Tuesday 22 January 2013

Dental researchers receive breast cancer grant


Dental researchers receive breast cancer grant
By DrBicuspid Staff
October 7, 2008 -- The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation has awarded a New York University (NYU) dental research team a three-year, $600,000 grant to study whether nutrients and antioxidants found in broccoli, grapes, and other naturally occurring compounds could prevent breast cancer.
The study's principal investigator, Joseph Guttenplan, a professor of basic science and craniofacial biology, is testing multiple formulations of a half-dozen nutrients and antioxidants to determine which formulations could most effectively prevent the mutations that can lead to cancer.
Guttenplan and his co-investigator, Peter Sacks, also a professor of basic science and craniofacial biology, are testing the formulations in vitro in rat mammary cells that have been exposed to carcinogens. The cells are genetically engineered to make any resulting mutations easy to detect.
"There is evidence to suggest that taking very high doses of each of these antioxidants could prevent cancer, but those doses might be toxic," Guttenplan stated in a press release. "By combining these compounds, we hope to devise more potent formulations that could be safely ingested as dietary supplements in a natural preventive regimen."

VELscope sales better than expected


VELscope sales better than expected
By DrBicuspid Staff
October 6, 2008 -- LED Dental says that sales of its recently introduced VELscope Vantage Oral Cancer are exceeding expectations and helped drive company revenues well above prior year levels for the May-September period, according to a press release.
The company noted that the VELscope Vantage system offers several features not available in the original VELscope device: more powerful lamp technology, providing improved fluorescence and camera imaging; a two-year comprehensive warranty; enough disposable products to cover 200 screenings; a camera adapter kit for digital photography; and access to several continuing education courses related to use of the VELscope system.
"Despite its higher price tag, the VELscope Vantage is clearly being appreciated by customers for the truly outstanding value it represents," said David Cox, president and chief operating officer of LED Dental. "If practices charge only a nominal fee of around $35 for a VELscope screening, the system will be fully paid for by the time the practice consumes the disposables that come with it. And for most practices, that could take only two or three months."

InChairTV adds advertising to entertainment network


InChairTV adds advertising to entertainment network
By DrBicuspid Staff
October 6, 2008 -- InChairTV has introduced a new advertising network that uses personal video technology to deliver more than 45 minutes of uninterrupted programming to dental patients while they sit in the dentist's chair. More than 400 dental offices already use InChairTV's entertainment system, which combines current movies and TV programs with oral health education to distract and relax patients undergoing dental procedures, according to the company.
The InChairTV system is built around a network of state-of-the-art video eyewear specially designed to give people a movie theater-like experience. Each office receives new programming on a set schedule that matches viewer office visits. InChairTV shows or films contain two types of content: licensed broadcast programming from media partners ABC/Disney and patient education presentations, which play in the commercial breaks of the show.
To date, the patient education slots have been reserved for dentists to show customized presentations describing services offered by their office. By opening this network to third-party advertisers, InChairTV now offers oral health and other marketers an entree into a highly targeted, captive, and focused market segment, the company said.