Internet Brands announced that it has acquired Seattle-based Sesame Communications

Best-in-Class, Cloud-Based Patient Engagement Solutions Firm a Valuable Addition to Internet Brands’ Rapidly Growing Health Portfolio

LOS ANGELES, CA–(Jan 26, 2015) – Internet Brands today announced that it has acquired Seattle-based Sesame Communications, a leading provider of cloud-based patient engagement and digital marketing solutions for the dental and orthodontic industries.

Founded in 1999, Sesame Communications is one of the fastest-growing technology companies in the United States. It serves thousands of dental and orthodontic practices with products and services that help them grow their practices.
Sesame Communications joins Internet Brands’ rapidly growing Health portfolio, which includes the Internet’s leading collection of web presence solution providers for health professionals. These include Officite, eDoctors, TherapySites, iMatrix, and Baystone Media.

“Sesame has built an incredibly nimble and innovative business that owns its category and has literally transformed the way dental practices do business,” said Bob Brisco, CEO of Internet Brands. “Sesame’s best-in-class products and services are a valuable addition to our Health portfolio.”

Differentiating Sesame Communications in its category is the company’s proprietary suite of patient engagement and communications solutions. These include patient scheduling and appointment reminder systems, online bill pay and financial reminders, and portals that allow patients to view their appointments and full online health histories. The company also offers traditional web presence services including website design, SEO, and social media support.
Sesame Communications will continue to operate from its Seattle headquarters following the acquisition. The company was represented by Cascadia Capital LLC in the transaction.

About Internet Brands
Headquartered in El Segundo, Calif., Internet Brands® is a fully integrated online media and software services organization focused on four high-value vertical categories: Automotive, Health, Legal and Home / Travel. The company’s award-winning consumer websites lead their categories and serve more than 100 million monthly visitors, while a full range of web presence offerings has established deep, long-term relationships with SMB and enterprise clients. Internet Brands’ powerful, propriety operating platform provides the flexibility and scalability to fuel the company’s continued growth. For more information, please visit www.internetbrands.com.

About Sesame Communications
Sesame Communications helps dental and orthodontic practices harness the power of the Internet to accelerate new patient acquisition and transform the patient experience. The company supports thousands of practices in their efforts to grow and increase profitability in the digital age. The Sesame 24-7 platform provides an end-to-end, HIPAA-compliant system tailored to the unique and specific needs of dentistry. An Inc. 500|5000 company and 4-time winner of the Pride “Best of Class” Technology Award, Sesame is recognized as one of the fastest growing technology companies in the United States. For more information about Sesame, visit www.sesamecommunications.com.

- See more at: http://www.sesamecommunications.com/news/internet-brands-acquires-sesame-communications/#sthash.xGVfmKUn.dpuf

NYU Researchers Develop New Assessment Tool to Combat Oral-Systemic Disease Across the Lifespan

The Interprofessional Oral Health Grant Team Challenges the Medical Profession to “Put the Mouth Back in the Head” in the American Journal of Public Health

Improving oral health is a leading population health goal; however, curricula preparing health professionals have a dearth of oral health content and clinical experiences. Funded by a grant from the Health Resources and Service Administration (HRSA), New York University College of Nursing’s (NYUCN) Teaching Oral-Systemic Health (TOSH) Program is working to build interprofessional oral health workforce capacity which addresses a significant public health issue, increases oral health care access, and improves oral–systemic health across the lifespan.

TOSH educators and clinicians have developed an educational and clinical innovation transitioning the traditional head, ears, eyes, nose, and throat (HEENT) examination to the addition of the teeth, gums, mucosa, tongue, and palate examination (HEENOT) for assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of oral–systemic health problems. They detail their findings in a paper, “Putting the Mouth Back in the Head: HEENT to HEENOT,” published in the American Journal of Public Health.

“At TOSH, we are challenging the medical profession, including nurses, nurse practitioners, midwives, physicians, and physician assistants to ‘Put the Mouth Back in the Head’ by transitioning from the traditional HEENT exam to the HEENOT exam,” said Dr. Judith Haber, Associate Dean for Graduate Programs and Principal Investigator for the TOSH Program. “Incorporating ‘O’ for oral cavity assessment, adds a comprehensive focus on the oral-systemic history and physical examination of the teeth, gums, mucosa, gums and palate.”

For the majority of primary care providers, the traditional HEENT exam excludes examination of the oral cavity, as well as omitting oral health and its linkages to overall health in the patients’ health history, physical examination, risk assessment and management plan. The HEENOT approach means that educators and clinicians cannot omit oral health from the history and physical examination performed by health professionals.

"The integration of the HEENOT approach in primary care is a simple and effective method to decrease oral health disparities by increasing interprofessional oral health workforce capacity,” said Dr. Erin Hartnett, TOSH Program Director. “The TOSH program, using the HEENOT approach, develops the nurse practitioner, midwifery and medical students' oral health knowledge and clinical practice skills to identify oral problems, educate patients about the links between oral health and their overall health and refer patients to dental providers.

The aim of the TOSH program is develop innovative simulation and “live” interprofessional clinical experiences that focus on oral-systemic health for nurse practitioner, midwifery, medical and dental students. The HEENOT paradigm shift has been a cornerstone of these unique collaborative experiences.

“The TOSH program has dramatically enhanced the interprofessional collaboration between the nurse practitioner, dental, and medical students,” said Dr. Ken Allen, Associate Chair and Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Cariology and Comprehensive Care at NYU College of Dentistry. “Working together, they have formed a unique bond while teaching and promoting the concept of including the oral examination as an integral part of every patient assessment, something that was often overlooked in the past."

The TOSH team notes the importance of using the HEENOT approach as an integral component of primary care:

--Early childhood caries (cavities) are the most common chronic disease of childhood in 5-17 year olds, 5 times more common than asthma

--Application of fluoride varnish can reduce the incidence of caries in children by up to 50%

--Oral cancer morbidity and mortality rates have not declined over the past 10 years, at least, in part, related to absent or inadequate oral exams

--Human papillomavirus (HPV) is associated with the recent rise in the incidence of oropharyngeal cancer

--Linkages between diabetes and periodontal disease are established

--Older adults taking multiple medications for chronic health problems often have xerostomia (dry mouth) increasing their risk for tooth decay and poor nutrition

The Health Resources and Service Administration (HRSA) recent report, Integrating Oral Health and Primary Care Practice, highlights the importance of the primary care workforce developing interprofessional oral health core competencies that increase consumer access to preventive oral health care from multiple non-dental professions including but not limited to physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, midwives, physician assistants, and pharmacists.

“NYU Nursing’s innovative partnership with NYU’s College of Dentistry provided a unique opportunity for the TOSH Program to be a strong voice for advancing an interprofessional oral health agenda”, said Dr. Haber. “The exposure to interprofessional oral health HEENOT classroom, simulation, and clinical experiences was associated with increased dental–primary care referrals.”

With oral health becoming recognized as integral to the general health of populations across the life span, clinical education programs preparing the next generation of health professionals can rectify the dearth of oral health content and clinical experiences by adopting the HEENOT approach as a standard component of the curriculum.


About New York University College of Nursing

NYU College of Nursing is a global leader in nursing education, research, and practice. It offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, a Master of Science and Post-Master’s Certificate Programs, a Doctor of Philosophy in Research Theory and Development, and a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree. For more information, visit https://nursing.nyu.edu/

About New York University College of Dentistry

New York University College of Dentistry (NYUCD) is the third oldest and the largest dental school in the US, educating more than 8 percent of all dentists. NYUCD has a significant global reach and provides a level of national and international diversity among its students that is unmatched by any other dental school. http://www.nyu.edu/dental/

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Evaluation of a New Protocol for Removing Metal Retainers from Multirooted Teeth

Journal of Endodontics

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.joen.2014.11.014

Publication stage: In Press Corrected Proof

 

Abstract

Introduction

The aim of this study was to evaluate in vitro a new protocol for removing intraradicular retainers from multirooted teeth applying ultrasonic vibration.

Methods

Forty mandibular molars were endodontically treated to receive cast intraradicular retainers, which were distributed into the following 4 groups: group 1: control without a slot and without ultrasound, group 2: control with a slot and without ultrasound, group 3: ultrasonic vibration in the core without a slot, and group 4: ultrasonic vibration in the core with a slot. After the intraradicular retainers were cemented with zinc phosphate, ultrasonic vibration was applied for 1 minute. The test specimens were then submitted to the traction test in the universal testing machine at a speed of 1 mm/min. The maximum traction force required to remove the intraradicular retainer was recorded in newtons, and the data were statistically analyzed using analysis of variance and the Tukey-Kramer test (P < .05).

Results

The results showed statistically significant differences among the groups tested (group 1 = 234.34 N, group 2 = 201.67 N, group 3 = 139.57 N, and group 4 = 83.23 N). The lowest mean value of traction force recorded was when ultrasonic vibration was applied on the core with a slot.

Conclusions

Creating a slot in the core and the ultrasound application on all surfaces and inside the slot reduced the force required for removing intraradicular metal retainers from multirooted teeth cemented with zinc phosphate.

Genotoxic potential of 10% and 16% Carbamide Peroxide in dental bleaching

Braz. oral res. vol.29 no.1 São Paulo  2015 Epub Jan 13, 2015

http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/1807-3107BOR-2015.vol29.0021 

ABSTRACT

Dental bleaching has become one of the most frequently requested esthetic treatments in dental offices. Despite the high clinical success observed with this procedure, some adverse effects have been reported, including a potential for developing premalignant lesions, root resorption and tooth sensitivity, especially when misused. The aim of this study was to evaluate the genotoxic response using a micronucleus (MN) assay, after the application of two concentrations of carbamide peroxide. Thirty-seven patients were divided into two groups and randomly received either a 10% carbamide peroxide (CP) (19) or a 16% carbamide peroxide (18) concentration for 21 days in individual dental trays. Gingival margin cells were collected immediately before the first use (baseline), and then 15 and 45 days after baseline. The cells were placed on a histological slide, stained by the Feulgen technique, and evaluated by an experienced blinded examiner. One thousand cells per slide were counted, and the MN rate was determined. The two groups were analyzed by the Wilcoxon rank-sum test and the Kruskal-Wallis equality-of-populations rank test. A slight increase in MN was observed for both groups, in comparison with the baseline, at 15 days. However, no difference was observed between the two groups (10% and 16%), at either 15 or 45 days (p = 0.90). When bleaching is not prolonged or not performed very frequently, bleaching agents containing carbamide peroxide alone will not cause mutagenic stress on gingival epithelial cells.

Comparison of Smear Layer Removal Using the Nd:YAG Laser, Ultrasound, ProTaper Universal System, and CanalBrush Methods: An In Vitro Study

Journal of Endodontics

Published Online: January 16, 2015

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.joen.2014.11.004

Publication stage: In Press Corrected Proof

 

Abstract

Introduction

The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of the Nd:YAG laser, ultrasound, the ProTaper Universal system (Dentsply Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland), and the CanalBrush (Coltene Whaledent, Langenau, Germany) methods for the removal of the smear layer from the apical third of root canals.

Methods

Fifty distal root canals from extracted human mandibular first molars were instrumented up to ProTaper Universal F5 and divided randomly into 5 groups (n = 10) according to the following final irrigation agitation techniques: no agitation (control), ProTaper Universal file, ultrasound, CanalBrush, and Nd:YAG laser. Specimens were observed under a scanning electron microscope. The presence of the smear layer was evaluated using a 3-grade scoring system. The data were analyzed with Cohen kappa, Kruskal-Wallis, and Mann-Whitney U tests. A level of significance of .05 was adopted.

Results

The ultrasound group performed significantly better than the rest of the groups; 56.6% of the specimens revealed no smear layer, 44.4% showed the presence of a moderate smear layer, and no heavy smear layers were observed. In the Nd:YAG laser group, 30% of the specimens presented with no smear layer, 70% showed the presence of a moderate smear layer, and no heavy smear layers were observed. In contrast, a heavy smear layer was observed on the surfaces of the root canals in the CanalBrush (23.4%), ProTaper Universal (13.4%), and control (86.6%) groups. Statistically significant differences were observed (P < .05).

Conclusions

None of the agitation methods completely removed the smear layer. However, the ultrasound method performed significantly better followed by the Nd:YAG laser, the CanalBrush, and the ProTaper Universal system. Agitation of the irrigant improved smear layer removal in the apical third of the canal.

Evaluation of remineralizing potential of commercially available child formula dentifrices: An in vitro study

ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Year : 2015  |  Volume : 33  |  Issue : 1  |  Page : 28-34

Aim: The aim of this in vitro study is to evaluate the remineralizing potential of commercially available low fluoride child formula dentifrice on primary teeth. Materials and Methods: Total 30 primary teeth were placed in demineralizing solution for 96 hours to produce artificial carious lesions of approximately 100 μm depth, and then cut longitudinally into 30 sections of 100-150 μm thickness and randomly assigned to three groups. Sections were treated with dentifrices containing Colgate ^® (anti tooth decay) 500 ppm NaF, Cheerio gel ^® 458 ppm MFP and Vicco ^® non-fluoridated dentifrice. Lesions were evaluated using polarized light microscopy. Results: Colgate ^® (anti tooth decay) 500 ppm NaF sections exhibited a statistically significant decrease in lesion depth (P < 0.05, paired t-test), whereas those in Cheerio gel ^® 458 ppm MFP showed a decrease in lesion depth but was not statistically significant. Vicco ^® non-fluoridated dentifrice showed increase in lesion depth. Statistics: A paired t-test is used to evaluate pre- and post-treatment lesion depth measurements, and Newman-Keuls multiple post hoc procedures was carried out to compare pair-wise difference of pre- and post-treatment lesion depth. Conclusion: The Colgate ^® (anti tooth decay) 500 ppm NaF dentifrice and Cheerio gel ^® 458 ppm MFP demonstrated remineralization of carious lesions by virtue of decrease in lesion depth, whereas Vicco ^® non-fluoridated dentifrice showed increase in lesion depth.

The use of prophylactic antibiotics prior to dental procedures in patients with prosthetic joints: Evidence-based clinical practice guideline for dental practitioners-a report of the American Dental Association Council on Scientific Affairs.

J Am Dent Assoc. 2015 Jan;146(1):11-16.e8. doi: 10.1016/j.adaj.2014.11.012. Epub 2014 Dec 18.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

A panel of experts (the 2014 Panel) convened by the American Dental Association Council on Scientific Affairs developed an evidence-based clinical practice guideline (CPG) on the use of prophylactic antibiotics in patients with prosthetic joints who are undergoing dental procedures. This CPG is intended to clarify the "Prevention of Orthopaedic Implant Infection in Patients Undergoing Dental Procedures: Evidence-based Guideline and Evidence Report," which was developed and published by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the American Dental Association (the 2012 Panel).

TYPES OF STUDIES REVIEWED:

The 2014 Panel based the current CPG on literature search results and direct evidence contained in the comprehensive systematic review published by the 2012 Panel, as well as the results from an updated literature search. The 2014 Panel identified 4 case-control studies.

RESULTS:

The 2014 Panel judged that the current best evidence failed to demonstrate an association between dental procedures and prosthetic joint infection (PJI). The 2014 Panel also presented information about antibiotic resistance, adverse drug reactions, and costs associated with prescribing antibiotics for PJI prophylaxis.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS AND CONCLUSIONS:

The 2014 Panel made the following clinical recommendation: In general, for patients with prosthetic joint implants, prophylactic antibiotics are not recommended prior to dental procedures to prevent prosthetic joint infection. The practitioner and patient should consider possible clinical circumstances that may suggest the presence of a significant medical risk in providing dental care without antibiotic prophylaxis, as well as the known risks of frequent or widespread antibiotic use. As part of the evidence-based approach to care, this clinical recommendation should be integrated with the practitioner's professional judgment and the patient's needs and preferences.