Dental Saliva Test

The Winning Team: The Healthcare Provider & The Clinical Laboratory

Posted on by Diane Larson RDH, BSDH
Decades, possibly even a century, of periodontal research have led to modern-day periodontology. This research supports identifying the bad guys; reducing their presence should lead to less or no disease. This simple equation has proven to be successful, yet there are still more questions to be asked and answers to be discovered. Before clinical laboratory testing, healthcare providers could only assume the presence of these culprits in periodontal disease. Today, however, we can confiden...
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Oral Health and Whole-Body Health: Using Testing to Address Cause and Effect with Dr. Ron McGlennen

Posted on by Amanda Seaton, B.S.
You know that oral health can profoundly impact whole-body health. And your patients are becoming increasingly aware of this fact. You’re uniquely positioned to influence their oral care decisions. So, how do you expertly educate them about this vital connection? Join Ron McGlennen, MD, and Jocelyn Strand, ND, on Wednesday, April 10th, 2024, at 11am PT as they discuss evaluating oral health and addressing dental disorders from an integrative perspective. In this “fireside chat,” Dr. McGlennen...
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Unlocking Saliva Secrets: Combatting Dry Mouth with OralDNA® Testing

Posted on by Catherine Staffeldt RDH
In our daily lives, the significance of saliva is often overlooked, yet it plays a crucial role in our overall health. Saliva is more than just a means to keep our mouths moist, it is a vital component in protecting against viruses and bacteria, aiding in digestion, and even influencing our taste and speech. About 10% of the general population and 25% of older adults experience dry mouth AKA xerostomia, which impacts not just oral health but quality of life. Dry mouth occurs when there...
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Interview with Rachel Kashani-Legler, RDH, RF, BSDH, MS

Posted on by Rachel Kashani-Legler, RDH, RF, BSDH, MS
Normandale Community College has a commitment to excellence in dental hygiene education and has been training their students on salivary diagnostics since 2010. We asked Rachel Kashani-Legler, RDH, RF, BSDH, MS, to share her insight into their program and how it has been affected by the introduction of salivary diagnostics: Diane Larson, RDH: What are the most significant changes or trends you've observed in salivary testing over the last 13 years? Rachel Kashani-Legler, RDH: It is truly ama...
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Interview with Rosie Jimenez RDH

Posted on by Rosie Jimenez RDH
Dr. McGlennen: Tell me how you use OralDNA® salivary diagnostics. Rosie RDH: Let me begin by sharing; I have been very fortunate to work in practices that support my passion for treating periodontal disease. My patients have benefited through the communication, assessment, and treatment I provide. I know there are hygienists who work under different conditions. My advice: stay strong, keep educating yourself on new technologies and keep asking to use these technologies. Our patients deser...
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A Periodontist’s Nonsurgical Approach to Periodontal Disease: Part 2

Posted on by Lee Sheldon DMD PA
Last week I wrote on how MyPerioPath® testing impacts patient diagnosis. Now I will address another aspect of the report, the systemic antibiotic option. There are some “purists” out there who say they don’t need antibiotics, and that they only need clinical evaluation to treat a periodontal infection. I can’t see the bacteria. I don’t know the involvement or virulence of these pathogens. While I strongly believe that antibiotics are overused in health care, when there is a true infection of...
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A Periodontist’s Nonsurgical Approach to Periodontal Disease: Part 1

Posted on by Lee Sheldon DMD PA
I am a periodontist who has been using OralDNA® testing to determine periodontal pathogens for many years. Our practice consists of two periodontists and a restorative dentist. Most of our patients have major dental needs such as implants, bone grafts, and restorative needs, as well as a large population with chronic periodontitis. Philosophically, I believe that saving teeth is the role of a periodontist. Too many teeth are being extracted that can be saved in health for many years. There a...
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Do You Speak HPV? Part 1

Posted on by Kimberly Babauta, RDH, BS, BCPA
Dental professionals are often uncomfortable approaching patients on topics that are unfamiliar or that feel outside the realm of “traditional” dentistry.  One such topic is Human papillomavirus (HPV).  As a hygienist of 40 plus years, I can tell you this topic never came up in my education.  Several years ago, I had to educate myself about this near epidemic viral infection. Most importantly, I had to step out of my comfort zone to find a way to share this crucial knowledge with my patients...
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My Visit to OralDNA® Labs

Posted on by Barb Krueger, RDH, MA
Have you ever wondered what happens to your patient’s saliva sample once it arrives at OralDNA® Labs?  Many PDS®-supported offices have been using OralDNA® Labs to analyze the saliva of their patients, relative to the patient’s periodontal infection.  This service gives them more information about the types and severity of a patient’s infection, which is the cause of periodontitis.  Additionally, however, it tells us something about the bacterial load and a patient’s inflammatory response, w...
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Interview with Ashley Leiterman

Posted on by Ashley Leiterman RDH
Dr. McGlennen: Tell me how you use OralDNA® salivary diagnostics. Ashley RDH: I use OralDNA® salivary diagnostics to assist with the diagnosis and treatment planning of periodontal disease. The MyPerioPath® and Alert 2™ testing options are typically the tests we recommend most frequently. Dr. McGlennen: What are the top two things to consider when you select a patient for testing? Ashley RDH: I consider the history of their disease. I routinely recommend testing for any patient who ...
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