Oral Bacteria Linked To Increased Risk Of Pancreatic Cancer

Gum disease and pancreatic cancer may be associated with one another, according to the British Dental Health Foundation.

Published in the journal Gut, the study found that certain types of bacterium present in the formation of gum disease is linked to a 2 times higher risk of developing pancreatic cancer. On the other hand, oral bacteria that is not harmful resulted in a 45% decreased risk of pancreatic cancer.

A 2007 study, conducted by the same researchers, found that men with a history of periodontal disease had a 64% increased risk of pancreatic cancer than men who did not.

The experts say they cannot yet prove that gum disease increases the risk of pancreatic cancer, but they say that the new research is evidence that there is a significant association between the two.

Earlier studies have said there is a correlation between the two diseases. However, it is not clear whether certain bacteria found in gum disease are a cause or a result from pancreatic cancer.

Signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancer, which depend on the size, tissue type, and location of the tumor may include:

    Loss of appetite

    Weight loss

    Jaundice (yellowish coloring of eyes and skin)

    Upper abdomen pain

    Trousseau sign - a medical sign present in certain cancers

    Clinical depression

    Diabetes mellitus

Dominique Michaud, a Brown University epidemiologist, said: "This is not an established risk factor. But I feel more confident that something is going on. It's something we need to understand better."

Co-lead author of the study, Jacques Izard from the Forsyth Institute and Harvard University agreed with Michaud. He explained, "We need to further investigate the importance of bacteria in pancreatic cancer beyond the associated risk."

The study found that pancreatic cancer was responsible for 7,901 deaths out of 20,104, and in England, a mere 4% of pancreatic cancer patients lived for more than 5 years.

Chief Executive of the British Dental Health Foundation, Dr Nigel Carter OBE, said that if there is even the slightest evidence of an association between pancreatic cancer and gum disease, this should be enough to remind people of how critical good oral health is.

He said:  "This research provides further ammunition to the growing belief these two disease could be related.

There is no escaping the fact that poor oral health has some role to play, as a number of studies are now starting to show. What we must remember is oral health is relatively simple to maintain. The Foundation's three key messages- brushing your teeth for two minutes twice a day using a fluoride toothpaste, cutting down on how often you have sugary foods and drinks and visiting the dentist regularly, as often as they recommend- are a great starting point for maintaining good oral health.

If you have swollen gums that bleed regularly when brushing, bad breath, loose teeth or regular mouth infections appear, it is likely you have gum disease. If any of these symptoms persist, your dentist may be able to help you."

Article published on medicalnewstoday.com on October 2, 2012.  See original article here. 

Fighting Tooth Decay with Coconut Oil

Scientists have found that digested coconut oil can actually start an attack upon the bacteria that are responsible for tooth decay

Scientists have presented some important findings at the Autumn Microbiology Conference at the University of Warwick.

According to these findings, the digested coconut oil can actually start an attack upon the bacteria that are responsible for tooth decay.

It is important to mention that coconut oil can be regarded as a natural antibiotic, and scientists say that probably this precious ingredient might be added as a main ingredient to hundreds of oral health care products available on the market.

Another team of researchers from the Athlone Institute of Technology from Ireland made an important lab test. They wanted to see which are the antibacterial properties of both the natural coconut oil and the one treated with enzymes.

The oils have been subjected to a special lab test resembling human digestion, and researchers also brought coconut oils in contact with the Streptococcus bacteria which are common harmful bacteria found within the mouth.

According to the results, the coconut oil which has been enriched with enzymes had a positive effect on the inhibition of the Streptococcus bacteria, but especially the Streptococcus mutans, which is one of the main culprits for tooth decay.

The oral health industry might regard enzyme-modified coconut oil as the next important ingredient which will be present in many oral health care products. According to one lead researcher, Dr. Damien Brady, the coconut oil is even more important as an ingredient to fight off bacteria, because it will successfully replace all those chemical additives they have been using in the toothpastes or mouthwashes.

Researchers will just continue testing such enzyme modified foods, in order to see how these interact with the way bacteria cause all types of infections and disorders in the mouth.

Such researches are always important, because with every single positive discovery one more important leap is made forward. Replacing as many chemical components as possible with these natural oils helps greatly in making possible the use of more natural and less harmful products in dental care.

Posted September 14, 2012 on worlddental.org.  See original article here. 

Cost Keeps Many Americans From Good Dental Care

While most said their teeth were in good shape, many did not visit the dentist regularly

Although most Americans say their teeth are in relatively good shape, a newly published survey reveals that many are not getting routine dental checkups, with cost cited as the most common obstacle.

The findings stem from the responses of more than 17,000 men and women, aged 18 to 64, across the United States, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics report.

Among the results gleaned from the 2008 survey, the researchers found that roughly 75 percent of participants said their oral health was either good or very good, while 17 percent and 7 percent, respectively, described their dental health as fair or poor.

Oral health appeared to differ by the type of insurance people had, with Medicaid recipients running a five times greater risk for poorer dental health than those with private coverage. Adults on Medicaid were two times more likely than other adults to have not visited a dentist in more than a half-decade (21 percent versus 12 percent).

Race also appeared to play a role, as whites and Asians were more likely to have good oral health (37 percent) than either Hispanics or blacks (25 percent and 26 percent, respectively). Education was also cited as a factor, with college graduates significantly more likely to be in good dental shape than those with less than a high school diploma.

The poll further revealed that six in 10 adults had paid a visit to the dentist in the previous year. Among those who did not, cost appeared to be the largest impediment to getting a checkup, with the expense of a dental visit named as the main reason for not seeing a dentist in the prior six months.

On that score, 42 percent of survey participants said that they either did not have dental insurance and/or they could not afford to get their teeth treated.

Money issues aside, fear was cited by 10 percent as the primary reason not to cross a dentist’s threshold.

The CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics published the results of the survey July 18 in Vital and Health Statistics.

SOURCE: U.S. National Center for Health Statistics, news release, July 18, 2012

Posted on medlineplus.com on July 18, 2012.  See original article here.

Oral health: A window to your overall health. Mayo Clinic staff

Your oral health is more important than you may realize. Get the facts about how the health of your mouth, teeth and gums may affect your general health.

Did you know that your oral health can offer clues about your overall health? Or that problems in your mouth can affect the rest of your body? Understand the intimate connection between oral health and overall health and what you can do to protect yourself.

 

What's the connection between oral health and overall health?

Your mouth is teeming with bacteria — most of them harmless. Normally the body's natural defenses and good oral health care, such as daily brushing and flossing, can keep these bacteria under control. However, harmful bacteria can sometimes grow out of control and cause oral infections, such as tooth decay and gum disease. In addition, dental procedures, medications, or treatments that reduce saliva flow, disrupt the normal balance of bacteria in your mouth or breach the mouth's normal protective barriers may make it easier for bacteria to enter your bloodstream.

 

What conditions may be linked to oral health?

Your oral health may affect, be affected by or contribute to various diseases and conditions, including:

• Endocarditis. Gum disease and dental procedures that cut your gums may allow bacteria to enter your bloodstream. If you have a weak immune system or a damaged heart valve, this can cause infection in other parts of the body — such as an infection of the inner lining of the heart (endocarditis).
• Cardiovascular disease. Some research suggests that heart disease, clogged arteries and stroke may be linked to oral bacteria, possibly due to chronic inflammation from periodontitis — a severe form of gum disease.
• Pregnancy and birth. Gum disease has been linked to premature birth and low birth weight.
• Diabetes. Diabetes reduces the body's resistance to infection — putting the gums at risk. In addition, people who have inadequate blood sugar control may develop more-frequent and severe infections of the gums and the bone that holds teeth in place, and they may lose more teeth than do people who have good blood sugar control.
• HIV/AIDS. Oral problems, such as painful mucosal lesions, are common in people who have HIV/AIDS.
• Osteoporosis. Osteoporosis — which causes bones to become weak and brittle — may be associated with periodontal bone loss and tooth loss.
• Alzheimer's disease. Tooth loss before age 35 may be a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease.
• Other conditions. Other conditions that may be linked to oral health include Sjogren's syndrome — an immune system disorder — and eating disorders.

Be sure to tell your dentist if you're taking any medications or have had any changes in your overall health — especially if you've had any recent illnesses or you have a chronic condition.

 

How can I protect my oral health?

To protect your oral health, resolve to practice good oral hygiene every day. For example:

• Brush your teeth at least twice a day.
• Replace your toothbrush every three to four months.
• Floss daily.
• Eat a healthy diet and limit between-meal snacks.
• Schedule regular dental checkups.

Also, watch for signs and symptoms of oral disease and contact your dentist as soon as a problem arises. Remember, taking care of your oral health is an investment in your overall health.
 

Women's Hormones Now Associated With Gum Disease

Women, keep those toothbrushes and dental floss handy. A comprehensive review of women's health studies by Charlene Krejci, associate clinical professor at the Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine, has shown a link between women's health issues and gum disease.

Across the ages, hormonal changes take place during puberty, menstruation, pregnancy and menopause. Krejci found female hormones that fluctuate throughout women's lives can change conditions in the mouth that allow bacteria to grow, enter the blood, and exacerbate certain health issues like bone loss, fetal death and pre-term births.

Her overview of the literature was reported in the article, "Women's Health: Periodontitis and its Relation to Hormonal Changes, Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes and Osteoporosis" in the May issue of Oral Health and Preventive Dentistry.

The Case Western Reserve University periodontist reviewed 61 journal articles with nearly 100 studies for a collective answer on whether hormones have a relationship to gum disease and specific women's health issues like preterm labor, bone loss, and the side effect of hormonal replacement therapy.

"There's definitely a gender-specific connection between women's hormones, gum disease, and specific health issues impacting women," Krejci said.

"Although women tend to take better care of their oral health than men, the main message is women need to be even more vigilant about maintaining healthy teeth and gums to prevent or lessen the severity of some of women-specific health issues," Krejci said.

In addition to the brushing and flossing daily regimen, Krejci recommends visiting the dentist at least every six months, and more if there are any gum problems found or women suffer from bone loss or are pregnant.

She added that it is widely known that hormones cause some women gum problems during pregnancy. Women already susceptible to gum disease before being pregnant, she advises, need to make sure that these oral problems are treated.

Although women were once discouraged from seeing the dentist while pregnant, she said that scaling and planing of the roots of teeth to eliminate some gum disease is now recommended during pregnancy for women. Severe gum disease requiring surgery is still generally postponed until after the baby's birth.

Gum disease begins with the build up of bacterial plaque on the teeth and under the gums. Untreated it can cause irritation and inflammation during which harmful and toxic byproducts are released. These toxins erode the bone that anchors teeth and cause breaks and bleeding in the gums.

Published by Medical News Today - May 31, 2012.  See original article here. 

 

Sports and Energy Drinks Cause Irreversible Damage to Teeth

A recent study published in the May/June 2012 issue of General Dentistry, the peer-reviewed clinical journal of the Academy of General Dentistry, found that an alarming increase in the consumption of sports and energy drinks, especially among adolescents, is causing irreversible damage to teeth - specifically, the high acidity levels in the drinks erode tooth enamel, the glossy outer layer of the tooth.

"Young adults consume these drinks assuming that they will improve their sports performance and energy levels and that they are 'better' for them than soda," says Poonam Jain, BDS, MS, MPH, lead author of the study. "Most of these patients are shocked to learn that these drinks are essentially bathing their teeth with acid."

Researchers examined the acidity levels in 13 sports drinks and nine energy drinks. They found that the acidity levels can vary between brands of beverages and flavors of the same brand. To test the effect of the acidity levels, the researchers immersed samples of human tooth enamel in each beverage for 15 minutes, followed by immersion in artificial saliva for two hours. This cycle was repeated four times a day for five days, and the samples were stored in fresh artificial saliva at all other times.

"This type of testing simulates the same exposure that a large proportion of American teens and young adults are subjecting their teeth to on a regular basis when they drink one of these beverages every few hours," says Dr. Jain.

The researchers found that damage to enamel was evident after only five days of exposure to sports or energy drinks, although energy drinks showed a significantly greater potential to damage teeth than sports drinks. In fact, the authors found that energy drinks caused twice as much damage to teeth as sports drinks.

With a reported 30 to 50 percent of U.S. teens consuming energy drinks, and as many as 62 percent consuming at least one sports drink per day, it is important to educate parents and young adults about the downside of these drinks. Damage caused to tooth enamel is irreversible, and without the protection of enamel, teeth become overly sensitive, prone to cavities, and more likely to decay.

"Teens regularly come into my office with these types of symptoms, but they don't know why," says AGD spokesperson Jennifer Bone, DDS, MAGD. "We review their diet and snacking habits and then we discuss their consumption of these beverages. They don't realize that something as seemingly harmless as a sports or energy drink can do a lot of damage to their teeth."

Dr. Bone recommends that her patients minimize their intake of sports and energy drinks. She also advises them to chew sugar-free gum or rinse the mouth with water following consumption of the drinks. "Both tactics increase saliva flow, which naturally helps to return the acidity levels in the mouth to normal," she says.

Also, patients should wait at least an hour to brush their teeth after consuming sports and energy drinks. Otherwise, says Dr. Bone, they will be spreading acid onto the tooth surfaces, increasing the erosive action.

Article by:  Academy of General Dentistry. "Irreversible Damage To Teeth Caused By Sports And Energy Drinks." Medical News Today. MediLexicon, Intl., 3 May. 2012. Web.
16 May. 2012. See original article here. 

Study finds link between contraceptive and periodontitis

An injectable contraceptive administered every three months may be putting women who opt for this method at increased risk for periodontal disease, according to a new study in the Journal of Peridontology.

Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) is a progestin-only, injectable contraceptive that is most often seen under the brand name Depo-Provera, marketed by Pfizer.
It has been suggested that progestins may have an inflammatory component and/or stimulate the synthesis of prostaglandins, which is why the extended use of DMPA may be associated with a higher risk of periodontal diseases, according to the study authors.

"There are many hormonal contraceptive options out there for women to prevent or delay pregnancy, yet we have little information on how they may affect women's oral health," lead author Susan Taichman, RDH, MPH, PhD, assistant professor at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry, said in an interview with DrBicuspid.com.  Information regarding the pill and gingival inflammation is mixed, she added, with some studies showing an association and others not.

"There remains some controversy over the impact of new, low-dose oral contraceptives and periodontal diseases," she said. "We previously reported in an analysis of National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data that low-dose oral contraceptives had no significant association with decreased periodontal health."

Economic status plays a role

In the current JOP study, Taichman and her co-authors found that although women of all socioeconomic backgrounds and ages use DMPA, roughly twice as many blacks and one-third Hispanics and Latinas use it as compared with whites. In addition, the majority of DMPA users are women of low socioeconomic status who are already at risk for increased levels of gingival disease, they noted.

“Women ... who use this method of birth control may be at a higher risk for gingivitis” says Susan Taichman, RDH, MPH, PhD.  "Given that DMPA use is common among high-risk women, it is important to learn more about potential deleterious effects on periodontal tissues," the researchers wrote.

The study authors collected the data from the 1999-2004 NHANES, a set of cross-sectional studies designed to obtain information on the health and nutritional status of the non-institutionalized population of the U.S.

They looked at 4,460 U.S. women between 15 and 44 who were asked about their use of DMPA. In the final sample, 4% were current DMPA users while 12 % indicated a past history of DMPA use.  In addition, they included data on the women's periodontal health, which was assessed using randomly assigned half-mouths (one upper and one lower quadrant) for each individual using a periodontal probe.

The authors also took into account sociodemographic and behavioral factors, which have been shown to be associated with DMPA use, they noted.  They found significant differences in pocket depths, gingival bleeding, and CA loss between DMPA users and non users. The prevalence of gingivitis was 53.9% for women who reported having used DMPA, compared to 46.1% for never having used DMPA.

DMPA use was associated with an increased risk of gingivitis and periodontitis after adjusting for age, race, education, poverty income ratio, dental care utilization, and smoking status, the researchers noted.

More research needed

The study findings suggest that DMPA use may be associated with periodontal disease, they concluded.  "Although many women of child-bearing age use DMPA, a large portion of DMPA users are young, non-white women of low socioeconomic status with a history of smoking, and thus may be at an already increased risk for periodontal diseases," explained Taichman.

"Women and adolescents who use this method of birth control may be at a higher risk for gingivitis and periodontitis," she said. "Dentists should encourage women who use DMPA contraceptives to maintain good oral health habits and seek regular dental examinations."
Future clinical studies that also look at oral health behaviors and duration of DMPA use are required to further understand the relationship between DMPA use and the incidence of periodontal health, she and her co-authors concluded.

Excerpt of article by Rabia Mughal, Contributing Editor of drbicuspid.com.  See original article here.

Treating Gum Disease May Help Diabetics Avoid Complications

Good periodontal care helped reduce hospitalizations, medical costs over time, study found

 Treating gum disease in people with diabetes reduces their medical costs and hospitalizations, new research shows.

The three-year study included diabetes patients with gum (periodontal) disease who were randomly selected either to receive periodontal therapy or no treatment (control group).

Those in the treatment group underwent periodontal therapy in the first year and their gum health was maintained for the following two years. The patients in the control group had incomplete periodontal therapy before the study and did not receive regular periodontal maintenance during the study.

The total annual per-patient cost of hospital admissions, doctor visits and overall medical care was an average of more than $1,800 lower in the treatment group than in the control group. The patients in the treatment group had 33 percent fewer hospital admissions.

The study was presented March 26, 2012 at the annual meeting of the American Association for Dental Research, in Tampa, Fla.

"There have been emerging links between oral infections and systemic diseases such as diabetes, which is increasingly prevalent in our population," lead researcher Marjorie Jeffcoat, professor and dean emeritus of the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine in Philadelphia, said in an association news release.

"My research team and I had looked at other data sets and we knew that health care costs could be reduced, but we wanted to look at the hospitalizations and see how those could be reduced," Jeffcoat said. "This study provided direct insight as to how lower hospitalizations could be achieved through periodontal therapy, and we will further this study by analyzing other chronic diseases and conditions such as heart attacks, strokes and pregnancy with pre-term birth."

Because this study was presented at a medical meeting, the data and conclusions should be viewed as preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal.

It's also important to note that although the study showed an association between better gum care and lowered health costs for diabetics, it didn't prove that healthier gums directly resulted in fewer hospitalizations or lowered costs.

SOURCE: American Association for Dental Research, news release, March 23, 2012

See story here.

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Economic Health of the Franchise Industry is Stronger Compared to a Year Ago

A new economic index that provides a current reading of the economic health of the franchise sector -The Franchise Business Index (FBI) - increased 0.3 percent in February to 107.7 (Jan 2000=100) - the sixth consecutive monthly gain, the International Franchise Association announced today. The index was up 1.4 percent compared with February 2011.

Designed to provide more consistent and timely tracking of the growing role of franchise businesses in the U.S. economy, the index was developed by IHS Global Insight on behalf of the IFA. The FBI combines indicators of growth in the industries where franchising is most prevalent and measures of the general economic environment for franchising.

"The franchise industry is a unique business sector and a vitally important contributor to the U.S. economy spanning some 300 lines of business, supporting nearly 18 million jobs, 825,000 establishments and providing for over $2.1 trillion in economic output," said IFA President & CEO Steve Caldeira. "Measuring the strength of the franchise industry through the Franchise Business Index provides another indicator of the health of the economy as a whole. While the index shows we are moving in the right direction, more certainty in the tax and regulatory environments would help franchise businesses grow faster, creating more jobs and economic output at the local, state and national levels."

Following a period of flat to declining values in mid-2011, the FBI turned up in September and has shown increases of 0.3 percent in three of the last five months.

Increases among the components of the index tied to the labor market and small business optimism contributed most to the February gain in the FBI. An improvement in consumer demand, which had been flat at the end of last year, gave a small boost to the index. Credit conditions showed no change in February.
IFA also released an update to its 2012 economic outlook prepared by IHS Global Insight in December 2011. The updated forecast shows little change from the initial forecast.

"Since our December 2011 forecast report was prepared, there have been a number of positive economic releases," said James Gillula, managing director at IHS Global Insight. "However, negative factors that could restrain an economic rebound remain."

The revised forecast indicates that the number of franchise establishments in the United States will increase by 1.6 percent in 2012, down slightly from the original forecast of 1.9 percent. Employment and economic output growth forecasts are unchanged at 2.1 percent and 5 percent respectively.
IFA plans to update the Franchise Business Economic Outlook on a quarterly basis beginning in 2012 instead of just an annual outlook.

Index, Jan 2000 = 100

Source: IHS Global Insight, March 2012

About The IFA Franchise Business Index
The Franchise Business Index is a measure of the economic environment for franchise business activity constructed with timely economic indicators that provide a current reading of the industry's health. It combines indicators of the growth or decline of industries where franchise activity has historically been concentrated with measures of the demand for franchise business services and the general business environment.

The components of the IFA Franchise Business Index for the U.S. include:

• Employment in Franchise-intensive Industries* (BLS) 
• Number of Self Employed* (BLS) 
• Unemployment Rate* (BLS) 
• Consumer Demand in Franchise-Intensive Services* (BEA) 
• Small Business Optimism Index* (NFIB) 
• Small Business Credit Conditions Index* (NFIB) 

Research for the IFA Franchise Business Index and the quarterly forecast reports is underwritten by a generous grant from Jani-King International to the IFA Educational Foundation.

*For more information about the components and the methodology, click here.

March 22, 2012 – International Franchise Organization, www.franchise.org  

See original article here:  

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Screening For Diabetes Using Blood From Periodontal Disease

Article Date February 15, 2012

Oral blood samples drawn from deep pockets of periodontal inflammation can be used to measure hemoglobin A1c, an important gauge of a patient's diabetes status, an NYU nursing-dental research team has found. Hemoglobin A1c blood glucose measures from oral blood compare well to those from finger-stick blood, the researchers say. The findings are from a study funded by an NYU CTSI (Clinical and Translational Science Institute) grant awarded to the research team last year.

Hemoglobin A1c is widely used to test for diabetes. According to guidelines established by the American Diabetes Association, an A1c reading of 6.5 or more indicates a value in the diabetes range.

The NYU researchers compared hemoglobin A1c levels in paired samples of oral and finger-stick blood taken from 75 patients with periodontal disease at the NYU College of Dentistry. A reading of 6.3 or greater in the oral sample corresponded to a finger stick reading of 6.5 in identifying the diabetes range, with minimal false positive and false negative results. The findings were published in the Journal of Periodontology.

"In light of these findings, the dental visit could be a useful opportunity to conduct an initial diabetes screening - an important first step in identifying those patients who need further testing to determine their diabetes status," said the study's principal investigator, Dr. Shiela Strauss, associate professor of nursing and co-director of the Statistics and Data Management Core for NYU's Colleges of Nursing and Dentistry.

Dr. Strauss added that some patients may find the oral blood sampling in a dentist's office to be less invasive than finger stick sampling.

The one-year study utilized a version of a hemoglobin A1c testing kit that was initially developed specifically to enable dentists and dental hygienists to collect finger-stick blood samples and send them to a laboratory for analysis. The testing kit was adapted to enable analysis of both oral blood and finger-stick samples. Dr. Strauss points out that the hemoglobin A1c testing method requires only a single drop of blood to be collected, applied to a special blood collection card, and mailed to the laboratory when dry.

"There is an urgent need to increase opportunities for diabetes screening and early diabetes detection," Dr. Strauss added. "The issue of undiagnosed diabetes is especially critical because early treatment and secondary prevention efforts may help to prevent or delay the long-term complications of diabetes that are responsible for reduced quality of life and increased levels of mortality risk."

The research is part of a series of NYU nursing-dental studies examining the feasibility of screening for diabetes and other physical illnesses in the dental setting.

Dr. Strauss plans additional research on oral blood hemoglobin A1c testing involving a broader pool of subjects and dental practice sites.

Dr. Strauss's study is dedicated to the memory of the late Alla Wheeler, Clinical Assistant Professor of Dental Hygiene, who played a major role in an earlier NYU nursing-dental study on the link between diabetes and periodontal disease.

  

Article adapted by Medical News Today from original press release.  Online article can be found here.

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Co-investigators on the study included Ms. Janet Tuthill, clinical assistant professor of dental hygiene at NYU College of Dentistry; Dr. David Rindskopf, professor of educational psychology at the Graduate School and University Center of the City University of New York, Dr. Jack A. Maggiore, president of Healthy Life Laboratories; Dr. Robert S. Schoor, clinical associate professor of periodontology and implant dentistry at the NYU College of Dentistry; Dr. Stefanie Russell, clinical assistant professor of epidemiology and health promotion at the NYU College of Dentistry; and Dr. Mary Rosedale, assistant professor of nursing at the NYU College of Nursing.

New York University. (2012, February 15). “Screening For Diabetes Using Blood From Periodontal Disease.” Medical News Today. Retrieved from

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/241630.php.

Dentists Could Screen 20 Million Americans For Chronic Physical Illnesses

An article published last December on medicalnewstoday.com indicates that nearly 20 million Americans annually visit a dentist but not a general healthcare provider, according to an NYU study published in the American Journal of Public Health.

The study, conducted by a nursing-dental research team at NYU, is the first of its kind to determine the proportion of Americans who are seen annually by a dentist but not by a general healthcare provider.

This finding suggests dentists can play a crucial role as health care practitioners in the front-line defense of identifying systemic disease which would otherwise go undetected in a significant portion of the population, say the researchers.

"For these and other individuals, dental professionals are in a key position to assess and detect oral signs and symptoms of systemic health disorders that may otherwise go unnoticed, and to refer patients for follow-up care," said Dr. Shiela Strauss, an associate professor of nursing at the NYU College of Nursing and co-director of the statistics and data management core for NYU's Colleges of Nursing and Dentistry.

During the course of a routine dental examination, dentists and dental hygienists, as trained healthcare providers, can take a patient's health history, check blood pressure, and use direct clinical observation and X-rays to detect risk for systemic conditions, such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease.

The NYU research team examined the most recent available data, which came from a nationally representative subsample of 31,262 adults and children who participated in the Department of Health & Human Services 2008 annual National Health Interview Survey, a health status study of the U.S. population, which at that time consisted of 304,375,942 individuals. Physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants were among those categorized as general health care providers for the purposes of the survey.

When extrapolated to the U.S. population, 26 percent of children did not see a general health care provider. Yet over one-third of this group, representing nearly seven million children, did visit a dentist at least once during that year, according to survey results.

Among the adults, one quarter did not visit a general healthcare provider, yet almost a quarter -- nearly 13 million Americans -- did have at least one dental visit. When combined, adults and children who had contact only with dentists represent nearly 20 million people.

Ninety-three percent of the children and 85 percent of the adults had some form of health insurance, suggesting that while many of those who did not interact with a general healthcare provider may have had access to general health care, they opted not to seek it.

Article adapted by Medical News Today from original press release.  Original article can be found here:  

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References:

Coauthors on the study included Dr. Michael C. Alfano, executive vice president of New York University and former dean of the NYU College of Dentistry; Dr. Donna Shelley, clinical associate professor of cariology and comprehensive care at the NYU College of Dentistry and clinical associate professor of medicine and associate director of research at the NYU Langone Medical Center Division of General Internal Medicine; and Dr. Terry Fulmer, dean of the Northeastern University Bouvé College of Health Sciences, and former professor and dean of the NYU College of Nursing.