Oral Health

A Mediaplanet Guide to Oral Care and Hygiene

Oral Health

Rob Paulsen The famed voice actor opens up about his battle with oral cancer

A look at Colgate’s mission to create a cavity-free future How Ally Lending is helping dental patients pay for the care they need

FEBRUARY 2021 | FUTUREOFPERSONALHEALTH.COM

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The Future of Oral Care Is Teledentistry As technology improves, dentists and patients are leaning into the many advantages of new dental care technology.

Telemedicine is booming, and is here to stay; a recent survey found that 80 percent of patients would use telemedicine if given the chance. “What used to be just for convenience, suddenly elevated into necessity,” says Brant Herman, CEO and founder of MouthWatch, a leading teledentistry company.

Dental visits from home Keeping up with dental care is essential. Poor oral health can contribute to other medical conditions like endocarditis, cardiovascular disease, periodontitis, and pneumonia.

“It’s good to touch base with your dentist,” says Dr. Zeynep Barakat, D.M.D. Dr. Barakat uses MouthWatch’s TeleDent platform in her practice.

“I use TeleDent to communicate with other specialists, to have conversations with patients, and create an integrated patient care point,” she says.

“Preventive care is huge,” notes Herman. “If a dentist can address something earlier, it helps everyone. What we want to see is for dentistry to shift towards more whole-patient care.”

Benefits of teledentistry Telemedicine is also more efficient, saving patients over two hours versus in-office visits and offering time and cost savings to dentists as well. “If we can reduce the number of visits that require that physical contact,” Herman notes, “you have a more efficient practice.”

Teledentistry platforms can improve care, too. “I use an intraoral camera for all my patients in the office,” says Dr. Barakat. “That gives me baseline photos I can upload onto the platform. This enables me to track the patient’s progress and adjust treatment if needed.”

Dr. Barakat is enthusiastic about the future of teledentistry. “It has been a game-changer. It’s just a great communication tool.”

Jeff Somers

For patients and providers looking for more information on teledentistry, visit MouthWatch at www.mouthwatch.com/teledentistry.

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The Oral Health Impact of COVID-19 on Minority Populations The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the oral health of African Americans, Hispanics, and American Indians. COVID-19 and oral disease share underlying factors that place these populations at disproportionate risk.

These risk factors also place them at a disproportionate risk of developing oral disease.

Pamela S. Alston DDS, MPP, FACD, 2021 President, National Dental Association

f r i c a n Americans, Hispanics, and American Indians are at a disproportionately higher risk of contracting COVID-19 in the United States. If they develop COVID-19, they are at a higher risk of having complications and dying.

Underlying chronic diseases and healthcare barriers are contributing factors. Additionally, socioeconomic factors, such as poverty and impoverished living conditions, contribute to high COVID-19 risk.

Dental health The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the oral health outcomes of Blacks, Hispanics, and American Indians. In the pandemic’s early stages, oral healthcare was not classified as an essential service, and dental facilities were forcibly closed to patients except for emergent and urgent oral healthcare. The interpretation for individuals with low oral health literacy levels likely was that oral disease without acute signs and symptoms did not need to be treated.

Dental facilities with mostly publicly insured patient populations, including private practices and dental public health clinics, often operate on thin to nonexistent margins. During the period of office closures, dental

facilities were at risk of shuttering permanently for financial reasons. For students, school closures and distance learning may have removed access to dental care in schoolbased dental programs.

Dental facilities that reopened likely saw oral disease conditions that had progressed in their patients.

Disease conditions may have progressed to a level of severity requiring services not covered under the public dental insurance’s scope of basic care. As a result, some patients have fallen through the dental safety net.

In summary, COVID-19 has impacted the oral health status and outcomes of the same population disproportionately affected by COVID19. It has led to progression of oral disease that should have been treated earlier and a decrease in the availability of oral care. n

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ooth decay is the most common chronic disease for young people ages 6 to 19 — affecting over 45 percent of those in that age group. Tooth decay and infection can cause pain, discoloration, and eventual tooth loss if left untreated, negatively impacting a child’s health and wellbeing.

The pandemic is making kids’ oral health even more challenging — many haven’t been getting regular checkups and they’ve been struggling with following recommended healthy dental habits including brushing and flossing.

“Oral health is essential,” says Maria Ryan, D.D.S., Ph.D., vice president and chief dental officer at Colgate-Palmolive Company.

“Cavities need to be prevented and dental decay does not disappear on its own. Parents and kids should not delay dental care whether it’s preventive or therapeutic.”

To address current COVID concerns, many dental offices have employed extra health and safety protocols so people can call ahead to learn about them.

Cavity-free futures Colgate is on a mission to create a cavity-free future for all.

“A healthy smile is critical to a child’s development — from broader systemic health to academic success to social and emotional wellness,” says Maria Elisa Carvajal, Colgate’s vice president of Global Oral Care.

Colgate’s research, conducted in 12 countries including the United States, showed 50-80 percent of children suffer from tooth decay or cavities. Of children experiencing issues with their teeth, half of

The Wisdom of Caring for Your Teeth

kids and parents missed 2-3 days of school/work over the past year. In the United States, Colgate found cavities have a significant social and emotional impact on kids, with one third of kids feeling worried and embarrassed when they experience a cavity.

Through a new campaign, Colgate is amplifying awareness of the prevalence of cavities — and what people can do in response.

The Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures (BSBF) program provides free dental screenings and oral health education for underserved children worldwide. Over the past 30 years, the program has

reached over 1 billion kids in over 80 countries. The goal is to reach 2 billion kids by 2025.

In the United States, Colgate’s classroom curriculum reaches nearly 4 million children in all 50 states. The BSBF program is mobile in some areas and in a typical year Colgate’s fleet of mobile dental vans travel to rural and urban communities, providing free dental screenings, oral health education, and treatment referrals to over 10 million children who may not have access to care.

Partnering for smiles Since 2007, Colgate has partnered with the American

Dental Association (ADA) on the Give Kids A Smile® (GKAS) program. It helps improve oral health disparities in underserved communities by educating parents and children about the importance of oral health while providing children with free oral healthcare, including screenings, and preventive and restorative treatment.

“Colgate has been instrumental in upholding our shared mission to increase access to dental care and oral health programs for underserved children,” says Daniel J. Klemmedson, D.D.S., M.D., president of the American Dental Association.

While the program looks a little different this year, it will continue with enhanced safety and infection control protocols for 250,000 kids who will receive essential dental services.

Dr. Klemmedson says the successful public-private partnership exemplifies what can be accomplished in thousands of underserved communities by working together.

Healthy habits Regular oral care and prevention from the earliest stages of life helps ensure baby teeth and later, adult teeth, are healthy.

“Cavities are generally preventable with a healthy diet, good oral hygiene, and regular dental checkups,” says Dr. Ryan.

She urges parents to help their children establish and maintain proper oral health habits including brushing twice a day for two minutes with a fluoride toothpaste, flossing daily, and using mouth rinses as needed.

The new hum kids by Colgate toothbrush, which features augmented reality games and rewards via the hum kids by Colgate App, can help kids improve and enjoy their brushing routine. n

Kristen Castillo

Establishing fun and healthy oral care routines can help kids develop healthy habits for life. To learn more about proper oral healthcare, visit www.colgate.com/en-us.

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How Oral Healthcare Will Change in 2021 Amid a pandemic and a tech revolution, all of healthcare, and especially dentistry, is at a pivotal moment. We spoke with our panel of experts about how dental practices can adapt to the times and ensure their patients prioritize their oral health.

Hans Zandhuis President, Ally Lending

What predictions can you make about advancements in the oral healthcare space in 2021?

Hans Zandhuis: We expect a continuation of teledentistry for at least the first half of this year, and market experts are predicting that larger dental service organization networks will continue to grow. What’s most important to us is continuing to advance affordability and pay-overtime options for patients.

Brant Herman: In 2021, practices and patients will be adjusting to the lasting changes the pandemic will have brought into the traditional dental practice setting. I believe these changes will primarily focus on improvements to infection control and opportunities to improve the convenience, efficiency, and communication between patients and their oral care providers, and between teams of oral care providers.

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Brant Herman Founder & CEO, MouthWatch

What advice can you give to Americans who want to better prioritize their oral health?

and regular professional dental visits are all important to maintaining a healthy smile.

HZ: Don’t let cost be the barrier that prevents you from prioritizing your oral health. Taking care of your oral health helps take care of your overall health and well-being, so talk to your dentist about the flexible payment options they offer.

Can you explain how one’s oral health relates to their overall health?

BH: The strong link between oral health and overall health has long been noted. Americans are beginning to take notice of the health benefits and disease prevention included with their oral health. Think about how the small changes to your daily oral health routine can go a long way to improving overall health. Find a dental provider who is supportive of not only regular preventive appointments and restorative care, but who can also help guide you in making the best decisions about your oral health. Brushing, flossing,

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BH: To many dentists and doctors, this is not news. The link between your oral health and your overall wellness is well-documented among a growing number of research studies. Periodontal disease indicates an inflammatory response while also providing an entry point for bacteria to your body. With almost half of adults over 30 years old suffering from some form of periodontal disease, this is an easily addressed issue that has far-reaching health impacts.

How can dentists prioritize their patients’ needs during the pandemic?

HZ: For dentists, leveraging technology, like teledentistry and virtual

health screenings, will continue to be vital over the next few months.

During the pandemic, we’ve remained committed to providing a variety of financing solutions for patients. At certain points last year, we offered 6-month and 12-month no-interest options. This allowed patients to afford the procedures they needed while effectively delaying the payment of those procedures until they came out of the financial hardships they were facing.

BH: Patients want telehealth options.

This includes their dental care. While dental treatment needs to typically take place at a dental office in a dental chair, a patient’s oral health journey can be meaningfully impacted via telehealth through virtual consultations, messaging with the dental team, and the ability to conveniently share treatment plans and clinical information when the patient is not in the office. n

Quarantine has created a perfect storm for poor oral health, especially for kids.

Dr. Jessica Lee, DDS, MPH, Ph.D., the president of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, shared some tips on how parents can help their children develop healthy habits.

As routines have been disrupted, maintaining healthy dental hygiene habits has been difficult over the past several months. Couple this with the fact parents and kids have been stuck at home with unfettered access to sugary snacks, and it’s easy to see how kids can develop cavities and other oral health issues during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Our routines kind of went out the door, and rightly so,

Improving Kids’ Oral Health Habits During a Pandemic because we’re dealing with a pandemic,” said Lee, who is also a professor of pediatric dentistry at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and the university’s chair of the division of pediatric and public health. “With children no longer getting up at a certain time every day, their day may vary, and they may not be brushing their teeth at the same time they usually do, or with the same frequency.”

Reestablishing routines While virtual classrooms have helped reduce COVID-19 exposure, quarantine has, at least in part, eliminated one of the most important health resources for children.

“We rely on schools to do so many things for our children, and they’re not only educating them about science, reading, and math, they’re teaching them about health and healthy habits,” Lee

said. “Some schools would do things like fluoride rinses to promote healthy teeth. Some preschools even do tooth brushing. When kids aren’t able to develop those habits early on, it’s an issue.”

Because many kids are now receiving at least part of their education remotely, this puts an even bigger onus on parents to preach healthy habits and help children develop effective dental hygiene routines.

Building healthy habits Making tooth brushing time fun is a great way to get kids invested, Lee said. She suggested searching YouTube for two-minute long videos featuring songs kids will love that will encourage them to brush for the right amount of time.

It’s also important to celebrate important dental health milestones, like losing a first tooth.

Above all else, Lee said parents need to make repetition and routine key parts of their kids’ oral health, which will help create lifelong healthy habits.

“Same time, every day, let’s make brushing our teeth a habit,” Lee said. “And if you do that, you’ll soon find that your kids are reminding you that it’s time to brush.” n Dustin Brennan

Why Oral Healthcare Providers Need a Responsible Patient Financer Oral health services are essential. From fillings and crowns to implants and orthodontics, a patient’s overall health and well-being relies heavily on their oral health. But for many, dental services are considered elective by insurance and therefore costly.

Out-of-pocket dental services can cost hundreds to thousands of dollars. As consumers shoulder more of the financial burden for healthcare expenses, pay-over-time financial solutions are needed.

“We designed our financing options to work for both the patient and provider,” says Hans Zandhuis, head of Ally Lending, the personal lending arm of Ally Bank, a subsidiary of Ally Financial Inc. Ally Lending’s affordable, personalized financing gives patients the option to pay for dental expenses over time.

Loan packages are tailored to the patient to ensure they get the best option for their budget.

For example, when applying, patients can choose a monthly payment option and term, such as 6-, 12-, or 18-month.

During a visit, dental providers can quickly pre-qualify patients with no impact to their credit score.

Partnership Universal Dentistry, located in the greater Philadelphia area, has worked with Ally Lending for over five years. They provide dental care for primarily restorative services like crowns, bridges, and implants.

“They work with us in a partnership,” says John J. Schaefer, CEO and founder of Schaeflen Management LLC, providers of Universal Den-

tistry. “It’s important that the vendors, the people we work with, operate more like partners. They grow with us, they help us expand, they’re flexible, and they can pivot with us.”

Schaefer says Ally Lending is patient-focused, and with them as their partner, “financing really becomes one less thing for the patient to worry about.”

A win-win Patients receive the care they need, and providers get paid up front. Ally Lending financing improves provider cash flow

by paying the provider in-full for the service within 24 to 48 hours of treatment. Plus, financing can increase customer loyalty and satisfaction.

Patients appreciate the flexibility of paying over time. n Kristen Castillo

Interested in becoming an Ally Lending provider?

Visit AllyLending.com/ healthcare for more information.

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HPV Vaccination Is Real World Cancer Prevention

Yes, You Still Need to See Your Dentist During COVID-19 Our lives have changed a lot over the past year, but seeing your dentist for routine oral care should continue to be a priority.

Dentists are taking all possible measures to ensure the safety of their patients, staff, and themselves. It’s important patients keep up with their preventive and routine dental care to support their overall health.

It is normal to have anxiety and want to delay your routine dental appointment. Before you decide to do so, contact your dentist to ask about their current operating procedures and how they are working to ensure your safety.

Dentists have adopted new check-in procedures, including screening procedures and social distancing strategies, that are designed to protect patients and staff during dental appointments. In addition, they have been applying extensive infection control standards in their practices for decades and are experienced working in strenuous conditions. Also, they are adhering to guidelines from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other state and local agencies.

If you have been avoiding going to the dentist, you could be at risk of developing long-term and costly oral health issues. Extenuating issues that are delayed can result in the onset of other medical concerns that impact your overall health.

Your general dentist is not only concerned about your oral health but your overall safety. If you have concerns about the measures your dentist has taken to keep you safe, there are several things you can do to feel comfortable about keeping your routine dental appointment.

For your safety First, call your dentist to ask questions and schedule an appointment. When you contact your dentist’s office, ask about the safety procedures they have in place. Ask what measures you should take to prepare for your dental appointment.

Just as dentists have enhanced their safety procedures, they depend on their patients to help keep the staff safe when they arrive at their appointments.

Dentists are extremely aware that their patients have anxiety about receiving oral health services during this time. However, patients are encouraged to be smart about at-home dental care, and avoid DIY home remedies to address oral health issues.

The only at-home oral hygiene regimen you should engage in is brushing your teeth for 2 minutes twice daily, flossing, and avoiding sugary foods and liquids. Treating oral health issues alone at home can cause long-term damage to your teeth.

Overall, the best way to feel comfortable about seeing your dentist and to make sure you receive the best oral healthcare during this time is to contact your dentist and share your concerns, work through your issues, and schedule an appointment.

Bruce Cassis, DDS, MAGD, President, Academy of General Dentistry 6

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Because preventing HPV infection can ward off certain cancers, it’s important to get your kids vaccinated early. It could save a life.

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early 1.7 million Americans will be diagnosed with cancer this year, and about 600,000 will die from the disease. Overall U.S. cancer deaths have been decreasing over the past 25 years or so, due largely to a decline in smoking, better methods for early detection of certain cancers (e.g., colon), and more effective therapies.

The majority of cancers still cannot be prevented, but some can: those caused by human papillomaviruses (HPV). As a cancer survivor and cancer researcher, take it from me: cancer prevention is always preferable to cancer treatment.

About HPV There are many strains of HPV (more than 150 types), but only a few of them (types 16 and 18) are responsible for the majority of HPV cancers.

These viruses are surprisingly widespread.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 79 million Americans have been infected by HPV. About 14 million more Americans will be infected this year.

HPV is far and away the most common sexually transmitted infection, and about 80 percent of sexually active people will become infected with the virus at some point in their lives. Most people successfully fight off the virus, but those who can’t are at risk of developing a number of different cancers.

These include oropharyngeal cancers, those that affect the structures of the throat like the tonsils and the base of the tongue.

Breakthrough The incidence of HPV-positive throat cancers in the United States increased by 225 percent from 1988 to 2004, and it’s still climbing. During the same time, the incidence of HPV-negative throat cancers dropped by 50 percent. But preventing viral infections from taking hold can eliminate HPV as a cause of human cancers.

As such, the development of safe and effective vaccines against HPV has been a major health breakthrough. The HPV vaccine is given as a series of either two or three shots, and must be given before an individual is infected with HPV. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends immunizing both girls and boys starting at age 11 or 12. If an individual cannot be infected by HPV, the possibility of being diagnosed with HPV-related cancer is virtually eliminated.

I’m sharing this information for one simple reason: I don’t want anyone else to go through what I did. Parents, please talk to your pediatrician and get both your boys and girls vaccinated against HPV. While you may never know for sure, you may very well save their lives. n Stewart Lyman, Ph.D., Survivor Ambassador, Head and Neck Cancer Alliance

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Voice Actor Rob Paulsen Shares His Oral Cancer Story Rob Paulsen — the voice of Pinky from “Pinky and the Brain” — is a passionate oral health advocate.

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he accomplished voice actor is a throat cancer survivor who encourages others to get regular dental and health screenings.

Paulsen voiced the characters Yakko and Pinky on the hit ‘90s animated series “Animaniacs,” which was recently rebooted on Hulu.

About five years ago, Paulsen noticed a knot on the left side of his neck, but he ignored it for several months as he didn’t have any other symptoms. He mentioned it to his primary care doctor during a routine appointment. The

doctor referred him to an ear, nose, and throat specialist who ordered tests and diagnosed Paulsen with Stage 3 metastatic squamous cell carcinoma.

Paulsen then underwent seven weeks of daily radiation treatments, concurrent with weekly four-hour long chemo treatments. His cancer was cured but he now has lasting side effects from treatment.

“Rob 2.0 is different,” he said, explaining food doesn’t taste the same and he’s always very thirsty.

Early detection Over 65,000 men and women

“To me, my cancer experience is a platinum lining because I can do my job.”

in the United States will be diagnosed with head and neck cancers this year.

“The good news is that it’s very treatable,” said Paulsen, who’s an ambassador for the Head and Neck Cancer Alliance.

He wants people to know that early detection can mean better chances of survival. A dentist can detect oral cancers by looking inside a patient’s mouth, and feeling their neck and shoulders.

Platinum lining Like the famous shows for which he voices characters,

Paulsen’s career is getting a reboot, too.

Despite his cancer treatments, Paulsen’s voice didn’t change and he can still do his famous character voices, like Raphael and Donatello from “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.”

“My story is not a silver lining,” he said. “To me, my cancer experience is a platinum lining because I can do my job.”

Paulsen says his story has a “gloriously happy ending, that in some ways is just the beginning.” n Kristen Castillo MEDIAPLANET

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