Philadelphia-Area Dentist Partners With Local Physician to Offer Advanced Cardiovascular Disease Screening Test

The Two Doctors Are Joining Forces to Promote the Emerging Trend of Wellness-Based Dentistry and Medicine


PLYMOUTH MEETING, PA--(Marketwire - May 26, 2011) - Plymouth Meeting dentist Richard Nagelberg, DDS recently announced that he will be partnering with Washington Crossing Family Practice physician Charles Whitney, MD to provide a state-of-the-art screening test for cardiovascular disease in their respective offices from June 23rd - 25th.

The Carotid Intima-Media Thickness (CIMT) Ultrasound is a screening test that detects vascular disease at an earlier stage than any other test available. It is the first non-invasive test that can see soft-plaque, which is more difficult to detect and poses the greatest risk for heart attack and stroke. Early detection allows for early treatment in an effort to prevent strokes and heart attacks. It is only recently available to the public and Dr. Whitney is bringing mobile service provider Vasolabs in from Texas to perform the tests.

According to Dr. Nagelberg, who writes and lectures extensively on the convergence of dentistry and medicine, "There's no doubt that oral health has a great effect on overall health. Why would a dentist be interested in arterial plaque? Because periodontal disease and the causative oral bacteria are directly and indirectly associated with cardiovascular disease. Patients are best served by having their dentist and physician working together to ensure optimum overall health."

In the words of Dr. Whitney, "Anyone who has oral disease needs vascular screening and anyone who has vascular disease needs oral screening. Our goal as clinicians is to prevent the first event of stroke or heart attack rather than wait until an event has occurred."

The CIMT Ultrasound is a non-invasive technology that utilizes a high resolution, directional wand to scan the carotid artery and very sophisticated software to render and interpret the images. The screening will be conducted by a specially-trained technician from Vasolabs and documented by a nurse from Dr. Whitney's office. The test only takes a few minutes and the patient does not need to disrobe.

The CIMT Ultrasound test will be offered by Drs. Nagelberg and Whitney on Thursday, June 23rd through Saturday, June 25th and must be scheduled in advance. The schedule is as follows:

  • Thursday, June 23rd from 9AM-11AM at Dr. Whitney's Washington Crossing Office (Revolutionary Health Services). Call 215-321-1371 to make an appointment.
  • Saturday, June 25th from 9AM to 12 Noon at Dr. Whitney's Washington Crossing Office. Call 215-321-1371 to make an appointment.

The test costs $190.00 and may be reimbursed as an out-of-network expense under some insurance plans. Please check with your insurance provider.

About Richard Nagelberg, DDS
Dr. Richard Nagelberg has practiced general dentistry in suburban Philadelphia for more than 29 years. He is a speaker, advisory board member, consultant, and key opinion leader for several dental companies and organizations. He lectures extensively on a variety of topics centered on understanding the impact dental professionals have beyond the oral cavity.

About Charles Whitney, MD
Dr. Charles Whitney graduated from Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia in 1990 and completed his Family Practice residency at the David Grant United States Air Force Medical Center. He is double Board Certified in the specialties of Family Medicine and Sports Medicine. His experience includes seven years as an Air Force physician and six years in the University of Pennsylvania Health System before establishing his "concierge" practice in 2003. He currently sits on the Board of Directors of the American Academy of Private Physicians, www.aapp.org.

Contact Information:

Media Contact:
Michael Ventriello
Lanmark360

732-389-4500 Ext .181