Scientists know more today than ever before about the microbes that inhabit our mouths. They know so much, in fact, that gathering all of the relevant bits of information into one place when designing experiments can be a job in itself. Now, grantees of the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), part of the National Institutes of Health, and their international colleagues intend to solve this problem with the launch of the first comprehensive database of the oral microbiome, or the approximately 600 distinct microorganisms currently known to live in the mouth.
The free online compendium is called the Human Oral Microbiome Database (HOMD). The database has gone live as the digital equivalent of an Oxford dictionary of oral microorganisms, providing detailed biological entries for each species and an extensive catalogue of the thousands of genes that these microbes express. The site is located at homd and is overseen by scientists at The Forsyth Institute in Boston and King's College London in England.
"The HOMD fills a critical research need," said NIDCR director Lawrence Tabak, D.D.S., Ph.D. "The oral microbiome is extremely rich in data, and HOMD becomes the essential search engine for scientists to view and retrieve this information, generate novel hypotheses, make computational discoveries, and ultimately develop more biologically sound therapies to control oral diseases."
According to Floyd Dewhirst, D.D.S., Ph.D., a leader of the project and a scientist at The Forsyth Institute, HOMD also introduces the first comprehensive nomenclature system to bring order to the naming of uncultured or previously unnamed oral microbes. The standardized numbering system helps to eliminate the Babel of confusing names and uninformative database designations that have frustrated scientists and sometimes hindered their research.
The database also categorizes each microbe by its 16S rRNA sequence, a distinctive fingerprint of genetic information that scientists have used for the past two decades to identify microorganisms. This sequence information allows the microbes to be placed in a family tree that shows how they are related to one another. For those organisms whose DNA has been sequenced, HOMD provides online tools to view and analyze all of their genes and proteins. Each category of information in the database is interlinked, readily searchable, appropriately annotated, and will be frequently updated to remain current.
Dewhirst noted that although HOMD has officially opened to scientists, the database remains an ongoing project. "We've already assembled a great deal of useful information for the research community, but we will continue to expand and refine the database for the next several years," said Dewhirst. "I can see the Human Oral Microbiome Database serving as a valuable model for other microbiome databases now and in the years to come."
Informally called "biology's next revolution," microbiome studies have opened a needed window into the complex microbial communities that occupy most parts of the human body. These studies will define how microbes contribute to sustaining health and, when their community dynamics are perturbed, play a role in common chronic disease, such as tooth decay and periodontal disease in the mouth. In December 2007, NIH launched the Human Microbiome Project that initially will sequence all of the genes, or genomes, of 600 representative microorganisms sampled from microbial communities in the mouth, skin, digestive tract, nose, and female urogenital tract. Additional studies are either under way or under development.
Among those already well under way is a NIDCR-supported project to compile a full catalogue of the complete genomes of all oral microbes. It has generated a tremendous amount of data and, coupled with the decades of more traditional studies of oral bacteria, the need for a comprehensive, user-friendly database has become a priority.
"The oral microbiome is currently better understood than those of other sites in the body, such as the intestine," said Dr. Bruce Paster, Ph.D., also at The Forsyth Institute and another project scientist. "Since oral microorganisms appear in infections throughout the human body, the HOMD database certainly will be useful to physicians. Likewise, microbiologists in industry will find HOMD helpful because oral microbes sometimes contaminate food or the drug manufacturing process."
The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) is the Nation's leading funder of research on oral, dental, and craniofacial health.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) - the Nation's Medical Research Agency - includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services. It is the primary federal agency for conducting and supporting basic, clinical and translational medical research, and it investigates the causes, treatments, and cures of both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and its programs, visit nih/.
среда, 18 мая 2011 г.
SCHIP Should Include Dental Benefits, Sens. Bingaman, Cardin Write
Congress "should take action to ensure that all children have access" to dental care by requiring states to provide coverage through SCHIP for those enrolled in the program, as well as for children with private insurance that does not include dental coverage, Sens. Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.) and Ben Cardin (D-Md.) write in a Washington Post letter to the editor. The senators write that such a provision could be added to SCHIP when the program is reauthorized this year. Tooth decay, the most prevalent childhood disease, can be debilitating and sometimes fatal but is easily preventable and can be treated at a low cost, according to Bingaman and Cardin. "Equally important is ensuring there are enough oral health care providers available to treat children across the country and that they are adequately compensated for their services," Bingaman and Cardin write. The senators note that they have introduced legislation, called the Children's Dental Health Improvement Act (S 739), that would expand school-based dental sealant programs, encourage dental schools to train more residents, increase Medicaid and SCHIP payments to providers, and provide incentives for dentists who work in underserved areas of the country. Bingaman and Cardin conclude, "America has never promised its children success, but it has always promised them opportunity. Children who suffer from untreated tooth decay are often denied this opportunity because of dental pain that limits their ability to eat, sleep, learn ... or enjoy life itself" (Bingaman/Cardin, Washington Post, 3/18).
"Reprinted with permission from kaisernetwork. You can view the entire Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery at kaisernetwork/dailyreports/healthpolicy. The Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report is published for kaisernetwork, a free service of The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation . © 2005 Advisory Board Company and Kaiser Family Foundation. All rights reserved.
"Reprinted with permission from kaisernetwork. You can view the entire Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery at kaisernetwork/dailyreports/healthpolicy. The Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report is published for kaisernetwork, a free service of The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation . © 2005 Advisory Board Company and Kaiser Family Foundation. All rights reserved.
Milestone Scientific Receives FDA Clearance Of Single Tooth Anesthesia Device
Milestone
Scientific Inc. (Amex: MSS), which develops, manufactures, and markets
'intelligent' computer controlled local anesthetic delivery systems, today
announced that it has received FDA 510(k) Premarket Notification clearance
for the marketing and sale of its Single Tooth Anesthesia Device (STA).
The STA is a Computer Controlled Local Anesthesia Delivery Device that
utilizes Milestone Scientific's patented CompuFlo pressure measuring
technology to provide audible and visual "biofeedback" to the dentist by
measuring the pressure at the tip of the needle. The device is designed to
significantly improve the efficiency and economics of the dental office.
The periodontal ligament (PDL) injection, which anesthetizes only the tooth
that requires repair, is generally thought to be the most valuable
injection for the dentist, the patient and the business of dentistry.
Because PDL injections are very difficult for most dentists to administer
using current techniques and can be extremely painful for the patient,
dentists typically assure effective anesthetic administration by using a
"mandibular block" that anesthetizes a quarter of the face in addition to
the single tooth being worked on. Unfortunately, dentists 'miss' the
targeted area for the anesthesia about 30% of the time, requiring multiple
injections and more patient time in the chair. In addition, "block"
anesthesia inconveniences the patient in a number of ways; the lip, tongue
and inside of the cheek are made numb as a side effect of this technique;
and when a patient requires anesthesia for work on the opposite side of the
mouth, dentists must currently schedule two separate appointments due to
the impossibility of administering simultaneous mandibular blocks. The STA
device incorporates the "biofeedback" elements of Milestone's patented
CompuFlo technology, thereby allowing dentists to administer injections
accurately into the periodontal ligament space, effectively anesthetizing a
single tooth. While the periodontal ligament injection has been around for
some time, there has been no effective technology that allows dentists to
easily perform the procedure painlessly, safely and predictably until now.
"We are extremely pleased to announce the FDA's acceptance of our
510(k) for the STA device, which we believe has the potential to
revolutionize the administration of local anesthesia in dental offices,"
stated Leonard Osser, Chief Executive Officer of Milestone Scientific Inc.
"Milestone was the first company to introduce 'painless' dentistry with the
introduction of its CompuDent system and disposable Wand handpiece in 1997.
At the time, this represented the most successful launch of a new
anesthesia device in U.S. dentistry, and we have built a solid domestic and
international customer base among dentists who rely upon CompuDent to
assure painless injections. However, although CompuDent did address the
difficulty of administering single-tooth injections, the procedure was
technique-sensitive, which limited its appeal to many dental professionals.
We have addressed this challenge by incorporating 'biofeedback' features
from our CompuFlo technology into the STA device, thereby providing
dentists with audible and visual 'prompts' that make it easy to administer
a PDL injection accurately and painlessly."
"We believe the STA device has the potential to greatly expand
Milestone's share of the dental device market," continued Osser. "The
dentist will now be able to effectively target a single tooth with
anesthesia, increasing the efficiency of his or her practice. The shorter
onset time and predictability of the STA injection should make the dental
practice more profitable. The STA procedure also avoids the collateral
numbness associated with mandibular blocks and shortens the amount of time
the patient must spend in the chair. Because the lips, cheeks and tongue
are not numbed when using a PDL injection, dentists can also work on teeth
that are located on opposite sides of the mouth during the same office
visit, thereby increasing the productivity and revenue potential of dental
practices. Our goal is to introduce the STA in the first quarter of 2007."
As with the Company's CompuDent system, the STA device will generate
recurring revenues from disposable handpieces.
About Milestone Scientific Inc.
Milestone Scientific Inc. is the developer, manufacturer and marketer
of CompuMed(R) and CompuDent(R) computer controlled local anesthetic
delivery systems. These systems comprise a microprocessor controlled drive
unit as well as The Wand(R) handpiece, a single patient use product that is
held in a pen-like manner for injections. The Company also sells the
SafetyWand(R), which incorporates engineered sharps injury protection
features to aid in the prevention of accidental needlesticks. Milestone has
also developed proprietary consumer (Ionic White) and professional
(CoolBlue) teeth whitening systems that were introduced to the market in
early 2005.
Milestone has also received broad United States patent protection on
CompuFlo(TM), an enabling technology for computer controlled, pressure
sensitive infusion, perfusion, suffusion and aspiration that provides real
time displays of pressures, fluid densities and flow rates. CompuFlo
advances the delivery to and/or removal from patients of local anesthesia,
medications and other fluids, and the Company is pursuing market
opportunities in a variety of medical and dental applications. Elements of
CompuFlo technology have been incorporated into the Company's new Single
Tooth Anesthesia (STA) Computer Controlled Local Anesthesia Delivery
Device. CompuFlo and the STA have been cleared for marketing and sale via
the acceptance of 510(k) Premarket Notification filings by the FDA.
The Company is headquartered in Livingston, New Jersey, and its common
stock trades on the American Stock Exchange under the symbol "MSS".
This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding the
timing and financial impact of the Milestone's ability to implement its
business plan, expected revenues and future success. These statements
involve a number of risks and uncertainties and are based on assumptions
involving judgments with respect to future economic, competitive and market
conditions and future business decisions, all of which are difficult or
impossible to predict accurately and many of which are beyond Milestone's
control. Some of the important factors that could cause actual results to
differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements
are general economic conditions, failure to achieve expected revenue
growth, changes in our operating expenses, adverse patent rulings, FDA or
legal developments, competitive pressures, changes in customer and market
requirements and standards, and the risk factors detailed from time to time
in Milestone's periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, including without limitation, Milestone's Annual Report on Form
10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2005. The forward looking-statements
in this press release are based upon management's reasonable belief as of
the date hereof. Milestone undertakes no obligation to revise or update
publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason.
Milestone Scientific Inc.
milesci
Scientific Inc. (Amex: MSS), which develops, manufactures, and markets
'intelligent' computer controlled local anesthetic delivery systems, today
announced that it has received FDA 510(k) Premarket Notification clearance
for the marketing and sale of its Single Tooth Anesthesia Device (STA).
The STA is a Computer Controlled Local Anesthesia Delivery Device that
utilizes Milestone Scientific's patented CompuFlo pressure measuring
technology to provide audible and visual "biofeedback" to the dentist by
measuring the pressure at the tip of the needle. The device is designed to
significantly improve the efficiency and economics of the dental office.
The periodontal ligament (PDL) injection, which anesthetizes only the tooth
that requires repair, is generally thought to be the most valuable
injection for the dentist, the patient and the business of dentistry.
Because PDL injections are very difficult for most dentists to administer
using current techniques and can be extremely painful for the patient,
dentists typically assure effective anesthetic administration by using a
"mandibular block" that anesthetizes a quarter of the face in addition to
the single tooth being worked on. Unfortunately, dentists 'miss' the
targeted area for the anesthesia about 30% of the time, requiring multiple
injections and more patient time in the chair. In addition, "block"
anesthesia inconveniences the patient in a number of ways; the lip, tongue
and inside of the cheek are made numb as a side effect of this technique;
and when a patient requires anesthesia for work on the opposite side of the
mouth, dentists must currently schedule two separate appointments due to
the impossibility of administering simultaneous mandibular blocks. The STA
device incorporates the "biofeedback" elements of Milestone's patented
CompuFlo technology, thereby allowing dentists to administer injections
accurately into the periodontal ligament space, effectively anesthetizing a
single tooth. While the periodontal ligament injection has been around for
some time, there has been no effective technology that allows dentists to
easily perform the procedure painlessly, safely and predictably until now.
"We are extremely pleased to announce the FDA's acceptance of our
510(k) for the STA device, which we believe has the potential to
revolutionize the administration of local anesthesia in dental offices,"
stated Leonard Osser, Chief Executive Officer of Milestone Scientific Inc.
"Milestone was the first company to introduce 'painless' dentistry with the
introduction of its CompuDent system and disposable Wand handpiece in 1997.
At the time, this represented the most successful launch of a new
anesthesia device in U.S. dentistry, and we have built a solid domestic and
international customer base among dentists who rely upon CompuDent to
assure painless injections. However, although CompuDent did address the
difficulty of administering single-tooth injections, the procedure was
technique-sensitive, which limited its appeal to many dental professionals.
We have addressed this challenge by incorporating 'biofeedback' features
from our CompuFlo technology into the STA device, thereby providing
dentists with audible and visual 'prompts' that make it easy to administer
a PDL injection accurately and painlessly."
"We believe the STA device has the potential to greatly expand
Milestone's share of the dental device market," continued Osser. "The
dentist will now be able to effectively target a single tooth with
anesthesia, increasing the efficiency of his or her practice. The shorter
onset time and predictability of the STA injection should make the dental
practice more profitable. The STA procedure also avoids the collateral
numbness associated with mandibular blocks and shortens the amount of time
the patient must spend in the chair. Because the lips, cheeks and tongue
are not numbed when using a PDL injection, dentists can also work on teeth
that are located on opposite sides of the mouth during the same office
visit, thereby increasing the productivity and revenue potential of dental
practices. Our goal is to introduce the STA in the first quarter of 2007."
As with the Company's CompuDent system, the STA device will generate
recurring revenues from disposable handpieces.
About Milestone Scientific Inc.
Milestone Scientific Inc. is the developer, manufacturer and marketer
of CompuMed(R) and CompuDent(R) computer controlled local anesthetic
delivery systems. These systems comprise a microprocessor controlled drive
unit as well as The Wand(R) handpiece, a single patient use product that is
held in a pen-like manner for injections. The Company also sells the
SafetyWand(R), which incorporates engineered sharps injury protection
features to aid in the prevention of accidental needlesticks. Milestone has
also developed proprietary consumer (Ionic White) and professional
(CoolBlue) teeth whitening systems that were introduced to the market in
early 2005.
Milestone has also received broad United States patent protection on
CompuFlo(TM), an enabling technology for computer controlled, pressure
sensitive infusion, perfusion, suffusion and aspiration that provides real
time displays of pressures, fluid densities and flow rates. CompuFlo
advances the delivery to and/or removal from patients of local anesthesia,
medications and other fluids, and the Company is pursuing market
opportunities in a variety of medical and dental applications. Elements of
CompuFlo technology have been incorporated into the Company's new Single
Tooth Anesthesia (STA) Computer Controlled Local Anesthesia Delivery
Device. CompuFlo and the STA have been cleared for marketing and sale via
the acceptance of 510(k) Premarket Notification filings by the FDA.
The Company is headquartered in Livingston, New Jersey, and its common
stock trades on the American Stock Exchange under the symbol "MSS".
This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding the
timing and financial impact of the Milestone's ability to implement its
business plan, expected revenues and future success. These statements
involve a number of risks and uncertainties and are based on assumptions
involving judgments with respect to future economic, competitive and market
conditions and future business decisions, all of which are difficult or
impossible to predict accurately and many of which are beyond Milestone's
control. Some of the important factors that could cause actual results to
differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements
are general economic conditions, failure to achieve expected revenue
growth, changes in our operating expenses, adverse patent rulings, FDA or
legal developments, competitive pressures, changes in customer and market
requirements and standards, and the risk factors detailed from time to time
in Milestone's periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, including without limitation, Milestone's Annual Report on Form
10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2005. The forward looking-statements
in this press release are based upon management's reasonable belief as of
the date hereof. Milestone undertakes no obligation to revise or update
publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason.
Milestone Scientific Inc.
milesci
'Ancestral Eve' Was Mother Of All Tooth Decay
A New York University College of Dentistry (NYUCD) research team has found the first oral bacterial evidence supporting the dispersal of modern Homo sapiens out of Africa to Asia.
The team, led by Page Caufield, a professor of cariology and comprehensive care at NYUCD, discovered that Streptoccocus mutans, a bacterium associated with dental caries, has evolved along with its human hosts in a clear line that can be traced back to a single common ancestor who lived in Africa between 100,000 and 200,000 years ago.
S. mutans is transmitted from mothers to infants, and first appears in an infant's mouth at about two years of age. Caufield's findings are reported in an article in the Journal of Bacteriology.
In his analysis of the bacterium, Caufield used DNA fingerprints and other biomarkers that scientists have also employed to trace human evolution back to a single common African ancestor, known as "ancestral Eve."
"As humans migrated around the world and evolved into the different races and ethnicities we know today," Caufield said, "this oral bacterium evolved with them in a simultaneous process called coevolution."
"It is relatively easy to trace the evolution of S. mutans, since it reproduces through simple cell division," says Caufield, who gathered over 600 samples of the bacterium on six continents over the past two decades. His final analysis focused on over 60 strains of S. mutans collected from Chinese and Japanese; Africans; African-Americans and Hispanics in the United States; Caucasians in the United States, Sweden, and Australia; and Amazon Indians in Brazil and Guyana.
"By tracing the DNA lineages of these strains," Caufield said, "We have constructed an evolutionary family tree with its roots in Africa and its main branch extending to Asia. A second branch, extending from Asia back to Europe, traces the migration of a small group of Asians who founded at least one group of modern-day Caucasians."
Additional branches, tracing the coevolution of humans and bacteria from Asia into North and South America, will be drawn in the next phase of Caufield's analysis.
Caufield's coauthors were Deepak Saxena, adjunct associate professor of basic science and craniofacial biology; Yihong Li, associate professor of basic science and craniofacial biology, both at NYU College of Dentistry; and David Fitch, an associate professor in NYU's Department of Biology.
Founded in 1865, New York University College of Dentistry (NYUCD) is the third oldest and the largest dental school in the United States, educating more than 8 percent of all dentists. NYUCD has a significant global reach and provides a level of national and international diversity among its students that is unmatched by any other dental school.
Contact: Christopher James
New York University
The team, led by Page Caufield, a professor of cariology and comprehensive care at NYUCD, discovered that Streptoccocus mutans, a bacterium associated with dental caries, has evolved along with its human hosts in a clear line that can be traced back to a single common ancestor who lived in Africa between 100,000 and 200,000 years ago.
S. mutans is transmitted from mothers to infants, and first appears in an infant's mouth at about two years of age. Caufield's findings are reported in an article in the Journal of Bacteriology.
In his analysis of the bacterium, Caufield used DNA fingerprints and other biomarkers that scientists have also employed to trace human evolution back to a single common African ancestor, known as "ancestral Eve."
"As humans migrated around the world and evolved into the different races and ethnicities we know today," Caufield said, "this oral bacterium evolved with them in a simultaneous process called coevolution."
"It is relatively easy to trace the evolution of S. mutans, since it reproduces through simple cell division," says Caufield, who gathered over 600 samples of the bacterium on six continents over the past two decades. His final analysis focused on over 60 strains of S. mutans collected from Chinese and Japanese; Africans; African-Americans and Hispanics in the United States; Caucasians in the United States, Sweden, and Australia; and Amazon Indians in Brazil and Guyana.
"By tracing the DNA lineages of these strains," Caufield said, "We have constructed an evolutionary family tree with its roots in Africa and its main branch extending to Asia. A second branch, extending from Asia back to Europe, traces the migration of a small group of Asians who founded at least one group of modern-day Caucasians."
Additional branches, tracing the coevolution of humans and bacteria from Asia into North and South America, will be drawn in the next phase of Caufield's analysis.
Caufield's coauthors were Deepak Saxena, adjunct associate professor of basic science and craniofacial biology; Yihong Li, associate professor of basic science and craniofacial biology, both at NYU College of Dentistry; and David Fitch, an associate professor in NYU's Department of Biology.
Founded in 1865, New York University College of Dentistry (NYUCD) is the third oldest and the largest dental school in the United States, educating more than 8 percent of all dentists. NYUCD has a significant global reach and provides a level of national and international diversity among its students that is unmatched by any other dental school.
Contact: Christopher James
New York University
More U.S. Teeth Susceptible To Silent Enamel Eating Syndrome
Cavities or not, your teeth could be in more trouble than you know because of a silent and destructive phenomenon called dental erosion. A faculty member at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio has found that the incidence of dental erosion, which is the steady loss of the teeth's protective enamel, is on the rise in the United States.
Bennett T. Amaechi, M.S., Ph.D., associate professor of community dentistry at the UT Health Science Center, and colleagues discovered a 30 percent prevalence rate of dental erosion among 10- to 14-year-olds in the United States. Dr. Amaechi led the San Antonio portion of the nation's first population-based, multi center study of dental erosion. The study, involving 900 middle school students, was conducted in 2004 and 2005 at Indiana University, the University of California at San Francisco and the UT Health Science Center San Antonio.
Dental erosion has not been widely analyzed in the United States. "This study is important because it confirms our suspicions of the high prevalence of dental erosion in this country and, more importantly, brings awareness to dental practitioners and patients of its prevalence, causes, prevention and treatment," Dr. Amaechi said.
He explained that dental erosion is caused by acids found in products that are being more widely consumed than ever in the U.S. These include soft drinks, some fruit juices, sports drinks, herbal teas, beer salts, and the Lucas brand of candy imported from Mexico that is especially popular among children in San Antonio and South Texas.
"When consumed in excess, these products can easily strip the enamel from the teeth, leaving the teeth more brittle and sensitive to pain," Dr. Amaechi said. "The acids in these products can be so corrosive that not even cavity-causing bacteria can survive when exposed to them."
Dr. Amaechi said some medications including aspirin, when taken regularly, have erosive potential. Some underlying medical conditions such as acid reflux disease or disorders associated with chronic vomiting, including bulimia, also can cause dental erosion because of the gastric acids that are regurgitated into the mouth.
"It is important for dental practitioners to identify dental erosion and its causes before it is too late," Dr. Amaechi said. "Because dental erosion creates a smooth and shiny appearance of the enamel and causes no pain or sensitivity in its early stages, most patients are not aware that they are suffering from the condition until the problem becomes severe. Therefore, the responsibility of early detection and treatment falls on the professionals."
Dr. Amaechi's findings were published in the international publication the Dental Tribune and have been translated in 35 languages. His article outlines the prevalence and potential causes of dental erosion and provides dental practitioners with guidelines for detection, diagnosis, treatment and prevention.
About UT Health Science Center San Antonio:
The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio is the leading research institution in South Texas and one of the major health sciences universities in the world. With an operating budget of $576 million, the Health Science Center is the chief catalyst for the $15.3 billion biosciences and health care sector in San Antonio's economy. The Health Science Center has had an estimated $35 billion impact on the region since inception and has expanded to seven campuses in San Antonio, Laredo, Harlingen and Edinburg. More than 23,000 graduates (physicians, dentists, nurses, scientists and allied health professionals) serve in their fields, including many in Texas. Health Science Center faculty are international leaders in cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, aging, stroke prevention, kidney disease, orthopaedics, research imaging, transplant surgery, psychiatry and clinical neurosciences, pain management, genetics, nursing, allied health, dentistry and many other fields. For more information, visit uthscsa.
University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
7703 Floyd Curl Dr.
San Antonio, TX 78229-3900
United States
uthscsa
Bennett T. Amaechi, M.S., Ph.D., associate professor of community dentistry at the UT Health Science Center, and colleagues discovered a 30 percent prevalence rate of dental erosion among 10- to 14-year-olds in the United States. Dr. Amaechi led the San Antonio portion of the nation's first population-based, multi center study of dental erosion. The study, involving 900 middle school students, was conducted in 2004 and 2005 at Indiana University, the University of California at San Francisco and the UT Health Science Center San Antonio.
Dental erosion has not been widely analyzed in the United States. "This study is important because it confirms our suspicions of the high prevalence of dental erosion in this country and, more importantly, brings awareness to dental practitioners and patients of its prevalence, causes, prevention and treatment," Dr. Amaechi said.
He explained that dental erosion is caused by acids found in products that are being more widely consumed than ever in the U.S. These include soft drinks, some fruit juices, sports drinks, herbal teas, beer salts, and the Lucas brand of candy imported from Mexico that is especially popular among children in San Antonio and South Texas.
"When consumed in excess, these products can easily strip the enamel from the teeth, leaving the teeth more brittle and sensitive to pain," Dr. Amaechi said. "The acids in these products can be so corrosive that not even cavity-causing bacteria can survive when exposed to them."
Dr. Amaechi said some medications including aspirin, when taken regularly, have erosive potential. Some underlying medical conditions such as acid reflux disease or disorders associated with chronic vomiting, including bulimia, also can cause dental erosion because of the gastric acids that are regurgitated into the mouth.
"It is important for dental practitioners to identify dental erosion and its causes before it is too late," Dr. Amaechi said. "Because dental erosion creates a smooth and shiny appearance of the enamel and causes no pain or sensitivity in its early stages, most patients are not aware that they are suffering from the condition until the problem becomes severe. Therefore, the responsibility of early detection and treatment falls on the professionals."
Dr. Amaechi's findings were published in the international publication the Dental Tribune and have been translated in 35 languages. His article outlines the prevalence and potential causes of dental erosion and provides dental practitioners with guidelines for detection, diagnosis, treatment and prevention.
About UT Health Science Center San Antonio:
The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio is the leading research institution in South Texas and one of the major health sciences universities in the world. With an operating budget of $576 million, the Health Science Center is the chief catalyst for the $15.3 billion biosciences and health care sector in San Antonio's economy. The Health Science Center has had an estimated $35 billion impact on the region since inception and has expanded to seven campuses in San Antonio, Laredo, Harlingen and Edinburg. More than 23,000 graduates (physicians, dentists, nurses, scientists and allied health professionals) serve in their fields, including many in Texas. Health Science Center faculty are international leaders in cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, aging, stroke prevention, kidney disease, orthopaedics, research imaging, transplant surgery, psychiatry and clinical neurosciences, pain management, genetics, nursing, allied health, dentistry and many other fields. For more information, visit uthscsa.
University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
7703 Floyd Curl Dr.
San Antonio, TX 78229-3900
United States
uthscsa
Positive Association Between Periodontal Disease And Coronary Heart Disease, New Study Finds
Researchers found an increased risk of coronary heart disease for people below the age of 60 who have more than four millimeters of alveolar bone loss (the bone that holds the teeth in the mouth) from periodontal disease, according to a new study that is printed in the Journal of Periodontology.
It was found that participants with coronary heart disease had an increase of periodontal disease indicators, including alveolar bone loss, clinical attachment loss and bleeding compared to the group without coronary heart disease.
"This study is distinctive because to our knowledge, it is the first to include both the alveolar bone loss and full mouth recording of clinical attachment loss as measurements of periodontal disease," explains Dr. Karen Geismar, Department of Periodontology, School of Dentistry, Faculty of Health Science, University of Copenhagen, Denmark. "Alveolar bone loss was recently found to be the periodontal variable that had the strongest association to coronary heart disease."
The association between periodontal disease and coronary heart disease has been that chronic infections and the inflammatory response from diseases such as periodontal disease may be involved in the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis.
"A number of pathways are suspected to be involved," said Geismar. "One way is that periodontal bacteria directly invade the arterial wall and another way is that bacterial products from the periodontal pocket exert a systemic effect on atherosclerosis development based on the immune system."
"This is one of many studies suggesting that the spread of bacteria and bacterial products from the periodontal lesion to the bloodstream may contribute to coronary heart disease," said Preston D. Miller, DDS and AAP President. "However, it is still uncertain whether or not the association between periodontal disease and coronary heart disease is causal. Until we know more, it is very important that people talk to their dentist or periodontist about their periodontal health."
STUDY BACKGROUND INFORMATION
This study included 110 patients with coronary heart disease and 140 people without coronary heart disease. The mean age was 65 years and 70 percent of the participants were male. All 250 participants received a medical and dental examination. Researchers found a significantly higher odds ration of 6.6 for individuals below age 60 having being a patient with coronary heart disease when having a mean alveolar bone loss of more than four millimeters. For more information including a referral to a periodontist or a free brochure entitled Ask Your Periodontist About Periodontal Disease and Heart Disease, visit the" AAP website at perio/.
The American Academy of Periodontology is an 8,000-member association of dental professionals specializing in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases affecting the gums and supporting structures of the teeth and in the placement and maintenance of dental implants. Periodontics is one of nine dental specialties recognized by the American Dental Association.
Contact: Kerry Gutshall
American Academy of Periodontology
It was found that participants with coronary heart disease had an increase of periodontal disease indicators, including alveolar bone loss, clinical attachment loss and bleeding compared to the group without coronary heart disease.
"This study is distinctive because to our knowledge, it is the first to include both the alveolar bone loss and full mouth recording of clinical attachment loss as measurements of periodontal disease," explains Dr. Karen Geismar, Department of Periodontology, School of Dentistry, Faculty of Health Science, University of Copenhagen, Denmark. "Alveolar bone loss was recently found to be the periodontal variable that had the strongest association to coronary heart disease."
The association between periodontal disease and coronary heart disease has been that chronic infections and the inflammatory response from diseases such as periodontal disease may be involved in the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis.
"A number of pathways are suspected to be involved," said Geismar. "One way is that periodontal bacteria directly invade the arterial wall and another way is that bacterial products from the periodontal pocket exert a systemic effect on atherosclerosis development based on the immune system."
"This is one of many studies suggesting that the spread of bacteria and bacterial products from the periodontal lesion to the bloodstream may contribute to coronary heart disease," said Preston D. Miller, DDS and AAP President. "However, it is still uncertain whether or not the association between periodontal disease and coronary heart disease is causal. Until we know more, it is very important that people talk to their dentist or periodontist about their periodontal health."
STUDY BACKGROUND INFORMATION
This study included 110 patients with coronary heart disease and 140 people without coronary heart disease. The mean age was 65 years and 70 percent of the participants were male. All 250 participants received a medical and dental examination. Researchers found a significantly higher odds ration of 6.6 for individuals below age 60 having being a patient with coronary heart disease when having a mean alveolar bone loss of more than four millimeters. For more information including a referral to a periodontist or a free brochure entitled Ask Your Periodontist About Periodontal Disease and Heart Disease, visit the" AAP website at perio/.
The American Academy of Periodontology is an 8,000-member association of dental professionals specializing in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases affecting the gums and supporting structures of the teeth and in the placement and maintenance of dental implants. Periodontics is one of nine dental specialties recognized by the American Dental Association.
Contact: Kerry Gutshall
American Academy of Periodontology
United Health Foundation And Howard University Launch New Program To Improve Dental Care For Low-Income Children
The United Health Foundation and Congressman Elijah E. Cummings (D-Md.) announced a $300,000 grant from the Foundation to establish a model "program in dental excellence" at Howard University's College of Dentistry that will expand access to quality dental care for low-income children and their families who reside in Washington, D.C. and Prince George's County.
This new initiative builds upon the demonstrated expertise of the Howard University College of Dentistry and the resources available through the school's evening dental program. By using the innovative model of family-oriented dentistry and dental case management the program will ensure that children and their families receive comprehensive services that address the full range of their dental needs.
"In the wealthiest country in the world, there is absolutely no excuse for tooth decay to be plaguing our children. Proper dental care is a critical component in children's overall health and development, and no child should be refused the right to good health," said Congressman Cummings. "This grant from United Health Foundation to Howard will help us continue to make great strides in our fight to provide access to quality dental care for all children-regardless of their race or economic backgrounds."
"We applaud Congressman Cummings for his national leadership to improve access to quality dental care for children," said Reed V. Tuckson, MD, United Health Foundation Board Member and Executive Vice President and Chief of Medical Affairs, UnitedHealth Group. "United Health Foundation is dedicated to providing expanded access to high-quality care by supporting community-based health centers throughout the nation. We are extremely excited about this collaboration with Howard University to advance comprehensive dental services for low-income families and are confident that the lessons learned from this program in dental excellence will be useful to not only the children of Washington, D.C. and Prince George's County, but the entire nation."
Tooth decay is the single most common chronic disease of childhood - five to eight times more common than asthma, according to the Children's Dental Health Project. In the 2000 "Oral Health in America Report," U.S. Surgeon General David Satcher, MD, called dental and oral disease a "silent epidemic," disproportionately affecting poor children.
"We are pleased to partner with the United Health Foundation on this very important mission," said Leo E. Rouse, DDS, dean of the Howard University College of Dentistry. "Together, we will expand access to quality pediatric dental care by advancing the innovative model of family-oriented dentistry. Community oral health care support and advocacy for total health care is part of our strategic plan."
The Howard University College of Dentistry is uniquely qualified for this grant due to its long-standing commitment in providing quality care to underserved children and its national leadership in the training of dentists. Founded in 1881, the college is the fifth oldest dental school in the country and is one of only two located within historically black colleges and universities.
The grant will support the new United Health Foundation Community Dental Health Program of Excellence at Howard University, which will aim to ensure children have a "dental home," where they can regularly receive basic dental services, as well as emergency treatment. Additionally, Howard University will be supported in developing state-of-the-art performance measures to evaluate and track quality of care delivery in community-based clinics such as the new program within the College of Dentistry. The program also will provide a unique environment for the training of general dentists as they learn to address pediatric dental needs.
Funding from the United Health Foundation grant also will support:
- The services of a pediatric dentist to provide on-site services for Medicaid beneficiaries in the service area;
- A dentistry case manager to provide on-site case management services for Medicaid beneficiaries in the service area, including scheduling, confirming appointments, and reducing barriers to keeping appointments; and,
- Community outreach and dental health education for children receiving Medicaid, their family members and caregivers.
The new program extends United Health Foundation's "Community Health Centers of Excellence" initiative, through which the Foundation partners with four community health centers in New Orleans, Bronx, NY, Miami, and in the Congress Heights/Anacostia area of Washington, D.C. To date, the Foundation has committed more than $17 million in financial support to the centers.
A recent study of the quality of care at three of these community health centers, released by George Washington University Medical Center in January 2008, found that, based upon national standards, they provided care at or above that available in the private sector. The fourth clinic, only recently established in New Orleans, already shows signs consistent with the other three centers. The measures used in the evaluation included screening for cervical cancer and tobacco use; the quality of care furnished to persons with diabetes and asthma; the frequency of prenatal care HIV screening; and patient satisfaction levels.
About United Health Foundation
United Health Foundation supports activities that expand access to quality health care services for those in challenging circumstances and provides reliable information to support health and medical decisions that lead to better health outcomes and healthier communities.
The Foundation's Community Health Centers of Excellence initiative emphasizes preventive care, coordination of care and the use of nationally recognized standards of treatment, tailored to the unique needs of each community in collaboration with local care providers. The Foundation partners with four community clinics: New York City-based Children's Health Fund to support children and families in the Bronx; Unity Health Care, Inc., to support the Congress Heights/Anacostia area of Washington, D.C.; the Jefferson Reaves, Sr. Health Center to provide care to the Overtown community in Miami, Florida; and in New Orleans, the Daughters of Charity Health Center - St. Cecilia.
The Foundation is a not-for-profit organization solely funded by UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH). For further information, please visit unitedhealthfoundation.
About Howard University
Howard University is one of 48 U.S. private, Doctoral/Research-Extensive universities and comprises 12 schools and colleges. Founded in 1867, students pursue studies in more than 120 areas leading to undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. Since 1998, the University has produced two Rhodes Scholars, a Truman Scholar, 19 Fulbright Scholars and 10 Pickering Fellows. Howard also produces more on-campus African- American Ph.D.s than any other university in the world.
Howard
This new initiative builds upon the demonstrated expertise of the Howard University College of Dentistry and the resources available through the school's evening dental program. By using the innovative model of family-oriented dentistry and dental case management the program will ensure that children and their families receive comprehensive services that address the full range of their dental needs.
"In the wealthiest country in the world, there is absolutely no excuse for tooth decay to be plaguing our children. Proper dental care is a critical component in children's overall health and development, and no child should be refused the right to good health," said Congressman Cummings. "This grant from United Health Foundation to Howard will help us continue to make great strides in our fight to provide access to quality dental care for all children-regardless of their race or economic backgrounds."
"We applaud Congressman Cummings for his national leadership to improve access to quality dental care for children," said Reed V. Tuckson, MD, United Health Foundation Board Member and Executive Vice President and Chief of Medical Affairs, UnitedHealth Group. "United Health Foundation is dedicated to providing expanded access to high-quality care by supporting community-based health centers throughout the nation. We are extremely excited about this collaboration with Howard University to advance comprehensive dental services for low-income families and are confident that the lessons learned from this program in dental excellence will be useful to not only the children of Washington, D.C. and Prince George's County, but the entire nation."
Tooth decay is the single most common chronic disease of childhood - five to eight times more common than asthma, according to the Children's Dental Health Project. In the 2000 "Oral Health in America Report," U.S. Surgeon General David Satcher, MD, called dental and oral disease a "silent epidemic," disproportionately affecting poor children.
"We are pleased to partner with the United Health Foundation on this very important mission," said Leo E. Rouse, DDS, dean of the Howard University College of Dentistry. "Together, we will expand access to quality pediatric dental care by advancing the innovative model of family-oriented dentistry. Community oral health care support and advocacy for total health care is part of our strategic plan."
The Howard University College of Dentistry is uniquely qualified for this grant due to its long-standing commitment in providing quality care to underserved children and its national leadership in the training of dentists. Founded in 1881, the college is the fifth oldest dental school in the country and is one of only two located within historically black colleges and universities.
The grant will support the new United Health Foundation Community Dental Health Program of Excellence at Howard University, which will aim to ensure children have a "dental home," where they can regularly receive basic dental services, as well as emergency treatment. Additionally, Howard University will be supported in developing state-of-the-art performance measures to evaluate and track quality of care delivery in community-based clinics such as the new program within the College of Dentistry. The program also will provide a unique environment for the training of general dentists as they learn to address pediatric dental needs.
Funding from the United Health Foundation grant also will support:
- The services of a pediatric dentist to provide on-site services for Medicaid beneficiaries in the service area;
- A dentistry case manager to provide on-site case management services for Medicaid beneficiaries in the service area, including scheduling, confirming appointments, and reducing barriers to keeping appointments; and,
- Community outreach and dental health education for children receiving Medicaid, their family members and caregivers.
The new program extends United Health Foundation's "Community Health Centers of Excellence" initiative, through which the Foundation partners with four community health centers in New Orleans, Bronx, NY, Miami, and in the Congress Heights/Anacostia area of Washington, D.C. To date, the Foundation has committed more than $17 million in financial support to the centers.
A recent study of the quality of care at three of these community health centers, released by George Washington University Medical Center in January 2008, found that, based upon national standards, they provided care at or above that available in the private sector. The fourth clinic, only recently established in New Orleans, already shows signs consistent with the other three centers. The measures used in the evaluation included screening for cervical cancer and tobacco use; the quality of care furnished to persons with diabetes and asthma; the frequency of prenatal care HIV screening; and patient satisfaction levels.
About United Health Foundation
United Health Foundation supports activities that expand access to quality health care services for those in challenging circumstances and provides reliable information to support health and medical decisions that lead to better health outcomes and healthier communities.
The Foundation's Community Health Centers of Excellence initiative emphasizes preventive care, coordination of care and the use of nationally recognized standards of treatment, tailored to the unique needs of each community in collaboration with local care providers. The Foundation partners with four community clinics: New York City-based Children's Health Fund to support children and families in the Bronx; Unity Health Care, Inc., to support the Congress Heights/Anacostia area of Washington, D.C.; the Jefferson Reaves, Sr. Health Center to provide care to the Overtown community in Miami, Florida; and in New Orleans, the Daughters of Charity Health Center - St. Cecilia.
The Foundation is a not-for-profit organization solely funded by UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH). For further information, please visit unitedhealthfoundation.
About Howard University
Howard University is one of 48 U.S. private, Doctoral/Research-Extensive universities and comprises 12 schools and colleges. Founded in 1867, students pursue studies in more than 120 areas leading to undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. Since 1998, the University has produced two Rhodes Scholars, a Truman Scholar, 19 Fulbright Scholars and 10 Pickering Fellows. Howard also produces more on-campus African- American Ph.D.s than any other university in the world.
Howard
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