Dental Insider
Research and Education Kick off NIDCR 60th Birthday Year at DC Annual Gala
“What a unique group of individuals attending tonight—individual researchers, dental school deans, patient advocacy groups, educators, dentists, major dental corporations, The Washington Post, Scientific American, and almost all of the other non- profit dental organizations from across the US, Canada, and England,” said Peter Anas, executive director of the Friends of the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (FNIDCR), who has just completed his first 6 months with the organization.
This typified the feelings at the 9th Annual Gala, held at the National Press Club in Washington, DC. Lawrence Tabak, DDS, PhD, director of the NIDCR, introduced by R. Bruce Donoff, DMD, MD, president of the FNIDCR, addressed the audience with an overview of the exciting and promising research being conducted at the Institute as we begin celebration of its 60th anniversary. He highlighted work performed in salivary diagnostics, genome-wide association studies, practice-based research networks, and oral health disparity centers. He said that “research is about the patient who will be helped by the answers we find.” This is what drives him and his team at the NIDCR—“to make sure each and every one of us has the chance to lead as healthy and as full lives as possible.”
US Representative Mike Simpson (R-ID) served as the Gala’s keynote speaker. Simpson championed the notion of the importance of providing proper federal funding for health and education-related causes because of how it benefits and strengthens our society. He applauded the medical research being conducted at the NIDCR and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the work of organizations like FNIDCR that support the Institute in their missions. Simpson offered that “the benefits that result from research being conducted at NIH are some of the best kept secrets to the American taxpayer.”
Yolanda Bonta, DMD, MS, gala chair and FNIDCR past president noted that “the Board of Directors has chosen to recognize a remarkable group of people who do what they do, because they genuinely care about oral health.”
Two Harold Slavkin/DENTSPLY Oral Health Science Education Awards were presented by Linda Niessen DMD, MPH, MPP, past president of FNIDCR and vice president of Clinical Education at DENTSPLY International. The award is presented to a K-12 teacher who has demonstrated creative and innovative use of science curricula to teach oral health which imparts excitement about oral health and oral health research. This year’s winners were Heather Rotella and Jennifer Eiben, both eLearning project managers at the Susan Byrnes Health Education Center in York, PA, “for their roles in developing an innovative online oral health curriculum called Decay? NoWay! for grades 1 to 3,” says Niessen. They decided that the easiest place for teachers to access this curriculum was to make it available on the Web. So the LearntobeHealthy.org, Web site was developed.
Two Media Awards of Excellence were presented. The first recipient was Scientific American, for its publication “Oral & Whole Body Health.” The second recipient was The Washington Post for their articles about 12-year-old Deamonte Driver from Maryland, whose untreated dental abscess led to a bacterial infection that spread to his brain and caused his death.
The Outstanding Public Advocacy Award was presented by Dushanka Kleinman DDS, MScD, FNIDCR board member, to Judy Sherman, senior congressional lobbyist, American Dental Association Governmental Affairs. This is presented to an individual who has helped foster improved healthcare for patients and other health consumers through advocacy efforts for specific patient groups and/or public education activities. Four awardees were presented with the Award for Distinction in Public Service, in appreciation of a commitment to excellence and outstanding leadership in oral healthcare: Alice DeForest, executive director, American Academy of Periodontology; Robert Klaus, president and CEO, Oral Health America; Gary Price, CEO, Dental Trade Alliance; and The National Museum of Dentistry, accepted by Rosemary Fetter, executive director.
The surprise entrance of a 60th birthday cake for each table raised the excitement level of the attendees. This introduced the official kickoff to the NIDCR 60th Anniversary by Mary Kaye Richter, FNIDCR vice president and executive director of the National Foundation for Ectodermal Dysplasias.
iMagDent Academy
The iMagDent Academy (Austin, TX) is now open in San Antonio, TX. The iMagDent Academy teaches dental teams hands-on hardware and software skills, including training in the latest CBCT software. Our courses are designed to ultimately improve patient communication and case acceptance, while improving overall workflow in both private practices and imaging labs. Geared toward the dental staff, our courses will leverage your hardware and/or software investment by increasing knowledge and efficiency. Imagine how powerful the 3-D technology could be in your office if the entire staff was proficient and motivated to use it. Call today for course catalog and openings 210-404-1215.
CRA Foundation Announces Name Change, Expanded Goals
CRA Foundation announced that it has changed its name to CR Foundation, effective January 1, 2008. The name was simplified from Clinical Research Associates to Clinicians Report to reflect an expanded vision and an increase in scope of the Foundation’s research and educational services.
This name change reflects an expanded direction for the Foundation. “We are increasing our research base by several thousand qualified professionals all over the world,” states Dr. Gordon Christensen, CR Foundation co-founder and senior consultant. “We are launching new ground-breaking programs that will significantly increase communication among dental professionals.” CR will be initiating a new Dentist Project Directors program, a Cyber Evaluator reporting program, and a new reporting process allowing thousands of clinicians to report their experiences with products they have purchased. These new programs will enhance the efforts of the current team of in-house basic scientists and over 400 in-office evaluators. These combined efforts will provide fast, broad, in-depth research and clinical observations of significance to both dentists and their patients. “CRA was created to give dentists an unbiased, research-based dental product review,” says Dr. Rella P. Christensen, co-founder. Rella Christensen pioneered the concept of working with large groups of practicing dentists in coordinated, long-term research projects. These projects will continue under her direction.
CR Foundation will be making additional changes to the internal structure of the company. The most visible change will be in the redesign and new name of the monthly newsletter. The CRA Foundation Newsletter will be titled the Gordon J. Christensen Clinicians Report in honor of its founder’s vision for the future needs of dentistry.
Dr. Gordon Christensen states, “CR Foundation remains the only non-profit, private, dental product evaluating group working with all types of products and dedicated to serving dental practitioners throughout the world. There is a real need in the dental industry for unbiased product evaluations, a need that we have been serving for more than 30 years, and a need we will continue to serve for years to come.”
Biomet 3i Global Symposium
The BIOMET 3i (Palm Beach Gardens, FL) Global Symposium: Science And Technology Reshape Implant Dentistry will be held April 24 to 26, 2008 at the Hyatt Regency in Chicago, IL. More than 30 internationally renowned speakers will present the latest technologies and techniques during the 3-day event.
The event includes seven optional, full-day Pre-symposium Programs on April 24 including CT guidance technology, comprehensive treatment planning for the implant team, two practice management programs, current principles for augmentation of the posterior maxilla, and the latest technologies for the laboratory technician.
The General Session will take place on April 25 and 26. More than 20 world-class clinicians will present the latest technologies and concepts in dental implant therapy focusing on bone preservation and esthetics, immediate loading, site preparation, and an update on cutting-edge, innovative products. Attendees will have the opportunity to earn as many as 20 CE credits. General Session programs will be simultaneously translated in French, German, Italian, and Spanish.
An exclusive program for auxiliary personnel involved in every phase of implant therapy will be offered concurrent to the General Session. This program will include the latest surgical and restorative technologies and the impact on the patient and the practice, interpersonal office communications, and practice enhancement techniques.
For more information and to register, please visit the BIOMET 3i Web site at www.biomet3i.com.
Pamela J. Runge Joins DenTek To Lead New Professional Oral Care Division
DenTek (Maryville, TN), developer and manufacturer of many of the nation’s best-selling consumer oral health products, has named Pamela J. Runge, a 20-year dental industry professional, to lead the company’s entry into the dental professional marketplace as vice president/professional oral care.
The new division will allow dentists and hygienists to ally their practices with the company that produces the nation’s Number 1 retail brand of floss picks, dental picks, tongue cleaners, and dental mirrors, based on AC Nielsen FDMx Scan Data.
DenTek president David Fox stated, “Our new division will allow dental professionals to offer their patients our innovative products that are proven to drive compliance. In the months to come, we will also be introducing a number of innovative professional products. Based on her strong experience, Pamela Runge is the ideal person to help lead us into this exciting new market.”
“I am excited to be a part of this forward-thinking company,” Ms. Runge said. “DenTek has been among the nation’s favorite consumer brands of oral care products for over 20 years. We are committed to becoming a leader in the professional market, by providing next-generation products as well as community involvement, patient and professional education, and other resources that will help dental professionals drive patient compliance and build their practices.”
MIDMARK ACQUIRES EUROPEAN DESIGN, INC
Midmark Corporation (Versailles, OH) announced the acquisition of European Design Inc (Glasgow, KY), a leading manufacturer of premium cabinetry for healthcare professions. European Design is known for manufacturing beautifully designed cabinetry that offers the dental clinician excellent value and improved efficiency while stainless steel bases provide the durability for even the most demanding clinical environments.
“This truly gives Midmark the best of both worlds to present to our customers—the unmatched durability of Midmark metal casework and the unrivaled beauty and warmth of European Design cabinetry,” said Midmark president and CEO Dr. Anne Eiting Klamar. “This acquisition positions Midmark as the company in the dental market with the most complete offering of cabinets available to the dental professional.”
Midmark plans to continue to manufacture and market its current line of dental casework, and will add the European Design cabinets to its complete offering of dental equipment. For more information, visit www.midmark.com or www.europeandesigninc.com.
New Home!
Bausch Articulating Papers, Inc (Nashua, NH), the North American importer and sales hub of Dr. Jean Bausch KG in Cologne, Germany, has recently acquired and designed a state-of-the-art warehouse/office space in Nashua, New Hampshire. Ron and Donna Kraus, the owners of the company, are confident that the new space “will allow for further expansion in the dental market and even faster service to all the significant dealers in the USA and Canada.” Bausch occlusion product sales have continued to dominate over 70% of the North American marketplace. For more information, visit www.bauschdental.com.
Ada Products Company’s Beyond™ Dental Materials Receive High Marks from The Dental Advisor
Ada Products Company, Inc (Eatontown, NJ) announced that two of its Beyond™ dental products received very high ratings from The Dental Advisor, an independent organization that performs research and provides information to dental professionals regarding dental products and equipment.
Specifically, Beyond™ Temporary Crown & Bridge System and Beyond™ Temporary Zinc Oxide Non-Eugenol Cement were both recently evaluated by The Dental Advisor and each received ratings of 4 +s out of a possible 5 +s.
“We’re extremely pleased with the positive feedback we routinely get from dental professionals. This independent evaluation report confirms that the Beyond product line has a place in virtually every dental practice where esthetic efficiency is a concern,” remarked Tom Figurelli, president of Ada Products Company.
For more information about Beyond products, please call 800-471-4411 or visit www.adaproducts.net.
3D Summit of Digital Dentistry
On March 14 and 15, Sirona Dental Systems (Charlotte, NC) and the Scottsdale Center for Dentistry (Scottsdale, AZ) will host the 3D Summit on Digital Dentistry. This comprehensive symposium will feature lectures and live patient case studies showcasing the latest advancements in 3-D digital dentistry. A multidisciplinary approach will provide up-to-date instruction on dental imaging technologies in oral surgery, implantology, and orthodontics. The event is designed for those dental professionals seeking to improve treatment outcomes with better use of digital imaging, whether or not they are currently using 3-D applications. Topics include Implant Treatment and Surgical Guide Applications, Occlusal Modeling and Simulation, Radiological Responsibilities and Liabilities, Practical Applications of 3-D Technology in Orthodontics, and a host of other seminars and events designed to provide a complete digital dental learning experience. Speakers include Drs. Lyndon Cooper, Eric Dierks, Chung How Kau, James Mah, Peter Mah, Armen Mizrayan, Robert Morrison, Carlos Navarro, Sameer Puri, Jay Reznick, Don Tyndall, Tom Schiff, Brian Smith, and more. A total of 13.5 CE credits are available. As space is very limited, register early at www.3dsummit.com.
Success of V-Ring Earns TrioDent National Business Accolades
TrioDent (Katikati, New Zealand), maker of the revolutionary V-Ring, was judged ninth fastest-growing company in New Zealand at the 2007 Deloitte/Unlimited Fast 50 Index awards. TrioDent also received regional awards for being the fastest-growing new entrant, the fastest-growing manufacturer, and the fastest-growing exporter in the Central North Island.
The awards acknowledge the V-Ring’s performance, intelligent design and rapid adoption by dentists all around the world and echo the success of Triodent winning the 2007 Export NZ Bay of Plenty Exporter of the Year award and the Innovation in Export award.
For information on the V-Ring Sectional Matrix System, visit www.triodent.com.
