December 22, 2022

The end of any year is always a time of reflection. And when we look back on 2022, despite the challenges it presented around the world, we can’t help but feel hopeful about the opportunities that await us in 2023. You are a significant part of that optimism. The support of our patients and provider partners has played an instrumental role—not just in weathering the storm but in conquering it, prevailing, and succeeding. So we’d like to thank each of you sincerely for all your contributions and dedication. We wish you the happiest holiday season and look forward to a prosperous new year together.

To our patients, it’s an honor to help you and your loved ones achieve the utmost in oral care. We remain 100% committed to providing unrivaled excellence in customer and dental care.

For our provider partners, it’s an honor to work alongside so many wonderful, bright, committed, diverse, and passionate partners. Together we share, learn, evolve, innovate, and put our hearts into building an incredible community of care.

We wish you and your family a safe and happy holiday season, and we thank you immensely for your continued support.

December 21, 2022

According to research from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, Americans got back 60 million hours of their time as a result of remote work during the pandemic. So how are people using this reclaimed time? They’re focusing on previously neglected health and wellness efforts. In 2019, the CDC estimated that only 64.9% of adults visited their dentist, while around 31.6% of adults had untreated cavities. Yet with more time to spare, people are refocusing on their oral health; but that’s just a part of the story. Life during COVID – with remote work, digital communication, and the doorstep delivery of everything – has changed the nature of patient expectations in dentistry. And the industry is evolving rapidly to meet them.

The New Normal Is Digital, On Demand, and Delivered

The aftermath of COVID-19’s peak did not return us to the routines and lifestyles we enjoyed in the before times; they produced a “new normal.” From crisis springs opportunity, they say. And people dealing with the limitations imposed during the outbreak learned to embrace some of these accommodations as convenience. No more driving to and from the office. Food and merchandise delivered to your door. Virtual medical and dental visits through digital platforms. For the most part, these things are here to stay. 

The pandemic reshaped and redefined countless aspects of our society, our approaches to work, and even our daily habits. Many of these new behaviors and expectations didn’t vanish along with shelter-in-place orders or imposed distancing. The unprecedented shift to remote work has endured, with employees resigning in droves at companies demanding returns to the office. Today’s workforce views work from home (WFH) arrangements as a benefit, and WFH or hybrid models will undoubtedly persist as part of the new normal. 

“Even as the pandemic has waned, more than 15 percent of full-time employees remain fully remote and an additional 30 percent work in hybrid arrangements (Barrero, Bloom, and Davis),” the Federal Reserve report noted. “These changes have substantially reduced time spent commuting to work; in the aggregate, Americans now spend 60 million fewer hours traveling to work each day.” That lost time has translated into a newfound concentration on wellness. 

Amazon changed the nature of commerce. Companies such as Uber spurred the growth of the “gig” or “sharing” economy. These models disrupted a wide variety of business sectors, from transportation to lodgings, entertainment, and business-to-business supply chains. Our increasingly digital infrastructure has empowered these shifts, but consumer demand is the catalyst for the explosive growth of an on-demand, doorstep delivery solution that has come to define the modern shopping experience. The onset of COVID-19 profoundly propelled these attitudes. And healthcare had to catch up during the pandemic. Now, it’s progressing alongside patient desires.

I Want It Now, I Want It Here

Even before the advent of COVID-19, which fueled the massive growth of delivery and e-commerce services, shoppers had already begun to rely more on Amazon than the brick-and-mortar stores they once frequented. The pandemic may have abated, but studies show that these purchasing trends did not. 

E-commerce surged during the pandemic, however studies from the International Trade Administration indicate that we will see a steady 8% growth rate through 2024.

The overwhelming conclusion business leaders must confront, regardless of their industry or customer base, is this: people want services delivered to them on their schedule. And yes, this will include dental care.

Teledentistry on the Rise

According to 2019 Health Center Program Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 43% of health centers were capable of providing telemedicine, compared with 95% of the health centers that reported using telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic. Surprisingly, telehealth remains strong, even though providers have been allowed to resume normal operations: “the percentage of all visits via telemedicine visits is slowly declining from its April peak. But it continues to be well above the prepandemic baseline of very few telemedicine visits.”

Virtual dental care, also known as teledentistry, is no longer a niche service offering. The pandemic may have ushered in widespread adoption, but its growth was gaining traction well before the outbreak of COVID-19. According to surveys conducted by DentaVox, nearly 80% of U.S. households said they expected to rely on it over the next five years. In some fashion, it’s likely to become a new standard in all of dentistry.

Teledentistry is the remote delivery of dental care, consultation, follow-up care, and education through telecommunications. The idea is as old as the telephone itself. But with advances in video conferencing and online platforms, the systems have become incredibly robust. Video consults connect the patient’s laptop, tablet, or smartphone to a dentist who diagnoses the problem and accelerates treatment options, which may include electronic prescriptions for antibiotics and non-narcotic pain medication. When follow-up care is required, next-day appointments can be booked. There are several advantages.

• Enhances the patient experience when physical visits aren’t possible through personal interaction with a dental provider by phone or video
• Minimizes the risk of exposure to the coronavirus for patients and dental professionals
• Significantly reduces the load on hospital emergency rooms related to dental problems
• Immediate online scheduling, expedited assessments and treatment recommendations, and faster access to a network of available dentists from the comfort of the patient’s home
• Private, secure, and fully compliant with information protection regulations such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
• Video interactions may improve the quality of diagnosis because patients can better describe their conditions using body language, pointing to problem areas, or even showing what’s happening inside their mouths

But digital platforms and teledentistry systems represent only part of this equation. RDH Magazine noted that “as dental practices and health-care organizations increasingly explore ways to include mobile delivery into their current model of care, the mobile dentistry movement continues to gain traction as one of the most popular up-and-coming trends within the profession.”

As the current consumer trends persist, more and more people are demanding the same solutions from dental providers as they do from e-commerce sites and delivery services. So, they will expect an offering that combines teledentistry with a mobile component. 

Concierge Mobile Dentistry

Breakthroughs in portable equipment — such as x-ray units, treatment carts, and compressors — have advanced the practice of mobile dentistry and patient interest. However, most mobile dentistry remains relegated to those with special needs: the geriatric, those with physical or mental challenges, the permanently homebound, and others. That’s changing now too.

Prior to COVID-19, people with the means to do so routinely pampered themselves with private manicures, in-home personal trainers for workouts, and other individualized services in their offices or residences. Since the pandemic, with the renewed focus on health, the same people are looking for that same level of personalized, on-premise dental care.

As Tina Rosenberg explained in her New York Times article, “House calls may be making a revival among the wealthy through concierge telemedicine.” 

Business leaders are also realizing the benefits of on-demand, on-site concierge dentistry.  Right now, one of HR’s biggest efforts is to focus on the mental health of employees who are readjusting to life after the pandemic. Increased stress and anxiety led to a rise of bruxism, or teeth grinding. People with depression often neglect oral hygiene. Coping mechanisms also lead to habits that damage oral health, such as sugary foods, alcohol, or tobacco use. When people become embarrassed about their smile, they also withdraw or lose self-esteem, which exacerbates mental health symptoms. A mobile dental pop-up helps HR professionals conquer these challenges for returning and hybrid workers.

Preventative care helps mitigate absenteeism and lost productivity associated with dental emergencies. Mobile dentistry allows a company’s staff to receive the best preventative dental care just feet away from their working areas. For remote and hybrid team members, a pop-up provides a new way of incentivizing workers to head back to the office.

This Is What We Do

If all of this sounds like the stuff of speculative fiction or futuristic prognosticating, it’s very real. In fact, it’s what we do – and have done for years. The modernization of house calls, mobile dentistry, and portable equipment is a cornerstone of the Blende Dental Group, which is home to House Call Dentists. 

Our fully equipped team of dentists, registered dental assistants, and mobile hygienists provide in-home dental evaluations and treatments with portable dental equipment. Based on our assessment, we determine the level of care required and whether treatment can be delivered in the home or under sedation in our office or the hospital. Providing sedation in any of these locations allows us to complete care in as few as one or two visits.

We provide preventative, restorative, and emergency care 24/7/365.  Our teams handle the setup and breakdown of all portable equipment, as well as access to our teledentistry platform, which provides real-time access to video visits with your dentist, treatment plans, and more.

What about mobile dentistry pop ups for businesses? Our affiliate company, Dentists on Demand, has that covered. Dentists on Demand (DOD) has pioneered a solution, powered by its proprietary CUSPID teledentistry portal, that delivers oral care right to a company’s office. Utilizing a conference room or unoccupied space, DOD sets up a portable dental unit to treat employees on site. No missed work hours, no unexpected absenteeism, no reason for employees to ignore dental needs until they become emergencies. 

DOD teams also rely on hospital-grade sterilization techniques that include enhanced PPE and air purifiers with HEPA filters and germicidal UV-C lights.

The world has changed. Patient needs and expectations have changed. And the nature of dental health has changed. We understand that. And no one could have anticipated the radical adjustments we would have to make moving beyond the pandemic, the foundation of our dental practice has ideally positioned us to support the new needs of patients as they forge ahead in their new normal. 

 

December 1, 2022

It’s that special time of year when we gather to celebrate the holidays with friends and loved ones. It’s the newly novel season in our electronic age when social networks are filled with real people and physical interactions rather than digital dialogs with avatars. These encounters hold the promise of a more intimate experience. However, proximity can also breed insecurity. In close-up situations, we want to look our best – and smell our best. Halitosis, otherwise known as bad breath, can keep you at a distance from those you long to be near. And you can have it without realizing it. From the plethora of rich, decadent holiday fare to poor oral hygiene or other dental problems, bad breath can be a big lump of coal in your metaphorical stocking. Fortunately, there are remedies for reducing halitosis to increase holiday happiness.

The Social Season

Our modern society is overwhelming. We’re over-saturated by stimuli, information, and a ceaseless bombardment of communication no matter where we’re at, what we’re doing, or the time of day.  We’re more accessible to others than ever before. The irony, however, is that we’re no longer spending the same amount of hours or energy engaging in the company of actual people. Most of this happens digitally, across our smart devices or computers. The traditions and related expectations of the holidays afford us the opportunity to break free from the metaverse to forge or renew our bonds in person.

The chilly winter months are also hot times for meeting new snuggle bunnies. According to market research from dating app providers, the period between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve is the busiest time of year for connecting with potential romantic partners. So whether it’s a holiday office party, a holiday celebration with friends and family, or a holiday hookup, we’re more in one another’s faces during these months than we may be most of the year. 

But halitosis can hinder you from partaking in the close-knit festivities that make your holiday customs special: singing together during Las Posadas, spinning dreidels, praying with your tribe in a kiva during Soyal, rubbing elbows at the communal meal of Karamu at Kwanzaa, or even sharing a kiss under the mistletoe.

The Causes of Bad Breath

It’s not just stinky staples like garlic and onions that lead to bad breath. Beverages and foods that trigger gastrointestinal reflux can induce bad breath. They cause you to burp up or even regurgitate small amounts of food. Think of alcohol, coffee, tomatoes, and citrus.

Bacteria is one of the most predominant contributors to halitosis. Bacteria in the mouth release volatile sulfur compounds that produce the “rotten egg” smell. Improper brushing and flossing habits will allow bacteria to flourish. But dry mouth is also a culprit here. Dehydration, diseases such as Sjogren’s syndrome or diabetes, and side effects from certain medications can stanch the normal flow of saliva, which helps kill bacteria naturally. 

Gum disease is more serious. It definitely causes bad breath, along with a host of other problems. Gum disease is caused by bacterial infection and takes the forms of gingivitis or periodontitis. Gingivitis is a milder and easily treatable condition, usually identified by sensitivity, pain, or bleeding in the gums. However, it also represents the beginning stages of periodontitis, which is more complex. With proper diagnosis and care, gingivitis can be reversed relatively quickly. Patients who visit a dentist and adhere to the treatment plan provided often see dramatic reductions in the condition within two to three weeks. Left untreated, gingivitis can advance to periodontitis, a more dangerous type of gum disease with farther-reaching consequences. Periodontal disease also produces the worst smelling breath, according to the Blende Dental Group’s Dr. Lindzy Goodman.

“In rare cases, bad breath can be caused by other kinds of illnesses or infections — tonsillitis, sinus or lung infections, liver cirrhosis, kidney diseases, pharyngitis or even mouth or neck cancer,” wrote Melinda Wenner Moyer in her New York Times article about curbing bad breath.

Banishing Bad Breath

So what should you do? Stick with the tried-and-true best practices in oral hygiene for starters.

• Floss. Yes, floss. Any floss is better than no floss at all. String-based flosses tend to work the best.
• Clean your teeth before breakfast, not after. The mouth becomes acidic when eating, in order to break down food. Brushing immediately after can damage your enamel.
• Brush your teeth using fluoride toothpaste twice a day for at least 2 minutes, covering all four quadrants for 30 seconds.
• Dietary habits and the presence or lack of vitamins will influence your oral health. Eating healthy foods goes far in helping the body fight or prevent infection. And limiting foods known to bolster bad breath can mitigate the likelihood of a tangy or pungent mouth.
• Hard as it may be over the holidays, try to limit your intake of acidic beverages like orange juice, along with too much coffee, alcohol, and carbonated beverages.
• Choose an alkaline mouthwash and rinse after waking. This will restore the pH of the mouth and loosen any plaque or particles that have accumulated during sleep.
• Always clean your tongue with the brush or a scraper made for that purpose.
• Use toothpaste from a reputable brand that’s safe, effective, and bears the ADA seal of approval.

For gum disease, you may also want to incorporate these suggestions:

• Saltwater rinses performed two to three times daily can help heal the gum tissues inflamed by gingivitis while reducing the presence of harmful bacteria or food particles lodged between the teeth. Add a ½ teaspoon of salt to a small glass of warm water and mix. Swish the solution around your mouth for 30 seconds, spit, and then brush your teeth.
• Over-the-counter antibacterial mouthwashes are available and can help, but we always advise that you consult with your dentist for their recommendations. 
• Check for any warning signs such bleeding, soreness, persistent bad breath, or a sour taste in your mouth. If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s time to visit the dentist.

Of course, there is no more sure-fire solution than visiting the dentist. Be sure to schedule routine dental appointments and cleanings at least every 6 months. And with the holidays coming up, now is the best time to get in front of bad breath issues – before you get in front of your loved ones at a seasonal gathering. 

“Studies on the prevalence of bad breath are hard to come by, but research has estimated that up to half of all Americans have been concerned by the smell of their breath over the course of their lives,” Moyer noted. And this isn’t a trivial point.

People may not readily associate good oral health with physical and mental wellbeing, but the connection is undeniable. The simple joys of eating a cherished meal or being able to speak without complication are crucial aspects of interaction, socialization, engagement, and happiness. 

We at the Blende Dental Group are committed to ensuring that our patients receive the utmost care, whether they visit our offices, require home visits, or need special care because of special needs. There are no patients and no conditions we can’t treat. In the spirit of season, we encourage anyone who’s put off regular oral care – for any reason – to contact us for a consultation. Fill your holidays with joy. A fresh smile and a happy mouth are the best gifts to give yourself this time of year, when closeness and new beginnings define so much of the season.

November 23, 2022

Thanksgiving is tomorrow, and as we write this, families across the nation are preparing to gather in a celebration of the bonds that unite us. The spirit of this season springs from a profound sense of gratitude. We at the Blende Dental Group believe that relationships form the cornerstone of our success. We wouldn’t be able to achieve our goals without the support of our cherished partners and patients. And so we would like to take a special moment to thank you all.

We Are Grateful for You

We have so many things to be thankful for at the Blende Dental Group: the people behind the scenes who make us tick, our patients, our partners, and our hard-working teams. One of the most inspiring aspects of this company is that we have created an organization that feels more like an extended family and that we are able to support populations that have historically had difficulty accessing the dental care they need. It’s a sincere honor to wake up every morning knowing that we will be making a difference in the lives of others.

None of this would be possible in the absence of meaningful relationships. And that’s part of the concept behind the Blende Dental Group – that on a philosophical level, we are all linked by our dedication to the goals of providing the most robust continuum of care for patients of all backgrounds, needs, and unique challenges.

On behalf of everyone at the Blende Dental Group, we have the privilege of thanking you for showing consistent confidence in our services. You are truly valuable allies and friends to our practice. We wish you a very happy Thanksgiving!

November 22, 2022

House calls are firmly ingrained in the fabric of American culture and history. We’ve all heard stories about the country doctor who traveled across hill and dale to care for patients around the local community. Today, many people believe the tradition exists only in nostalgia, period-piece stories, small rural towns, or the memories of our elders. They seem surprised when we tell them we specialize in house calls. In fact, house calls have not only returned, they’ve regained prominence and importance. The modernization of mobile technologies and the evolving needs of society have brought renewed attention to a formerly bygone practice. And for dentistry, house calls represent new access to care for people who would otherwise go without treatment.

The Rise, Fall and Rebirth of the House Call

In the early 1930s, house calls represented 40% of doctor-patient meetings. Over the next 20 years, they grew to encompass almost half of all medical consultations. However, the frequency of house calls plummeted to less than one percent by the 1980s. So what happened? As Tina Rosenberg explained in a 2016 New York Times article, “The country began building big hospitals and luxurious doctors’ offices, and doctors acquired sophisticated equipment they couldn’t put in a medical bag. Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement systems made home visits untenable. But the house call is now a better idea than ever.”

Traction for reviving house calls took hold again in the 1990s when team home care, including in-home visits, became a small but growing field in health care. The primary patient groups were seniors and people with chronic illnesses. Examining their challenges sheds more light on the renaissance of house calls in the modern era.

For frail seniors, people with special needs, and the homebound, routine care is next to impossible. Going to the doctor or the dentist for preventative treatment is a big undertaking. Relatives must take time off from work to transport their loved ones. Sometimes an ambulette must be hired. Some people can’t physically leave their homes. Still others have conditions that prevent them from tolerating procedures in a medical office. So what happens? They forgo the routine care they need. Then, whether for a health or dental emergency, they land in the hospital.

“But most hospitals are fee-for-service: they benefit from having more patients, not fewer,” Rosenberg pointed out. “Today two-thirds of doctors are employed by hospitals, which buy practices in part to require doctors to send them patients. And that percentage is growing fast.”

During Rosenberg’s research and interviews with medical professionals, she noticed some fascinating trends. Doctors who opted to focus on house calls had more time for work-life balance, made more money by not “buying practices” from hospitals, had better connections and insights from their patients, and were able to treat people who couldn’t access regular care. 

“Time is another advantage,” Rosenberg wrote. “House calls eliminate no-shows. So doctors don’t have to do the double- and triple-booking that can lead to seeing 30 patients per day.”

The issues are particularly more pronounced with dental care. Let’s face it, more people put off going to the dentist than they do their doctor. So imagine what that’s like for homebound seniors or people with special needs. The end result is the same, because oral health problems lead to dire physical problems – so these patients wind up in the emergency room. 

One of the factors that contributed to the demise of the house call was bringing equipment to patients. Well, the technological barriers have been lifted with advances in portable treatment tools, mobile x-ray machines, sterilization equipment, and teledentistry. 

With about two-thirds of our aging population expected to suffer from chronic oral health and medical conditions, they’ll need access to attention early; dentists who make house calls may be the only ones equipped to provide this care. 

Researchers and the Government Support House Calls

On February 26, 2018, the House of Representatives voted 387–13 in favor of the Action for Dental Health Act of 2017. Thematically, this bill is intended to prevent dental disease, divert dental emergencies from high-cost centers (like hospital emergency rooms) to dental offices, and reduce barriers to accessing care. Lines 15–17 of the bill include grant funding to support portable or mobile dental equipment, and this should lead to an expansion of opportunities to deliver and receive care through the use of portable dental equipment. Portable dental equipment includes relatively lightweight and easily movable dental chairs, x-ray units, and portable dental drills.

More recently, Congress passed another bill to help bolster funding for mobile health care. On October 18, 2022, President Biden signed into law S. 958, the “Maximizing Outcomes through Better Investments in Lifesaving Equipment for (MOBILE) Health Care Act,” which allows community health centers to use New Access Point grants to establish mobile health clinics. This was a bipartisan effort championed by Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC), Rep. Susie Lee (D-NV), Rep. Raul Ruiz, M.D. (D-CA), and Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA). The law allows federal funding to be used for mobile outreach clinics. 

As Taylor Heeden wrote for the Chatham News and Record (a paper covering Hudson’s district), “Before the COVID-19 pandemic, community health clinics were only allowed to use federal grants for ‘brick and mortar’ additions to facilities, not for mobile outreach efforts. But during the pandemic, the government lifted those brick-and-mortar restrictions and allowed facilities to use their federal funds to purchase mobile clinic supplies, such as buses, vans, medical equipment and more.”

A Timeless Solution for Current Needs

Over 61 million people in the United States live with special needs, including 7 million children. Yet as we’ve seen, these individuals go without proper oral care given the lack of dentists who have the specialized skills, training, and capabilities to serve these unique patients. It’s important to understand that you and your loved ones can get the care you need through in-home care, facilitated by advances in mobile dentistry, and the evolution of sleep and sedation options. This has been the hallmark of the Blende Dental Group. We have devoted our practice to supporting the under-supported.

Forgoing dental care should never be an acceptable option. The modernization of house calls, mobile dentistry, and portable equipment overcomes these hurdles for seniors and those who care for them. It’s also a cornerstone of the Blende Dental Group, which is home to House Call Dentists. 

Mobile dentistry: Care in the comfort of familiar surroundings

Our fully equipped team of dentists, registered dental assistants, and mobile hygienists provide in-home dental evaluations and treatments with portable dental equipment. Based on our assessment, we determine the level of care required and whether treatment can be delivered in the home or under sedation in our office or the hospital. Providing sedation in any of these locations allows us to complete care in as few as one or two visits.

Caring for Seniors Is Our Specialty

We partner with families, care facilities, and health care providers – including dentists, physicians, care managers, and social workers – to develop a targeted daily dental care plan that complements successful treatment. When homebound seniors experience discomfort, we’re dedicated to making treatment as comfortable as possible. Initial visits include exams, digital x-rays, cleanings, and emergency care as needed to rapidly eliminate infection or pain. Our medical and dental teams meet or exceed hospital grade standards for sterilization safety.

Our multidisciplinary team of nationally recognized dentists, anesthesiologists, and MDs allows us to offer palliative treatment to full-mouth restoration in the safety and comfort of your home. We bring state- of-the-art mobile dental technologies to people who are homebound or have difficulty traveling to a dentist. We provide preventative, restorative, and emergency care 24/7/365.  Our teams handle the setup and breakdown of all portable equipment, as well as access to our teledentistry platform, which provides real-time access to video visits with your dentist, treatment plans, and more.

Of course, as Rosenberg also highlighted in her article “house calls may be making a revival among the wealthy through concierge telemedicine.” At House Call Dentists, our teams have been specializing in concierge in-home care for years. Learn more about how house calls can help you and your family.  

November 8, 2022

With Halloween behind us and more holidays on the way, along with a bevy of sweets and treats, it’s no coincidence that National Brush Day is observed on November 1 as a way to reinforce the importance of children’s oral health while promoting the good tooth-brushing habits recommended by dental experts. We’ve already discussed some helpful tips for keeping teeth healthy during holidays packed with confections, but have you ever wondered about the device that does all the heavy lifting? Yes, the toothbrush itself has an interesting and storied history. In honor of National Brush Day, let’s explore the origins of this humble yet essential oral hygiene tool.

The Ancient Origins of the Modern Toothbrush

“As humans are primates and primates are gregarious and visually oriented, facial appearance, including the teeth, has likely influenced social self-consciousness since time immemorial,” according to University of the Pacific’s virtual dental museum. “In response, throughout the ages people have tried various devices for maintaining pleasant smiles and, consequently, healthy mouths.”

“Toothpicks, in the form of wood, bone, reeds, quills, thorns, ivory, metal or plastic, have been used for over 5,000 years and possibly since prehistoric times,” the university explained. “Using a finger, with or without a covering, to rub the teeth was popular in ancient Greece, and in 17th- to mid 19th century Europe, a piece of linen or a sponge was preferred.”

It wasn’t until 1498 when the incarnation of the modern bristle toothbrush appeared in China. The stiff, coarse hairs from the back of a boar’s neck were attached to handles made of bone or bamboo.

During the 17th and 18th centuries in Europe, toothbrushes evolved into rare luxury items. With ornate handles designed from silver, gilt, and gold, these devices belonged primarily to wealthy households.

The toothbrush made its appearance in the United States just three years after the end of the Revolutionary War, with American dentists advocating for brushing. But because toothbrushes were mostly imported from Europe, their use remained scarce in the States. Finally, in 1857, the first U.S. patent for a toothbrush was filed.

Toothbrush development took its most significant step forward in 1938 when DuPont announced “Dr. West’s Miracle Tuft brush” made with nylon filaments instead of natural bristles. Synthetic handles also gained adoption during World War II, marking the end of bone handles, which faded from production. As refinements occurred over the intervening years, the 1960s saw the launch of the first electric toothbrush.

Other Interesting Facts

From the Library of Congress, the official national research library of the United States, here are some other intriguing tidbits to round out the history of the toothbrush.

• The first mass-produced toothbrush was made by William Addis of Clerkenwald, England, around 1780.
• The first American to patent a toothbrush was H. N. Wadsworth, (patent number 18,653,) on Nov. 7, 1857.
• Mass production of toothbrushes began in America around 1885.
• One of the first electric toothbrushes to hit the American market was in 1960. It was marketed by the Squibb company under the name Broxodent.

 Toothbrushes Today

The toothbrush continues to innovate alongside research and development efforts. From crude “chew sticks” to pieces of art to the advanced practical designs of today, toothbrushes are ingrained as an instrumental aspect of human history.

Ongoing research and rigorous quality control tests continue to propel the effectiveness of toothbrushes. So what’s the best option today? For the vast majority of people, a soft-bristled toothbrush will be the most comfortable and safest choice. Depending on how vigorously you brush your teeth and the strength of your teeth, medium- and hard-bristled brushes could actually damage the gums, root surface, and protective tooth enamel. For even more tooth protection when you brush, be sure the bristles on the toothbrush you select have rounded tips.

For more tips on brushing and oral hygiene, schedule a visit with the Blende Dental Group today for a checkup and consultation.

October 28, 2022

With Halloween falling on a Monday this year, weekend gatherings and All Hallows Eve trick-or-treating mean costumed revelers may have three days’ worth of sweets and goodies to enjoy. That’s a lot of sugar. But there are steps we can take to protect our mouths from candy related damage. 

From Honoring the Harvest to Harvesting Hoards of Goodies

The holiday originated with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off ghosts. In the eighth century, Pope Gregory III designated November 1 as a time to honor all saints. Soon, All Saints Day incorporated some of the traditions of Samhain. The evening before was known as All Hallows Eve, and later Halloween.

The American custom of trick-or-treating started in the 1930s. At that time, neighbors would give children homemade cookies, pieces of cake, fruit, nuts, coins, and toys. Sometime around the 1950s, candy manufacturers capitalized on the growing trend by advertising their products as affordable and convenient options for Halloween handouts. Twenty year later, in the 1970s, wrapped, factory-made candy had become the almost exclusive standard for spooky season treats. A key reason for this was safety, because packaged candy seemed more tamper resistant than homemade goodies.

Halloween handouts, however, can become too much of a good thing. Sugar has a direct connection to tooth decay. Bacteria feeds on sugar, which produces acid that interacts with saliva. This combination leads to plaque on teeth, which dissolves enamel, creates decay, and produces cavities. So let’s take a look at some tips for promoting oral health while still having some spooky fun.

Halloween Oral Health Tips

Of course, routine dental checkups and daily oral hygiene habits should always be followed. For instance, brush your teeth using fluoride toothpaste twice a day for at least 2 minutes, covering all four quadrants for 30 seconds. The following tips are focused on making trick-or-treating less tricky for our teeth.

• Use moderation. That means encouraging kids to enjoy fun-sized candies instead of the full-sized bars. The smaller portions have just as much flavor with only a fraction of the sugars.
• Drinking water helps rinse away sugar that would otherwise cling to teeth. It also balances out the pH levels in your mouth that sugar makes unbalanced.
• Limit candy consumption throughout the day. Instead of gulping down handfuls of goodies, eat a few pieces with lunch or dinner. It’s also a good way to make that trove of treats last more than a day.
• Avoid sticky or chewy candy. Candies like caramels, and taffy are particularly sticky. They get stuck on your teeth and are difficult to remove even with regular brushing and flossing. Try to avoid these candies, as they can remain on the teeth for prolonged periods of time and cause tooth decay more rapidly. Even worse, they can break teeth and pull out crowns or fillings.
• Steer clear of anything sour. The acid in sour candies is extremely harmful to tooth enamel and causes it to break down quickly.
• Sugar-free gum increases the flow of saliva, which helps wash away acids and bacteria. Gum containing xylitol is especially effective because xylitol actively blocks the production of decay-causing acid on the teeth.
• Hard candy and lollipops dissolve slowly, leaving plenty of time for teeth to get coated in sugar and for bacteria to transform that sugar into acid.
• Clean your teeth soon after eating candy. Floss first and then brush teeth shortly after eating candy to remove the harmful bacteria.

We at the Blende Dental Group are committed to ensuring that our patients receive the utmost care, whether they visit our offices, require home visits, or need special care because of special needs. We treat all patients with all conditions. And we can help keep your mouth healthy and cavity free even after indulging in too many Halloween treats.

October 14, 2022

In 2009, the American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) helped launch National Dental Hygiene Month, which has been recognized annually in October since its inception. ADHA took these steps because it saw a need for people to focus more on preventative oral health. Routine teeth cleanings aren’t just cosmetic. Sure, everyone enjoys a healthy smile, but dental hygiene is a critical step in overall oral health. The preventative processes that take place during regular checkups and cleanings help patients dramatically reduce the potential for long-term, complicated dental problems that can negatively affect their overall physical wellbeing. It’s an inventive and innovative practice with a history of breakthroughs and stellar outcomes.

The History of Dental Hygienists

In 1906, a Connecticut dentist named Alfred Fones trained his cousin to assist in cleaning his patients’ teeth and performing preventative treatments. He coined the term “dental hygienist,” and Irene Newman, his cousin and assistant, became the world’s first person to hold that title. 

Newman’s training consisted in large part in learning to clean teeth under Fones’ guidance. For teaching aids, Fones took the many extracted teeth from his practice, mounted them in a modeling compound and painted plaster of Paris around the neck of each tooth to represent calculus and stains. Newman started performing oral prophylaxis for the public in 1907. Seeing the success of the program and the position, Fones established the first school of dental hygiene in 1913.

Newman later received the world’s first license as a dental hygienist in Connecticut in 1917, and she became the first president of the Connecticut Dental Hygienists Association. Fones forged ahead in his efforts and eventually formed the American Dental Hygiene Association (ADHA). Shortly after the organization’s creation, all 50 U.S. states had licensed dental hygienists.

The ADHA continued to pioneer not only oral health standards in America but contributed to its social progress, as well. During the Civil Rights era of the 1950s and 1960s, the ADHA played a part. The ADHA lifted previous restrictions for admissions based on race, color, and creed. The association also struck the word “female” from the ADHA constitution, allowing males to graduate in dental hygiene. Jack Orio became the first male student to do so.

The Importance of Oral Health

Most of us know the basic steps of keeping our mouths healthy: brushing at least twice a day, flossing, regular dental checkups, and cleanings. What people may not understand is how oral hygiene contributes to better overall health. 

Compared to other parts of the body, people are more likely to ignore problems that manifest in the mouth.  Bleeding gums, pain, and infections are common problems that negatively impact physical health and quality of life.  They affect how a person speaks, eats, and socializes. There are also more serious risks.

As we wrote previously, an estimated 54,000 cases of oral cancer were diagnosed last year.  Detection often occurs during dental checkups. About 43% of those individuals were not expected to survive beyond the five-year mark. Unlike other cancers, this disease is less frequently discussed in the media. And with only 35% of adults attending routine dental screenings, the risks are high.

Ways to Honor Oral Health Month

Good Daily Oral Hygiene Habits

Maintaining oral hygiene is not difficult, but it does require a little diligence. Here are some best practices to incorporate into your daily routine.

• Use fluoride toothpaste
• Brush your teeth twice a day for at least 2 minutes, covering all four quadrants for 30 seconds
• Don’t forget to brush your tongue
• Alcohol-free mouthwashes can reduce plaque formation, curb infection, and eliminate bad breath
• Eating healthy foods goes far in helping the body fight or prevent infection
• Avoid acidic beverages like orange juice and carbonated beverages, which can erode the enamel on your teeth  
• Sugary foods, as we all know, cause cavities 
• Check your mouth for any warning signs of oral cancer, such as red or white discolorations, bleeding, sores, or bumps

Perfect the Proper Brushing Technique

The way in which people brush their teeth matters. Proper brushing techniques go a long way in enhancing the effectiveness of daily cleanings.

• Angle the toothbrush properly: tilt the brush at a 45-degree for the best results.
• Motion matters: with a firm yet gentle pressure, brush back and forth or use a circular motion 15 to 20 times before moving to the next area.
• Hit every surface: cover the inner, outer, and chewing surfaces of every tooth.
• Don’t ignore the tongue: bacteria love to gather on your tongue, so make sure to brush it or clean it using a tongue scraper.

Most importantly, be sure to schedule regular cleanings and checkups with your dentist.  Even if you maintain exemplary oral health habits, dental checkups help uncover other issues you may not be aware of. 

Over 116 years ago, the first dental hygienist began practicing critical work that continues to advance in effectiveness. So schedule a visit and be a part of the rich dental hygiene history we celebrate every October.

October 7, 2022

With leaps in the development of Virtual Reality (VR), could dentistry become part of Mark Zuckerberg’s metaverse? VR is being used as an educational tool for students and as an anxiety reducer for patients, especially those with autism. VR has transcended the domains of entertainment and gaming. Even Zuck seems to get this, describing his metaverse as a platform that connects people to new experiences, including “immersive education and training to new possibilities in healthcare and the workplace, and much more.” He’s not wrong. VR has already been applied to medical training. And it’s gaining traction in dentistry, with benefits for dentists and patients alike.

The Real World Boons of Virtual Reality

As Bernard Marr wrote in Forbes, the digital world operates under a different set of rules: “Objects can be conjured into being by simply describing them. Travel between destinations takes place in the blink of an eye. And any damage that you do can be undone with the press of a button.”

This “consequence-free” yet emotionally engaged interaction is a vital development that enhances processes of experimentation and innovation. The possible uses for VR in healthcare are already being explored.

• Medical schools are using VR to train students in sensitive surgical procedures through a “hands-on” virtual experience.
• VR is successfully treating people suffering from anxiety by placing them in serene, lifelike environments, which also guide them through calming breathing exercises.
• Doctors treating autism are using VR to help patients develop social skills, recognize cues and respond appropriately.
• For the 8 million Americans living with PTSD, VR has worked wonders in the field of exposure therapy, which pushes patients to recount their traumas, visualize them and explain to doctors or therapists the stressful scenarios taking place as events unfold. For military veterans returning from combat, this is vital for assimilating into civilian life.

In other business sectors, VR is revolutionizing prototyping and design, while saving millions of dollars in the process. VR allows every component, mechanism, or part of a solution to be examined and tested – without the costs or safety risks involved in constructing material objects. Virtual showrooms and virtual training environments are expediting and augmenting the customer experience. At the same time, they’re increasing operational and cost efficiencies for organizations.

• Boeing relies on VR to prototype new aircraft designs through these simulations.
• Pilots are also being trained on intense in-flight scenarios through VR.
• Architects can craft virtual replications of buildings, which enables customers to explore them digitally. Imagine the cost savings — nothing is built, and everything can be modified to motivate a client’s decision to buy.

Some organizations are tapping into the power of VR to foster diversity and inclusion initiatives. By allowing scientists and doctors into the “minds” of others, patients are realizing tremendous enhancements to their treatments. As NextAvenue explained in Forbes, “In 2016, one of the biggest trends in technology was the consumer realization of virtual reality (VR) — the ability to become immersed in another world.”

Unlike watching a film, where the viewer experiences the story as a somewhat detached observer, VR draws the audience into the character’s sensations directly. “VR puts you in this world and that creates empathy, which has been shown to lead to better communication skills and professionalism for the health care workforce,” said Carrie Shaw, the chief executive of Embodied Labs.

But what about dentistry? Although use of VR is nascent, it is happening. And if ongoing studies demonstrate wider spread adoption and success, VR is likely to become a commonplace tool in the future of oral healthcare practices.

VR in Dentistry

For Dentists

Around 2017, a defense company specializing in flight simulation trainers partnered with the Academic Center for Dentistry Amsterdam to create the Moog Simodont dental trainer, “a virtual reality learning environment designed for use in dental education. This VR training tool was created to meet the challenges currently faced within dental curricula where there is an increasing need to obtain educational materials, such as extracted human teeth with the appropriate pathology.”

As Defense TechConnect explained, “The dental trainer uses haptic technology – it can recreate the sense of touch by applying forces, vibrations, or motions to the user.  This mechanical stimulation allows the user to create virtual objects in a computer simulation and to control them. Haptic devices can also use tactile sensors that measure forces exerted by the user on the interface. With the Moog Simodont, dental students manipulate a simulated hand piece and simulated hand mirror while watching a screen that shows the instruments working in a virtual mouth, while wearing glasses similar to those worn while watching 3D movies.”

Dental schools across Europe and Asia incorporated Simodont units into their curricula shortly after the product’s launch. A year later, the University of Pennsylvania’s Penn Dental Medicine became the first dental school in North or South America to integrate the technology into its classrooms. According to Penn Dental, “The result is a much more realistic training experience that allows students to see (using 3-D glasses for depth perception) and work on a virtual tooth, with different colors representing its layers (dentin is yellow and pulp is red, for example), and to ‘feel’ what makes each layer unique using virtual dental instruments.”

For Patients

In 2021, dental researchers with BMC Oral Health published an academic article on the implications of VR in treating dental patients by distracting them from anxiety or discomfort. 

“Virtual reality (VR) has been used successfully in medicine both as a distraction tool during procedures, and as an acclimatisation tool to prepare for a procedure or experience,” the authors wrote. “It has not yet become widely used in dentistry, but could theoretically have a role in exposure-based acclimatisation for dental experiences.”

The studies concentrated on pediatric patients as the focus. The results? 

“Systematic reviews and randomised control trials have demonstrated the successful use of VR to both distract patients perioperatively during medical procedures, and also preoperatively to prepare them for these interventions. However, to date, VR has only been applied to dentistry in a very limited number of studies. Three studies using virtual reality in a dental setting demonstrated decreased pain and anxiety compared with no intervention. All three of these studies were carried out in the perioperative period. A fourth study used a bespoke dental app and imagery to prepare patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) for dental treatment, finding statistically significant decreases in both the number of appointments and number of attempts required to carry out a procedure.”

Another academic study conducted by Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking found similar success. 

“This study examines the use of VR as a form of distraction for dental patients using both subjective and objective measures to determine how a VR system affects patients’ reported anxiety level, pain level, and physiological factors. As predicted, results of self-evaluation questionnaires showed that patients experienced less anxiety and pain after undergoing VR treatment. Physiological data reported similar trends in decreased anxiety. Overall, the favorable subjective and objective responses suggest that VR distraction systems can reduce discomfort and pain for patients with mild to moderate fear and anxiety.”

VR immerses patients in serene or entertaining virtual worlds that present pleasing distractions that reduce anxiety, increase relaxation, and help maintain a sense of calm throughout dental procedures.

Other VR Advantages for Dentistry

In her article for Dentistry IQ, Lisa Schermerhorn discussed several advantages gained by implementing VR based on various studies. 

• Patients in study groups reported “a significant decrease of pain perception and anxiety scores with the use of VR during dental treatment.”
• Dentists may be able to use less nitrous oxide. In a medical study involving burn victims, “the pain relief during procedures using VR measured twice the pain relief of morphine. Patients immersed in VR showed a 70% reduction in pain with no medication. Dentists who have used VR report little or no use of nitrous oxide to relax their patients. They’ve experienced benefits such as lower expenses, administering fewer drugs to patients, showing patients that they’re innovative, and demonstrating that they care about the opioid drug epidemic and are part of the solution.”
• VR can help build a dental practice’s brand. Incorporating the technology demonstrates another level of concern for patient welfare. This in turn helps dentists stand out as welcoming, with procedures that reduce fear and discomfort during treatment. 
• VR is cool. People love shiny new tech. Especially younger folks. Developing a VR experience is an enticing marketing strategy.
• VR may assist with controlling overhead costs, as Shermerhorn pointed out: “Another study conducted in 2018 called ‘Virtual reality exposure therapy for the treatment of dental phobia’ demonstrated that VR showed a significant decrease in dental anxiety scores and behavioral avoidance. Four of five VR participants booked an appointment, while none of the non-VR participants booked appointments.”

Dentistry may not get the attention that big tech companies do, but it’s no less innovative. As we’ve written previously. Technology breakthroughs are revolutionizing cosmetic dentistry, while artificial intelligence (AI) is inspiring further evolutions in oral health, involving  orthodontics, implants, periodontics, oral surgery, prosthetics, temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD), sleep disorders, electronic dental records, telemonitoring, data collection, treatment planning and risk assessment, scanning improvements, and much more. And all these developments will offer patients enhanced ways to enjoy enhanced smiles.

August 26, 2022

From August 23 to 26, the 26th conference of the International Association for Disability and Oral Health (iADH) takes place in Paris. “The rights of vulnerable populations to achieve an equitable standard of oral health are increasingly enshrined and we hope to showcase examples of best practice and scientific evidence to make this premise a reality worldwide,” the iADH said in announcing the event. Treating patients with special needs is a cornerstone of our practice at the Blende Dental Group, home of the House Call Dentists. Our participation in the iADH conference not only upholds our ongoing commitment to supporting these underserved and underrepresented populations, but empowers us to collaborate with a community of other experts to learn, share, spread awareness, and enhance the care we provide.

Scientific, Educational, and Specialized Oral Health Focus

The scientific content covered in the conference will include all aspects of Special Care Dentistry, with a concentration on pediatric dentistry, gerodontology, restorative dentistry, oral medicine, dental public health, prosthetic dentistry, implantology, oral surgery, periodontology, sedation, teledentistry, multidisciplinary car, and much more. 

The event will also highlight broader topics associated with Special Care Dentistry, including education, ethics, political lobbying, and disability representation and inclusion. These areas are particularly relevant in helping to solve the growing problems we discussed in our July article, “People with Special Needs Are Facing a Growing But Seldom Discussed Oral Health Crisis.”

States across the nation are confronting serious challenges in protecting the oral health of patients with special needs. In Wisconsin, a team of investigative journalists discovered that special needs patients in the area languished on waiting lists for years to receive dental care that required “crucial in-house or hospitalized sedation.”

Oral health is instrumental to overall physical health and quality of life. Without a network of dentists trained in advanced sedation modalities and in treating people with special needs, the dental problems of an already underserved population will continue to exacerbate. In response, the budget passed by the state legislature appropriated $2.5 million to “increase payments for dentists providing dental care to people with cognitive or physical disabilities who needed anesthesia during care.”

Other states are also experiencing similar issues. For example, tens of thousands of Californians with disabilities require special accommodations for dental care, but only a limited number of centers in the state can treat them. Traditional dentists outside of these specialized facilities lack the training and tools to care for the special needs population. A typical dental office cannot perform general anesthesia, nor are its teams or facilities equipped to handle patients with specific behavioral, physical, or cognitive challenges.

California Dental Association (CDA) president Ariane Terlet called the situation “untenable.” As in Wisconsin, advocates in California are imploring state lawmakers to include funding in the budget for developing solutions to alleviate this growing oral health crisis. The CDA has requested $50 million to be allocated for these purposes.

Addressing the problem and developing solutions are tasks not solved by dentists alone; they require visibility, legislative action, political engagement, and advocacy. Associations such as the iADH are dedicated to these causes and help fulfill the wider mission of bringing care to those with special needs. We at the Blende Dental Group are proud to participate in the conference and support the iADH.

About the iADH

The International Association for Disability and Oral Health “is a global organization with over 8,000 members from all sectors of health and social care interested in disability and oral health.”

 Since 1970, iADH has hosted a biennial congress that provides members from all over the world with an opportunity to assemble in one place to share their scientific knowledge and collective experience for improving oral health outcomes for people with disabilities.

“Quality of healthcare is a key component of the route to equity and dignity for people with disabilities and disadvantages,” iADH President Alison Dougall said. “Quality care has to be based on scientific knowledge and evidence-based guidelines and we anticipate that the 26th iADH conference will offer a phenomenal international scientific program with world-class keynote speakers and a showcase of the best available research in Special Care Dentistry.”

About the Blende Dental Group, Home of the House Call Dentists

Over 61 million people in the United States live with special needs, including 7 million children. Yet as we’ve seen, these individuals go without proper oral care given the lack of dentists who have the specialized skills, training, and capabilities to serve these unique patients. It’s important to understand that you and your loved ones can get the care you need through in-home care, facilitated by advances in mobile dentistry, and the evolution of sleep and sedation options. This has been the hallmark of the Blende Dental Group. We have devoted our practice to supporting the under-supported.

Patients with special needs require a level of care above and beyond what can be provided in a conventional dental office. This is why 60% of our disabled patients are referred to us by other providers. The category of special needs encompasses a broad population of individuals with unique circumstances. Some are homebound seniors, some are children, some experience severe anxiety or phobia, some have physical or cognitive challenges, and others live with complex medical conditions that make dental care difficult to obtain.

The Blende Dental Group is one of the few practices that is qualified to treat those with special needs. And we’ve been doing it for more than 20 years. Our dentists are longstanding and active members of the American Academy for Persons with Disabilities. They lecture nationally on special needs dentistry. Our genuine compassion for the person, understanding of their disability, and grasp of its possible complications form the core of our care. Our teams are licensed to treat special needs patients in our offices, at a hospital, or even in their homes through its House Call Dentists practice.

“Here at Blende Dental, our mission has been to help people who need dental care and give them the dental care that they deserve,” Dr. David Blende said. “That’s why our at-home service is so important. We provide care for the underserved, people who can’t leave home. Our mission is to break that barrier that keeps people from receiving dental care: geriatric and assisted living, the physically disabled, and people with cognitive disabilities.”