Attleboro, MA – Sterngold Dental, LLC, announced that it has received FDA Market Clearance for the new Stern SNAP Angled Overdenture Implant Abutment System. The new Stern SNAP Angled Overdenture Implant Abutments will work with many popular implant systems. The innovative 2-piece design allows the SNAP Angled to perform True Angle Correction of up to 20 degrees on divergent implants, without the need to rely on a hinging attachment. The SNAP is also available in a straight version for implants within 10 degrees of parallel. 

The system features a new Maximum Durability Cap (available at 1 lb., 2 lbs., and 3 lbs.) that does not require a housing, making for a low profile of only 2.5 mm and requiring less space in the denture. The Stern SNAP is an innovative, predictable, and economical solution for stabilizing patients’ dentures. For more information, call 800-243-9942 or visit www.sterngold.com.

ST. LOUIS (June 17, 2015) — The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) elected officers for 2015-16 and installed new members of the Board of Trustees at its 115th Annual Session, held recently in San Francisco.  The AAO is the world’s oldest and largest dental specialty organization with more than 17,000 members.

Morris N. Poole, DDS, an orthodontist with offices in Logan and Smithfield, Utah and Preston, Idaho, has been elected president of the AAO.  Dr. Poole has held leadership positions in organized orthodontics at local, state, regional and national levels throughout his career.  He was elected by the Rocky Mountain Society of Orthodontists (RMSO) in 2006 to be its representative on the AAO Board of Trustees.  Dr. Poole also serves on the Board of Directors of the American Association of Orthodontists Foundation, which supports orthodontic education and research.

“Orthodontics is constantly evolving, requiring research, continuous education and training, as well as public education,” said Dr. Poole. “Our work will focus on collaborating with all members of the dental profession for the collective good of all our patients, and leading the way for the next generation of orthodontists to provide exceptional oral health care that’s accessible and affordable to everyone.”

DeWayne B. McCamish, DDS, MS, an orthodontist with offices in Chattanooga, Signal Mountain and Ooltewah, Tennessee, has been elected the 2015-2016 president-elect.  

Nahid Maleki, DDS, MS, an orthodontist practicing in Washington, D.C., has been elected secretary-treasurer.  She is also the trustee representing the Middle Atlantic Society of Orthodontists on the AAO Board of Trustees.

John D. Callahan, DDS, MS, an orthodontist with offices in Fayetteville, Fulton and North Syracuse, New York, has been elected by the Northeastern Society of Orthodontists (NESO) as its trustee on the AAO Board of Trustees.  NESO serves orthodontists in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York and the Canadian provinces of Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland.

Gary Inman, DMD, an orthodontist with offices in Elizabethtown, Campbellsville and Glasgow, Kentucky, has been elected by the Southern Association of Orthodontists (SAO) as its trustee on the AAO Board of Trustees. The SAO serves orthodontists practicing in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, the portion of Louisiana that lies east of the Mississippi River, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. 

In addition to Drs. Poole, McCamish, Maleki, Callahan and Inman, the 2015-16 AAO Board of Trustees includes:  Brent E. Larson, DDS, MS, Minneapolis, Minnesota, Midwestern Society of Orthodontists; Christopher A. Roberts, DDS, MS, Findlay, Ohio, Great Lakes Association of Orthodontists; J. Kendall Dillehay, DDS, MSD, Wichita, Kansas, Southwestern Society of Orthodontists; Norman J. Nagel, DDS, MS, Simi Valley, California, Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists; and Myron D. Guymon, DDS, MS, Logan, Utah, RMSO.  Rolf G. Behrents, DDS, MS, PhD, St. Louis, Missouri, is Editor-in-Chief of the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics and Michael J. Foy, DDS, MS of Colorado Springs, Colorado, RMSO, is Speaker of the AAO House of Delegates. Chris P. Vranas, CAE, St. Louis, Missouri, is the Executive Director of the AAO. 

(Chapel Hill, N.C.—June 18, 2015) – The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the Dental Foundation of North Carolina (DFNC) have established a new memorial award. The Deah Barakat and Yusor Abu-Salha Memorial Award, in memory of the late Deah Barakat and Yusor Abu-Salha, will be presented for the first time during the fall semester of the 2015-16 academic year.

Barakat, a second-year DDS student at the UNC School of Dentistry, and Abu-Salha, a member of the DDS Class of 2019, which will enter the school this fall, were two of three victims of a fatal shooting in February 2015. Barakat and Abu-Salha spent much of their lives giving back to those less fortunate, donating their time and energy to homeless shelters and free dental clinics. The couple had planned to travel to Turkey this summer to provide dental care to Syrian refugees and, following their graduations from the UNC School of Dentistry, they planned to open a dental practice together.

“Deah and Yusor led lives of great purpose and this fund is a fitting tribute to their humanitarian devotions,” said Chancellor Carol L. Folt. “Through this award, the Carolina community is honoring their legacy of creating a more compassionate world through dentistry and delivering aid to those who are most vulnerable and in need.”

The memorial award will provide support to a UNC School of Dentistry student or group of students who plan a local, national or international service project that, according to Barakat’s brother, Farris, “will give back to communities that need help the most.”

Set up in consultation with the Barakat and Abu-Salha families, the award allows the school to perpetuate the love of service, dedication to community, and giving back exhibited by Barakat and Abu-Salha during their lives.

“Deah and Yusor had incredible hearts for service,” said Jane Weintraub, dean and alumni distinguished professor at the UNC School of Dentistry. “They often gave their weekends to working at homeless shelters or the North Carolina Missions of Mercy clinics, and were no strangers to international service trips. Through this award, we’ll be able to not only educate our students about their lives of service but also continue their legacy of giving back for years to come.”

The DFNC and the University each committed $30,000 to the fund, providing an initial endowment of $60,000 in total.

Those who wish to contribute to the Deah Barakat and Yusor Abu-Salha Memorial Award Fund should visit giving.unc.edu/sod/gift and select “Barakat Memorial Fund” from the dropdown menu.Barakat and Yusor Abu-Salha had been married six weeks at the time of their deaths. The third victim was Razan Abu-Salha, a sophomore at North Carolina State University and Yusor’s younger sister.

Chicago (June 18, 2015) – As part of the American Dental Hygienists’ Association’s (ADHA’s) 2015 ADHA Center for Lifelong Learning at the 92nd Annual Session (CLL/AS) taking place in Nashville, Tenn., June 17-23, 2015, the organization’s Institute for Oral Health (IOH) teamed with Oral Health America (OHA) and Colgate to deliver dental hygiene education and information to older adults during its Community Service Day (CSD) on June 17, 2015. 

“As the prevention specialists of the oral health care team, dental hygienists look for opportunities to educate the public on improving their oral hygiene habits,” said ADHA President Kelli Swanson Jaecks, MA, RDH. “This year’s Community Service Day provides a great example of how we can take that message of prevention directly to older adults, helping them maintain their oral health and live happier, healthier lives.” 

This year’s CSD, sponsored by Colgate, again showcased the commitment the ADHA and IOH, supporters of the profession, and dental hygienists have to give back to the community and provide fact-based education that helps older adults understand the importance of oral health care. 

“Colgate is delighted to be in partnership with the American Dental Hygienists' Association, Oral Health America and dental hygienists around the country to help improve the oral health of older Americans,” said Barbara Shearer, BDS, MDS, PhD, Director of Scientific Affairs with Colgate Oral Pharmaceuticals. “This important demographic are often at an increased risk for tooth decay and gum disease due to common aging conditions such as dry mouth. Increasing awareness around these risk factors and the importance of proper oral health is pivotal.” 

Registered dental hygienists met during the morning of June 17 to review material about how older adults can maintain their oral health as they age. The topics included the importance of oral health care in preventing illness; how nutritious food choices impact oral health; and information on how keeping good oral health habits can aid in preventing tooth decay. The volunteer dental hygienists then went to seven different adult-care facilities to talk to older adults about their oral health.

“People are living longer, and the importance that good oral health plays in maintaining overall health is crucial,” added ADHA Executive Director Ann Battrell, MSDH. “The ADHA is very excited to be able to provide this type of oral health education through our volunteer dental hygiene leaders, and with the support of partners such as Colgate and Oral Health America.” 

“OHA's partnership with the ADHA is helping older adults in Nashville to see that prevention is important at every age through participation in our workshop, Tooth Wisdom: Get Smart About Your Mouth,” added OHA President and CEO Beth Truett. “Evidence to date shows that when seniors learn practical ideas for taking care of their mouths, they experience greater confidence in managing their oral health and connect the dots to their overall wellness.” 

This year, more than 2,000 individuals will be at the 2015 ADHA CLL/AS, as dental hygienists from across the country gather for professional development, continuing education, exhibits, networking and social events, as well as the ADHA’s annual business meeting. The CSD program serves as a strong kickoff for the organization’s annual meeting in Nashville, bringing registered dental hygienists from around the country together in a local community outreach event. 

“The ADHA's Institute for Oral Health is committed to bettering the public’s oral health, and supporting vital education and research initiatives that help oral health professionals improve the lives of their patients," said IOH Chair and ADHA Immediate Past President Denise Bowers, RDH, PhD. "We are proud to partner on outreach initiatives such as Community Service Day to support dental hygienists as they educate at-risk populations and help better the community.” 

Chicago (June 18, 2015) – Registered dental hygienists and oral health professionals from throughout the United States are gathering in Nashville, Tenn., for the American Dental Hygienists’ Association’s (ADHA’s) 2015 ADHA Center for Lifelong Learning at the 92nd Annual Session (CLL/AS). This year’s meeting, held June 17-23, 2015, features an incredible array of programs, educational sessions and networking events, as well as two days of exhibits showcasing the latest dental technologies, products and equipment. 

More than 30 different continuing education (CE) offerings, divided into six tracks — clinical practice, education, research, students, professional development and public health — are offered at the 2015 ADHA CLL. Attendees can take courses in specific tracks or select individualized courses, depending on their focus and educational requirements. 

“The positive energy of the ADHA’s Center for Lifelong Learning is truly palpable and exciting, as dental hygienists gather in a setting that brings together leaders from throughout the oral health profession,” said ADHA President Kelli Swanson Jaecks, MA, RDH. “Our education programs, the amazing array of dental products and services on display during our Exhibits 2015 program, our outreach initiatives and community service efforts — all of these elements are geared toward the dental hygienist and the important role they play in improving public health.” 

This year’s event began on June 17 with ADHA’s Community Service Day. The ADHA and the ADHA’s Institute for Oral Health (IOH), with support from Colgate and in partnership with Oral Health America, conducted onsite oral health education workshops at seven different adult living facilities in the Nashville area. 

In addition to the educational sessions and nationally known presenters speaking at this year’s event, CLL Exhibits 2015 features 125 companies involved in oral health and dental hygiene. And this year, the exhibit hall also showcases the all new ADHA/Henry Schein Innovation Center, displaying a wide range of oral health products and services announced during the last 18 months.

The media will have two opportunities to get in-depth insight about the latest trends and happenings in the dental hygiene profession during the 2015 ADHA CLL. On June 19, from 11:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m., a media tour of the aforementioned ADHA/Henry Schein Innovation Center will take place; and on June 20, an ADHA Media Roundtable — including ADHA President Kelli Swanson Jaecks and ADHA senior staff — will be held from 12-1 p.m., allowing media Q&A time to discuss the latest developments occurring with both the organization and in the dental hygiene profession. 

This year, the IOH has added a new twist to the silent auction held in concert with the President’s Reception on June 19. The 2015 auction is being held electronically through an online bidding website, biddingforgood.com, allowing individuals to bid in real time from any smart phone, mobile device or computer, to help support the foundation committed to improving professional excellence in oral health research and education. 

The ADHA 92nd Annual Session House of Delegates officially takes place June 21-23, focused on the business-related activities of the organization representing more than 185,000 dental hygienists in the United States. This includes forums, workshops and committee sessions, as well as the Annual Report given by ADHA Executive Director Ann Battrell, MSDH, to the House of Delegates; a farewell address by Swanson Jaecks; and the Installation Luncheon, where President-Elect Jill Rethman, RDH, BA, will be installed as the ADHA’s 2015-2016 president. 

“The ADHA Center for Lifelong Learning and Annual Session allows dental hygiene professionals to expand their knowledge, network with their peers and colleagues, and discover new professional opportunities,” noted Battrell. “In addition to the outstanding continuing education sessions, our House of Delegates debate professional issues and establish official ADHA policy that guide the association’s oral health advocacy efforts. The combination of excellent continuing education, networking sessions and official House of Delegates actions make our meeting unique and meaningful.” 

(Chapel Hill, N.C.—June 18, 2015) – The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the Dental Foundation of North Carolina (DFNC) have established a new memorial award. The Deah Barakat and Yusor Abu-Salha Memorial Award, in memory of the late Deah Barakat and Yusor Abu-Salha, will be presented for the first time during the fall semester of the 2015-16 academic year.

Barakat, a second-year DDS student at the UNC School of Dentistry, and Abu-Salha, a member of the DDS Class of 2019, which will enter the school this fall, were two of three victims of a fatal shooting in February 2015. Barakat and Abu-Salha spent much of their lives giving back to those less fortunate, donating their time and energy to homeless shelters and free dental clinics. The couple had planned to travel to Turkey this summer to provide dental care to Syrian refugees and, following their graduations from the UNC School of Dentistry, they planned to open a dental practice together.

“Deah and Yusor led lives of great purpose and this fund is a fitting tribute to their humanitarian devotions,” said Chancellor Carol L. Folt. “Through this award, the Carolina community is honoring their legacy of creating a more compassionate world through dentistry and delivering aid to those who are most vulnerable and in need.”

The memorial award will provide support to a UNC School of Dentistry student or group of students who plan a local, national or international service project that, according to Barakat’s brother, Farris, “will give back to communities that need help the most.”

Set up in consultation with the Barakat and Abu-Salha families, the award allows the school to perpetuate the love of service, dedication to community, and giving back exhibited by Barakat and Abu-Salha during their lives.

“Deah and Yusor had incredible hearts for service,” said Jane Weintraub, dean and alumni distinguished professor at the UNC School of Dentistry. “They often gave their weekends to working at homeless shelters or the North Carolina Missions of Mercy clinics, and were no strangers to international service trips. Through this award, we’ll be able to not only educate our students about their lives of service but also continue their legacy of giving back for years to come.”

The DFNC and the University each committed $30,000 to the fund, providing an initial endowment of $60,000 in total.

Those who wish to contribute to the Deah Barakat and Yusor Abu-Salha Memorial Award Fund should visitgiving.unc.edu/sod/gift and select “Barakat Memorial Fund” from the dropdown menu.

Barakat and Yusor Abu-Salha had been married six weeks at the time of their deaths. The third victim was Razan Abu-Salha, a sophomore at North Carolina State University and Yusor’s younger sister.

CHICAGO, June 18 — Thanks to a $50,000 grant from Delta Dental of Minnesota Foundation, Oral Health America (OHA) is expanding its oral health education workshop for older adults. Tooth Wisdom: Get Smart About Your Mouth is a first-of-its-kind workshop designed to empower older adults to take charge of their own oral health. The funding from Delta Dental of Minnesota Foundation allows OHA to expand the workshop pilot to older adults in Minnesota and collaborate with state oral health partners to continue to update the curriculum.

“OHA has a long history of involvement in the state of Minnesota and we are happy to be able to continue this through the expansion of Tooth Wisdom: Get Smart About Your Mouth,” said OHA President and CEO Beth Truett. “The funding from the Delta Dental of Minnesota Foundation makes it possible for older adults in Minnesota to benefit from this groundbreaking oral health education workshop.”

OHA launched the initial workshop pilot during the summer of 2014 in Chicago, with 93 percent of participants reporting they felt more confident in their ability to manage their oral care needs as a result of their participation in the workshop. These overwhelmingly positive results are the basis for the expansion throughout the country. Currently OHA is conducting Tooth Wisdom: Get Smart About Your Mouth workshops in Illinois, Michigan, Oregon, Tennessee and Minnesota in community settings including senior centers, libraries and places of worship.

Grant recipients were selected based on a number of criteria including the program’s innovative way of improving access for underserved populations in Minnesota, the opportunity to promote and expand preventive and education services and the ability to measure results.

“At Delta Dental of Minnesota Foundation, we are dedicated to improving health through oral health throughout Minnesota. We are proud to recognize the work being done by Oral Health America,” said Joe Lally, Interim Executive Director Delta Dental of Minnesota Foundation and Community Affairs. 

To learn more about Tooth Wisdom: Get Smart About Your Mouth and all of OHA’s work for older adults, please visit www.oralhealthamerica.org.

Escondido, CA – ZEST Anchors has announced that it now offers a 10-year warranty for its narrow diameter (less than 3 mm) dental implants, making it among only a handful of companies to offer this service. 

ZEST Anchors strives for and has a long history of producing high-quality products for overdenture applications. The company is also committed to providing best-in-class service to its valued customers, allowing them to provide trusted products and services to their patients. It is this commitment to quality and strong belief in the product designs that has allowed the company to establish a 10-year warranty for its line of narrow diameter dental implants. The warranty, which was effective May 1, 2015, will replace a LOCATOR^® Overdenture Implant (LODI) or SATURNO™ Narrow Diameter Implant (SNDI) Product for a $25 processing fee for each qualifying implant. 

“A warranty of this magnitude is typical with standard diameter implant manufacturers,” said Steve Schiess, ZEST Anchors CEO. “However, due to the lower overall cost of narrow diameter implants and the fact that some of these systems were originally designed as temporary solutions, many competitive systems are not backed by a replacement warranty. ZEST’S Narrow Diameter Implant Products were designed from the onset as permanent solutions with features clinicians see in standard diameter implants. This gives ZEST the confidence to support these products with a warranty program.” 

Complete details of the ZEST Anchors Narrow Diameter Implant Warranty can be found at zestanchors.com.

(Charlotte, NC, June 16, 2015) – Leading dental product manufacturer, 3M ESPE Dental, announced it will donate a portion of Vanish™ 5% Sodium Fluoride White Varnish sales to America's ToothFairy: National Children's Oral Health Foundation®. 3M's contributions will support America's ToothFairy programs that provide oral health education, preventive services and treatment to vulnerable children and teens across the country. Vanish™ 5% Sodium Fluoride White Varnish is the top-selling fluoride varnish in the U.S.

Though nearly 100% preventable, pediatric dental disease is the most prevalent chronic illness among children in the U.S. With the support of generous corporate underwriters like 3M ESPE Dental, America's ToothFairy is able to deliver preventive education and services that protect children from the devastating impacts of untreated tooth decay such as malnourishment, anemia, and life-threatening secondary infections as well as serious impacts to self-esteem, employment prospects, social development and overall quality of life.

"3M ESPE Dental is proud to support smile-saving programs for at-risk children by contributing a portion of Vanish Varnish sales," stated James Ingebrand, President and General Manager of 3M ESPE Dental Division. "By supporting programs that prevent children's pain and suffering from pediatric dental disease, 3M ESPE Dental is taking an active role in improving the health of families in the communities where we live and work."

“We are very grateful to 3M ESPE Dental for their extraordinary commitment to children's health,” said Fern Ingber, America's ToothFairy President and CEO. “When purchasing 3M dental products, particularly Vanish™ 5% Sodium Fluoride White Varnish, dental professionals can feel proud that they are supporting a company that gives back to its community and truly cares about children's health and well-being."

In addition to financial support, 3M also donates Vanish Varnish and other dental products to America’s ToothFairy to support the delivery of care through its Affiliate Network of nonprofit community clinics and programs.

Since its founding in 2006, America’s ToothFairy has distributed more than $14 million in vital community based programs, educational materials, oral care products, and financial grants through its national network of Affiliate clinics and community programs.

Seattle, WA (PRWEB) June 16, 2015 – Qualis Health, one of the nation’s leading population healthcare management organizations, has published a white paper, “Oral Health: An Essential Component of Primary Care”, which makes the case for delivering preventive oral health care as a component of routine medical care and enhancing partnerships between primary care and dentistry. 

“Oral disease is largely preventable, and can complicate the management of other chronic conditions such as diabetes and heart disease that are regularly encountered in primary care,” said Jonathan Sugarman, MD, MPH, Qualis Health President and CEO. “Engaging primary care teams in oral health is a critical strategy for reducing the impact of oral diseases and improving population health.”

Oral health is essential for healthy development and healthy aging, yet nationwide there is an unacceptably high burden of oral disease. Delivering preventive oral health care in the primary care setting will expand access for nearly all patients, particularly high-risk and vulnerable patients. Primary care teams have the skills necessary to understand and intervene in the oral disease process; the relationships needed to engage patients and families in oral health self-care; and a structure for coordinating referrals to dentistry and supporting patients during transitions of care. The Oral Health Delivery Framework delineates the activities for which a primary care team can take accountability to protect and promote oral health. These activities are within the scope of practice for primary care; and if organized efficiently, can be integrated into the office workflow of diverse practice settings. The white paper also includes examples from practices that have successfully begun integration. Following field-testing of the framework, a complete oral health integration guide for primary care practices will be published in 2016.

The Oral Health Delivery Framework was developed in partnership with a panel of experts, including primary care and dental care providers; leaders from medical, dental, and nursing associations; payers and policymakers; a patient and family partnership expert; and oral health and public health advocates. It has been endorsed by a broad array of organizations, including: American Association for Community Dental Programs, American Association of Public Health Dentistry, American College of Nurse Midwives, American Public Health Association–Oral Health Section, Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors, Institute for Patient- and Family-Centered Care, National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners, National Network for Oral Health Access, National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties, and Physician Assistant Education Association.

The publication is sponsored by the National Interprofessional Initiative on Oral Health, and supported by DentaQuest Foundation, the REACH Healthcare Foundation, and Washington Dental Service Foundation.