Selling biotechnology in the dental medicine marketplace: the OmniGene Diagnostics DNA probe tests for periodontal pathogens

Issue title: BioTechnology in Dental Medicine

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Van Arsdell, Scott W. | DiFronzo, Fred | Backman, Keith C. | Mahler, Peter H.

Affiliations: OmniGene Bioproducts, Inc., P. O. Box 9002, Cambridge, MA 02139-9002, USA

Abstract: OmniGene Diagnostics. Inc. has applied the principles of genetic engineering to develop species-specific DNA probe tests for eight periodontal pathogens (Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, Actinobacillus actinomycetem-comitans, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Eikenella corrodens, Campylobacter rectus, Bacteroides forsythus, and Treponema denticola). The test requires minimal effort on the part of the clinician: subgingival plaque samples are collected from the patient and sent through the mail for analysis by OmniGene Diagnostics’ fully licensed clinical reference laboratory. Results are transmitted to the practitioner by phone, fax, or mail. The use of diagnostic tests for periodontal pathogens is a relatively new concept in dentistry and acceptance of the OmniGene Diagnostics tests by the dental marketplace has been slower than anticipated. OmniGene Diagnostics’ challenge for the future is to persuade the dental community that monitoring periodontal pathogen levels, as well as other clinical indicators of disease, is essential to providing optimal care to the periodontitis patient.

DOI: 10.3233/THC-1996-4313

Journal: Technology and Health Care, vol. 4, no. 3, pp. 339-346, 1996