Xlear Conference Feb. 15

Richard Longland, who survived spinal disease to found the Arthoplasty Patient Foundation, urged dental professionals to “empower patients through awareness” about the prevalence of chronic illnesses. The bacterial-based diseases kill 550,000 Americans each year, Longland told an audience of dental professionals attending the Xlear conference in Cancun, Mexico, on Feb. 15.

For more information about Longland and the Arthoplasty Patient Foundation, click here.

To view related forum, click here.

Longland produced a documentary titled, “Why am I still sick?” due out in 2011. He said the documentary is multidisciplinary across all branches of health care and reinforces how “bacterial biofilm infections … can cause debilitating illnesses for so many Americans.”

“Chronic bacterial infections reach into every part of the human body and into 100-plus specialties in medicine,” he said. The number of deaths reported may be conservative and “suffering because of these myriad conditions is incalculable. But we now know that annually these infections are 30 times more lethal than AIDS and as fatal as cancer.”

In other seminars presented at the Xlear symposium, Trisha O’Hehir, RDH, offered an explanation of biofilm ecosystems to an audience evenly split between dentists and dental hygienist.

Dr. Chris Kammer of Madison, Wis., explained his decision to start the American Association for Oral Systemic Health. The son of the founder of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, Dr. Kammer grew increasingly frustrated with the impact of oral diseases on esthetic restorations. The AAOSH certifies its members, and Dr. Kammer urges dentists to use the “power of the celebrity” to communicate with consumer media sources.

Shirley Gutkowski, RDH, BSDH, and Angie Stone, RDH, discussed findings of using xylitol products and other demineralization agents in nursing homes. The former discussed the example of a 102-year-old female who enjoyed a local reputation for weightlifting, despite her age. The patient broke a leg and contracted pneumonia and survived both, but died after developing an oral thrush.

“Who is taking care of elderly patients?” she asked.

Stone and Gutkowski obtained samples of xylitol mints, gums, and a rinse spray, developing a treatment protocol that did not amend any existing oral care routines with brushing and flossing. They noted a 79% compliance rate with the xylitol regimen, which involved administration several times a day, and noted improvements in oral health observed through disclosing solutions.

Dr. Lon Jones, a retired osteopathic physician and developer of the Xlear saline nasal spray, also explained how xylitol aids the “defensive” cleaning of the nose.

To read the review from the first day of the conference, click here.