Dr. Robert Nara: Freedom from Dental Disease

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NARA: The first thing that I would recommend—to any persons interested in having a healthy mouth—is much like the first step in the aerobics program: that is, they should take a test to find out where they stand. This sort of evaluation is necessary before a course of action can be planned.

Now, the best of these tests is the saliva examination that I mentioned before, the "lactobacillus test". And that examination is within reach of anyone who has access to the postal system. People can mail in a saliva sample, have the laboratory work performed, and receive a very specific report . . . which will detail their oral health problems and tell them what to do in order to cure those problems.

PLOWBOY: Tell me how and where these samples can be sent.

NARA: We are offering this service through Oramedics International. If someone writes to us saying that he/she would like to have an Oramedics evaluation, we will mail back a sample jar and a series of forms to fill out. The forms detail both dental and medical histories. Then, we'll report our findings—based upon the lactobacillus count and the patient's case history— and recommend a home care, self-help program which will enable the person to improve his or her oral ecology while spending as little as five minutes a day on dental hygiene. We also will ask that another saliva sample be submitted after the patient has followed our recommendations for a month. Most people will be well on the way to dental health by then, and we can put them on a "maintenance program" which—if followed—will almost insure a lifetime of freedom from dental disease!

In addition to these services, anyone requesting an evaluation will receive a 20-page booklet and a tape cassette explaining the background of the Oramedics program. The total cost for both tests, plus the evaluation, the recommendations, and so forth is $24.

PLOWBOY: That sounds quite reasonable.

NARA: This system is something that we've devised since my license was suspended. When the dental associations stopped me from drilling and filling, I decided to find another way to help the public understand their mouths and keep their teeth and gums healthy. I don't need a license to perform this service . . . anyone who understands oral physiology and microbiology could do the same thing.

PLOWBOY: Are most of the materials that you would recommend available without a prescription?

NARA: Yes ... in fact, we describe all of the items that are needed, and the patient can then either procure them in a drugstore or order the materials directly from Oramedics International.

PLOWBOY: It sounds as if we may well be entering an era of do-it-yourself dentistry! How might this trend—assuming that the Oramedics approach gains public acceptance—change the American dental care system?

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