Dear Patient:
We hope this letter finds you and your family in good health. Our community has been through a lot over the last few months, and all of us are looking forward to resuming our normal habits and routines. While many things have changed, one thing has remained the same: our commitment to your safety. Infection control has always been a top priority for our practice and you may have seen this during your visits to our office. Our infection control processes are made so that when you receive care, it’s both safe and comfortable. We want to tell you about the infection control procedures we follow in our practice to keep patients and staff safe.
Our office follows infection control recommendations made by the American Dental Association (ADA), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). We follow the activities of these agencies so that we are up-to-date on any new rulings or guidance that may be issued.
You may see some changes when it is time for your next appointment. We made these changes to help protect our patients and staff. For example:
Thank you for being our patient. We value your trust and loyalty and look forward to welcoming back our patients, neighbors and friends.
Sincerely,
Maine Center for Dental Medicine
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Our office follows infection control recommendations made by the American Dental Association (ADA), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). We follow the activities of these agencies so that we are up-to-date on any new rulings or guidance that may be issued.
You may see some changes when it is time for your next appointment. We made these changes to help protect our patients and staff. For example:
- Our office will communicate with you beforehand to ask some screening questions. You’ll be asked those same questions again when you are in the office.
- We have hand sanitizer that we will ask you to use when you enter the office. You will also find some in the reception area and other places in the office for you to use as needed.
- You may see that our waiting room will no longer offer magazines, children’s toys and so forth, since those items are difficult to clean and disinfect.
- Appointments will be managed to allow for social distancing between patients. That might mean that you’re offered fewer options for scheduling your appointment.
- We will do our best to allow greater time between patients to reduce waiting times for you, as well as to reduce the number of patients in the reception area at any one time.
Thank you for being our patient. We value your trust and loyalty and look forward to welcoming back our patients, neighbors and friends.
Sincerely,
Maine Center for Dental Medicine
59 Pleasant Street Skowhegan, Maine, ME 04976 Directions
18
Sep
Patients in Maine ask, “What is BANA testing for periodontal disease?”
You want to protect your oral health and your dentist suggests BANA testing. Now, you are wondering, “What is BANA testing and why should you have it done?” Drs. Imam and Khan of Maine Center for Dental Medicine in Skowhegan, Maine put their patients’ health first. BANA testing allows the dentists to check for specific bacteria in the mouth that may cause periodontal disease.
Understanding periodontal disease
Gum disease is very common. Our mouths are full of bacteria. When food particles and bacteria come together, it forms sticky plaque. Plaque accumulation leads to gum disease. Bacteria spread into the gums and produce toxins, causing redness and swelling. This is known as gingivitis which can be reversed if caught and treated early. Untreated, gingivitis spreads to periodontitis where bacteria collects in pockets around the teeth, causing bone loss. Without proper detection and treatment, gum disease can progress into advanced periodontitis where tooth loss is a possibility.
What is BANA testing?
Now your dentist can easily assess your mouth and detect the presence of bacteria that cause gum disease. The BANA test as a simple, chairside check to assess the mouth for the presence of bacteria that cause halitosis and are implicated in periodontal disease. These three pathogenic bacteria are called Red Complex bacteria. They are Treponema denticola, Porphyromonas gingivalis, and Bacteroides forsythia.
BANA testing for periodontal disease is beneficial for patients who may have or who are at risk of developing gum disease. Dhalla, et al. in 2015 [1] conducted a study to detect BANA microorganisms. The BANA test was found to be a useful diagnostic tool in detecting enzymatic activity of the bacteria in discrete areas of the mouth. It is helpful in determining the severity of the problem.
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Benefits of BANA testing include the following:
- Simple
- Painless
- Fast
- Inexpensive
- Accurate results
The BANA test requires the dentist to take a sample of plaque from a pocket in your mouth. The sample is smeared on a test strip. The test strip has a specific enzyme that reacts with the Red Complex bacteria. The strip is placed in an incubator for just five minutes. When the time is up, the strip is removed. If the bacteria are present, the strip changes to a blue color. The strip may come out in different shades of blue. The darker the color, the higher the concentration of the bacteria. Any blue is a positive result. No change in the color is a negative result meaning the specific bacteria are not present in the sample.
For more information on periodontal disease, BANA testing, and treatment options, contact Maine Center for Dental Medicine to schedule your appointment with Dr. Imam or Dr. Khan. Call (207) 808-7355.
References
- Dhalla, N., Patil, S., Chaubey, K. K., & Narula, I. S. (2015). The detection of BANA micro-organisms in adult periodontitis before and after scaling and root planing by BANA-Enzymatic™ test kit: An in vivo study. Journal of Indian Society of Periodontology, 19(4), 401–405. doi:10.4103/0972-124X.154167
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LinkedinA graduate from New York University College of Dentistry, Dr. Mohammed Imam began his practice in Nigeria and moved to the United Kingdom to continue his training in Oral & Maxillofacial Residency.
With over 30 years of expertise Dr. Imam regularly updates himself on modern techniques and methods whilst continuing to invest and perform procedures using the best technology and equipment to ensure his patients receive the best and most bio-compatible oral care possible.
Dr. Imam’s areas of specialty include implant dentistry, TMD and Orofacial pain. He is also SMART certified and a member of the Academy of General Dentistry.
An alumnus of New York University, Dr. Shafiulla Khan brings with him a wealth of knowledge and expertise gained over his 35 plus years of practicing dentistry. He is well known for his passion to improve his patients’ lives with his service. While being a SMART certified professional, Dr. Khan’s areas of specialty includes Tempro-mandibular Disorders, TMJ therapy and smile make overs. He remains a prestigious member of the International Association of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (IAOMT) amongst many others.
MCDM is continuing to protect our patients and staff from Covid-19. We ask that you postpone your appointment for 10-14 days if you or your household member are in the following categories:
Due to Governor Mills' change in the travel policy, patients who have traveled to NH, MA, CT, RI or VT do not need to quarantine. Therefore, patients that have traveled to or from these states do not need to delay their appointment with us. If you have traveled to or from any other state (or country) not listed above, the quarantine restrictions still apply.
As of 3/16/21, our front door will be unlocked. If you are a patient that has an appointment, you may enter 5 minutes prior to your appointment and undergo a covid screening upon entry. Others that do not have an appointment must call before entry. Anyone entering the building must wear a mask or scarf covering their mouth and nose.
Thank You,
- If you or your household member have been advised to quarantine due to Covid-19.
- If you or your household member have been in contact with someone who is being tested and do not yet have their results back, or if the results are back and they tested positive.
- If you or your household member are being tested for Covid-19, or have been tested and have a positive result.
- As always, if you do not know if you have been exposed and are not feeling well, please call us to reschedule.
Due to Governor Mills' change in the travel policy, patients who have traveled to NH, MA, CT, RI or VT do not need to quarantine. Therefore, patients that have traveled to or from these states do not need to delay their appointment with us. If you have traveled to or from any other state (or country) not listed above, the quarantine restrictions still apply.
As of 3/16/21, our front door will be unlocked. If you are a patient that has an appointment, you may enter 5 minutes prior to your appointment and undergo a covid screening upon entry. Others that do not have an appointment must call before entry. Anyone entering the building must wear a mask or scarf covering their mouth and nose.
Thank You,