We’re excited to introduce a new addition to infection control and protection for StarDental’s Identafi oral cancer screening device. Now available: disposable Plastic Barriers for the Identafi Oral Cancer Screening System. The new thin plastic cover provides options for those who feel the disposable mirrors are too bulky for accessing hard to reach spots such as the back of the tongue. The new sheaths are also great for dental professionals who are looking for a more economical alternative to the disposable mirrors.

The new Plastic Barrier was designed specifically for the Identafi, eliminating the usage of plastic bags or oral camera barriers that have not been developed and tested for proper Identafi light transmission. Additionally, the new plastic covers can be used along with the disposable mirrors for added protection, as the mirrors fit securely over the plastic sheaths.

The Plastic Barrier was recently introduced at the California Dental Association Spring Meeting in Anaheim, and was made available to ship on May 7, 2012. For more information on the new Identafi Plastic Barrier, please contact your dealer today!

Our 2012 Product Catalog has arrived and it’s better than ever!

We are very excited about the new 2012 catalog. In addition to our standard product listings, this catalog contains our new line of StarDental^® Concentrix^® handpieces and disposable sheaths for our Identafi^® Oral Cancer Screening Device that provide more complete asepsis to this already superior product.

New in the DentalEZ equipment section are the ErgoSure™ stools with 4 independent settings for true ergonomic functionality and our Simplicity^® hygiene package with suction to the unit head. In addition, we have a completely new equipment layout providing easier ordering and product selection:

• Set up like a configurator, allowing the choice of options to build the products.
• Reduced number of configurations to simplify the ordering process.
• More options are now standard.

Check it out we’re sure you’ll agree this is our best catalog ever, you can order catalogs at www.dentalez.com/requestlit.

The beginning of May had us heading out to Anaheim for the California Dental Association’s Spring Session! Unfortunately the weather was not typical for Southern California – majority of the trip was rainy and cold. In fact, the sun didn’t shine until our last day there, but we didn’t let that damper the mood inside!

On the first day the exhibits opened, booth traffic started out slow but we were happy to see it pick up for a busy Friday and Saturday on the show floor. A lot of attendees enjoyed visiting our booth and learning about our utility room equipment, EverLight^® LED operatory light, and our latest economical high-speed handpieces, the Concentrix^® line. The Identafi^® Oral Cancer Screening System was a big hit too, including our new Identafi Plastic Barriers.

Overall it was a successful show for us with quite a few sales and great new connections! Did you enjoy the CDA, too? We’d love to hear about your experience!

In Connecticut the debate centered around HB 5541, which would recognize the practice of expanded function dental auxiliaries (EFDAs) and establish a new certification program for advanced dental hygiene practitioners (ADHPs). The article states that

“Under the proposed legislation, Connecticut ADHPs — through a collaborative agreement with a licensed dentist — would be allowed to:

• Formulate an individualized care plan
• Administer local anesthesia
• Diagnose and treat certain oral diseases and conditions
• Provide diagnostic, educational, palliative, therapeutic, prescriptive and minimally invasive restorative oral health services, including preparing and restoring primary and permanent teeth using direct placement of appropriate dental materials; temporary placement of crowns and restorations; placement of preformed crowns; pulpotomies on primary teeth; direct and indirect pulp capping in primary and permanent teeth; and placement of atraumatic temporary restorations
• Prescribe, dispense, and administer certain drugs
• Remove mobile or exfoliating primary teeth and mobile permanent teeth
• Place and remove sutures
• Prevent or intercept potential orthodontic problems
• Provide temporary reparative services to patients with defective prosthetic appliances
• Use electronic technology to transfer digital radiography, photography, clinical assessment data, and fiber optic imaging in collaboration with other healthcare professionals when warranted”

Supporters of the bill believe it will help provide dental care to those with inadequate access to dental care. Opponents “contend that public safety is an issue and question whether adequate education and testing requirements are being addressed.” Although the bill did not pass out of the Public Health Committee, supporters are still moving forward in an attempt to offer an amendment to a bill and add ADHP.

In New Jersey, SB 298 was passed by the NJ state senate. This bill, currently at the state assembly for consideration, “would allow certified hygienists in New Jersey to expand their practices under the supervision of a dentist to schools, clinics, nursing homes, hospitals, prisons, and facilities that treat persons with developmental disabilities.”

The Kansas House of Representatives recently passed HB 2631, a bill that would let specially trained dental hygienists place temporary fillings, pull some teeth, and perform other basic dental services. Another Dr.Bicuspid article Kan. lawmakers support expanding dental hygienists’ duties details this story.

Have hygienists’ roles been expanded in your state?

Last month, DentalEZ Group had the opportunity to present to a group of dental professionals on oral cancer screening with Identafi^® from StarDental^®. The lecture was held on April 25^th in Vernon, British Columbia, Canada. Rick Gross, StarDental Senior Product Manager, presented on the importance of Oral Cancer Screening and how to incorporate routine screenings with the Identafi into your standard patient care. In attendance were the Kalamalka CDA and RDH Society and DentalEZ Territory Sales Manager in Western Canada, Rocky Riego. Special thanks to Gurjit Chung for organizing this event!

Have you recently attended or sponsored oral cancer screening seminars? Tell us all about it!

• CDA Anaheim, May 3-5th , booth # 1160
• Texas Dental Association, May 3-5th
• Lab Day West, May 5th
• ODA Ontario, May 10th-12th
• FDLA, May 11-12^th
• DentalOne Partners, May 18-19^th

Are you attending any of these events? If so, leave us a comment below! Hope to see you there!

These two articles are part of a series of studies and case reports which began in 2008 and are ongoing. The intention is to evaluate and support autofluorescence and narrow band reflectance (green amber light) in screening for oral cancer and its eventual use in detecting and treating cervical cancer.

The articles were published in a medical journal for that reason. The device referenced is the Trimira Identafi 3000 as these studies were undertaken in 2008 and 2009. Below are links to the studies and summaries of each.

Oral Fluorescence Imaging Using 405-nm Excitation, Aiding the Discrimination of Cancers and Precancers by Identifying Changes in Collegan and Elastic Breakdown and Neovascularization in the Underlying Stroma.

This supports the original work done in the Roblyer study in 2010 at Rice University which found that the 405nm wavelength unique to the Identafi device was best suited to identify precancerous and cancerous lesions. Nearly 120 patients participated in this study from which various types of lesions were identified through screening then photographed and confirmed with biopsies. Seventy-four of the lesions are presented in this paper demonstrating their appearance under white and violet (405nm) light. Note this study does not address the narrow band reflectance (green amber) of the Identafi system.

The conclusion: “Early results suggest that the addition of the fluorescence examination at 405nm is helpful in identifying characteristics indicative of precancer and cancer over that seen solely by comprehensive white light examination.” “Images in the violet induced autofluorescence at 405nm showed the deeper neovascularization of the stromal changes that accompanied the progression to neoplasia.

Lane P, Lam S, Follen M, MacAulay C. Oral Fluorescence Imaging Using 405-nm Excitation, Aiding the Discrimination of Cancers and Precancers by Identifying Changes in Collegan and Elastic Breakdown and Neovascularization in the Underlying Stroma. Gend Med. 2012 Feb;9(1 Suppl); S78-S82. e8

Has Fluorescence Come of Age? A Case Series of Oral Precancers and Cancers Using White Light, Fluorescence Light at 405nm and Reflected Light at 545nm using the Trimira Identafi 3000.

This paper documents a series of case studies performed within three clinical environments using the Identafi system. Images using the three wavelengths of light were used and the lesions photographed. Biopsies confirmed the diagnoses. This paper includes an image of the Identafi device and 12 different lesions.

The conclusion: “Given that oral neoplasm is rare, the need for a device that increases the sensitivity of the comprehensive white light oral; screening is evident. Such a device in the hands of dentist, family physicians, otorhinolaryngologists, general surgeons, obstetricians and gynecologists and internists, could greatly increase the number of patients who have lesions detected in the precancerous phase.”

Lane P, Follen M, MacAulay C. Has Fluorescence Come of Age? A Case Series of Oral Precancers and Cancers Using White Light, Fluorescence Light at 405nm and Reflected Light at 545nm using the Trimira Identafi 3000. Gend Med. 2012 Feb:9(1 Suppl); S25-35

Even though Oral Cancer Awareness Month is coming to an end, as dental professionals, let’s continue to learn and share all that we can in regards to oral cancer to help save lives. You can learn more about oral cancer screening with Identafi at www.Identafi.net.

What is Social Media and How do I Use it to Attract Patients?

5/8/12  4:00 PM ET,  1:00 PM PT

First up is Bill Neumann, founder of DentalSalesPro.com and vice president of First Im­pressions Magazine, who will break down the pros and cons of social media as well as how these tools can serve as important adjuncts to existing marketing efforts and business relationships.

Providing Excellent Dental Hygiene Care

5/9/12  4:00 PM ET,  1:00 PM PT

Next, Maria Goldie, RDH, BA, MS, will discuss how providing oral hygiene care in the form of preventive maintenance and periodontal maintenance is the mainstay of dental hygienists’ duties.

Digital Impressions, CAD/CAM Restoration and High Technology Products-In Your Office and In The New Dental Lab

5/24/12  5:00 PM ET,  2:00 PM PT

Later in the month, Dr. Paul Feuerstein, DMD will take a look at digital impressions and high tech products in the industry today and possibly in the future.

Mark your calendars for these informative seminars today!

Vital magazine published an informative 2-part article that helps you do just that. Making oral cancer screening a routine part of your patient care Part 1 and Part 2 were written by Linda Douglas RDH.

The article begins with an introduction to oral cancer statistics and a summary of how important a thorough screening can be. Douglas writes, “Early detection and treatment of oral cancer is crucial, as progression is rapid in the oral tissues due to the rich blood supply to the head and neck. Our goal is to discover oral cancers early, before patients present with symptoms.” Existing and changing risk factors are discussed, as well as common sites and types of oral cancer.

Part 1 continues with detailed information on the exam itself, including steps of intra-oral examination, lesions of concern and symptoms to look out for. The conclusion emphasizes the importance of dental professionals educating their patients on this subject.

Part 2 of the article focuses on screening techniques and technologies. Ms. Douglas continues to outline the characteristics of a comprehensive screening, and also discusses adjunctive screening techniques including autofluorescence, technology used by our own StarDental Identafi oral cancer screening device.

In conclusion, Ms. Douglas emphasizes that, “regardless of which screening technique is used, the most reliable method to confirm exact diagnosis is still scalpel biopsy and histopathological examination.”

Make sure to check out Vital’s articles on oral cancer screening; it will be worth your time! Do you have any oral cancer screening recommendations or tips on speaking to your patients about the disease?