Denver – Denver-based Altura Periodontics has announced they will be the first oral healthcare providers in Colorado to offer DNA and infectious disease testing using a simple 30-second, mint-tasting mouth rinse. The tests, known as MOP™ (Molecular Oral Pap) and MOP ID™, identify disease risks such as oral cancer, pharyngeal cancer and Human Papillomavirus (HPV), before visual detection is possible.
“Detecting disease in its earliest stages, and helping to save lives by doing so, is now as simple as rinsing for 30 seconds, just as you do with a mouth wash, only in this case with a life-saving mouth rinse,” says Dr. Emilio Argüello a member of the five-doctor Altura Periodontics’ clinical team. “Because early detection is key, we’re proud to be the first to introduce this cutting-edge testing to Colorado, and to play a part in improving the survival rates related to mouth and throat cancer and disease.”
Over 43,000 Americans will be diagnosed with oral or pharyngeal cancer in 2015, resulting in over 8,000 deaths. Of those 43,000 newly-diagnosed individuals, 40% of those will die within five years. In addition, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that everyone born from 1945-1965 be tested for Hepatitis C, as they believe 3-4 million people in the United States may have the disease and not even know it. Therefore, tests that can identify risk factors for these cancers and diseases are key to prevention and survival.
Dr. Argüello and his team at Altura encourage anyone with a proactive interest in healthcare, including oral cancer and disease screening, to contact them to schedule a test for 18-and-over family members, friends and loved ones.
“As healthcare providers, we know what undetected and untreated oral disease can do,” says Practice Administrator Luci Berardi, “which is why we are happy to waive part of the test fee — a $25 value per person — for patients and their families through March 31, 2015. We also want patients with medical insurance to know that the new tests are covered by many medical insurance providers.”
The Altura team will also be holding two educational summits in early May at their South Yosemite Street Education Center to further educate members of the public, as well as the health and dental community, about the benefits of the new tests. Summit speakers will include Altura’s Drs. Emilio Argüello and Eduardo Marcuschamer, and Dr. Armando Moncada, MD, FCAP, the Founder of PCG Molecular, the company behind the ground-breaking and live-saving tests. Please contact them at the number or email address above for more information.
Further resources:
www.pcgmolecular.com, www.oralcancerfoundation.org
Altura Periodontics has served the Denver area with professional dental implants and periodontics for over 30 years.