Hurricane Matthew

Due to the upcoming hurricane, we have closed our office temporarily.  We will be closed starting Thursday (October 6, 2016) at noon and the entire day Friday (October 7, 2016). We anticipate to reopen Monday (October 10, 2016). 

Please be safe and know that we are always available even if the office is closed.  Please call the office and the on-call doctor number is on the voicemail. 

Pancreatic Cancer Risk Linked to Changes in Mouth Bacteria

Written by Catharine Paddock PhD - Medical News Today

The presence of certain bacteria in the mouth may indicate a raised risk for pancreatic cancer - a disease that often begins with no symptoms and for which there is no routine screening test.
A study led by NYU Langone in New York, NY suggestS certain bacterial changes in the mouth could potentially show us who is most at risk of developing pancreatic cancer.

The researchers suggest the finding may lead to earlier, more precise treatments for pancreatic cancer, a disease with a pitifully low survival rate as it often escapes early diagnosis.

A history of gum disease and poor oral health have been linked to raised risk of pancreatic cancer, and some studies have also suggested certain types of mouth bacteria may also play a role, but this is the first study to directly evaluate such a link, note the authors.

Senior author Dr. Jiyoung Ahn, epidemiologist and associate professor of population health and environmental medicine at NYU School of Medicine, says:

"Our study offers the first direct evidence that specific changes in the microbial mix in the mouth - the oral microbiome - represent a likely risk factor for pancreatic cancer along with older age, male gender, smoking, African-American race, and a family history of the disease."

Estimates suggest over 46,000 Americans were diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and nearly 40,000 died of the disease in 2014.

Two mouth bacteria linked to raised risk of pancreatic cancer

For their study, the team compared the mouth bacteria sampled from 361 American men and women before they developed pancreatic cancer with those sampled from 371 similar individuals who did not develop the disease.

The participants were taking part in larger, ongoing studies of cancer risk, where they had been given mouthwash samples when they joined the studies. They were followed for nearly 10 years, during which any cancer diagnoses were noted.

When they analyzed the results, Prof. Ahn and colleagues found that participants whose mouth bacteria contained either of two certain types had a higher risk of developing pancreatic cancer, compared with participants whose oral microbiome showed no evidence of the microorganisms.

Specifically, they found presence of Porphyromonas gingivalis was linked to a 59% overall higher risk of developing pancreatic cancer. Similarly, presence of  Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans was linked to a 50% overall higher risk. Both types of bacteria are known to be associated with gum disease or periodontitis.

The figures did not change when the researchers took out cases where participants were diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in the 2 years following collection of the samples. They did this to reduce the chance that the figures were influenced by "reverse causation," that is, the presence of the cancer preceding the presence of the two bacteria.

In another study published recently, the team shows that smoking is tied to dramatic - but not irreversible - changes in mouth bacteria, both in amounts and mix. However, they note that only further studies can show whether changes to mouth bacteria linked to smoking cause pancreatic cancer or affect the immune system. In the meantime, Prof. Ahn suggests:

"These bacterial changes in the mouth could potentially show us who is most at risk of developing pancreatic cancer."

Rally Round the Flagpole — A Patient Spotlight

One of the most rewarding parts of practicing dentistry is getting to know the people behind the appointments. Our patients are educators, leaders, creators, and problem-solvers — and we’re continually impressed by what they contribute beyond our office walls.

Most recently, we’re proud to recognize Donna Snively Hulsey, who has published her first book, Rally Round the Flagpole.

A Story of Leadership and Community

In July of 1989, Donna was named the first principal of a new elementary school in Jacksonville, Florida — a school that would not open its doors for more than a year. Rather than wait, she partnered with families, teachers, and the surrounding community to establish a shared vision before the first steel beam was even in place.

That school, Alimacani Elementary, quickly became a model of what intentional leadership and community partnership can achieve. Within seven years, it earned recognition as both a National Blue Ribbon School and a National Safe and Drug-Free School, receiving national honors that included recognition at the White House.

Redbook magazine later named Alimacani the top school in Florida for its commitment to excellence in education and community involvement. Multiple faculty members were recognized at the state level for their achievements, further reflecting the culture Donna helped create.

A Blueprint for Meaningful Change

Rally Round the Flagpole is written for parents, educators, and community members who want to make a lasting difference in children’s lives. Drawing on real experience, the book outlines how strong leadership, shared purpose, and collaboration can transform schools — whether building something new or revitalizing what already exists.

It’s not just a story of one school, but a practical framework for creating environments where people can succeed together.

About the Author

Donna Snively Hulsey is an award-winning educator who has served as a teacher, principal, and regional director within Duval County Public Schools. She has also taught at both the undergraduate and graduate level and remains deeply committed to education and mentorship.

She lives in Jacksonville with her husband and is the proud mother of two children and grandmother to five.

Why We Share Stories Like This

We believe healthcare practices are shaped not just by the care they provide, but by the people they serve. Highlighting patient accomplishments is one small way of recognizing the remarkable individuals who trust us with their care.

We’re proud of Donna’s work and encourage those interested in education, leadership, and community building to explore her book.

Reviewed and updated January 2026

New York Times: The Value of Sealants

In an article published in the New York Times, "a review concluded that sealants are effective in reducing cavities for at least four years after each application." and that "when your dentist offers sealants for your children, it’s not an upsell, but a deal you should accept."  

We agree! We routinely recommend that children have sealants placed on permanent teeth when appropriate. Moreover, it is important that sealants are done properly to ensure that they will last a long time.  

Read the entire article here

Cancer drug 'like taking Tylenol' developed in Australia, given fast-track approval in US

A revolutionary drug that melts away cancer in some stage four patients has been given fast-track approval in the United States.  Developed in Australia, Venetoclax is one of a new generation of targeted drugs which attack specific cancer-causing biological factors like cell-structure mutations.

Read more at ABC News Australia

FDA: No More Antibacterials In Consumer Soaps

In an article published today on NBC News  the FDA has ordered antibacterials from consumer soaps. The Food and Drug Administration says they do little or nothing to make soap work any better and said the industry has failed to prove they're safe.

Companies will have a year to take the ingredients out of the products, the FDA said. They include triclosan and triclocarban. Soap manufacturers will have an extra year to negotiate over other, less commonly used ingredients such as benzalkonium chloride.

Read more at NBC News 

http://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/fda-orders-antibacterials-removed-consumer-soaps-n642036

FDA Approves Intranasally Administered, Needleless Dental Anesthetic.

UPI (8/26, Feller) reported in continuing coverage that the US Food and Drug Administration has approved Kovanaze, “a nasal spray anesthetic” for use during a restorative procedure “after it was shown to be safe and effective in clinical trials.” The FDA approved Kovanaze, which is a combination of tetracaine and the nasal decongestant oxymetazoline, “for use with patients over 88 pounds, though the company plans to investigate its use with children, as well as for other procedures.” The article noted that the results of the phase 3 trial are published in The Journal of the American Dental Association.

        In a release carried on EurekAlert (8/25), the University of Pennsylvania stated Kovanaze “was deemed safe and effective in a recent Phase 3 clinical trial led by University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine researchers.” Dr. Elliot V. Hersh, the study’s lead author and a professor in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery/Pharmacology at Penn Dental Medicine, said, “This is obviously a great thing for needle-phobic individuals, and it can reduce inadvertent needle-stick injuries in the clinic as well.”

McDonald's pulls fitness trackers from Happy Meals amid reports of rashes

The USA Today reports that McDonald’s pulled "Step It!" fitness trackers from Happy Meals on Wednesday after reports that children experienced "skin irritations" from the toy's wristband, the company said in a statement.

The “Step It! Activity Band” came in six colors and strapped on like a watch. It was part of a promotional campaign to get kids moving again. The device counted steps and blinked according to how quickly or slowly the person wearing the device is moving.

Dr. Henley Was Featured in the Florida Dental Association's Journal July-August 2016

In the earliest days of medical education, the primary teaching model for those who wished to pursue medicine was the mentorship model. Young men were to study medicine from a “good teacher,” one "whose precepts are sound, whose practical skill is widely approved, who is clever, dexterous, upright, and blameless; one who knows also how to use his hands, has the requisite instruments and all his senses about him, is confident with simple cases and sure of his treatment in those which are difficult; of genuine learning, unaffected, not morose but passionate, and who is likewise patient and kind to his pupils".  The principalsthat originated in ancient medicine are still present in today’s dental education in the fact that today we all still take, some variation, of the Hippocratic Oath.  A portion of the original oath reads: “To hold my teacher in this art equal to my own parents; to make him partner in my livelihood”.  

Surveys of accomplished individuals have reported that influential mentors were second in importance only to education as a factor in their career’s success.  Mentoring during the early stages of an individual’s career has been associated with a higher level of career satisfaction and a higher rate of promotion, both in medical and non-medical fields.  

Mentorship, in my career, has been one of the best tools for fast forwarding my understanding of both the clinical aspects and the business of dentistry.  However, finding a mentor is a challenge.  It takes time and perseverance to find the right person to help guide you.  The mentor-protege relationship can be difficult to cultivate because the involved parties will need to be on similar ground morally, professionally and clinically.  The mentor has to have the desire to enter into the relationship, likewise the protege has to be willing and ready to learn.  

Much of what we do on a daily basis is attempting to determine the best possible outcome for patients.  With little or no experience, it can be difficult to determine what is best for patients.  It is easy to understand the statistics, failure rates and, average lifespans of different restorative procedures, but each case is different, each patient is different, and it often takes experience to put all of the pieces of the puzzle together to ensure excellent clinical outcomes.  Years of excellent clinical practice cannot be read in a text book.  It has to be both experienced and passed on. 

Mentorship provides guidance both clinically and morally during one’s career.  I continually rely on mentors to help me in clinical decision making and treatment planning to ensure that I am treating my patients with the appropriate care.  This is true in all facets of my practice from choosing materials, to proper treatment of oral pathology.  Mentorship is also critical with respect to ethical behavior.  The dentist-patient relationship is based on trust.  We, as practitioners, are performing a treatment that our patients, usually, cannot fully understand and cannot correct without help.  Our careers and our profession are reliant on dentists that practice independent ethical behavior.  Good mentorship can be beneficial for dentists that work in isolation and can help dentists make decisions that are good for their careers, the profession, and their community.  

Mentorship must be based on mutual respect, trust, and friendship. I have had the good fortune to have a mentor that has not only helped me to perform the best dentistry I can, but has also become a dear friend.  I deeply value the insight that I gain from my mentor both professionally and personally.  There is something inspiring when someone can help you become the practitioner and person you want to be by supporting you earnestly during your career.  

Hopefully, many of you have had similar relationships in your careers. Indeed, there is a facet of mentoring that is similar to a parent-child relationship. It is often for these reasons, the connection is an intensely personal experience. Additionally, time is essential to positive mentoring outcomes. What will be gained can not be done so quickly. The longer the duration of the relationship the more valuable the experience.

Evidence suggests that those who are mentored early in their careers later become mentors in higher numbers. In a survey of departmental chairs and residency and fellowship program directors at an educational hospital, some 90% reported having had a mentor throughout their training; of these, 81% had become mentors at some point in their careers, suggesting that mentoring activity tends to be a self-perpetuating phenomenon.

Today, it seems that, mentorships have been on the decline.  Lack of access to mentors has consistently been identified as a barrier to successful mentorships.  This is a disservice to both clinicians and patients as we move forward. Medicine and dentistry have always had mentorship as a central part of their educational processes.  I encourage both potential mentors and potential proteges to consider mentorship.  As it is both mutually beneficial to both parties and more importantly to the patients we treat.

ADA Reacts to Recent Article Questioning if Flossing Works

There has been quite a bit of buzz in the news regarding a article published by the Associated Press questioning the benefits of flossing. The American Dental Association has released a statement on the benefits of using interdental cleaners after the AP questioned the oral health benefits of flossing. “To maintain good oral health, the American Dental Association recommends brushing for two minutes, twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, cleaning between teeth once a day with an interdental cleaner and regular dental visits advised by your dentist,” the ADA said in the statement, adding that interdental cleaners, including floss, “are an essential part of taking care of your teeth and gums.”

Business Insider (8/2, Brodwin) states that the AP report “comes in sharp contrast to recommendations from basically every major dental hygiene organization, including the American Dental Association and the American Academy of Periodontology.” The article adds that experts say flossing helps prevent plaque from hardening into tartar, which can contribute to receding gums and gum disease.

The New York Times (8/2, Louis, Subscription Publication) reports that there is “evidence that flossing does reduce bloody gums and gum inflammation known as gingivitis.” For example, “a review of six trials found that when professionals flossed the teeth of children on school days for almost two years, they saw a 40 percent reduction in the risk of cavities.”

New York Magazine (8/2) adds, “This very intense investigation doesn’t mean flossing isn’t beneficial,” noting that a dentist for the National Institutes of Health encourages people to continue to floss, stating that “it’s low risk, low cost.”

MouthHealthy.org provides resources for patients on flossing, including the correct flossing technique, and also provides information on plaque.

If you have any questions about flossing please contact us at 904.398.1549