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Lisa Mozloom, Tammy Rubin, Ian Abrams
Zynyx Marketing Communications
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NEW HOPE FOR AMERICA'S 10 MILLION DENTOPHOBICS: EVEN THE MOST FEARFUL CAN FIND SOLACE IN THE DENTIST'S CHAIR
DentoPhobics Take Heart: New DentiPatch(tm) Offers Penetrating, Pain-Free Anesthesia
Miami, Fla.-- July 29, 1997 -- The poking, the drilling, the dreaded needle. Almost everyone has some anxiety prior to a dental visit. But for some 10 million people -- more than the population of Georgia, Hawaii and Maine combined -- their dental phobia is enough to keep them away from the dentist in all but the most severe cases. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), 10 million Americans are so fearful of seeing a dentist that they simply don't. This anxiety is called DentoPhobia.
DentoPhobia: A Common Fear
"Phobias are the brunt of many jokes, but the harm they can cause isn't funny at all," said phobia expert and dentist, Dr. Mark Slovin, D.D.S., Director, Dental Phobia Clinic, State University of New York at Stony Brook. "A phobia about snakes will not disturb the life of someone who lives in New York City. But for DentoPhobics, a phobia about seeing a dentist can cause significant problems. Removing the pain is the first step to changing a phobic's reaction to a potentially fearful situation." DentoPhobia is one of the most frequent fears of adults. A 1990 study on phobias published in the Annals of Behavioural Medicine, reported that fear of seeing a dentist ranked fourth among common fears and ninth among intense fears. Anxiety disorder symptoms include dizziness, heart palpitations, shaky hands, shortness of breath, chest pains and nervous or panicky feelings.
The Solution
Fortunately, now there is a way to reduce the physical barriers that keep DentoPhobic sufferers from taking care of their teeth. The remedy is DentiPatch(tm). Since DentiPatch(tm) relieves the pain associated with a needle injection, it is one of the most important weapons in the arsenal of pain-free options helping people overcome their fear of dental visits. DentiPatch(tm) is the world's first and only transoral patch that releases an anesthetic directly into the gums without an injection. In addition to its pain-free numbing effect, it also offers fewer side effects and less chemical residue in the body than standard anesthesia, it's easy and convenient to use, there is no noticeable fragrance and the pain-reducing results of DentiPatch(tm) encourage preventative care. The patch, the size of a small paper clip, is applied directly onto the palate or gums by a hygienist or dentist prior to a dental procedure. The product takes effect quickly with a penetrating localized numbing effe! ct lasting up to 45 minutes. DentiPatch(tm) is the first FDA-approved transoral patch delivery system of any kind and is clinically proven to offer a true alternative to the pain of needle injections, dental scaling and root planning. According to clinical-study references, DentiPatch(tm) is 66% more effective than anesthetic gels and sprays that offer little more than a placebo numbing effect. Patients can ask their dentist for DentiPatch(tm) now available nationwide.
DentoPhobia Case Study
"Recently, I treated a DentoPhobic patient who has avoided dental treatment for twenty-five years due to fear of the needle," said Dr. Slovin. "After placement of DentiPatch(tm) for three minutes, the dental injection was administered with no sensation perceived by the patient. I have found this effect to be very consistent in my use of the Patch. I recommend its use prior to dental injections in cases where patients are fearful or phobic of the needle." "What's ironic is that I carried dental insurance most of my life, but never used it because I was terrified to go to the dentist," said Dr. Sloven's patient, Stephen Diana. "But everything changed when I tried DentiPatch(tm). With DentiPatch(tm) I never felt the pierce of the needle, so I didn't have to worry about feeling pain. If I had know about DentiPatch(tm) years ago, I might still have all my teeth today. In my opinion, the only fear people should have is going to a dentist that doesn't use the DentiPatch(tm)." According to the ADA, 131 million injections are given and another 300 million uncomfortable procedures take place without anesthesia in the United States every year. Therefore, 143 million procedures could become virtually pain free thanks to DentiPatch(tm).
How DentiPatch(tm) Works
DentiPatch(tm) uses Noven Pharmaceutical's proprietary Dot Matrix(tm) technology to provide penetrating anesthesia. "Large-molecule drugs typically must be delivered via injection," said Steven Sablotsky, chairman of the board and president of Noven Pharmaceuticals, Inc. "When taken orally as capsules or tablets, these molecules are broken down and destroyed in the stomach and intestines and some of the product's affect is lost. But Noven's technology offers a new option in which drugs are delivered via transoral patches to work quickly and effectively."
About the Manufacturer
Noven Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: NOVN) is an industry leader in the development and commercialization of advanced drug-delivery technologies. DentiPatch is the company's first fully integrated product -- developed, manufactured and marketed by Noven. Revenues for fiscal year 1996 were $21.6 million, a 78% increase on 1995 revenues of $12.2 million, which was double the performance for 1994.
Editor's Note: Dr. Slovin and DentiPatch(tm)-using dentists in your city are available for interviews. Contact Lisa Mozloom ([email protected]) or Ian Abrams ([email protected]) at 305-672-4422 for details.
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