3 surefire ways to make 2019 your BEST year ever! 1. Get the RIGHT People in the “RIGHT SEATS” on your bus! There have been days when...