Chicago, IL -- April 6th, 2015 — With the launch of a new 4 oz size of GUM^® Paroex^® Chlorhexidine Gluconate USP, 0.12% Oral Rinse, Sunstar Americas today reminded dental professionals that it has the only FDA-approved alcohol-free chlorhexidine rinse, which makes it possible for their entire patient base to have access to the same standard of care for the treatment of gingivitis. Paroex is designed to be used as part of a professional program to treat gingivitis, leading to better gum health.

According to the company, other chlorhexidine rinses contain 11.6% alcohol as an inactive ingredient, yet they are no more therapeutically effective than alcohol-free Paroex. Alcohol in oral rinses may cause a burning sensation. This can be a barrier to patient compliance, as patients who may need to avoid alcohol may decide to not use the rinse or even decline to have their prescriptions filled.

“Virtually every dental practice has some patients who may need to avoid alcohol, and many more who find that alcohol-containing rinses cause a burning sensation,” said Jim Doyle, Sunstar Americas Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “Paroex is the perfect choice for these patients. In fact, given that alcohol-free Paroex is therapeutically equivalent to the alcohol-containing rinses1, we believe Paroex is the perfect choice for all patients.”

Sunstar Americas makes Paroex available in 16 ounce bottles and, starting in April 2015, in 4 ounce bottles that patients can take home from their dental practice. This provides yet another way in which Paroex can contribute to higher levels of patient compliance relative to alcoholcontaining rinses.

Finally, Mr. Doyle reminds us, “When in doubt, leave the alcohol out.”

GUM Paroex contains chlorhexidine gluconate (0.12%) as the active ingredient. Anaphylaxis, as well as serious allergic reactions, have been reported during postmarketing use with dental products containing chlorhexidine.

More information can be found below or at www.paroex.com.

Sunstar Americas

Sunstar Americas, Inc., (formerly John O. Butler Company) is a member of the Sunstar Group of companies, a global organization headquartered in Switzerland that serves oral health care professionals and consumers in 90 countries around the world. Sunstar’s mission is to enhance the health and well-being of people everywhere via its four business areas: mouth and body, health and beauty, healthy home, safety and technology. Please visit us at www.sunstar.com.

CHICAGO -- Mar 31, 2015 -- Hu-Friedy, a global leader in the manufacturing of dental instruments and products, has released Part 1 of Implant Fundamentals, a complete 3-part eBook series focused on the life cycle of a dental implant.

Part 1: Patient Assessment and Extraction, is now available for free download at www.hu-friedy.com/implantfundamentals.

The eBook, which has been reviewed by global leaders in Implantology, is designed to appeal to both general practitioners and specialists. For general dentists, it provides procedural information regarding implant assessment and placement, as well as how a dental practice can achieve optimal implant outcomes through implementation of proper procedures and systems. For specialists, the book can be used for educating patients or their implant team.

The eBook aims to further clinicians' understanding of total implant care. Ron Saslow, chairman and CEO of Hu-Friedy, adds, "Hu-Friedy's dedication to helping dental practitioners perform at their best goes beyond the products we make, to include educational resources and support. Our Implantology eBook combines the latest research and clinical techniques to help dental teams achieve success with implant treatment."

Five distinguished dental practitioners served as scientific reviewers for the eBook: Dr. Carlos Quinones, Dr. Lee Silverstein, Dr. Jon Suzuki, Dr. István Urbán, and Prof. Mauro Labanca.

"Hu-Friedy is the premier instrument company devoted to innovation, product development and education," said Dr. István Urbán, a leading Oral Surgeon & Periodontist who lectures and conducts courses globally on advancing surgical techniques and improving clinical outcomes. "What I appreciate most about Hu-Friedy is that its instrument design closely follows new findings in clinical research and surgical approaches. Hu-Friedy's new Implantology Guide is just another example of the company's commitment to advancing education."

Other topics covered in Part 1 of the eBook include Biological Width, Prosthetically Driven Treatment Planning and Atraumatic Tooth Extraction. Parts 2 and 3 of the guide will be released subsequently over the next three months. Recommended instrumentation kits will be available to those who download the guide.

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. For more information, visit www.hu-friedy.com.

CHICAGO -- March 31, 2015 -- According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, more than 43,000 new cases of oral cancer will be diagnosed this year, and oral cancer is expected to cause more than 8,000 deaths—about one death per hour.

In observance of Oral Cancer Awareness Month, the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) recommends that patients visit their dentists every six months for a dental exam. Dental exams not only help to decrease a patient's risk of oral diseases, such as cavities and gum disease, but they also may help to diagnose potentially life-threatening medical conditions, such as oral cancer.

"Checking for oral cancer is quick and painless," says AGD Spokesperson Vincent Mayher, DMD, MAGD. "Your dentist will feel for lumps or irregular tissue changes in the neck, throat, cheeks, and mouth, and look for any sores or discoloration."

Oral cancer is particularly dangerous because it can go unnoticed by patients in its preliminary stages. In many cases, however, dentists can identify its early signs and symptoms.

"General dentists are the first line of defense against oral cancer, and early detection is key to increasing survival rates," he says. "If it is not diagnosed and treated in its early stages, oral cancer can be deadly."

Scientists are not sure of the exact cause of oral cancer. However, risk factors include tobacco use, excessive alcohol use, age, gender (oral cancer strikes men twice as often as it does women), and race (oral cancer occurs twice as frequently in African Americans than Caucasians). Research also has uncovered a connection between the human papillomavirus (HPV), the most common sexually transmitted infection in the U.S., and oral cancer.

"In addition to brushing and flossing your teeth twice daily, scheduling two visits with your general dentist each year helps to ensure that any concerns are caught early on," says Dr. Mayher.

To bring further attention to this topic, the AGD Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the AGD, will host free oral cancer screenings with oral health education for the general public at AGD 2015, the AGD's annual meeting, in San Francisco. In addition, the AGD Foundation aims to provide AGD's 39,000 members with free or low-cost continuing education on the latest oral cancer-identification techniques, and a webinar series on how to better screen during routine dental exams. The AGD Foundation is proud to be an intellectual partner of the Global Oral Cancer Forum—an international assembly of passionate professionals focused on building awareness gaps on innovation, prevention, patient care, technology, and services.

To locate an AGD dentist in your area, use the Find an AGD Dentist tool at www.KnowYourTeeth.com.

About the Academy of General Dentistry

The Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) is a professional association of 39,000 general dentists dedicated to providing quality dental care and oral health education to the public. AGD members stay up-to-date in their profession through a commitment to continuing education. Founded in 1952, the AGD is the second largest dental association in the United States, and it is the only association that exclusively serves the needs and represents the interests of general dentists. A general dentist is the primary care provider for patients of all ages and is responsible for the diagnosis, treatment, management, and overall coordination of services related to patients' oral health needs. For more information about the AGD, visit www.agd.org.

April 1, 2015 -- DENTSPLY International Inc. has announced that it has reached a Settlement Agreement with DC Dental (a Baltimore based dental products distributor). This Agreement was reached after DENTSPLY challenged DC Dental’s unauthorized distribution of gray market DENTSPLY brand products. DC Dental has agreed to discontinue directly or indirectly acting as an unauthorized reseller of DENTSPLY brand products. Under the terms of the Settlement, DC Dental must discontinue all sales of DENTSPLY branded products by July 1, 2015.

In the utmost interest of patient safety, DENTSPLY is committed to combating the unauthorized sale of its products in the U.S. and intends to take appropriate action against unauthorized resellers.

Earth City, Mo. -- March 30, 2015 -- Screening is the beginning of the end of oral cancer, and Young is joining the Oral Cancer Foundation in empowering hygienists to “Be Part of the Change™.”

Hygienists are on the front lines of oral cancer detection, and their involvement in early screening is paramount in the fight against oral cancer. Young is helping to support hygienists and keep oral cancer awareness in the forefront by launching the new Classic Burgundy Petite Web™ disposable prophy angle just in time for Oral Cancer Awareness Month in April.

In addition to being the signature burgundy color of oral cancer awareness, the Classic Burgundy Petite Web disposable prophy angle packaging acts as a billboard to promote awareness through early detection.

According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, more than 43,000 people are diagnosed with oral cancer in the U.S. each year, and only 57% will survive past five years due to late diagnosis. When found at early stages of development, oral cancers have an 80 to 90% survival rate.

Thanks to engagement from the RDH community, we are on the cusp of a major change in this paradigm. With a commitment to screening for oral cancer warning signs during routine prophylaxis procedures, hygienists are helping to save lives through early detection.

“Just doing ‘opportunistic’ cancer screenings during routine dental hygiene procedures would yield tens of thousands of opportunities to catch oral cancer in its early stages. One of our goals is to initiate an effort within the dental community to aggressively screen all patients,” said Brian Hill, Executive Director of the Oral Cancer Foundation. “Screening for oral cancer during dental examinations will save lives. We are thrilled to partner with Young in launching the Classic Burgundy Petite Web disposable prophy angle to help raise awareness about the early detection of oral cancer.”

To learn more about the Oral Cancer Foundation, visit www.oralcancer.org. To learn more about the new Classic Burgundy Petite Web disposable prophy angle, visit www.youngdental.com.

About Young Dental:

Young Dental is dedicated to providing the dental community with innovative, high-value products that reflect the professionalism of the industry. Based in Earth City, Mo., the company is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of consumable supplies, instruments and other products used by dental professionals primarily in preventive dentistry, restorative procedures and instrument sterilization. Young Dental is committed to continuous improvement and the creation of high-quality products.

Visit our website @ www.YoungDental.com

Follow Young Dental on Facebook @ www.facebook.com/YoungDental

Follow Young Dental on Twitter @ www.twitter.com/Young_Dental

Natick, MA – March 31, 2015 — Convergent Dental Inc., a privately held dental device company, today announced that it had secured $9 million in a funding round led by existing investors Long River Ventures and the Gund Foundation as well as new individual investors and family offices. Solea, the first FDA approved, CO2 9.3 micron dental laser for hard and soft tissue, is gaining significant traction within the dental community due to its ability to deliver virtually anesthesia-free and blood-free procedures.

When a dentist does not have to administer anesthesia or control bleeding, it significantly improves efficiency. Many Solea dentists report performing six or more additional procedures per day which represents revenue gains of 25 – 40 percent. This latest round of funding enables continued investments in product innovation, sales and implementation so Convergent Dental can scale with growing market demand.

“We are pleased to see Solea accomplish so much in just its first year on the market,” said Will Cowen, general partner, Long River Ventures. “Solea delivers a much improved patient experience and at the same time a compelling ROI for the dentist. It’s a clear win-win. We are happy to offer continued support to such a game-changing company.”

Solea sales nearly doubled in Q4 2014 as practitioners around the country adopted this unique CO2 dental laser technology. Solea is establishing itself as the go-to tool for many dentists, replacing the noise, vibration and needle typically associated with dental visits with a quiet, virtually painless patient experience.

“This latest round of funding will fuel Solea’s already impressive growth,” said Convergent Dental CEO Michael Cataldo. “As more dentists implement this unique technology, it is becoming obvious that we are literally changing what it means to go to the dentist. The dental laser’s impact on patients’ experiences and dental practices’ bottom line is all positive and positions Convergent Dental for even greater growth in 2015. ”

About Convergent Dental, Inc.

Convergent Dental, Inc., is a privately managed dental equipment and technology company and is the developer of Solea™, the world’s first computer-aided, CO2 laser system to ever be cleared by the FDA for both hard and soft tissue indications. Solea cuts significantly quieter, finer and faster than any other laser-based system in dentistry. Solea’s speed and precision is a result of patented technologies and computer system controls that are unique to Convergent Dental, Inc. For more information visit www.convergentdental.com. Follow the company on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Google+. 

Hatfield, PA -- March 26, 2015-- i-CAT, a brand of the KaVo Kerr Group, is proud to introduce a fresh new marketing microsite called “Their Story.” Through a fully-integrated multimedia campaign, the platform casts a growing collection of stories that illustrates how doctors are changing patients’ lives every day. Each is told by the doctor (and in some cases their patients) and contains a rich set of information, including a case report, select videos, images and more.

i-CAT, with its balance between image quality and dose allows these clinicians to detect anatomical anomalies and see vital structures that would not be visible with 2D imaging, and in some cases, at a dose comparable to a 2D panoramic X-ray*. i-CAT software also offers these dental professionals effective tools for diagnosis of conditions related to airway disorders.

The first “Their Story,” submitted by Orthodontist Dr. Juan-Carlos Quintero, describes how he was able to deliver the clinical outcomes that changed 7-year-old Sebastian’s life. Sebastian had been suffering from both dental and medical issues. At Sebastian’s orthodontic visit, the information from an i-CAT scan and the treatment planning software, Tx STUDIO™ helped enable Dr. Quintero to determine how to treat him orthodontically, but also pinpointed a significant blockage of his airway. After collaborative treatment with medical professionals, the results were dramatic and illustrate the impact that orthodontists can have if they have the right tools to better visualize the anatomy and help create an individualized treatment plan. This landmark case has forever changed the way that Dr. Quintero practices.

Dr. Quintero explained why he submitted his story. “It is a wonderful time in orthodontics as our profession enters a new horizon with low dose 3D imaging. I am pleased to be able to share a very personal story on how this technology can profoundly improve the quality of life of our patients. I hope the story inspires others to look beyond traditional 2D imaging and really see their patients!”

Dr. Robert Kaspers’ “Their Story” centers around an adult patient named Fiaz whose i-CAT scan’s information helped Dr. Kaspers to treat not only his improper bite, but a severe constriction of his airway as well. After surgical and orthodontic treatment, Fiaz was able to experience a drastic improvement in his quality of life.

Dr. Kaspers shared, “I can only hope that by telling Fiaz’s story that more orthodontists realize that 3D radiography has so much to offer our profession. Before acquiring my i-CAT, I was severely limited in diagnosing my patients to a balanced occlusion, and I didn’t even consider a patient’s airway. The i-CAT was the best investment I have ever made.”

The i-CAT team is excited about this campaign and the impactful stories from using i-CAT technology. “We are grateful that these two clinicians shared their powerful “Their Stories,” and we are even happier that the treatment had a profound effect on their health. By sharing these stories, we hope to show how 3D imaging can help in the process of diagnosis,” states Rick Matty, Director of Marketing for i-CAT. “We look forward to hearing many more accounts of how i-CAT showed the details that led to a life-changing diagnosis.”

To read the case studies, view the videos, and see the images of these cases, visit stories.icat.com. i-CAT also welcomes dental professionals to share their life changing stories by contacting us through this microsite. You can join the conversation on i-CAT’s social media sites on Facebook, www.facebook.com/iCAT3D, and on Twitter, @iCAT3D, #Their3Dstory.

About i-CAT

Serving the dental industry since 1992, i-CAT™ is at the global forefront in the development and manufacturing of the computer-controlled dental and maxillofacial radiography products, and internationally recognized by highly regarded dentists and radiologists as one of the most innovative companies in dental imaging. i-CAT systems offers clinicians enhanced features for highly effective treatment planning and surgical predictability. i-CAT is exclusively distributed by Henry Schein Dental. To learn more, visit www.i-cat.com.

i-CAT is a member of the KaVo Kerr Group. KaVo Kerr Group is a global portfolio of leading dental brands that share common values of Trust, Experience, Choices, Quality and Smart Innovation. Brands include KaVo, Kerr, Kerr Total Care, Pentron, Axis|Sybron Endo, Orascoptic, Pelton & Crane, Marus, Gendex, DEXIS, Instrumentarium, SOREDEX, i-CAT, NOMAD, Implant Direct and Ormco. With over 500 years of combined experience and proven solutions, KaVo Kerr Group uniquely serves 99% of all dental practices. Visit www.kavokerrgroup.com for more information.

Danville Materials, LLC, is pleased to announce the acquisition of Perioscopy Inc., headquartered in Oakland, CA. This minimally invasive revolutionary technology utilizes a dental endoscope with advanced video, lighting and up to 48 times magnification that enables the clinician to diagnose, view and treat the sub-gingival pocket environment in a non-surgical manner.

Danville proactively targets and pursues synergistic opportunities in dental materials and device technology companies, which ultimately led to partnering with the owner of Perioscopy, Dr. John Kwan, in this transaction. Dr. Kwan will continue to be a key constituent and partner for the combined growth of Danville and Perioscopy through its integration and beyond to bring it to the next level.

“Since the transition from Danville Materials Inc to Danville Materials, LLC in December of 2013, Danville has been aggressively targeting companies in the preventative and restorative sectors of the greater dental market. Perioscopy Inc. is an ideal “add-on” given its unique product offering, strong financial performance and its road map to global growth”, stated Garrett Sato, CEO of Danville Materials.

Dr. John Kwan added, "Built through over a decade of innovation, hard work and success at Perioscopy, I am now excited to be a broader part of the larger Danville organization. With the strength of Danville, the support of our partners the Inverness Graham Investment team, and all of our colleagues and associates, I look forward to contributing to the growth of the business and its legacy for years to come".

Craig Bruns, President of Danville also added, “Our team is looking forward to bringing aboard the very unique and innovative technology that Perioscopy brings which will allow the combined companies the ability to provide the highest quality offerings that meet the needs of modern dentists and clinicians”. 

About Danville Materials, LLC

Danville Materials, LLC designs and manufactures dental products for clinical dentists. It offers abrasive, air abrasion, air polishing, dust confinement, C-saw, micro etching, and tin plating equipment. The company also provides materials, such as bonding agent, caries detection, core build up, desensitizing, flowable and provisional composite, impression, stain and composite removal, and veneer cementation; and composite finishing instruments, gingival tissue trimmers, sectional matrix systems, and posts. It offers its products through a network of dealers. Danville Materials was founded in 1997.

ATLANTA — When students in Oregon Health & Science University’s School of Dentistry started the 2014-2015 school year in the new Collaborative Life Sciences Building and Skourtes Tower, they found brand new Carestream Dental equipment installed throughout the facility. Carestream Dental donated a CS 9300C system to the OHSU School of Dentistry, and the school purchased additional Carestream Dental equipment, including RVG 6100 sensors, two CS 9000C extraoral imaging systems and a CS 9000 extraoral imaging system.

“We are grateful for this generous equipment donation, and we will certainly make good use of the donated Carestream Dental cone beam system to further our educational and patient care missions,” Phillip T. Marucha, D.M.D, Ph.D., dean of the OHSU School of Dentistry, said.

Whether students are studying general dentistry, implantology, oral and maxillofacial surgery, orthognathics or orthodontics, the medium- to large-field 3-D imaging and seven selectable fields of viewoffered by the donated CS 9300C system supports a wide variety of clinical applications for students. The system offers 2-D digital panoramic imaging, one-shot cephalometric imaging, and 3-D imaging technology at a dose up to 85% lower than panoramic imaging*.

The purchased RVG 6100 sensors offer high-image resolution so students are better able to make accurate diagnoses. The sensors are designed to streamline workflow with easy image capture, analysis and sharing.

The CS 9000 and CS 9000C imaging systems capture top-quality panoramic X-ray images quickly and easily and feature low-dose radiation exposure to ensure patient safety. The CS 9000C also includes a cephalometric arm. The high-image resolution delivered by this equipment is designed to improve students’ pretreatment assessments and operative success.

“Our goal is always to provide equipment that will advance the education of students while preparing them for a career beyond university,” Ed Shellard, D.M.D., chief commercial officer, Carestream Dental, said. “Each piece of equipment plays a role in shaping the next generation of young dentists.”

For more information about Carestream Dental and its innovative products, please call 1.800.944.6365 or visit www.carestreamdental.com.

*Based on studies conducted by John B. Ludlow, University of North Carolina, School of Dentistry: Dosimetry of CS 8100 CBCT Unit and CS 9300 Low-Dose Protocol, August 2014; Dosimetry of the Carestream CS 9300 CBCT unit, June 2011. 85% reduction (3μSv) found in 5x5 cm adult exams; exact dose reduction varies based on field of view and ranges from 0% to 85%.

About Carestream Dental

Carestream Dental provides industry-leading imaging, CAD/CAM, software and practice management solutions for dental and oral health professionals. With more than 100 years of industry experience, Carestream Dental products are used by seven out of 10 practitioners globally and deliver more precise diagnoses, improved workflows and superior patient care. For more information or to contact a Carestream Dental representative, call 800.944.6365 or visit www.carestreamdental.com.

About Carestream Health

Carestream is a worldwide provider of dental and medical imaging systems and IT solutions; X-ray imaging systems for non-destructive testing and advanced materials for the precision films and electronics markets. For more information about the company’s broad portfolio of products, solutions and services, please contact your Carestream representative, call 888.777.2072 or visit www.carestream.com. 

Chicago, IL, April 6th, 2015 — With the launch of a new 4 oz size of GUM^® Paroex^® Chlorhexidine Gluconate USP, 0.12% Oral Rinse, Sunstar Americas today reminded dentalprofessionals that it has the only FDA-approved alcohol-free chlorhexidine rinse, which makes it possible for their entire patient base to have access to the same standard of care for the treatment of gingivitis. Paroex is designed to be used as part of a professional program to treat gingivitis, leading to better gum health.

According to the company, other chlorhexidine rinses contain 11.6% alcohol as an inactive ingredient, yet they are no more therapeutically effective than alcohol-free Paroex. Alcohol in oral rinses may cause a burning sensation. This can be a barrier to patient compliance, as patients who may need to avoid alcohol may decide to not use the rinse or even decline to have their prescriptions filled.

“Virtually every dental practice has some patients who may need to avoid alcohol, and many more who find that alcohol-containing rinses cause a burning sensation,” said Jim Doyle, Sunstar Americas Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “Paroex is the perfect choice for these patients. In fact, given that alcohol-free Paroex is therapeutically equivalent to the alcohol-containing rinses1, we believe Paroex is the perfect choice for all patients.”

Sunstar Americas makes Paroex available in 16 ounce bottles and, starting in April 2015, in 4 ounce bottles that patients can take home from their dental practice. This provides yet another way in which Paroex can contribute to higher levels of patient compliance relative to alcohol containing rinses.

Finally, Mr. Doyle reminds us, “When in doubt, leave the alcohol out.”

*GUM Paroex contains chlorhexidine gluconate (0.12%) as the active ingredient.