THE MOUTH

The Missing Piece to Your Overall Wellness and Lower Medical Costs

New research by insurance giant United Concordia builds on the connection between good oral health and lower medical costs and reduced hospitalizations.  This landmark study was conducted through a partnership between United Concordia Dental and Highmark, examining three years of medical and dental claims for 1.7 million members.[1]

Chronic medical conditions are a widespread issue in our country, affecting an estimated one out of every two adults over 21.[2] And, periodontitis (gum disease) is an epidemic of its own:

47% of Americans suffer from periodontal disease at any one time[3]

The good news is, United Concordia’s study found that regular professional dental care can not only improve overall health, but can also reduce your medical expenses and hospitalizations.

What this means for patients in our Sandy Springs office who have one or more chronic conditions or  are pregnant is:

If you have a chronic condition, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke or pregnant, it is more important than ever to keep up with consistent oral care at home and see your dentist regularly. You many need additional treatment to keep your mouth healthy, which can help improve your overall health, and keep your medical costs down.[4]

How we make better oral health a part of your overall wellness.

The basics of good dental care are relatively simple—brush twice day, floss once a day and see your dentist. But, it’s also important to follow your dentist’s recommendations for treatment.  With over 90 years of experience in metro Atlanta, we have long understood that the mouth is connected to the body, and with better oral care and our expertise, you could see improvements in your overall health, plus savings in medical costs and reduced hospitalizations.

The opportunity for cost savings and better health is significant.  Routine oral care helps prevent and respond to problems before they develop into complex and more expensive ones.  Without a doubt, good professional oral health care is critical to your overall health.  If we can be of assistance, do not hesitate to contact us.

ZoAnna Scheinfeld, MS, DMD

290 Carpenter Drive, 200A

Atlanta, GA 30328

404-256-3620

info@rightsmilecenter.com

www.rightsmilecenter.com

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[1] This study shows reduced hospitalizations and health care costs are possible when individuals with at least one chronic condition or who are pregnant receive treatment for their gum disease. Having the study peer-reviewed speaks to the importance of the findings and the credibility of our work." -Dr. Marjorie Jeffcoat, D.M.D.

[2] CDC, The Power of Prevention: Chronic Disease…the Public Health Challenge of the 21^st Century,  2009

[3] CDC, Prevalence of Periodontitis in Adults in the United States: 2009 and 2010, 09/12

[4] Published in American Journal of Preventive Medicine

How Often Should I See the Dentist?

At least every six months.

There are those who are at greater risk for oral diseases and other health related issues that should have dental cleanings and oral health check-ups more than twice a year, such as, diabetes, periodontal (gum) disease, possible heart disease, pregnancies and in rare instances alcohol and tobacco users.

Poor oral hygiene and certain medical conditions are some of the many factors that your dentist takes into consideration when deciding how often you need your dental cleaning and check-ups.  One of the real problems that has invaded oral healthcare are the restrictions placed on insurance coverage by insurers.  You need to understand that insurance companies serve a self-interest in reducing the number to times you visit your dentist.  More than not, our ability to be oral health care providers is hindered by what your insurance dictates.  We recommend you try not to let what your insurance covers be your benchmark for your healthcare.  It could result in expanded dentistry in the long run.

Going on a regular basis will help to keep your oral health on track as well as detect any early signs of periodontal disease, oral cancer or cavities.  In our Sandy Springs office we recommend the best way to maintain good oral health is to visit your dentist on a regular basis coupled with brushing your teeth, flossing and drinking fluoridated water

.

Seeing patients from all over metro Atlanta I sometimes like to joke, ‘the best toothbrush is the one you use’ and ‘brush the ones you want to keep’.  But in all seriousness, if you live in nearby Dunwoody, Roswell or East Cobb, please, if we can help feel free to call us.

ZoAnna Scheinfeld, MS, DMD

290 Carpenter Drive, 200A

Atlanta (Sandy Springs), GA 30328

404-256-3620

www.rightsmilecenter.com

info@rightsmilecenter.com

Do you have cancer?

Are you being treated?

Often patients in our Sandy Springs office, who are taking medications to treat cancer or receiving chemotherapy or radiation, end up suffering from dry mouth because these treatments may dry up your salivary glands.  Besides being uncomfortable, insufficient saliva increases your chances of having tooth sensitivity, decay and cavities.

It’s important to replenish the minerals in you mouth that you would otherwise have under normal circumstances.  See your dentist for an oral exam and evaluation.  There are solutions to counter dry mouth and restore mineral loss.

If we can be of assistance please feel free to contact us.

ZoAnna Scheinfeld, MS, DMD

290 Carpenter drive, 200A

Atlanta, GA 30328

404-256-3620

www.rightsmilecenter.com

info@rightsmilecenter.com

Cosmetic Dentists, what?

Dentist Sandy Springs:

The trend these days is dentists calling themselves cosmetic dentists when there is no such specialty in dentistry.   Contrary of this trend, all dentistry is cosmetic.   I don’t know anyone who took the ‘ugly’ teeth class in dental school.  Regardless, the fact remains that the majority of dentists are general dentists and marketing themselves as ‘cosmetic dentists’ is an ethics violation of the ADA[1].  Not one of them has a ‘cosmetic specialty’ in dentistry because it doesn’t exist.[2]   The ADA only has recognized nine (9) post dental degree specialties and cosmetic dentistry is not one of them.  These specialties range in one to six years of advance training beyond dental school that results in additional certifications considered experts within their fields of dentistry.  These ADA specialties are:

Dental Public Heath, Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Radiology and Surgery, Orthodontics, Endodontics, Pediatric Dentistry, Periodontics, and the least known, but the closest to what would be considered a cosmetic dentist, Prosthodontics.

Prosthodontics: (crown, bridge, and implants) A Prosthodontist is the ‘holy grail’ of dentistry and has a specialty license pertaining to the diagnosis, treatment planning, rehabilitation and maintenance of the oral function, comfort, appearance and health of patients with clinical conditions associated with missing or deficient teeth and/or oral and maxillofacial tissues using biocompatible substitutes. Most dentists are not trained prosthodontic graduates of a dental school - rather they take short continuing education and utilize trial and error experience to be able to understand how size, shape, color and symmetry all work together to create what a prosthodontists is trained in their post graduate work.   On the other hand, the prosthodontist is trained at a university to create the smile that implements the use of veneers, crowns, bridges and the increasingly more common procedure of dental implants to ensure that the right smile is achieved, both functionally and aesthetically beautiful.  If anyone has a specialty in cosmetic dentistry, it would be the prosthodontist.  So when you are seriously looking for a cosmetic dentist, look for a prosthodontist.

If you are in need of a cosmetic dentist[3], we are here to serve you.

ZoAnna Scheinfeld, MS, DMD

290 Carpenter Drive, 200A

Atlanta (Sandy Springs), GA 30328

404-256-3620

www.rightsmilecenter.com

info@rightsmilecenter.com

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[1] ADA is the American Dental Association

[2] And yet we advertise as a cosmetic dentist because we have a prosthodontist in our practice.

[3] Cosmetic dentist equals Prosthodontist.

How Much Do Dental X-rays Cost?

A single dental x-ray should cost between $28-38. But with the Great Recession, you can probably get your first set for free.  YES, FREE..EEE.   Basically, that dentist is putting out a lost leader to see if he or she can find something wrong with your teeth.  Beyond that, 4 check-up or bitewing x-rays may cost between $60-80, and a full mouth series (18 x-rays) or panoramic x-ray would cost between $100-200.  If it’s a new practice or mature one that is trying to build or rebuild its patient base, often the x-rays are bundled with an examination that ends up as stated above – free.  Most dental insurance covers x-rays at 100%. It is usually considered adiagnostic or preventive service.

If you are a new patient, the dentist should recommend x-rays to determine the present status of your oral health and to help identify changes that may occur later, unless of course he has super powers and can see your tooth and bone structure without the aid of an x-ray machine.  (Wish we could do that.)  X-rays give your dentist a necessary baseline of your present condition.  They help your dentist detect any new cavities, determine the status of your gum health or evaluate the growth and development of your teeth. If a previous dentist has your recent radiographs, your new dentist may request copies of them.

A panoramic image is a single image of the entire upper and lower arch. This requires a different machine and can cost $125-175 or more. It shows the entire mouth on one image.

Dental x-rays are necessary to diagnose or detect tooth decay, impacted teeth, jaw problems, abscessed (infected) teeth, or current filling placement.  An x-ray exam can help your oral physician  see the small areas of decay between the teeth and fillings; bone damage from a tooth infection or cyst; bone loss due to periodontal (gum) disease; developmental defects; some types of tumors; the effects of trauma; and the position on unerupted teeth in children and adults.  Dental x-rays can also reveal bone loss from periodontal (gum) disease, locate tarter build-up, find foreign bodies within the gum or bone, and see if there is enough bone for the placement of dental implants.

Finding and treating dental problems at an early stage saves time, money and unneeded discomfort that helps prevent more serious health problems.  A good dentist will tailor a treatment plan to your finances, altering the ideal treatment as much as possible to help you  afford it.  If we can be of help, please do hesitate to call, email or make an appointment to be seen.

ZoAnna Scheinfeld, MS, DMD

Right Smile Center, LLC – Oral Physicians who care

290 Carpenter Drive, 200A

Atlanta (Sandy Springs), GA 30328

404-256-3620

http://www.rightsmilecenter.com

info@rightsmilecenter.com

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Oral healthcare and the cancer patient

Sandy Springs Dentist - A higher standard through healthcare well planned

Management of a patient being treated for cancer, particularly where the cancer treatment is located near the head and neck should involve your oral healthcare provider, i.e. your dentist.  Unfortunately, there are very few published studies or guidelines on how to manage the cancer patient during therapy.  Accordingly, there is considerable variation across the medical community relative to specific non-medicated approaches to baseline oral care.

Oral-facial complications are common after radiotherapy to the head and neck, and after chemo-therapy for malignant diseases. Oral Mucositis, also called stomatitis is the most frequent and debilitating complication of cancer chemotherapy and radiotherapy, occurring in about 40% of patients. Oral mucositis is inflammation of the mucosa of the mouth which ranges from redness to severe ulceration. Symptoms of mucositis vary from pain and discomfort to an inability to tolerate food or fluids.[1]

All patients at risk should receive a standardized oral care regime as an ongoing component of their cancer therapy.  Additional interventions may include dental brushing with toothpaste, dental flossing, ice chips, and sodium bicarbonate rinses. These regimens typically include dental work to eliminate caries and existing gum disease before beginning cancer treatment, followed by thorough and frequent cleaning of the oral cavity with a variety of products, some form of pain relief, anti-inflammatory treatment as required and aggressive antimicrobial treatment for any new mouth infections.[2] Patient compliance with these agents can be maximized by comprehensive overseeing by the oral healthcare professional.

Get the facts, ask the Right Smile Center.  If we can be of assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Novy Scheinfeld, DDS, PC.

290 Carpenter Drive, 200A

Atlanta, GA 30328

404-256-3620

info@rightsmilecenter.com

www.rightsmilecenter.com

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[1] http://oralcancerfoundation.org/dental/pdf/mucositis.pdf

[2] Ibid.

Oral cancer by HPV is on the rise. Dentist Sandy Springs

HPV (human papilloma virus) is not only on the rise, but it is now the number one cause of oral cancer. This needs to be taken seriously because it is truly a 21st-century pandemic. HPV a sexually transmitted disease and the scary fact is that one out of every two people is at risk of HPV infection.[1] That is 50% of the population. The predominant mode of HPV virus transmission is oral sex.[2]

Oral HPV is the same virus responsible for the vast majority of cervical cancer.  Historically, oral cancer was caused by smoking and alcohol consumption.  But the rise in oral HPV will lead to death in one of four people with oral cancer. This happens because it is not diagnosed in time.  Yet, this type oral cancer is one of the easiest cancers to spot, diagnose and treat. 

Dr. Oz says testing for HPV is something everyone needs to do to prevent fatalities from oral cancer.  Here are the steps he suggests:

             * Demand an oral cancer screening with every dentist visit, but at least one a year.

 * Limit alcohol and tobacco use                                              

 * Limit exposure to UV radiation. Make sure your lip balm has a high SPF rating

 * Practice safe sex.

Dr. Oz advocates the need to change the way we have sex in America. Your partner must wear a condom throughout your entire sexual partnership or completely abstain from sex orally. The more we engage in unprotected oral sex, the more we will have oral cancer showing up.[3]

Unfortunately, we in the dental field find there is a disconnect in the patient understanding the relationship between their dental exams and their overall health.  Most patients do not realize or accept that the dentist is more than a just a tooth mechanic and their mouth houses more than just teeth.

Early detection is the key to stopping this pandemic before it’s too late. The first line of defense is through your dentist.  And when offered a salivary DNA test, realize it’s for your own preventive care.   Those who should be tested are:

o   Patients with traditional risk factors for oral cancer

o   Patients who are sexually active

o   Patients with a family history of oral cancer

o   Patients with signs and symptoms of oral cancer

o   Patients with suspicious oral lesions.

If we can be of help, please feel free to contact us for a Salivary DNA test conducted in our Sandy Springs Office.

Novy Scheinfeld, DDS, PC

290 Carpenter Drive, 200A

Atlanta (Sandy Springs), GA 30328

404-256-3620

info@rightsmilecenter.com

www.rightsmilecenter.com

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[1] http://oralcancerfoundation.org/hpv/  (2010)

[2] Dr. Bert W. O’Malley, Jr M.D., Head and Neck Surgeon, on the Dr. Oz Show (2011).

[3] Dr. Oz Show (2011)