Ann Arbor, MI — October 29, 2014 — A $1.5 million award from the Prostate Cancer Foundation will fund a team of researchers from the University of Michigan School of Dentistry and their colleagues at Johns Hopkins University to conduct clinical trials to treat metastatic prostate cancer.  The award was presented during the Foundation’s 21^st annual scientific retreat Oct. 23 in LaCosta, California.

The clinical trials will be led by Dr. Kenneth Pienta, a professor of oncology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and past director of the Prostate Specialized Program of Research Excellence (SPORE) at the University of Michigan from 1995-2013.  During his time at U-M, Pienta collaborated extensively with Dr. Russell Taichman, associate dean for research and professor in the Department of Periodontics and Oral Medicine at the School of Dentistry.  Their prostate cancer research collaboration continues.

Taichman’s team in Ann Arbor and Pienta’s team in Baltimore have been investigating possible interrelationships in stem cell development, cancer cell proliferation and bone biology.  Taichman, the Major Ash Collegiate Professor of Dentistry, has been investigating the mechanisms which regulate bone metastasis of prostate and other cancers with skeletal structures.

Their research revealed that the bone marrow and the blood stem cell niche play a central role in bone metastasis (cancers that spread into bone).  They discovered that when cancer cells invade the bone marrow, the cancer cells and hematopoietic stem cells (cells that give rise to all blood cells) often compete for the same space.

When metastatic prostate cancer cells compete with hematopoietic stem cells in the bone marrow, the cancer cells often become dormant, sometimes for as long as ten years.  When this happens, men treated for prostate cancer using a combination of surgery and chemotherapy are often believed to be cancer free.  However, many patients later learn their cancer has metastasized and is now incurable.

“In the blood stem cell niche, cancer cells cannot be killed.  However, we believe that those outside the niche can be destroyed,” Taichman said.  “Since prostate cancer cells frequently metastasize to the bones, we want to find ways to coax cancer cells out of the marrow so they can be targeted using existing chemotherapies.”

That effort will involve a small-scale clinical trial testing two drugs on men with prostate cancer to see if two drugs can coax the tumor cells out of the bone marrow.  “If the cancer cells are dormant, we may be able to flush them out of the marrow by interfering with how they bind to the bone marrow and move them into an area where chemotherapeutic drugs might be able to eradicate them,” Taichman said.

The two potential drugs that may be used in the clinical trial are Neupogen and AMD3100.  Neupogen (filgrastim) is often used to prevent infection and fevers resulting from chemotherapy.  AMD3100 (plerixafor) is a drug that may also fight cancer by releasing tumor cells out of the bone marrow and into the bloodstream.  Both drugs, Taichman said, have been approved for use in humans by the Food and Drug Administration.  In combination with chemotherapy, Neupogen or AMD3100 may prove safe and effective for treatment of metastatic prostate cancer.

“We have used both drugs in animal models and have had favorable results,” Taichman said.  “Our next step is a small-scale clinical trial to see if one or both of these may help patients with prostate cancer.”

Taichman’s U-M research team includes Matthew Eber, Janice Berry, and Drs. Younghun Jung Yusuke Shiozawa.  Other project collaborators were: Dr. Richard Jones, director of the Bone Marrow Transplant Program at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, and Dr. Michael Schweizer, assistant professor at the University of Washington School of Medicine.

CHICAGO, Oct. 30, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Dental Association (ADA) is encouraged that preliminary data presented at the "Innovations in the Prevention and Treatment of Early Childhood Caries" conference on October 23 shows a downward trend in early childhood caries (cavities) in the United States and indicates progress in ensuring that kids are getting needed dental treatment.

"This preliminary analysis may indicate a promising trend.  We are encouraged that it shows far less untreated tooth decay in children, with dentists providing needed treatment," says ADA President Dr. Maxine Feinberg. "Dental Medicaid visits have been increasing and more kids are seeing the dentist.  Now, we must stay the course, building on that momentum to continue making an impact for children, and expand efforts to prevent dental disease before it starts."

Preliminary unpublished data shared by Centers for Disease Control's Dr. Bruce Dye suggests a decade-long trend of increased treatment of caries (cavities) in preschool children, suggesting a clear shift in untreated dental disease in the U.S. among 2- to 5-year olds toward more restored dental surfaces for all 20 primary teeth.  The analysis is based on a review of 2011-2012 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) longitudinal health data from the CDC and a representative sample of the U.S. population. It was presented in advance of expected CDC publication of the full range of data covering 2011 through 2014 next year and should be viewed as a preliminary analysis. 

While we await the full data analysis, continuing to align and promote efforts that contribute to reducing untreated dental disease is critical.  Through the ADA's Action for Dental Health, dentists across the country are delivering dental health education and disease prevention to communities, fighting for increased dental health protections under Medicaid and providing care now to people suffering from untreated dental disease.  For example, according to research from ADA's Health Policy Institute, from 2000 to 2010 dental care utilization among low-income children increased in 47 states and the continued expansion was primarily due to Medicaid and State Children's Health Insurance Programs (SCHIP), which mandate dental benefits for children. Also, ADA's Community Dental Health Coordinators (CDHCs) are helping people connect to dental public health resources in their communities and dentists who can provide needed treatment.

"Dental access, prevention and care initiatives are making a positive difference in dental health for patients and the ADA is committed to continuing to support and promote increased alignment of efforts and partnering to better fuel the momentum," Dr. Feinberg said.

Attleboro, MA – Sterngold Dental is now offering bone grafting and socket preservation material, along with resorbable membranes. The bone material, available in multiple allograft types, is an excellent option for ridge augmentation, extraction sockets, and sinus augmentation, the company says.

To order, call Sterngold customer service at 800-243-9942. For more information, visit www.sterngold.com.

This study was published in the September/October issue of The International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Implants (JOMI), the official journal of the Academy of Osseointegration (AO).

Background: Current implant protocols require not only osseointegration, but also high levels of soft tissue stability and esthetics. Crestal bone changes and their impact on soft tissue architecture are the most unpredictable and undesirable consequences of implant therapy, especially in the anterior maxilla. Hypotheses about the etiology of crestal bone remodeling around dental implants can be categorized into three main proposals: (1) mechanical factor that will disturb the surrounding tissues when occlusal forces are transmitted through the prosthetic component to the implant; (2) peri-implant inflammatory cell infiltrate caused by bacteria located at the implant/abutment microgap that will trigger crestal bone changes; (3) adaptive response of the biologic width to the local condition not related to stress factors or inflammatory factors.

Key Point: In this study, prototype test implants were fabricated to combine all current microgap and abutment profile variables. All implants integrated and there were no biologic or technical complications. The one-piece nonsubmerged implant design with a straight profile demonstrated the least crestal bone remodeling. Implant-abutment connections with a concave profile established crestal bone levels immediately apical to the concavity, regardless of the microgap variable.

Author: Dr. Santiago J. Caram, Department of Prosthodontics, Dental School, National University of Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina, and Colleagues

Purpose: Scientists aimed to evaluate the peri-implant tissue response around different implant-abutment interface configurations when compared side-by-side. Two different soft tissue adaptation variables and three different microgap interface variables were analyzed.

Materials and Methods: Six different experimental implant abutment design groups – A to F – were evaluated in six mixed-breed dogs: (A) straight/matching; (B) straight/nonmatching; (C) straight/one-piece; (D) concave/matching; (E) concave/nonmatching; and (F) concave one-piece. At month 0, implant placement was performed and baseline standardized radiographs were taken. After three months of healing, standardized radiographs were taken and preformed titanium crowns were screw-retained to the top part of the abutments. Radiographs were taken every month for a period of six months. Dogs were fed a soft diet and implants were cleaned once each week with chemical and mechanical plaque control. 

Results: All implants (72) integrated successfully and remained stable during the entire study period. When comparing radiographs of groups with straight profiles, crestal bone remodeling in Group C (one-piece design), was significantly less than in Group A (matching diameters) and Group B (nonmatching diameter). Implant Group C (one-piece design) showed the least crestal bone remodeling of all groups. When comparing radiographs of groups with a concave profile but different microgap configurations, all three designs demonstrated bone loss with no significant differences among the three groups.  

For a complete copy of the study and the JOMI September/October “Table of Contents,” visit: https://www.osseo.org/NEWIJOMI.html. To join AO and begin receiving JOMI (bi-monthly) or obtain online access to JOMI, visit: https://www.osseo.org/NEWmembershipApply.html.

Twice a year, the Asian-American Dental Society provides sealants and dental cleanings to children at no cost during its Biannual Free Sealant and Prophy Day, an initiative of the society’s Texas A&M Baylor College of Dentistry dental and dental hygiene students. The only requirements are that patients be ages 6 to 14 and that parents schedule appointments in advance.

More than 100 patients are seen at the event, now in its 16th year.

Location: Pediatric Dentistry Clinic, Texas A&M University Baylor College of Dentistry

3302 Gaston Avenue

Dallas, Texas 75246

Time: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., Oct. 25

Call 214-471-5450

A new whitepaper examines economic indicators during and after recovery from the years 2008-2014 in the United States as viewed from the lens of US dental practices. The whitepaper, authored by Vijay Sikka, president and CEO of Sikka Software Corp., is based on real-time benchmarking data for more than 12,200 dental practices and shows the trends from hundreds of key performance indicators from 2008 to 2014. The paper identifies three distinct patterns based on the data: a crisis pattern, a recovery pattern, and a transition pattern (from crisis to recovery). These distinct patterns offer clear insight on how different key performance indicators of US dental practices can be analyzed to identify broader patterns of macro-economic conditions.

To download the whitepaper, click here or visit www.sikkasoft.com.

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) – The threat of Ebola in New Mexico is getting the attention of a lot of healthcare workers and now dentists. New guidelines have been released as to how dentists should handle patients. With hospitals tightening Ebola protocol, dentists are taking notice as well.

“We see people all the time that may be sick and may not be sick.” Dr. Robert Gherardi, an Albuquerque dentist, said they’re always looking at a patient’s health. “I think dentistry has always been a little more aware of those things than the typical medical office.”

The American Dental Association issued a resource list a few days ago.

“This is just maybe one more step, a little more heightened than we were,” Dr. Gherardi said.

Dr. Gherardi also explained that they will be asking more about travel history, if someone shows signs like a fever, coughing and body aches. With flu season fast approaching, anyone with those symptoms will likely be rescheduled.

“If there’s nothing pressing, we would rather reappoint them when they don’t have it,” Dr. Gherardi said.

An infectious disease consultant for the American Dental Association says the extra measures will be around for a while.

“I think people need to be rational, they need to be clinical, they need to be scientific and they need to be careful about unnecessary fear and paranoia,” Dr. John Molinari said. “Our chances of an Ebola patient coming into a dental office in New Mexico is pretty rare. Although, we have to be aware of it.”

When asking about a patient’s travel history, Dr. Gherardi said his staff will also ask about travel to Dallas. Thomas Duncan, who was visiting Dallas from Liberia, an Ebola-stricken country in West Africa, died of Ebola at a hospital there. Two nurses who treated him are now infected.

A lot of agencies are making changes to their policies when it comes to Ebola. The Albuquerque Fire Department is asking first responders to be extra cautious when dealing with someone showing signs of a fever.

Source: KRQE News

Peoria, Az: October 15, 2014 - The 2014 Dental Industry Metrics Report© is now available from The Anaheim Group, publishers of Dentalfax® Weekly.  The 433-page report contains performance data on 98 publicly traded dental industry companies.  The report includes companies based in Germany, China, England, Switzerland, Belgium, Japan, New Zealand, Israel, The Netherlands, Singapore, Korea, Australia, Canada, France and the US.

The 2014 Dental Industry Metrics Report contains information such as sales growth, earnings per share, market value, return on assets and return on equity, number of employees, price to earnings ratio, and sales multiple for each company profiled.  In addition, the report includes industry-wide averages for insurance companies, manufacturing organizations, lab management firms, practice management companies, distributors, and consumer over-the-counter product firms.  All of the sales and stock data are for the completion of the most recent fiscal year for each company.

The 2014 Dental Industry Metrics Report is a useful resource for investors, as well as dental company executives interested in comparing their company’s performance against specific competitors or the industry as a whole.  The report is available immediately via Direct Download for $275. To order the report or obtain additional information, send an email to dentalfax@dentalfax.com or call 623-334-0091.  A faxable order form may be downloaded at www.dentalfax.com.  

PITTSBURGH, Oct. 16, 2014 – Despite previous indications to the contrary, the esophagus does have its own pool of stem cells, said researchers from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in an animal study published online today in Cell Reports. The findings could lead to new insights into the development and treatment of esophageal cancer and the precancerous condition known as Barrett’s esophagus.

According to the American Cancer Society, more than 18,000 people will be diagnosed with esophageal cancer in the U.S. in 2014 and almost 15,500 people will die from it. In Barrett’s esophagus, the lining of the esophagus changes for unknown reasons to resemble that of the intestine, though gastro-esophageal reflux disease or GERD is a risk factor for its development.

“The esophageal lining must renew regularly as cells slough off into the gastrointestinal tract,” said senior investigator Eric Lagasse, Pharm.D., Ph.D., associate professor of pathology, Pitt School of Medicine, and director of the Cancer Stem Cell Center at the McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine. “To do that, cells in the deeper layers of the esophagus divide about twice a week to produce daughter cells that become the specialized cells of the lining. Until now, we haven’t been able to determine whether all the cells in the deeper layers are the same or if there is a subpopulation of stem cells there.”

The research team grew pieces or “organoids” of esophageal tissue from mouse samples, and then conducted experiments to identify and track the different cells in the basal layer of the tissue. They found a small population of cells that divide more slowly, are more primitive, can generate specialized or differentiated cells, and have the ability to self-renew, which is a defining trait of stem cells.

“It was thought that there were no stem cells in the esophagus because all the cells were dividing rather than resting or quiescent, which is more typical of stem cells,” Dr. Lagasse noted. “Our findings reveal that there indeed are esophageal stem cells, and rather than being quiescent, they divide slowly compared to the rest of the deeper layer cells.”

In future work, the researchers will examine human esophageal tissues for evidence of stem cell dysfunction in Barrett’s esophagus disease.

“Some scientists have speculated that abnormalities of esophageal stem cells could be the origin of the tissue changes that occur in Barrett’s disease,” Dr. Lagasse said. “Our current and future studies could make it possible to test this long-standing hypothesis.”

The project’s co-investigators are Aaron DeWard, Ph.D., and Julie Cramer, Ph.D., both of Pitt’s Department of Pathology and the McGowan Institute.

The research was funded by grants from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, National Institutes of Health grant DK08571, the McGowan Institute and the University of Pittsburgh Department of Pathology Postdoctoral Research Training Program.

WALTHAM, Mass. – October 13, 2014 – The topic of genetics in relation to periodontal disease was a focus at the 2014 American Dental Association (ADA) Annual Meeting, according to Interleukin Genetics, Inc.

During a Saturday morning continuing education course titled, “Introduce Scientific Advances Into Your Clinical Practice,” Interleukin’s CEO Kenneth S. Kornman, DDS, PhD presented on the topic of genetic testing as part of risk stratification for preventive dental care.

Heightened interest in the subject results from the landmark research published in the Journal of Dental Research (June 2013). The University of Michigan Personalized Prevention Study provided important new insights into the prevention of periodontal disease and the significant opportunity to improve oral health through a personalized approach to preventive care that includes genetics. Last month, the study’s authors received the 2014 Clinical Research Award from the American Academy of Periodontology demonstrating the impact of this research on clinical dentistry.

During the ADA annual meeting Dr. Kornman was also presented with a 2014 DrBicuspid Dental Excellence Award, naming PerioPredict^® “Best New Hygienist Product.” The Dental Excellence Awards recognize the very best people, products and services that are helping to improve dental health.  The votes are cast by members of the DrBicuspid.com professional community and DrBicuspid.com readers, and honor the best of what dentistry has to offer.

“We’re truly honored that PerioPredict^® has been recognized with an award by the members of DrBicuspid.com. I am also pleased that the ADA has chosen to dedicate a CE session to the important topic of genetic testing, including the research that supports use of genetics as part of a personalized risk-based approach to preventive care” said Dr. Kornman. “The concept of personalized medicine is not new, but current tools, especially in genomics, now allow us to identify and stratify patients with greater precision. This research is opening new doors for the dental profession in terms of optimizing patient care and early identification and prevention of severe periodontitis in patients who are at increased risk.