Rethinking the Dental Examination

Posted on November 9, 2018May 20, 2021 by Susan Maples DDS

It’s 2018 and I am dumbfounded by the number of adult new patient appointments that begin in the hygiene chair. We all recognize this is an ‘old school’ practice, but maybe we still secretly believe it’s the right thing to do for our patient. Maybe we somehow believe it’s financially beneficial to the practice. Neither of these could be further from the truth. The dental examination of today is all about the patient of today. From a health standpoint, the patient of today is more complica...

Oral HPV Awareness Campaign: Part 2

Posted on June 15, 2018May 19, 2021 by Susan Maples DDS

Currently about 72% of all OPCs (Oropharyngeal Cancers) are the results of an oncogenic HPV infection—and very few of these cancers are found in the front of the mouth. HPV-Oral Pharyngeal Cancer (HPV-OPC) develops at the deep base of the tongue or behind of the curtains of the tonsillar pillars. Sadly, there is no effective screening method for early cancer detection. While we fumble with the words to say and the warnings to issue, we are literally watching the HPV epidemic unfold before...

Oral HPV Awareness Campaign: Part 1

Posted on June 8, 2018May 19, 2021 by Susan Maples DDS

As a Total Health Dental Practice, there was one particular oral disease my team was not comfortable discussing—even though it is deadly and its epidemic has escalated to horrific proportions. You guessed it…HPV-related Oral Pharyngeal Cancer (OPC). Don’t get me wrong; our responsibility to complete our 9-point screen for oral cancer is routinely completed. But we knew the screening exam—was completely ineffective in screening for the risk of HPV-OPC. In brainstorming about our weakness, ...

Where Does the HPV Go?

Posted on April 27, 2018May 19, 2021 by Ronald C. McGlennen, MD

The alarming incidence of oral cancer connected to oral infections caused by the human papillomavirus, HPV, should rightly raise concern. For too long healthcare has overlooked the potential of HPV to cause serious disease in the oral cavity, the pharynx and larynx. Fortunately, early detection is key, and there is now a highly sensitive test that can identify early HPV infections called OraRisk ® HPV. OraRisk ® HPV identifies the HPV infection often before any clinical symptoms can be se...

The Co-management of an Esophageal Cancer Survivor

Posted on April 20, 2018May 19, 2021 by Camille Luke RDH MSDH

Background: The patient is a 75-year-old female with a history of esophageal cancer in 2013. The origin of the cancer was determined to be lichen planus. Surgical removal of the lesion occurred and no reconstructive surgery was needed. However, post-surgery to present date, the patient experiences severe acid reflux and sleeps with her head elevated. She has great home dental care and follows a 3-month periodontal maintenance. During the head and neck exam, no significant findings were disco...

What’s the difference between the two OraRisk® HPV testing options offered by OralDNA® Labs?

Posted on April 13, 2018May 19, 2021 by Brianna Neil

One of the most commonly asked questions from patients and providers alike is – “What’s the difference between the two OraRisk® HPV tests you offer?” Simply answered: the main difference is the total number of HPV types tested. The OraRisk® HPV Complete Genotyping test option will analyze the oral rinse specimen for 51 different types of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), including high risk, low risk and unknown risk types. If the sample is positive for the presence of HPV, it will then ...

Advancing Patient Care Through the Use of OraRisk® HPV Salivary Testing: An Interview with Camille Luke

Posted on April 6, 2018May 19, 2021 by Camille Luke RDH MSDH

Dr. McGlennen: Tell me how and why you utilize OralDNA® salivary diagnostics. Camille RDH: Currently we use the OraRisk® HPV test in 5 different dental practices. Our team members use this test as part of our oral cancer screening process. At a continuing education course, we were introduced to the correlation between HPV and oral cancer, and felt this would be an important service to provide for our patients, especially with the increased risk of developing oral cancer associated with ...

Connecting the Dots: A Role for Inflammation in Oral and Pharyngeal Cancers

Posted on September 1, 2017May 19, 2021 by Ronald C. McGlennen, MD

September is sexual health awareness month. In recognition, enjoy a previous post by Dr McGlennen regarding oral health and sexual health. It is important to understand the role of human papillomavirus (HPV) in the development of squamous cancers of the head and neck. But it seems there is missing a fuller appreciation of other key risk factors at work with the virus, to cause bad things to happen to cells in the mouth and throat. HPV infection is very common, and with the sensitive molecular...