Feb. 21, 2014 - NEW YORK -- Elite Dental of Staten Island is pleased to announce that Dr. Steven Acker of the practice has been named a Clinical Instructor at the Kois Center.

The Kois Center is located on the shore of Lake Union in the heart of Seattle, Washington and its mission is “advancing dentistry through science.” The Kois Center offers a comprehensive nine-course curriculum involving aesthetic, occlusion, and restorative dentistry. This curriculum is built upon Dr. John C. Kois´ mission statement: “Enabling motivated dentists to achieve extraordinary levels, expanding both knowledge and application skills in restorative dentistry.” The Center achieves this by using a variety of high technological teaching modalities ranging from computer animation to live video demonstrations. Video cameras feed images from a variety of inputs simultaneously. The Center´s high-tech dental office and laboratory interface with the conference room to allow for questions and answers during the over-the-shoulder demonstrations. Various camera angles capture close-up details and a broad overview of procedures.

Criteria for becoming a Clinical Instructor include: completed and passed the Mentor Exam at the Kois Center Mentor; attend Kois Center symposiums; and attendance as a mentor in Kois center courses. To be considered for a clinical instructor position you must be nominated and then evaluated by the Center’s Advisory Board. Factors considered in evaluation are recommendations, course evaluations, committee involvement, commitment, support and involvement at the center, desire to teach, and willingness to provide leadership. The Center’s Advisory Board makes the final selection of the Clinical Instructors every January.

“In the field of dentistry, there are those who stand out amidst the rest as truly embodying excellence in who they are, and in what they do. It is this type of individual who inspires others and elevates the field of dentistry to a new level. You are this type of individual,” said John C. Kois DMD, MSD, founder of the Kois Center, in the announcement letter sent to Dr. Aker.

Dr. Acker has been a mentor for the Kois Center since 2007. After completing the advanced curriculum, Dr. Acker passed the exam and presented cases to achieve the Center’s mentor status. A clinical instructor is the next and highest level after being a mentor at the Kois Center. The clinical instructors are responsible for overseeing the mentors and assisting Dr. Kois in teaching and working with the doctors who are taking the advanced courses.

Source: PRLog

New York, NY (February 21, 2014)-Triclosan/copolymer, the antibacterial active system employed in Colgate Total^® toothpaste for preventing plaque and gingivitis, recently received a very positive independent review. The review was conducted by the Cochrane Oral Health Group which carries out systematic reviews of primary research in human healthcare and health policy that are internationally recognized as the highest standard in evidence-based healthcare.

Entitled “Triclosan/copolymer containing toothpastes for oral health,” the Cochrane Review evaluated the effects of triclosan/copolymer containing fluoride toothpastes, as compared to traditional fluoride toothpastes, for the long-term control of caries, plaque and gingivitis in both children and adults.  

The Cochrane Review evaluated 30 studies dating from 1990 to 2012 in which 14,835 participants were randomized to receive either a triclosan/copolymer containing fluoride toothpaste or a traditional fluoride toothpaste that did not contain triclosan/copolymer. The toothpaste used in the studies containing the triclosan/copolymer system and fluoride was Colgate Total^®. 

The resulting data highlighted the many clinical benefits of using a triclosan/copolymer containing fluoride toothpaste and concluded there was no evidence of any harmful effects associated with the use of triclosan/copolymer toothpastes.

Some key findings of the Cochrane Review include:

• After six or more months of use, fluoride toothpaste containing triclosan/copolymer provided a 22% reduction in plaque as compared with traditional fluoride toothpaste. It also provided a 41% reduction in plaque severity as compared with traditional fluoride toothpaste.

• After six or more months of use, fluoride toothpaste containing triclosan/copolymer provided a 22% reduction ingingivitis compared with traditional fluoride toothpaste. It provided a 48% reduction in gum bleeding compared with traditional fluoride toothpaste.

“I commend the Cochrane Oral Health Group for taking the time to conduct a rigorous review of the clinical studies performed on the fluoride toothpaste containing triclosan/copolymer,” remarked Dr. Fotinos S. Panagakos, Global Director, Scientific Affairs and Research Relations for the Colgate-Palmolive Company. “I have no doubt that this noteworthy review will draw further attention to the topic of gum disease, which is a prevalent oral health issue. The most recent national health and nutrition examination survey (NHANES) showed that 3 out of 4 US adults have experienced gum bleeding, which is a sign of gingivitis, an early form of gum disease. If left untreated, gingivitis can lead to periodontitis, a more serious form of gum disease with multiple potential harmful health effects. This is one of the many reasons that I feel that gum disease deserves a significant amount of time and attention. I am pleased to confirm that one of our most noteworthy contributions to helping to combat this disease is our introduction of the triclosan/copolymer system to fluoride toothpaste, which is found in our line of Colgate Total^® toothpastes.”

For the full text of the Cochrane Review, please visit 

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD010514.pub2/abstract;jsessionid=217E52E32B87ADA7C2AD66C3244DFF12.f01t03

FORT COLLINS, Colo. – February 21, 2014 – St. Renatus, LLC announced today it has completed Phase 3 clinical studies and is preparing its analysis for submission to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The studies tested the safety and efficacy of St. Renatus’ nasal mist technology in adult and pediatric subjects. 

St. Renatus conducted its pediatric Phase 3 studies at multiple sites around the country where pediatric patients ranging in age from 3 to 17 years were administered the nasal mist instead of needle-based dental anesthesia.

“We are very pleased with how the nasal mist has performed in our Phase 3 studies. Completing Phase 3 is a critical milestone for a new drug; it is rare for investigative new drugs to get this far in the process,” said Steve Merrick, Chief Executive Officer for St. Renatus, LLC. “The next big milestone islocking the study data and completing the statistical analysis for these Phase 3 studies. We are looking forward to completing the analysis and are hopefulit will depict a positive, safety and efficacy profile of our drug, so that we can continue toward FDA submission, review and final approval.”

St. Renatus’ nasal mist technology was required to complete three phases of clinical human studies by the FDA. St. Renatus completed Phase 1 clinical human studies in 2007, Phase 2 studies were conducted from 2008 through 2011 and the company completed an End of Phase 2 Meeting with the FDA in March 2011. Phase 3 studies began early in 2013 and were completed in the fourth quarter of 2013, and are the last phase of clinical studies required by the FDA prior to submission for approval. Preliminary data is being analyzed by St. Renatus and its team of qualified consultants. The statistical results will be the foundation of the New Drug Application (NDA), which the company plans to submit to the FDA for review in 2014.

About St. Renatus

St. Renatus, LLC was founded to develop a revolutionary innovation – the world's first dental anesthetic administered through the nasal cavity designed for use in procedures involving most of the upper teeth, with a goal of gaining FDA approval to commercialize and distribute. St. Renatus’ name comes from the patron saint of anesthesia and has Latin roots meaning new beginning.

St. Renatus believes the benefits of its product will provide a better experience for doctors and qualifying patients. These benefits could include an accurate and sophisticated method to anesthetize the upper teeth topically, without the use of a dental needle injection.

For more information, please visit www.st-renatus.com or call 970.282.0156.

The Maurice H. Kornberg School of Dentistry at Temple has launched Temple Dental eCampus, the first online educational system offered by a US dental school. Kornberg’s eCampus will provide lectures, webinars, and ePortfolios to dental students and practicing dentists.

Kornberg Dean Amid Ismail said there are currently a lot of private online educational platforms, but because Temple Dental eCampus has the Temple name, it will perceived as more academic and educational. “This project started with the idea that we have to have a mixed education model because we need to reach out globally as well as locally,” Ismail said. “This is unique in that it is the first attempt to introduce global online learning as a supplement to dental education.”

The online site will allow dental students and dentists to view lectures, webinars, and even live procedures for a minimal fee. And viewers may earn continuing education (CE) credits for viewing certain online materials.

“We can group a series of lectures on any given topic and they can be used as continuing education for dentists,” he noted. “Once they complete viewing the required lectures, we can issue a continuing education certificate.”

Ismail likened the ePortolio portion of the website to a digital binder, in which anonymous patient cases can be posted for students to review, answer questions, provide diagnoses and recommend treatments. “The problem is, we don’t learn from each other; we only learn from what we do,” Ismail explained. “For example, a student sees a particular case with a patient, but the other 139 students don’t see it because we can’t fit 140 students in the clinic at one time. This is a way for them to share cases with each other."

Ismail added that the ePortfolios also will allow faculty to review and evaluate what the students are doing and their comprehension of what they are learning in the classroom. “I don’t envision this as a replacement for lectures or class meetings, but rather, as a supplement to their education that not only provides background information for the classroom, but also a different way of evaluating their progress,” he said.

Presently, all materials are free (use PROMO2014 when registering), but Ismail expects the site to be fully populated and start charging fees within the next six months.

Source: Temple University

Scottsdale, Ariz., February 20, 2014 — Avoiding the contralateral submandibular gland during radiation therapy is feasible and safe with advanced stage, node positive head and neck cancers and base of tongue lesions, according to research presented today at the 2014 Multidisciplinary Head and Neck Cancer Symposium.

Researchers conducted a retrospective analysis of 71 patients from two facilities—the University of Colorado Cancer Center and the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. The median patient age was 55, and about 50 percent of the patients were current or former smokers. Forty patients had primary tonsil cancers, and 31 patients had tumors involving the base of the tongue. About 80 percent of patients had N2b or greater disease (meaning extensive lymph node involvement), and 90 percent of patients had overall stage IV disease (indicating advanced cancer). The analysis only included patients who were receiving treatment to the bilateral neck.

All of the patients had been treated with radiation techniques that spared the contralateral submandibular gland (cSMG), which indicates it was on the opposite side of the neck as the cancer. Submandibular glands are major salivary glands located beneath the floor of the mouth and are responsible for the majority of unstimulated salivary flow. The mean dose to the cSMG was 33.04 Gy, and at a median follow-up of 27.3 months, no patients had experienced recurrences in the contralateral level Ib lymph nodes (the area of the spared submandibular gland).

"Sparing the submandibular gland from radiation can decrease the side effect of dry mouth, which has a substantial impact on patients' quality of life," said Tyler Robin, PhD, lead author of the study and an MD candidate in his final year at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. "Historically, however, there has been hesitation to spare the submandibular gland from radiation because there are lymph nodes near the gland that also end up not getting treated. While this seems worrisome because head and neck cancer spreads through the lymph nodes, it is well established that the risk of cancer involvement in the lymph nodes near the submandibular gland is exceedingly low, yet the benefit of sparing the gland for a patient's quality of life is high. It is important to consider treatment side effects alongside treatment benefit, and overall, our goal is to decrease side effects associated with radiation treatment without undertreating a patient's cancer. With modern advances in radiation therapy, it is possible to eloquently treat cancers while avoiding surrounding normal tissues. Our study is a prime example of how we can safely spare normal tissue in appropriate patients in order to decrease treatment side effects."

The abstract, "A Multicenter Experience in Contralateral Submandibular Gland Sparing in Head and Neck Radiotherapy: An Assessment of Feasibility and Safety," will be presented in detail during a scientific session at the 2014 Multidisciplinary Head and Neck Cancer Symposium at 10:30 a.m. Mountain time on Friday, February 21, 2014. To speak with Dr. Robin, contact Michelle Kirkwood on February 20 – 21, 2014 in the ASTRO Press Office at the JW Marriott Camelback Inn Resort and Spa in Scottsdale, Arizona at 480-596-7085 or email michellek@astro.org.

The 2014 Multidisciplinary Head and Neck Cancer Symposium is sponsored by the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO), the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and the American Head & Neck Society (AHNS). The two-and-a-half day meeting includes interactive educational sessions focused on topics such as supportive care, directed therapy, new surgical and radiotherapeutic techniques, as well as 12 oral abstract presentations of the current science of relevance to the head and neck cancer community. A total of 189 abstracts will be presented including 177 posters. Keynote speakers include Jennifer Grandis, MD, of the University of Pittsburgh, to present "The Molecular Road to Defining and Targeting High-risk Head and Neck Patients;" and Julia H. Rowland, PhD, of the National Cancer Institute, to present "Cancer Survivorship: Research Opportunities on the Path to Where We Want to Be."

Source: EurekaAlert!

People with late-stage cancer at the back of the mouth or throat that recurs after chemotherapy and radiation treatment are twice as likely to be alive two years later if their cancer is caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), new research led by a Johns Hopkins scientist suggests.

Previous studies have found that people with so-called HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancers are more likely to survive than those whose cancers are related to smoking or whose origins are unknown.

The new study, presented Feb. 20 at the 2014 Multidisciplinary Head and Neck Cancer Symposium in Scottsdale, Ariz., shows that the longer survival pattern holds even if the cancer returns. Oropharyngeal cancers, which once were linked primarily to heavy smoking, are now more likely to be caused by HPV, a virus that is transmitted by oral and other kinds of sex. The rise in HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancers has been attributed to changes in sexual behaviors, most notably an increase in oral sex partners.

For the study, the researchers used data provided by the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group on 181 patients with late-stage oropharyngeal cancer whose HPV status was known and whose cancer had spread after primary treatment.

There were 105 HPV-positive participants and 76 HPV-negative ones. Although the median time to recurrence was roughly the same (8.2 months vs. 7.3 months, respectively), some 54.6 percent of those with HPV-positive cancer were alive two years after recurrence, while only 27.6 percent of HPV-negative cancers were still alive at that point in time.

The researchers also found that those whose cancers could be treated with surgery after recurrence — regardless of HPV status — were 52 percent less likely to die than those who did not undergo surgery. Surgery has typically been done in limited cases, as doctors and patients weigh the risks of surgery against the short life expectancy associated with recurrent disease.

"Historically, if you had a recurrence, you might as well get your affairs in order, because survival rates were so dismal. It was hard to say, yes, you should go through surgery," says study leader Carole Fakhry, M.D., M.P.H., an assistant professor in the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. "But this study shows us that surgery may have a significant survival benefit, particularly in HPV-positive patients."

While it remains unclear why patients with HPV-positive tumors have better outcomes than those with HPV-negative tumors, researchers speculate it may be due to biologic and immunologic properties that render HPV-positive cancers inherently less malignant or better able to respond to radiation or chemotherapy treatment.

"Until this study, we thought that once these cancers came back, patients did equally poorly regardless of whether their disease was linked to HPV," she says. "Now we know that once they recur, HPV status still matters. They still do better."

Source: EurekAlert!

Feb. 19, 2014- MONTREAL, Canada -- Gaargle Solutions has announced that its Dovetail Dental Web Application Version 1.4 has been successfully tested and certified by the Drummond Group's Electronic Health Records Office of the National Coordinator Authorized Certification Body (ONC-ACB) program. Dovetail has been certified compliant in accordance with the criteria adopted by the Secretary of the US Department of Health and Human Services.

Dovetail is the only EDR/EHR mobile web-application that enables doctors to share and collaborate on patient care. Its intuitive, process-driven platform lets doctors enter clinical information using simple clicks, reducing the amount of non-remunerable time doctors spend on documentation.

The 2014 EHR certification, which complies with the new Meaningful Use standards, will enable thousands of dentists across the United States to streamline their practices by offering single data entry points and will help meet the growing demand for certified EHR platforms. "Our team is proud to deliver Dovetail’s latest version. It is one of the most advanced cloud-based EHR systems, specifically designed for mobile tablets," said Dr. Pietro Di Battista, Gaargle Solutions‘ founder and CEO. "

The Drummond Group certifies that different components in an EHR system meet the Meaningful Use criteria related to eligible providers and hospital technology. Healthcare providers using the EHR systems of certified vendors are qualified to receive federal stimulus monies upon demonstrating Meaningful Use of the technology – a key component of the federal government’s objective to improve clinical care delivery through the adoption and effective use of EHRs by US healthcare providers.

Dovetail, which fulfilled the EHR Modular (Ambulatory) 2014 Edition requirements, has been certified, in accordance with the applicable criteria adopted by the Secretary of the US Department of Health and Human Services.

“Leveraging information technology for healthcare initiatives provides the opportunity to deliver a high-level quality of care and efficiency, which benefits and enhances the overall patient experience,” says Rik Drummond, CEO of the Drummond Group Inc. “We have been testing software for more than a decade and will continue to provide our extensive experience testing and certifying complex systems for multiple industries, as well as ensuring that interoperability and security remain key components in the growing healthcare industry. Developed and marketed by Gaargle Solutions Inc., Dovetail 1.4 is a certified product-version for which an Eligible Professional (EP) may pay a monthly cost to Gaargle Solutions Inc. for it to host/administer this capability in order for the EP to meet the correlated Meaningful Use objectives and measures.

Source: PRLog

Feb. 19, 2014- CHICAGO -- The MouthWatch Home Dental Monitoring System^® from MouthWatch LLC combines the best features of an intraoral camera with innovative patient engagement software, enabling dentists to improve interaction with their patients. The system allows dentists to monitor and advise patients remotely, providing personalized attention regardless of the patient’s location.

MouthWatch is demonstrating the system at the Chicago Dental Society Midwinter Meeting February 20-22, 2014. MouthWatch will also be providing a sneak peek at MouthWatch Connect, a new remote monitoring solution for the entire practice.

Through the integration of a home-use intraoral camera with a robust easy-to-use desktop and mobile application, dentists are able to offer their patients better care, peace of mind, and technology that finally brings telemedicine into the realm of dentistry.

“MouthWatch helps build my practice by fostering oral health awareness among my patients. They love knowing that they can visually share any concerns with me and that I’m able to consult and advise them without having them needlessly take time out of their busy schedules.” said Dr. Jerry Herman, inventor of the MouthWatch system.

The HIPAA-compliant MouthWatch system enables patients to securely monitor oral health and hygiene at home. With the same image clarity that dentists have had for years in the office, MouthWatch now allows patients to see at home the treatment they need.

With patients using MouthWatch at home, improved communication increases both patient engagement and practice revenue. MouthWatch offers a robust set of features, which allows patients to easily examine their entire mouths, capture still photos and videos, compare before and after images, track conditions and concerns visually, and share information and appointment requests with their dentist, all in the comfort of their own home.

The MouthWatch camera’s diagnostic quality images and videos make it easy for the dentist to determine the urgency and time required for an in-office visit. Appointment requests are accompanied by visual images of the patient’s concern, dramatically reducing the time and uncertainty normally associated with “triage by telephone.”

MouthWatch also offers compatible mobile apps for both iPhone and Android platforms, which allow dental patients to easily and quickly share images and descriptions of oral health concerns with their dentist, regardless of their location.

MouthWatch’s innovative “patient linking” feature “locks” the patient to the practice, helping build loyalty and referrals.  Patients that use the MouthWatch platform will experience improved health, wellness and appearance - creating amazing word-of-mouth marketing for dental practices.

The MouthWatch system is sold to professionals in bundles of 3, 6 or 12 units.  Each MouthWatch package includes the MouthWatch USB intraoral camera, MouthWatch mobile app, software access, storage case and 50 disposable protective sleeves. Single cameras have an MSRP of $169 with professional and volume discounts available.

Source: PRLog

CHICAGO, Feb. 13, 2014 —The American Dental Association (ADA) Center for Evidence-Based Dentistry is accepting registrations to attend the 2014 Evidence-Based Dentistry Champions 2.0 Conference scheduled May 9-10 at the ADA Headquarters, 211 E. Chicago Ave., in Chicago.

Attendees will earn between 11 and 14 continuing education credits for their participation in the conference entitled, “Implementing Science in Practice.”  Registrations will be accepted online until March 31.

Evidence-Based Dentistry (EBD) focuses on providing personalized dental care based on the most current scientific knowledge. EBD integrates scientific evidence, the patient's oral and medical condition, medical history and treatment preferences, and the dentist's clinical judgment.

The objectives of the conference focus on the implementation of EBD into clinical practice, policy and education, and how to effectively “champion” EBD as part of a broad dissemination effort. EBD enthusiasts, past EBD Champions and those new to EBD will share knowledge and advance existing skills and expertise.

The cost of the conference is $150 for ADA members and $225 for non-members. Visit the conference webpage for more information. This conference is supported by a contribution from Procter & Gamble.

Editor's note: Read a recent CE article published in Compendium related to EBD and dental materials: https://cced.cdeworld.com/courses/4734-Evidence-Based_Dentistry_As_It_Relates_to_Dental_Materials

NEW YORK, Feb. 19, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Dr. Joel Berg, Dean of University of Washington School of Dentistry, has joined the Advisory Board of GoodMouth.

"Our Advisory Board supports GoodMouth's goal of delivering exceptional subscriber experiences by bringing together highly resourceful and innovative experts. We are honored to be in a position to learn from Dr. Berg's vast experience as a leader in dental education and practice and look forward to working with him on continuing to carry forward our message of how good oral hygiene is critical to long term systemic health," explains Craig Lifschutz, GoodMouth's Founder and CEO.

"Through their innovative new model, GoodMouth's service provides a benefit to dental practices, patients and the community at large. By delivering new toothbrushes to individuals and families' homes on a regular schedule they are addressing an often overlooked component of oral hygiene in a new and exciting way," explains Dr. Berg, who serves as Section Editor, Pediatrics of Compendium of Continuing Education in Dentistry. "I'm excited about the work they are doing to raise awareness about the importance of oral health to systemic health via their Giving Goodness program and am thrilled to be advising them."

Dr. Berg is the Dean of University of Washington School of Dentistry. He previously held executive positions at Philips Oral Healthcare and ESPE Dental. He is Past President of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Foundation, and a member of the Advisory Council for the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. He is also the author of numerous published manuscripts and abstracts and a co-editor of a textbook on early childhood oral health.

GoodMouth combines a subscription service with social entrepreneurship to improve dental care and help people live healthier lives. GoodMouth is a unique toothbrush delivery subscription that serves consumers, dental health professionals, and corporate benefits programs. Through its Giving Goodness program, GoodMouth, and their subscribers, are actively battling the dental crisis by giving away two toothbrushes, or the equivalent in dental care, for every subscription purchased.

Learn more about GoodMouth at www.goodmouth.com.