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The Silver Bulletin®


Vol. 9, April 14, 2020

Silver Diamine Fluoride listed as Urgent Dental Care Treatment during COVID-19

The COVID-19 crisis has closed dental offices across the globe except for emergencies and urgent treatment. During this time, the American Dental Association has provided guidance on what is considered emergency and urgent care, and asks clinicians to use their professional judgment when determining if and what treatment is needed. Silver Diamine Fluoride is listed among the treatment options for urgent care. You can see the current guidance here. Please follow all national, state and local guidelines during this time.


 

SMART Oral Health - The Medical Management of Caries 

Late 2019 marked the release of a new textbook written by many pioneers in the early and conservative treatment of carious lesions.  The team of authors detail a variety of techniques that can be used in numerous situations and clinical settings for treatment of the caries disease using more medicinal approaches rather than operative and restorative approaches.  The book has many chapters that focus on topics such as Silver Diamine Fluoride, Silver Nitrate, fluoride products, Silver Modified Atraumatic (SMART) restorations, Hall technique crowns and many other techniques.  Dr. Steve Duffin led the charge to get the book published which is available on Amazon currently.  You can purchase a copy here.


 

SDF Made USA Today's Best Health News of the Decade

On December 18th, 2019, USA Today published an article discussing the top 15 health news updates of the decade.  Mixed in among cancer treatments, gene editing, and 3D printing human organs was listed a new treatment of tooth decay: Silver Diamine Fluoride 38%.  The full article can be found here.  

Shortly after USA Today released its article, the ADA Morning Huddle also released the article in the December 23rd, 2019 publication.


 

FiCTION Randomized Clinical Trial Results Are Published

pivotal paper was recently published that looks carefully at different treatments for children in preventing dental pain and sepsis from tooth decay.  The study compared three treatment options with one another with interesting results.  The treatment options are:

(1) conventional with best-practice prevention (local anesthetic, carious tissue removal, filling placement)

(2) biological with best-practice prevention (sealing-in decay, selective carious tissue removal and fissure sealants) and 

(3) best-practice prevention alone (dietary and tooth-brushing advice, topical fluoride and fissure sealing of permanent teeth)

The results indicated, "There was no evidence of an overall difference between the three treatment approaches for experience of, or number of episodes of, dental pain or dental sepsis or both over the follow-up period."  This supports the benefits of preventive products in controlling and treating tooth decay.


 

Elevate Oral Care Launches Elevating CareTM Brand

Over the past year, Elevate Oral Care has invested in continuing education programs across the country for dental professionals, supported outreach and mission programs and branched into patient communication via Motivational Interviewing and Patient-centered communication.  To create a more concerted effort for advocacy in dentistry, Elevate Oral Care is creating a brand for our advocacy programs called Elevating Care(TM).  Our first programs are listed on our Elevating Care page that can be found here.

Look for this logo on programs across the country in the coming years.  It's our way of giving back to the dental profession.


 

Dental RECUR Randomized Trial to Prevent Caries Recurrence in Children

A publication in the Journal of Dental Research reviewed how different methods of communication with patients can result in reduced caries rates.  This article discusses how Motivational Interviewing can impact patients' health.  In the control group, 61% of patients developed new lesions, and in the test group, only 44% developed new lesions.  The article concludes, "Training in and implementation of a motivational interviewing–informed brief intervention provides opportunities for dental nurses to facilitate behavior change improving the oral health of children at high caries risk."


 

Elevating CARE Launches Motivational Interviewing Videos

With the introduction of Elevating CARE, and the publication of the RECUR study mentioned above, Elevate Oral Care has released a series of Motivational Interviewing based, patient-centered communication videos to help offices effectively communicate preventive therapies to their patients.  Using these techniques can increase patient acceptance and compliance with treatment ensuring the best possible clinical outcomes.  You can see the introductory video to the right, and view the full series of videos here.  Also, you can contact us to receive in-office support materials such as helpful tips, and laminates that help patients choose the treatments they are most likely to begin.  Including the patients in their own treatment is vital to success.


 

Another  FREE Continuing Education Program Available

Elevate Oral Care has provided an unrestricted educational grant to Dimensions of Dental Hygiene, and the result was a CE program for the use of Silver Diamine Fluoride 38%.  Titled, "A Practical Guide To Silver Diamine Fluoride" author Dr. Jeanette MacLean provides an overview of what's known about the material, how to effectively use it, and ensure the best results.  You can download a copy here, and use the code ELEVATEORALCARE120 to take the test for free.


 

ToothTalk.org Released a Silver Diamine Fluoride Video

A group dedicated to providing easy to understand information and advice to oral health care providers and patients recently released a video regarding Silver Diamine Fluoride and its use in pediatric dentistry.  The video covers topics ranging from cost of treatment, insurance coverage, application techniques and what to expect after applications.  If you've considered SDF, but need a guide on how to begin using it in your practice, this is thorough summary.  You can find this video, and many others, on their site here.


 

The ADA and AAPD File Joint Comments to Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS)

The American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry have teamed together to send their recommendations to CMS for an increase of preventive dental coverage through the Affordable Care Act.  Among many other preventive treatments, they specifically call out the coverage of Silver Diamine Fluoride treatments.  You can read their recommendation here


 

Advantage Arrest Storage Reminder

To ensure the most effective product possible, please follow these storage instructions: 

  • Tightly replace the cap immediately after product dispensing.  If the bottle is left uncapped for extended periods of time evaporation of the ammonia, which prevents the silver and fluoride from reacting, could cause the liquid to appear cloudy or result in a suspension of silver particles. 
  • Do not freeze or expose the bottle to extreme heat.
  • Keep in the original bottle and box in a cool, dark place.
  • Do not expose to light (sunlight or bright operatory light) for extended periods.

As an organization, delivering the best quality product and helping you maintain it throughout its life cycle is our priority.  


 

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