CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Hu-Friedy, a global leader in manufacturing dental instruments and products, today released the results of an independent scientific study evaluating the sharpness and edge retention of two scaler brands.Research was conducted by the Cutlery & Allied Trades Research Association (CATRA), a specialized third-party blade laboratory, to measure the sharpness of Hu-Friedy EverEdge® scalers compared to American Eagle XP scalers, and to scientifically assess the relative effectiveness of high quality stainless steel compared to coated scalers.

The test results show that Hu-Friedy EverEdge Technology is 30 percent sharperwhen brand new and retains this advantage even after simulated use when compared to the leading “sharpen free” scaler brand.

“The goal of this scientific study is to clarify the sharpness of hand scalers. The truth is that coated scalers are not as sharp and actually cannot be sharpened without rendering the scaler useless,” said Ken Serota, president of Hu-Friedy. “For more than 100 years, Hu-Friedy has been dedicated to helping clinicians perform at their best, and we felt it was our duty to dispel the myths and provide objective information about which scaler starts sharper and stays sharper longer. And the research validates that EverEdge is sharper both out of the box and after use.”

Dental hygiene textbooks and educators acknowledge that sharper scalers are critical for effective removal of deposits during oral prophylaxis procedures.

A sharper scaler is better because it is more:

• Clinically effective since calculus is easily removed, not burnished;

• Comfortable for clinicians, causing less hand and wrist fatigue;

• Comfortable for patients due to less pressure needed for calculus removal;

• Efficient as less time is needed to scale

The independent test evaluated two items: sharpness of the scalers when brand new and sharpness after repeated use.

“Scalers serve as an extension of dental clinicians’ hands and should not be considered disposable,” added Serota. “Clinicians want to use the most effective and sharpest scaler to achieve the best clinical outcomes, while providing a more comfortable patient experience.”

EverEdge scalers are made with an advanced stainless steel alloy that provides superior edge-retention. The fine, sharp edge means less hand fatigue for clinicians and greater comfort for patients.

Hu-Friedy’s proprietary processing ensures that the superior edge retention and wear characteristics of EverEdge Technology will last the entire life of the instrument. Since there is not a superficial coating, EverEdge scalers can be resharpened to extend the useful life.

During the research, the blade of each instrument was tested by repeatedly pushing it into a silicone test strip, impregnated with abrasive particles to simulate wear. This method was developed by CATRA, the leading independent testing organization that has served the metal industry for decades. The amount of force required to push the blade into the test strip was measured to assess initial sharpness. Then, the blades of each instrument also were subjected to multiple strokes on the same test strip to simulate wear, and the blades were retested to assess edge durability.

The results concluded that EverEdge scalers require less force to make their initial cut and, therefore, are sharper out of the box than the competitor. After 500 strokes through the test media, the EverEdge scaler maintained superior sharpness.

The study findings align with long term positive feedback from dental hygiene practitioners about the superior clinical performance of EverEdge Scalers. “I love using EverEdge instruments because they stay sharp so much longer than other brands I’ve tried,” said Sherry Burns, RDH, MS. “And, I can restore a perfectly sharp cutting edge with just a few strokes of the sharpening stone. With some of the other scalers out there, you can’t sharpen them and would have to dispose of them. With EverEdge I have the luxury of using what feels like a brand new instrument in less than a minute!”

More information about the sharpness study and the test findings can be found at www.hufriedy.com/theuncoatedtruth.

(Darien, Ill.) July 15, 2015 – In the first official joint guideline from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) and American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM), oral appliance therapy is recommended for the treatment of adult patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) who are intolerant of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy or prefer alternate therapy. The new guideline supports increased teamwork between physicians and dentists to achieve optimal treatment of patients with OSA.

Published online in the July 15 issue of the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, the clinical practice guideline updates the practice parameters that were published by the AASM in 2006.  The updated recommendations are based on a systematic review of the relevant scientific literature, which has grown considerably in the past decade. A total of 51 articles met inclusion criteria and were used for data extraction, meta-analysis, and grading.

“This evidence-based guideline reinforces the fact that effective treatment options are available for obstructive sleep apnea, a chronic disease that afflicts at least 25 million adults in the U.S.,” said AASM President Dr. Nathaniel Watson. “Although CPAP therapy is still the first-line option for treating OSA, oral appliance therapy is an effective alternative that is preferred by some patients. Sleep medicine physicians and dentists can promote high quality, patient-centered care by working together to identify the optimal treatment for each patient who has sleep apnea.”

According to the clinical practice guideline, data show that oral appliance therapy can significantly reduce sleep-disordered breathing, and patient adherence to the treatment may be higher than for CPAP therapy. However, meta-analyses show that CPAP therapy is superior to oral appliance therapy in reducing sleep-disordered breathing, eliminating arousals from sleep and improving oxygen saturation.

The guideline notes that the treating board certified sleep medicine physician should take the patient’s preference into consideration when prescribing treatment for sleep apnea. After a sleep physician prescribes oral appliance therapy, treatment should be provided by a qualified dentist using a custom, titratable device. An oral appliance helps maintain an open and unobstructed airway during sleep by protruding and stabilizing the mandible.

“Communication and teamwork between sleep physicians and dentists are imperative to providing exceptional patient care,” said AADSM President Kathleen Bennett, DDS. “The new guideline supports this collaborative relationship and highlights the important role that dentists can play in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea.”

The guideline also recommends oral appliance therapy as an effective treatment for primary snoring in adults. However, because snoring is a cardinal symptom of OSA, a diagnosis of primary snoring should be rendered by a sleep physician prior to treatment initiation.

To develop the guideline, the AASM and AADSM commissioned a task force that included three sleep physicians and two dentists with expertise in oral appliance therapy. The task force members performed an extensive review of the scientific literature to draft recommendations and supporting text. A draft of the guideline was made available for a public comment period, and the revised guideline was approved by the board of directors of the AASM and AADSM.

The clinical practice guideline comprises the following recommendations:

1. We recommend that sleep physicians prescribe oral appliances, rather than no therapy, for adult patients who request treatment of primary snoring (without obstructive sleep apnea). (STANDARD)

2. When oral appliance therapy is prescribed by a sleep physician for an adult patient with obstructive sleep apnea, we suggest that a qualified dentist use a custom, titratable appliance over non-custom oral devices. (GUIDELINE)

3. We recommend that sleep physicians consider prescription of oral appliances, rather than no treatment, for adult patients with obstructive sleep apnea who are intolerant of CPAP therapy or prefer alternate therapy. (STANDARD)

4. We suggest that qualified dentists provide oversight - rather than no follow-up - of oral appliance therapy in adult patients with obstructive sleep apnea, to survey for dental-related side effects or occlusal changes and reduce their incidence. (GUIDELINE)

5.  We suggest that sleep physicians conduct follow-up sleep testing to improve or confirm treatment efficacy, rather than conduct follow-up without sleep testing, for patients fitted with oral appliances. (GUIDELINE)

6.  We suggest that sleep physicians and qualified dentists instruct adult patients treated with oral appliances for obstructive sleep apnea to return for periodic office visits - as opposed to no follow-up - with a qualified dentist and a sleep physician. (GUIDELINE)

The full text of, “Clinical Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Snoring with Oral Appliance Therapy: An Update for 2015,” is published in the July issue of the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine at www.aasmnet.org/jcsm and republished in the July issue of the Journal of Dental Sleep Medicine at www.jdsm.org.

VITA North America announced that its Cofounder, Wayne Whitehill, has died. The company released the following statement:

"We regret to inform our many colleagues in the dental industry that our Cofounder, former President and CEO of Vident, now VITA North America, passed away on Saturday, July 11, 2015, after a lengthy illness. He was well respected in the dental community and will be missed by his many friends and employees.

"Wayne served in the US Army in the Army Security Agency from 1955-957.  He graduated from Pasadena City College in Pasadena, California and attended the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. 

"He began his dental career in 1963 as a salesman for Unitek Corporation. In 1967, he was promoted to Manager of Research and Development, where he led a team of scientists and engineers that developed many new orthodontic and dental laboratory products. In 1971, he was promoted to Vice President of R&D, Manufacturing and Director of Foreign Subsidiaries. In addition to his dental duties, he served on President Nixon’s Advance staff from 1972 – 1974, where he managed some aspects of President Nixon’s travel, including his notable 1972 trip to Russia. In 1980, he was promoted to Executive Vice President, reporting directly to the Unitek President.

"In 1984, Wayne, Ray Morrow, Vern Hale, and Henry Rauter co-founded Vident, the predecessor company to VITA North America, to distribute VITA products in the United States and Canada. For more than 2 decades, academic and industry leaders worked closely with Wayne, VITA, and Vident to develop some of today’s most innovative new products. Wayne was the driving force in Vident’s rapid growth and success. He prided himself on forging quality relationships within the dental industry, allowing him to get to know people on a personal level, as well as a business one.

"Wayne traveled extensively throughout the US, Canada, and Europe attending dental meetings and conducting business with dental laboratory owners, managers, clinicians, and advocates in the dental field. Wayne established many longtime friendships during this time due to his honesty, sincerity and moral and ethical characteristics. He was a role model and mentor to all the people he worked with and managed.

"Wayne is survived by his wife of 55 years, Karen, 3 daughters, sons-in-law, and 7 grandchildren. We will all miss his experienced hand and wise council.

"Funeral arrangements are pending."

Lawrence, Kansas (PRWEB) July 14, 2015 - Every three minutes a baby is born with a cleft lip and/or palate, making it one of the most common congenital conditions in the world. In Western society, the main surgery is performed within the first year of life, while dental care, speech therapy, physiological care, further oral surgeries and so on is ongoing up to approximately 18 years old. However, a recent study conducted found that people with a cleft lip/palate condition were unaware of it as a hereditary condition and the increased risk of passing it along to their children.

A study was carried out as part of the world's largest cleft lip and palate research program, The Cleft Collective, which aims to identify the causes of cleft, the best treatments for cleft and appropriate psychological support for those affected (https://www.cleftcollective.org.uk). The study was described in the article “Starting a Family: The Experience of Parents With Cleft Lip and/or Palate,” in The Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal discussing 24 parents with cleft lip/palate whose children were born with or without the condition. The parents were given the opportunity to discuss their feelings and reactions to the birth of their child and learning of their condition for the first time.

The research conducted was comprised mainly of one-on-one, in-depth interviews with the participants. There was some mixed feedback from people who either felt a rejuvenation to return to treatment after seeing their children and those who felt a new sense of trauma in reliving all their painful memories. Also, while some parents felt guilt for passing along their condition, there was a genuine feeling that because they themselves experienced the same condition, they were well-equipped to help guide their children through childhood and the difficulties they would face. This gives an overall feeling that with the right support in place, this does not have to be a debilitating congenital condition.

In doing this research, author Nicola Stock felt, “The most surprising finding was that none of the parents who took part had a clear understanding of recurrence risks, despite being born with a cleft themselves. Accurate information and access to genetic counselling is therefore vital for young people born with heritable conditions such as cleft lip/palate, who are prospective parents. In addition, research into the genetic and environmental causes of conditions such as cleft are crucial for education and prevention.” The authors do believe that more support is needed for young adults with a cleft palate condition after they reach the age of 18, especially when they are deciding to start families; they should be fully informed of the hereditary impact of their condition.

Full text of the article, “Starting a Family: The Experience of Parents With Cleft Lip and/or Palate,” The Cleft Palate–Craniofacial Journal, Vol. 52, No. 4, 2015, is now available online.

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About The Cleft Palate–Craniofacial Journal 

The Cleft Palate–Craniofacial Journal is an international, interdisciplinary journal reporting on clinical and research activities in cleft lip/palate and other craniofacial anomalies, together with research in related laboratory sciences. It is the official publication of the American Cleft Palate–Craniofacial Association (ACPA). For more information, visithttps://www.acpa-cpf.org/.

HATFIELD, Pa., July 14, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Registration is open for the first-ever Dental 3D University (3DU), hosted by KaVo Kerr Group imaging brands Gendex™, NOMAD™, SOREDEX™ and Instrumentarium™. 3DU is an exciting 2-day event that promises to provide dental professionals with an educational environment dedicated to Cone Beam 3D (CBCT) solutions that will enhance their practice and put them in full control of treatment outcomes.

3DU will be held October 1-2, 2015, at the Hilton Chicago in Chicago, IL. Up to 12 CE Credits can be earned and an early bird discount of $300 is available for dentists and staff who register on or before August 16, 2015.

Featured topics at Dental 3D University include:

• Successfully incorporating 3D into your practice

• Implant planning with 3D and surgical guides

• Reading 3D scans

• Insurance and billing for a smoother reimbursement process

• And much more!

The educational program will be anchored by world-class presenters, Dr. Lou Graham, discussing his "Journey to 3D: Working Through Data to Make the Right Decision"; and Dr. John Flucke, one of the strongest voices in dental technology over the last decade, sharing his expertise on the value of 3D in endodontic procedures.

In addition to the educational sessions, networking opportunities will offer attendees time to interact with colleagues and industry speakers.

"The advancements in 3D imaging over the last several years have generated not only excitement among specialists and tech-savvy dentists, but a genuine interest from a much wider audience in understanding how these developments can make a difference in day-to-day practice and patients' overall quality of care," says Pankaj Jaggi, Director of Marketing, KaVo Kerr Group, Imaging. "We are excited to showcase an exceptional lineup of engaging lectures, outstanding speakers, professional networking opportunities and more. 3DU will offer attendees time to interact with peers and industry thought leaders, explore the technology exhibit, and learn about the latest digital solutions. This will be an event you won't want to miss!"

A KaVo Kerr Group Imaging Owners' Meeting, to be held during the event on October 1, offers an opportunity for existing Gendex, SOREDEX 3D and Instrumentarium owners to take part in advanced training and peer-to-peer networking. Reserve your spot now atdental3DU.com.

OAK BROOK, Ill., July 15, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- This past school year was a painful one for many U.S. students, according to a new survey out today from Delta Dental. The survey finds that more than 30 percent of parents said their children between the ages of six and 12 had to miss school due to an oral health problem.

School absence breakdown :

• How much school missed: 18 percent of parents reported their children missed at least a half a day of school, four percent said their children missed one day, four percent reported children missing two days and six percent said their children had to miss three or more days.

• By region: School children in the Northeast reported the most absences because of a dental issue, with 36 percent of parents reporting their six to 12 year olds missed school, followed by the South (33 percent) , the Midwest (28 percent) and the West (28 percent).

• By parents' age: Parents age 35-44 reported the most amount of school missed by their children (35 percent), followed closely by parents 18-34 (34 percent), while parents 45 and older reported the least amount of school missed (19 percent).

The good news: Some attention to the issue over the summer can help avoid oral health problems. Today, Delta Dental is releasing six quick tips to help parents get their kids on the right oral health track during the summer months:

• Brush all surfaces of the teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste.

• Brush gently for about two minutes and pay special attention to the gum line.

• Floss at least once a day.

• Limit not only sugary snacks but also high-starch or refined carbohydrate foods. These include foods like chips, pretzels, cookies, breads, and dried fruits, including raisins. The bacteria that cause tooth decay thrive on simple sugars, especially those in sticky foods and treats.

• Limit fruit juice or other sweet/sugary drinks to mealtimes. Between meals and especially at bedtime, give your child water, it keeps them hydrated and helps prevent tooth-decay if your community water is fluoridated.

• And, of course, go to the dentist early enough before school starts to learn about current or looming issues that could pose a problem. 

More information can be found online in Delta Dental's child dental and oral health care section.

WASHINGTON — Targeting some of the most common causes of workplace injury and illness in the healthcare industry, the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced the agency is expanding its use of enforcement resources in hospitals and nursing homes to focus on: musculoskeletal disorders related to patient or resident handling; bloodborne pathogens; workplace violence; tuberculosis and slips, trips and falls.

U.S. hospitals recorded nearly 58,000 work-related injuries and illnesses in 2013, amounting to 6.4 work-related* injuries and illnesses for every 100 full-time employees: almost twice as high as the overall rate for private industry.

"Workers who take care of us when we are sick or hurt should not be at such high risk for injuries — that simply is not right. Workers in hospitals, nursing homes and long-term care facilities have work injury and illness rates that are among the highest in the country, and virtually all of these injuries and illnesses are preventable," said Dr. David Michaels, assistant secretary of labor for occupational safety and health. "OSHA has provided employers with education, training and resource materials, and it's time for hospitals and the health care industry to make the changes necessary to protect their workers."

OSHA has advised its staff through a memorandum that all inspections of hospitals and nursing home facilities, including those prompted by complaints, referrals or severe injury reports, should include the review of potential hazards involving MSD related to patient handling; bloodborne pathogens; workplace violence; tuberculosis; and slips, trips and falls.

"The most recent statistics tell us that almost half of all reported injuries in the healthcare industry were attributed to overexertion and related tasks. Nurses and nursing assistants each accounted for a substantial share of this total," added Dr. Michaels.  "There are feasible solutions for preventing these hazards and now is the time for employers to implement them."

For more information; to obtain compliance assistance; file a complaint or report amputations, losses of an eye, workplace hospitalizations, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, the public can call OSHA's toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742).

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to ensure these conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit https://www.osha.gov.

Toronto, CA – July 14, 2015 – Oravital Inc., is now introducing its highly successful proprietary Oravital^® Oral Health System to the U.S. professional dental market.  The company which was formed in 2008 and currently has a network certified dental offices throughout Canada, plans to replicate its success in the United States.

According to company president and CEO Dr. Jim Hyland, “Undiagnosed and untreated oral infections are a North American epidemic and include gum disease and halitosis. We also know that gum disease is a contributing factor to many systemic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s and diabetes. The time is right to share the Canadian clinical success of the Oravital^® System with our American dental colleagues and their patients.”

The Oravital^® System is a five-step system based on identifying the cause of oral infection through microbial analysis and tests for bleeding gums before scaling. After diagnosis, treatment includes a customized antibiotic mouthwash used for a two-week period, accompanied by proper home oral care using additional, specific Oravital^® products that are recommended based upon the patient’s individual condition.  

One early adopter in the US is Dr. Robert McBride who practices in Long Beach, CA.  Dr. McBride is certified in using the Oravital^® System for treating both periodontal disease and halitosis. “In the past, we attempted to accurately assess our patients' oral environment via phase microscopy and laboratory tests that many patients rejected due to expense.  The Oravital^® System is a more cost effective and patient-accepted option. The system offers a comprehensive quantification of the oral microbial environment along with user-friendlyand effective preventive and treatment protocols. This provides a solution to oral malodor while treating periodontal disease as well.”   

Alpharetta, GA -- July 13, 2015 -- Scheduling Institute, a dental consulting & training company based in Alpharetta, Georgia, achieved a huge milestone last month—they completed 10,000 on-site, in-office trainings for dental and orthodontic teams around the world since 2008.

Founded in 1997, Scheduling Institute has become the largest dental consulting, training and coaching company in the world, helping thousands of dentists to get more new patients and make more money, all while working less. This allows them to spend more time with their families, pursue personal fulfillment, and give generously to their communities.

With nearly 200 team members, a team of over 52 Certified Dental Training Specialists, the company is headquartered just outside the City of Atlanta in their 40,000 square foot office center. For the convenience of their clients, Jay Geier and the Scheduling Institute also opened a state-of-the-art 28,000 foot training facility within one mile of Atlanta's Jackson-Hartsfield International Airport in 2010. In February 2015, a new training facility opened for all West Coast clients in Phoenix, Arizona, adding another 25,000 square feet of world-class, state of the art training space for the 17,000+ people who attend workshops and training programs through Jay Geier's Scheduling Institute.

The company's team of Certified Dental Training Specialists works hard to consistently over-deliver to their clients, training over 300 dental practices every single month, and flying over 5 million miles every year to dental offices around the world. On average, these dental training experts are on the road 20 days out of every month in order to keep up with increasing client demand.

While the Scheduling Institute's Certified Dental Training Specialists offer a variety of trainings—from hygiene production maximization, dental marketing strategies, associate trainings, and new patient experience trainings—the most highly sought after training is the guarantee-backed telephone training on which the company was founded.

This training, known as the New Patient Generation & Practice Expansion training, is a unique system that Jay Geier developed in his early twenties, allowing dentists to leverage their front desk teams in order to drastically increase their new patient numbers, production, and collections.

After fifteen years of research, Jay Geier discovered that 98% of potential new patients utilize the telephone to call a dentist before booking an appointment. The Scheduling Institute conducts ongoing tests of over 12,700 dental offices each year… In these tests they discovered that only 3% of dental front desk employees—who are entrusted with handling telephone and new patient inquiries—use the correct technique to schedule a new patient caller. Consequently, with every new patient not booked, the practice is losing thousands of dollars every week. Jay Geier's dental training program allows doctors to recoup the new patients they're losing and put more money back in their pocket.

Ultimately, this 10,000 dental team-training milestone represents a solid answer to a question dentists have been asking for decades: How do I get more new patients? The answer is the Scheduling Institute. Since 1997, the Scheduling Institute and Jay Geier have been showing dentists how to double their new patients in less than 90 days. Now they offer a full money-back guarantee for their program, ensuring that you'll see a 10-60% increase in your new patients. With over 10,000 dentists already completing the program and proving that it works, the Scheduling Institute is the easiest, most successful and most widely used new patient generation dental training program in the world.

For more information on Jay Geier's Scheduling Institute, visit their website at https://www.schedulinginstitute.com/