Copenhagen, February 25, 2015 - 3Shape A/S will officially launch Implant Studio™ software in the United States at the opening of Midwinter Meeting in Chicago, tomorrow, February 26.

Dental labs and dental practices use Implant Studio™ for prosthetic driven digital implant planning and surgical guide design.

Implant Studio™ merges, within the software, cone beam (CBCT) images with intraoral 3D digital impression files. As a result, dentists and dental labs are able to evaluate the clinical situation digitally, including the assessment of bone density and nerve positions prior to implant surgery.

Dental labs are then able to design as well as manufacture restorations and implant components, such as temporaries, crowns and abutments based on Implant Studio’s™ planning information. Labs can also design and print surgical guides using Implant Studio™. Surgical guides are then used by dentists to direct drilling during implant surgery.

Implant Studio™ technology enables dental labs to provide complete implant treatment packages prior to surgery. And for dentists, to deliver a full range of implant services to their patients.

In addition, dentists and labs can communicate and share files in real-time during implant planning and surgery via 3Shape Communicate™ software as well.

Leading prosthodontist and 3Shape Advisory Board Chairman, Dr. Jonathan L. Ferencz commented on what 3Shape digital technology has brought to implant planning by saying, “The difference digital dentistry has made to making a crown is tremendous. But the difference it has made in implant dentistry is night and day!”

Implant Studio™, as with all relevant 3Shape software, is open to standard DICOM CT and intraoral STL scan files. Dental professionals are able to access top implant systems (libraries) from major implant manufacturers from within the software.

Implant Studio™ is part of the 3Shape ecosystem of digital dentistry solutions including 3Shape’s industry leading, Dental System™ for labs.

Implant Studio ™ highlights: 

- All restorative components can be provided to the dentists before surgery.

- Easy implant planning with intuitive tools that merge the benefits of planning in both 3D and 2D.

- Virtual crown functionality - optimal implant placement in combination with the intended prosthetic design.

- Surgical guides - design cost-efficient surgical guides ready for local manufacturing.

- 3Shape Communicate™integration –receive 3D surface scans - from TRIOS® and from 3Shape desktop scanners, and send approved implant positions for designing abutments and crowns in Dental System™ with a click.

- Access implant systems (libraries) from major implant manufacturers within the software.

- Open software platform - supports open DICOM CT scans and STL surface scans.

Implant Studio™ received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) (510k) market clearance in November 2014. It is available in various configurations for both dental practices and labs.

Implant Studio™ can be purchased through 3Shape resellers. Actual availability to end-users will depend on the specific system configuration. Please contact your local 3Shape supplier, or visit https://support.3shape.com/www.3shapedental.com regarding reseller information. For more information, please visit www.3shapedental.com/implantstudio.

About 3Shape

3Shape is a Danish company specializing in the development and marketing of 3D scanners and CAD/CAM software solutions. 3Shape envisions the age of “full digital dentistry,” and its 500 plus employees, including more than 200 developers provide superior innovation power toward reaching this goal. 3Shape’s solutions are applied in thousands of labs in more than 100 countries worldwide, putting 3Shape technologies at the peak of the market in relation to units produced per day by dental technicians. With TRIOS®, 3Shape brings its vast expertise and innovation power directly to dentists. 3Shape boosts its first-line distributor support network with a training and support force of over 60 in-house experts placed in 5 support and service centers strategically located around the globe. 3Shape is a privately-held company headquartered in Copenhagen, with the market’s largest team dedicated to scanner and software development for the dental segment based in Denmark and Ukraine, production facilities in Poland, and Business Development & Support Offices at several locations in Europe, in North America, Latin America and in Asia.

For further information regarding 3Shape, please refer to www.3shapedental.com. Visit us on www.facebook.com/3shape, or view our mobile site on m.3shapedental.com. 

CHICAGO (February 2015) – Hu-Friedy, a global leader in the manufacture of dental instruments and products, today announced the 2015 Annual Global Ortho Wire Bending Contest. For the past 12 years, Hu-Friedy has been challenging orthodontic residents and practitioners worldwide to showcase their creativity and wire-bending talents onsite at the annual AAO show and more recently through an online challenge.

Both the online and onsite contests offer two separate submission categories: Single Wire and Anything Goes. The rules are simple: entries in the “Single Wire” category must be designed from a single piece of orthodontic wire, while entries in the “Anything Goes” category can be designed from multiple orthodontic wires.

The Online Voter’s Choice Contest will accept submissions from Feb. 17 – March 30, 2015. Contestants can enter on Hu-Friedy’s Facebook page or go directly to www.Hu-Friedy.com/wire-bending-contest. All entries will be posted to Hu-Friedy’s Facebook page beginning March 31 and open for voting through April 7. All online submissions are also eligible to bring to the onsite contest at AAO. The winner(s) of the online contest will be announced on April 8 and displayed at AAO. Winners will be automatically entered into the onsite contest. The online winner for “Anything Goes” will receive $1,500 (retail value) worth of Hu-Friedy Ortho Instruments and the “Single Wire” winner will win $500 (retail value) worth of Hu-Friedy instruments.

Submissions for the AAO onsite contest will be accepted at Hu-Friedy’s booth from the start of the show on May 16 until closing on May 18. Judging will take place the evening of May 18 and winners will be announced on May 20. Orthodontic wire and instruments will be available at the Hu-Friedy booth throughout the show for single wire submissions created onsite. Prizes include: $3,000 (retail value) worth of Hu-Friedy Ortho Instruments for Anything Goes and $1,000 (retail value) worth of Hu-Friedy instruments for the winner of the Single Wire competition.

Can’t make the show? Planning on bringing a carry on? Hu-Friedy is offering to bring your submission to the show for you! All you have to do is send your creation to our headquarters to arrive by no later than April 24 and we will take care of the rest!

Send to: Hu-Friedy Mfg. Co., LLC, Attn.: Megan Mendes, 3232 N. Rockwell St., Chicago, IL 60618. Please email Megan Mendes at mmendes@hu-friedy.com with any questions and to alert us of your shipment.

Both contests are open to global Orthodontic residents and private practitioners. Go to

www.Hu-Friedy.com/wire-bending-contest for a list of full contest details. To check out past Wire Bending contest entries go to Hu-Friedy’s Facebook page! 

About Hu-Friedy

Founded in Chicago in 1908, Hu-Friedy Manufacturing Company, LLC helps dental professionals perform at their best by producing dental instruments and products designed to function as an extension of each practitioner's particular skill. Its products, hand-crafted by highly-skilled artisans, are known for their precision, performance, longevity, reliability and quality. Headquartered in Chicago, Hu-Friedy products are distributed in more than 75 countries and the company maintains offices in Rotterdam, Tuttlingen, Germany, Milan, Shanghai and Tokyo. For more information, visit www.hu-friedy.com.

Prizes are subject to Sunshine Act disclosure requirements. In the following states special rules or restrictions may apply: California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Nevada and Vermont.  

INDIANAPOLIS, Feb. 23, 2015 -- AMD LASERS, a global leader in dental lasers and dental laser education, will unveil their newest addition to the award winning line of Picasso dental lasers – Picasso Perio – at the 150th Chicago Midwinter Meeting. This new product will also be featured on the front cover of the Dentistry New Journal on February 26, 2015.

Alan Miller, president and founder of AMD LASERS, expressed the company's thoughts on the unveiling of Picasso Perio. "We launched Picasso and Picasso Lite with the vision to make laser dentistry affordable for every dentist and hygienist and place a laser in every operatory in every office around the world. With Picasso Perio we are continuing this mindset, by providing an affordable total laser solution to periodontal disease for the general practitioner. The Picasso line of dental lasers are the most loved, celebrated, endorsed, and awarded lasers in dentistry and we are confident that Picasso Perio will make a great addition to any dental practice," added Miller. "I designed Picasso Perio with the features that dentists and hygienists want and need. We are introducing features that make periodontal treatment, surgery and even teeth whitening a breeze with easy to understand icons and treatment timers that give predictable results and give confidence that the laser treatment a patient receives is accurate and reproducible. Once again we are taking the leadership role in dental laser technology and giving the industry what they want and need. I am confident Picasso Perio will be a huge success just like our other products, but consider patients around the world to be the real winners," continued Miller.

Picasso Perio is the first laser that combines ease of use, portability, training, and marketing/treatment planning at an ultra-affordable price. Picasso Perio dental laser technology offers super-efficient cutting speeds for soft tissue surgeries; pre-programmed, easy to use presets for FDA cleared perio treatment protocols, and industry first treatment timers.

The most exciting part of the new Picasso Perio are the additional items and services that are included as part of the package. First, the Picasso Perio Laser Treatment Center (PPLTC), which combines innovation with art, was designed to not just house all the laser accessories, but also be the showcase for any dental office. Secondly, each new Picasso Perio owner will receive as part of their package, in-office multi-day training by a certified PPLTC dental hygienist, covering treatment planning and billing, laser safety, full office certification, and hands-on clinical training, ensuring that every practice will feel comfortable and confident using their new Picasso Perio dental laser. Lastly, each Picasso Perio package includes a comprehensive advanced marketing launch kit, consisting of a practice focused marketing plan, including a periodontal laser landing page, custom press release, patient focused marketing materials and much more; that will increase patient awareness and provide all the tools a practice needs to market laser dentistry effectively and efficiently.

Picasso Perio - Another industry first – Only from AMD LASERS.

About AMD LASERS

AMD LASERS is a global leader at providing laser technology for dental professionals preparing to take their practice to the next level. The integration of the Picasso line of soft tissue dental lasers enables every dental practice to provide treatment for soft tissue surgery, periodontal treatment, and laser whitening.

Tulsa, Okla., February 24, 2015, DENTSPLY Tulsa Dental Specialties, a producer and marketer of innovative products for endodontics, was pleased to be a sponsor for the sixth annual Oklahoma Mission of Mercy (OkMOM) dental clinic Feb. 6-7 in Tulsa, Okla.

Produced by the Oklahoma Dental Association, the Oklahoma Dental Foundation and the Delta Dental of Oklahoma Oral Health Foundation, the two-day OkMOM clinic is designed to meet the critical needs of dental patients of all ages by providing free dental care to as many adults and children as time, volunteers and supplies will allow.

“Many of our Tulsa employees donated their time and talent during the two-day event that provided treatment for more than 1,600 individuals receiving more than 12,000 procedures,” said John Voskuil, vice-president and general manager for DENTSPLY Tulsa. “We are proud to support an organization whose mission is to provide dental care to patients who might not otherwise have the opportunity to visit the dentist on a regular basis.”

Next year’s Oklahoma Mission of Mercy will be held in Oklahoma City, February 5-6, 2016. For more information about OkMOM, visit www.okmom.org.

DENTSPLY Tulsa Dental Specialties is widely-recognized as the leading marketer, developer and manufacturer of endodontic products in North America. The company’s world-class live and online Continuing Education courses bring enhanced clinical success and confidence to tens of thousands of clinicians annually. DENTSPLY Tulsa Dental Specialties is a division of York, Pennsylvania-based DENTSPLY International, Inc., a global dental and consumable medical device company with operations and sales in more than 120 countries. For more information, please visit www.TulsaDentalSpecialties.com or call 1-800-662-1202.

WASHINGTON, DC March 12, 2015 – The Hispanic Dental Association (HDA) is pleased to announce the launch of a key strategic collaboration with Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual). The yearlong partnership will allow the HDA to further its mission of providing service, education, advocacy, and leadership intended to eliminate oral health disparities in the Hispanic community. At the same time, this collaboration will allow MassMutual to help raise financial acumen among dental professionals as well as the Hispanic community. 

“This collaboration brings key support to dentists and members of the Oral Health Team across the country,” noted David Pena, Jr, Executive Director, Hispanic Dental Association. “We are confident that our partnership with MassMutual will bring valuable information and services to our Members and the Hispanic community across the country.”

As part of this collaboration, MassMutual will provide much-needed support to HDA chapters across the country including Houston, San Antonio, Northern Texas, Los Angeles and Chicago. The strategic collaboration will provide support in the form of financial education via seminars, scholarships for oral care students, recruitment at the professional and student levels via networking events, and community engagement via oral care screenings.

“We are proud to collaborate with the HDA to help Hispanic dental professionals obtain the resources needed to succeed at the personal and professional levels,” said Dr. Chris Mendoza, Vice President, Multicultural Market Development. “At MassMutual, we care about improving the financial literacy of our communities and this collaboration does just that. It not only helps educate Hispanic professionals about finances but also brings much needed oral care support to local Hispanic communities.”

MassMutual’s collaboration with the HDA is part of the company’s ongoing commitment to empower Hispanic consumers by helping them take positive steps toward financial security for themselves and their families. For more information about the MassMutual please visit https://www.massmutual.com.

About the Hispanic Dental Association (HDA)

The Hispanic Dental Association is a national, non-profit organization comprised of oral health professionals and students dedicated to eliminating oral health disparities in the Hispanic community by providing Service, Education, Advocacy, and Leadership. We are the leaders for Hispanic oral health providing Service, Education, Advocacy, and Leadership. For more information visit, www.HDAssoc.org, or the HDA twitter @HDAssoc.

About MassMutual

Founded in 1851, MassMutual is a leading mutual life insurance company that is run for the benefit of its members and participating policyowners. The company has a long history of financial strength and strong performance, and although dividends are not guaranteed, MassMutual has paid dividends to eligible participating policyowners consistently since the 1860s. With whole life insurance as its foundation, MassMutual provides products to help meet the financial needs of clients, such as life insurance, disability income insurance, long term care insurance, retirement/401(k) plan services, and annuities. In addition, the company’s strong and growing network of financial professionals helps clients make good financial decisions for the long-term. 

MassMutual Financial Group is a marketing name for Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) and its affiliated companies and sales representatives. MassMutual is headquartered in Springfield, Massachusetts and its major affiliates include: Babson Capital Management LLC; Baring Asset Management Limited; Cornerstone Real Estate Advisers LLC; The First Mercantile Trust Company; MassMutual International LLC; MML Investors Services, LLC, Member FINRA and SIPC; OppenheimerFunds, Inc.; and The MassMutual Trust Company, FSB.

For more information, visit www.massmutual.com or find MassMutual on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube and Google+.

MassMutual Financial Group is a marketing name for Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) and its affiliated companies and sales representatives. Local sales agencies are not subsidiaries of MassMutual or its affiliated companies. Agency officers are not officers of MassMutual.

ATLANTA, March 3, 2015 -- More than 450 children across the country without dental insurance received much needed dental care at no cost during the Kool Smiles "Sharing Smiles" free care day on Sunday, February 22, 2015.

Bone chilling temperatures and inclement weather in many of the 13 states where Kool Smiles offices offered free dental care didn't stop families from bringing in their children for a range of dental procedures. Although the free care day provided an opportunity to address immediate dental needs, it also underscored the dental access challenges families face and the overall lack of coverage for dental care.

"Throughout the day, we were reminded that there are still children who are unable to consistently access dental health care and all the benefits that come with it," said Dr. Polly Boehnlein, DDS, MS, a board-certified pediatric dentist and Managing Dental Director for Kool Smiles. "While Kool Smiles is proud to offer a full range of dental services to traditionally underserved populations – including patients covered under Medicaid or State Children's Health Insurance Plans (SCHIP) – there are still children for whom regular, affordable dental care is still sadly out of reach."

While largely preventable, childhood tooth decay remains the most common, chronic childhood disease. It is five times more common than asthma and affects 42 percent of children ages 2 to 11, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). If left untreated, dental decay can lead to pain, difficulty eating and chewing, and more serious infections - some of which can be life threatening.

"Children who have regular access to a dentist are likely to be healthier and happier," continued Dr. Boehnlein. "It is a rewarding experience to see children smile proudly and with confidence after receiving the dental care they need. No child should be deprived of access to dental care due to family finances."

In addition, studies show complications from a lack of dental care at an early age can compromise a child's academic performance. To that, Kool Smiles offers lesson plans to teachers for in-classroom education on proper dental hygiene practice. For more information on the Kool Smiles dental health lesson plans, click here.

Kool Smiles dentists, who provided more than $16 million in uncompensated care in 2014, also urge the entire dental professional community to bridge the dental divide in the U.S and reach out to families in need of care.

The "Sharing Smiles" day of free dental care was made possible by the volunteer efforts of Kool Smiles dentists, dental hygienists, dental assistants, office managers, clinical team leads, and other staff members. Sharing Smiles Day is sponsored by the Benevis Foundation.

About Kool Smiles

Kool Smiles is dedicated to creating a world of happy, healthy smiles. As a leading dental health provider, Kool Smiles' mission is to improve lives by providing high quality dental care in a fun, compassionate environment. Kool Smiles dentists are proud to offer care to kids and adults with almost any insurance plan, including State Children's Health Insurance Programs (SCHIP), Medicaid and Tricare. Kool Smiles also provides oral health education programs through partnerships with community schools and organizations. For more information, please visit www.mykoolsmiles.com. 

(Darien, Ill.) March 31, 2015 – More than a quarter of Americans recently confessed that a snoring bed partner makes them annoyed or angry, according to a survey* from the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM) – with one in five saying a snoring partner could drive them out of bed.

Americans who snore frequently may find intimate nights interrupted and their relationship as a whole at risk. Forty percent of women claim snoring in the opposite sex is a turn-off, and nearly one in 10 Americans went so far as to admit that snoring has hurt at least one of their romantic relationships.

Moreover, snoring, and the bed partner woes that come with it, aren’t isolated to an aging demographic. Generation Xers age 35-44 reported the highest incidence of snoring struggles, with 43 percent claiming a snoring partner steals their sleep, 35 percent saying it ticks them off and 24 percent admitting they want to – or do – sleep in a separate room because of their loved one’s loud snoring.  

“Because it can be embarrassing, snoring can often be the elephant in the room when it comes to addressing relationship frustrations and health concerns,” said Kathleen Bennett, DDS, president of the AADSM, the leading organization for dentists who treat sleep apnea with oral appliance therapy.

Using the survey data to highlight the plight of spouses of untreated sleep apnea sufferers, the AADSM is building awareness for dental sleep medicine and OAT as an effective snoring and sleep apnea treatment option. The resulting media coverage is helping to educate thousands of consumers about sleep apnea diagnosis and treatment, positioning the field of dental sleep medicine for more growth opportunities as patients seek out more information about sleep apnea and OAT.

Beyond the Bedroom: The Effects of Snoring on Health

In addition to pushing couples to sleep apart, 45 percent of women said they worry about the health of their bed partner when they snore. Snoring is a tell-tale sign of obstructive sleep apnea, a potentially life-threatening condition that causes sufferers to stop breathing during sleep for anywhere from a few seconds to more than a minute. If left untreated, sleep apnea can increase the risk for serious health problems from congestive heart failure, high blood pressure and heart disease to diabetes, depression and impotence.

“Sleep apnea is traditionally treated with a continuous positive airway pressure machine, which includes a constantly running motor, tubing and a face mask. CPAP is a great treatment but it can be hard to adjust to and sleep with,” said Dr. Bennett. “Many people are surprised to learn that dentists can help treat sleep apnea with oral appliance therapy, a device that can be less cumbersome and more discreet for the snorer and their partner.”

Oral Appliances: The Attractive Treatment Option

Oral appliance therapy (OAT) uses a small “mouth guard-like” device worn only during sleep to maintain an open, unobstructed airway, making it a “sexier” treatment than a CPAP mask. Single adults surveyed were twice as likely to prefer OAT to CPAP for a bed partner. Custom-made oral appliance devices prevent the airway from collapsing by supporting the jaw in a forward position. OAT is a proven and effective OSA treatment, and the devices also come with the perks of being silent, portable and simple to care for.

“I’ve treated so many couples who claim that oral appliance therapy saved their marriage by giving the snorer more energy and better health, and allowing the partner to sleep better in a shared bed,” said Dr. Bennett.

To learn more about professional development opportunities in dental sleep medicine offered by the AADSM, visit www.aadsm.org.

OAK BROOK, Ill., March 31, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Contrary to some parents' popular belief, their children aren't born with a fear of the dentist, rather, the apple may not fall far from the tree. A new nationwide survey, out today from Delta Dental Plans Association, finds that children may be picking up on their parents' fear of visiting the dentist.

The survey of parents with children 12 and under finds that nearly half (48 percent) of parents say they are nervous about going to the dentist, and roughly the same number (47 percent) of their children share the sentiment. While moms (55 percent) are more nervous than dads (40 percent) ahead of a dental appointment, they tend to have an easier time getting their kids to go to the dentist with 19 percent of moms saying it's one of the hardest things to do vs 37 percent of dads. The survey is being released in conjunction with National Anxiety Month in April. 

"It's easy for kids to pick up on their parents' anxieties when it comes to the dentist so parents should try to stay positive when talking with their children about dental visits," said Dr. Bill Kohn, DDS, Delta Dental Plans Association's vice president of dental science and policy. "It's also important for parents responsible for taking children to the dentist to remain relaxed and calm during visits to help kids feel at ease."

A routine dental visit is one of the most essential oral health habits for healthy teeth, but while many kids are apprehensive before a dental visit, nearly four in 10 (36 percent) are actually fearful. The top reason parents say children are anxious to see the dentist is the possibility of a painful visit (54 percent). Other reasons include concerns the visit might take too long (28 percent), it may require additional dental work (25 percent) and the child doesn't like his or her dentist (17 percent).

Whether children are a little nervous or downright afraid, Delta Dental offers parents these tips to help their children feel more comfortable going to the dentist:

• Start young. It's recommended that children visit the dentist within six months of getting the first tooth – and no later than the first birthday. Starting at a young age allows children and parents to establish a relationship with a dentist and helps start a routine of visiting the dentist regularly.

• Talk positively. If children ask questions before a visit to the dentist, avoid using words that could make them scared, such as drill, filling or shot. Unless they specifically ask if the procedures will be painful, avoid comforting kids by saying the dentist won't hurt them. Instead, explain that the dentist is simply going to check their smile and count their teeth.

• Play dentist at home. Before a dental appointment, play dentist and patient with children. Open your child's mouth and count his or her teeth. Be sure to avoid making any drilling noises and keep the experience positive. Let your child play dentist to a toy or stuffed animal, pretending to brush and count its teeth.

• Call ahead. Tell the dentist ahead of time that your child may be anxious about the visit. Most pediatric dental offices will have toys or music that children can focus on instead of the appointment itself, helping them relax and making a trip to the dentist a fun and enjoyable experience.

"If children have a bad experience, it could jeopardize their willingness to visit the dentist throughout childhood and into adulthood," added Kohn. 

Chicago, March 26, 2014 – Nearly 2,000 clinicians from 54 countries attended the 30^th Annual Meeting of the Academy of Osseointegration(AO), from March 12-14 in San Francisco. With the theme of “Science, Collaboration and Clinical Excellence for 30 Years,” the event featured presentations from internationally renowned speakers offering their experience and expertise in dental implants and tissue engineering. The meeting also showcased a record-breaking amount of research and a sold-out Exhibit Hall. 

“Every year I keep coming back because it’s eye opening every time,” said Dr. Luigi Massa, a general dentist from San Antonio. “Dental school gave us the basics, but AO has definitely opened the door to what is possible.”

To order conference proceedings on DVD-ROM, claim continuing education credits, view the Show Daily, or learn how to become an AO member visit www.osseo.org. Save the date for the 2016 Annual Meeting, from February 18-20 in San Diego, titled “Globalization of Implant Dentistry: A World Collaboration.” 

(Day One) AO Honors Professor Per-Ingvar Brånemark

“He was hypnotizing,” said Dr. Burton Langer, a periodontist from New York City, one of the many who gave tribute to Professor Per-Ingvar Brånemarkduring a special videomemorializing his life, which was played before the start of the Opening Symposium.

In the video, AO Past-President Dr. Joseph Gian-Grasso is quoted, “It is because of Professor Brånemark thatthe Academy of Osseointegration exists, and we aspire to encompass his passion and to continue his lifelong work to enhance oral health globally.”

Following the video, Osseointegration Foundation (OF) President Dr. Clarence Lindquist presented the 8^th Nobel Biocare Brånemark Osseointegration Award to Dr. Stephen Parel, saying the award will now be given in memory of Professor Brånemark.

Next, Opening Symposium speakers focused on The Power of Collaboration and the Team Approach. The event’s keynote speaker Dr. Daniel Alam, who was part of the multidisciplinary team that successfully performed the first near total face transplant in the U.S., discussed the importance of complex crossover skills of multiple providers and varied experience.

Other prominent leaders in their fields followed with their lessons learned about enhanced cooperation and coordination between surgical and restorative team members.

That evening, more than 140 young professionals gathered at the trendy 111 Minna Gallery for a special event hosted by AO’s Young Clinicians Committee (YCC).

“We’re pleased to contribute to AO’s growth and influence by bringing together committed young professionals to share their ideas and opinions,” said Lauren Brownfield, Chair of the Committee. To learn more about the YCC visit https://www.osseo.org/NEWyoungClinicians.html.

(DAY TWO) AO Examines, Guides and Explores   

Day two kicked off with the Morning with the Masters program, which included six concurrent sessions led by world-renowned experts. Among them, the editor-in-chief of the International Journal of Oral & Maxillofacial Implants (JOMI) presented a session titled “JOMI: Six Articles That May Change Your Thinking.”

The afternoon featured the Focus on South Korea Symposium, which included several presentations delivered by renowned dental experts from South Korea, a country that boasts the world’s highest per capita use of dental implants.

“South Korea is not only a highly developed implant market but also a leader in clinical research in the dental implant industry,” said Dr. David M. Kim, who co-moderated the Symposium with Dr. Brian Chang. “It’s both important and refreshing to see and hear how dentistry is practiced in different countries.”

Afternoon programming also included the track, Science in Treatment: Where’s the Evidence?, in which Dr. Clark Stanford gave a presentation focused on “drawing a line in the sand” surrounding the treatment and management of the edentulous maxilla. The information addressed outcomes of AO’s 2014 Summit, which will generate 12 upcoming papers to be published in JOMI.

That evening, nearly 3,000 attendees celebrated with 2014-15 AO President Dr. Joseph Gian-Grasso as his presidency drew to a close. They strolled galleries, tinkering with interactive exhibits and enjoying lively entertainment and conversation with colleagues at the Exploratorium. .

"Insights from world-renown experts and sharing ideas with old and new colleagues from across the globe make the AO and our Annual Meeting so unique and meaningful,” said Dr. Gian-Grasso during the President’s Reception. “The Exploratorium is the perfect place to celebrate another year of AO’s role in furthering our profession with our dedicated, curious and enthusiastic membership.”

(DAY THREE) AO Brings it All Together

Dr. Jennifer Doobrow and Tracy Butler, RDH, exemplified the high energy, enthusiastic, collaborative approach as they kicked off the Annual Meeting’s full-day TEAM Program, which brought dental team members together to discuss various approaches, challenges and choices.

Participants in Saturday’s full-day Laboratory Technician Program, featuring both dentists and dental laboratory technicians, received expert advice on optimizing efficiency when working together and creating treatment plans.

Considerations for Monday Morning’s Patient was a new series of six programs that focused on treating common cases. “We must ask ourselves how practical is the information being presented and how practical is it for our practices on Monday morning,” said Dr. Stephen Jacobs, introducing the session.

The Annual Meeting’s Closing Symposium was a group effort. Interactive Session: Putting it All Together – Two Missing Adjacent Teeth in the Esthetic Zone: Options for Treatment, enabled general dentists, specialists and other members of the dental team to provide input about treatment decisions and share their perspectives about the best treatment approach with the entire group. The program featured a panel of dental leaders imparting their expertise in diagnostics, surgical techniques and restorative analysis. The audience incorporated all panel and individual knowledge to provide their own input and the results were analyzed.

AO Research Goes Digital, Shapes Future of Implant Dentistry  

A record-breaking amount of original research, including clinical cases of interest in the field of implant dentistry, was presented at the Annual Meeting. Presentations ranged from digital planning and new esthetic techniques to prevention strategies and stem cell biology.

“The outstanding research we saw at this year’s meeting – presented by clinicians from around the world – will help to shape the future of implant dentistry,” said Dr. Mehrdad Favagehi, chair of AO’s Research Submission Committee. “I was particularly proud of the many young clinicians who presented research and showed a real commitment to furthering this field of dentistry and medicine.”

Dr. Favagehi’s committee brought E-Posters to AO’s Annual Meeting for the first time.To digitally view some 350 studies in this format, visit www.osseo.org. Search for each poster by its number, title, author or keyword. 

AO Elects New President

Russell D. Nishimura, DDS, a prosthodontist andProfessor Emeritus, UCLA School of Dentistry, was appointed 2015-2016 president of AO at the organization’s Annual Business Meeting. He succeeds former Academy President Dr. Gian-Grasso.

“The Academy of Osseointegration has always been committed to addressing and supporting the dynamic, rapidly advancing field of implant dentistry and the needs of its members,” said Dr. Nishimura. “I am ready to partner with my fellow Board Members to embrace fresh ideas while also carrying on our long-standing commitment to advancing oral health globally.”

Chicago, March 26, 2015 – Russell D. Nishimura, DDS, a prosthodontist from Westlake Village, Calif. and Professor Emeritus, UCLA School of Dentistry, was appointed president of the Academy of Osseointegration (AO) at the organization’s Annual Business Meeting held March 14 in San Francisco. He succeeds former Academy President Joseph E. Gian-Grasso, DMD, a periodontist from Philadelphia.

“The Academy of Osseointegration has always been committed to addressing and supporting the dynamic, rapidly advancing field of implant dentistry and the needs of its members,” said Dr. Nishimura. “I am ready to partner with my fellow Board Members to embrace fresh ideas while also carrying on our long-standing commitment to advancing oral health globally.”

This year, the AO Board will develop a new strategic plan to guide the organization in the coming years. It will include supporting research, promoting education, and fostering interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary care.

The 2015-2016 Board of Directors serving with Dr. Nishimura are:

Officers

·      President-ElectAlan S. Pollack, DDS, a periodontist from New York

·      Vice President Michael R. Norton, BDS, FDS, RCS (Ed), an oral surgeon from London

·      SecretaryJay P. Malmquist, DMD, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon from Portland, Ore.

·      Treasurer James C. Taylor, DMD, a prosthodontist from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

·      Past President Joseph E. Gian-Grasso, DMD, a periodontist fromPhiladelphia

Directors

·      Clark M. Stanford, DDS, PhD, a prosthodontist from Chicago       

·      Steven J. Rosenstein, DMD, a general practitioner from Aventura, Fla.

·      Tara L. Aghaloo, DDS, MD, PhD, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon from Los Angeles

·      Lyndon F. Cooper, DDS, PhD, a prosthodontist from Chapel Hill, N.C.

·      Amerian D. Sones, DMD, MS, a prosthodontist from Dallas, Texas

·      Donald S. Clem III, DDS, a periodontist from Fullerton, Calif. (newly appointed)

Board Appointment

·      General Practice Officer Jeffrey D. Lloyd, DDS, a general practitioner from Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.(newly appointed)

About Dr. Nishimura

Dr. Nishimura received his B.S. and D.D.S. degrees from UCLA. He completed post-graduate programs in Hospital Dentistry, Prosthodontics, and Maxillofacial Prosthetics at the UCLA School of Dentistry. Appointed as a full-time faculty member at UCLA, he taught removable prosthodontics and chaired the RPD, Immediate Dentures and Osseointegrated Implants courses. Dr. Nishimura became Co-Director of the Maxillofacial Prosthetics Residency Program, Director of the UCLA Maxillofacial Prosthetic and Implant Laboratory and later the Executive Vice-Chairman of the Division of Advanced Prosthodontics, Biomaterials and Hospital Dentistry. Promoted to Professor in the Division of Restorative Dentistry, he taught fixed prosthodontics, operativeand esthetic dentistry, later retiring as Professor Emeritus. 

Dr. Nishimura has authored over 50 publications in the dental literature and is a member of many professional organizations, including OKU, Pierre Fauchard Academy, ADA and the American College of Prosthodontists. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Maxillofacial Prosthetics and a Fellow of the AO and has served on the Board of Directors for both organizations. He has been an invited speaker at numerous national and international meetings.

Dr. Nishimura currently maintains a private practice limited to Prosthodontics and Implant Dentistry in Westlake Village, Calif.

About the Academy of Osseointegration

With 6,000 members in 70 countries around the world, the AO is recognized as the premier international association for professionals interested in implant dentistry. AO serves as a nexus where specialists and generalists can come together to evaluate emerging research, technology, and techniques, share best information, and coordinate optimal patient care using timely, evidence-based science and methods. Follow AOon Facebookand Twitter.