REDWOOD CITY, Calif., July 23, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- AcelRx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ACRX), a specialty pharmaceutical company, today announced an agreement to market DSUVIA®, a sublingual opioid tablet in a single-dose applicator, within the dental and oral surgery markets in the United States exclusively through Zimmer Biomet's Dental division. The agreement expands the U.S. availability of the non-invasive, sublingual analgesic for use by dental healthcare professionals in medically supervised settings who currently use injectable opioids for surgical analgesia.

DSUVIA is indicated for use in adults in certified medically supervised healthcare settings for the management of acute pain severe enough to require an opioid analgesic, and for which alternative treatments are inadequate. DSUVIA manages acute pain during procedures with its unique pharmacokinetic profile, which avoids the high peak plasma levels and short duration of action observed with bolus IV administration. The single dosage-strength tablet administered sublingually mitigates potential clinical issues such as dosage miscalculations or IV administration challenges.

"We are proud to be partnering with Zimmer Biomet to provide DSUVIA as an option for acute pain management in adults during oral surgeries," said Vince Angotti, CEO of AcelRx Pharmaceuticals. "This strategic alliance with an established and reputable partner with a strong, solution-based sales network enables AcelRx to support dental professionals and their care of patients during the millions of oral surgeries in the United States each year. This partnership, together with other ongoing business development activities and the recent military Milestone C approval, are evidence of the continued execution on our strategy to build long-term value."

DSUVIA is expected to be available for order by certified dental and oral surgeons exclusively through Zimmer Biomet in the United States after satisfaction of applicable licensing requirements.

About DSUVIA (sufentanil sublingual tablet), 30 mcg

DSUVIA®, known as DZUVEO™ in Europe, approved by the FDA in November 2018, is indicated for use in adults in certified medically supervised healthcare settings, such as hospitals, surgical centers, and emergency departments, for the management of acute pain severe enough to require an opioid analgesic, and for which alternative treatments are inadequate. DSUVIA was designed to provide rapid analgesia via a non-invasive route and to eliminate dosing errors associated with intravenous (IV) administration. DSUVIA is a single-strength solid dosage form administered sublingually via a single-dose applicator (SDA) by healthcare professionals. Sufentanil is an opioid analgesic previously only marketed for IV and epidural anesthesia and analgesia. The sufentanil pharmacokinetic profile when delivered sublingually avoids the high peak plasma levels and short duration of action observed with IV administration. The European Commission approved DZUVEO for marketing in Europe in June 2018 and the Company is currently in discussions with potential European marketing partners. For more information, please visit www.DSUVIA.com.

LIMITATIONS OF USE

Not for home use or for use in children. Discontinue treatment with DSUVIA before patients leave the certified medically supervised healthcare setting. Not for use for more than 72 hours.

The use of DSUVIA beyond 72 hours has not been studied. Only to be administered by a healthcare provider. Because of the risks of addiction, abuse, and misuse with opioids, even at recommended doses, reserve DSUVIA for use in patients for whom alternative treatment options [e.g., non-opioid analgesics or opioid combination products]: have not been tolerated, or are not expected to be tolerated; have not provided adequate analgesia, or are not expected to provide adequate analgesia.

The Full Prescribing Information for DSUVIA contains the following Boxed Warning:

WARNING: ACCIDENTAL EXPOSURE AND DSUVIA REMS PROGRAM; LIFE-THREATENING RESPIRATORY DEPRESSION; ADDICTION, ABUSE, AND MISUSE; CYTOCHROME P450 3A4 INTERACTION; and RISKS FROM CONCOMITANT USE WITH BENZODIAZEPINES OR OTHER CNS DEPRESSANTS

Accidental Exposure and DSUVIA Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) Program: Accidental exposure to or ingestion of DSUVIA, especially in children, can result in respiratory depression and death. Because of the potential for life-threatening respiratory depression due to accidental exposure, DSUVIA is only available through a restricted program called the DSUVIA REMS Program. DSUVIA must only be dispensed to patients in a certified medically supervised healthcare setting. Discontinue use of DSUVIA prior to discharge or transfer from the certified medically supervised healthcare setting.

Life-Threatening Respiratory Depression: Serious, life-threatening, or fatal respiratory depression may occur with use of DSUVIA. Monitor for respiratory depression, especially during initiation of DSUVIA.

Addiction, Abuse, and Misuse: DSUVIA exposes patients and other users to the risks of opioid addiction, abuse, and misuse, which can lead to overdose and death. Assess each patient's risk prior to prescribing DSUVIA, and monitor all patients regularly for the development of these behaviors or conditions.

Cytochrome P450 3A4 Interaction: The concomitant use of DSUVIA with all cytochrome P450 3A4 inhibitors may result in an increase in sufentanil plasma concentrations, which could increase or prolong adverse drug reactions and may cause potentially fatal respiratory depression. In addition, discontinuation of a concomitantly used cytochrome P450 3A4 inducer may result in an increase in sufentanil plasma concentration. Monitor patients receiving DSUVIA and any CYP3A4 inhibitor or inducer.

Risks From Concomitant Use With Benzodiazepines Or Other CNS Depressants: Concomitant use of opioids with benzodiazepines or other central nervous system (CNS) depressants, including alcohol, may result in profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death. Reserve concomitant prescribing for use in patients for whom alternative treatment options are inadequate. Limit dosages and durations to the minimum required. Follow patients for signs and symptoms of respiratory depression and sedation.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

DSUVIA is contraindicated in patients with significant respiratory depression; acute or severe bronchial asthma in an unmonitored setting or in the absence of resuscitative equipment; known or suspected gastrointestinal obstruction, including paralytic ileus; and known hypersensitivity to sufentanil or components of DSUVIA.

DSUVIA contains sufentanil, a Schedule II controlled substance. As an opioid, DSUVIA exposes users to the risks of addiction, abuse, and misuse. Potential serious adverse events caused by opioids include addiction, abuse, and misuse, life-threatening respiratory depression, neonatal withdrawal syndrome, risks of concomitant use or discontinuation of cytochrome P450 3A4 inhibitors and inducers, risks from concomitant use with benzodiazepines or other CNS depressants, risk of life threatening respiratory depression in patients with chronic pulmonary disease or in elderly, cachectic, or debilitated patients, adrenal insufficiency, severe hypotension, risks of use in patients with increased intracranial pressure or impaired consciousness, gastrointestinal disorders and seizure disorders. DSUVIA should be used with caution in patients with severe liver or kidney impairment.

This is not a complete list of risks associated with DSUVIA. For additional Important Safety Information please see full Prescribing Information at www.DSUVIA.com.

About AcelRx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

AcelRx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of innovative therapies for use in medically supervised settings. AcelRx's proprietary, non-invasive sublingual formulation technology delivers sufentanil with consistent pharmacokinetic profiles. AcelRx has one approved product in the U.S., DSUVIA® (sufentanil sublingual tablet, 30 mcg), known as DZUVEO™ in Europe, indicated for the management of acute pain severe enough to require an opioid analgesic for adult patients in certified medically supervised healthcare settings, and one product candidate, Zalviso® (sufentanil sublingual tablet system, SST system, 15 mcg), an investigational product in the U.S., is being developed as an innovatively designed patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) system for reduction of moderate-to-severe acute pain in medically supervised settings. DZUVEO and Zalviso are both approved products in Europe.

For additional information about AcelRx, please visit www.acelrx.com.  

Following the success of the EQUIA® restorative system introduced in 2007, GC made the next big leap with EQUIA Forte®. A two-year multicenter clinical study confirms EQUIA Forte® is a suitable material for medium to large Class II restorations.

In 2015, EQUIA Forte® (glass hybrid restorative material) was launched and a 5-year clinical study was initiated to assess the performance of the material. This long-term trial compared EQUIA Forte® against a nanohybrid composite (Tetric EvoCeram®, Ivoclar Vivadent) in medium to large Class II restorations.

The interim two-year results showed similar clinical performance for both materials, confirming that EQUIA Forte® is suitable for and showed excellent performance as a long-term restorative material. Furthermore, at the end of the two years, virtually no differences were observed between the two materials on any of the aesthetic, functional, or biological properties tested. Published on May 29, 2020, in the Journal of Adhesive Dentistry, the study was led by Dr. Ivana Miletić, Professor in the Department of Endodontics and Restorative Dentistry, at Zagreb University, Croatia, working with a team of highly regarded professors from four European dental schools: Anja Baraba (Zagreb, Croatia), Matteo Basso and Maria Giulia Pulcini (Milan, Italy), Dejan Marković and Tamara Perić (Belgrade, Serbia), Cigdem Atalayin Ozkaya and Lezize Sebnem Turkun (Izmir, Turkey). The study is registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (No.: NCT02717520).

This long-term, split-mouth (equal allocation ratio), randomized, prospective, multicenter clinical study enrolled 180 patients (mean age 34.6 years) identified as in need of two Class II, two-surface restorations in the molar region of the same jaw. Impressions were taken before and after cavity preparation, as well as after the final restoration. These impressions were subsequently scanned for further wear evaluation at the 3rd and 5th year of the study and a clinical evaluation was performed using the FDI-2 criteria.

The estimated survival rates at the 2-year recall were 93.6% (EQUIA Forte®) and 94.5% (Tetric EvoCeram®), showing no significant differences between the two materials. These excellent results prove the clinical efficacy of Glass Hybrids (EQUIA Forte®) as long-term restorative materials. The excellent interim results give a positive outlook on the performance of EQUIA Forte® after 5 years.

For more study information, please visit: https://jad.quintessenz.de/index.php?doc=abstract&abstractID=44547

The Glass Hybrid technology represents the next big leap in restorative dentistry. EQUIA Forte® follows the hugely successful EQUIA® restorative system which was launched in 2007. A long-term multicenter study was initiated in 2015 to assess the clinical performance of EQUIA Forte® compared to a nanohybrid composite resin (Tetric EvoCeram®, Ivoclar Vivadent) in medium to large Class II restorations.

Currently, a long-term, split-mouth, randomized multicenter clinical trial is being performed in four countries. The investigation teams are respectively led by Prof. Ivana Miletić (Croatia), Prof. Matteo Basso (Italy), Prof. Dejan Marković (Serbia), and Prof. Lezize Sebnem Turkun (Turkey). The size and complexity of the study brought many challenges; such as cultural and regulatory differences, large number of patients and restorations, monitoring and evaluation process, and compliance with the highest methodological standards.

Achieving a significant sample size is another challenge in split-mouth design studies. Therefore, recruiting a high number of patients while maintaining strict inclusion/exclusion criteria was highly prioritized from the beginning of the trial.

With 180 patients and 360 restorations, the study generated big data. These were not only documented with numeric data but also with impressions, models, scans and pictures. All the data was anonymized and stored in a central database for evaluation and statistical analysis.

Prevailing all complexities, the investigation teams demonstrated not only their expertise by publishing the 2-year results in The Journal of Adhesive Dentistry but also their scientific commitment by continued follow up of the study in its fourth year. The next goal for the investigators is to create a model to measure the wear of the restorations over the time.

The EQUIA® restorative system has over a decade of solid clinical evidence. The recent clinical performance demonstrated by EQUIA Forte® compared to a nanohybrid composite resin further confirms that the EQUIA® restorative system is a reliable, long-term restorative for clinicians.

For more study information, please visit:

https://jad.quintessenz.de/index.php?doc=abstract&abstractID=44547

https://europe.gc.dental/sites/europe.gc.dental/files/products/downloads/equiaforte/reference/REF_Scientific_Sheet_EQUIA_family.pdf

Keystone Industries® is proud to announce the acquisition of EPR Industries, LLC, a manufacturer of medical and dental detergent solutions, cleaners, and alcohol products located in Cinnaminson, NJ. EPR’s products will be added to Keystone Industries’ existing infection-control line, and rebranded under the company’s Optimize™ brand (which includes Keystone Industries’ recently-launched hand sanitizer options).

Keystone Industries and EPR began exploring this transaction before anyone had heard of the term “COVID-19.” The synergies always existed before the global health crisis struck. “EPR is located 6 miles from our longtime Cherry Hill manufacturing facilities,” noted Ira Rosenau, president of dental at Keystone Industries. “Their major partners are also significant Keystone Industries partners. EPR’s products complement our existing infection-control line very well. Their isopropanol items will do well with users of our KeyPrint® 3D printing resins. It made a lot of sense.”

EPR has spent years focused on developing, manufacturing, and selling environmentally safe and effective evacuation line cleaners and ultrasonic cleaning solutions for surgical and dental instruments and dental devices, as well as other solutions in infection control. The products have proven themselves in the marketplace with customers and partners alike. For example, EPR’s Super Vac 40 Plus is one of the evacuation-line cleaners officially approved for use with Solmetex’s line of amalgam separators.

Keystone Industries expects to use the EPR assets in many positive ways. Mike Prozzillo, Keystone Industries’ Vice President of Sales, observed that, “We have existing global platforms and relationships that EPR had not been able to leverage, so we expect to grow through using some of Keystone Industries’ natural strengths in Europe and Latin America to expand the reach of these products.” Additionally, in a post-pandemic world, the demand for cleaning and sanitizing products is on the rise as everyone adjusts to a new and uncertain reality. “Keystone Industries shifted a lot of resources into manufacturing hand sanitizer at scale to help with the national shortage during the spring of 2020,” explained Rosenau. “Our commitment to helping supply safe and effective infection control products will continue as we add items like EPR’s products, hand sanitizer, surface disinfectants, and face shields to our current infection-control products.”

For more information about Keystone Industries’ infection-control business, visit dental.keystoneindustries.com.

The International Dental Show (IDS) remains scheduled for March 9-13 at Koelnmesse in Cologne, Germany, according to a news release from show organizers.

“In the past few months, we developed a comprehensive concept for restarting trade fairs in Cologne based on extensive processes and close cooperation with all the relevant authorities,” Oliver Frese, Managing Director of Koelnmesse, says in the release. “IDS will also use this concept to provide new inspiration for the dental business. We have created a secure communication platform where experts, enthusiasts, and decision makers from a wide range of areas can come together in order to explore new, sustainable avenuees for the dental industry.”

For Mark Stephen Pace, Chairman of the Board of the Association of the German Dental Industry (VDDI), IDS 2021 will also be the decisive kickoff for a new start after the coronavirus crisis.

“The international industry is looking at IDS 2021 with high expectations,” Pace says in the release, “because it plays a significant role in successful crisis management, especially with regard to the personal exchange of strategies in the various markets and regions. Only through direct dialogue can you examine your own needs and positions and analyze a reorientation, also in terms of value chains.”

The show will be held in compliance with local ordinances, the release says.

“The focus of a trade fair is on personal face-to-face contact,” the release says. “In order to make this networking as safe and successful as possible, Koelnmesse has developed a host of measures in accordance with the provisions of the corona protection ordinance of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia and in close coordination with the authorities in Cologne. These measures work together seamlessly and regulate interaction at the trade fair. Our goal is to ensure the highest degree of professional safety and create an environment in which industries and business can grow again. Koelnmesse has compiled its measures to protect exhibitors and visitors under four sections entitled SHOW SAFE, MEET SAFE, STAY SAFE and VISIT SAFE. These measures regulate safe interaction at the trade fair and ensure that exhibitors and visitors can once again meet in a relaxed manner. IDS therefore offers plenty of possibilities and room for spreading large numbers of participants out safely over the corresponding areas.

“Koelnmesse’s digital signage system offers a further advantage. Planning the stands with larger floor areas will ensure that minimum distances can be maintained. As a result, the number of visitors at a stand will not be limited, provided that a minimum distance of 1.5 meters can be observed. At the same time, the distribution of trade fair participants and flow of visitors will be monitored and, if necessary, regulated with suitable technical devices. The safety concept for the upcoming IDS also includes restricting the ticketing system exclusively to online tickets and fully registering all participants to ensure traceability. Koelnmesse will review the security concept on a regular basis and adapt it to the latest conditions accordingly.”

Pac-Dent is extremely excited to launch iVisor™ Loupe, the newest member of our popular iVisor reusable visor & shield kit line. This ultralight visor and shield kit is specifically engineered to provide the greatest user comfort while also easily accommodating any optical accessories such as loupes or lights under the face shield.

iVisor Loupe is our most comfortable reusable visor and shield kit to protect against sprays, splashes, and spatter of body fluids. Designed to eliminate pressure points, the visor is fully adjustable and features extra wide air vents for maximum airflow. Shields can be reused after contamination by simply washing with warm water and soap or cleaning with a disinfectant solution. Each kit contains 1 visor and 3 barrier face shields. Available in small, medium, and large with a respective rear opening of 8, 9, and 10 cm.

Feature:

● Extra-large breathing room with wide air vents

● Adjustable cinch cord with thick foam bumper

● Anti-fog coating provides superior optical clarity

● Easily fits over glasses, loupes, and lights

Video (here): See a comprehensive overview of iVisor™ Loupe and instructions for use.

As the coronavirus pandemic was putting dentists and staff in the unprecedented situation of not being able to practice in their offices, the Academy of Osseointegration (AO) just as quickly pivoted its focus, resulting in a significant increase in its online educational programming.

Beginning in mid-April, the Academy began offering its most extensive schedule of live webinars. Over the ensuing three months, 21 webinars were held, generating an aggregate total of 4,413 registrations.

Highlights of the Academy’s online programming included several of the more than 100 dental implant dentistry experts who were scheduled to present at its cancelled 2020 Annual Meeting. A four-part series on COVID-19 by Robert R. Lemke, as well as presentations by several other Academy board members were also on the schedule.

To date, the Academy has already offered nearly twice as many webinars in the first six months of 2020 than it normally does all year. Going forward, the Academy is planning another comprehensive schedule of live webinars to take place over the next three months, which will specifically feature 2020 Annual Meeting presenters.

“I call this new reality ‘Zoomdontics,’” said AO President Dr. Clark M. Stanford. “It could be considered another definition of ‘digital dentistry,’ too. Regardless, staff has been wonderful in seeing through to support the excellence of your Academy, which is doing very well!”

As a valued and complementary benefit of membership, the Academy’s live webinars are an essential portal that provide cutting-edge, evidence-based insights in implant dentistry, and are certified for 1.0 ADA-CERP credit hour. To check out all of the Academy’s recent and upcoming live webinars and presentations, as well as its comprehensive video library of archived recordings, please go to: https://osseo.org/online-learning-center/.

All live and archived webinar presentations are complimentary as a member benefit to active AO members. For non-members, there is a $50 fee for all live webinars up to 90 days following the live broadcast. The video library is not available to non-members. Each webinar is recorded, with ADA CERP credit available for 90 days following each session.

For questions regarding the Academy’s online educational programming, please contact Kim Scroggs, the Academy’s Director of Education at kimscroggs@osseo.org.

About Academy of Osseointegration

With approximately 4,500 members in more than 70 countries, AO is recognized as the premier international association for scientists and professionals interested in osseointegration and implant dentistry. AO serves as a nexus where specialists, generalists and scientists can come together to evaluate emerging research, technology, and techniques; share best practices; and define optimal patient care using timely science and evidence-based methods. Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and Instagram @AcademyOsseo; @AcademyofOsseointegration on Linkedin; and subscribe to us on YouTube. 

Lompoc, CA, July 17, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- DenMat Holdings, LLC (“DenMat”) has hired Karsten Klimmek, MDT as its new Director of Laboratory Operations. Effective July 13, 2020, Mr. Klimmek takes over leadership of the company’s dental laboratory focusing on high-end esthetic fixed restorations, implant services and clear orthodontic aligners.

“We are thrilled to have Karsten on the team,” says Robert Cartagena, Chief Operating Officer. “We conducted a thorough search and Karsten’s background and experience align perfectly with the leadership needs of our world class dental laboratory here in California. The combination of years of experience in all-ceramic esthetic restorations and his expertise in implants will help drive even more growth in the DenMat laboratory for years to come.”

Mr. Klimmek joins DenMat after a very successful 10-year period at MicroDental Laboratories, where he held numerous positions that included Team Leader - MAC Studio, Director of Operations and Director of Advanced Technology and Education. Karsten received his CDT in 1995 from the Albrecht-Dürer-School in Düsseldorf, Germany, and in 1998 received his Masters in Dental Technology and Bachelors of Science degree from the Institue of Dental Technology in Cologne. He is an LVI Global Fellow Technician, Misch Implant Institute graduate and an accredited member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.

“DenMat has a long history of innovation, especially when it comes to dental technology and esthetics. I am excited to join this team and continue to build upon what is already an amazing laboratory,” says Mr. Klimmek.

As Director of Laboratory Operations, Karsten will report directly to Mr. Cartagena, and is responsible for the management of the lab’s entire workforce, as well as developing and implementing growth strategies as the company continues to expand the products and services offered.

“In addition to being a highly-skilled Master Technologist, Karsten has a thirst for learning and a passion for leading other technicians into new areas of development,” says David Casper, Chief Executive Officer. “This is exactly the type of leader our lab needs, as we have the most demanding dentist customers who trust us with their most complex restorative cases.”

About DenMat:

Since 1974, DenMat is a leader in high-quality dental products for dental professionals around the world. DenMat makes and assembles most of its products at its world headquarters on the Central Coast of California. DenMat offers three main product categories: Consumables, Small Equipment, and a Dental Laboratory. DenMat's consumables include brands that are known and trusted, including Fluoridex®, Geristore®, Core Paste®, Tenure®, Ultra-Bond®, Infinity®, SplashMax®, Precision®, Perfectemp®, Atridox® and LumiSmile White®. DenMat's small equipment offering includes a broad range of products, including NV®PRO3 and SOL® soft-tissue diode lasers, the Rotadent® power toothbrush, PeriOptix® magnification loupes and lights, Flashlite® curing lights and a full line of high-quality Hartzell® hand instruments. DenMat is also home to Lumineers®, the world's #1 patient-requested thin veneer, and Snap-On Smile®, the life-changing removable appliance.

GSK Consumer Healthcare today announced the nationwide launch of Sensodyne® Sensitivity and Gum, a new dual action toothpaste with a low abrasion formula that's specifically designed to help people with both teeth sensitivity and gum problems. Sensodyne® Sensitivity & Gum builds a protective layer over sensitive areas, while targeting and removing plaque bacteria associated with gingivitis to help reduce swollen, bleeding gums.

To support the launch of Sensodyne® Sensitivity and Gum, GSK welcomes Tiffani Thiessen – actress, cookbook author and sensitivity sufferer – as its new spokeswoman. Thiessen will promote the brand's new food focused "Take a Bite Out of Life" campaign, while also sharing her sensitivity story.

Thiessen is one of the 50% of people globally who suffer from tooth sensitivity while also dealing with gum issues, making her passions difficult due to interruptions¹. Thiessen's participation in Sensodyne's "Take a Bite Out of Life" campaign aims to raise awareness about sensitive teeth and gum problems so more people can embrace the things that they love, no matter what life throws at them.

"I've always had sensitive teeth, I can even remember as a kid biting something cold and feeling that sensitive tingle," said Thiessen. "Using a toothpaste like Sensodyne® Sensitivity and Gum has really helped me enjoy all the things I love to eat while also taking care of my teeth and my smile."

Like Thiessen, a third of Americans strongly agree that food has always been their favorite way to bring loved ones together, according to new research conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Sensodyne*. The 2,000-person study revealed how people use food to connect with loved ones—regardless of the circumstance. Other key takeaways revealed:

People pass the time with food-related activities during the pandemic: Most revealed that they enjoy learning a new recipe (44%), but other activities respondents enjoyed are watching an online cooking show or live stream (39%), delivering food to those in the community (26%) and attending virtual dinner parties (26%).

People are willing to deal with discomfort if it means enjoying the food they love: 41% deal with discomfort 1-3 times/week and 32% deal with discomfort 4-6 times/week, all in the name of enjoying their favorite foods.

People are vocal about teeth sensitivities to cold temperatures: 48% revealed that they experience this sensitivity, which ranked higher than other commonly talked about food sensitivities, such as general digestive discomfort with certain foods (43%), heartburn (36%), trouble digesting dairy (33%), acid reflux (32%), and food allergies (25%).

People are changing their eating habits to combat sensitivity: 40% admitted to eating slower to combat sensitivity issues; more than half will even go as far as eating ice cream out of the bowl (55%) vs. in a cone (16%) so they can enjoy the frozen treat longer.

The "Take a Bite Out of Life" campaign will bring consumers fun, food focused content including the brand's second annual Fooji ice cream giveaway kicking off on National Ice Cream Day (July 19th) and Coneheads an all-new, original series that dives into the diverse world of ice cream, in partnership with Complex.

Thiessen will encourage other suffers to join her in taking control and "Take a Bite Out of Life", reminding individuals that teeth and gum sensitivities shouldn't stop them from enjoying life.

Part of the Sensodyne® portfolio, new Sensodyne® Sensitivity and Gum is available online and at major retail stores nationwide. To learn more about how to reduce tooth sensitivity visit sensodyne.com and follow Sensodyne on Twitter and Facebook.

About Sensodyne®

Sensodyne is the #1 dentist-recommended toothpaste brand for sensitive teeth; its formulations help people overcome tooth sensitivity relief, with twice daily brushing while still providing the benefits of fluoride, cavity protection, fresh breath, and whitening to maintain healthy teeth.

About GSK Consumer Healthcare

Our Consumer Healthcare business combines science and consumer insights to create innovative everyday health care brands. We build world-class brands that consumers trust, and experts recommend for oral health, pain relief, respiratory, skin health, nutrition, and digestive health.

Our purpose is to help more people around the world to do more, feel better and live longer with everyday healthcare products. We have a heritage that goes back over 160 years. We market some of the world's most loved healthcare brands, including Sensodyne, Theraflu, Excedrin, Nicorette and NicoDerm CQ, FLONASE, and TUMS. These brands are successful in over 100 countries around the world because they all show our passion for quality, guaranteed by science. They are inspired by the real wants and needs of the millions of people who walk into pharmacies, supermarkets, market stalls and go online all over the world every day and choose.

About GSK

GlaxoSmithKline – one of the world's leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare companies – is committed to improving the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer. For company information visit: https://www.gsk.com.  

Newswise — Tufts has awarded seed funding to eight research projects that seek to address the complex individual and community challenges wrought by the opioid epidemic. The inaugural awards of the Tufts Initiative on Substance Use and Addiction go to researchers at five Tufts schools and Tufts Medical Center. Together, they demonstrate a multidisciplinary drive to address this pressing public health crisis.

All the projects aim to help people and communities impacted by addiction. Six of the projects focus on improving clinical care and patient support systems while two will investigate the underpinnings of addiction, with the goal of finding new therapies and prevention methods.

The combined $150,000 in funding contains the first disbursement from the university’s newly created $3 million endowment, announced in December 2019, to support education, research, and civic engagement programs focused on the prevention and treatment of addiction and substance misuse. This year’s funding also includes a contribution from Tufts Medical Center.

The call for proposals that the Office of the Vice Provost for Research sent out in January resulted in 23 applications from staff and faculty from the School of Arts and Sciences, the School of Engineering, the School of Medicine, the School of Dental Medicine, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, and Tufts Medical Center.

“The proposals drew on the breadth of expertise and dedication across Tufts,” said Caroline A. Genco, the university’s vice provost for research. “It was clear that faculty, staff, and clinicians from our unique collection of schools and clinics had been thinking about new ways to investigate substance use disorder, strengthen clinical operations, and improve access to training in addiction response. The new seed funding helps bring their ideas to the forefront and reaffirms Tufts’ commitment to being part of the solution to substance misuse.”

The recipients are:

Rebecca Fauth, School of Arts and Sciences: In at-risk communities in Massachusetts, health professionals make home visits to pregnant women and mothers of young children, providing support and education. Fauth, in the Eliot-Pearson Department of Child Study and Human Development, will examine the potential for combining those home visits with recovery support efforts, which have the potential to reach women at an optimal time for treatment.

Britta Magnuson, School of Dental Medicine: Dentists may encounter patients at risk for opioid use disorder more often than other health-care providers. Magnuson will assess how well dental electronic health records can identify at-risk patients. She will also develop educational content to train dentists in substance use screening and administration of naloxone, an antidote to opioid overdoses.

Raza Malik, Tufts Medical Center: Intravenous drug use is a key risk factor for hepatitis C, yet addiction treatment and hepatitis diagnosis are often disconnected. Malik will pilot and evaluate a multidisciplinary clinic model where patients with substance use disorder meet with providers from hepatology, infectious disease, addiction medicine, pharmacy and social work at one visit. The goal is to cut down on referrals and reduce time from diagnosis to therapy.

Thomas Nieland, School of Engineering: Nieland will develop a human experimental model based on a bioengineered 3D brain tissue system to understand the biology of opioid use disorder. The model, which mimics the neural responses in the human brain, will be used to investigate possible therapies for opioid addiction.

Randi Sokol, School of Medicine and Cambridge Health Alliance: Sokol will develop, pilot, and evaluate an interactive, evidence-based national addiction curriculum for primary care providers, who often treat patients with substance use disorders.

Thomas J. Stopka, School of Medicine: While harmful opioid use by pregnant women has grown, only a fraction of those patients received methadone and other medication that can help treat the disorder. Stopka will map the research done on access to and use of such medication by pregnant women with the goal of identifying barriers and facilitators at the patient, provider, structural and policy levels.

Fair Vassoler, Cummings School: A growing body of evidence shows that opioid use in one generation can affect future generations. By measuring RNA in male rats, Vassoler will examine the mechanisms by which environmental exposure to opioids can be transmitted to their offspring.

Alysse Wurcel, Tufts Medical Center: People who inject drugs are at a high risk for contracting HIV if they share needles or syringes with someone who is infected. Wurcel will seek to improve HIV testing in people with substance use disorder who are admitted to Tufts Medical Center.

Awardees will begin work on their research this summer.

“To address and prevent addiction and substance misuse requires multipronged, transdisciplinary approaches. In the lab, in the clinic, and in the community, we need to examine the basic science underlying this disorder and to identify the diverse clinical opportunities to diagnose and help individuals being devastated by this disorder,” said John B. Wong, interim chief scientific officer at Tufts Medical Center. “These eight projects share the same ultimate goal, and by taking different approaches and addressing different needs, each researcher brings their own critical awareness, knowledge, and expertise to this complex disease of the brain and body.”