PITTSTON, PA — Leaders in the dental community are uniting against the sixth-leading form of cancer with a potent combination: education and awareness.

During the 91st annual Greater New York Dental Meeting (GNYDM), the event’s organizers will host the first International Oral Cancer Symposium on Saturday, November 28, for all registered GNYDM attendees. Members of the dental community, including the Benco Family Foundation, are among the sponsors of the all-day event, entitled “The Science and Practice of Treating Head and Neck Cancer,” which will provide a comprehensive overview of the current surgical and medical management of oral and oropharyngeal cancer patients.

“The Benco Family Foundation feels the Oral Cancer Symposium is important to raise public awareness and educate our doctors to identify and diagnose the early signs of mouth cancer and then guide patients to proper treatment,” said Rebecca Binder, the foundation’s Executive Director.

Diagnostic criteria, rehabilitative medicine, and guidelines for oral cancer management will be discussed by leading experts in Otolaryngology, Pathology, Craniofacial Surgery, Oncology, and Maxillofacial Prosthetics. According to Ian M. Lerner, DDS, General Chairman of the GNYDM, “Despite recent advances in the diagnosis and treatment of oral cancer, it still remains the sixth-leading form of cancer. We hope this international symposium will help dental professionals connect the dots between the latest research and what they can be implementing in their day-to-day practice to reduce the morality rates of this deadly disease.” 

The symposium will:

·       Discuss the guidelines for oral cancer management and the role of community dentists and otolaryngologists in the management regimen

·       Explain the diagnostic criteria of potentially malignant and malignant oral lesions and understand how to apply the criteria to standard of care in community practice

·       Describe the rehabilitation concerns of oral cancer patients and understand the role of rehabilitative medicine

·       Discuss how community dentists and otolaryngologists can partner with cancer specialists in the overall care of oral cancer patients

The International Oral Cancer Symposium has assembled a roster of oral cancer experts from the fields of medicine and dentistry. Here is the list of presenters and their topics:

·       Sewanti Limaye, MD / “Personalized Medicine & Genonics and Head & Neck Cancer”

·       Alexander E. Pazoki, DDS, MD / “Changes in Trends & Management of Oral Cavity and Orapharyngeal Cancer

·       Jack L. Martin, BA, MD / “Clinical Application of Salivary Markers for the Early Detection of OSCC”

·       Salvatore M. Caruana, MD / “Head & Neck Surgical Oncology”

·       M. Abraham Kuriakose, MD, DDS  / “Implant Borne Dental Rehabilitation”

·       Candice Zemnick, DMD / “Prosthetic Reconstruction: Intraoral and Extraoral”

·       Billy Ballard, MD, DDS / “Debunking the Myth of Oral Lesions”

The International Oral Cancer Symposium will take place on Saturday, November 28 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:40 p.m. and provides 7 CEUs.  Cost to attend is $175.00, with lunch included. For full details and online registration, visit https://www.gnydm.com/uploads/files/2015-Program-Pages_22-Swk.pdf

Event sponsors include PeriRX, LLC and the Benco Family foundation, along with Columbia University College of Dental Medicine, New York-Presbyterian Hospital Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Meharry Medical College Department of Pathology, Hispanic Dental Association, and the National Dental Association.

“The Benco Family Foundation is dedicated to improving the dental health and quality of life in our local communities, and around the world," Binder said. "Partnering with the Oral Cancer Symposium experts will give doctors the resources they need to help eradicate this cancer.”

For more information regarding the Benco Family Foundation or to obtain a grant application, please contact Binder at 570-602-5888 or rbinder@benco.com.

MELVILLE, N.Y., Nov. 18, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Henry Schein, Inc. (NASDAQ: HSIC), the world's largest provider of health care products and services to office-based dental, animal health and medical practitioners, announced today that the Alpha Omega-Henry Schein Cares Holocaust Survivor Oral Health Program has received The Blue Card's Max L. Heine Humanitarian Award. The Blue Card is a national nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that provides direct financial assistance to needy Holocaust survivors living in the United States.

Stanley M. Bergman, Henry Schein's Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, joined Dr. Avi Wurman, Co-Chair of the Alpha Omega-Henry Schein Cares Holocaust Survivor Oral Health Program and Immediate Past International President, Alpha Omega International Dental Fraternity, to accept the award at The Blue Card's Annual Benefit Dinner, held November 16 at the New York Public Library.

Vice President Joe Biden issued a special video message congratulating the program for this honor, stating, "Most critically, we issued a call for innovative public-private partnerships to fill in the gaps where survivors have unmet needs, and that's where Henry Schein and Alpha Omega stepped up.  Together you brought the resources of a major company and the skills of more than 200 dentists to provide services in major urban areas across the United States.  This obviously makes a difference. It makes lives better in tangible ways…Thank you, thank you, thank you for allowing us to live up to our moral obligation."

The Alpha Omega-Henry Schein Cares Holocaust Survivor Oral Health Program was honored alongside Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel, who received The Richard C. Holbrooke Award for Social Justice; Sara Wolfensohn, Executive Director of the Wolfensohn Family Foundation, who received The Irene Hizme Tikkun Olam Award; and Rachel Rosenberg, 2014-2015 AmeriCorps VISTA Community Liaison, who received The Blue Card Young Leadership Award. The event also featured a presentation about the French community of Le Chambon-Sur-Lignon, which rescued Jewish children escaping Nazi persecution.

The Alpha Omega-Henry Schein Cares Holocaust Survivors Oral Health Program was launched last November in response to the White House's call to action to help Holocaust survivors age with dignity and respect. To date, the program has provided free oral care to more than 140 economically vulnerable Holocaust survivors in twelve cities across North America.

"We are humbled that the Alpha Omega-Henry Schein Cares Holocaust Survivor Oral Health Program has received this prestigious award, and we thank The Blue Card not just for this recognition, but for all they do to help this remarkable group of people," Mr. Bergman said. "This program could not exist without the passion and energy of all of our partners, and we are honored to have this opportunity to collaborate across sectors to provide the very best care to a population very much in need."

The three-year initiative provides care to people identified by the network of Jewish Family and Children's Service agencies or other identified partner organizations, as well as people of any faith who were victims of Nazi persecution and meet the program's other eligibility requirements. In addition to financial need, patient participation is prioritized by three critical factors: the elimination of pain, restoration of function, and lack of dental coverage.

"We are proud to stand with Henry Schein to accept this award, and hope that this program encourages others to see the incredible value in helping Holocaust survivors age with dignity and respect," Dr. Wurman said. "We thank The Blue Card for this award and our program partner, Henry Schein, for sharing Alpha Omega's commitment to expanding access to care for vulnerable and underserved populations."

This program fills a critical need for many of the 120,000 Holocaust survivors living in the U.S., one quarter of whom live in poverty. Survivors often have special oral health needs, as many suffered from prolonged nutritional deprivation and had little to no dental care access as children during World War II. Originally launched in nine cities—New York City, the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area, Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia, Detroit, Seattle, Montreal, and Toronto—the program has since expanded to Atlanta, Columbus, and Calgary.

The program has received generous financial support from The Claire Friedlander Family Foundation and the Curt C. & Else Silberman Foundation. Additional support has been provided by the Henry Schein Cares Foundation, Bedford Healthcare Solutions, The Dr. Edward B. Shils Entrepreneurial Fund, Inc., and the Wagner Family Foundation. In addition, Town & Country Dental Studios serves as the program's laboratory partner, donating dental laboratory services for designated cases.  

Please watch this video for more information about the Alpha Omega-Henry Schein Cares Holocaust Survivors Oral Health Program.

Copenhagen - The 3Shape production facility in Poland has had the hammers and paint brushes working overtime to make room for new employees and to meet production demands.

“We are very excited to provide the team in Poland with more space where they can continue to grow and build outstanding products for our customers,” says Mikael Toxværd Petersen, vice-president of supply chain, 3Shape.

The expanded production facility will now occupy 5000 m² of office space in Szczecin, Poland.

Over the past few months the staff in Poland has grown to more than 180 employees. The majority of growth in staff is in response to a steep rise in global demand for 3Shape products and services. Sales are being driven chiefly by the TRIOS 3 intraoral scanner and the 2015 line of laboratory scanners.

“The expansion in the production facility will allow us to keep growing our production and support for our global customers. The team in Poland has done a terrific job in developing the necessary production infrastructure and staffing up to meet the demand,” says 3Shape CEO, Flemming Thorup.

3Shape opened its production facility in Poland in 2009 and moved to its present location in 2012. Company headquarters are in Copenhagen, Denmark.

CHICAGO, Nov. 17, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The American College of Prosthodontists (ACP) recently honored Nancy Deal Chandler, RHIA, CAE, CFRE, Executive Director of the ACP and the ACP Education Foundation (ACPEF), with the "Nancy Deal Chandler Leadership Award" for the commitment, perseverance and leadership she has shown throughout the last 10 years advancing the dental specialty of prosthodontics and the ACP.

The ACP presented the inaugural "Nancy Deal Chandler Leadership Award" to Ms. Chandler on Oct. 24 during the ACP's 45th Annual Session in Orlando. The now Immediate Past President, Frank J. Tuminelli, DMD, FACP, (pictured), surprised Ms. Chandler by presenting the award to her before a crowd of 275 oral health professionals and leaders including her husband, Mr. Paul Pomplun, during the Annual Awards and President's Dinner.

"Deal's wisdom, knowledge and guidance have been instrumental in making the ACP prosper and grow at a fantastic rate and her continued guidance will make for a promising future. We simply would not be in such a position without her phenomenal leadership," said ACP President Carl F. Driscoll, DMD, FACP.

The ACP Executive Committee will select future "Nancy Deal Chandler Leadership Award" honorees who have made significant contributions to the specialty of prosthodontics and substantively advanced the mission of the ACP and/or ACPEF through achievement-oriented leadership and dedicated service. The award is limited to those who do not possess a DMD, DDS, or MD degree.

"Ms. Chandler's professionalism has been apparent since her first day as Executive Director, and I firmly believe that the ACP's success over the last decade can be attributed to her leadership," said ACP President-Elect Susan E. Brackett, DDS, MS, FACP.

The ACP has developed into a strong and resilient organization through the work of many dedicated volunteers and staff during Ms. Chandler's tenure as Executive Director. The ACP is financially healthy; ACP membership continues to grow in numbers and diversity; the Annual Session attendance is up year over year; and new initiatives such as the first digital dentistry symposium continue to roll out. Two major milestones achieved this year are the Commission on Dental Accreditation's (CODA's) approval of the Accreditation Standards for Advanced Education Programs in Prosthodontics, which include surgical implant placement at a competency level, and a $1.25 million grant from Henry Schein to the ACPEF for the development of a digital dentistry dental school curriculum. "All of this and more has been accomplished under the watchful and visionary eyes of Ms. Chandler as she works directly with the ACP Executive Committee and the ACP Board of Directors," Dr. Tuminelli said. "The future of the specialty has never been brighter."

"Ms. Chandler has been an exceptional leader and demonstrates professionalism regardless of the challenges encountered. Ultimately, she truly believes in who we are in the ACP, and in our commitment as Prosthodontists in providing care for our patients," said Lily T. Garcia, DDS, MS, FACP.

Ms. Chandler joined the ACP in December 2005 after serving as the Director of the Division of Medical Journals and Professional Periodicals at the American Academy of Pediatrics. She earned a bachelor's degree from the College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA, studied as an undergraduate at the University of St. Andrews, Scotland, and received a master's degree from the University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA. She earned a postgraduate degree in Medical Record Administration from Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta. Ms. Chandler is a registered health information administrator (RHIA), a certified association executive (CAE) and a certified fundraising executive (CFRE).

"Deal Chandler embodies the ideal attributes of an effective Executive Director. Over the past decade, she has contributed tirelessly to the development and implementation of our strategic plans and cheered for every one of our lofty and important ambitions. Because of her effective management of the central office and strong commitment to our volunteer leadership, the specialty of Prosthodontics has built a remarkable home, namely the American College of Prosthodontists," said Lyndon F. Cooper, DDS, PhD, FACP.

"I am so honored to receive this new ACP legacy award. I share it with the many wonderful and amazing ACP leaders and staff with whom I have worked, and with my loving parents, Nancy Outland Chandler and the late Webster Monroe Chandler Jr, for showing me the way," said Ms. Chandler. 

ORLANDO – November 17, 2015 – Wayne A. Aldredge, DMD, a periodontist from Holmdel, New Jersey, has been installed as the American Academy of Periodontology’s (AAP’s) President during its 101^st Annual Meeting, held Nov. 14-17, 2015, in Orlando. Other newly installed AAP leaders include President-elect Terrence J. Griffin, DMD, of Boston; Vice President Steven R. Daniel, DDS, of Murfreesboro, TN, and Secretary/Treasurer Richard T. Kao, DDS, PhD, of Cupertino, CA. Joan Otomo-Corgel, DDS, MPH, of Los Angeles, will serve as the Academy’s Immediate Past President.

Dual discoveries at USC propose a promising method to regrow nonliving hard tissue, lessening or even eliminating pain associated with tooth decay, which the National Institutes of Health calls the most prevalent chronic disease.

Janet Moradian-Oldak, a dentistry professor at the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC, has investigated methods to regrow tooth enamel for the past two decades. The process is especially tricky because unlike bone, mature enamel cannot rejuvenate. Tooth enamel is a nonliving tissue.

The a-ha moment came Oct. 22 when, in collaboration with lead author Sauma Prajapati of USC and other colleagues, she published a study in the Biomaterials journal saying matrix metalloproteinase-20, an enzyme found only in teeth, chops up amelogenin proteins, which facilitate organized enamel crystal formation. MMP-20 clears the way for hard material to usurp vacated space.

Her team is the first to define the function of an enzyme for preventing protein occlusion inside a crystal, she said.

“MMP-20 is released at a very early stage of enamel formation,” said Moradian-Oldak, the study’s senior author. “MMP-20 chops up proteins during the crystallization of enamel. Together with other enzymes, it gets rid of ‘sludge’ so the enamel making cells in the body can add more mineral and make enamel, the hardest bioceramic in the human body.”

Moradian-Oldak will marry the MMP-20 discovery with another study published Nov. 2 in the Journal of Biomedical Engineering and Informatics, which concluded an amelogenin-chitosan hydrogel could repair early tooth decay by growing an enamel-like layer that reduces lesions by up to 70%.

“Recognizing MMP-20’s function in biomineralization is one of the first steps to learning how dental enamel forms in nature,” said Qichao Ruan, lead author of the hydrogel study and a postdoctoral research associate in the Center for Craniofacial Molecular Biology at USC. “The findings regarding MMP-20 not only help us to further understand the mechanisms of enamel formation but also can be applied in the design of novel biomaterials for future clinical applications in dental restoration or repair.”

The Food and Drug Administration has not yet approved any type of enamel regrowing gel. USC is in pre-clinical trials. Moradian-Oldak said one day people may be able to use an overnight mouth guard or teeth strips saturated with hydrogel to regrow enamel-like substances and reduce teeth sensitivity.

Products such as toothpaste and mouthwash containing fluoride and casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate promote remineralization of initial enamel lesions; however, they need to be used regularly and are more of a tire patch than a real solution, Moradian-Oldak said. It plugs up the problem so people don’t feel pain. The gel, however, fills the cracks and holes with an enamel-like substance.

In the United States, 92% of adults aged 20 to 64 have had dental decay in their permanent teeth, Moradian-Oldak said. Grinding teeth at night, gum recession and the disappearance of enamel over a lifetime due to demineralizing acidic food and drink are all common problems people everywhere face.

When tested in an environment that mimics an oral cavity’s biochemical processes, the gel created a robust attachment, eliminating the threat of secondary cavities in the same spot, Ruan said. The gel could be more effective than traditional crowns, whose adhesion weakens over time, he added.

“Besides biocompatibility and biodegradability, the gel has unique antimicrobial and adhesion properties that are important for dental applications,” Ruan said.

USC researchers tested their theory using wild type mice and MMP-20 null mice. The MMP-20 null mice had inconsistent enamel hydroxyapatite crystals that were shorter, wider and thinner than those found in the wild type mice.

Some 31% of the enamel nanocrystals area isolated from MMP-20 mice were imperfect, whereas only 10% of the area was imperfect in crystals from wild type mice.

In preparation for a possible human study, USC researchers used human molars without any lesions. They sliced teeth into three or four blocks, created artificial tooth decay, then cycled the samples in artificial saliva with pH 4.6, 7.0 and 6.5.

Normal salivary pH is between 6 to 7 but could quickly fluctuate between 5.3 to 7.8 based on food and beverage intake.

A sample of supersaturated calcium and phosphate ions in a remineralization solution produced an enamel-like substance; however, it created a disorganized structure with irregular crystals. In contrast, the hydrogel grew oriented crystals, reducing the depth of the lesions by 50% to 70% after seven days of hydrogel application. It is a big improvement over other methods, Ruan said.

“In one study, it was reported that only about 24% of tooth decay was recovered after 12 days of pH cycling with sodium fluoride treatment,” he said.

The next step is to alter the gel recipe using MMP-20 to create a stronger enamel-like seal, Moradian-Oldak said.

“We create a protective cover on enamel,” she said. “We restore the structure of enamel, and it will prevent decay from progressing.”

The studies were funded by grants from the National Institutes of Health’s National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (DE-13414 and DE-020099) and USC Coulter Translational Research Partnership Program via the Wallace Coulter Foundation (WCF/GRZYWACZ/2011).

Source: University of Southern California

ATLANTA—For the past three years, it has been Carestream Dental’s pleasure to sponsor the Dr. D. Walter Cohen Teaching Award, which is presented by the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) Foundation. This year, the prestiguous scholarship is awarded to Yau-Hua Yu, D.D.S.

“The 2015 recipient of the award, Dr. Yu, has already shown that she will contribute great things to our specialty,” Vanchit John, D.D.S., M.S.D., president, AAP Foundation, said. “We are proud of the fact that Carestream Dental and the AAP Foundation are able to support gifted individuals like Dr. Yu in such a meaningful way.”

Yu earned her Doctorate of Dental Surgery from National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan. She completed her clinical training in Taiwan and also served for five years as a dental school faculty member while overseas.

In May 2015, Yu graduated from Harvard University School of Dental Medicine’s periodontology program. She also received a certificate in dental informatics and a Doctorate of Medical Science in oral biology. Yu’s research focuses on epidemiological studies and bioinformatics. With this background, Yu used advanced imaging tools, genomics and gene-expression, while managing large datasets, to make contributions to the field of oncology and various other conditions during her time at Harvard.

Yu currently teaches at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. She also spends a portion of her time as a research staff member in the preventative medicine division at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Mass. In fact, Yu recently collaborated on a significant publication on periodontitis interactions with cardiovascular disease.

“The best educators are also the best researchers; in more ways than one, they shape the future of periodontology, whether through their students or their research findings,” Ed Shellard, D.M.D., vice president, sales and marketing, Carestream Dental, said. “Carestream Dental is honored to support this teaching award and the professionals who are working so hard to make advances in the field of oral health.”

Yu was recognized at the Annual Meeting of the AAP in Orlando, Fla., during the Signature Recognition Event, Nov. 15, 2015.

The AAP Foundation award is named in honor of Dr. D. Walter Cohen for his contributions to the study and practice of periodontology. Cohen established the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Dental Medicine’s first department of periodontics, serving as its first chairman, and later advancing to the roles of professor of periodontics; associate dean and then dean of academic affairs; and eventually president of the Medical College of Pennsylvania—all during his 35-year career at the university. Carestream Dental has sponsored the award since 2012. 

The teaching award assists beginning periodontal educators in launching their career with a one-time payment of $10,000 in the fourth quarter of the year.

Award candidates must be in their third year of a nonmilitary accredited periodontal post-doctoral training program in the United States, and intend to pursue a career in full-time periodontal teaching and research in the United States.

For more information about the AAP Foundation, please visit www.periofoundation.org. For more information about Carestream Dental and any of its innovative solutions, call 800.944.6365 or visit www.carestreamdental.com.

The President has proclaimed Nov. 16-22 “Get Smart About Antibiotics Week.”    Get Smart Week builds on the momentum generated at the White House Forum on Antibiotic Stewardship, where more than 150 organizations pledged to improve antibiotic use and slow the spread of antibiotic resistance.

Antibiotic resistance – the rise of deadly germs no longer stopped by the drugs that once controlled them – threatens to take us back to the days when minor infections commonly killed.

CDC estimates that each year two million Americans get an infection with an antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Every year 23,000 of those patients die. CDC has made combating antibiotic resistance a top priority and is partnering with public institutions and private industry to overcome this challenge. It is critical to use these life-saving drugs when truly necessary, such as when treating patients with sepsis, while also using the right drug at the right dose and duration to  protect the effectiveness of antibiotics.

“Antibiotic resistance is one of the deadliest health threats facing the world,” said CDC Director Tom Frieden, M.D., M.P.H. “These pledges will help protect the antibiotics we have so we can use these miracle drugs to save lives for years to come.”

State health departments, non-profit partners, industry partners, healthcare workers, and parents all have an important role in the fight against antibiotic resistance.

Get Smart Week resources, commitments

• Ascension Health launches stewardship initiative: Ascension is creating stewardship programs throughout its care sites. A new Center of Excellence will focus on antimicrobial stewardship efforts system-wide.

• Hospital Corporation of America (HCA): HCA joined with CDC to track antibiotic prescriptions in HCA facilities by automatically collecting and reporting monthly antibiotic-use data using CDC’s National Healthcare Safety Network. Data can be analyzed and fed back to caregivers to guide patient-care decisions.

• Premier commits to reducing antibiotic resistance:  First launch of a collaborative of more than 50 hospitals working to  implement CDC Core Elements of an Antibiotic Stewardship Programs as well as reducing the overuse of specific antimicrobials that were identified in research conducted by Premier and in collaboration with the CDC. 

• Walmart public service announcement (PSA) on appropriate antibiotic use: Walmart created educational videos for checkout lines across the country so that customers get clear information on antibiotic resistance and what they can do to improve antibiotic use.

• Major airlines run in-flight PSA: State health departments such as the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services have led the way in partnering to improve educational awareness about antibiotic stewardship. An in-flight PSA about antibiotic stewardship, produced by the Michigan Antibiotic Resistance Reduction (MARR) Coalition, is now featured on Jet Blue and other airlines.

• The Pew Charitable Trust briefing on Capitol Hill featuring supermoms: A Pew coalition of “Supermoms against Superbugs” will join the Pew Charitable Trust and CDC Director Dr. Frieden at a Capitol Hill Briefing on November 18, 2015. Pew is also partnering with CDC to establish national targets to improve the use of antibiotics in support of the goals outlined in the National Action Plan on Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria.

• Consumer Reports: CDC is partnering with Consumer Reports and the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Foundation in support of theChoosing Wisely campaign.

• U.S. State Department toolkit: The State Department is piloting a toolkit for use by 10 U.S. embassies with a focus on improving antibiotic use.

• Society of Hospital Medicine’s Educational Campaign for Hospitalists (SHM): SHM’s antibiotic stewardship campaign targets hospitalists –a pivotal group of doctors who care for hospitalized patients – an important group for improving antibiotic use.

• Global Twitter Chat: Hosted by the European Union’s Antibiotic Awareness Day (November 18, 2015), the 24-hour chat will use the hashtag #AntibioticResistance and unite CDC experts and partners in a global conversation about antibiotic resistance. CDC experts will lead the conversation from 2-4 p.m. ET. 

• The latest U.S. antibiotic prescribing rate map: While overuse of antibiotics is happening in every state across the country, community antibiotic prescribing rates in some states are two times greater than in other states, suggesting opportunities for improvement.

• U.S. hospital stewardship programs map: The percentage of hospitals reported by states as having antibiotic stewardship programs following all 7 ofCDC Core Elements of Antibiotic Stewardship Programs varies from state to state from a low of 7 percent to a high of 58 percent. The national goal is for 100 percent of all U.S. hospitals to have antibiotic stewardship programs by 2020.

CDC Efforts

CDC is working to track antibiotic use and the spread of antibiotic-resistant infections in the U.S.  We are also exploring new ways to stop the rise of antibiotic resistance. The agency encourages clinicians to improve prescribing habits and patients to ask their providers if antibiotics are truly needed for their care. CDC data are used to identify hotspots in need of attention, and the CDC-run isolate bank assists industry partners working to develop new antibiotics and rapid diagnostic tests, contributing to the global effort to combat antibiotic resistance.

“All of us can take action. The way we use antibiotics today impacts how useful they will be tomorrow.  We all have a responsibility to be vigilant: consumers, parents, healthcare providers, hospitals, governments. We are especially pleased that many organizations and companies are joining the ranks to promote public awareness,” says Lauri Hicks, D.O., director of CDC’s Office of Antibiotic Stewardship.

Everyone can take action to improve antibiotic prescribing and antibiotic use:

• Clinicians can improve prescribing practices. CDC estimates that more than half of the antibiotics given for upper respiratory infections and nearly a third of antibiotics used in hospitals are prescribed inappropriately. Antibiotics can only treat illnesses caused by bacteria. They don’t treat viral illnesses like the common cold, the flu, most sore throats, bronchitis and many sinus and ear infections.

• Patients can get smart about antibiotics. Learn the 6 smart facts about antibiotic use. CDC recommends that antibiotics be taken as prescribed. They should not be shared or saved for the next illness, and doses should not be skipped or stopped unless instructed by a clinician. Rather than pressuring your healthcare provider to prescribe antibiotics, ask what steps you can take to feel better.

• Prevent infections by practicing good hand hygiene. CDC recommends washing your hands under running water with soap for 15 seconds, or rubbing them with an alcohol-based hand rub and letting them dry thoroughly.

• Protect yourself. Get vaccinated against the flu and other vaccine-preventable infections to avoid complications or the need for antibiotics in the first place.

North Haven, CT — Jensen Dental’s website, jensendental.com, has a brand-new face and exciting new features redesigned to engage, inspire, and educate visitors. An updated layout with new graphics, fresh content, and intuitive navigational tools provide quick access to more resources than ever before.

The new website consolidates jensendental.com and precisodental.com into one cohesive site with consistent branding and messaging throughout. The clean and simple layout is responsive across all mobile devices and includes multimedia components and social media links.

A comprehensive "Resources" section was added as a digital library where users can download product guides, articles, whitepapers, and FAQs, watch videos, and more! In just one click, visitors can access Jensen’s customer-only education portal, make a payment, view today’s metal market, see what’s new, visit Jensen’s social sites, perform a search, and directly link to upcoming education events, customer testimonials, and technical resources.

“Our goal was to transform our website into an interactive, digital platform to increase engagement with our users and provide a seamless user experience. The site was redesigned through the customer lens. Everything on the site is searchable, and it’s easy to backtrack when you’ve gone a step too far. Most importantly, everything on the site is there to provide value to visitors quickly and easily,” says Don Cornell, Vice President of Jensen Dental.

Secondary pages will also have a new look and structure. Using the menu bar, visitors can select from 10 different product categories where they can then read product information, download additional resources, view photos, and watch videos. Within the "Education" section, visitors can watch videos and recorded webinars, and register for upcoming webinars, roadshows, and virtual study clubs to earn CDT credits.

More new features can be found within the "Company," "News," "Resources," and "Contact" sections, which are all accessible from the top menu bar. In coming months, additional enhancements will be introduced as Jensen continues to engage more and more with its customers in the digital space. For more information, visit jensendental.com, follow Jensen on Facebook and Twitter, or email marketing@jensendental.com.