CareQuest Institute Commends WHO For Adding Three Minimally Invasive Oral Health Care Medicines to Essential Medicines Lists

Here is some good news for individuals with kids in need of dental treatment.  I was happy to learn that WHO has authorized these materials as "essential".  For those of us who are lucky enough to live in areas where we can receive state of the art care, these materials are easily available and make a tremendous difference.  However, for those who live in areas where care is not so easily found, have access to these materials can make a real difference.  Here is the info courtesy of CareQuest:

The World Health Organization (WHO) published the new edition of its Model Lists of Essential Medicines (EML) and Essential Medicines for Children on Oct. 1, 2021, in which it recommended the establishment of a new section for children and adult dental preparation. The WHO's Expert Committee added three new oral health medicines — fluoride toothpaste, silver diamine fluoride, and glass ionomer cement — to the lists aimed at addressing global health priorities. These medicines provide the greatest benefits, according to WHO, and should be available and affordable for all. 

 These medicines are central to minimally invasive care, a care philosophy of decreasing and even eliminating the need for a dental drill and local anesthetic. They empower more oral health providers to treat tooth decay because they don’t require advanced skills such as drilling or numbing. This approach to care for tooth decay improves access, outcomes, and experience for many patients. 

 Jeremy Horst Keeper, DDS, PhD, director of clinical innovation at CareQuest Innovation Partners, a subsidiary of CareQuest Institute for Oral Health, led the proposal for glass ionomer cement to be a WHO Essential Medicine. He applauded the committee for their acknowledgement of oral health care's impact on the global public health problem and addition of these medicines:

 "This is a huge milestone in ensuring that billions of people will gain access to simple, non-invasive treatments for the most common disease in the world. The WHO has recognized that these three medicines, and not fillings, are the first-line treatment for tooth decay.”

 Keeper also explained why this shift in treatment is so important for children. 

 “Traditional dental procedures can be difficult for children, so providers often use sedation and anesthesia, which is expensive and can have adverse health effects on the overall body. Adding silver diamine fluoride and glass ionomer cement to the WHO EML for both children and adults eases the management of disease for all, but especially kids. We thank the WHO for taking this step toward a more person-centric and accessible approach to oral health care and helping millions of children in the process. Oral health care is health care. We are encouraged by this news and must continue to improve access to dental medicines and support additional innovations that allow us to improve health outcomes for all.”

 

Ellume issues voluntary recall of specific lots of Ellume COVID-19 Home Tests

As a bit of a public service, I thought I'd post this info today.  I receive regular updates from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) and occasionally, things come via that route that I feel deserve a blog post.  Today's is about a home test for Covid-19.  The company has issued a voluntary recall and there is the possibility consumers may have affected products in their medicine cabinets.

If you happen to have one of these kits, follow this link to find out whether your product is part of the affected lots.  It will also provide instructions on how to proceed. 

Recall Notice

Audience: Clinical Laboratory Professionals

Level: Laboratory Alert


On October 1, 2021, the digital diagnostics company Ellume announced a voluntary recall on specific lots of the Ellume COVID-19 Home Test, the company’s rapid, self-administered COVID-19 antigen test, because there is an increased chance that tests from the affected lot numbers may give a false positive result.


Ellume advises consumers to visit their website to check whether their product is part of the affected lots and, if affected, to receive further instructions.


The voluntary recall is being taken after specific product lots reported false positive test result rates higher than was observed in clinical testing. Ellume has investigated the issue, identified the root cause, implemented additional controls, and is working on resolving the issue that led to this recall. Information relating to the action to be taken by distributors and retailers for the affected lots is also provided on the company’s website.




National Oral Health Leader Launches Major Ad Campaign to Support Medicare Dental Benefit

 

CareQuest Institute for Oral Health’s campaign will run in 16 key Senate districts 

CareQuest Institute for Oral Health®, a national organization focused on improving oral health of all, today launched a multi-platform digital advertising campaign advocating for the inclusion of dental coverage under Medicare Part B. 

 

The United States Senate included a Medicare dental benefit as part of its budget blueprint released in August and is expected to release a formal legislative package this fall. The launch of the digital campaign is part of CareQuest Institute’s efforts to secure passage of this benefit that would improve the health of millions of Americans.  

 

“Of the 60 million Medicare beneficiaries, 26 million do not have dental coverage,” said Dr. Myechia Minter-Jordan, president and CEO of CareQuest Institute for Oral Health. “This means a population that is disproportionately people of color, rural Americans, and people with disabilities is left without basic care that affects their physical and mental well-being. If we care about ending the deep health disparities in this country, we must include dental coverage under Medicare Part B.” 

 

The campaign will encourage individuals to sign a petition asking Congress to pass the dental benefit and will target key Senate seats, including Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Maine, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, West Virginia, and Washington.  

 

Oral health care is essential care, especially for older adults. According to the CDC, one in five adults aged 65 years or older have untreated tooth decay or have lost all their teeth and more than two in three older adults have gum disease. Poor oral health has a direct impact on overall health and is associated with increased risk of chronic illnesses like heart disease and diabetes, as well as mental health. 

  

In August, CareQuest Institute joined with a coalition of leading health professionals to send a letter urging Congress to include dental coverage under Medicare. If passed by Congress, the legislation would help improve rates of dental visits among historically marginalized populations and lower-income beneficiaries, reduce long-term health care costs, and more.  

 

Adding dental coverage to Medicare is also popular with voters: A recent CareQuest Institute poll revealed that eight in 10 voters favored the inclusion of dental benefits in Medicare.  

Infinix by Nobio now Undergoing Clinical Testing

 

It's a funny thing about composites.  There are continual efforts put into new generations of the materials, but most of them are small, incremental changes.  Those kinds of things are nice, but they don't really shake up the product category, let alone the industry at large.

The good news is that everyone once in a while a new product arrives that is a true showstopper.  

A showstopper might very well be what we have here.  

Statistics show that composite restorations fail because of decay at the tooth-restoration interface (the margin).  Composite restorations offer many advantages, but recurrent decay is one of the material's weaknesses.  Currently the best way to prevent that marginal breakdown is accomplished by home care (brushing and flossing) and professional cleaning and fluoride application.

Now... what if the composite material itself killed the bacteria at the tooth-restoration interface?  That is the promise of Nobio's material called Infinix.  

The material contains a molecule that is quaternary ammonium bonded to silica-based filler particles.  These molecules are mixed into the composite as it is manufactured, meaning it is throughout the material.  This molecule actually microscopically punctures the bacterial cell membrane which kills the bacteria that cause decay.

The Quaternary Ammonium Silica (QASi) is "part" of the composite.  It doesn't wear out or get "used up".  It is there for as long as the composite is there.

Nobio has received FDA clearance to sell their material.

I have been lucky enough to have been asked to evaluate the material in a clinical environment.  I'll be placing Infinix restorations and will report back here to let you know my results and experiences.  Stay tuned...

For all the info on Infinix and Nobio, check out the company website.  

The Lowdown on the Vaccination Rate in the Nation and Per State

 A really short post today only because the story isn't really here in my writing, but at a website that is kept by the Washington Post.

I'm a subscriber to the WaPo and I try and take a few minutes each day to give it a look see and gauge anything interesting that might catch my eye.

Today my post is all about this link.  The paper has a really incredible page that can be customized via drop down menus to give you tons of info about vaccinations.  Not only do you get aggregate information about the U.S. as a whole, but you can also tailor it to your state or states you have interest in.  For instance, in my world I like to see numbers for not only Missouri (when I practice) but also Kanas since Kansas City is spilt down the middle by the Missouri-Kansas state line.

So head over to the Washington Post and peruse their page on vaccinations rates.  It's interesting and sometimes fascinating reading...

Dentsply Sirona Announces a Comprehensive Restage of its Implant Business

 

·         With a digital base, historical product strength and signature workflows supported by ongoing education and training, Dentsply Sirona is launching DS Implants, harmonizing successful brands like Simplant, OSSIX, Atlantis and MIS.

·         Three completely connected, seamless signature workflows will take full advantage of digital dentistry for excellent outcomes and patient satisfaction.

·         DS Implants presents DS PrimeTaper, a self-tapping implant with a tapered design that can be inserted safely and easily with a unique double thread, enabling long-term bone stability.

Charlotte, September 24, 2021. Today, Dentsply Sirona introduces a comprehensive restage of its Implants business, including three signature workflows to provide dental professionals with a completely new way of practicing implantology and solutions from scan to crown that outperform expectations in efficiency, accuracy, esthetics, longevity and simplicity.

·         The Single Tooth Signature Workflow enables customers to do more and better, faster, simpler, freeing up time to see more patients.

·         The Partial Multiple Tooth Replacement Signature Workflow solves a signature patient case with three posterior teeth missing to be restored with a three-unit bridge on two implants for more confidence for the clinician and more comfort for the patient.

·         The Full Arch Signature Workflow addresses a signature patient case with an edentulous maxilla. The workflow offers a restoration with a fix bridge on four implants with immediate temporization.

With a complete ecosystem of digital solutions and products – including well-known brands like Simplant, OSSIX, Axeos, Primescan, Atlantis and MIS – Dentsply Sirona is streamlining implant treatments for practice growth and consistent patient satisfaction.

Comfort with new products based on well-known procedures

Additionally, Dentsply Sirona Implants presents DS PrimeTaper, a self-tapping implant with a tapered design that can be inserted safely and easily. This enables long-term bone stability. The double thread allows the implant to be inserted quickly and safely. A simple drilling protocol, with only a few different drills, supports the workflow.

Dentsply Sirona worked closely with the global implant key opinion leader community, and they have already started gaining experience with the product. Their reactions have been very positive:

Dr. Dan Butterman, dentist from Centennial, Colorado (USA), emphasizes the importance of a seamless workflow. “DS PrimeTaper represents the next step in implant dentistry. The digital-driven workflow results in higher accuracy, repeatability of processes, and time savings.” Butterman adds, "My patients have better things to do than spending time in my office. Thanks to clearly defined processes and digital solutions, I can offer safer and faster treatment options which my patients appreciate. That's what efficiency is all about!"

Dr. Martin Wanendeya, dentist from the United Kingdom, notes "DS PrimeTaper as a part of an integrated concept is different from what we knew before. In addition to reducing chair time and simplifying collaboration with my laboratory, Primescan for Atlantis suprastructures ensures aesthetic predictability and a perfect fit.”

Seamless concept for transforming digital implant dentistry

“Dentsply Sirona is about intelligent concepts that work intuitively and improve the predictability of treatment,” said Dr. Terri Dolan, Chief Clinical Officer at Dentsply Sirona. “Our goal is to enable clinicians, including both specialists and general practitioners, to focus on what they do best – creating healthy and beautiful smiles. We are confident that we are building a winning future in the area of implant solutions focused on the needs of  our implant customers and their patients. Our connected and seamless concept for transforming digital implant dentistry is a first, essential step in this direction. Our vision for digital implant dentistry will be supported by a global clinical education program focused on end-to-end digital implant workflow solutions to achieve clinic, technical and practice excellence. The extensive curriculum is designed to build clinicians’ digital implant skills according to their level of experience and personal learning preferences. These include online education and personalized learning, as well as more than 50 state-of-the art Dentsply Sirona Academy education centers around the world.”

Start of clinical and registry study at Dentsply Sirona World

In cooperation with the McGuire Institute (iMc), two levels of evidence will be covered: The basis is provided by a prospective, multicenter, clinical study evaluating the complete digital workflow including 10 private practice investigators and their referrals for a five-year follow-up.

In addition, an ambitious registry study has been initiated aiming to involve more than 500 clinicians, placing over 2.500 implants for long-term follow-up. The beauty of a registry study is to obtain long-term clinical data without being prescriptive or having a specific endpoint. Therefore, it’s a powerful tool to create scientific evidence and market insights from the daily use of the product by the clinician. Both the clinical trial and the registry will collect “Real World Evidence” which is now recognized by the FDA as being the standard in collecting data and is meaningful to clinicians and patients alike.

 Due to different approval and registration times, not all technologies and products are immediately available in all countries

Intraoral Scanners Continue Market Penetration - Now in 50% or Practices

 

As I mentioned last week, I recently had the opportunity to speak to the Arkansas State Dental Association about the latest and greatest in dental tech.  One of the subjects we spent some time on digital impression systems/intraoral scanners.  This category of devices has seen some incredible growth in the last 5 years and is rapidly becoming the preferred platform for taking dental impressions.

Now comes some solid info that shows this device category is growing even faster than many of us have anticipated.  A couple of years ago we did a survey at Dental Products Report on several aspects of the profession.  Back then I recall the market penetration of digital impression systems was 32.8% from the respondents.

Now comes a report from the ADA Clinical Evaluators Panel which appeared in the Augusts issue of the Journal of the American Dental Association that indicates their respondents using an intraoral scanner is at 53%.  That's a pretty phenomenal number in my opinion.  Of course there is the for sure possibility that because it is a survey of the ADA Clinical Evaluators (ACE) Panel, those replying to the survey may be more inclined to embrace and deploy technology than an average bell shaped curve of dentists.

There are 968 members of the ACE Panel, of whom 369 responded.  Once again... there may be a potential skewing of the results with perhaps respondents being more inclined to respond IF they were users.

My pointing these things out is not to cast skepticism on the numbers, but simply to give you some things to consider.  However, I am very impressed with the growth of this category of tech users.  I've been saying for longer than 5 years that this tech category will continue to grow until analog impression materials and techniques are used only on rare occasions and special clinical situations.

The best part about the survey for me was this: 70% of respondents said the top reason they began using digital impressions is to improve clinical efficiency.  I am thrilled to hear that as no one wants *any* medical procedure to take longer.  Making things run more smoothly while also providing a better clinical outcome is the best thing about digital impressions in my opinion.  That's one of the reasons my office is now using TWO iTero scanners in our 3 doctor practice.

If you would like to see the entire survey follow this link.