The Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) is hosting their Annual Meeting & Exhibits on June 27-29, in Nashville, Tennessee. The newest company in teeth-whitening will be attending, TeethWhiteningforFree.com. TeethWhiteningforFree.com, or TW4F.com, is a marketing company looking to put patients in contact with dentists in their area. Dentists use the web site by purchasing exclusive rights to the web site’s zip areas. By doing this, the member dentist’s information is the only information given out when potential patients look for a dentist in that zip area. Patients are given the teeth-whitening they desire while dentists increase their patient base.

There are over one million Google searches for teeth whitening a month. With so many people searching and finding teeth whitening, do not be left behind as countless people regain that pearly white smile they used to have. Dentists should not miss out on this opportunity to grow their business by adding patients, gaining access to discounts on supplies, and increasing the dental practice's reach by using TeethWhiteningforFree.com.

How are patients given teeth-whitening? Each member dentist is required to give some form of complimentary teeth-whitening to patients who schedule an appointment to have their teeth cleaned and/or examined. Not all patients are eligible for teeth-whitening, so be sure to talk to the dentist to make sure you are healthy enough for such treatments.

Why go to a dentist for a cleaning before receiving teeth-whitening? Dental cleaning prior to having teeth-whitening done is more effective than just teeth-whitening alone.

Why should professional teeth whitening be chosen? Teeth-whitening tooth paste only cleans the outermost layer of enamel, leaving the inner layers still discolored. Also, store bought cleansers have notoriously weaker cleaning agents than professional dental products.

So, with all this information, why not have your teeth whitened with professional products? Look up TeethWhiteningforFree.com to find a professional member dentist in an area nearby.

Attending the AGD Conference in Nashville? Be sure to stop by Booth #226 for more information on the newest revelation in teeth-whitening, TeethWhiteningforFree.com.

CHICAGO – Age disparities exist in the continuum of care for patients with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) with people younger than 45 years less likely to be aware of their infection or to have a suppressed viral load, according to a report published Online First by JAMA Internal Medicine, a JAMA Network publication.

Early diagnosis, prompt and sustained care, and antiretroviral therapy (ART) are associated with reduced morbidity, mortality and further transmission of the virus. However, of the more than 1.1 million people living with HIV, more than 200,000 are unaware they are infected, less than 50 percent of people infected receive regular care and fewer than 30 percent have a suppressed viral load, the authors write in the study background.

H. Irene Hall, Ph.D., of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, and colleagues used data from the National HIV Surveillance System to determine the number of people living with HIV who are aware and unaware of their infection. Researchers also calculated the percentage of people linked to care within three months of diagnosis and estimated the percentages of people who were retained in care and who were prescribed ART.

“Additional efforts are needed to ensure that all persons with HIV receive a diagnosis and optimal care to reduce morbidity, mortality, disparities in care and treatment, and ultimately HIV transmission,” the authors note.

Of the estimated more than 1.1 million persons living with HIV in 2009, nearly 81.9 percent had been diagnosed, 65.8 percent were linked to care and 36.7 percent were retained in care, 32.7 percent were prescribed ART and 25.3 percent had a suppressed viral load, according to study results.

Among people infected with HIV who were 13 to 24 years of age, 40.5 percent had received a diagnosis and 30.6 percent were linked to care. Lower percentages of people ages 25 to 44 were retained in care, were prescribed ART and had a suppressed viral load than were people ages 55 to 64 years of age. For example, among patients ages 25 to 34 years, 28 percent were in care compared with 46 percent among those patients ages 55 to 64 years, the results indicate.

Overall, 857,276 patients with HIV had not achieved viral suppression, including 74.8 percent of male, 79 percent of black, 73.9 percent of Hispanic/Latino and 70.3 percent of white patients, the results also show.

“Individuals, health care providers, health departments and government agencies must all work together to increase the numbers of people living with HIV who are aware of their status, linked to and retained in care, receiving treatment and adherent to treatment,” the authors conclude.

(JAMA Intern Med. Published online June 17, 2013. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2013.6841. Available pre-embargo to the media at https://media.jamanetwork.com.)

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Rhode Island Hospital has reduced the incidence of hospital-associated Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) infections by 70% and reduced annual associated mortality in patients with hospital-associated C. difficile by 64% through successive implementation of five rigorous interventions, as reported in the July 2013 issue of The Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety.

Clostridium difficile is a toxin-producing bacterium that lives in the colon. A major cause of morbidity and mortality in the U.S., it can cause life-threatening infections that occur most frequently in patients who have received antibiotic therapy. Unlike other bacteria causing healthcare-related infections, C. difficile can be difficult to clear from the environment due to its ability to survive for prolonged periods of time as spores.

"Hospital-acquired infections are a major concern for hospitals across the country and C. difficile is among the most dangerous," says principal investigator Leonard Mermel, D.O., medical director of the department of epidemiology and infection control at Rhode Island Hospital. "The risks to patients are enormous, as is the excess associated hospital cost."

Mermel et al note that from 2000 to 2009, discharge diagnoses from U.S. hospitals that included C. difficile increased from 139,000 to 336,600 – a 242 percent increase. Similarly, the yearly national excess hospital cost associated with hospital-onset C. difficile is estimated to be upward of $1.3 billion.

To measure and reduce the incidence of hospital-acquired C. difficile, Mermel and his colleagues implemented a multi-step process based on a risk assessment: develop and implement a C. difficile infection control plan; monitor additional data sets, including associated mortality and morbidity as measured by C. difficile-related colectomies; improve sensitivity of C. difficile toxin detection in stool specimens to reduce false-negative results; and enhanced environmental cleaning of patient rooms and equipment.

Researchers monitored the number of C. difficile infections per 1,000 hospital discharges from the second quarter of 2006 to the third quarter of 2012, and found that hospital-associated C. difficile infections were reduced from a peak of 12.2 per 1,000 to 3.6 per 1,000 discharges. Additionally, the mortality in patients associated with this infection was reduced from a peak of 52 in 2006 to 19 in 2011, and by the end of the third quarter of 2012, that number was down to 13.

"This is a significant, hospital-wide effort involving the support of hospital administration, the department of epidemiology and infection control, nursing, medicine, surgery, pathology, pharmacy, environmental services and the microbiology lab. It is truly a multi-disciplinary effort to make the hospital safer for our patients, their families and our staff." Mermel said.

"By working together to better monitor those patients at risk, enhance the cleaning of patient rooms and equipment, and to use contact precautions as appropriate, we were able to significantly reduce the risk of this virulent infection and ultimately to provide better, safer patient care."

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 94 percent of C. difficile infections are related to receiving medical care, and hospital stays from this infection tripled in the last decade, posing a patient safety threat especially harmful to older Americans. The infection causes diarrhea linked to 14,000 American deaths each year.

There was no outside funding for this study. Mermel's principal affiliation is Rhode Island Hospital, a member hospital of the Lifespan health system in Rhode Island. He also has an academic appointment at The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, department of epidemiology and infection control. Other researchers involved in the study are Julie Jefferson, RN, MPH; Kerry Blanchard; Stephen Parenteau, Benjamin Mathis, M.D.; Kimberle Chapin, M.D.; and Jason Machan, Ph.D., all are affiliated with Rhode Island Hospital and/or Brown University.

Nearly 70% of Americans are on at least one prescription drug, and more than half take two, Mayo Clinic researchers say. Antibiotics, antidepressants, and painkilling opioids are most commonly prescribed, their study found. Twenty percent of patients are on five or more prescription medications, according to the findings, published online in the journal Mayo Clinic Proceedings.

Researchers find the data valuable because it gives insight into prescribing practices. The statistics from the Rochester Epidemiology Project in Olmsted County, Minn. are comparable to those elsewhere in the United States, says study author Jennifer St. Sauver, Ph.D., a member of the Mayo Clinic Population Health Program in the Mayo Clinic Center for the Science of Health Care Delivery.

"Often when people talk about health conditions they're talking about chronic conditions such as heart disease or diabetes," Dr. St. Sauver says. "However, the second most common prescription was for antidepressants — that suggests mental health is a huge issue and is something we should focus on. And the third most common drugs were opioids, which is a bit concerning considering their addicting nature."

Seventeen percent of those studied were prescribed antibiotics, 13% were taking antidepressants and 13% were on opioids. Drugs to control high blood pressure came in fourth (11%) and vaccines were fifth (11%). Drugs were prescribed to both men and women across all age groups, except high blood pressure drugs, which were seldom used before age 30.

Overall, women and older adults receive more prescriptions. Vaccines, antibiotics and anti-asthma drugs are most commonly prescribed in people younger than 19. Antidepressants and opioids are most common among young and middle-aged adults. Cardiovascular drugs are most commonly prescribed in older adults. Women receive more prescriptions than men across several drug groups, especially antidepressants: Nearly 1 in 4 women ages 50-64 are on an antidepressant.

For several drug groups, use increases with advancing age.

"As you get older you tend to get more prescriptions, and women tend to get more prescriptions than men," Dr. St. Sauver says.

Prescription drug use has increased steadily in the U.S. for the past decade. The percentage of people who took at least one prescription drug in the past month increased from 44% in 1999-2000 to 48% in 2007 to 2008. Spending on prescription drugs reached $250 billion in 2009 the year studied, and accounted for 12% of total personal health care expenditures. Drug-related spending is expected to continue to grow in the coming years, the researchers say.

The study was funded by the National Institute on Aging and the Mayo Clinic Center for the Science of Health Care Delivery.

About Mayo Clinic

Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit worldwide leader in medical care, research and education for people from all walks of life. For more information, visit MayoClinic.com or MayoClinic.org/news.

CHICAGO – The American Dental Association Foundation (ADAF) recently announced the winners of the 2013 ADA Foundation Allied Dental Student Scholarship Program. The ADAF awarded scholarships of $1,000 each to 30 students from across the nation who are studying dental hygiene, dental assisting and dental laboratory technology.

The ADAF awards annual scholarships to academically gifted students to help defray a portion of the cost of their professional education. Accredited allied dental schools are invited to submit one application from each of its allied dental programs. Later this summer, the ADAF will announce the deadline to submit applications for the 2013-2014 Allied Dental Student Scholarship Program.  

To make a tax-deductible donation to the ADA Foundation to support scholarship programs, important research in the field of dentistry or other efforts, visit www.adafoundation.org or call 312.440.2547.

About the ADA Foundation

As dentistry's premier philanthropic and charitable organization, the ADA Foundation is a catalyst for uniting people and organizations to make a difference through better oral health.  The ADA Foundation provides educational grants including dental student scholarships and affiliated dental scholarships; a variety of grants related to access to care and oral health outreach, including grants related to Give Kids A Smile®; and charitable assistance through its Disaster Assistance Grant Program and Relief Grant Program.  The ADA Foundation also provides funding for the Paffenbarger Research Center in Gaithersburg, MD.  For more information about the ADA Foundation, visit www.adafoundation.org.

SANTA ANA, Calif./PRNewswire-iReach/ -- Dazzlepro announced immediate availability of the Advanced GT Sonic Toothbrush, enabling dental practices, distributors, vendors, retailors, and e-commerce merchants to begin placing orders.

"The Dazzlepro Advanced GT Sonic model is the new flagship for our brand," said Alex Dastmalchi, CEO at Dazzlepro. "It provides a truly advanced brushing experience with features and design elements that are exceptional."

The company spent significant time in development and testing for this GT Sonic Model to ensure it provides all of the high-performance features that dental professionals and discriminating consumers look for including 40,000 sonic brushstrokes per minute, 3 distinct brushing modes, and a UV sanitizing charger base. The unit combines these highly demanded features in one high quality unit that not only looks great on the bathroom counter, it exceeds expectations for performance.

"I was the first of our team to test this model," said Mike Ponzillo, COO. "I have used it daily for the last 6 months; my teeth are whiter, my gums are healthier, and my dentist told me to keep up the good work. We are very proud to introduce it to the market so that consumers can experience these same great results for themselves."

The Advanced GT Sonic Toothbrush accentuates Dazzlepro's commitment to deliver the highest quality oral care products. The unit is available for immediate shipment at Dazzlepro.com.

Founded in 2010, Dazzlepro is an emerging leader in oral health care products. Focused on leveraging innovation to make consumers smile, the company offers a wide range of teeth whitening products and sonic toothbrushes.   

People born during whooping cough outbreaks are more likely to die prematurely even if they survive into adulthood, research at Lund University in Sweden has found. Women had a 20% higher risk of an early death, and men a staggering 40%. Women also suffered more complications during and after pregnancy, with an increased risk of miscarriage as well as infant death within the first month of life.

"The results show the importance of following up patients with exposure to whooping cough in childhood, particularly pregnant women", says Luciana Quaranta, the PhD candidate at Lund University behind the findings.

The landmark study used a globally unique database, the Scanian Economic Demographic Database, based on data from Sweden's extensive population registers. Quaranta mapped five communities between 1813 and 1968, in an effort to understand how conditions at birth, such as socioeconomic status and exposure to infectious diseases, affect us later in life.

Whooping cough, or pertussis, was widely considered to have been all but eradicated in many developed countries until recently. The UK, the US and Australia have all seen outbreaks of the disease in the past two years.

About the study:

Scarred for life. How conditions in early life affect socioeconomic status, reproduction and mortality in Southern Sweden, 1813-1968

https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/o.o.i.s?id=24732&postid=3737363

The Scanian Economic Demographic Database: https://www.ed.lu.se/EN/databases/sdd.asp

Q&A with Luciana Quaranta: https://review.ehl.lu.se/qna-8-how-does-early-life-conditions-affect-us-later-in-life/

LOS ANGELES, CA – PatientActivator®, the award-winning patient communication software from 1-800-DENTIST®, has partnered with the American Association of Dental Office Managers (AADOM) and is endorsed as the association’s official dental marketing company. 

This represents two of the most powerful resources for office managers coming together, with an exclusive incentive for those who take advantage of both: Practices that sign up for PatientActivator will receive a free 1-year membership (or renewal) to AADOM – a $164 value – compliments of 1-800-DENTIST. 

 With PatientActivator, office managers benefit from time-saving tools that automatically generate patient reviews, confirm appointments, and make it easy to promote the practice on Facebook and other social media -- plus a new mobile app and unlimited free live support. In addition, as AADOM members, they’ll now have access to the most respected network of dental office managers in the country, with a thriving online forum, annual conference, magazine, online newsletter and more. 

“PatientActivator was designed to support the crucial role office managers play in the dental practice,” said Michael Turner, CEO of 1-800-DENTIST. “And by introducing them to the unbelievable benefits AADOM provides, we know we’re setting them up for even greater success.” 

PatientActivator’s focus on providing increased support for office managers is in part informed by 1-800-DENTIST’s recent survey, revealing that dental office managers are now being asked to do more than ever before, most often without additional staff or resources. In response, the company has expanded its front desk features, grown its support team, and holds free training webinars with useful tips and best practices. The partnership with AADOM is the latest in these office manager-focused enhancements. 

Office managers can take sign up for PatientActivator, and activate their free AADOM membership, by calling 855-237-1262 www.1800dentist.com/officemanagers. 

New research shows that every third person who is diagnosed for the first time with a mood disorder has been admitted to hospital with an infection prior to the diagnosis. The study is the largest of its kind to date to show a clear correlation between infection levels and the risk of developing mood disorders.

Anyone can suffer from an infection, for example in their stomach, urinary tract or skin. It would now appear that their distress does not necessarily end once the infection has been treated. A new PhD project shows that many people subsequently suffer from a mood disorder:

"Our study shows that the risk of developing a mood disorder increases by 62% for patients who have been admitted to hospital with an infection. In other words, it looks as though the immune system is somehow involved in the development of mood disorders," says Michael Eriksen Benrós, MD and PhD from Aarhus University and Psychiatric Centre Copenhagen.

He is behind the study together with researchers from Aarhus University and the University of Copenhagen as well as The Johns Hopkins University in the USA.

Three million Danes included

The study is a register study, which has involved following more than 3 million Danes. Between 1977 and 2010, more than 91,000 of these people had hospital contact in connection with a mood disorder. It transpired that 32% of the patients had previously been admitted with an infectious disease, while 5% had been admitted with an autoimmune disease.

According to Michael Eriksen Benrós, the increased risk of mood disorders can be explained by the fact that infections affect the brain:

"Normally, the brain is protected by the so-called blood-brain barrier (BBB), but in the case of infections and inflammation, new research has shown that the brain can be affected on account of a more permeable BBB."

"We can see that the brain is affected, whichever type of infection or autoimmune disease it is. Therefore, it is naturally important that more research is conducted into the mechanisms which lie behind the connection between the immune system and mood disorders," says Michael Eriksen Benrós. He hopes that knowing more about this connection will help to prevent mood disorders and improve future treatment. 

PITTSBURGH-It turns out that helping others can also help you protect yourself from high blood pressure.

New research from Carnegie Mellon University shows that older adults who volunteer for at least 200 hours per year decrease their risk of hypertension, or high blood pressure, by 40 percent. The study, published by the American Psychological Association's Psychology and Aging journal, suggests that volunteer work may be an effective non-pharmaceutical option to help prevent the condition. Hypertension affects an estimated 65 million Americans and is a major contributor to cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death in the U.S.

"Everyday, we are learning more about how negative lifestyle factors like poor diet and lack of exercise increase hypertension risk," said Rodlescia S. Sneed, a Ph.D. candidate in psychology in CMU's Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences and lead author of the study. "Here, we wanted to determine if a positive lifestyle factor like volunteer work could actually reduce disease risk. And, the results give older adults an example of something that they can actively do to remain healthy and age successfully."

For the study, Sneed and Carnegie Mellon's Sheldon Cohen studied 1,164 adults between the ages of 51 and 91 from across the U.S. The participants were interviewed twice, in 2006 and 2010, and all had normal blood pressure levels at the first interview. Volunteerism, various social and psychological factors, and blood pressure were measured each time.

The results showed that those who reported at least 200 hours of volunteer work during the initial interview were 40 percent less likely to develop hypertension than those who did not volunteer when evaluated four years later. The specific type of volunteer activity was not a factor - only the amount of time spent volunteering led to increased protection from hypertension.

"As people get older, social transitions like retirement, bereavement and the departure of children from the home often leave older adults with fewer natural opportunities for social interaction," Sneed said.  "Participating in volunteer activities may provide older adults with social connections that they might not have otherwise.  There is strong evidence that having good social connections promotes healthy aging and reduces risk for a number of negative health outcomes."

The National Institutes of Health's National Institute on Aging and National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine supported this research.

For more information, visit https://www.psy.cmu.edu/people/sneed.html.