How Many Licks Does it Take to Reduce Tooth Decay?

  • Author: Health Informer
  • Filed under: Health News
  • Date: Sep 10,2008

Delta Dental funding pioneer studies to improve oral health for youngsters and seniors

The affiliated companies of Delta Dental of Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, Tennessee and Indiana are funding two clinical studies to determine if sugarless lollipops containing licorice extract can reduce the bacteria that causes tooth decay in nursing home residents and Head Start children.

The investigations are a collaborative effort of the University of Michigan, the University of California – Los Angeles (UCLA) and the Beaumont Hospital Division of Geriatric Medicine. Delta Dental’s Research and Data Institute is providing the grants as part of its mission to remain on the cutting edge of finding solutions to oral health problems.

“Despite great advances, dental decay is one of the most common childhood diseases with more than half of children ages 5 to 9 having had at least one cavity or filling,” said Jed J. Jacobson, D.D.S., M.S., M.P.H., chief science officer at Delta Dental. “At the other end of the spectrum, the oral health of many U.S. elderly nursing home residents can be very poor because disabilities make self-care difficult and access to professional dental treatment may be limited.”

The lollipops, manufactured by Dr. John’s Candies of Grand Rapids, Mich., were developed using FDA-approved materials by Dr. Wenyuan Shi, a microbiologist at the University of California – Los Angeles (UCLA), and C3 Jian, Inc., a research and development company in California. The orange-flavored, sugarless lollipops contain extract of licorice root (Glycyrrhiza uralensis), which targets and is thought to kill the primary bacteria (Streptococcus mutans or S. mutans and Lactobacillus casei) responsible for tooth decay.

Using a saliva test, the amount of S. mutans and Lactobacillus casei in the patients’ mouths is measured before and during lollipop use, as well as for several weeks afterward. All personal identifying information is removed from the samples before they are sent for analysis.

“We know good oral health is inextricably linked to overall health,” Jacobson said. “With these studies, we hope to find simple, effective regimens that will encourage prevention and control of dental disease in nursing home residents and children.”

The second study kicks off this week at the Head Start and Early Childhood Programs division of Lansing, Mich.-based Capital Area Community Services, Inc. A group of 100 preschool students ages 3 to 5 enrolled in the Head Start program will receive a lollipop for 10 minutes twice daily for three weeks.

“The study will examine the practicality of this delivery system in a classroom setting and hopefully establish a model that can be replicated,” said Jacqueline Tallman, R.D.H., B.S., M.P.A., principal investigator of the study. “Three to 5 years of age is an important time in children’s oral health development and there is a strong need for new prevention measures.”

The first study started last month at nursing homes operated by Beaumont Hospital in the Detroit area. Forty nursing home patients will be participating in the study. For three weeks, half will be given the herbal lollipops twice a day and half will be given placebo lollipops.

“Although many people are keeping most of their teeth as they age, dental decay remains a common cause of tooth pain, infection, and tooth loss in the elderly,” said Domenica Sweier, D.D.S., Ph.D., clinical assistant professor, University of Michigan School of Dentistry and consultant to the study. “An affordable means to prevent these oral health problems may be to reduce the bacteria that cause decay through a simple routine easily incorporated into a patient’s schedule. This cutting-edge research may transform the future of oral care.”

“If successful, this would be a huge step forward in the dental and general health of our nursing home patients as well as their quality of life,” said John Voytas, M.D., a geriatric medicine specialist who is leading the research at Beaumont. “It also would reduce costs associated with dental problems such as cavities and more serious conditions.”

About Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus casei

There are approximately 700 types of bacteria in the human mouth. While most are harmless, two of the most common – Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) and Lactobacillus casei – are considered the primary culprits in tooth decay. They live in a biofilm (plaque) that adheres to the teeth, consume sugar and release acid that erodes tooth enamel, causing decay. Regular brushing and flossing, along with dental checkups, can help to keep S. mutans and Lactobacillus casei in check.

Source: Delta Dental’s Research and Data Institute


Category Up 21 Percent in Past Year

WebMD Health Ranks as Top Publisher of Display Ads

comScore, Inc., a leader in measuring the digital world, today released results of a study showing that the health information site category has grown 21 percent during the past year — more than four times the growth rate of the total U.S. Internet population.

While WebMD Health continues to lead the category with 17.3 million visitors in July (up 3 percent versus year ago), three other health networks boosted the overall growth of the category, each attracting more than ten million visitors: Everyday Health with 14.7 million (up 63 percent), Revolution Health Network with 11.3 million visitors (up 182 percent), and AOL Health with 11.1 million (up 88 percent). While Everyday Health and Revolution Health Network both achieved significant organic growth on their core Web sites, their recent partnerships with several smaller health sites, as well as some strategic acquisitions, have also contributed to their respective gains.

  Top 10 Health Information Sites by Unique Visitors
  July 2008 vs. July 2007
  Total U.S. - Home/Work/University Locations
  Source: comScore Media Metrix

                                      Total Unique Visitors (000)
                                  Jul-2007       Jul-2008        % Change

  Total Internet: Total Audience  180,078         189,134             5
  Health - Information             56,865          69,008            21
  WebMD Health                     16,829          17,277             3
  Everyday Health                   9,009          14,703            63
  Revolution Health Network         4,014          11,329           182
  AOL Health*                       5,913          11,095            88
  About.com Health                  6,947           8,682            25
  Yahoo! Health                     7,445           8,496            14
  MSN Health                        8,833           7,813           -12
  NIH.GOV                           8,545           7,315           -14
  RIGHTHEALTH.COM                   2,424           6,160           154
  Quality Health Network              N/A           5,822           N/A

  * Due to the transition of AOL Body to AOL Health in June 2008, the July
    2007 AOL figures reported in the above chart are for AOL Body while the
    July 2008 figures are for AOL Health.

“Improved site functionality, increased content personalization, and overall consumer acceptance of the Internet as a source for health information have helped to breathe new life into the health information
category,” said John Mangano, senior director, comScore Pharmaceutical Marketing Solutions. “Most sites have become vibrant online communities rooted in sharing experiences and advice, rather than simply being
one-way information resources for the consumer. As Google and Microsoft ramp up efforts with their respective health sites, Google Health and Microsoft HealthVault, it will be interesting to see how the category continues to evolve.”

WebMD Health Ranks as Top Display Ad Publisher

In June, more than 1.5 billion display ad views were seen by nearly 54 million people via sites in the health information category. WebMD Health topped the list of display ad publishers, delivering 290 million display ad views and reaching nearly 15 million people at an average frequency of 19.3 times per visitor during the month. Revolution Health Network and AOL Health ranked second and third, with 201 million display ad views and 186 million display ad views, respectively. While the number of unique visitors exposed to advertising at both Revolution Health Network and AOL Health were significantly lower than for WebMD Health, they were reached with a higher frequency.

Also noteworthy is that despite Weight Watchers International delivering ads to just 2 million unique visitors, each ad-exposed visitor saw an average of 31 display ads during the month, the highest frequency among the top ten publisher sites in the category.

  Top 10 Health Information Publishers By Total Ad Views*
  June 2008
  Total U.S. - Home/Work/University Locations
  Source: comScore Ad Metrix

                           Total                 Advertising
                         Display     Share of   Exposed Unique
                        Ad Views    Display Ad    Visitors        Average
  Publisher                 (MM)       Views        (000)        Frequency

  Health - Information     1,556       100.0%       53,556         29.0
  WebMD Health               290        18.6%       14,992         19.3
  Revolution Health Network  201        12.9%        8,320         24.1
  AOL Health                 186        12.0%        8,780         21.2
  Everyday Health            154         9.9%       10,355         14.8
  MSN Health                 109         7.0%        7,751         14.1
  About.com Health            98         6.3%        7,242         13.5
  LIFESCRIPT.COM              92         5.9%        3,406         27.0
  Weight Watchers
   International              61         3.9%        1,962         31.0
  Yahoo! Health               59         3.8%        7,902          7.5
  AARP Sites                  34         2.2%        1,696         20.3

  * Excludes house ads and very small ads.

Source: comScore, Inc.


New Jersey Launches New Effort to Fight Chronic Disease

  • Author: Health Informer
  • Filed under: Health News
  • Date: Sep 10,2008

Former Governor Jim Florio and NJ Quality Institute President David Knowlton Lead New Jersey Partnership To Fight Chronic Disease

PFCD National Chairman, 17th Surgeon General of the United States, Dr. Richard H. Carmona, on hand to kick off NJ effort in East Brunswick and Camden.

Leading experts and organizations in the health care, business, faith and labor communities came together today to launch the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease (PFCD), a coalition committed to making the issue of chronic disease one of the key health care issues in the nation. The PFCD is led nationally by Richard H. Carmona, M.D., M.P.H., FACS, 17th Surgeon General of the United States (2002-2006) and Ken Thorpe, Ph.D., Chair, Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University and a former White House health policy advisor. Dr. Carmona traveled to East Brunswick and Camden, New Jersey today to kick off the local effort.

“We have a ‘sick care’ system, not a health care system in our nation. That’s why this diverse coalition is sounding the alarm and calling for action,” said Dr. Carmona. “Despite any differences we may have on other issues, we all agree on a single, undeniable fact: 130 million people suffer from chronic diseases in our nation, and costs are skyrocketing because of preventable and poorly managed chronic diseases. We can — and we must — do something to stop it.”

The Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease is being led in New Jersey by two chairs: Former New Jersey Governor Jim Florio and David L. Knowlton, President and CEO of the NJ Health Care Quality Institute. Also joining the effort as co-chairs, are Rev. Reginald Jackson, Executive Director, Black Ministers’ Council of NJ, Phil Kirschner, President, NJ Business and Industry Association, Tom Manning, President, New Jersey State Association of Pipe Trades, Martin Perez, Esq., President, Latino Leadership Alliance of New Jersey, and Joan Verplanck, President, New Jersey Chamber of Commerce, all leaders in the strong bipartisan partnership.

“Americans suffering from chronic diseases, such as diabetes, asthma, and heart disease can and do have devastating effects in terms of lives lost, quality of life lost, and tremendous financial burden. The good news is that we can all take action to improve the health and wellness of our nation through better prevention and management of chronic diseases,” added Carmona.

“I am proud to lead this new effort in our state,” said former Governor Florio. “It simply makes sound public policy sense to invest in early prevention and treatment efforts that will save both public and private entities millions in health care costs while improving the quality of life for thousands of citizens.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), chronic diseases are responsible for seven out of every 10 deaths in the U.S. — killing more than 1.7 million Americans every year. Chronic diseases are also the primary driver of health care costs, accounting for more than 75% of the $2 trillion dollars spent each year on health care in the United States.

“Any serious proposal to reform our health care system must address preventable chronic disease,” said Knowlton. “Our state’s premier business, labor, health care, faith, and community organizations are dedicated to making chronic diseases like asthma, diabetes, heart disease, and cancer the number one health care priority for policymakers and presidential candidates.”

Dr. Carmona, Gov. Florio and Knowlton, along with other high-profile New Jerseyans announced the broad-based effort that aims to change the way New Jersey approaches chronic disease.

Dr. Carmona highlighted the impact of chronic disease:

  • 30% of the increase in health spending since 1987 is due to doubling of the rate of obesity during that time;
  • Two-thirds of spending over the past 25 years is attributable to the rise in rates of treated chronic disease;
  • In New Jersey, roughly $7.5 billion is spent every year on the seven most common chronic diseases alone; and
  • Only a small fraction of Americans, fewer than one in six, comprehend the magnitude of the problem: chronic diseases represent more than 70% of the deaths in the U.S. and more than 75% of health care costs.

The Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease (PFCD) is a national bipartisan coalition of patients, providers, community organizations, business and labor groups, and health policy experts committed to raising awareness of the number one cause of death, disability, and rising health care costs in the U.S.: chronic disease whose mission is to:

  • Challenge policymakers — in particular, the 2008 presidential candidates — to make the issue of chronic disease a top priority and articulate how they will address the issue through their health care proposals
  • Educate the public about chronic disease and potential solutions for individuals, communities, and the nation
  • Mobilize Americans to call for change in how policymakers, governments, employers, health institutions, and other entities approach chronic disease

Source: Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease


Free telephonic counseling and a 24-hour Nurse Helpline established for impacted members

WellPoint today announced revised medical and pharmacy guidelines to help members who are directly impacted by Hurricane Ike. In addition, a 24-hour nurse helpline – 1-866-417-7107 – has been established to assist members.

The revised guidelines will help members access needed medical care and prescription drugs who are impacted by devastation caused by hurricane Ike.

Members affected by the hurricane should seek medical assistance wherever it is available and have their medications refilled at any pharmacy or shipped to them at an alternative address.

In addition, from Sept. 8 through Sept. 12, for members evacuating from Florida’s Monroe County, all providers caring for affected members will be considered “in-network” providers, and affected members will not be required to satisfy prior authorization, pre-certification or referral requirements during this time.

These revisions apply to affected members living in Florida’s Monroe county who are under a mandatory evacuation and who are covered by UniCare, WellPoint NextRx and WellPoint affiliated health plans in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Missouri, New Hampshire, New York, Nevada, Ohio, Wisconsin and Virginia. More information on WellPoint’s affiliated health plans can be found at http://www.wellpoint.com/business/about_family.asp.

For impacted members, WellPoint is:

  • Suspending requirements for prior authorization and pre-certification.
  • Suspending requirements for authorization or referral from a primary care physician.
  • Allowing the affected members to see any physician necessary to provide access to care.
  • Paying all claims as in-network, regardless of whether or not the health care provider is in network.
  • Suspending early refill limits and shipping prescriptions to members at alternative addresses.
  • Suspending utilization management (UM) review of in-hospital cases.

These medical and pharmacy guidelines are effective Sept. 8 through Sept. 12, 2008. At that time, it will be determined if these guidelines need to be extended.

WellPoint’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is offering free telephonic counseling and referral services for the next 30 days to all members in the areas impacted by the hurricane. Services include access to a resource-rich Web site and telephonic consultations with professional counselors. The EAP program is available 24 hours a day by calling, toll-free, 1-800-765-4446, or by logging into the EAP member Web site at www.anthemeap.com and entering the password “hurricane.”

For additional questions, members should call the phone number on the back of their membership card. If they do not have their card, they should call 1-866-417-7107.

Source: WellPoint


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