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The Silver Bulletin®

Vol. 8, August 30, 2019

Medical Management of Caries is Reaching Daily Practice

Dr. Joel Berg, Professor/Dean Emeritus at the University of Washington has written an article that highlights how caries management has evolved through the years.  Treating the damage from the caries disease surgically is shifting to preventing the disease at earlier stages.  Take a read of this article published by Aegis Publishing.  Click here.


California Passes Bill Making D1354 a Covered Treatment Through Medi-Cal

In our last Silver Bulletin, we announced that Bill 154 proposed by State Senator Richard Pan of California and supported by the CDA would make Silver Diamine Fluoride application a covered treatment under Medi-Cal.  On May 24th of this year, the California Senate passed this bill and it's now on its way to the State Assembly for consideration.  You can view the write-up here.


Numerous States Now Cover D1354 Through Medicaid

While the total number of states covering D1354 through Medicaid is difficult to track, numerous states are providing some form of coverage.  We believe that number is approaching, if not past, 30 states.  Each of the states below are the most recent to provide SDF application coverage.  You can view some supporting documentation by clicking each link below.

South Dakota
North Dakota
Pennsylvania
Illinois
Iowa
Tennessee
Wisconsin
Vermont , and  here
Michigan
Nevada
Wyoming
Alabama
Arkansas

These states join many others that have provided coverage in previous years as well.


Treating Elderly Patients with SDF Continues to Increase

Since the American Dental Association published the  August 2018 JADA article regarding controlling root caries in elderly patients , the use of SDF in elderly patients has continued to expand.  Kyle Isaacs, RDHEP, owns a program called  MilesTwoSmiles  that provides care to elderly patients who are unable to access care for a variety of reasons.  She's recorded application videos to show how well SDF can prevent pain and otherwise help patients who have limited treatment options.  Here's an example of her work.


SDF Continues to Gain Traction at the Policy Level

A publication called Health Affairs, which is highly regarded by policy makers in Washington D.C. and other political arenas, published an article discussing Silver Diamine Fluoride and the need for practicing clinicians to use it now.  Changes to current practices are said to take an average of 17 years to become common.  According to the article, SDF deserves to make that leap faster.  Read the full article here.



SDF Compared to ART? New Study Reveals the Facts

A recent clinical trial investigated the efficacy of Silver Diamine Fluoride 30% (SDF) in arresting dentin caries in primary molars of preschoolers.  The study compared adverse effects, parental aesthetic perceptions, anxiety and oral health quality measures of SDF compared to Atraumatic Restorative Treatment (ART).  Sixty Eight patients were randomized into SDF and ART treatment groups.  

The study concluded that SDF requires much less chair time and was found to have similar results compared to ART in arresting caries, anxiety, adverse events, aesthetic perceptions and quality of life.   Read the full article here .



SDF Has Caught the Attention of Primary Care Physicians

A recent study published in the Journal of Public Health Dentistry reviewed the feasibility of having primary care physicians apply Silver Diamine Fluoride in an effort to reduce Early Childhood Caries (ECC) among Medicaid patients.  In Wisconsin, where this study took place, one in four pediatric Medicaid patients visits the dental office.   Many of these at-risk patients visit their primary care providers but fewer visit the pediatric dentist office.  The study concluded that SDF application by primary care providers with or without a hygienist on site is beneficial, and that the strategy holds potential for battling ECC.  Read the full article here.



SMART Technique?  SMART Advantage.


If you've been hesitant to use the Silver Modified Atraumatic Restorative Therapy (SMART) restoration method, now is the time to start.  Elevate Oral Care has developed a true high-viscosity, self-cure glass ionomer that is designed specifically to mask SDF discolorations.  When necessary, using SDF under restorations is now easy to do, effective for the patient, and aesthetic using SMART Advantage Glass Ionomer as a base or layer in a sandwich technique.  It can be a bulk fill material on its own, or in combination with other translucent materials for that tooth-like appearance.

Delivered in A1 and A2 shade capsules, SMART Advantage is a great option for any dental practice using SDF.

Available September 1, 2019!



Yellow, to Prevent Confusion

With the growing acceptance of SMART restorations and Silver Diamine Fluoride use with glass ionomers, there is a need to have an easily discernible polyacrylic acid tooth conditioner.  Many polyacrylic acids or phosphoric acids are blue in color and SDF is blue also.  Elevate has answered this need and is launching SMART Tooth Conditioner.  This yellow tinted polyacrylic acid is the safe and easy option to prevent confusion in your office.  Your assistants will love this easy change, and you will love the price from your direct prevention source, Elevate Oral Care.

Available September 1, 2019!


Toothprints Dental ID Kit is Here to Safeguard Your Patients

You may have used this product in the past and lost track of it.  We're pleased to bring it back to the dental industry and help protect your patients and their children from the unthinkable.....   Toothprints  is another tool in the bag for dental identification, and it's an easy item to use and help build your practice.   Toothprints  was invented by Dr.'s Tesini and Wagner, after hearing  John Walsh  speak at a dental conference regarding the loss of his son.  As our way of saying thank you, for each kit sold Elevate will donate $25 toward pediatric access to care programs.  Help safeguard your patients and help give back to children and the community.  Schedule an informative  staff meeting to learn more.



If You'd Like to Learn More


Previous Volumes of the Silver Bulletin

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