Over half of all patients who visited their general physician (GP) with a dental problem in the last 10 years were not offered a long-term treatment for their pain and were instead prescribed antibiotics, often unnecessarily, new research has found.

In a 10-year retrospective study published in the British Journal of General Practice, a team of experts from Cardiff University and Cardiff and Vale University Health Board examined dental consultations in UK general practice and the resultant number of antibiotics prescriptions.

The study found many patients are visiting their GPs rather than their dentists, and that over half of these consultations resulted in antibiotic prescribing, which is likely to be unhelpful, and potentially harmful.

"Most dental problems cannot be comprehensively managed by a GP. This places an additional burden on already busy GPs when patients should be visiting a dentist," said Dr Anwen Cope, a qualified dentist and speciality trainee in Dental Public Health at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, who completed the research alongside colleagues from the Schools of Dentistry and Medicine at Cardiff University.

"The best treatment for severe toothache remains an operative intervention like an extraction or root canal treatment. These treatments can only be undertaken by a dentist. Therefore, we would always encourage patients to see a dentist, rather than a GP, when experiencing dental problems."

The most alarming finding was the number of unnecessary prescriptions of antibiotics over the last 10 years.

The study found over half of patients in the study who consulted their GP with a dental problem were prescribed an antibiotic. This raises serious concerns about the UK's long-term dental health and the potential contribution to antibiotic resistance.

Antibiotic drug resistance, which occurs when bacterial infections no longer respond to antibiotics, is a serious problem, and the use of antibiotics is the single most important factor leading to resistance.

Dr Cope added, "The widespread use of antibiotics in the management of tooth-related complaints in general practice is concerning. Despite antibiotics not providing a definitive treatment for dental problems we found over half of consultations for dental problems resulted in prescription of an antibiotic. This presents a number of problems. It means patients are not getting a long-term resolution for their dental problem, and they may even remain in pain for longer. Prescribing antibiotics also carries a risk of adverse reaction and is likely to increase the number of medical consultations for dental conditions further down the line. More worryingly is the potential impact on the rates of antibacterial resistance. Antibiotics save lives, and therefore it's important we use them carefully and only when they are really required. Improving antibiotic prescribing for dental problems is an important step in ensuring antibiotics will still be available in the years to come."

This research did not identify the reasons why patients were consulting with a GP rather than a dentist, and it may be that GPs are sometimes treating patients who report being unable to get a timely appointment with a dentist.

Nevertheless, the team hope the study will promote more appropriate consulting for dental problems, and a reduction in antibiotic prescribing by GPs for patients with dental problems.

Dr Cope added, "The messages from our study are simple: GPs should avoid routinely prescribing antibiotics when patients present with dental problems, and more work is needed to identify how patients experiencing dental problems can be best directed to emergency dental services. Understanding the drivers of antibiotic prescribing for oral health problems will help inform educational interventions for GPs to ensure that patients receive the most appropriate care for their dental conditions."

Source: EurekAlerts. https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2016-03/cu-og033016.php.

Disclaimer: Aegis Publications and Compendium of Continuing Education in Dentistry are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to dentalaegis.com.

GC America Inc. held Continuing Education courses this month featuring Al Hodges, CDT, and Eugene Royzengurt, both members of the Dental Technicians Guild.

The events took place at GC America Inc.'s Education Center in Alsip, Illinois.

For information on GC's upcoming courses, visit https://www.gcamerica.com/lab/education/training_center.php.

Milford, DE, April 28, 2016.DENTSPLY Sirona introduces the new Calibra^® family of definitive cements. Whatever your cementation needs, you can now count on easy cleanup, simple selection, and successful results.

Cement cleanup is no simple task. Improper cleanup of excess cement can increase the chances of crown failure.¹ Thorough cleanup is essential, as 21% of crown failures are due to secondary caries, due in part, to excess resin cement.² It’s no wonder 97% of dentists say cleaning up excess cement is important to ensure health of the gingiva.³

That's why the Calibra^® family of cements has simplified cleanup of excess cement. Benefit from the speed of tack curing without the stress of over-curing with a tack cure initiation phase of up to 10 seconds. And an extended 45-second gel phase window⁴ means you have all the time you need to thoroughly remove excess cement without rushing.

Cement cleanup isn’t the only issue dentists have to tackle. Choosing the right cement for your procedure has never been simple… until now. The Calibra^® family of definitive cements has made it easier than ever to choose the perfect cement for every restorative procedure:

·       Calibra Universal cement is the easy, universal choice, perfect for nearly any indication⁵ with no separate bonding agent

·       Calibra Ceram, the maximum strength adhesive cement with immediate and long-term bonding for all-ceramics and CAD/CAM restorations

·       Calibra Veneer⁶, offering 12 years of clinical performance and virtually unlimited cleanup time

For easy cleanup and simple selection, count on the Calibra^® family of definitive cements. Visit www.calibracement.comto learn more or request a free sample.

¹ Mitchell CA, Pintado MR, Geary L, Douglas WH Retention of adhesive cement on the tooth surface after crown cementation. J Prosthet Dent 1999; 81: 668-677. 


² The Key Group, Inc.: 2015 Dental Omnibus: Quarter 1 Voice of Customer Reports. 


³Morphology and Bacterial Colonisation of Tooth/Ceramic Restoration Interface and Different Excess Removal Techniques, Journal of Dentistry 40 (2012) 742-749 


⁴ 10-second tack cure equals five-seconds wave cure per surface (buccal, lingual). For excess cement cleanup, monowave output LED lights with a single peak output around 470nm. High power, dual or broad spectrum lights may cause premature hardening of excess cement. Check curing light effect on mixed cement in the laboratory prior clinical use. Light curing mixed cement after one minute, or continuously for more than 10 seconds, at any time, will cause cement to adhesively set.

⁵ Cementation of ceramic, porcelain and composite inlays/onlays and crowns; all metal crowns, bridges, inlays/onlays including precious, semi-precious and non-precious metals; PFM (porcelain fused to metal) crowns and bridges; prefabricated and cast posts.

⁶Calibra Veneer cement has virtually unlimited cleanup time.

Align Technology and 3Shape Announce New Workflow Integration Including Trios Scanner Interoperability with the Invisalign Case Submission Process COPENHAGEN, DENMARK and SAN JOSE, CA -- Align Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ: ALGN) and 3Shape announced that 3Shape’s TRIOS® Standard, TRIOS Color and TRIOS 3 scanners will be able to be used for Invisalign® case submissions upon completion of the final validation process expected in Q4 this year. This will enable Invisalign providers with a 3Shape TRIOS intraoral scanner and TRIOS software upgrade 1.3.4.5, or higher, to submit a full arch digital impression in place of a traditional PVS impression as part of the Invisalign case submission process. The Companies also announced a collaborative agreement to enhance the existing STL export workflow with iTero® scanners and laboratory partners using 3Shape Dental System™ Software which will enable improved consistency for customers using the workflow.   Align Technology supports an open systems approach to digital impressions and continues to work with intraoral scanning companies interested in developing interoperability for use with Invisalign treatment. 3Shape TRIOS customers who are interested in becoming an Invisalign trained provider can find further information on training courses at https://provider.invisalign.com for North America and www.invisalign.eu for International regions. "We are excited to expand our collaboration with 3Shape to provide both Invisalign and iTero customers with improved digital treatment workflows," said Raphael Pascaud, Align Technology Chief Marketing, Portfolio, and Business Development Officer.     “We are very excited about the cooperation with Align Technology. Both companies seek to provide the best treatment opportunities for patients,” says Allan Junge Hyldal, Vice President, 3Shape Orthodontics. “By working together to make Invisalign treatment available for TRIOS users, we take a collective step forward in expanding treatment choices for patients and doctors.” 3Shape TRIOS customers can find further information at www.3shape.com/Invisalign or may contact their sales representative or local distributor for more information about 3Shape TRIOS connectivity for Invisalign case submission which is expected to be available in Q4.

VALHALLA, NY, April 19, 2016 -- New York State's first new dental school in nearly 50 years is set to open this fall, Alan Kadish, MD, president of Touro College and University System (TCUS) announced today. Touro, one of the leading educators of health care professionals in New York State, received final state approval and will establish the Touro College of Dental Medicine at its New York Medical College (NYMC) campus in Valhalla, New York.

Touro College of Dental Medicine at New York Medical College joins the Touro School of Health Sciences, Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine (with campuses in Harlem and Middletown, NY), Touro College of Pharmacy, and New York Medical College in New York State. These institutions collectively graduate more than 2,000 health care professionals every year.

"As New York State's first new dental school in nearly half a century and the only dental school in the Hudson Valley, the Touro College of Dental Medicine at NYMC will fill a void in dental education and improve access to oral health care, particularly in underserved rural and urban communities throughout the region," said Dr. Kadish. "The school will address the existing shortage of training options for dentists in New York State and create a pipeline for the next generation of dental professionals, while also seeing to the immediate needs of the community through its dental clinic. We look forward to welcoming our first class and the clinic's first patients thereafter, and to further strengthening the regional health care system for generations to come."

The school is intended to improve the oral health care delivery network in New York State, where the population has grown by 4.5 million people since 1968 when the last school of dentistry opened.

"With dental care as the foothold of good overall health care, it is important that this area of professional health care education continues to grow," continued Dr. Kadish. "Fortunately, the dental school's location on the New York Medical College campus will create invaluable opportunities for inter-disciplinary training."

With the goal of bolstering dental education and improving access to oral health care throughout New York's Hudson Valley region and beyond, the Touro College of Dental Medicine at NYMC will include a four-year pre-doctoral program for students, a continuing education program for practicing dentists, and a 132-chair community dental clinic focused on providing patients in underserved communities in the Hudson Valley and the Bronx with affordable and quality treatment.

In the school's inaugural year, set to begin in the fall of 2016, anticipated enrollment is 110 students. When at full capacity, the school will include approximately 440 students and offer basic science coursework taught by the medical school faculty as well as state-of- the-art digital dental clinical capabilities.

The Touro College of Dental Medicine at NYMC will also conduct a range of research efforts including: research focused on reducing the cost of effective care; population outcomes-based research concentrated on interventions; and translational research that harnesses scientific discoveries to produce new devices and treatment options for patients.

"The dental school's location within the NYMC campus gives the school and its students a competitive edge," said Edward C. Halperin, MD, MA, NYMC chancellor and CEO and Touro College and University System provost for Biomedical Affairs. "Students of the Touro College of Dental Medicine at NYMC will reap both the benefits of a new school, including state-of-the-art facilities and leading educational innovations, and those of an established institution, including NYMC's expert faculty, long-standing and celebrated research program, and strong network of affiliated hospitals."

Touro has appointed Jay P. Goldsmith, DMD, as the founding dean of the dental school. Dr. Goldsmith was formerly a professor, program director, and deputy chief in NYMC's Department of Dental Medicine. In addition to his experience in the academic world, Dr. Goldsmith is a leading dentist, oral and maxillofacial surgeon with more than 50 years of experience, a fellow of the American College of Dentists, and founding fellow of the American College of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons as well as past president of the New York Academy of Dentistry.

"Students of the Touro College of Dental Medicine at NYMC will enjoy the advantages of this extensive medical education network and enhanced inter-professional connections as they benefit from world-class faculty and facilities, as well as being part of an historic initiative in dental education," said Dr. Goldsmith, dean of Touro College of Dental Medicine at NYMC

Edward F. Farkas, DDS, has been named senior associate dean for clinical affairs and chairman of dentistry. Dr. Farkas, a 1985 graduate of NYU, has been practicing general dentistry in New York City for over 30 years, and has been involved with the founding of the dental school from the outset.

"The mission of the TCDM at NYMC is to graduate outstanding dental professionals who will utilize a complex knowledge base and sophisticated perceptual skills and deliver excellent health care service to their diverse communities with integrity, compassion, and empathy. The school is dedicated to conducting important educational and clinical research, while providing excellent dental health services to the public," said Farkas.

Ronnie Myers, DDS, has been named senior associate dean for academic and administrative affairs. Previously he served as vice dean for administration at Columbia University College of Dental Medicine. Salomon Amar, DDS, PhD, has been named provost for biomedical research at TCUS, professor of molecular biology at NYMC, and professor of dentistry at TCDM.

"As one who has been involved in dental education for thirty-four years, I was moved by Touro's charge to merge education with a compassionate approach to patient care and to view health care delivery as a responsibility. I envision the development of an educational program that will arm our diverse student body with the tools necessary to provide primary care to those most at risk. To that end, developing a program from the ground up is an opportunity of a life time," said Dr. Myers.

In addition to NYMC and the new dental school, Touro's medical programs include three schools of osteopathic medicine with campuses in Harlem and Middletown, New York; Vallejo, California; and Henderson, Nevada, a school of pharmacy in New York, New York, and a school of health sciences with campuses in New York and Bay Shore, New York.

The Touro College and University System

Touro is a system of non-profit institutions of higher and professional education. Touro College was chartered in 1970 primarily to enrich the Jewish heritage, and to serve the larger American and global community. Approximately 18,000 students are currently enrolled in its various schools and divisions. Touro College has 29 branch campuses, locations and instructional sites in the New York area, as well as branch campuses and programs in Berlin, Jerusalem and Moscow. New York Medical College; Touro University California and its Nevada branch campus; Touro University Worldwide and its Touro College Los Angeles division; as well as Hebrew Theological College in Skokie, Ill. are separately accredited institutions within the Touro College and University System. For further information on Touro College, please go to: https://www.touro.edu/news/.

New York Medical College

Founded in 1860, New York Medical College (NYMC) is one of the oldest and largest health sciences colleges in the country with more than 1,400 students, 1,300 residents and clinical fellows, nearly 3,000 faculty members, and 16,000 living alumni. The College, which joined the Touro College and University System in 2011, is located in Westchester County, New York, and offers advanced degrees from the School of Medicine, the Graduate School of Basic Medical Sciences, and the School of Health Sciences and Practice. The College manages more than $32.6 million in research and other sponsored programs, notably in the areas of cancer, cardiovascular disease, infectious diseases, kidney disease, the neurosciences, disaster medicine, and vaccine development. With a network of affiliated hospitals that includes large urban medical centers, small suburban clinics and high-tech regional tertiary care facilities, NYMC provides a wide variety of clinical training opportunities throughout the tristate region for medical students, residents, and other health providers. For more information, visit www.nymc.edu.

CHICAGO, April 14, 2016 -- Digital dentistry technology is revolutionizing dentistry, and prosthodontists are poised to lead the way. It is estimated that there are 4,000 prosthodontists in the United States today. The American College of Prosthodontists (ACP) believes digital solutions can significantly improve workflow efficiencies and enhance patient experience, as seen in this NBC News Chicago segment featuring ACP President Carl F. Driscoll, DMD, FACP.

With advancements in digital dentistry, getting teeth replaced is even quicker and easier than ever. If a patient chips a tooth before breakfast, they can have a new one before lunch! They'll be able to eat a salad at lunch and even a steak by dinner.

"Patients are starting to see how digital dentistry is revolutionizing dental care by giving dentists the technology to make dental treatment faster and more precise," said Dr. Driscoll. He and Radi M. Masri, DDS, MS, PhD, FACP, are co-editors of a recent textbook on the topic and co-authors of a CE article on the topic for Inside Dentistry's Jan 2016 issue.

The ACP is poised to introduce even more dentists to digital dentistry technology since the ACP Education Foundation in 2015 received a $1.25 million commitment from Henry Schein, Inc., to fund the development of a digital dentistry curriculum at dental schools. Pilot programs are expected to launch in several dental schools in 2017.

"The new digital dentistry curriculum will give dental students the opportunity to learn the latest techniques in computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) technology to provide patients with the best care," Dr. Driscoll said.

"Digital dentistry advances continue to transform dentistry and while it may seem new to patients, prosthodontists have been using it for years. Our ultimate shared goal is to improve our patients' oral health outcomes," said Dr. David Guichet, Board of Director Member for Continuing Education for the American College of Prosthodontists.

CAD/CAM technology is revolutionizing dentistry as we know it. Prosthodontists who have incorporated digital solutions into their practices have found significantly improved workflow efficiency and ease of collaboration with laboratories. Patients treated with digital solutions benefit from the combination of efficient processes, accurate high-strength materials and beautiful esthetics.

Prosthodontists are specialized dentists with advanced training in oral health issues, who are committed to improving patient outcomes. From implants, crowns, veneers and tooth whitening, to full-mouth reconstruction, Prosthodontists specialize in digital dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, and sleep apnea solutions.

The ACP is the only prosthodontic specialty organization whose membership is based solely on education credentials. ACP members must be in or have completed an ADA-accredited advanced education program in Prosthodontics.

About the ACP

The American College of Prosthodontists (ACP) is the official sponsoring organization for the specialty of Prosthodontics, which is one of only nine recognized specialties of the American Dental Association. Founded in 1970, ACP is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to enhancing patient care, advancing the art and science of Prosthodontics, promoting the specialty of Prosthodontics to the public and other dentists and healthcare professionals, ensuring the quality of prosthodontic education and providing professional services to its membership. For more information, professionals may visit Prosthodontics.org, and consumers can learn more at GoToAPro.org.

 STONY BROOK, NY, April 26, 2016 – When human cells are exposed to titanium dioxide without the presence of UV light from the sun, the risk for bacterial infection more than doubles. This finding by a Stony Brook University-led research team, published early online in the Journal of Nanobiotechnology, raises concerns about exposure to titanium dioxide, a nanoparticle commonly used in millions of products worldwide ranging from cosmetics to toothpaste, gum, food coloring, and medicines.

Because some four million tons of titanium dioxide particles are produced worldwide, human exposure to them is almost certain during a lifetime. In combination with UV light, the nanoparticles exhibit prophylactic activity against bacteria and therefore are studied for anti-bacterial applications. Yet, in the paper titled “Exposure to TiO2 nanopartices increases Staphylococcus aureus infection of HeLa cells,” the researchers showed that in the absence of these powerful rays, bacteria thrive.

“We discovered an almost ‘perfect storm’ generated by titanium dioxide nanoparticles against the immune system when they are not impacted by UV light,” said Miriam Rafailovich, PhD, Distinguished Professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) within the College of Engineering & Applied Sciences at Stony Brook University and a co-author on the paper. “This should raise a red flag regarding exposure risks related to products that include titanium dioxide in the absence of UV light.”

The researchers, headed by Dr. Tatsiana Mironava of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, exposed some HeLa cells, a human cell line used in research, to titanium dioxide. Together with Yan Xu of MSE and Dr. Stephen Walker, a microbiologist in the Stony Brook School of Dental Medicine, they then exposed the cells to Staphylococcus aureus, a pathogen that causes a diverse range of human infections worldwide. They found that the titanium dioxide-exposed cells had 250 percent to 350 percent more bacteria per cell than HeLa cells not exposed to the nanoparticles. Additionally, bacterial-killing macrophages exposed to titanium dioxide ingested 40 percent fewer bacteria compared to other cells, further increasing the risk of infection.

The authors concluded that these factors, in combination, ”raise serious concerns regarding the impact of exposure to titanium dioxide nanoparticles on the ability of organisms to resist bacterial infection.”

Co-investigators for the research include: Stony Brook University faculty from MSE, and the Departments of Physiology & Biophysics, and Oral Biology & Pathology; faculty from Lehigh University, University of California, Los Angeles, undergraduate interns from Stern College for Women; and high school students from the Garcia Research Program at Stony Brook University.

The research was supported, in part, by the National Science Foundation.

About Stony Brook University

Part of the State University of New York system, Stony Brook University encompasses 200 buildings on 1,450 acres. Since welcoming its first incoming class in 1957, the University has grown tremendously, now with more than 25,000 students and 2,500 faculty. Its membership in the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU) places Stony Brook among the top 62 research institutions in North America. U.S. News & World Report ranks Stony Brook among the top 100 universities in the nation and top 40 public universities, and Kiplinger names it one of the 35 best values in public colleges. One of four University Center campuses in the SUNY system, Stony Brook co-manages Brookhaven National Laboratory, putting it in an elite group of universities that run federal research and development laboratories. A global ranking by U.S. News & World Report places Stony Brook in the top 1 percent of institutions worldwide. It is one of only 10 universities nationwide recognized by the National Science Foundation for combining research with undergraduate education. As the largest single-site employer on Long Island, Stony Brook is a driving force of the regional economy, with an annual economic impact of $4.65 billion, generating nearly 60,000 jobs, and accounts for nearly 4 percent of all economic activity in Nassau and Suffolk counties, and roughly 7.5 percent of total jobs in Suffolk County. 

ROSEMONT, Ill., April 27, 2016 -- Eight dental specialties and three international OMS associations have signed on to the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS) White Paper on the Management of Third Molar Teeth, which advocates evidence-based guidelines for managing wisdom teeth.

The following dental specialties and organizations support the paper's recommendations:

• Predicated on the best evidence-based data, third molar teeth that are associated with disease, or are at high risk of developing disease, should be surgically managed. In the absence of disease or significant risk of disease, active clinical and radiographic surveillance is indicated.

• American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology (AAOMP)

• American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology (AAOMR)

• American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD)

• American Academy of Periodontology (AAP)

• American Association of Endodontists (AAE)

• American Association of Orthodontists (AAO)

• American College of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (ACOMS)

• American College of Prosthodontists (ACP)

• British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (BAOMS)

• Canadian Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (CAOMS)

• International Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (IAOMS)

"For many years the discussion surrounding the care and management of third molars, or wisdom teeth, has been obscured by unsupported statements and misinterpretation of the data." said AAOMS President Dr. Louis K. Rafetto. "This White Paper reflects the latest evidence-based research and offers clear, clinical guidelines for managing these teeth."

The AAOMS White Paper on the Management of Third Molar Teeth may be found at https://www.aaoms.org/images/uploads/pdfs/management_third_molar_white_paper.pdf.

The experts in face, mouth and jaw surgery^™-- The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS) is the professional organization representing more than 10,000 oral and maxillofacial surgeons, OMS residents and professional allied staff in the United States. AAOMS supports its fellows' and members' ability to practice their specialty through education, research and advocacy. AAOMS fellows and members comply with rigorous continuing education requirements and submit to periodic office anesthesia evaluations. For additional information about oral and maxillofacial surgery, visit the AAOMS website at https://www.aaoms.org.

Claremont, Calif. – April 27, 2016 – Prisyna, an oral care business unit of Synedgen, Inc., announced today that the company secured a $6 million growth equity investment. The financing was led by Andrew Miller through a private investment. Prisyna plans to use the funding for the advanced development, regulatory approval and marketing efforts for the expansion of its pipeline and in support of current products. Prisyna combines breakthrough, propriety glycomics technology, with natural materials and innovative polysaccharides to create advanced rinses for the mouth that support a healthy oral cavity. The company’s investigational products include Moistagen^®, a potential treatment for the symptoms of dry mouth, and a new formulation to relieve the symptoms of oral mucositis due to chemotherapy or radiation treatments. Prisyna currently offers two oral rinse products -- Synedent^® Oral Care and Synedent Plus Oral Care with fluoride.

“It is a rare and privileged opportunity to provide support to such an exciting technology and a portfolio of products that will enable new treatment options for patients,” said Andrew Miller. “As a revenue positive company with commercial product sales, this current funding round will help accelerate Prisyna’s growth and R&D efforts. I look forward to being part of their continued success.”

In a multi-center, clinical evaluation of Moistagen, the product demonstrated statistically significant reductions in 15 of 33 symptoms associated with dry mouth. The study was conducted at two sites; a private practice in Los Angeles and Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in Boston. The study design was a pre-test post-test prospective cohort within-subject study on 57 patients with significant dry mouth symptoms. Participants used Moistagen rinse twice daily with as desired optional Moistagen spray for seven days, and then self-reported changes in their oral symptoms and function. The results showed positive outcomes based on a variety of metrics and will be presented in an upcoming manuscript.

“The pain, discomfort and quality of life issues associated with dry mouth negatively impact millions of patients in the U.S. and I welcomed the opportunity to evaluate a new technology to address this oral health challenge,” said Joel Epstein, DMD, MDS Medical-Dental Staff, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. “The results of the Moistagen study showed the product’s excellent ability to safely address the issues associated with dry mouth, especially among those patients who have pain and complications due to the accumulation of sticky mucus deposits. The product use was convenient and easily used as directed with twice daily rinsing and oral spray as needed.”

With this financing, Prisyna will operate as an independent, oral care business unit within Synedgen, a pioneering biotechnology company using the science of glycomics to discover and develop polysaccharide-based drugs. The Prisyna pipeline of oral care products provides a distinct business unit from the pharmaceutical programs. The advanced design capabilities of the Synedgen Glycomics Platform coupled with an experienced knowledge of medical targets, enabled the successful application of the technology into such complementary areas as oral health while serving as a distinct business unitfrom the pharmaceutical programs. Prisyna is currently lead by co-founders William Wiesmann, M.D. and Shenda Baker, Ph.D. Prisyna will be announcing an expanded leadership team in the coming months.

“Our proprietary technology and novel approach to enhanced oral care offers tremendous breadth and promise for the treatment of a variety of challenging yet common conditions in the mouth,” said Dr. Wiesmann. “We appreciate the support and confidence demonstrated by our new and existing investors. We believe that daily use of the Prisyna line of oral care products has the potential to change the course of oral healthcare and the lives of patients who suffer from the symptoms of dry mouth and the debilitating effects of oral mucositis.”

About Dry Mouth

Xerostomia affects up to 20 percent of the adult population and nearly 50 percent of the elderly in the US today. The complications of dry mouth can be caused by more than 1,800 commonly used medications, radiation therapy for head and neck cancer, Sjogren syndrome and other conditions. Dry mouth significantly impacts patient quality of life, causing difficulty chewing, swallowing and speaking, wearing of dental prosthesis, dried thick oral mucus, painful dry oral tissues, affecting taste and causing bad breath, and may cause sleep disturbance.

About Moistagen

Moistagen is specially formulated oral rinse currently under evaluation to relieve the symptoms of dry mouth using cutting-edge lubricants that coat the surface of the mouth to protect and may hydrate dry and irritated oral tissues. These components also have the potential to loosen sticky, dry mucus and help moisten oral surfaces. Moistagen is anticipated to be cleared for marketing by the FDA in the second half of 2016.

About Prisyna

Prisyna is an oral care business unit of Synedgen, focused on the development of consumer products that clean teeth and gums, freshen breath and moisten mouths without the burn or irritation of abrasive oral care products. The company combines breakthrough, propriety glycomics technology, with natural materials and innovative polysaccharides to create advanced rinses for the mouth that support a healthy oral cavity. Based in Claremont, Calif., Prisyna currently offers two mouth cleansers – Synedent Oral Care and Syndent Plus Oral Care – available for purchase online at www.synedent.com or through leading dentists. To learn more about Prisyna please visit: https://www.prisyna.com/ 

D&S Dental Laboratory, Inc. launches new website accessible from any mobile device

D&S Dental Laboratory, Inc., a full-service, Certified Dental Laboratory headquartered in Waunakee, Wis., is launching a new, redesigned website accessible from any mobile device, now available at www.dnsdental.com. The site continues the laboratory’s legacy of being at the cutting edge of the dental industry’s digital revolution, having transitioned to digital production more than a decade ago.

“We recognize to be the partner of choice for our dentists, we need to provide information and resources at their fingertips whenever and wherever they need it,” says D&S Dental Laboratory President Steve Daggett. “More and more people are using smartphones and iPads and our new site is now a 24/7 resource they can use to stay up to date on the latest product materials, technical tips and CE seminars.” 

The site features an interactive crown selector tool that helps doctors identify the best crown product choices based on the individual factors of the case, such as location in the mouth, number of units, clearance, whether the patient is a bruxer or grinder or whether it is a tooth-borne or implant supported restoration.

In addition, the site features:

An industry-recognized quarterly newsletter at www.dnsdental.com/education/newsletter/

Detailed information, including preparation, cementation and ADA codes, for every restoration at www.dnsdental.com/product-catalog-download/

Streamlined Send Us Your Case page that allows users to print UPS shipping labels and Rx forms from their browsers at www.dnsdental.com/send-a-case/

Calendar of CE Seminars hosted by the laboratory throughout the year, which will include online registration capabilities at www.dnsdental.com/education/upcoming-events/

In addition to its Waunakee location, D&S operates four satellite laboratories in Baraboo, Mondovi and Greenfield, Wis., as well as Rockford, Illinois. Its Waunakee headquarters is DAMAS accredited.