Autism Spectrum Disorder Defined by David J. Flynn, DDS

A complex developmental disability, autism causes communication difficulties; social impairments; and restricted, repetitive, and stereotyped patterns of behavior. Persons with autism display a wide range of skills, symptoms, and levels of disability. Therefore, health care professionals consider autism as a “spectrum disorder”; i.e., a group of brain disorders showing similar features but with varying levels of severity.

In the current classification, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) includes three developmental disabilities. The first is referred to as autistic disorder (or “classic” autism), which is the most severe form of ASD. Asperger syndrome is a second and milder form of ASD. Finally, health care professionals use a broader term for atypical autism, called “pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified” (PDD-NOS). This last category includes childhood disintegrative disorder and Rett syndrome.

The Centers for Disease Control estimates that about 1 in 88 children have a form of ASD. Symptoms typically begin before age three and affect the normal development of various skills from infancy to adulthood.

About the Author:

David J. Flynn, DDS, has served on the Board of Directors of the Grace Foundation of New York, a nonprofit organization founded to improve the lives of individuals with autism spectrum disorder. He donates to charitable causes addressing the issue of autism. Since 1993, Dr. Flynn has maintained a private practice in dentistry on Staten Island.

David J. Flynn, DDS: A Brief History of Autism Speaks Inc.

A Board Member of The Grace Foundation of New York, dentist and orthodontist David J. Flynn, DDS, has made the support of nonprofits working to treat autism and assist the individuals and families living under the conditions of autism one of his primary philanthropic missions. In addition to the work he performs for The Grace Foundation of New York, David J. Flynn, DDS, contributes to Autism Speaks Inc., the most prominent advocacy nonprofit for autism research and awareness in the world.

In 2004, Suzanne Wright and her husband Bob, who was then acting as Vice Chairman of General Electric, discovered that their grandson had been diagnosed with autism. A year later, the couple established Autism Speaks Inc. with assistance from friend Bernie Marcus, who donated $25 million to get the fledgling organization off the ground.

Autism Speaks rapidly gained in prestige and efficacy, drawing such well-known spokespersons as actor and comedian Jerry Seinfeld, world-renowned singer-songwriter Paul Simon, and rock legend and peace activist Yoko Ono. Furthermore, the nonprofit’s leadership managed to recruit a strong board of directors and eventually raised enough funding to begin to make a significant impact on research into autism spectrum disorders.

Placing a heavy emphasis on research that will yield practical results rather than information into the underlying causes of autism, Autism Speaks provides funding for an array of initiatives and programs designed to gather and analyze data on patients with autism spectrum disorders. These organizations include the Autism Genetic Resource Exchange (AGRE), the Clinical Trials Network, the Toddler Treatment Network, and the Autism Tissue Program. Through these and other initiatives, Autism Speaks focuses its advocacy research efforts on four primary areas: biology, etiology, diagnosis (including epidemiology), and autism therapies.

In 2009, Autism Speaks took a large step forward when it became the official charity of Alpha Xi Delta, one of the leading women’s collegiate fraternities in the country. Today, the organization continues to campaign heavily for legislation benefiting autism research and families with individuals who have been diagnosed with autism.

To find out how you, like David J. Flynn, DDS, can support Autism Speaks Inc., please visit the organization’s website at autismspeaks.org.

Science and Research Programs at the American Dental Association by the office of David J. Flynn, DDS

The American Dental Association (ADA), a professional organization that provides resources such as education and legislative advocacy, maintains an active role in supporting and conducting research in the field of dental science. A member of the ADA and owner of his own practice in Staten Island, New York, David J. Flynn, DDS, supports the many programs being conducted by the association and offers this brief overview of some of the current research being funded by the ADA Foundation Research Institute.

Microbial Numbers in Dental Unit Water Lines

In spite of a 1995 ADA recommendation that dental equipment manufacturers limit the quantity of bacteria in dental unit water lines to 200 CFU/mL, some lines may contain bacteria levels of more than 50,000 CFU/mL. Although researchers have not identified high CFU levels as a cause of illness in patients, it may nevertheless pose a health risk to those with compromised immune systems. Researchers at the ADA survey manufacturers and ensure compliance with ADA recommendations regarding CFU readings.

Sterilization of Dental Handpieces

To reduce the risk of cross contamination among patients via blood and saliva on dental instruments, the ADA highly recommends steam sterilization, which eliminates infectious agents and significantly reduces the risk of transmission. However, the effectiveness of steam sterilization may vary extensively based on the type of equipment involved in the process. Through its research, the ADA assesses the quality of several methods of steam sterilization, particularly on handpiece turbines.

Aerosol Research Project

In recent years, many members of the scientific community have voiced their concern over the potential of aerosols and solid particulate matter to transmit infections. Through its research project, the ADA uses tools in a simulated dental environment to evaluate the health risks posed by bio-aerosols. The ADA then uses the data generated by the study to develop guidelines in conjunction with the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Inc.

To learn more about the research projects supported by the American Dental Association, visit the official website at ada.org.

Help for Teeth Grinders

By David J. Flynn, DDS

Has anyone ever told you that you grind your teeth at night? Do you ever awaken with a dull, aching jaw or a headache? Do you find yourself clenching your jaw when you are under stress? These are all signs of bruxism, more commonly known as teeth grinding.

Bruxism has many causes, including stress and tension, misalignment of teeth, and sleep cycle changes. This common condition may be mild or severe, but it can lead to a host of complications and symptoms. Along with jaw pain and headaches, teeth grinders may also experience increased tooth sensitivity, earaches, facial pain, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, and damaged teeth.

If you believe you grind your teeth, a visit to the dentist can help. Your dentist may be able to fit a custom mouth guard to protect your teeth, or to correct misalignments that lead to grinding. He or she might also prescribe a splint. Your dentist can also correct any tooth problems arising resultant of bruxism, such as abnormal wear or fractures.

Once you are aware of teeth grinding, you can also make behavioral changes. Work on relaxing your jaw muscles, particularly before you go to bed. Avoid alcoholic and caffeinated beverages, which can worsen bruxism. Practice stress release techniques.

If your children grind their teeth at night, consult their dentist. Bruxism can be a sign of allergies, dehydration, and endocrine disorders, or it may indicate improperly aligned teeth. Your dentist may also prescribe a night guard for your child.

 

David J. Flynn, DDS: Invisalign Braces

People in need of bite or tooth alignment correction now have another alternative to a mouth full of metallic braces. At his Staten Island Dental practice, David J. Flynn, DDS, provides patients with braces that are invisible during the process of teeth realignment. He does this by fitting his patients with the Invisalign system, a series of clear plastic trays that fit over teeth to correct an array of orthodontic problems.

Dr. Flynn uses Invisalign braces to treat multiple major and minor orthodontic issues, such as abnormal spacing between teeth; crowding; and misalignment of the upper and lower jaw resulting in cross bite, over bite, and under bite. Ignoring such problems leads to more than cosmetic flaws. Misaligned teeth and jaw can also cause tooth decay, abnormal tooth wear, periodontal pockets, bone loss, painful jaw, and joint problems. When patients present to Dr. Flynn with such problems, he frequently recommends Invisalign braces.

The treatment process is straightforward. Dr. Flynn obtains x-rays and impressions used to create 3-D images that allow him to design an individualized treatment plan outlining tooth movement. This plan results in the creation of a series of custom-made clear plastic trays that are worn every day. The trays gradually move your teeth into the desired position, with changes in trays occurring every two weeks. Throughout treatment, Dr. Flynn provides periodic evaluations to check the progress of tooth alignment. In general, treatment lasts about a year and results in better alignment and reduced risk of dental problems.

David J. Flynn, DDS, and the American Dental Association

A member of the American Dental Association (ADA), David J. Flynn, DDS, practices orthodontics, general dentistry, and dental surgery from his private practice in Staten Island, New York. Dr. Flynn enjoys the many benefits of membership in the professional organization, including access to high-quality continuing education courses and reviews of the latest developments in cutting-edge dental technology.

 

American Dental Association posted by vectorya.com

Founded in 1859, the American Dental Association took shape in Niagara Falls, New York, through a meeting among 26 dentists from across the United States. These individuals came as representatives from numerous regional and state-level dental associations that felt the country needed a single supervising organization for the dental industry. At present, the ADA enjoys more than 150,000 members, as well as 53 state and 545 local member dental societies.

 

The first organization of its kind in the world, the American Dental Association currently oversees numerous aspects of the dental industry including accreditation for dental, allied dental, and advanced dental education programs; control over areas of specialty for dental practitioners; and advocacy efforts on behalf of its membership base as well as the interests of the general public in dental matters. An example of the ADA’s involvement in safeguarding and improving public health throughout advocacy initiatives is the organization’s campaign to increase dental coverage through Medicaid.

 

In order to remain current on all the pressing issues relevant to the dental industry, the American Dental Association has formed 11 councils, each tasked with evaluating a separate area within the profession and making recommendations as to policy additions, deletions, or modifications in light of new information. The ADA’s lobbying organization, the American Dental Political Action Committee (ADPAC), campaigns on behalf of candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate in order to ensure that politicians sensitive to the needs of the dental community sit in the Capitol.

As part of its overarching mission to inform both the dental professional community and members of the general public regarding legislation and technological developments in dentistry, the American Dental Association publishes a peer-reviewed journal titled The Journal of the American Dental Association, as well as numerous smaller publications, such as the ADA Guide to Dental Therapeutics and the ADA News.

 

For information on how you, like David J. Flynn, DDS, can take advantage of the many services provided by the American Dental Association, please visit ada.org.

An Overview of Autism in Children, prepared by the office of David J. Flynn, DDS

David J. Flynn, DDS, is an accomplished dentist with more than two decades of experience in the field and a practice in Staten Island, New York. A contributor to the Autism Speaks charity and a board member of the Grace Foundation of New York, David J. Flynn, DDS, offers this overview of autism in children.

Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder that usually involves an impairment of communication and social interaction. In most cases, children begin to exhibit signs of autism before the age of three. Autism belongs to a family of maladies referred to as autism spectrum disorders, which includes autism, Asperger syndrome, and Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS). Although the exact symptoms of each disorder can vary significantly, all three share the same basic characteristics.

Impairments in social development help to set autism and related disorders apart from other types of developmental afflictions. In particular, people with autism appear to lack the basic social intuition that people without the disorder often take for granted. In children, autism often manifests itself as a decreased level of attention to conventional social stimuli such as eye contact or the sound of one’s own name. In a behavioral sense, autistic toddlers can differ greatly from their unaffected peers in their ability to express themselves using body motions and respond to emotional cues. Similarly, many children with autism experience delays in the development of their communication skills and lack the capacity to derive language from a set of symbols.

Many children with autism engage in highly repetitive behavior such as stereotypy, continued movements of the body and noisemaking. Autism in children is also characterized by a marked resistance to change and an insistence on sameness in everyday activities and situations. Children with autism often exhibit compulsive behavior, such as stacking objects in a precise fashion or using toys to create exact lines.

In developed countries like the United States and Japan, most parents choose to engage in formal autism screening tests if they notice unusual behavior. If detected early enough, children may benefit greatly from therapy that cultivates social and job skills and self-care. Although there is no know cure for autism, management and treatment techniques have improved significantly in recent years, increasing intellectual performance and social functioning.

To learn more about Autism Speaks, visit the website at autismspeaks.org.

For more information on the Grace Foundation, visit the website at graceofny.org.

G.R.A.C.E. Foundation of New York

By David J. Flynn, DDS

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates an average of 1 in 110 children fall somewhere on the autism spectrum. Autism spectrum disorders are developmental disabilities that present with difficulties in social development, behavior, and communication abilities. Doctors typically diagnose autism spectrum disorders by the time a child reaches the age of three. The degree of disability ranges from mild to very severe, which is why the condition is diagnosed along a spectrum. The disorder often has a marked impact on families and children.

The G.R.A.C.E. (Getting Resources for Autistic Children’s Equality) Foundation seeks to serve these children and families, helping enhance their qualities of life. I serve as a board member for the G.R.A.C.E. Foundation and fully support its mission. Among the many programs the foundation offers to help families are in-home respite care, which provides quality care to children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders when their parents need it; social skills programs based on the most current research and techniques that teach skills via practice and positive reinforcement; support groups, and recreational opportunities.

The foundation hosts many fundraisers, such as dinner dances and the touch-a-truck event, which allows kids to get up close and personal with big trucks. To learn more about our mission, or to support the G.R.A.C.E. Foundation, please visit www.graceofny.org.