26 USOSM Surgeon Partners to Participate Across Seven States

 

April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month and I'm proud to provide the following info courtesy of Dentistry Today.  My great friend Dr. Paul Feuerstein is Chief Editor of the publication and this info appeared on their LinkedIn page.  If you are practicing in any of the areas metioned or if you are a patient who would like a screening, please read on:

In honor of Oral, Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Month, 26 U.S. Oral Surgery Management surgeon partners in seven states will offer free oral cancer screenings during the week of April 14. The screenings are part of a joint partnership with the Head & Neck Cancer Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness of oral, head and neck cancer.

April is recognized as Oral, Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Month, a time to increase awareness of the condition, risk factors, statistics, and screenings. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated that in 2024 alone, 58,450 new cases of oral cancer were diagnosed, with 12,230 deaths attributed to it.

“The good news is that oral cancer has a survival rate of 80 to 90% when diagnosed early, according to the Head & Neck Cancer Foundation. That’s why events like this are so important,” said Vincent J. Perciaccante, DDS, FACS, USOSM chief clinical officer and a practicing oral and maxillofacial surgeon with South Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery. “Many oral cancer cases go undetected until they are categorized as late-stage cancers. If a pathology like oral cancer is present, it’s better to diagnose it as soon as possible. Early diagnosis can mean better treatment options and outcomes.”

The Head & Neck Cancer Foundation reports that the oral cancer diagnosis median age is 66, but the number of early-onset cases is rising. In particular, there are more patients being diagnosed under 50 who do not have traditional risk factors, like smoking or alcohol use. This shift is largely attributed to the human papillomavirus (HPV), which is now considered the number one cause.

“We recommend annual pathology screenings by a qualified health care professional, particularly since the number of early-onset cases is rising,” noted Dr. Perciaccante. “We also encourage you to do monthly self-exams to look for any changes – such as lumps, sores, or discolorations – which could be early signs of a pathology.”

Some additional, common symptoms of oral cancer identified by the CDC include sores or pain in the mouth or throat that will not go away; swelling or unusual bleeding; or difficulty performing daily functions like breathing, speaking, chewing, or swallowing food.

“If you’re experiencing any symptoms, have risk factors, or haven’t had a pathology screening yet this year, we urge you to take part in a free screening event in your area,” added Dr. Perciaccante. “If there isn’t one in your area, ask your insurance if they cover annual screenings such as this. Many cover it at no cost to the patient.”

Some risk factors to consider include smoking and alcohol use, genetic predisposition, poor nutrition, improperly fitted dental implants, mouth/face injuries, inadequate oral hygiene, and certain medical conditions/diseases.

USOSM surgeon partners providing free oral cancer screenings this month include 26 surgeons in 20 locations across seven states.

“We are proud and supportive of our partner surgeons to provide this valuable service free of charge to their communities,” said USOSM President and CEO Richard Hall. “This is another indication of our commitment to quality care and service to the community.”
In chronological order, categorized by free oral cancer screenings, USOSM participating partners include:

4/14

• • 7:30–9:30 am – Dr. Jeffrey Schultz, South Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Newnan, GA
• • 12–2 pm – Dr. Cassandra Stacy, Dakota Valley Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Burnsville, MN
• • 1:30–4 pm – Dr. Dana Brotherton, Fort Bend Oral Surgeons, Missouri City, TX
• • 2–4 pm – Dr. John Carey, North Metro Oral & Implant Surgery, Canton, GA
• • 2:30–4:30 pm – Dr. Benjamin Bush, Central Coast Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Paso Robles, CA
• • 3–4 pm – Dr. Sara Weinstein, Colorado Regional Oral Surgery, Arvada, CO

4/15

• • 11 am–1 pm – Dr. Carmine Colarusso, Central Mass Oral Surgery, Leominster, MA
• • 12–2 pm – Dr. Nancy McDermott, Dakota Valley Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Owatonna, MN
• • 1–3 pm – Dr. Sandeep Pathak, Oral & Facial Surgery Associates, Lawrenceville, GA
• • 2:30–4:30 pm – Dr. Lisa Tran, Ratner, Wilson & Tran DDS, Inc., Orange, CA
• • 3–5 pm – Dr. Brijesh Patel, Clark & Patel Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Oxnard, CA
• • 3–5 pm – Dr. Emily Frye, Oral and Maxillofacial Associates LLC, Oklahoma City, OK
• • 3–5 pm – Dr. Ross Martin, Oral and Maxillofacial Associates LLC, Oklahoma City, OK
• • 3–5 pm – Dr. Drew Wendelken, Oral and Maxillofacial Associates LLC, Oklahoma City, OK
• • 3–5 pm – Dr. Diane Pennington, Camden Oral Surgery PC, St. Marys, GA
• • 3:30–4:30 pm – Dr. Nicholas Politano, Colorado Regional Oral Surgery, Arvada, CO
• • 3:30–4:30 pm – Dr. Eric Reimer, Colorado Regional Oral Surgery, Arvada, CO
• • 3:30–5 pm – Dr. Howard Cooke, Metroplex Surgical Arts, Dallas, TX

4/16

• 1–2 pm – Dr. Travis Hamilton, Colorado Oral Surgery, Denver, CO

• 2–4 pm – Dr. Justin Weaver, Central Coast Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Paso Robles, CA

• 2–4 pm – Dr. Angie Rake, Dakota Valley Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Lakeville, MN

• 2:30–4 pm – Dr. Patrick Walker, Oral & Facial Surgery Associates, Braselton, GA

4/17

• • 11 am–1 pm – Dr. Vincent Perciaccante, South Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Peachtree City, GA
• • 2–4 pm – Dr. Jennifer Keyser, South Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Fayetteville, GA
• • 3–5 pm – Dr. William Clark, Clark & Patel Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Oxnard, CA

4/18

• 1:30–2:30 pm – Dr. Michael Hale, Colorado Oral Surgery, Parker, CO

The Head & Neck Cancer Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness of oral, head and neck cancer. The foundation strives to produce measurable, progressive change through education, awareness, research, outreach, and advocacy. For more information, visit https://www.mnofs.com/head-neck-cancer-foundation.

Headquartered in Irving, Texas, USOSM sets the standard for oral and maxillofacial surgery management. A management services organization spanning 29 states, USOSM has built a best-in-class network of premier oral and maxillofacial surgeon partners. USOSM provides operational, financial, and administrative support services to fuel clinical excellence, innovation, and wealth creation. For more information, visit https://www.usosm.com.

Dental Duets - An Interview by Michael Ventriello

 

A really short post today because the real info comes from the link below, but I want to provide a little backstory to this.  I've been friends with Micheal Ventriello for at least 20 years.  He's an amazing public relations mind.  When I met him he was working for an ad agency that specialized in a focus on dentistry.

We'd see each other at industry meetings and exchange emails in between those events.  We eventually graduated up to meeting for breakfast at those meetings and then we eventually began collaborating together on projects.  In fact, recently Mike started a PR collaboration with another great friend, Mark Ross.  They launched Personify Group in the fall of 2024 and I have joined as the Dental Technology Advisor to help with their services and deliverables.

Mike recently reached out to me about collaborating wiht him on his Dental Duets column for Dr. Bicuspid.  That column recently went live and I think (selfishly I'll admit) that it's a pretty good read.  You can find the column here.  Enjoy!

AdDent BioScreen - the Benefits of Oral Cancer Screening

 

April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month and along those lines, I'd like to highlight a product to help doctors better screen for oral cancer.  That product is an oral cancer screening device called BioScreen and it is manufactured and sold by one of my favorite 'better mousetrap' companies, AdDent.  Dentistry is a wonderful profession.  I love that it lets me solve problems as well as allowing me to know I'm helping people.  Dentistry can be life changing for many people, however there are also ways that it can be life saving.  One of those potentially life saving things is to be performing routine oral cancer screenings for patients on a regular basis.

Oral cancer is, as are most cancers, an insidious disease that often goes unnoticed in its early stages.  Unfortunately any cancer becomes much more difficult to remove and/or cure as it progresses.  The key to beating cancer, for both the doctor and the patient, is early detection.

Here are some Key Statistics about oral cancer:

• Around 60,000 new cases are diagnosed annually in the United States
• It accounts for about 13,000 deaths each year
• The 5 year survival rate is 68%
• 95% of cases occur in people over 40 with an average age of diagnosis around 60 years of age
• It used to be historically more prominent in males, at one time having a 6:1 male to female ratio.  However, currently it has shifted to 2:1 male/female ratio
• While the common belief is that alcohol and tobacco use were the prime risk factors, currently it is also linked with HPV 16 infections (which cause cancer in the tonsils and the base of the tongue).  That is the same virus that causes cervical cancer in women
• There has been a 49% increase in cases in the last 10 years

Those are sobering statistics and they are why oral cancer screening is critical for saving lives.

One of the best ways to prevent oral cancers is to inoculate young people with the HPV vaccine (Gardasil).  Originally this was used for prevention of cervical cancer in women, but as more has become known about HPV, the vaccine has also been given to young men as the first step in helping to prevent oral cancers.  The benefits for helping to prevent oral cancer is shared by both genders.  Gardasil 9 protects against nine types of HPV: 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58.  Oral cancers have been linked to HPV 16.

The other critical piece of helping to prevent the impact of this disease is to screen patients routinely as part of a regular dental examination.  Finding oral cancer at its earliest stages makes it much easier to treat and the screenings are especially easy to do if the doctor and hygienist use a light assisted screening.  Screening lights utilize a special wavelength of light that creates biofluorescence to aid detection.  The AdDent Bioscreen is a great way to provide these screenings.

I explain to patients that the light is *not* a diagnostic device.  It doesn't tell me that I see cancer.  It is a *screening* device.  Injured tissues look different when exposed to the light.  Healthy tissues look like the skin of a green apple while any injured or abnormal tissues appear dark or black.  Small areas are much easier to see with a screening light.

The BioScreen uses 5 LEDs that allow the screening to be done, even in a brightly lit area.  An eyepiece and viewing filters increases the contrast between healthy and abnormal tissue.  The device runs on a rechargeable battery that will last for 500 charging cycles.  It even has an auto shut off feature if the device is accidentally left on.  It also has a low battery indicator that tells the user to charge it before the battery is fully spent.

Our patients often mention how much they appreciate the fact that we perform oral cancer screenings and I personally think they are one of the best things we can do.  As specialists of the mouth, head, and neck, dental professionals are uniquely positioned to provide these screenings.  By doing so, a doctor might just save a life... and that is a powerful thing to think about.

The BioScreen is currently available for a 20% discount during Oral Cancer Awareness Month.  The discount code is: SCREEN20

AdDent also offers an eBook on the benefits of light assisted screening.  You can download it here.  

Heartland Dental, Concorde Career Colleges break ground on co-branded campus

Heartland Dental and Concorde Career Colleges have broken ground on their first co-branded dental training campus in Fort Myers, Fla.

Concorde Career Colleges launched a partnership with the DSO to open campuses for hygienists and dental assistants in August. As part of the deal, Heartland Dental is funding the construction and providing scholarships to students. 

The Fort Myers campus will train up to 190 hygienists and dental assistants each year.
Concorde Career Colleges announced the groundbreaking in an April 8 LinkedIn post. The campus is expected to open later this year.

 

Announcing Three 2025 Continuing Education Lectures / Hands-on Workshops Presented by Corky Willhite , DDS, FAGD, FAACD 

If you would like to join Dr. Willhite for his popular Ultimate Esthetics Course, we invite you to join us at the Center for Esthetic Excellence in Chicago this May 15th & 16th for his 2-day lecture and hands-on workshop called “Ultimate Esthetics with Composite: The Basics of Layering to Advanced Techniques." There are a few spots left, and this course will be a deep dive into how to achieve more natural results with composite resin. You will learn a practical and predictable layering technique that you can incorporate into your daily practice to make your composite restorations look natural and beautiful. 

 Dr. Willhite will also be teaching a few more courses at the Center of Esthetic Excellence in 2025: “Composite Bonding for Smile Makeovers: Designed for Accreditation Case Type 5” on September 24-26, 2025 & “A Simple, Predictable Technique to Open VDO, Change Occlusion, & Build Long Lasting Cosmetic Restorations” on November 13-14, 2025. 
 To learn more details about what will be covered in each course or to register, you can use the links below: 

1. • “Ultimate Esthetics with Composite: The Basics of Layering to Advanced Techniques,” on May 15-16, 2025 Master Anterior Composite Restorations - Cosmedent 
2. • “Composite Bonding for Smile Makeovers: Designed for Accreditation Case Type 5” on September 24-26, 2025: https://www.cosmedent.com/product/composite-bonding-for-smile-makeovers-designed-for-accreditation-case-type-5-1/ 
3. • “A Simple, Predictable Technique to Open VDO, Change Occlusion, & Build Long Lasting Cosmetic Restorations” on November 13-14, 2025.  https://www.cosmedent.com/product/a-simple-predictable-technique-to-open-vdo-change-occlusion-and-build-long-lasting-cosmetic-restorations-1/

 If you have any questions, please contact Erika Heier at either erika@cosmedent.com or 
1-800-837-2321

Delta Dental of Washington and Dentistry.One Partnership Offers Virtual Dental Care

 

New Service Helps Address Barriers to Care; Provides 24/7 Service for Dental Emergencies

A new partnership between Delta Dental of Washington and Dentistry.One, a virtual-first dental care solution introduced by MouthWatch, LLC provides a virtual dental care option for more than 4 million Delta Dental of Washington members. 

Through this partnership, Delta Dental of Washington members gain 24/7 access to Dentistry.One’s suite of virtual care services, including live video consultations, asynchronous photo reviews, and AI-powered SmileScan™, which utilizes artificial intelligence to track a patient’s oral health. 

Members also benefit from a nationwide network of expert dentists, including eight dentists located in Washington state, and dental hygienist care advisors, offering tailored advice and seamless coordination of in-person care when needed, including evening and weekend appointments for dental emergencies. 

After a virtual care appointment, Dentistry.One will share the member’s oral health report directly with the member’s preferred dentist, if they have one. For those without a dentist, Dentistry.One can assist with identifying a nearby dentist and with scheduling in-person appointments as needed.

"Our partnership with Delta Dental of Washington represents the future of oral healthcare – seamless, accessible, and patient-centered," said Brant Herman, Founder & Chief Executive Officer of MouthWatch and Dentistry.One. "We’re excited to offer Delta Dental of Washington members an innovative benefit which makes accessing care easier than ever, enhancing member engagement, and keeping members healthy. Dentistry.One is designed to meet the evolving needs and goals of oral health, by delivering a new standard that improves member experience and outcomes while connecting more members to care." 

“This partnership amplifies Delta Dental of Washington's decades-long commitment to innovation and dental care equity,” said Diane Oakes, Chief Mission Officer of Delta Dental of Washington. “Partnerships like this move us closer to our goal that everyone can enjoy good oral health with no one left behind – including many rural communities where dental care resources are scarce.”

By combining Delta Dental of Washington’s mission to remove barriers to health care and improve overall health with Dentistry.One's virtual technology and ecosystem of services, the collaboration provides new access to care. For patients managing chronic health conditions, this means easier access to dental services which can significantly improve their overall health outcomes. 

“Through our virtual consultations, we can identify potential oral health issues before they become serious, offer immediate triage, and coordinate in-person care, when necessary,” said Dr. Derek Weigand, a dentist at Dentistry.One. “For populations like diabetic patients or expectant mothers, this proactive approach can be truly life changing." 

To learn more about the partnership and see if you are eligible, visit https://www.deltadentalwa.com/virtual-dental-care.

About Delta Dental of Washington
Founded 70 years ago by Seattle area dentists who set out to revolutionize oral health care, an innovative program was developed to provide longshoremen’s children access to dental care – and the concept of dental benefits was born. Today Delta Dental of Washington, a not-for-profit, is the state’s leading dental benefits provider covering nearly 4 million people statewide and beyond.

Through corporate philanthropy, oral health advocacy, and funding the Arcora Foundation, Delta Dental of Washington plays a vital role in making dental care more equitable and accessible, increasing dental health education with an emphasis on youth, and expanding diversity at all levels within the dental profession. These collective efforts aim to improve oral health care in Washington so all people can enjoy good oral and overall health with no one left behind. Delta Dental of Washington is part of the Delta Dental Plans Association, consisting of 39 independent, affiliated member companies. For more information, visit: www.deltadentalwa.com. 

About Dentistry.One 
Dentistry.One was created to break down the barriers that prevent millions of people from accessing the dental care they need. Our vision is to make dental health accessible to everyone, unlocking the significant health and cost-saving benefits that come with a healthy mouth. Through telehealth, Dentistry.One provides dental care to the 60% of the population who don’t regularly visit a dentist. Offering anxiety-free online consultations, personalized care coordination, and seamless care coordination, Dentistry.One empowers patients to take control of their oral and overall health. To learn more, visit https://dentistry.one/. 

The Technology Evangelist Podcast is coming Soon!

 

In my first post here of 2025, I mentioned that I was thinking about starting a podcast.  Well, since that post I've been hard at work.  There's a lot that goes into putting a podcast together.  A lot of the work is on the 'backend' post-production.  For me, talking is easy... sometimes too easy... but my point is that, for me, content is easy to create.  The time consuming and sometimes difficult part is creating the content.  It's the backend part that will be more difficult.

That's why I'm grateful that I'm partnering with Medidenta Digital on this.  They have the experts and the expertise to put this all together into a digestible form for the audience.

We've just about got the whole process ready to go.  In the not too distant future I'm going to start interviewing guests and then getting that content out to all of you.  I know the graphic for this post says "Register here to Watch or Listen for free", but our content isn't live yet, so there's no link to follow.

However, the moment it *does* go live, I'll let you know.  There will be a post about it here and I'll also push it out on my social media channels.  That way no matter where you follow me, you'll know when you can subscribe.  I'm super excited to be wrapping up the planning and details stage and moving forward to letting you watch and listen.  So be patient just a big longer and then I'll get you all the details.  I promise to bust my backside to give you pertinent, interesting, and fun info.  Let the games begin!