Sarah Handzel, BSN, RN

The American Dental Association Health Policy Institute has released the latest 

 examining dentist earnings for the year 2015, and unfortunately, the news could be better. According to the Institute, revenue collected by dentists has not yet recovered from the recession that began a full six years ago.

In 2015, general dental practitioner net earnings averaged $179,960. Those owning their own practices averaged $195,200 while non-owners netted approximately $132,370. Dental specialists brought home more, averaging around $320,460.

However, when adjusted for inflation, the average net income for all general dental practitioners has decreased substantially since the peak value was recorded in 2005. That year, the average net income was $219,638.

According to the brief, dental earnings have taken a hit as a result of several factors. There has been a stagnant demand for dental care due to falling or stagnant wages in almost all job fields across the country after the recession. Private dental insurance plans have lowered payment rates to dentists. Also, a flood of new dentists into the market has increased supply ahead of demand, resulting in lower wages.

The report also investigated workload among dentists. More dentists reported being busier in 2015 than in previous years. Patient volume has also increased in dental practices across the country. An analysis of this data included in the report indicated that this could be the beginning of a turn-around for both busyness and wages in the dental industry. At the very minimum, this could be an indication that levels of work in the dental industry could already be at the lowest levels they might reach.

The research also pointed out there is an expected increase in the number of practicing dentists that should occur over the next few years. This, coupled with other data regarding current dental care utilization trends, indicates that dental spending nationwide will not return to the historically high, pre-Recession levels dentists once enjoyed.

As the ADA looks forward, there is the recognition that there are many factors at play in the current healthcare industry in the country. There is still much uncertainty regarding the future of our healthcare system and its effect on the economy. The ADA plans to continue to study the dental economy in the coming years to better understand whether it can and will return to pre-Recession levels, or whether this is, in fact, the new normal.

Articles

The American Dental Association Health Policy Institute report highlights stable, not growing, dentist earnings in 2015.

How Dentists' Income Has Fared Since the Recession

The dental community has recognized for years that patients with cleft lips and palates typically have more oral health problems than patients without these issues. For example, cleft lip/palate (CLP) patients are known to have a higher number of dental caries, but the underlying cause for this increase is still unknown. New research suggests that the same gene mutation responsible for cleft lips and palates might also be the root cause of patients’ dental problems.

In an attempt to better understand why CLP patients have more dental problems than those without this issue, 

researchers at the Seattle Children’s Research Institute performed a study

 using mice to examine one gene mutation, known as 

 that has been shown to be responsible for CLP. Mice with this mutation, and subsequently cleft lips and palates, were compared to mice without the mutation who showed normal development. It was shown that the CLP mice also had abnormal salivary glands, and that these abnormal gland cells were present in greater numbers in these types of mice.

The changes to the salivary glands in CLP mice ultimately resulted in a significantly reduced saliva flow rate, decreased saliva buffering capacity, and an increase in oral mucus acidity. These salivary glands were not able to properly pump out the necessary quantity or quality of saliva to protect the mouth and teeth. 

To further confirm their findings, the researchers fed both groups of mice with a high-sugar diet. During the eight-week test period, the CLP mice showed an incredible 35-fold increase in the number and severity of dental caries compared to the control group. Many of the mice’s molars extensively dissolved, and progressive loss of the alveolar bone was also noted. The researchers theorized this bone loss as being the result of an increase in colonization of periodontal pathogens.

Since cleft lip and palate is one of the most common birth defects in the United States

, it is especially important for dentists to evaluate these patients carefully for proper salivary gland functioning. Early implementation of preventive oral health strategies is appropriate and necessary to increase the likelihood of better oral health in this patient population. 

New research suggests that the same gene mutation responsible for cleft lips and palates might also be the root cause of patients' dental problems.

Cleft Lip, Palate Patients' Problems Linked to Abnormal Salivary Glands

The holidays are right around the corner, and you might be in the middle of organizing your practice’s annual party. There’s just one more thing for you to think about — your teeth!  It turns out that some common holiday vices, like alcohol, tobacco, and caffeine, 

have recently been linked to sleep bruxism, or teeth grinding, according to the Journal of the American Dental Association (ADA).

The ADA conducted a systematic review of studies in which sleep bruxism (SB) was diagnosed through the use of questionnaires, clinical assessments, or polysomnography. The problem was also evaluated for its association with alcohol, caffeine, and tobacco consumption, as well as with drug abuse. The incidence of SB was graded as being possible, probable, or definitive.

In total, 818 studies were reviewed. Eventually, seven studies were selected for inclusion, with participant samples ranging from 51 through 10,229 study participants. The reviewers were able to show that alcohol use, common this time of year, was highly associated with SB, as was tobacco use. One study also indicated a weaker positive relationship between participants that drank large quantities of coffee and SB.

In alcohol users, the odds of having SB seemed to increase almost two-fold. The odds of having SB for people who drank more than eight cups of coffee every day was almost one-and-a-half times greater than those who didn’t. Current smokers showed the worst results, with the odds for SB increased more than two-fold compared to non-smokers. When researchers investigated one specific drug of abuse, methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), there was not sufficient evidence to make a positive correlation between the drug and teeth grinding.

The reviewers acknowledged that they had limited evidence, but did conclude that teeth grinding is positively associated with alcohol and caffeine use, as well as with smoking. Further study is needed to determine the relationship between drugs included in the study, like MDMA, and SB.

So, while it’s important to have fun and celebrate the holidays with your coworkers, keep in mind that your teeth might be affected by your party choices later. 

, “dentists and patients alike should be aware of the potential health effects from overuse of tobacco, alcohol and caffeine. This study is a great contribution to the dental community’s growing knowledge on this topic.”

It turns out that some common holiday vices, like alcohol, tobacco, and caffeine, have recently been linked to sleep bruxism, or teeth grinding, according to the Journal of the American Dental Association (ADA).

Throwing a Holiday Party? Think of your Teeth!

Dentists have a lot of options when it comes to choosing where to practice, and you might have decided to go into business for yourself. As a small business owner, part of your responsibility is staying on top of business trends that can help increase your exposure, drive patients to your practice, and create more revenue. In short, you’ve got to learn how to market yourself effectively in order to stay ahead of your competition. 

, from renewed focus on the customer experience to using social media in new ways to drum up business. Predictions are already being made for 2017 as to what types of efforts are going to effectively engage consumers who demand personalization, attention to detail, and quick access to services and products.

As you review some of the marketing trends that are forecast for the New Year, keep in mind it’s unlikely that every new trend will make sense for your particular practice. What does make sense is working to increase the visibility of your business and spotlighting yourself as an expert in dentistry. Here’s what you need to know about some of the anticipated marketing trends for 2017.

Even outside of healthcare, the emphasis on personalization can make or break a company’s image. Does your practice adhere to a one-size-fits-all model approach to patient care, or do you take the time to explore each and every patient’s history, diagnosis, and treatment options before beginning work? Patients already know that they are unique individuals, and they want to develop meaningful relationships with the people responsible for the most intimate aspects of their care. As a dentist, this means you — you have to be willing to adapt to this new way of customer service.

Patients Want an Experience, Not Just a Cleaning

More recent marketing trends have also focused on creating a consumer experience, and the healthcare field has begun to explore this avenue of marketing as well. A pleasant waiting area with friendly, receptive front desk staff, a comfortable examination chair, the latest high-tech equipment and TVs in treatment rooms all add to the overall experience your patient has every time they visit you. If your office is dirty, outdated, or unwelcoming, you can count on patients taking their business elsewhere.

Give Patients More Access to Services Through Mobile Devices

One of the biggest ways patients find information is through the use of their smartphones. In fact, 

a recent Gallup poll showed that 72 percent of Americans are checking their mobile phones at least once an hour

. While having a unique practice website is still very important, it needs to be responsive to mobile use if more patients are going to find you. Also, more patients than ever are comfortable making payments using their mobile devices. Setting your practice up to accept mobile payments for your services can give you a huge advantage when it comes to collecting money.

This doesn’t mean you have to spend hours producing video content to put on your website. But you can borrow an idea from the automotive and real estate industries and use video to show 360° views of your lobby and treatment areas. You could even shoot a brief introductory video giving some background on yourself and the dental treatments you specialize in. This gives patients the experience of being in your dental clinic before they even arrive. It shows that you’re proud of your facilities and you work to provide a comfortable, relaxing environment for every patient that comes through your door. Immersive video doesn’t have to take up a lot of your time, but it can be a valuable tool in showcasing your practice.

Does your practice have a Twitter account? Do you use it to blast out generic, non-targeted dental industry news, or do you tweet with a purposeful approach that provides relevant, interesting information to your intended audience? It’s not enough to simply put out non-specific information that you might personally find appealing. As a small business owner, you have to use 

 platforms to advertise your specific value to target markets and increase your practice’s visibility by calling attention direct attention to it.

Even though Google changed its analytic practices, you can still optimize your website with local keywords that help patients find you. It’s possible to boost your local 

 (SEO) by having your contact information on your website (a no-brainer), 

 on platforms that accept them, and focusing on using keywords that describe your specific services and the location of your practice, like your city and state.

Position Yourself as an Expert with Content Contributions

Content is still king when it comes to marketing your practice. While you should have relevant written content on your website, it also makes sense for dentists to submit articles or guest blog posts to other media outlets. Doing so positions you as an expert in dentistry by giving you instant third-party credibility. Regardless of whether you write the content yourself or hire a writer to produce content for you, you should target a specific niche or publication that will allow you to showcase your specific expertise within the dental field. Having written content published on a third-party website or print publication helps you stand out as a thought-leader, up to date on the most recent trends, issues, and patient concerns in dentistry.

Predictions on the types of marketing efforts that will effectively engage consumers in 2017. They will be looking for personalization, attention to detail, and quick access to services and products.

Projected 2017 Marketing Trends for Your Dental Practice

With 2016 drawing to a close, now is the perfect time to take a close look at your practice to make sure you're accomplishing your business goals. An annual review of your practice can really help you look back to see what worked, what didn't work and what you’d like to focus on in the coming year.

In your day-to-day work as a dentist, it can be easy to forget to take a step back to analyze just how functional your business is. Think of a year-end practice review as an audit: You get to inspect the processes that affect the vital areas of your business and make changes or improvements that better align with your goals.

So where do you start if you want to perform an annual practice review? Your list of areas to analyze can be as simple or complex as you’d like it to be — after all, it’s your practice! If you really think about it, reviewing your business really comes down to a few key questions.

1. What were your goals for the year? These could be anything from hitting specific financial targets to decreasing the number of hours you worked. If you didn’t set any goals for 2016, now’s the time to start thinking about your business goals for 2017!

2. Were you able to accomplish your goals? Perhaps you fell a little short of your target, or maybe you exceeded your own expectations. Whatever your progress, it’s important to look at whether you were able to achieve your own objectives.

3. What’s your plan for next year? Maybe you’ve set new goals for yourself, or maybe you need to figure out how to go about reaching the goals you missed in 2016.

Your business review doesn’t have to stop at these three questions, but they are certainly a place to start. Your answers can help drive the rest of your business review — they let you think about and focus on specific aspects of your practice that need some extra attention.

There are several key areas to focus on that expand beyond the scope of these initial questions. One of the most obvious areas to take a look at is your profit and loss reports. As a small business owner, you’re probably already very familiar with your revenue statements. However, if you’re still struggling with cash flow, it’s a good idea to pay closer attention to your profit statements and look for ways to cut costs.

When looking at the financial aspects of your practice, ask yourself: Are there new ways you can increase your profits? Are you leaving money on the table in some area of your business? Do you need to raise your prices? Going even further, are you paying reasonable fees for your insurance, office space lease and any vendors you use? Do you need to change your business entity type to help save money when you file taxes? A year-end review of your profit statements gives you the opportunity to pour over your reports to see just how profitable your practice was in 2016. Then, you can renew your commitment to running a profitable practice and look for ways to accomplish that goal.

It’s also a good idea to take a close look at your marketing strategy. Are you getting the return on investment that you anticipated? Your business grows through marketing, and it’s a good idea to have more than one way to advertise your practice over the year. Take a look at each of your marketing efforts to see which is paying off, and eliminate or change those that aren’t driving more patients to you. Also, take a look at the predicted marketing trends for the upcoming year — getting a jump on the hottest new trends can help you stand out from your competition.

Next, you should check out your team to be sure you’ve hired the right people for the job. As a business owner, you need to make sure your employees understand and are willing to work with you toward your business goals. Maybe you’ve had a particular employee on the payroll for years, but if they aren’t willing to grow with your practice, it could be time to let them go. Your practice is only as good as the people you choose to help keep it running, and employees that resist change could keep it from thriving. It’s important to discuss your 2017 plans for your practice with your employees so that everyone is on the same page when it comes to the direction you’d like to move in.

Finally, and maybe most important, you need to ask yourself this question: Are you happy? After all, you went into business for yourself, taking on huge amounts of risk—and probably debt--to open your own practice and work how you wanted to. Look at the past year and ask yourself if you’re satisfied with making money, or if you’re satisfied with 

you’ve made that money. There really is a difference—you could be making cash hand over fist but still be miserable at the end of every day. If you’re not content with the way your practice affects the rest of your life, it’s time to make some big changes to achieve the quality of life you want. Your happiness matters, so make sure you’re running your business in a way that makes you excited and glad to come to work each day!

An annual review of your practice can really help you look back to see what worked, what didn't work and what you'd like to focus on in the coming year.

Round Out 2016 with an Annual Practice Review

With so many toothpaste options on the market today, it’s hard to know which product is truly providing the best cleaning and protection to teeth. In an attempt to find out which type of toothpaste is the most beneficial for consumers, researchers have compared the mode of action in stannous fluoride-containing toothpastes (CPH) and conventional sodium fluoride-containing toothpastes (CCP) on biofilms consisting of multiple bacterial organisms.

 involved the use of a biofilm made from three different organisms: 

Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sanguinis, 

, which are all commonly found in the oral cavity. Both types of toothpastes were compared to a negative control paste. Using the biofilms, researchers performed 2-minute episodes of treatment with each type of toothpaste twice a day over a period of 5 consecutive days. Then, crystal violet staining and other specific assays were used in order to analyze the activity of the biomass and the viability of the biofilm itself.

The results of the research showed that both the total biomass and the viability of the bacterial biofilm were significantly reduced after treatment with CPH toothpaste. It was also shown that this type of toothpaste reduced the production of bacterial and extracellular polysaccharides, a type of carbohydrate made up of large numbers of sugar molecules bonded together.

Most significantly, the research found that CPH toothpaste suppressed both 

a key player in the development of chronic periodontitis

. The CPH toothpaste was also shown to promote growth of 

in the biofilm. The study concluded that CPH-type toothpaste was significantly better at inhibiting oral microbial biofilm development while regulating the type of bacterial growth commonly found in the mouth.

According to the American Dental Association

 (ADA), conventional fluoride toothpastes help to remove plaque and prevent tooth decay by strengthening the tooth enamel. Stannous fluoride toothpastes, like the type included in the study, help to treat and prevent gingivitis in addition to providing cavity-fighting fluoride. Additionally

, stannous fluoride toothpastes have been shown to deposit a protective mineral barrier onto teeth

, helping to decrease pain and sensitivity triggered by various factors like hot or cold foods. This type of toothpaste is the only type that has been shown to protect against a multitude of oral health conditions. 

In an attempt to find out which type of toothpaste is the most beneficial for consumers, researchers have compared the mode of action in stannous fluoride-containing toothpastes (CPH) and conventional sodium fluoride-containing toothpastes (CCP) on biofilms consisting of multiple bacterial organisms.

Not Sure What Toothpaste to Recommend? New Study Makes It Easier

In light of the recent American Dental Association (ADA) adoption of 

new anesthesia and sedation guidelines for dental practitioners

, the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) has reviewed new research presented at their 2016 annual meeting. 

, the ASA now recommends that children having both dental and non-dental medical procedures should have them completed in one session whenever possible, so that they are exposed to general anesthesia only once.

The research presented at the annual meeting implies that this type of arrangement is ideal to the patient and their family. Millions of children each year require surgery for dental and non-dental medical conditions, and some of these children need to be placed under general anesthesia in order for the work to be completed. In dentistry, some children require sedation with general anesthesia for procedures such as teeth extraction or capping.

The study examined 55 children who had a dental procedure performed along with another non-dental medical procedure at the same time while exposed to only one general anesthesia medication. According to the research, 87% of the children did not experience any complications from combining procedure types under one anesthesia exposure. Seven of the children, 13%, experienced side effects like vomiting, pain, fever, and pneumonia. Out of this 13%, 4 children, or 7%, required unplanned admission to a hospital.

Additionally, the research found that combining dental and non-dental medical procedures in one anesthesia session lead to a cost savings of approximately $165,000 for 60 sample patients.

When possible, dental procedures requiring the use of general anesthesia should be performed alongside other medical procedures requiring the same level of sedation, like tonsil removal or insertion of ear tubes. Dental work could even be performed along with diagnostic tests like magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which requires that children be sedated to prevent any movement.

The lead author of the study, Vidya T. Raman, MD, noted that “while surgery and anesthesia are safer than they’ve ever been, limiting exposure is preferable, especially in children, because there may be sensitivities or a greater risk of anesthesia-related complications. In addition to improving patient safety, we believe combining procedures decreases costs and improves patient satisfaction.”

The study examined 55 children who had a dental procedure performed along with another non-dental medical procedure at the same time while exposed to only one general anesthesia medication.

Study, ASA Recommend Children's Procedures be Combined to Limit Anesthesia Exposure

Worldwide, young adults who consume high amounts of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), like sodas, have been shown to have a higher incidence of dental caries, which in turn leads to a higher rate of total tooth loss. However, there still has not been much research performed on the independent role SSBs play in tooth loss among this population.

A new study was conducted with the goal of examining the association between tooth loss and the consumption of SSBs in young adults

 living in the US. In the study, researchers used data from the 2012 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System to compare both factors in the sample population. In the data set, 22,526 adults aged 18-39 years completed a specific section called the Sugar Drink Module. The variable of specific interest was the daily frequency of SSB intake.

In the review of the data, the research team found that approximately 26% of young adults in the US reported losing at least 1 permanent tooth. There was a positive correlation between tooth loss and SSB intake frequency. In fact, the chance of losing 1 to 5 teeth was higher among young adults consuming SSBs anywhere from 0 to 2 times daily compared to other adults who did not consume such beverages at all. The odds of losing 6 or more permanent teeth were increased in young adults who drank SSBs from one to more than twice daily compared to non-SSB consumers.

The researchers concluded that even drinking less than 1 SSB daily significantly increased the chance of permanent tooth loss compared to young adults who did not drink any SSBs. The data suggested that the risk of tooth loss might be decreased if efforts are taken to reduce the consumption of SSBs among this sample population.

Some countries have already started to take action to limit consumer’s exposure to SSBs. 

At the urging of the World Health Organization (WHO)

, some countries have implemented new taxation systems on sugary drinks, and in the US, 

several cities in California and Colorado

 have adopted new measures that tax the purchase of these types of beverages. The push to increase taxes on these types of products is part of the effort by the WHO to reduce rates of worldwide tooth decay, obesity, and diabetes.

A research team found that about 26% of young adults in the US reported losing at least 1 permanent tooth. There was a positive correlation between tooth loss and sugar-sweetened beverage intake frequency.

Total Tooth Loss Linked to Consumption of Sugar-Sweetened Beverages

. The day is hallmarked by efforts to support the millions of people worldwide living with HIV/AIDS, to remember those who have died, and to unite people globally in efforts to combat the disease.

The virus was first identified in 1984, and since then more than 35 million people have died from it. Currently, there are an estimated 34 million people living with HIV all over the world. 

The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that, in 2015, 39,513 new people were diagnosed with HIV

 in the United States. However, the numbers of people infected have fallen in recent years, thanks in part to educational efforts targeting at-risk populations and increased access to more reliable diagnostic testing methods.

You might have treated patients diagnosed with HIV already. With the other physiological problems caused by the virus, it’s easy for these patients to overlook their dental care in favor of more pressing issues. As a dentist, it’s your responsibility to assist HIV/AIDS patients in dealing with their oral health problems before they spiral out of control.

A Common Barrier to Receiving Dental Care

A frequent problem experienced by many HIV/AIDS patients is the lack of access to reliable dental care services. Many of the common oral health problems associated with HIV are easily treatable, but patients still report discrimination and fear from dental providers when they seek out help. 

A study published by the Williams Institute in 2011

 focused on discrimination against HIV/AIDS patients living in Los Angeles County, CA. It was found that 5% of dental practices in the county refused to see a patient on the sole basis of their HIV diagnosis.

Discrimination against a person because they have been diagnosed with HIV is illegal. In fact, the 

 grants federal civil rights protections to patients who have been diagnosed with the disease, and they can make complaints on the basis of disability discrimination to the federal government. Violators of the disability law can be summoned for mediation with the complainant, or, in some cases, be sued in federal court.

Oral Health Problems Resulting from HIV/AIDS

After infection with HIV, the mouth might be the first area of the body in which symptoms of the disease appear. Some oral infections, like 

 (thrush), are opportunistic and will flourish when the body’s immune system is not working as it should. 

The virus makes patients more susceptible to many types of oral health problems

Dentists know that many of these problems, if left untreated, can lead to much more serious problems later on, including oral cancer. Infections in the mouth can also cause serious systemic infections, which place more stress on the body’s immune system. The number of 

, a type of white blood cell that identifies infectious pathogens within the body and “flags” them for elimination by the rest of the immune system, is reduced. In turn, this causes an increase in the HIV 

, or the amount of the virus that is present in the patient’s blood.

Today, HIV/AIDS is managed as a chronic disease across the dental and medical fields. It is critically important that HIV patients maintain a regular treatment schedule with their dentists. Since the goal of treatment is to decrease viral load as much as possible, dentists are in a unique, front-line position to help these patients stay as healthy as they can for as long as they can.

First, it is important to have conversations with your patients regarding their HIV status. Realizing that you cannot discriminate against a patient on the basis of their diagnosis, you can begin a dialogue, using tools like a health history form, that explores the patient’s medical history and any chronic health conditions. Having this conversation during an initial consolation with every new patient could help to ease fears of discrimination and allow you to treat your patients at your most informed, in as safe a way as possible.

Since oral health problems are some of the first indicators of disease, dentists are in prime position to recognize some of the more common initial clinical manifestations of HIV. Additionally, there have been significant advances in the ability to quickly and accurately diagnose HIV in patients at the initial point of care. 

Since individuals are more likely to see dentists more frequently than other healthcare providers

, your dental practice is a unique setting in which to perform a 

. The OraQuick HIV Test involves the collection of oral fluids on a swab, with results available in 20 minutes. If results are positive, it is well within a dentist’s scope of practice to refer the patient for further medical testing and confirmation of the diagnosis.

Disease management in your dental practice also involves keeping your HIV patients as comfortable as possible so they can eat. 

Many treatment drugs must be taken with food, but oral lesions are a common problem experienced by this patient population

. Treating these painful lesions allows the patient to eat more comfortably and better adhere to their treatment plan. It is also appropriate to consider products that increase saliva production or otherwise help in the management of dry mouth. Referrals to specialists for problems like hairy leukoplakia or other periodontal conditions is also appropriate and sometimes necessary.

Managing the HIV virus in your dental patients is a long-haul effort that will require extra work and communication. As a dentist, you can help HIV patients achieve the maximum quality of life possible. Dentists are vital components of the treatment team for these patients, and your work can help make the difference in the longevity and comfort of this particular patient population. 

A frequent problem experienced by many HIV/AIDS patients is the lack of access to reliable dental care services.

A Quick Guide to Helping HIV/AIDS Patients

While there have been tremendous advances in the medical field with regard to new medications that can be offered to patients, the dental field often falls behind in its ability to utilize many of these drugs. One such class of medications, protein drugs, has already been used widely in the medical field as some of the most important and highly prescribed biopharmaceutical products on the market, as is the case with insulin. However, these drugs are usually not prescribed in dentistry because of their high costs. Typically, the protein drugs that are used by dentists have to be surgically delivered to gum tissues.

, scientists at the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine have begun to explore a low-cost approach to control oral biofilms using topical plant-based antimicrobial peptides (PMAMPs). In the lab, the scientists grew three different types of bacteria, including two types of 

 bacteria, in a tryptone-yeast extract broth growth medium. The research team was then able to use the PMAMPs to quickly kill the bacteria and stop the formation of biofilms on a tooth-like surface. This was accomplished using only a single topically applied treatment.

When the PMAMPs were combined with a specific enzyme that degrades the biofilm matrix, they were shown to be even more effective at killing the bacteria than if they were applied as a treatment by themselves. The peptides were also found to be absorbed by both gingival and periodontal cells, leading the research team to believe that the topical delivery method could also be useful in the treatment of diseases that specifically affect the gum tissue.

Due to the success of this study, scientists have hypothesized that these types of protein drugs have the potential to be delivered to patients orally, in a non-invasive manner. This could increase patient compliance with the treatment regimen. Also, previous research has already shown that protein drugs that have been bioencapsulated in plants can be stored at room temperature for many years without losing their efficacy. This could help to reduce the cost of the production of such drugs, since much of the cost now is associated with keeping the drugs viable during their short shelf life. Since these results are so encouraging, focus can now shift to 

 and clinical studies examining the anti-biofilm and anti-caries efficacy of the drugs, in addition to sustained, targeted delivery systems in the mouth.

In a new study published in Biomaterials, scientists at the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine have begun to explore a low-cost approach to control oral biofilms using topical plant-based antimicrobial peptides (PMAMPs).