Save teeth with cement pulpotomies
I am an endodontist espousing the use of portland cement pulpotomy procedures to retain natural teeth in the mouths of developing countries.
About You
About You
About Your Organization
Organization Name
Karl Woodmansey DDS PLLC
Organization Website
Organization Country
United States
Country where this project is creating social impact
Tanzania
Is your organization a
For‐profit
How long has your organization been operating?
Less than a year
Has the organization received awards or honors? Please tell us about them
American Association of Endodontists Foundation's Endodontic Educator Fellowship Award 2012.
References - Please provide two references with a two-sentence biography, email address, and phone number for each
Robert Malloy DMD, orthodontistand adventure traveler
406-539-5371
robertmalloy@bresnan.net
Robert K. White DMD
Endodontist and experienced "Toothsaver"
rwhite@bcd.tamhsc.edu
214-828-8365
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Innovation
Select the stage that best applies to your solution
Idea (you're poised to launch)
How long have you been in operation?
Still in idea phase, but looking to launch soon
The Need: What problem are you trying to solve?
So many developing countries lack access to preventive dental care. Without preventive care, carious (decayed) and painful teeth are extracted due to expediency and cost. Until preventive and and restorative dental services are accessible to these populations, these teeth will continue to be irreversibly removed.
The Solution: What is your solution? Be specific!
I propose to introduce portland cement pulpotomies as an economic and effective alternative to tooth extraction in underdeveloped populations. The use of portland cement creates a much longer lasting and effectively permanent pulpotomy and will thereby save many (but not all) teeth from ultimate extraction. Although complete root canal treatments would be preferred, they are far more time consuming and costly in materials and labor. A body of research since the early 1990s has demonstrated the effectiveness of sterilized portland cement for pulpotomy procedures even in carious teeth. Portland cement is widely available, available for pennies per pound and readily sterilizable with microwave or conventional ovens.
I just need the opportunity to educate dentists in areas (like Tanzania) regarding the excellent biologic response to Portland cement pulpotomies, the extreme low cost and ease of use of the material, and the simple techniques of cement sterilization and placement.
The Model: Walk us through a specific example of how your solution makes a difference; include your primary activities
The model is hands-on education in the dental schools of developing countries. I am already planning visits to Tanzania, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. native language publication, outreach and personal conatct will best spread this technique.
The Marketplace: Who are your peers and competitors? Identify others also working to address the needs you are and what differentiates you from them. What challenges could these players pose to your success or growth?
I don't see anyone else interested in this. Perhaps other missionary dental groups could be educated to employ this technique in leiu of tooth extractions. The manufacturers of MTA certainly aren't going to donate to this cause.
This Entry is about (Issues)
Social Impact
Founding Story: We want to hear about your "Aha!" moment. Share the story of where and when the founder(s) saw this solution's potential to change the world.
I was raised in an environment of global awe. During my endodontic residency training, I learned the relatively recent science behind MTA / portland cement and used the technique first-hand at the Dallas Childrens' Medical Center Dental Clinic. As a practicing endodontist, I have seen numerous teeth that were extracted due to the prohibitive cost of complete endodontic treatment. As I am now in academia and beginning to think more globally, I see the application of portland cement pulpotomies as a cost-effective and tooth-saving alternative to extraction or complete root canal treatment. It just happenned one day when I was considering volunteering with HVO to teach in Tanzania for 2 weeks this June -- I realized that they don't want me to teach fancy high-end root canal techniques -- they need the "most bang for the buck". i knew they were already using the older techniques for pulpotomies -- so why not improve on that with the introduction of portland cement?
Please describe the goal of your initiative; outline what you are trying to achieve
I'd like to see more individuals be able to retain their natural teeth. I think teeth are important for propery mastication, diet, health and wellness, speech, inter-personal relationships and self-image. While portland cement pulpotomies are a compromised treatment, they are far superior to the alternatives.
What has been the impact of your solution to date?
I have yet to really get this going -- I have only really been working on this for the past 40 days -- and it already has gained significant momentum. This award would further fuel my efforts.
What is your projected impact over the next five years?
If I can personally visit 3 countries per year and provide 2 weeks of outreach education and training per country. I can make an impact. My goal is to impact the dental students and faculty in the dental schools and also to provide continuing education to current practitioners. The "trickle down" from just this should be substantial. My colleage Dr. Robert White is joining me in these efforts and will similarly contribute. I will encourage all interested others to join me, including traditional "missionary" dental practitioners.
Winning entries present a strong plan for how they will achieve and track growth. Identify your six-month milestone for growing your impact
To have visited Tanzania and Laos and have realized adoption of the portland cement pulpotomy technique by local dentists
Identify three major tasks you will have to complete to reach your six-month milestone
Task 1
Visit Tanzania school of Dentistry in early June 2012
Task 2
Visit laos School of Dentistry before Thanksgiving
Task 3
Plan other visits over the next 12 months
Now think bigger! Identify your 12-month impact milestone
I think it will be difficult to gauage the effect my training visits have. I'd like to measure and publish my impact.
Identify three major tasks you will have to complete to reach your 12-month milestone
Task 1
Develop assessment plan: survey visited dental schools and possibly revisit to check on impact
Task 2
continue to demonstrate and educate technique wherever most appropriate
Task 3
get more dentists and endodontists involved in providing the hands-on education
Sustainability
Tell us about your partnerships
I am working with HVO to gain access to the overseas dental schools. Henry Schein Co. will underwrite $1500 of my expenses for travel to Tanzania. My colleagues, Dr. White and Dr. Malloy expect to recieve similar underwriting. I am on the endodontic faculty of Baylor College of Dentistry. I'd like to see if I can get dental students somehow involved as volunteers in this enterprise.
I am a member of the U.S. Air Force Reserve, assigned to the 22nd Air Force, Detachment 1. I'll explore ways that I might be able to coordinate and/or develop a humanitarian training mission for this purpose.
Are you currently targeting other specific populations, locations, or markets for your innovation? If so, where and why?
Yes, priamrily underdeveloped countries with central dental schools. Notably, tanzania, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. Later possibly, Peru, Bolivia, Columbia, Nicaragua and Costa Rica.
What type of operating environment and internal organizational factors make your innovation successful?
Excellent communications, enthusiastic contributors and open-minded hot-nation dentists who want to improve the care of their patients.
Please elaborate on any needs or offers you have mentioned above and/or suggest categories of support that aren't specified within the list
Thanks for your consideration of my dream to prevent teeth from needless extraction.
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| more_info_on_the_portland_cement_pulpotomy.png | 46.86 KB |
 | 15 weeks agoKarl Woodmansey updated this Competition Entry. |
| 15 weeks agoKarl Woodmansey submitted this idea. |
