CHICAGO, September 18, 2015—According to a recent public opinion survey commissioned by Oral Health America (OHA), 92 percent of older Americans brush their teeth daily. That’s great news, but we still have a long way to go before all older Americans have access to the oral healthcare they need in addition to daily brushing to maintain a healthy mouth. That’s why OHA and Denticator are encouraging dental professionals to celebrate healthy smiles with this year’s Smile Contest. Dental offices can submit photos of staff members’ and patients’ healthy smiles and in return will receive a free Zooby sample pack from Denticator, which includes fluoride varnish, prophy paste and an assortment of disposable prophy angles featuring five unique animal designs.

The Smile Contest is part of OHA’s annual Fall for Smiles campaign, which educates Americans every September and October about the importance of maintaining a healthy mouth through daily brushing and flossing, regular dental visits, eating healthy foods and avoiding tobacco products. The Fall for Smiles webpage features many free resources that dental offices can use to participate in the campaign and spread the message of the importance of oral health.

Those interested participating in the Smile Contest can submit photos through OHA's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/oralhealthamerica, share photos on Twitter tagging @Smile4Health and using #fallforsmiles or email photos and caption information to brittany.wright@oralhealthamerica.org. Please include information about the participating dental office, names of those who are pictured and proof of parental consent for any children pictured. To learn more about the Fall for Smiles campaign, visit www.oralhealthamerica.org/fallforsmiles.

MORIN-HEIGHTS, QUEBEC - Capital Pro-Égaux Inc. announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Technique d'usinage Sinlab Inc., has entered into a Patent License Agreement with exocad America, Inc.

As part of the agreement, Sinlab granted exocad America, Inc. a worldwide, perpetual, non-exclusive license in and to all of Sinlab's digital dentistry patents, including patents relating to its Technobar and Technoguide technologies that extends to all current resellers of exocad software, as listed on exocad.com/partners, as well as small and  medium-sized dental laboratories that use exocad software for their design or manufacturing processes. The terms remain undisclosed for confidentiality reasons.

The National Institutes of Health will award 10 research grants aimed at eliminating inequities in access to care and improving the oral health of children. Totaling more than $7 million in first-year funding, these awards support the Multidisciplinary and Collaborative Research Consortium to Reduce Oral Health Disparities in Children, a new initiative of NIH’s National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR).

“By establishing this research consortium, NIDCR seeks to lead national efforts in reducing childhood oral health disparities,” said NIDCR Director Martha J. Somerman, D.D.S., Ph.D. “Among the projects awarded are those that test innovative health promotion and disease prevention strategies and evaluate and refine existing programs and policies.”

Children from certain racial and ethnic groups or from families with low levels of education and income are far more likely than other children to develop oral diseases, including tooth decay. In March 2015, the National Center for Health Statistics reported that Hispanic/Latino children and black children are about twice as likely as white children to have untreated tooth decay in primary teeth. NIDCR’s previous investments established the Centers for Research to Reduce Disparities in Oral Health, which gave rise to a cadre of dedicated oral health disparities researchers. Their community-based investigations illuminated the complex social and behavioral determinants of oral health disparities and inequities.

“Research has shown that individual-level approaches alone are not sufficient to reduce rates of tooth decay and other oral diseases,” said NIDCR Health Disparities Research Program Director Ruth Nowjack-Raymer, Ph.D., R.D.H., M.P.H. “Therefore, the consortium’s research projects will involve holistic, population health and other approaches to take decisive action against oral health disparities at multiple levels of influence, such as families, neighborhoods, and health care systems.”

The following projects will be funded for up to five years (pending available funds):

· Integrating Interactive Parent Text Messaging and Oral Health Guidelines into Pediatric Community Health Centers to Reduce Early Childhood Caries

Principal Investigators: Belinda Borrelli, Ph.D. and Michelle Henshaw, D.D.S., M.P.H.; Boston University Medical Campus; UH2DE025492-01

· Using Social Networks to Improve Oral Health

Principal Investigator: Raul Garcia, D.M.D.; Boston University Medical Campus; UH2DE025505-01

· Multi-Level Interventions to Reduce Caries Disparities in Primary Care Settings

Principal Investigator: Suchitra Nelson, M.Sc., M.S.,Ph.D.; Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland; UH2DE025487-01

· Influence of Financial Incentives on Oral Disease Management in Young Children Principal

Investigators: Stuart Gansky, Dr.P.H., James Kahn, M.D., M.P.H., and Francisco Ramos-Gomez, D.D.S., M.S., M.P.H.; University of California, San Francisco; UH2DE025514-01

· Evaluating Standardized Preventive Care to Reduce Dental Disparities in Children Principal

Investigators: Elizabeth Mertz, Ph.D. and Joel White, D.D.S., M.S.; University of California, San Francisco; UH2DE025504-01

· Coordinated Oral Health Promotion (CO-OP) Chicago

Principal Investigator: Molly Martin, M.D., M.A.P.P.; University of Illinois at Chicago; UH2DE025483-01

· Evaluating the Outcomes of Oral Health Workforce Policy to Increase Access to Dental Providers and Reduce Oral Health Disparities

Principal Investigators: Melanie Simmer-Beck, R.D.H., Ph.D. and Patricia J. Kelly, Ph.D., M.P.H., A.P.R.N.; University of Missouri, Kansas City; UH2DE025510-01

· Sociopolitical Policies That Reduce Disparities in Children’s Oral Health

Principal Investigators: Anne Sanders, Ph.D., and Gary Slade, Ph.D.; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; UH2DE025494-01

· Oral Health Equity in Alaska (OHEAL): Implementation and Evaluation of Delivery System Changes to Reduce Oral Health Disparities for Native American Children

Principal Investigator: Joana Cunha-Cruz, D.D.S.,M.P.H., Ph.D.; University of Washington, Seattle; UH2DE025488-01

· Coordinating Center to Help Eliminate/Reduce Oral Health Inequalities in Children

Principal Investigators: Stuart Gansky, Dr.P.H. and Steven Gregorich, Ph.D.; University of California, San Francisco; U01DE025507-01

To learn more about the consortium, visit https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/HDconsortium 

NEW YORK, NY (September 18, 2015) —The Columbia University College of Dental Medicine (CDM) received the 2015 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, the oldest and largest diversity-focused publication in higher education. As a recipient of the annual HEED Award—a national honor recognizing U.S. colleges and universities that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion—CDM will be featured along with 91 other recipients, including Columbia University, in the November 2015 issue of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine.  This is the second year that CDM has been named as a HEED Award recipient.

“At the College of Dental Medicine, we continue to foster a student body diverse in thought, background, and experience within an inclusive environment,” said Dr. Dennis Mitchell, vice provost for faculty diversity and inclusion at Columbia University, and senior associate dean for student development at CDM. “Accomplishing this requires that diversity be a fundamental academic priority for our University and our school, as exemplified through equity in recruiting, advancement and retention.”

INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine selected the College of Dental Medicine based on our exemplary diversity and inclusion initiatives, which include embracing a broad definition of diversity on our campus, including gender, race, ethnicity, veterans, people with disabilities, members of the LGBT community, and well as all other underrepresented communities.

The CDM admissions policy for diversity affirms the College’s commitment to assuring a “critical mass” of Underrepresented in Dentistry students.  Our Predoctoral classes include unprecedented numbers of students underrepresented in the dental profession.  CDM ranks first among our peer northeast private dental schools for enrollment of underrepresented minority dental students, and we continue to support 3 half-tuition scholarships for these students. The Summer Medical and Dental Education Program (SMDEP), funded through a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and administered with the College of Physicians & Surgeons (P&S) Office of Diversity, is one of our most successful pipeline programs. Staff members in the Office of Diversity attend annual conferences targeting promising UID students, including the Hispanic Dental Association Annual Conference, the National Dental Association Conference, the Morehouse College Public Health Awareness Conference, and the SMDEP annual recruitment fair sponsored by the Northeast SMDEP sites. Student organizations work with the Office of Student Affairs and Admissions to provide recruitment events on campus and participate in our successful hosting program for UID applicants during interview season.

“The HEED Award process consists of a comprehensive and rigorous application that includes questions relating to the recruitment and retention of students and employees — and best practices for both — continued leadership support for diversity, and other aspects of campus diversity and inclusion. We take a holistic approach to reviewing each application in deciding who will be named a HEED Award recipient. Our standards are high, and we look for institutions where diversity and inclusion are woven into the work being accomplished every day across a campus,” said Lenore Pearlstein, publisher of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine.

Charlotte, NC (September 18, 2015) –The new ORTHOPHOS SL Family has been launched in the US at CEREC 30, Sirona’s celebratory meeting in honor of the 30th anniversary of its industry-changing CEREC CAD/CAM system.

The ORTHOPHOS SL 3D package options provides various volumes that can also be flexibly positioned in the entire mid-face region or lower jaw, is also joined by the ORTHOPHOS SL DCS, an upgradable 2D version of this newest generation built on the proven ORTHOPHOS platform. Both offer Sharp Layer (SL) technology and the Direct Conversion Sensor (DCS), which provide an unprecedented level of image definition for a detailed diagnosis at the lowest possible radiation dose.

In addition, there are numerous features such as EasyPad operation, Easy Volume Indicator (EVI), the AutoPositioner for 2D and 3D patient positioning, and ambient light that further workflow efficiency and support the clinician’s ability to capture the highest resolution with 2D and 3D images that aid in diagnosis and treatment.

Sharp Layer

Sharp Layer technology produces sharp images and automatically adapts the panorama curve of the DCS to the patient’s individual anatomical situation, making it unnecessary to first select jaw morphology and front tooth position, thus simplifying the operation of the x-ray unit.

According to Jörg Haist, Director Product Management Imaging Division at Sirona, SL technology offers numerous other technical features that improve image quality “to provide the best x-ray resolution on the market with ORTHOPHOS SL and win over dentists with high standards all over the world.” It generates several thousand images from different angles during a single rotation, offering excellent panoramic images and the opportunity to correct positioning errors retroactively.

Furthermore, interactive Sharp Layer technology makes it possible to shift the depth of focus retroactively in the buccal-lingual direction, so that in case of unclear overlays, it is immediately apparent which structure is in front and which is behind, and it automatically combines fragments with the best focus to form a single radiographic image with incomparable sharpness.

Direct Conversion Sensor

The revolutionary Direct Conversion Sensor minimizes signal loss and maximizes definition by converting x-rays directly into electrical signals without first converting them into light. As a result, less information is lost and the image data yielded is significantly better in relation to the applied dose. The Direct Conversion Sensor thus generates highly precise x-ray images with a reduced radiation dose especially efficiently.

Flexible options for any practice

The ORTHOPHOS SL is available in multiple configurations to best fit your practice. The ORTHOPHOS SL DCS is a 2D unit ready to be upgraded with a 3D module. ORTHOPHOS SL 3D-i offers various volume sizes—including 5 cm x 5.5 mm for endodontic treatment and 8 mm x 8 for implants. ORTHOPHOS SL 3D-Ai offers up to 11 x 10 cm for airway assessment, which can also be flexibly positioned in the entire mid-face region or lower jaw.

Additionally, ORTHOPHOS SL units can be equipped with an optional cephalometric arm on the left or the right to fit the needs of the practice.

EasyPad

The updated EasyPad, which swivels and twists, guarantees optimal and simple operation. Its touchscreen provides higher resolution and greater contrast with an improved feel and easily visible buttons and symbols, so the user can quickly and easily recognize the functions required.

Patient Positioning Made Easy

Stable patient positioning prevents motion blurring that can impair contrast. With the patented AutoPositioner and the three-point fixation of the head with forehead and temple supports, patients can be positioned for an image easily, safely, and reproducibly.

Furthermore, the 2D units with the motorized three-point head fixation and stable handles provide patients the necessary support, with integrated temple width measurements to ensure
an orbit specific to each patient, resulting in high image resolution. To determine the correct tilt of the head, the ORTHOPHOS SL operator needs only to press up and down arrows on the patented AutoPositioner and indicate it using corresponding symbols and colors on the EasyPad.

On the 3D unit, the Easy Volume Indicator (EVI) light localizers show the patient’s position in the volume. The integrated temple width measurement ensures an orbit specific to each patient and thereby results in high image sharpness. 

Ambient Light

The soothing ambient light has an extensive range of colors for the ORTHOPHOS SL and creates a pleasant atmosphere for patients, fitting perfectly into the image of a modern practice.  

Major Innovations Signals a New Generation

Dr. Tarun Agarwal, a practicing dentist from Raleigh, North Carolina has hailed this latest generation of ORTHOPHOS. “The new ORTHOPHOS SL combines two new technologies that enable high resolution images of anatomical structures at a low dose.” He stresses that the DCS makes an especially efficient generation of imaging possible and points out that it is the addition of the reconstructive Sharp Layer process to the highly developed panoramic process that provides high contrast images for better diagnostics and treatment for patients.

Charlotte, NC (September 18, 2015) –Sirona Dental, Inc., the worldwide leader and pioneer of digital dentistry, announces SIROWORLD, a new community with a host of benefits for future-thinking dental professionals interested in collaboration and improving their practices with advanced dental technologies.

SIROWORLD represents an opportunity for dental professionals to share experiences with colleagues who are both long-time Sirona clinicians, as well as those who are just getting started: it’s a partnership between dentists who share a vested interest in digital technology. Networking with respected and recognized clinicians using Sirona technologies not currently incorporated at your practice, will let dentists discover how to truly maximize the potential of Sirona technology.

Additionally, SIROWORLD will hold an annual event August, 2016 in Orlando, FL. The SIROWORLD community will congregate to network and discuss the past, present, and future of digital dentistry. While collaborating with like-minded, technology-driven dental professionals is the core of SIROWORLD, members will have access to a variety of other benefits.

Members will also have exclusive access to educational and entertainment events at major dental trade shows where dentists can learn from nationally and internationally recognized leaders in digital dentistry, and enjoy special entertainment events among peers. When asked about the SIROWORLD educational events Michael Augins, president of Sirona Dental, Inc. said, “Sirona has enlisted some of the foremost individuals in the digital dentistry world to help practitioners enhance and differentiate their skill sets via a multitude of innovative lectures and hands-on courses. All participating dental professionals will be enriched as a result of the immense educational curriculum.”

SIROWORLD will also offer a VIP membership with specialized admittance to many events including VIP reserved seating, eligibility for certain special trips such as the prestigious IDS in Bensheim. Furthermore, VIP members will gain exclusive access to the latest Sirona technologies and innovations. Pricing for SIROWORLD is now available at $1,995 a year for a standard membership and $2,995 a year for VIP membership.

Dentists who join SIROWORLD are not only growing their practice in a smart way, but are a part of the definitive community for digital dentistry. For more information on joining SIROWORLD, visit www.SIROWORLD.com.

CHICAGO, Sept. 17, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The American College of Prosthodontists (ACP), through its awards program, formally recognizes individuals whose contributions to the specialty or to the college are outstanding and substantial. These individuals will be honored on Friday, Oct. 23, at ACP's Annual Awards & President's Dinner. The event is held during the 45th Annual Session of the American College of Prosthodontists in Orlando from Oct. 21-24, 2015.

The ACP is proud to announce the following recipients:

Dan Gordon Lifetime Achievement Award – Dr. Nancy S. Arbree

Dr. Nancy S. Arbree was ACP's first female president in 2004 and has played an integral role in the field of Prosthodontic academics. She introduced overdentures and overdenture attachments into the predoctoral curriculum and clinic. She also established the denture recall system and managed a special access program for geriatric denture patients. Dr. Arbree was the associate dean of academic affairs at Tufts University for 16 years, where she chaired the Curriculum Committee, managed predoctoral student schedules and served as director of the biomedical sciences courses.

Clinician/Researcher Award – Dr. Cortino Sukotjo

Dr. Cortino Sukotjo is a tenured Associate Professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago, College of Dentistry. He is a Diplomate of the American Board Certified Prosthodontics, Fellow of the American College of Prosthodontists, Associate Fellow of the Academy of Prosthodontics, the ADEA Policy Center Educational Research and Analysis Committee member, ADEA/William J. Gies Foundation Education Fellow, and Past President of the IADR/AADR Prosthodontic Research Group. He was recently awarded as the Best Research Mentor of the year by UIC-COD, and was the past recipient of the ACP Young Prosthodontist Innovator Award. Dr. Sukotjo has co-authored 90 peer-reviewed articles and 4 book chapters. He has mentored 65 predoctoral, resident, master, and PhD students as well as junior faculty members.

Dental Technician Leadership Award – Mr. Steven Pigliacelli

Mr. Steven Pigliacelli is a Certified Dental Technician with the National Board for Certification and has an MDT, Master of Dental Technology, from the ASMDT Certificate program at NYU. Steven is a Faculty Instructor in Post-Graduate Prosthodontics at New York University, College of Dentistry, Department of Prosthodontics in New York, NY. He manages Marotta Dental Studio and is the technical liaison between the dentist and the laboratory for case planning, telephone support, and quality control.

Distinguished Lecturer Award – Dr. Dennis Tarnow

Dr. Dennis Tarnow is currently Clinical Professor of Periodontology and Director of Implant Education at Columbia School of Dental Medicine. He is the former Professor and Chairman of the Department of Periodontology and Implant Dentistry at New York University College of Dentistry. Dr. Tarnow has a private practice in New York City, has published over one hundred articles on perio-prosthodontics and implant dentistry, has coauthored three textbooks, and has lecture extensively in the United States and internationally in over thirty countries.

Educator of the Year Award – Dr. Heather Conrad

Dr. Heather Conrad was appointed the Director of the Advanced Education Program in Prosthodontics and promoted to Associate Professor with Tenure in 2012. Dr. Conrad was voted Professor of the Year by the dental students for three consecutive years from 2009-2011, has served on the Council for the American Board of Prosthodontics and Prosthodontic Section of ADEA, and is currently serving on the administrative board of the ADEA Council for Hospitals and Advanced Education Programs.

Major General Bill B. Lefler Federal Services Award – Capt. Servando Ramos

Capt. Servando Ramos is a Colonel in the United States Army Dental Corps and is the Program Director for the U.S. Army Prosthodontic Residency Program at Fort Gordon, Georgia. He is also the U.S. Army Prosthodontic Consultant to The Surgeon General. He is a Diplomate of The American Board of Prosthodontics, a Fellow in the American College of Prosthodontists and the International College of Dentists.

Prosthodontists are specialized dentists with advanced training in oral health issues, who are committed to improving patient outcomes. From implants, crowns, veneers and tooth whitening, to full-mouth reconstruction, Prosthodontists specialize in digital dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, and sleep apnea solutions.

The ACP is the only prosthodontic specialty organization whose membership is based solely on education credentials. ACP members must be in or have completed an ADA-accredited advanced education program in Prosthodontics.

Los Angeles, CA - LabStar cloud-based dental laboratory software announced that it successfully released more than 200 upgrades to its production line management earlier this month. Dental laboratories use LabStar to manage their businesses including order entry, online RX, case shipping, doctor communication, CRM, client portals, billing, and production-line management. 

“Managing production/manufacturing has always been painful for dental labs," LabStar CEO Jeff Noles says. "Older software is especially complicated and time-consuming. We’ve solved these problems for LabStar users with unique features such as drag-and-drop production line customization, 1-click case rescheduling, and combination case scheduling on one work ticket. Now LabStar users can use tablet-friendly software to achieve “paperless” production. It’s the biggest upgrade we’ve ever released—and we couldn’t be more pleased with the results.” 

LabStar invested thousands of hours collecting customer feedback, designing user-friendly features, and conducting extensive user testing for this upgrade. The goal, as always, was to simplify complex manufacturing, so LabStar automated complicated scheduling logic to minimize manual lab work. For this upgrade, LabStar continued its relentless focus on intuitive, modern design so labs can spend less time learning how to use software and more time producing cases.

The International and American Associations for Dental Research (IADR/AADR) have published an article titled “Global Economic Impact of Dental Diseases” in the OnlineFirst portion of the Journal of Dental Research. In it, authors Stefan Listl, Jennifer Galloway, Peter Mossey and Wagner Marcenes estimate the direct and indirect costs of dental diseases worldwide.

Reporting the economic burden of oral diseases is important to evaluate the societal relevance of preventing and addressing oral diseases. In addition to treatment costs, there are indirect costs to consider, mainly in terms of productivity losses due to absenteeism from work. Estimation of direct treatment costs was based on a systematic approach.

For estimation of indirect costs, an approach suggested by the World Health Organization’s Commission on Macroeconomics and Health was employed, which factored in 2010 values of gross domestic product per capita as provided by the International Monetary Fund and oral burden of disease estimates from the US Global Burden of Disease Study. Direct treatment costs due to dental diseases worldwide were estimated at US$298 billion yearly, corresponding to an average of 4.6% of global health expenditure. Indirect costs due to dental diseases worldwide amounted to US$144 billion yearly, corresponding to economic losses within the range of the 10 most frequent global causes of death.

Within the limitations of currently available data sources and methodologies, these findings suggest that the global economic impact of dental diseases amounted to US$442 billion in 2010. Improvements in population oral health may imply substantial economic benefits not only in terms of reduced treatment costs but also because of fewer productivity losses in the labor market.

“Through this study, the authors have amplified the message that we need to increase the availability of internationally comparable data on dental treatment costs, disease-specific absenteeism from work and school, as well as intangible costs of oral diseases in terms of quality of life,” said expert and AADR Immediate Past President Timothy DeRouen. “As the community works collaboratively to solve this need, it’s important to stay cognizant of the global economic burden of oral diseases so that we may continue to work toward improving oral health for all populations.”

The article “Global Economic Impact of Dental Diseases” is available in the OnlineFirst portion of the JDR, at https://jdr.sagepub.com. Reporters and writers may contact Ingrid L. Thomas at ithomas@iadr.org to request a PDF.The International and American Associations for Dental Research (IADR/AADR) have published an article titled “Global Economic Impact of Dental Diseases” in the OnlineFirst portion of the Journal of Dental Research. In it, authors Stefan Listl, Jennifer Galloway, Peter Mossey and Wagner Marcenes estimate the direct and indirect costs of dental diseases worldwide.

Reporting the economic burden of oral diseases is important to evaluate the societal relevance of preventing and addressing oral diseases. In addition to treatment costs, there are indirect costs to consider, mainly in terms of productivity losses due to absenteeism from work. Estimation of direct treatment costs was based on a systematic approach.

For estimation of indirect costs, an approach suggested by the World Health Organization’s Commission on Macroeconomics and Health was employed, which factored in 2010 values of gross domestic product per capita as provided by the International Monetary Fund and oral burden of disease estimates from the US Global Burden of Disease Study. Direct treatment costs due to dental diseases worldwide were estimated at US$298 billion yearly, corresponding to an average of 4.6% of global health expenditure. Indirect costs due to dental diseases worldwide amounted to US$144 billion yearly, corresponding to economic losses within the range of the 10 most frequent global causes of death.

Within the limitations of currently available data sources and methodologies, these findings suggest that the global economic impact of dental diseases amounted to US$442 billion in 2010. Improvements in population oral health may imply substantial economic benefits not only in terms of reduced treatment costs but also because of fewer productivity losses in the labor market.

“Through this study, the authors have amplified the message that we need to increase the availability of internationally comparable data on dental treatment costs, disease-specific absenteeism from work and school, as well as intangible costs of oral diseases in terms of quality of life,” said expert and AADR Immediate Past President Timothy DeRouen. “As the community works collaboratively to solve this need, it’s important to stay cognizant of the global economic burden of oral diseases so that we may continue to work toward improving oral health for all populations.”

The article “Global Economic Impact of Dental Diseases” is available in the OnlineFirst portion of the JDR, at https://jdr.sagepub.com. Reporters and writers may contact Ingrid L. Thomas at ithomas@iadr.org to request a PDF.