An Ohio State University researcher has patented a dental anesthetic formula that provides improved pain control for patients.
Dr. Al Reader, professor of dentistry and the director of Ohio State University’s Advanced Endodontics Program, invented a composition of the local anesthetic lidocaine and mannitol, a sugar alcohol. The alcohol opens the protective coating of the sensory nerves, allowing the anesthetic to enter the innermost parts of the nerves it is meant to numb.
Dr. Reader and fellow researchers tested the different versions of the formulation on more than 200 patients. They found that the best results occurred when a mixture of mannitol and approximately 64 milligrams of lidocaine—roughly double the amount currently used by dentists—was used. Using that combination, the researchers found that about 90 percent of patients were able to achieve complete numbness compared with 50 percent of patients in whom only local anesthetic in the standard dosage was used.
Researchers studied the efficacy of the anesthetic mixture by delivering mild shocks to the base of each patient’s tooth—the region that had been numbed—and evaluating the patient’s response. If the patient did not feel anything up to a certain voltage, researchers recorded the case as total anesthesia. "This would mean that the patient will not feel a thing during a dental procedure such as drilling," said Reader.
When Reader increased the concentration of mannitol in the mixture beyond a certain level, some patients experienced jaw soreness. "Although mannitol is inert and does not interact chemically with either the anesthetic agent or body fluids, high concentrations of it tend to remove water from the surrounding tissue, which can cause irritation," said Reader.
Researchers plan to conduct further clinical trials on the composition as part of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval process.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
The American Dental Association (ADA) seeks applications for the position of Executive Director of the ADA. The Executive Director is the principal agent of the ADA Board of Trustees and Elected Officers. As agent and under the direction of the Board of Trustees and Elected Officers, the Executive Director acts as the Chief Operating Officer of the organization and all its branches. In this capacity the Executive Director has day-to-day responsibility for the management and supervision of the ADA staff and the administrative functions of the Association’s councils, commissions and committees. Eligible candidates must meet the following requirements: advanced degree in relevant field (e.g. D.D.S., J.D., M.B.A., M.D. or Ph.D.); extensive knowledge of the profession of dentistry and the issues confronting dentists; working knowledge of and experience with strategic planning concepts; strong conceptual and analytical skills; excellent verbal and interpersonal skills to build and maintain productive relationships with the House of Delegates, the Board of Trustees and its Councils and Commissions; excellent communication skills to interact with all levels of ADA management and staff, the members of the Board of Trustees, and the state and local dental societies; significant public speaking experience; demonstrated professionalism to enhance the integrity and ethics of the profession of dentistry; exceptional organization and prioritization skills; experience at independent decision making and using exceptional judgment; extensive travel (domestic and international); extensive weekend meetings and other work related obligations; demonstrated administrative management expertise, sound analytical skills, proven leadership qualities and excellent communications skills, both written and oral; a minimum of 10+ years of extensive, broad, and in-depth senior level management experience in the professional health association field. The following are highly desirable: a D.D.S. or D.M.D. degree; working knowledge of ADA operations and association relationships; and a thorough understanding of ADA policy development processes, including the nature of the relationships between the House of Delegates, the Board of Trustees and its Councils and Commissions, and ADA senior management. Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience.
If you qualify, send your resume to:
The American Dental Association
211 East Chicago Ave., Dept. KB/HRED
Chicago, IL 60611
EOE
To be considered, your resume must be received at ADA
Headquarters no later than January 15, 2001.
