![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.oraldna.com\/trends-in-salivary-testing\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Oregon-Tech-300x139.png\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Dr. McGlennen:<\/strong> Tell me how your students use OralDNA\u00ae salivary diagnostics.<\/p>\n Tonja Willey RDH, MS:<\/strong> Our students\u2019 select one patient with moderate to severe periodontitis for a special program called Senior Capstone project; Perio Project. The goal of this project is to have the student follow one patient from the New Patient Consultation through all the steps of therapy in hopes of improving health or finding a more stable condition. The program fee ($175) includes several types of tests including the salivary diagnostic testing. The students go through the process of care (assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, evaluation, documentation) with the patient. During the assessment phase the student collects the OralDNA\u00ae sample. The students receive the results and discuss with the patient on what is the best possible treatment. Ultimately, the senior students present their Capstone Project to the class and others interested in their progress such as our clinic dentists, the other allied health faculty in the collage, and our junior students.<\/p>\n Dr. McGlennen:<\/strong> What are the biggest benefits to having students use salivary diagnostics?<\/p>\n Tonja Willey RDH, MS:<\/strong> One of the biggest benefits to having our students use salivary diagnostics is that it connects the dots for them from what they learned in their periodontology classes and what they have seen in clinic. Another benefit, is that the report comes with treatment recommendations that they can use to consult with our dentist and instructors for clarification and detailed instruction.\u00a0 Additionally, the students see the benefits of ongoing testing even after graduating.<\/p>\n Dr. McGlennen:<\/strong> What is your students\u2019 favorite part of the MyPerioPath\u00ae results? Why?<\/p>\n Tonja Willey RDH, MS:<\/strong>\u00a0 Our students are saying great things about salivary diagnostics! For example, \u201cUsing MyPerioPath\u00ae is a great educational tool for both myself and my patient. It allows us both the opportunity to put a number to the amount, and type of bacteria present in the mouth. It also helps the clinician individualize treatment even more based on the bacterial involvement the patient is experiencing.\u201d Kirsten, senior student<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cI think that knowing what kind of bacteria and how much of it that the patient has in their mouth is amazing to see. It gives hygienists a chance to individualize the patient\u2019s treatment plan to minimize their bacteria count.\u201d Courtney, senior student<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cIt was neat to see how the levels of bacteria lined up with what we learned about perio in school; we learned that P gingivalis was more common in chronic perio, and A. a. more common in aggressive–and I got to see that in my patient’s results! I had diagnosed her as having chronic perio, and sure enough, she had high numbers of P. g. I haven’t been able to show my patient the results, and I know we don’t do a post-therapy saliva test, but I would imagine that could be a good motivational tool to use with patients.\u201d Rachel, senior student <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Personally, I have seen our students dive into the report and show their client the report. This is very educational for the patient. It greatly helps with patient compliance when they can see in color the bacteria they are fighting against.<\/p>\n Dr. McGlennen:<\/strong> How do your students respond to this technology? What is their #1 question?<\/p>\n Tonja Willey RDH, MS:<\/strong>\u00a0 \u201cI have no questions, but it seemed really great on the webinar and I am very excited to use it!\u201d Kirsten, senior student.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Dr. McGlennen:<\/strong> How do the patients respond to this technology? What is their #1 question?<\/p>\n Tonja Willey RDH, MS:<\/strong>\u00a0 The patients seem very interested in the results and want to know how they can change their oral hygiene to lower the bacterial count. They also want to know which bacteria are normal and which are affecting their mouth and overall health.<\/p>\n Dr. McGlennen:<\/strong> If a health care professional were considering becoming an OralDNA\u00ae provider, what advice would you share to them?<\/p>\n Tonja Willey RDH, MS:<\/strong> The attitude of the provider makes a huge impact on the how the patient accepts any type of treatment. For a small fee, the OralDNA\u00ae testing is a tool that helps the clinician to decide what type of treatment will respond best to the specific bacteria. Not all bacteria respond well to Non-Surgical Periodontal Therapy (NSPT). Sometimes antibiotics are the best choice for treatment. This is all part of the package deal that OralDNA\u00ae provides with their reports.<\/p>\n Dr. McGlennen:<\/strong> Where do you see the future of salivary diagnostics? What would be the impact on students?<\/p>\n Tonja Willey RDH, MS:<\/strong> I see the salivary diagnostics increasing in popularity. The word is getting out about the positive patient responses. I would think that many patients will be seeking out health care professionals who provide this service. I see all dental offices offering this service in the future.<\/p>\n For students, the practical application of performing the service and able to explain the results to their patients will make them more comfortable. This will be the norm for the profession, just like screening for blood pressure is done today.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.oraldna.com\/trends-in-salivary-testing\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/QR.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"