Guardian Launches Coverage for Zila Pharmaceutical's ViziLite(R) Plus Technology to Improve Oral Cancer Screening
March 08 2007 - 1:05PM
PR Newswire (US)
Bolsters Efforts to Fight Disease Through Oral Preventive Care NEW
YORK, March 8 /PRNewswire/ -- In the wake of mounting evidence
about the connection between oral health and overall health, The
Guardian Life Insurance Company of America (Guardian) today
announced that it will offer coverage for ViziLite(R) Plus with
TBlue630(TM), an oral cancer screening technology that can detect
early signs of oral cancer. ViziLite Plus with TBlue630 can
dramatically increase chances of survival. Guardian is one of the
first benefits providers to offer ViziLite Plus coverage nationally
through a dental PPO network. Oral cancer claims the life of one
American every hour, according to The American Cancer Society.
However, when oral cancer is detected early, treatment is 90%
successful and less costly. The ViziLite Plus exam is fast and
painless, and can help save lives. ViziLite Plus with TBlue630
helps dentists identify abnormal oral tissue with lumenoscopy
technology. The advanced light technology enables dentists to
detect abnormalities that the naked eye can't see. "Guardian has
been at the forefront of promoting effective, affordable,
preventive dental care," said John Foley, vice president, Guardian
Group Dental and Chairman of the Board for the National Association
of Dental Plans (NADP). "While incidences of many cancers have been
on the decline, the incidence of oral cancer has increased. Risk
factors for oral cancer include smoking, heavy drinking and
genetics. Those over age 40 are most vulnerable. But according to
the New York County Dental Society (NYCDS) and OralScan
Laboratories, 25% of oral cancers occur in people with no lifestyle
risk factors. We are pleased to offer the cutting-edge ViziLite
Plus screening technology in the fight against oral cancer." A
study commissioned by Guardian, Benefits & Behavior: Spotlight
on Dental, revealed that 89% of Americans equate oral health with
their overall health, and for good reason. Numerous studies have
linked an unhealthy mouth to an increased risk of serious health
problems such as heart attack, stroke, cancer, diabetes and preterm
labor. "There are many illnesses such as oral cancer that are not
regularly in the media spotlight, but are no less deadly and
devastating to families," said Richard Goren, DDS, second vice
president, Guardian Group Dental. "We believe that offering
coverage of treatments such as adult fluoride and ViziLite Plus
exams, coupled with innovative programs such as Guardian's Maximum
Rollover, which allows PPO members to roll over a portion of their
unused annual maximum in case the need for more extensive dental
care arises in the future, go a long way to help consumers wield
the power of the toothbrush in the battle against disease and
illness." Zila Chairman, President and CEO Doug Burkett, Ph.D.,
added, "We are gratified to see the inclusion of coverage of
ViziLite Plus with TBlue630. It is evidence of the fast-growing
adoption of this potentially life-saving device by our nation's
dentists, and it moves ViziLite Plus exams that much closer to
being recognized as the standard of care across the entire
profession." For more information please contact your local
Guardian Group Representative or log on to
http://www.guardianlife.com/home/get_quotes_and_product_info.html
to find a representative near you. Guardian is celebrating the 50th
anniversary of its Group employee benefit business. In honor of
this milestone the company will issue a series of educational
surveys and reports to help employees, employers and benefit
decision makers better understand how they can jumpstart their
financial lives, improve recruitment, retention and employee
satisfaction by maximizing the use and power of their workplace
coverage. The first report released in the series is entitled,
Benefits & Behavior: Spotlight on Dental. The report can be
found at http://www.guardiandental.com/ About Guardian Founded in
1860, The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, New York, NY
(Guardian) is one of the largest mutual life insurance companies in
the United States. As of December 31, 2005, Guardian and its
subsidiaries had $36.9 billion in assets (on a consolidated
statutory basis). With more than 5,000 employees and 3,000
financial representatives, as well as over 85 agencies nationwide,
Guardian and its subsidiaries protect individuals, businesses, and
their employees with life, disability, health, long-term care, and
dental insurance products, and offer 401(k), financial products and
trust services. More information about Guardian can be obtained at:
http://www.guardianlife.com/. About Zila, Inc. Zila, Inc.,
headquartered in Phoenix, is a leading cancer diagnostic company
focused on oral cancer: - Zila Pharmaceuticals is dedicated to
establishing ViziLite(R) Plus as the new standard of care for the
early detection of oral abnormalities that could lead to cancer,
with initial focus on the dental market through Pro-Dentec(R), a
leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of products sold
exclusively to dental professionals for Soft Tissue Management
("STM(R)") including the Rota-dent(R) Professional Powered Brush,
the Pro-Select3(R) Piezo-Ultrasonic Scaler System and a suite of
pharmaceutical STM(R) products for both in-office and home-care
use. - Zila Biotechnology is focused on achieving regulatory
approval for the next generation oral cancer diagnostic,
OraTest(R), followed by the development of additional applications
of its cancer detection technologies. For more information about
Zila, visit http://www.zila.com/. DATASOURCE: The Guardian Life
Insurance Company of America CONTACT: Jennifer McClellan of Manning
Selvage & Lee, Tel: +1-212-468-3554, Fax: +1-212-468-3654, ; or
Anayo Afolabi of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America,
Tel: +1-212-598-8329, Fax: +1-212-919-2790, Web site:
http://www.zila.com/ http://www.guardiandental.com/
http://www.guardianlife.com/
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