CHARLOTTE, N.C. — (September 15, 2014) Danaher Corporation announced today that it has entered into a definitive transaction agreement to acquire Nobel Biocare Holding AG, the world leader in implant dentistry. Over the past 40 years, Nobel Biocare has established itself as a pioneer in nearly every aspect of implant dentistry — from PI Brânemark’s discovery of osseointegration, to Procera digital prosthetic solutions and treating fully edentulous patients. In doing so, Nobel Biocare has dramatically changed the lives of millions of patients. Implants and prosthetics are one of the most exciting categories in dentistry today, offering a unique opportunity for dental professionals to deliver long-term solutions to women and men who desire a smile that is both beautiful and functional. With the ways in which technology and materials science continue to shape the implant dentistry workflow, bringing Nobel Biocare to the dental platform upholds Danaher’s commitment to be a world leader in dentistry.

Nobel Biocare will be a cornerstone of the dental platform. With the addition of Nobel Biocare, Danaher will be the strongest consumable and equipment player in the dental industry, with sales approaching $3 billion. Dental implants is a $3.5 billion market with attractive long term growth drivers, including an aging population, growing income in high growth markets and low penetration rates of dental implants in most geographies today. With this acquisition, Danaher will have an unmatched position in dental implants with Nobel Biocare in the premium segment and the Implant Direct joint venture in the value segment; the company plans to further invest in both these segments. Nobel Biocare will operate as a stand-alone company within Danaher’s dental platform, maintaining its own brand and identity. Implant Direct will remain as a standalone joint venture with no change in its go to market strategy.

“We will continue to invest in a wide range of dental technologies and innovations to better serve our customers. Bringing Nobel Biocare’s deep expertise in implant dentistry, digital prosthetics and software solutions together with our extensive knowledge in 3D imaging, intraoral scanning and digital restorative solutions will further enable us to optimize and integrate workflows. This will lead to better clinical outcomes, shorter treatment times and fewer office visits to the benefit of patients and dental practitioners,” said Henk van Duijnhoven, Senior Vice President of Danaher’s dental platform. “This combination will further support our business strategy and position our dental business for future growth.”

Danaher’s dental platform reaches 99% of all dental practices through an extensive network of dealer partners as well as direct sales. It will continue its strategy of working closely with its highly valued distribution partners as well as direct sales to maximize market access for all its brands.

“Nobel Biocare’s leadership team has done an outstanding job creating a strong platform for future growth over the last couple of years,” van Duijnhoven added. “Our team is excited to work with CEO Richard Laube and the Nobel Biocare team to build on their efforts toward continued innovation, growth and business improvement. We look forward to welcoming all Nobel Biocare’s associates, customers and key opinion leaders to the Danaher team.”

Millions of infants, children and adolescents in the United States did not receive key clinical preventive services, according to a report published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in today’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) Supplement.

Clinical preventive services are various forms of important medical or dental care that support healthy development. They are delivered by doctors, dentists, nurses and allied health providers in clinical settings. These services prevent and detect conditions and diseases in their earlier, more treatable stages, significantly reducing the risk of illness, disability, early death, and expensive medical care.

The CDC report focuses on 11 clinical preventive services: prenatal breastfeeding counseling, newborn hearing  screening and follow-up, developmental screening, lead screening, vision screening, hypertension screening, use of dental care and preventive dental services, human papillomavirus vaccination, tobacco use screening and cessation assistance, chlamydia screening and reproductive health services.

The findings offer a baseline assessment of the use of selected services prior to 2012, before or shortly after implementation of the Affordable Care Act. Sample findings include:

·         In 2007, parents of almost eight in 10 (79 percent) children aged 10-47 months reported that they were not asked by healthcare providers to complete a formal screen for developmental delays in the past year.

·         In 2009, more than half (56 percent) of children and adolescents did not visit the dentist in the past year and nearly nine of 10 (86 percent) children and adolescents did not receive a dental sealant or a topical fluoride application in the past year.

·         Nearly half (47 percent) of females aged 13-17 years had not received their recommended first dose of HPV vaccine in 2011.

·         Approximately one in three (31 percent) outpatient clinic visits made by 11-21 year-olds during 2004–2010 had no documentation of tobacco use status; eight of 10 (80 percent) of those who screened positive for tobacco use did not receive any cessation assistance.

CHICAGO — The American Dental Association’s (ADA) Council on Scientific Affairs, on an ongoing basis, monitors and evaluates the safety of all ADA Seal-Accepted products. If the council’s evaluation determines sufficient scientific evidence exists that an ADA Seal-Accepted product poses a health risk, the council has the authority to withdraw the Seal from that product. At this time, clinically relevant dental health studies do not indicate that the Seal should be removed from toothpastes that contain polyethylene microbeads.

Polyethylene microbeads are commonly used as scrub beads, such as in exfoliating products, but are also sometimes used in chewing gum and toothpaste, as part of the product design. Small quantities of the colored polyethylene specks are included in some of Crest’s toothpastes, including Crest Pro Health, which has the ADA Seal of Acceptance.

The Council will continue to monitor and evaluate new scientific information on this issue as it becomes available.

Products with the ADA Seal have been independently evaluated for safety and effectiveness by the ADA Council on Scientific Affairs. The ADA “Guidelines for Participation in the ADA’s Seal of Acceptance Program” describe the general criteria for earning the ADA Seal.  In addition, many product categories have specific product guidelines that give the types of safety and effectiveness studies required.