Osteoporosis and Your Smile

Pennsylvania Dental Hygienists’ Association and the Mid Atlantic Osteoporosis Board join forces to identify women at risk for osteoporosis

Lancaster, PA. November 12, 2005 -- The Pennsylvania Dental Hygienists’ Association (PDHA) announced today the receipt of an unrestricted educational grant from the Mid Atlantic Osteoporosis Board (MAOB) to fund a study designed to evaluate dental hygienists impact on assessing women at risk for osteoporosis during regular dental visits. The announcement came at the 82nd Pennsylvania Dental Hygienists’ Association Annual Session and Keystone Dental Health Conference held at the Eden Resort Inn, Lancaster, PA.

“I believe the U.S. Surgeon General would be encouraged by today’s events”, stated Dr. Michael Bolognese, Chairman of the MAOB. “The Pennsylvania Dental Hygienist community has been at the forefront of smoking cessation programs and has helped thousands of tobacco users understand their heightened risk of heart disease and related health affects.”

“The evidence is becoming clearer and clearer”, Bolognese added, “Osteoporosis can impact your smile due to increased tooth loss and periodontal disease. Now dental hygienists can help woman understand their risks for developing osteoporosis based on dental, as well as, medical risk factors.”

According to outgoing PDHA President, Judy Gelinas, RDH, BS, “Pennsylvania dental hygienists have a unique opportunity, as we are dealing with the fifth largest population of elderly in the United States. It also means Pennsylvania will shoulder a larger burden of care for osteoporosis than most other states. Helping identify women at risk for osteoporosis is consistent with our mission statement of improving the public’s total heath. With an aging population, and with more uninsured families and less Medical Assistance dollars to go around, we must embrace the idea of preventive health care and a cost effective way to deliver it. Dental hygienists have always focused on total health through oral health by education and disease prevention. Our profession is a significant public health resource and the PDHA membership of 850, makes it one of the largest health care professional organizations in the state.”

Approximately 1.5 million Pennsylvanians had osteoporosis in 1996 and it is expected to grow 25% by the year 2015. The total medical cost of osteoporosis in the state was estimated at $884 million dollars in 2000 growing to 1.1 billion dollars in the year 2025. The total costs are much higher if the indirect cost associated with disability, pain, disfigurement, and psychological disorders secondary to fracture are taken into account. Education is needed to encourage seniors and their providers to diagnosis osteoporosis early and treat the disease swiftly thereby preventing costly and debilitating fractures.

President Gelinas went on to say, “Many dental hygienists in the state are actively involved in osteoporosis discussions with their female clients. In an effort to educate more dental hygienists the PDHA invited Dr. Ann Eshenaur Spolarich, RDH, PhD, to lecture at our annual meeting. Dr. Spolarich presented a three hour course entitled, Osteoporosis: Assessment, Prevention, and Pharmacotherapy provided current information about the mechanisms of action that explain how osteopenia and osteoporosis may serve as risk factors for periodontitis and tooth loss, and the similarities between these two diseases. Risk factors and lifestyle changes for the prevention of osteoporosis were presented, as well as a review of pharmacologic agents used for prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. Our Association has studied the osteoporosis health care crisis as stated by the U.S. Surgeon General in his 2004 Bone Health Report and we are focused on making our profession part of the solution.”

The relationship between the PDHA and the MAOB started two years ago. Bolognese stated, “Many postmenopausal women are still not having, what should be, a routine Osteoporosis Risk Assessment with their health care provider. In an effort to assess dental hygienists’ interest in osteoporosis, MAOB offered free osteoporosis screenings for attendees at the 2003 PDHA annual meeting. To receive the free screening, dental hygienists had to complete a short osteoporosis quiz and an Osteoporosis Risk Assessment Form. We were amazed at the level of osteoporosis knowledge and understanding as evidenced by quiz scores!”

“The Board decided to design and produce a dental hygiene brochure titled, “Can OSETOPOROSIS Impact Your Smile?” The brochure outlines the osteoporosis-periodontitis connection; the major dental and medical risk factors for osteoporosis, and alert women to an increased risk of osteoporosis. We look forward to working with the PDHA to ensure that all women in the state of Pennsylvania who are at risk for osteoporosis get a preliminary risk assessment.”

As we approach the New Year, the PDHA and the MAOB encourage all health care providers to educate and encourage patients to make New Year Resolutions that can have a positive effect on bone health. The Surgeon General said it best in his 2004 report, “If we can spread three simple recommendations about bone health, we can save thousands of lives, reduce suffering for millions of individuals and their families, and avoid billions of dollars in future health care costs”

• First recommendation- We must all get the appropriate amounts of calcium and vitamin D. It is recommended that adults consume at least 1200 mg of calcium per day and between 400 and 800 international units (IU) of vitamin D daily. For individuals who are not getting enough calcium and vitamin D in their diet, supplements may be helpful.

• Second recommendation- Maintain a healthy weight and be physically active. That means at least 30 minutes of exercise a day for adults, including weight-bearing activities to improve strength and balance.

• Third recommendation - Take steps to minimize the risk of falls by removing items that might cause tripping, and improving lighting. Vision tests and other medical assessments are very important to make sure that impaired vision doesn't lead to falls.

About Us: Previously, Osteoporosis was viewed as a fairly benign condition and the ramifications of this disease were widely overlooked. The principal mission of the MAOB is to change this perception by improving the standard of care provided by healthcare professionals throughout the District of Columbia, Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia; simultaneously enhancing public awareness.

Established in 1999, the MAOB is a non-profit Maryland based 501(C)3 corporation comprised of specialists involved in the diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis. These clinical experts represent various fields of medicine ranging from rheumatology to obstetrics and gynecology. To date, the MAOB has sponsored and conducted clinical trials, which have gained them both national and international recognition. Their commitment to the medical community is demonstrated through the provision of free Continuing Medical Education activities available in print and lecture format to over 15,000 physicians. In addition, the MAOB has improved public consciousness by developing Women’s Osteoporosis Educational Programs, whereupon 1,000s of free bone density heel scans were provided.

The mission of the Pennsylvania Dental Hygienists' Association is to improve the public’s total health, and to advance the art and science of dental hygiene by increasing the awareness of and ensuring access to cost-effective quality oral health care, thus, promoting the highest standards of dental hygiene education, licensure, practice and research while representing and promoting the interests of dental hygienists.

PDHA Goals:

Achieve autonomy of dental hygiene education, licensure and practice.

Promote consumer advocacy in oral health care as part of total health.

Serve as the recognized authority for the profession of dental hygiene.

Contact Info: Note to Media: Contact Dr. Michael Bolognese, 410-923-6591 to schedule an interview and visit the following websites for additional information.

Mid Atlantic Osteoporosis Board: www.midatlanticosteo.org.
Pennsylvania Dental Hygienists’ Association website: www.PDHAonline.org
American Dental Hygienists’ Association web resources: www.ADHA.org

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