SAN JOSE, Calif. -- October 28, 2015 – Whole You, Inc., a Mitsui Chemicals company dedicated to providing innovative solutions that allow those with sensory and physical mobility challenges to live life to the fullest, will present its newest products, Whole You Nexteeth and Whole You Sleep Appliances Respire Blue Endurance Framework (EF), Respire Pink Endurance Framework (EF) and Respire Pink Micro, at ADA 2015 – America’s Dental Meeting^® from November 5–7, in Washington, DC.

Located in Hall C at booth #3622, Whole You will exhibit its first full denture Nexteeth, which utilizes CAD/CAM technology, combined with advanced base materials and a precise milling process to offer a thinner palate resulting in a better fit for enhanced comfort. Nexteeth utilizes the multifunctional Whole You DENTCA tray, combined with a proprietary CAD technology to accelerate and improve the denture making process by allowing impressions and bite registration to be taken in one office visit, therefore reducing dentist visits.

Additionally, the company will exhibit its Whole You Sleep Appliances which provide extra wearing comfort to meet the needs of doctors and patients in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and snoring. Respire Blue EF and Respire Pink EF are specially designed for those that require additional tongue space or more flexibility with jaw movement. Respire Pink Micro is designed for those with a smaller mouth. Respire Pink EF and Pink Micro also offer new options for OSA patients that suffer from bruxism, or teeth grinding.

“At Whole You, we are thrilled to showcase our latest oral product offerings to dental professionals at ADA 2015,” said Hiromi Inagaki, chief innovation officer, Whole You. “Both Nexteeth and our Whole You Sleep Appliances offer significant benefits to patients and also help dentists treat patients more efficiently and effectively. We invite all attending dentists and sleep dentists to visit us at our booth to learn more.”

Nexteeth, Respire Pink EF and Respire Pink Micro are available now. Respire Blue EF will be launched soon. Visit www.wholeyou.com for more information.

About Whole You™

By combining open innovation with a wide range of partners, material innovation and a deep understanding of market needs, Whole You, Inc., a Mitsui Chemicals company, is committed to offering solutions that allow those with sensory and physical mobility challenges to live life to the fullest. Through Mitsui Chemicals acquisitions of Respire Medical, Dentca and PixelOptics and Panasonic Healthcare technology, Whole You and its partners will push the boundaries of technology to greatly improve how life is experienced by millions of Americans.

Whole You is headquartered in San Jose, Calif. For more information, please visit www.wholeyou.com. Follow us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/wholeyouinc), Twitter (www.twitter.com/wholeyouinc) and LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/whole-you).

CHICAGO, October 30 – Today, Oral Health America (OHA) joins the dental and public health industry in mourning the loss of its former President & CEO, Dr. Robert Klaus. His dedication, leadership and public service established the groundwork for advocacy on behalf of vulnerable populations. During his 20 year tenure at Oral Health America (OHA) from 1988 to 2008, Robert played an instrumental role in fostering a national dialogue about the importance of oral health. Current OHA programs and campaigns such as Smiles Across America® and NSTEP® (National Spit Tobacco Education Project) were established during his tenure.  Former Board Chair, Kathy Zweig remembers Dr. Klaus as “someone who endured much to get the message about health equity across to anyone who would listen. To Robert, this work was vital and failure was not an option.” Dr. Klaus arrived at Oral Health America (then America’s Fund for Dental Health) in 1988, with a PhD in history. His vision for a future free of inequities in access to oral healthcare was paired with his stewardship in raising awareness about oral health’s importance to overall health. In 1994, Dr. Klaus spearheaded the renaming of the organization and the inclusion of a new area of focus - public advocacy. Dr. Klaus’ leadership was acclaimed by the public health industry. He was recognized by the Dr. Edward B. Shils Entrepreneurial Education Fund, received a 2007 Distinction in Public Service Award from the Friends of the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, and garnered a Special Friend Award from Special Olympics/Special Smiles. Oral Health America and the larger dental community keenly feel the loss of Dr. Klaus. His positive leadership style and innovative thinking raised the bar for oral health in America.

The Indian Health Service made eight funding awards totaling up to $10 million over five years to organizations that address some of the most serious and longstanding challenges to high quality dental care in American Indian and Alaska Native communities. The awardees will coordinate regional resources, train dentists and other dental health personnel, and advise health programs in order to improve dental health care for American Indians and Alaska Natives. Five Tribal organizations received funding, as did three IHS federal government programs. 

The purpose of the IHS Dental Preventive and Clinical Support Centers program is to combine IHS and Tribal resources and infrastructure in order to address broad challenges and opportunities associated with preventive and clinical dental programs. With the award today, centers receive up to $250,000 per year for up to five years. Centers may work simultaneously to improve many different dental programs in a region, providing support, guidance, training, and enhancement to these programs, which then provide services to patients. Centers also rigorously measure and evaluate their work with the goal of demonstrably improving dental health outcomes through the technical assistance and services they provide. 

“These new awards improve dental care and dental health for tens of thousands of American Indians and Alaska Natives,” said IHS Principal Deputy Director Robert G. McSwain. “They respond to the needs of patients as well as the needs of dental health programs and personnel, so that programs operate most effectively and dental health personnel have the training and resources they need to provide excellent care, even in the most rural and remote settings. IHS Dental Preventive and Clinical Support Centers funding represents a major commitment of resources to these critical health needs.” 

A list of funded Dental Preventive and Clinical Support Centers is available at https://www.ihs.gov/DOH/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.cscannouncement. 

IHS first launched the IHS Dental Preventive and Clinical Support Centers in 2000. The awards announced today build upon the success of these centers. In recent years, the centers helped IHS achieve dental health performance goals which demonstrated improvements in the quality of dental care provided. In part due to support from the centers, during the 2015 reporting year, 29.4 percent of patients ages 1 through 15 for which IHS had data received one or more topical fluoride applications, exceeding IHS’s Government Performance and Results Act goal to deliver fluoride applications to at least 26.4 percent of these patients. The centers collaborated with the IHS Division of Oral Health on national initiatives such as efforts to reduce early childhood caries. They also assisted with IHS national oral health surveillance, including annual Basic Screening Surveys, and organized continuing education meetings for federal and Tribal dental personnel. 

American Indian and Alaska Native people continue to experience tooth decay at a substantially higher rate than other minority populations in the United States. IHS Division of Oral Health data briefs are available at https://www.ihs.gov/doh. 

The IHS Office of Clinical and Preventive Services, Division of Oral Health serves as the primary source of management and administration of IHS clinical and community prevention programs for oral health. Working in partnership with Tribes, Tribal organizations and Urban Indian health organizations, the Division of Oral Health coordinates national efforts to share knowledge and build capacity. IHS dentistry focuses on one-on-one patient care as well as community prevention programs that include water fluoridation, dental screenings, dental sealants, and fluoride varnishes. 

The IHS, an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, provides a comprehensive health service delivery system for approximately 2.2 million American Indians and Alaska Natives. 

ATLANTA, Oct. 28, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- National children's dental provider Kool Smiles has received the nation's top public relations award – the PR News Platinum PR Award – for its "SmileOn" campaign, a multi-year effort that includes ongoing community outreach, patient and employee relations, national and local media outreach around dental health education, and social media community building.

The award was presented at the 2015 PR News Platinum PR Awards ceremony on October 26, 2015 in New York City.

"We are thrilled to be recognized by the PR News Platinum PR Awards program for our efforts to communicate the Kool Smiles dream of creating a world of happy, health smiles by providing a dental home to every child who needs one. For the past several years, our SmileOn program has advanced this dream through internal and external community engagement programs that promote dental health education and give back to the communities we serve," said Dr. D Ray Gifford, managing dental director for Kool Smiles. "We could not be more proud of our dentists and other team members, whose dedication to our dream has been rightly recognized with this honor."

Kool Smiles' SmileOn initiatives include Operation Troop Treats, the largest Halloween candy buyback program by a dental provider inthe United States that has contributed to a total of more than five tons of sweets and 800 care packages shipped to U.S. soldiers overseas. The program is now in its fourth consecutive year, with candy collection for 2015 beginning on October 30 at Kool Smiles offices nationwide.

Kool Smiles was also recognized for Sharing Smiles Day, a national day of free dental care offered in February for children without any form of dental insurance. Since the start of the Smile On campaign in 2012, Kool Smiles dentists have provided more than $59 millionin uncompensated care to patients in the communities they serve. 

According to PR News, the Platinum PR Awards "recognize the year's most outstanding communicators, initiatives and organizations in the competitive PR arena. These coveted awards set a benchmark for excellence in communications."

For a complete list of award winners and honorable mentions, please visit: https://www.platinumprawards.com/. 

The Kool Smiles SmileOn campaign award submission is shared by Schmidt Public Affairs, its agency of record that managed the PR efforts for this campaign.

PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 29, 2015 -- The Dr. Edward B. Shils Entrepreneurial Fund, Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to innovative leadership in health care and named after the late Dr. Edward B. Shils, announced today the recipients of the 2015 Shils Awards. The Awards recognize people, organizations, and programs that positively influence the dental community and the public oral health arena. They were presented at the Shils Fund Dinner, held October 27, at the Union League of Philadelphia.

"This year's honorees represent some of the oral health field's brightest minds, boldest thinkers, and biggest hearts, and we are humbled by their talent, generosity, and dedication to Ed's values of entrepreneurship and education," said Steve W. Kess, Chairman of The Dr. Edward B. Shils Entrepreneurial Fund's Board of Directors. "Ed would be proud to see how their creativity, ambition, and compassion have expanded access to care, pursued innovation, and embraced challenges for the opportunities they offer."

Dr. Shils served as the Executive Director of the Dental Manufacturers of America and the Dental Dealers of America for almost 50 years and earned six degrees—including three doctorates—from the University of Pennsylvania, where he served as a professor and Chair of the Management Department at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

Dr. Shils was also instrumental in establishing the Wharton Entrepreneurial Center, the first institute dedicated to the academic study of entrepreneurialism. Because of his stewardship, scholarship, and encouragement of innovative business practices in dentistry, the Dr. Edward B. Shils Entrepreneurial Fund was established by the dental industry to recognize those whose contributions reflect a similarly enduring commitment to innovation in the field of oral health.

Three different awards were presented at the event: The Shils-Meskin Award, named after Dr. Shils and Dr. Lawrence Meskin, a renowned dental educator and former Dean of the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine; the Shils Award, which is a monetary prize given to people and programs from all sectors of the health care community in recognition of their positive impact on the field and their respective communities; and the Special Recognition Award.

The 2015 Shils-Meskin Award, which is given at the discretion of the Board of Directors to an individual of great character and modesty in the face of renowned achievement and well-deserved recognition, was given to Dr. Amid Ismail, Dean of the Maurice H. Kornberg School of Dentistry. Dr. Ismail was recognized for being a global ambassador for oral health and demonstrating a lifelong commitment, dedication, and passion for the importance of oral health across all aspects of society, including ethnic, religious, cultural, economic, and political divides. Dr. Ismail is just the seventh person to receive the Shils-Meskin Award since the award's inception in 2008.

"Amid's qualifications as an educator, researcher, and clinician are beyond reproach, yet it is his commitment to helping those most in need that leads his colleagues to hold him in such high esteem," said Dr. D. Walter Cohen, Chancellor Emeritus, Drexel University College of Medicine and Co-chair of the Shils Awards Committee. "He exemplifies the spirit of the Shils-Meskin Award, and I can think of no more deserving recipient."

This Year's Shils Awards were Presented to:

• Dr. Cecile Feldman, Dean of the Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, for her commitment to training the next generation of dental care providers with a focus on cultural competency, access to care, and excellence in the school's clinical requirements;

• Dr. Kathleen O'Loughlin, Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer of the American Dental Association, for her leadership as a health educator, business executive, and professional society leaders, as well as her staunch advocacy for improved oral health literacy, prevention, and care for underserved populations; and

• The Ohio-based Children's Oral Health Network for its commitment to providing accessible and affordable oral health care to scores of children in the Greater Cincinnati area.

• Dr. Joseph McManus, an Associate Clinical Professor of Dental Medicine and the Director of Practice Management at Columbia University College of Dental Medicine, received this year's Special Recognition Award. Dr. McManus was recently appointed the Executive Director of Columbia's Community DentCare Program, which offers comprehensive dental care to children ages three to five through eight school-based dental clinics and a Mobile Dental Center van that visits more than 80 locations throughout Northern Manhattan and the Bronx.

"While those who knew Ed best will forever feel his absence, there is no better way to honor his memory than by recognizing and celebrating those who embody his spirit," said Stanley M. Bergman, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Henry Schein, Inc. (NASDAQ: HSIC), the world's largest provider of health care products and services to office-based dental, animal health and medical practitioners. "We take comfort in knowing that Ed's legacy lives on in the incredible people and programs honored here tonight."

About The Dr. Edward B. Shils Entrepreneurial Fund

Friends and colleagues of Dr. Shils, who are also prominent leaders in the dental industry, founded the Dr. Edward D. Shils Entrepreneurial Education Fund in 2002 because they knew that Dr. Shils wanted to leave a legacy of entrepreneurship.

In 2012, the Fund was renamed the The Dr. Edward B. Shils Entrepreneurial Fund, Inc. and became a registered 501(c) (3) tax-exempt organization. Through annual awards, the Fund honors the pioneering vision of Dr. Shils and helps foster inspiration and initiative in current and future health care entrepreneurs.  

October 27, 2015 – Among a survey of 12-17 year olds, most who self-reported ever using tobacco started with a product with flavors, including fruit or chocolate, according to data in a research letter published online in October by The Journal of the American Medical Association, ADA News reports.

"Consistent with national school-based estimates, this study confirms widespread appeal of flavored products among youth tobacco users," researchers say.

To read the full ADA News article, click here.

CHICAGO– The AAE Foundation—or Foundation for Endodontics—has announced the creation of the Jacob B. Freedland Society. Named for the organization's founder and first chairman of the Board of Trustees, the Freedland Society was established to recognize individuals making deferred gifts of $25,000 or more. Deferred gifts are gifts that make an impact after the donor's lifetime, such as bequests, trusts and annuities.

One of the nation's first endodontists, Dr. Freedland was also the 22nd president of the American Association of Endodontists. Dr. Freedland was involved in organized dentistry at the local, state and international levels throughout his long lifetime. He was convinced that strong research and educational initiatives and talented educators were key to a bright future for endodontics.

In 1998, Dr. Freedland observed, "It has long been my opinion that we have been short-sighted in our approach to the future of our specialty. There has been no attention to encouraging academic and research personnel... The future of all health care personnel are in for some predictable changes. There is no crystal ball to provide the direction. Not to be prepared can be an irreversible mistake."

Since Dr. Freedland wrote those words, the Foundation for Endodontics has experienced impressive growth. The 2016 budget includes $1.5 million to be invested in research and education and the 2015-16 fundraising goal is $1.35 million. Creating the Freedland Society is another step towards perpetuating Dr. Freedland's commitment to knowledge and excellence.

"Dr. Freedland was one of my first and most important mentors," said AAE Foundation President Dr. Louis E. Rossman. "I am proud that the Foundation for Endodontics can honor his legacy in this special way."

Founding members of the Jacob B. Freedland Society are: Scott Fehrs, Treloar and Heisel; David C. Funderburk, DDS, MS; Keith V. Krell, DDS, MS, MA; Mark A. Odom, DDS; Terryl A. Propper, DDS, MS; Robert S. Roda, DDS, MS; Louis E. Rossman, DMD; Kenneth Thomalla, Treloar and Heisel; Patricia A. Tordik, DMD

To learn more about the Freedland Society, the AAE Foundation or to make a donation, visit www.aae.org/foundation or contact Alyson Hall, development manager, at 800-872-3636, ext. 3008.

Mount Laurel, NJ – 10/22/2015 - ACTEON North America has announced an initiative to add clinical trainers to assist their existing sales force. Clinical trainers are dental professionals who will provide product training, product in-service, continuing education, and clinical expertise in the dental offices, conferences, and trade shows. These clinical trainers will be available at no additional cost to any new, existing, or potential ACTEON customer.

“ACTEON products help provide superior clinical results, and we will be offering value added services that assure each existing or potential customer receives proper training and education from one of their peers.” said Tim Long, VP and COO of ACTEON.  “For example, our clinical trainers can help educate an office that is transitioning from analog film to one of our digital radiography solutions like the PSPIX imaging plate scanner.”

ACTEONclinical trainers are available for immediate scheduling through your ACTEON Manufacturer Representative. For contact information visit https://www.acteonusa.com/find-a-rep

CHICAGO, Oct. 27, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Dr. Burton Langer, DMD, MScD, has been named an honorary member of the American College of Prosthodontists (ACP). He was recognized during the 45th Annual Session of the ACP held in Orlando from Oct. 21-24, 2015.

Dr. Langer is a diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology and a fellow of groups including the American Academy of Periodontics. He is in private practice in New York City.

Dr. Langer developed many modalities of therapy that have become standard treatment methods, including the re-entry procedure for bone grafts and flap procedures for implants.

"Dr. Langer is an icon in NYC he has been a pillar of clinical and didactic growth for decades, developing revolutionary procedures to optimize functional and esthetic outcomes. His commitment to the highest level of quality care has placed him in a place of reverence by his prosthodontic colleagues. Always willing to listen, and guide with his subtle and caring manner many have sought his counsel on all aspects of professional life. The ACP is deeply honored to welcome him as an Honorary Member," said Frank J. Tuminelli, DMD, FACP, the ACP Immediate Past President.

He lectures extensively worldwide and has written numerous articles and texts, many containing original concepts that have enhanced the clinical practice of periodontics and implant dentistry.

Each year, the ACP selects up to three individuals for honorary membership of the College. This membership is exclusively for individuals who do not qualify for any other membership category yet have made significant clinical or scientific contributions to the discipline and/or specialty of Prosthodontics or have provided substantial support for the educational or research programs of the College. Honorary members are nominated by three active members or Fellows. The honorary membership of the College is a lifetime status.

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. 

The Foundation for Dental Laboratory Technology announced the 2015 Pillar Scholarship winners, with a record 22 people receiving the award.

The recipients were: Yojeong Cho, CDT – Costa Mesa, CA; Jung Eun Choi, CDT – Los Angeles, CA; Michael Frazier II, RG – New Albany, IN; Ronald Hadicahyono – Loma Linda, CA; Edward Hansen – Austin, TX; Lisa Hilleshiem – Red Wing, MN; Tyler Jones, RG – Winston Salem, NC; Ifet Lena – Laurel Springs, NY; Victoria Matson – Naples, FL; Carrie Meissner – Cottage Grove, MN; Charles Robert Meister, Jr. – Harwick, PA; Ismet Osmani, RG – Tucson, AZ; Ella Pavlyuk – Chandler, NC; Tiffany Prater – Fort Worth, TX; Kerri Schlosser, RG – Fort Wayne, IN; Sandra Sutton, CDT, TE – Panorama City, CA; Christina Taylor – Covington, KY; Joan Taylor, RG – Conyers, GA; Darin Throndson – Memphis, TN; Marci Unger – Aledo, TX; Yileng Vang – Merced, CA; and Jilbert Zadorian – Glendale, CA.

The Pillar Scholarship is designed to allow qualified dental technicians the opportunity to sit for the three examinations that comprise the Certified Dental Technician (CDT) examination process. Scholarship recipients will have their application and testing fees covered for them to take the written comprehensive examination, the written specialty examination, and the hands-on practical examination, one time each. The scholarship amount awarded varies upon the individual’s current certification process, but could potentially reach up to $1,000.00. 

“The Foundation was thrilled to be able to award a record number of Pillar Scholarships this year. Earning the CDT designation demonstrates a significant mastery of the knowledge and applied skills needed in dental technology. Helping individuals achieve this status is ensuring the future of dental laboratory technology one step at a time,” Foundation Chair Leon Hermanides, CDT.