Dr Zach Hodgins attended The American Dental Society of Anesthesiology’s Conference on Sedation in Las Vegas, Nevada on February 26-27 2010. Some of the topics included: Issues surrounding minimal and moderate sedation in dentistry. Preoperative Assessment for Minimal and Moderate Sedation. A Review of Pharmacology Principles, Pharmacology of Minimal and Moderate sedation agents, Nitrous Oxide and Oxygen Sedation, Local Anesthesia and Vasoconstrictors, Monitoring During Minimal and Moderate Sedation, ECG Rhytm Review, Special Considerations for Pediatric and Geriatric Patients. Case Studies in Minimal and Moderate Sedation. Mortality and Morbidity Review, Laboratory exercises that covered a review of Advanced Cardiac Life Support Skills. Dr Hodgins is always staying on top of the latest advancements in sedation dentistry.

Our 3rd annual “Dentistry From the Heart” event was another huge success. With a team of 6 dentists and 12 hygienists and 10 assistants, we were able to help over 80 patients smile again. Thanks to everyone for their help. This event is a highlight of the year for us, and we look forward to another year of service for our Orlando community. Video and photos from the event will be posted soon.

At CHEST 2009, the 75th annual international scientific assembly of the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP), new research has shown that golfers with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)who received nasal positive airway pressure (NPAP) improved their daytime sleepiness scores and lowered their golf handicap by as much as 3 strokes. This research suggest that the possibility of improving your golf game may be motivation to improve NPAP compliance rates within the golfing community. Study resultes showed that the best golfers, defined as HI <12, had the most substantial improvements in their game. Within this group, the average HI dropped from 9.2 (+/- 2.9) to 6.3 (+/- 3.0); the SQ score from 10.8 (+/- 1.9), to 2.8 (+/- 2.6).

“The biggest handicap improvements occurred in the lower handicap, often older golfers. This group typically would be expected to trend in the opposite direction due to age-related deterioration in strength and endurance,” said Mr. Friedman. “The drop in handicap among the better golfers probably reflected that the major limiting factor was not golf skill but cognitive compromise that improved when the sleep apnea was treated.”

“OSAS can lead to daytime sleepiness, fatigue, and cognitive impairment, all side effects which can negatively impact a person’s ability to golf to the best of one’s ability.” said Marc L. Benton, MD, FCCP, Atlantic Sleep and Pulmonary Associates, Madison, NJ. “As any golfer knows, when your ability to think clearly or make good decisions is compromised, the likelihood of playing your best is greatly diminished,” said Dr. Benton. “Through treatment with NPAP, we can improve many cognitive metrics, such as attention span, memory, decision-making abilities, and frustration management, which may, in turn, positively affect a person’s golf game.”

Science says a dentist can improve your golf game. Dr. Zachary Hodgins of The Dentist Studio in central Florida is ready to help you improve your golf score and help you feel alive during the day. If you are having trouble sleeping or never feel rested there is a possibilty you could be suffering from OSA.

Heart Disease. Who knows if you are at risk? Several studies conducted by Cardiologists, and by Periodontists (gum disease specialists) now suggest that there are various connections between dental health and heart disease. If you have gum disease, false teeth, or rotting teeth you are have a higher risk of heart disease. These studies suggest that keeping your mouth healthy is one of the keys to having a healthy heart.

One of the most common was periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is a large amount of bacteria that is in the mouth. Many studies reveal that people who need heart transplants, suffer heart attacks, or need heart surgery were more likely to have dental problems. You can’t get by with normal brushing and flossing because the gums can bleed and let the bacteria into the blood stream. This can cause bacteria to line up on the walls of your arteries, which leads to atherosclerosis and artery blockage. It can also cause bacterial endocarditis, which is a form of strep bacteria that causes vegetative matter to grow in the valves of your heart.

Dental health and heart disease have a large connection to each other. People who have had surgeries, especially surgeries that used artificial valves, conduits or stents absolutely need antibiotic treatment prior to receiving any type of dental treatment, even a teeth cleaning. Its very important to talk to your dentist about heart conditions or surgeries you’ve had.  Your cardiologist will know if you need what are called prophylactic antibiotics prior to seeing the dentist. This large single dose of antibiotics taken an hour prior to dental work does prevent the greater risk of developing bacterial endocarditis.

Prevention is the key. This means flossing regularly & getting two teeth cleanings a year. If you have been diagnosed with gum disease, you should check with your Dentist about antibiotic mouthwashes that can help remove bacteria from your mouth before flossing. In Orlando and Central Florida Dr. Zachary Hodgins at The Dentist Studio can help keep your heart healthy and prevent future health risks.

Last month we held a Teeth Whitening Day in our office to benefit The Women in Need Foundation (WIN). We offered professional home teeth whitening at a discounted fee to our patients and in return all of the proceeds went directly to WIN. WIN is directly involved in helping women that have been victims of domestic violence. The event was a huge success, as we raised over $1200 for the organization. Special thanks to Mrs. Georgia Kelly Pittman, and to all of our patients who helped.

My wife and I ran the Chicago Marathon on October 11th, 2009. The weather was perfect for running, around 33 degrees at the start. It sure was a nice change from the sweltering heat that we were training in here in central Florida.
34,000 runners started the race, and I must say that it was an amazing experience to share with everyone. It was my fourth marathon, and i’m planning on doing the Goofy race in January 2010. The race is held on Walt Disney World property here in Orlando,FL. It consists of running a half marathon (13.1 miles) on Saturday, and then a full marathon (26.2 miles) on Sunday. Hence the name Goofy, because you have to be a little goofy to run that far in 2 days! It should be fun, and i’ll keep you posted.

Health hazards commonly associated with chronic periodontitis (gum disease) go far beyond the mouth. People have been warned for years that persistent periodontitis can be one of the causes of heart disease. A new study suggests that gum disease may also be a risk factor for many other cancers of the head and neck.

The journal: Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers, and Prevention, the study included 207 control subjects & 266 patients with cancers of the head or neck treated between 1999 and 2005.

Dr. Mine Tezel, The State University of New York, Buffalo, & his colleagues noted: “Alveolar bone is the ridge of bone that surrounds the roots of the teeth, holding them in place. Loss of this bone is typically seen with severe periodontal disease.”

The report indicates every millimeter of alveolar bone loss increases the risk of head and neck cancer by 4-fold. (One millimeter is about the size of the head of a pin.) This link also noted in subjects who never used tobacco or alcohol.

We are not just Cosmetic Dentists but at The Dentist Studio Dentistry we are committed to go above and beyond in periodontal health. We want for our patients to live a long, healthy life. By remedying a small problem now you can avoid disaster in the future. We provide dental care to promote your overall health.

We want to make all of our patients aware of this very important study. If you do not take care of your gums, you are not just harming you mouth but your entire body.  Make sure to brush, floss and have regular checkups.  You may say “I don’t have the time” but think of all of the time and money one of these horrible diseases will cost you.

*SOURCE: Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers, and Prevention, September 2009.

I recently had the pleasure of working with Kelly Pittman, Mrs. Georgia 2009 to redesign her smile. We did a smile makeover for Kelly with porcelain veneers, and I’m sure that you would agree that she looks absolutely stunning! She’s a great lady and an amazing spokeswoman for The WIN Foundation.  Kelly will compete in the Mrs. Globe Competition in 2010 in Anaheim California, and I hope that her smile gives her that winning edge.  Major kudos to Curt Littlecott from Nu Visions in Photography for taking this incredible photo.  Curt was recently voted one of the best photographers in the world.  Be sure to check them out if you’re in need of a photographer for any event.

Dr. Zach Hodgins, an Orlando dentist, is often asked about the safety of Mercury fillings that patients have in their mouths. While mercury fillings are still approved by the American Dental Association, Dr. Hodgins recognizes the hazards of this material, and has not used this material ever in his professional career. Many people do not realize the “silver” amalgam fillings are 50% mercury. In fact, a large mercury filling may contain as much mercury as a thermometer.

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Dr. Zach Hodgins, an Orlando Mercury Free Dentist, is a recognized leader in Dentistry. He practices mercury free dentistry. He offers patients a safe and easy way to remove their mercury fillings from their mouths.

Dr. Hodgins is a member of the IAOMT

, and utilizes mercury removal protocols established by the IAOMT, The International Association of Oral Medicine and Toxicology. (more…)