From: Megaro
Sent: Tuesday, December 18, 2007 2:23 AM
To: Kleszynski, Aloysius
Subject: Table Clinics
Hello,
I am not sure if you realize that under your table clinics you have listed The American Endodontic Society. This would be on page 3.
AMERICAN ENDODONTIC SOCIETY
DIFFICULT CASES MADE EASIER WITH N2 ENDODONTICS
Patrick A. Delgrande, DDS, Hillsdale, NY
SARGENTI ENDODONTICS-SIMPLY SAVING TEETH
Mark J. Piacine, DDS, Pottstown, PA
This is a small group of dentists that use Sargenti Paste on unsuspecting patients. They formed a society whose only purpose is to use Sargenti Paste.
In one of their newsletters they state that the only way to get "this magic sealer" is to become a member of their exclusive society.
The recognized specialty organization for endodontics, The American Association of Endodontists (AAE), are against the use of Sargenti Paste. Their statement is below. The ADA agrees with the AAE position.
A clinical professor of endodontics at the University of Pacific School of Dentistry and the University of California School of Dentistry, Stephen Cohen, D.D.S., once wrote;
” Simply put, there is no circumstance where it would be appropriate to use a paraformaldehyde paste for sealing a root canal."
I am a patient that lost a good portion of my jaw. Sargenti Paste was used on me without my knowledge.
Could you explain to me why these people are allowed to have a table and promote their use of Sargenti Paste at this annual meeting.
Thank-you
Claudia Megaro
AAE Position Statement
Paraformaldehyde-containing endodontic filling materials or sealers (frequently known as Sargenti pastes, N-2, N-2 Universal, RC-2B or RC-2B White) should not be used for endodontic treatment because those materials are unsafe. Extensive scientific research has proven unequivocally that paraformaldehyde-containing filling materials and sealers can cause irreversible damage to tissues near the root canal system including the following: destruction of connective tissue and bone; intractable pain; paresthesia and dysthesia of the mandibular and maxillary nerves; and chronic infections of the maxillary sinus. Moreover, scientific evidence has demonstrated that the damage from paraformaldehyde-containing filling materials and sealers is not necessarily confined to tissues near the root canal. The active ingredients of these filling materials and sealers have been found to travel throughout the body and have been shown to infiltrate the blood, lymph nodes, adrenal glands, kidney, spleen, liver and brain.
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http://www.dentalwatch.org/questionable/sargenti/overview.html
I believe that the Sargenti method adds risk with no advantage over standard endodontic procedures. Its proponents have had more than 40 years to present adequate safety data to the FDA but have failed to do so. The filling material probably works well in most cases where it is used, but when things go wrong, the results can be horrendous. For that reason, I suggest avoiding it. Case reports indicate that some of Sargenti's followers do not routinely disclose that the filling material they use contains paraformaldehyde and is not FDA-approved. If a general dentist invites you to have root canal therapy, ask how often the dentist performs root canal treatment and whether your case is complicated and should be referred to an endodontist. Also ask whether the Sargenti technique, N2, or any material that includes paraformaldehyde will be involved. Be wary of general dentists who say they never refer to an endodontist or who use Sargenti methodology.
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http://www.classimplant.com/public/aceReportApril2004.pdf
• Paraformaldehyde paste sealers. It is shocking that in the 21st century there are still some dentists who choose to use a paraformaldehyde containing sealer. Since 1985, there is not one accredited dental school or hospital residency program in the United States that advocates and teaches this ancient, disproved technique and material. Yet a few dentists still choose to expose patients to an extremely harmful, toxic substance for sealing a root canal. The physical and emotional devastation this substance has caused is beyond measure. Some patients’ lives have been so diminished by this ordeal that they feel their lives have been destroyed. Nevertheless, some dentists feel that they know better and when unfortunate incidents occur, they plead ignorance. For the defense counsel, these cases are most vexing when the plaintiff ’s counsel claims, “Dr. Smith showed a conscious and reckless disregard for the health, safety, and welfare of his often permanently injured client.” Simply put, there is no circumstance where it would be appropriate to use a paraformaldehyde paste for sealing a root canal. Why would any dentist choose to use this dangerous paste? I don’t know the answer to this question, but I do know that a few of our colleagues court disaster by continuing to use a dangerous paste instead of gutta-percha and sealers that are, according to the Food and Drug Administration, “generally recognized as safe and effective.”
From: Kleszynski, Aloysius
To: Megaro
Sent: Tuesday, December 18, 2007 9:52 AM
Subject: RE: Table Clinics
Good Morning Dr Megaro:
I am aware of the organization and that they use the Sargenti paste. They have been doing a table clinic for years. Unfortunately, I know that they are not popular with many Endodontists and we have been able to keep them from presenting in a regular class room setting. But the purpose of the Table Clinics is to show different methods and procedures that are used by some in the practice of dentistry. As long as they don’t try to sell anything they do have a right to present their opinion. We closely monitor all table clinicians to make sure they are not selling anything and this includes membership in their organization.
Al
Hello again,
I was just reading The American Endodontic Society's Newsletter. They do state the following:
"For most of the 2-1/2 hour session, both of our tables were a flurry of interest. Of course, the most prominent question was,‘but where do I get this magic sealer?’ (The word magic being added as my own literary enhancement).The answer was that one must be a member of the American Endodontic Society to be privy to that information “Here’s an application form.” You, our members, are already part of that exclusive group! Our Director Emeritus,Manny Ploumis, put it best:“AAA only gives maps to its members.” Think of how fortunate you are to already have the key to this valuable asset to your practice."
http://www.aesoc.com/Final%20AES%20Sp07.pdf
Wouldn't this be soliciting membership? I was also reading a deposition in which Alvin Arzt states that anyone can be given a membership for free for a year. After that they have to pay annual dues. So they do not necessarily have to be "selling" membership at their table clinics.
Thank you,
Claudia Megaro
As I stated to you earlier, we have a committee that watches over the area and are very strict in stopping solicitation. In checking with those on the committee I have found that they get very little interest.