First impressions Nov 18

A par tnered publication with Dental Sales Pro • www.dentalsalespro.com

For Dental Sales Professionals

November 2018

Periodontal Disease

When sales reps understand the risks of periodontal disease, they can better understand their dental customers’ concerns.

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Editorial Staff Editor Laura Thill lthill@sharemovingmedia.com Managing Editor Graham Garrison ggarrison@sharemovingmedia.com Founder Brian Taylor btaylor@sharemovingmedia.com Senior Director of Business Development Diana Craig dcraig@sharemovingmedia.com

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NOVEMBER 2018

Periodontal Disease

When sales reps understand the risks of periodontal disease, they can better understand their dental customers’ concerns.

Be The Leader They Want Windshield Time

Automotive-related news

12 14

Quickbytes

Technology news

Health news and notes

Director of Business Development Jamie Falasz, RDH jfalasz@sharemovingmedia.com Art Director Brent Cashman bcashman@sharemovingmedia.com Circulation Wai Bun Cheung wcheung@sharemovingmedia.com Associate Editor Alan Cherry acherry@sharemovingmedia.com

First Impressions Digital Edition is published monthly by Share Moving Media 1735 N. Brown Rd. Ste. 140 Lawrenceville, GA 30043-8153 Phone: 770/263-5257 Fax: 770/236-8023 www.firstimpressionsmag.com First Impressions (ISSN 1548-4165) is published monthly by Share Moving Media, 1735 N. Brown Rd. Ste. 140, Lawrenceville, GA 30043-8153. Copyright 2018 by Share Moving Media. All rights reserved.

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First Impressions

November 2018

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Periodontal Disease

When sales reps understand the risks of periodontal disease, they can better understand their dental customers’ concerns.

Periodontal disease begins with gingivitis – a mild form that causes the gums to become red, swollen prone to bleeding. The good news is that, with professional treatment and good oral homecare, the disease is reversible.

Left untreated, however, gingivitis can advance to periodontitis. Plaque can spread and grow below the gum line over time, and toxins produced by the bacteria in plaque irritate the gums.

The toxins stimulate a chronic inflammatory response, causing the tissues and bone that support the teeth to break down. In turn, the gums separate from the teeth, forming pockets, which can become infected. As the disease progresses, the pockets deepen and more gum tissue and bone are destroyed. Eventually, teeth can become loose and may need to be removed.

The most common forms of periodontitis include: • Aggressive periodontitis. Aggressive periodontitis occurs in patients who are otherwise clinically healthy.

Common features include rapid attachment loss and bone destruction, and familial aggregation.

• Chronic periodontitis. Chronic periodontitis results in inflammation within the supporting tissues of the teeth, progressive attachment and bone loss.

This is the most frequently occurring form of periodontitis and is characterized by pocket formation and/or recession of the gingiva. It is prevalent in adults, but can occur at any age. Progression of attachment loss usually occurs slowly, but periods of rapid progression can occur.

•P eriodontitis as a manifestation of systemic diseases. This often begins at a young age. Systemic conditions, such as heart disease, respiratory disease and diabetes, are associated with this form of periodontitis.

•N ecrotizing periodontal disease. Necrotizing periodontal disease is an infection characterized by necrosis of gingival tissues, periodontal ligament and alveolar bone. These lesions are most commonly observed in individuals with systemic conditions such, as HIV infection, malnutrition and immunosuppression.

Source: The American Academy of Periodontology. For more information visit https://www.perio.org/consumer/types-gum-disease.html.

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Periodontal disease affects over 50 percent of adults 30 years and

older, according to research by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Because genetics often play a role in periodontal disease, however, some patients mistakenly believe there is little they can do to control it. But, that’s not so, notes Amy Miller, RDH, business development manager, SDI (North America), Inc. Flossing, brushing with a sonic or electric toothbrush, the use of a water flosser and improved nutrition all can help slow down or reverse the disease. “Patients have many options for addressing periodontal disease,” she points out. “It’s important that they work with the entire dental team, from the periodontist to the hygienist and general dentist, to explore the oral antibiotics and mechanical tools available to them. In turn, the dental team should conduct a thorough risk assessment.”

Riva Star: A patented two-step process Scaling and Root planning – or the process whereby bacteria and tartar are removed from the tooth surfaces and beneath the gums – are common means for limiting periodontal disease. At the same time, periodontal disease can exacerbate tooth sensitivity, making the process more difficult for both the hygienist and the patient.

“When the hygienist removes bacteria from the tooth surface, the surrounding tissue shrinks, exposing new and potentially sensitive dentin,” Miller explains. Dentin is sensitive to hot, cold and pressure, and in some cases, patients require anesthesia or

“ It’s important that they work with the entire dental team, from the periodontist to the hygienist and general dentist, to explore the oral antibiotics and mechanical tools available to them. In turn, the dental team should conduct a thorough risk assessment.”

– Amy Miller, RDH, business development manager, SDI (North America), Inc.

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nitrous oxide to help them make it through the cleaning process, she says.

SDI’s Riva Star, a next-generation, twostep silver diamine fluoride desensitizer is FDA-approved for use in the United States with the same indication as fluoride varnish, giving patients a novel solution to address their tooth sensitivity with immediate relief and over two years of desensitizing results.

Riva Star’s key ingredients include silver fluoride (a silver capsule), which has known antibacterial properties, and potassium iodide (a green capsule), designed to bind silver ions and help avoid darkening around active cavities or decalcification. Both properties treat sensitive areas for up to five teeth. “Not only is Riva Star indicated for post-operative periodontal surgery and hygiene appointments, it’s also great for pre-hygiene for all sensitive and exposed root surfaces,” says Miller. “It is a great insurance policy to be applied by dentists after surgery, before the patient’s anesthesia has worn off.”

Riva Star is a game-changer for all dental practices, including pediatric practices, Miller continues. “Clinicians should consider how many times each day they see patients with exposed root surfaces and sensitivity, preventing them from providing adequate treatment,” she says. “Riva Star is cost-effective, non-invasive and addresses sensitivity with other antibacterial properties. And when used according to the manufacturer’s directions, and the second step (potassium iodide) is applied, any darkening around an active cavity or de-calcification will be mitigated.”

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YOUR SMILE. OUR VISION.

LEADERSHIP

BY LISA EARLE MCLEOD

Be The Leader They Want A recent Forbes article revealed that 65 percent of people would rather

have a different boss than a raise.

Take that in for a moment: People would trade money for a better boss

Words of leadership wisdom When I was 25 years old, my father shared something with me that forever altered my perspective on leadership. I had just been promoted to my first manager position at Procter & Gamble. I called my father to give him the good news.

“Congratulations,” he said, “You’ve just become the second most important person in the life of your employees.”

“What do you mean?” I asked.

He explained, “Next to your spouse, your boss has the power to make your life wonderful or miserable.”

At the time, his comment petrified me. At the ripe old age of 25, half my team was twice my age. I was scared to death because I knew my father was right.

Your leadership makes an impact Think about your bosses and the impact they’ve had on you. Your boss is a presence at the family dinner table, in conversations with your friends, with your parents.

When I was a kid we talked about my Dad’s boss, Mr. Keck, almost every night.

I knew when he was in a good mood or bad mood. I knew about his family.

My mother was a schoolteacher. I knew about her principals – the good and the bad. I even knew about the time one of them had a breakdown when she was getting divorced.

If you’re the boss, you’re a looming presence in the lives of your people, whether you like it or not. You have the power to create happiness, or misery.

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After working with thousands of employees and leaders, I can tell you, the one mantra that will make you a better boss: Be all in.

People want a boss who cares and who isn’t shy about showing it. Great leaders don’t shy away from emotion. They love their job, they love their customers, and they love their team.

And they’re not afraid to let everyone know it.

For them, business is personal. They don’t shy away from difficult conversations. They care enough to address the tough stuff, head on. They give direct feedback.

Great leaders are attuned to the emotional undercurrents of their organization.

They’re not perfect, but their team knows their passion comes from their belief in a cause bigger than themselves.

As a leader, you’re the one who tells your people whether this is just a job, or if their work actually matters. For great leaders, work is more than just a transaction – it’s a chance to make a difference in the lives of other people.

They build a tribe of True Believers because they’re all in.

People want a boss who cares and who isn’t shy about showing it.

Great leaders don’t shy away from emotion.

They love their job, they love their customers, and they love their team.

And they’re not afraid to let everyone know it.

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How to be a great leader

What will your team say about you?

I wrote Leading with Noble Purpose to help leaders emotionally engage with their people.

It’s a call for today’s managers to become the kind of leaders a team wants to follow.

As the late Maya Angelou said, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said.

People will forget what you did. But people will never forget the way you made them feel.” Your team is going to talk about you at their dinner tables whether you like it or not.

You can be the leader whose team experienced their work as just a grind. Or you can be the leader whose people say, “She really cares.” The choice is yours.

What steps do you have to take to be the kind of leader your people want?

HEALTHY MOUTHS, HEALTHIER LIVES, ORAL HEALTH ACROSS THE LIFESPAN This November, during National Family Caregivers Month,

join us as we celebrate older adults and the 40 million Americans who serve as family caregivers. Support Oral Health America in empowering individuals across the lifespan to improve their overall health through better oral health.

Donate today.

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©2018 ORAL HEALTH AMERICA

WINDSHIELD TIME

Chances are you spend a lot of time in your car. Here’s some automotive-related news that might help you appreciate your home-away-from-home a little more.

Automotive-related news

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Digital license plates

Farewell tour for Beetles

Like phones, books and cars before them, license plates may soon go smart. Several companies, notably California-based Reviver Auto, are trying out digital license plates, a development that could save resources and even help police locate stolen vehicles, and may also turn cars into small-scale billboards.

Reviver’s digital plate, currently being tested in a California pilot program, can be validated via cellular signal when drivers pay registration fees, meant to save states on postage and materials for paper renewals, according to The New York Times.

Additionally, the plates can change to indicate if a vehicle is stolen, and they can also flash Amber Alerts. An RFID tag can be used to pay tolls, substituting for an E-ZPass. And when the car is parked, businesses can display advertisements on the plate, using GPS to target the ad to that specific geographic area.

The RPlate, as Reviver’s model is known, uses the same E Ink technology that tablet book readers like Kindle and Nook use. The current RPlate model is out of most consumers’ price range – $699 for the plate itself, plus additional yearly fees to connect to Reviver’s cellular network – but the company aims to eventually lower the cost to $150.

The 2019 Volkswagen Beetle will be the last production year of the Volkswagen Beetle, seven decades after it first came to the United States in 1949, the company announced. But the Beetle will be getting a year-long sendoff, beginning with Beetle Final Edition models for 2019 and continuing over the next several months.

“As we move to being a full-line, family-focused automaker in the U.S. and ramp up our electrification strategy with the MEB platform, there are no immediate plans to replace it,” said Hinrich J. Woebcken, president and CEO, Volkswagen Group of America Inc., speaking of the Beetle. “But as we have seen with the I.D. BUZZ – which is the modern and practical interpretation of the legendary Bus – I would also say, ‘Never say never.’”

The Beetle Final Edition coupe and convertible sports two colors that echo the beige and light blue colors chosen for the end of the first-generation Beetle production in 2003. For those whose color choices run to more standard options, there are also shades of white, black and grey, while the convertible has an optional brown top. The Final Edition also has unique

November 2018

First Impressions

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wheels, either a 17-inch aluminum alloy with a 15-spoke pattern or an 18-inch alloy “disc” design with white trim, similar to the body-color wheels of original-generation Beetles. In addition, all Beetle Final Edition models offer available driver-assistance technology. SE models include standard Blind Spot Monitor Rear Traffic Alert. Final Edition SEL models add standard front and rear Park Distance Control, and like all Beetles, the Final Edition uses the 174-hp 2.0-liter TSI® engine, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission.

Minivans are dope Many drivers shun minivans in favor of sportier, perhaps tougher-looking SUVs and crossovers. But by doing so, they risk losing fuel efficiency and storage space, Tom Voelk writes in The New York Times.

Vans like the Dodge Caravan and the Chrysler Town and Country “were revolutionary transportation when they arrived in 1983, becoming an instant hit with active families,” according to Voelk. “But by 1990, suburban America had begun to shun the image of domestic drudgery that vans had developed.”

Minivan sales are down by about 5 percent from last year, he writes. But the few vans on the market today offer advantages over their SUV counterparts, he adds. The Chrysler Pacifica E-Hybrid, for example, uses a lithium-ion battery to fuel about 33 miles – an 84 mpg equivalent –before switching “seamlessly” to its gas engine.

When it comes to storage, the Kia Sedona has 78.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind its second-row seating, compared with the Ford Expedition SUV, which has 57.5 cubic feet.

“It drives like a regular car,” one driver says of her 2018 Honda Odyssey. “I know minivans have a bad rap, but it drives very well – kind of sporty, actually.”

Taking into account these new driver-vehicle relationships, as well as the potential for more advanced driver-assist features to improve safety, WardsAuto and Michigan-based Lawrence Technological University are partnering to host the student design competition. A panel of UX designers will judge the work in December, and winners will be announced on WardsAuto.com.

Hey, did you happen to see the most beautiful electric car in the world?

The idea of a removing the “XK” inline-six engine from an early Jaguar E-type and replacing it with an electric motor might sound like sacrilege. Yet that’s exactly what Jaguar Classic did in creating what it calls the E-type Zero, reports Car and Driver.

And it’s looking good.

Jaguar Classic will offer the conversion for vintage E-types and will also sell restored E-types with batteries under the bonnet in the same way that it sells factory-restored “Reborn” E-types with their original powertrain. Says Car and Driver, “We’ve now

“ New mobility solutions, including ride-hailing companies such as Uber and Lyft, ride-sharing apps and subscription vehicle leasing are leading to situations where drivers and occupants may find themselves in a vehicle for only a few minutes, or a few days, rather than years at a time.”

Student design competition University students will have a chance to improve drivers’ user experience – aka UX – during the second annual WardsAuto UX Student Design Competition this fall.

“New mobility solutions, including ride-hailing companies such as Uber and Lyft, ride-sharing apps and subscription vehicle leasing are leading to situations where drivers and occupants may find themselves in a vehicle for only a few minutes, or a few days, rather than years at a time,” according to a WardsAuto press release.

driven the E-type Zero, and we must admit that, for an apostasy, it works surprisingly well.”

Jaguar claims a range of 200 miles in optimum conditions and around 125 miles in regular use. Fast charging isn’t supported – it would have required active battery cooling, which would have added an unacceptable level of complexity and weight – but the Zero’s likely role as a sometime toy rather than everyday transport means that a 7.0-kW onboard charger capable of replenishing the battery pack in about five hours when connected to a 240-volt source is reckoned to be adequate; that will take longer from a standard 120-volt household outlet.

“To our surprise, the lack of any combustion noise is not the deal-breaker we feared it might be,” according to Car and Driver. “The motor produces a characteristic electric whine under harder acceleration, but the nearly silent running actually well suits the car’s relaxed dynamic character at low speeds.”

www.firstimpressionsmag.com

First Impressions

November 2018

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QUICKBYTES

Editor’s Note: Technology is becoming an integral part of the day-to-day business of sales reps. In this department, First Impressions will profile the latest developments in software and gadgets that reps can use for work and play.

Technology News Hold the phone!

The Techruptors

The Robocall Blocker from Hammacher Schlemmer blocks nuisance calls on your landline and prevents your phone from even ringing. It connects to any landline and is pre-installed with a database of 5,000 numbers of the most notorious telemarketers and spam callers. If a nuisance caller not on the list gets through, the device has a red “Block Now” button that automatically ends the call and adds the number to its daTechruptors are tabase of blocked callers. It has a 3-inch display, stores up to 6,500 concerned about numbers, and lets you edit the list how fast technology in the event of an accidental block.

Meet the Techruptors, that is, the group of consumers most likely to bring disruption to the technology industry. They tend to be young, digital natives who both understand technology and use more tech products and services than the general population – including ride sharing, entertainment streaming, wearable technology and virtual assistants. At the same time, they wish they were born in a time of less technology. These potential disruptors represent more than a third of the population (38 percent), according to the Social Permission and Technology Study, conducted by Ketchum. Techruptors are concerned about how fast technology is developing (67 percent).

They also are at least somewhat worried (92 percent) about new developments in technology affecting their privacy. Similar to the general population, Techruptors are most concerned with protecting their personal identification (56 percent), their financial data (44 percent), and their health data (30 percent) from technology.

is developing (67 percent). They also are at least somewhat worried (92 percent) about new developments in technology affecting their privacy.

Bad to the bone

Lucyd Loud is the name of prescription-compatible Bluetooth smart glasses from Lucyd Pte LTD (Singapore). They are said to use bone conduction technology to deliver clear, open-ear sound to the wearer, and bring the functions of a Bluetooth headset to a normal sunglass form.

The glasses are equipped with a microphone, speakers and a trackpad, allowing users to answer and control calls, listen to music, and access voice assistants like Siri, all without their smartphone ever leaving their pocket. A number of popular apps such as Whatsapp and Venmo can also be accessed via Siri with Lucyd Loud.

Hiring?

Engage, interview and hire better candidates faster and without bias – that’s what Montage promises with its Montage Intelligent Recruiting Assistant, or MIRA. The technology uses artificial intelligence to help hiring managers and interviewers avoid unconscious bias and discrimination, and drive more consistency into their candidate review and selection process. Candidates will be informed of how the hiring experience works, and the solution allows them to submit their on-demand interviews when it’s most convenient for them. When the interviews are completed, a notification will be sent. The candidate’s identity and voice is concealed until after the hiring manager enters feedback and a yes or no decision to advance the candidate is recorded in the platform. Visit https://engage.montagetalent.com/mira.

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Help for overextended volunteers MomClone™ announced its continued growth as the busy volunteer’s answer to managing school, sports, community, and personal activities and sign-ups. The company has added a Team Tool and Signup Tool to join its existing Gatherings Tool. These tools allow users to organize sports teams, volunteers, and invitations – all in one place with a single login. MomClone is said to eliminate annoying reply-all emails, banner ads, and upselling. Sign-up is free for the first 30 days.

Feel the music Not Impossible Labs (Venice Beach, California) debuts “Music: Not Impossible (M:NI)” an applied Vibrotextile™ technology that translates sound onto the skin through vibration, allowing users to feel the nuances of a music-listening experience. Inspired by deaf music fans, M:NI’s use during a concert produces a dramatic effect for all participants, regardless of their hearing, delivering a shared ‘surround body’ experience, according to the company. Music: Not Impossible is a combination of wearables, hardware, software and wireless tools. The battery-powered wireless wearables include two wristbands, two ankle bands, and a harness; each element receives complex polyphonic musical expressions across the skin.

Wearers may adjust the intensity of vibrations, which are visually represented via LED lights. An M:NI activation can scale the technology to any size arena or audience, and the signal may be broadcast across significant distances without interference.

HEALTHY REPS

Health news and notes

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Some hope for MS

Gestational diabetes and blood tests

Certain drugs could help repair nerve damage caused by multiple sclerosis.

Researchers at Case Western Reserve University, the New York Stem Cell Foundation Research Institute and George Washington University collaborated on a study to find how the antifungal drug miconazole activates stem cells to repair damage to myelin, the lining that insulates nerves in the brain and spinal cord. Myelin damage causes interruptions to nerve cell communication, leading to muscle weakness, vision and coordination problems, and other MS symptoms.

The research team found that miconazole and similar drugs block the enzyme CYP51. Doing so encourages stem cells to form new oligodendrocytes, cells that create myelin coatings.

The findings were published in July in Nature Methods. Read about it in an article from the National Institutes of Health, which funded the study.

Other NIH-supported research shows that early-pregnancy blood tests may help identify women at risk for gestational diabetes.

The condition occurs during pregnancy when blood sugar levels rise too high, and it increases the mother’s chances of developing other health issues down the line, like high blood pressure disorders of pregnancy and type 2 diabetes later in life.

Researchers used the HbA1c (or A1C) blood test, which is used to diagnose type 2 diabetes, for the study. They analyzed test records, taken from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Fetal Growth Study, of 107 women who later developed gestational diabetes and 214 women who didn’t.

Women who went on to develop gestational diabetes had higher HbA1c levels (an average of 5.3 percent), compared to those without gestational diabetes (an average HbA1c level of 5.1 percent). Each .1 percent increase in HbA1c above

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5.1 percent in early pregnancy was associated with a 22 percent higher risk for gestational diabetes.

“Our results suggest that the HbA1c test potentially could help identify women at risk for gestational diabetes early in pregnancy, when lifestyle changes may be more effective in reducing their risk,” said Cuilin Zhang, the study’s senior author.

The findings were published in Nature Scientific Reports. Read about it in this NIH article.

Nothing to hit but the heights Virtual reality may help people overcome their fear of heights.

The findings, published in July in The Lancet, mean that with further research, virtual reality could be used as an affordable tool for mental health treatment.

The research team at the University of Oxford studied a sample of 100 adults who scored more than 29 on the Heights Interpretation Questionnaire. Forty-nine of those people then underwent the experimental treatment, a virtual reality program that had participants accompany a “virtual coach” (named Nic) through a 10-story office building where they completed a series of tasks. These tasks, which included things like rescuing a cat from a tree and playing a xylophone near the edge of the floor, became more difficult as users progressed through the program.

All of the virtual reality participants reported a reduction in fear of heights following the treatment, and by the time researchers followed up, 34 of those participants (69 percent of the group) fell below the entry criterion on the HIQ, compared with none in the control group.

Severe maternal morbidity includes unexpected outcomes of labor and delivery that result in significant short- or long-term consequences to a woman’s health.

Gym class memories Finally, the way you felt about gym class as a kid could affect the way you feel about exercise now.

Researchers at Iowa State University surveyed 1,028 adults about their experiences with physical education during primary and secondary school and their exercise habits today. They found that survey participants who enjoyed gym class when they were younger were more likely to exercise now – and enjoy it – than participants who didn’t like gym class.

The reasons participants didn’t enjoy gym class most often had to do with embarrassment, whether from being chosen last for sports teams or from being made to feel incompetent by PE

teachers or classmates. On the flip side, the people who enjoyed gym class often enjoyed the activities and the opportunities to spend time with peers.

While the results show correlation, not causation – it could be that nonathletic students didn’t enjoy gym class – the study authors believe PE teachers could learn from this. Random choosing of teams, for example, could help decrease embarrassment from being the last one picked. And noncompetitive physical activities, like dance or yoga, might help students learn to enjoy exercise more than team sports can.

“It would be great if P.E. classes could teach kids that moving is fun,” lead study author Matthew Ladwig told The New York Times, which were published in the Translational Journal of the American College of Sports Medicine.

Overloaded The Cheesecake Factory’s Breakfast Burrito was named the “Worst Way to Start the Day” in this year’s Xtreme Eating Awards by the Center for Science in the Public Interest. The tortilla is filled with scrambled eggs, bacon, chicken chorizo, cheese, crispy potatoes, and several additional ingredients. It features 2,730 calories – more than a day’s worth – and 73 grams of saturated fat. It’s like eating seven McDonald’s Sausage McMuffins, according to CSPI, and it’s served all day.

Other notables this year include Chili’s Honey-Chipotle Crispers & Waffles; the Uno Pizzeria & Grill Deep Dish Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese; and Shake Shack’s Double SmokeShack.

Jane E. Brody outlines the significance of the awards, including the epidemic proportions of obesity in America, in a New York Times article.

Maternal morbidity on the rise The rate of severe maternal morbidity at delivery increased 45 percent from 2006 through 2015, from 101.3 to 146.6 per 10,000 delivery hospitalizations, according to the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project’s September report on “Trends and Disparities in Delivery Hospitalizations Involving Severe Maternal Morbidity” from 2006 through 2015.

Severe maternal morbidity includes unexpected outcomes of labor and delivery that result in significant short- or long-term consequences to a woman’s health, the report explains. These deliveries generally involve life-threatening conditions such as acute myocardial infarction, pulmonary embolism or sepsis.

Other findings highlighted in the report: • Severe maternal morbidity was highest among women 40+ years old and lowest for those 20-29 years old – 248 and 136 per 10,000 deliveries, respectively.

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HEALTHY REPS • On average, Black mothers were younger than White mothers. Yet the rate of severe maternal morbidity was 112-115 percent higher for Blacks than for Whites in 2006 (164 vs. 76) and 2015 (241 vs. 114), with no change in the Black-White disparity.

• Hispanics and Asian/Pacific Islanders also had higher rates of severe maternal morbidity than Whites in both years, but disparities decreased over time.

Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s?

The Alzheimer’s Association and AARP announced in September that they are partnering to extend the reach of the Community Resource Finder, an online database to help people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias, and their caregivers, find local resources.

Scientists at the Cincinnati Children’s Center for Stem Cell and Organoid Medicine report that they have used pluripotent stem cells to grow human esophageal organoids – aka an esophagus – in a lab. The goal is to find new ways to treat or cure gastrointestinal disorders such as gastric reflux and cancer.

The Alzheimer’s Association launched the Community Resource Finder in 2011; today it receives 37,000 monthly visits.

The new platform will be available to more people and includes additional resources from AARP, including webinars and events, according to a press release. It also features an advanced search tool to help people find local resources based on specific needs, such as payment options and specialized services. Users can share search results with other family members and caregivers.

The database includes listings for resources such as housing options, medical services, legal services and community services, like adult day centers and transportation. It’s available at https://www.communityresourcefinder.org.

Unwelcome surprise An August Kaiser Family Foundation poll found that 67 percent of Americans worry about paying unexpected medical bills, more than they worry about insurance deductibles, prescription drug

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November 2018

First Impressions

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costs or other costs of living. Additionally, 4 in 10 poll participants said they had received a surprisingly large medical bill within the last year.

“A quarter of people who said they received a surprisingly large bill attributed it to a doctor, hospital or other provider that was not in their insurance network,” according to Kaiser Health News. “Such providers often will not accept the amount an insurer thinks a procedure or test should cost, and they bill the patient for the difference.”

The Kaiser poll also found that a majority of the public, regardless of political party, does not want insurers to be allowed to deny coverage or charge higher premiums because of preexisting conditions or current health status.

Payer: No more OxyContin BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, the state’s largest insurer, announced that come January, it will no longer cover the prescription opioid OxyContin. The drug, a brand-name version of the generic oxycodone, is a product of Purdue Pharma, currently facing lawsuits for its alleged role contributing to the nation’s opioid crisis. BCBST will instead cover other brands of the prescription painkillers – namely Xtampza (also oxycodone) and Morphabond (morphine sulfate) – which are reportedly more difficult for patients to misuse.

A Purdue Pharma spokesman “pointed out that no opioid drug is ‘abuse proof’ or less addictive,” and he accused BCBST of having “financial motives that remove choices for many patients,” according to Kaiser Health News. BCBST refuted that claim.

Esophagus in a lab Scientists at the Cincinnati Children’s Center for Stem Cell and Organoid Medicine report that they have used pluripotent stem cells to grow human esophageal organoids – aka an esophagus – in a lab. The goal is to find new ways to treat or cure gastrointestinal disorders such as gastric reflux and cancer. The research, published in Cell Stem Cell, marks the first time scientists have been able to grow human esophageal tissue entirely from pluripotent stem cells, according to study authors.

“Disorders of the esophagus and trachea are prevalent enough in people that organoid models of human esophagus could be greatly beneficial,” Jim Wells, the study’s lead investigator, said in a press release. “In addition to being a new model to study birth defects like esophageal atresia, the organoids can be used to study diseases like eosinophilic esophagitis and Barrett’s metaplasia, or to bioengineer genetically matched esophageal tissue for individual patients.”

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