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Sarina Gleason
Delta Dental
(517) 347-5292
[email protected]
Why your spit might be “IT” when it comes to saving your life
Delta Dental helps fund research to advance salivary diagnostic testing
for oral cancer and other diseases
OKEMOS, Mich.— In the doctor’s office, the word “test” might bring to mind frightening images of cold, sharp
needles… and soon anxiety may rise. Yet, what if an individual could get tested for conditions such as diabetes,
multiple cancers including oral and breast cancer, Alzheimer’s, in addition to many other diseases and experience
a much simpler process where scary needles are a thing of the past?
Today, Delta Dental of Michigan’s Research and Data Institute is helping to advance the science of disease
detection through salivary diagnostics. Even more importantly, the group is funding research that may help
doctors predict and perhaps even prevent certain diseases before symptoms appear.
Salivary diagnostics is the study of your spit. Scientists look for certain elements and compounds including
various biomarkers that are associated with different diseases and see if they can detect them in saliva. For
example, scientists today have identified the specific genetic marker, or allele, for periodontal (gum) disease. By
using a simple cheek swab, they can determine whether or not a person is predisposed to the condition. But this
type of testing may not stop at detecting gum disease; it has the potential to identify many other problems before
they arise.
Delta Dental has partnered with the University of Michigan on a clinical trial to create a simple, cost-effective
saliva test to help detect oral cancer. This significant breakthrough could drastically improve screening and
potentially save many more lives from the sixth most common cancer. While the study is still underway,
researchers anticipate completion within the next year.
Delta Dental is also working with Dr. David Wong, one of the nation’s leading researchers and professors from
the University of California, Los Angeles School of Dentistry, on the Human Salivary Proteome project. This
research focuses on pinpointing the biomarkers found in saliva that could be linked to diseases such as diabetes,
Sjögren’s syndrome, Alzheimer’s, oral cancer, plus other cancers including breast, ovarian and lung cancers. As
part of this project, Wong is also investigating the development of a “lab on chip” technology that utilizes
portable, miniaturized testing devices. These devices, which would be available during a dental or doctor’s visit,
would have the ability to produce automated and immediate results with just a small sample of saliva.
“This type of testing has the potential to dramatically change the way diseases are detected and diagnosed today,”
said Dr. Jed Jacobson, chief science officer at Delta Dental. “Imagine going to your dentist and during a regular
checkup, your dentist simply swabs your cheek, tests your saliva in a small testing device, and is able to either
screen or even predict a disease based on the biomarkers found in your spit. It’s exciting.”
-more-
The only saliva tests readily available on the market today include various hormonal, HIV, alcohol and more
recently, a PST Genetic Susceptibility test which can determine a person’s risk for gum disease. Additionally, a
genetic test using an oral rinse is available to assist in the detection of the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes associated
with breast cancer, but this type of salivary testing is expensive and results tend to take several weeks.
Recently, Delta Dental launched a consumer-focused oral health video, “Spit Saves Lives.” This three-minute,
animated video explains the science of salivary diagnostics in laymen’s terms, and explores a promising future in
which the detection and prediction of diseases involves nothing more than a simple, painless cheek swab.
“The advantages of tomorrow’s salivary diagnostic testing not only include ease of use, but also can involve
lower costs, faster results, and more immediate communication with a medical provider,” said Jacobson. “Yet in
the end, the biggest advantage is the probability of earlier detection, ultimately increasing the chances of saving
lives.”
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About Delta Dental of Michigan
Delta Dental of Michigan, with its affiliates in Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio
and Tennessee collectively are among the largest dental plan administrators in the nation. In 2011, the enterprise
paid out $2.5 billion for dental treatment for nearly 10.4 million enrollees. Offices are located in Okemos and
Farmington Hills, Mich.; Sherwood and Little Rock, Ark.; Indianapolis, Ind.; Louisville, Ky.; Albuquerque,
N.M.; Raleigh and Charlotte, N.C.; Columbus and Cleveland, Ohio; and Nashville, Knoxville and Memphis,
Tenn.