Harvest Dental Products, LLC announced that Adam Prewitt has joined the organization as Director of Sales.

A graduate of University of North Texas, Prewitt brings more than a decade of sales and sales management experience to Harvest. He spent 7 successful years in sales and management roles with Zahn Dental, a Henry Schein company. His relationships and interactions with technicians, laboratory owners, and industry professionals have given him in-depth knowledge of the workflows, products, and technologies that laboratories desire to make them successful.

“I am really excited to be a part of a brand that represents excellence on all fronts," Prewitt said. "Sasha Der Avanessian (Harvest's Managing Director) has done a phenomenal job with his vision and innovation in developing the highest quality products that have been used and endorsed by multiple industry leaders, and I look forward to the future under his leadership. I am equally excited about working closely with our authorized dealers to continue to grow the Harvest Brand by providing superior products, solutions, and support to the dental laboratory industry.” 

Stratasys Ltd., the 3D printing and additive manufacturing solutions company, announced it has tapped Dell, Inc. veteran John Gould as the newest member of the company’s leadership team. With more than 20 years of global management and technology experience, Gould will serve as president of North American operations.

With experience as an executive leader at computing giant Dell, Gould has deep operational expertise and a strong track record of success with go-to-market strategy and global sales leadership.

“Stratasys has helped define the market for 3D printing and next-generation manufacturing,” said Stratasys Chief Business Officer Josh Claman. “With a strong market position across North America and worldwide, Stratasys is committed to investing in key people to continue its growth and leadership position. I’m excited to bring John Gould on board, and I’m confident he will lead our North American team to the next level of growth.”

As president of North American operations and a crucial member of the executive leadership team, he is charged with defining the company’s North American strategy to expand the business, maintain Stratasys’ thought leadership position, and continue to improve both the customer and channel partner experience.

“As a defining force in 3D printing solutions, Stratasys is in the unique position to capture additional market opportunities throughout North America,” Gould said. "I’m very excited about the opportunity that lies ahead for our customers, resellers, and Stratasys, and I am confident Stratasys can continue to build significant momentum across the region.”

Gould comes to Stratasys from online marketing and advertising solutions provider ReachLocal, Inc., where he acted as chief revenue officer and general manager of North America. With full P&L responsibility, Gould also had functional ownership for all sales channels: inside, outside, national accounts, and partner channels.  

At Dell, Inc., Gould served as executive director and general manager for the company’s IT Consulting Division for both the Americas and EMEA regions. He delivered multi-year, double-digit revenue growth for the division (over $400 million in total revenue) while increasing the division’s operating income. The industry veteran also has senior sales and marketing leadership experience from market leaders: ADP, Compaq Computer Corporation, and The Mathworks. Gould has a bachelor’s degree in economics from Connecticut College and an MBA in general management and marketing from Vanderbilt University – Owen Graduate School of Management. 

(PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL)  – As part of the recent merger to create Zimmer Biomet Holdings, a global leader in musculoskeletal health, BIOMET 3i and Zimmer Dental are combining operations.   Zimmer Biomet will headquarter its dental business in Palm Beach Gardens, at the original BIOMET 3i site.  The Company will retain 473 positions at the Florida location, and plans to hire more than 150 additional employees over the next three years.

“Zimmer Biomet’s Dental Division is the largest dental implant company in the United States, and we are excited to continue our growth as part of the Palm Beach Gardens community,” said General Manager David Josza.  “Our combined operations will allow the company to more effectively serve our customers and administer our global organization.  To strengthen our market position, we will continue investing in the best people, who can join us in advancing the field of clinical dental technology.”

Zimmer Biomet worked closely with leaders from the State of Florida, Palm Beach County and the City of Palm Beach Gardens in selecting the site for the new dental division headquarters.  These agencies signaled their support for Zimmer Biomet’s growing participation in the Florida economy, on a shared vision to build the state’s profile as an attractive location for medical innovation and business development. 

Zimmer Biomet’s portfolio of dental products includes implant and abutment technologies, digital patient-specific solutions, drills, regenerative materials and other ancillary dental components.  The Dental Division holds nearly 1,000 professional medical education courses each year, and operates training institutes at locations around the world.

About Zimmer Biomet

Founded in 1927 and headquartered in Warsaw, Indiana, Zimmer Biomet is a global leader in musculoskeletal healthcare.  We design, manufacture and market orthopaedic reconstructive products; sports medicine, biologics, extremities and trauma products; spine, bone healing, craniomaxillofacial and thoracic products; dental implants; and related surgical products.

We collaborate with healthcare professionals around the globe to advance the pace of innovation.  Our products and solutions help treat patients suffering from disorders of, or injuries to, bones, joints or supporting soft tissues.  Together with healthcare professionals, we help millions of people live better lives.

We have operations in more than 25 countries around the world and sell products in more than 100 countries.  For more information, visit zimmerbiomet.com or follow Zimmer Biomet on Twitter at twitter.com/zimmerbiomet.

Due to regulatory requirements, we will continue to sell products under Zimmer Dental Inc. and Biomet 3i LLC respectively until further notice.

SACRAMENTO, CA (PRWEB) OCTOBER 26, 2015

According to the National Down Syndrome Society, one in every 691 babies in the the United States is born with Down Syndrome (DS), making it the most common genetic condition today. This equates to about 6,000 babies a year born with DS, and approximately 400,000 Americans are now living with the condition. The population of those living with Down Syndrome has progressed over the last few decades.

“It is imperative that oral health caregivers be informed on how they can best manage and provide care for patients with Down Syndrome, so that we can all help to improve their quality of life," says CDHA President Lygia Jolley, RDH, BA.

There are no dental problems unique to people with Down Syndrome, however, there are several oral facial features that are unique to those with DS.

“Early professional treatment along with supervised home care is recommended to mitigate the severity of problems and allow those with DS to enjoy the benefits of a healthy mouth," adds Jolley.

Mouth breathing is common because of smaller nasal passages and a narrow and shorter airway. Another contributor is an enlarged tongue, typical of DS individuals, which may protrude because of the smaller midface region. With age, both the tongue and the lips in those with DS tend to develop cracks and fissures as a result of chronic mouth breathing. Fissuring of the tongue can become severe and be a contributing factor in halitosis. Additionally, lack of muscle tone may cause the mouth to droop and the lower lip to protrude. Increased drooling, compounded by a chronically open mouth, contributes to condition known as angular cheilitis, which is most often a fungal infection in the corners of the mouth.

Congenitally missing teeth occur quite often, including most often the wisdom teeth, front teeth, and lower bicuspids. In addition, delayed eruption of teeth, often following an abnormal sequence, affects many children with DS. Primary teeth may not appear until age 2, and may then be retained in some children until they are in their mid to late teens or early adulthood. Irregularities in tooth formation, such as extra small and malformed teeth, are also seen in people with DS. All of these characteristics usually lead to severe malocclusion (poor bite) in DS patients.

Periodontal disease is the most significant oral health problem in people with DS. Early, severe periodontal disease is often seen with onset in the mid to late teen years. Historically, large numbers of those with DS lose many of the permanent teeth in their early teens. Contributing factors include poor oral hygiene, malocclusion, high rates of grinding, ill-shaped tooth roots, and poor response to home care efforts due to a compromised immune system. A higher rate of infections may be a factor in the extremely high incidence of periodontal disease.

One surprising fact is that children and young adults who have Down Syndrome generally have less dental decay than the general population. There are several oral conditions that may contribute: delayed eruption of primary and permanent teeth; missing permanent teeth; and small-sized teeth with wider spaces between them, make it easier to remove plaque. Additionally, the diets of children with Down syndrome are most often closely supervised to prevent obesity; this helps reduce consumption of cariogenic foods and beverages. By contrast, some adults with Down Syndrome are at an increased risk of caries due to xerostomia (dry mouth) and cariogenic (cavity producing) food choices. Also, poor muscle tone contributes to chewing problems and inefficient natural cleansing action, which allows food to remain on the teeth after eating.

Oral Health Care advice for someone with Down syndrome: 

3 month appointments are usually advised due to the high risk of periodontal disease and poor oral hygiene 

Systemic and topical fluoride as well as sealants (protective tooth coatings) are highly recommended, even with the low incidence of dental decay

Daily chlorhexidine (Rx) mouth rinse is recommended for many DS patients - even if they are unable to rinse, their toothbrush can be dipped into the rinse 

Electric toothbrushes and floss holders are recommended due to poor manual dexterity 

Patients should be able to demonstrate their brushing technique to their dental hygienist. Follow up should be done with hand-over-hand specific directions on either brushing technique or adaptations as needed. It is imperative that not only patients are trained, but also their caregivers. 

Orthodontia (braces) should be carefully considered in people with Down syndrome. Some may benefit, while others may not. In and of itself, Down syndrome is not a barrier to orthodontic care. The ability of the patient or caregiver to maintain good daily oral hygiene is critical to the feasibility and success of treatment, and this needs to be assessed by a dental professional 

Antibiotic prophylaxis may be required in some DS patients, due to the high incidence of congenital heart defects and related cardiac disorders. The patient’s physician should always be consulted prior to dental care. 

Many DS patients experience seizures. Medications to treat this condition may cause excessive overgrowth of the gum tissue (gingival hyperplasia) and this should be monitored by a dental professional.

Many Registered Dental Hygienists in Alternative Practice (RDHAP) provide in-home dental hygiene services for Down Syndrome individuals. Referrals/requests for care may come from group home administrators, family or Regional Center service coordinators. These hygienists are specifically licensed to provide services for developmentally disabled individuals including Down Syndrome patients bringing the dental office to the patient, providing care within the patient’s home and familiar environment. Many RDHAP’s have years of expertise and enjoy providing oral hygiene preventive care services for their Down Syndrome patients. An RDHAP in your area may be found at https://www.CDHA.org/RDHAP.

While certain dental conditions may be more prevalent to this population, all can be reated and monitored with the help of a dental hygienist. The CDHA recommends visiting its website for more information: https://www.cdha.org

The California Dental Hygienists’ Association (CDHA) is the authoritative voice of the state’s dental hygiene profession. The organization was established 30 years ago when two regional associations merged to form a unified professional group. CDHA represents thousands of dental hygienists.

SEATTLE, Oct. 23, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- This Halloween, an estimated 84 percent of Americans will celebrate an annual tradition honoring ghosts and ghouls, and gorging on sweet treats with an evening of trick-or-treating. While the candy-filled tradition has been enjoyed by families for decades, it also presents an oral health challenge for children and their families. And that challenge could get more difficult. New analysis from Delta Dental of Washington reports candy giving will be up five percent compared to numbers reported in 2013.

Candy giving increase:

In 2013, 73 percent of parents gave out candy, based on a new 2015 Delta Dental survey, 78 percent of parents say they'll hand out candy this year.

Less parental looting: 

In 2013, nearly 80 percent of parents admitted to eating some of their kids' Halloween candy, this year marks a sharp decrease, with only 66 percent of parents saying they'll pilfer from the Halloween haul. Moms are 10 percent more likely than dads to raid their kids stash. 

Bad news for chocolate lovers:

While chocolate continues to top the charts this year as the most handed out Halloween candy, 14 percent fewer parents say they'll be giving it to trick-or-treaters. In 2013, 73 percent of parents gave out chocolate on Halloween, this year that number has dropped to 59 percent.

Fewer household rules on candy consumption: 

The number of parents limiting the amount of Halloween candy their child can eat at a time has decreased by 28 percent, from 89 percent in 2013, to 61 percent this year, according to the analysis.

On the heels of the analysis, Delta Dental of Washington has important tips for kids, parents and neighbors to help prevent candy-fueled cavities:

• Eat dinner before trick-or-treating. If your children have full bellies, they may be less likely to overindulge in candy when they get home.

• Enjoy Halloween candy after a meal to take advantage of increased saliva production and help wash away sugar and bacteria left by candy. But don't wait for bed time to brush. Get those teeth cleaned right away.

• Avoid chewy treats. Avoid candies like caramel, taffy and gummies that stick to teeth. Cavities love these confections.

• Don't be a sucker. Hard candies like suckers and lollypops provide a pool party of fun for cavity causing bacteria. Trade these treats for chocolate.

• Chomp on chocolate.  Chocolate is a smile's favorite treat as it dissolves quickly – limiting contact with teeth.

• Make sure your children drink extra water to stay hydrated during trick-or-treating and to help wash away sugar that may otherwise cause tooth decay.

• Remind children to brush for two minutes and floss after they dig into their trick-or-treat bags. Practicing good oral hygiene will help keep their mouths clean and their teeth free of decay.

• Think outside the candy wrapper. Alternate kid-friendly treat options such as sugar-free candy, Halloween-themed art supplies and old-fashioned bubbles are sure to please any trick-or-treaters.

• Donate. For the older children, consider asking them to take a few of their favorite treats from their stash and donate the rest to a local food bank.

For fun and interactive Halloween activities for kids, visit Delta Dental's Tricky Treats page.

PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL, October 26, 2015 – As part of the recent merger to create Zimmer Biomet Holdings, a global leader in musculoskeletal health, BIOMET 3i and Zimmer Dental are combining operations. Zimmer Biomet will headquarter its dental business in Palm Beach Gardens, at the original BIOMET 3i site. The Company will retain 473 positions at the Florida location, and plans to hire more than 150 additional employees over the next three years.

“Zimmer Biomet’s Dental Division is the largest dental implant company in the United States, and we are excited to continue our growth as part of the Palm Beach Gardens community,” said General Manager David Josza. “Our combined operations will allow the company to more effectively serve our customers and administer our global organization. To strengthen our market position, we will continue investing in the best people, who can join us in advancing the field of clinical dental technology.”

Zimmer Biomet worked closely with leaders from the State of Florida, Palm Beach County and the City of Palm Beach Gardens in selecting the site for the new dental division headquarters. These agencies signaled their support for Zimmer Biomet’s growing participation in the Florida economy, on a shared vision to build the state’s profile as an attractive location for medical innovation and business development.

Zimmer Biomet’s portfolio of dental products includes implant and abutment technologies, digital patient-specific solutions, drills, regenerative materials and other ancillary dental components. The Dental Division holds nearly 1,000 professional medical education courses each year, and operates training institutes at locations around the world.

About Zimmer Biomet

Founded in 1927 and headquartered in Warsaw, Indiana, Zimmer Biomet is a global leader in musculoskeletal healthcare. We design, manufacture and market orthopaedic reconstructive products; sports medicine, biologics, extremities and trauma products; spine, bone healing, craniomaxillofacial and thoracic products; dental implants; and related surgical products.

We collaborate with healthcare professionals around the globe to advance the pace of innovation. Our products and solutions help treat patients suffering from disorders of, or injuries to, bones, joints or supporting soft tissues. Together with healthcare professionals, we help millions of people live better lives.

We have operations in more than 25 countries around the world and sell products in more than 100 countries. For more information, visit zimmerbiomet.com or follow Zimmer Biomet on Twitter at twitter.com/zimmerbiomet.

Due to regulatory requirements, we will continue to sell products under Zimmer Dental Inc. and Biomet 3i LLC respectively until further notice.

October 21, 2015

Washington, D.C. —The American Dental Association today announced it is entering a strategic partnership with the White House and the Department of Health and Human Services to help prevent opioid drug-related overdoses and deaths. The partnership will complement the work of the American Medical Association Task Force to Reduce Opioid Abuse, which the ADA joined in August.

The strategic partnership will bring executive branch resources to the task force, whose first priority is to increase the number of health care providers registered with their state-based prescription drug monitoring programs.

When taken as prescribed for short periods of time under the care of a medical professional, opioids are safe to use. Unfortunately, opioid pain medications, such as hydrocodone and oxycodone, have become a leading source of drug abuse among teens and young adults. As the fifth largest health care specialty group prescribing these painkilling medications, dentists have a role to play in preventing their diversion, misuse, and abuse.

Organized dentistry works to ensure that both patients and dentists are aware of the potential drawbacks of opioid use.

As part of its responsibility in combating the dangers of opioid misuse, the ADA has pledged to continue engaging in the following activities:

Prescriber education and training. The ADA encourages dentists—members and nonmembers alike—to take advantage of its free continuing education webinars on model opioid prescribing. The training modules include helping dentists recognize when a patient may be seeking opioids for non-medical purposes, and knowing how to approach and refer them for appropriate treatment. Other coursework is also available. Further, the ADA believes that dental schools should include appropriate education in addictive disease and pain management as part of the core curricula.

Prescription drug monitoring. The ADA asks dentists to register with their state prescription drug monitoring program, if available. Dentists can leverage these programs to assess whether a patient may be “doctor shopping.” The ADA also encourages dentists who prescribe opioids for treatment of dental pain to periodically review their compliance with Drug Enforcement Administration recommendations and regulations.

Professional and patient awareness. The ADA will continue to use its various member outreach tools to raise awareness about the problems associated with opioid abuse, and to share actions dentists can take to help. The Association also works with federal officials in alerting patients about the proper disposal of opioid drugs no longer needed.

Dentists who practice in good faith and who use professional judgment regarding the prescription of opioids for the treatment of pain should not be held responsible for the willful and deceptive behavior of patients who successfully obtain opioids for non-dental purposes.

More information about prescribed opioid use in dentistry is available at ADA.org/rxabuse.

CHICAGO, Oct. 23, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Carl F. Driscoll, DMD, FACP, has been elected as the 2015-2016 President of the American College of Prosthodontists (ACP). Dr. Driscoll is set to be sworn in during the 45th Annual Session of the ACP held in Orlando from Oct. 21-24, 2015. 

An ACP member for more than 40 years, Dr. Driscoll has held numerous leadership positions within the College including chair of ACP's 44th Annual Session. He is a diplomate of the American Board of Prosthodontics, a respected board examiner and a member of the ACP Spokespersons Network. Dr. Driscoll has been interviewed about digital dentistry and oral cancer on Fox 45 morning news in Baltimore. 

Dr. Driscoll is a professor and director of the Prosthodontic residency program at the University of Maryland Dental School. He previously served as PResident of both the American Academy of Fixed Prosthodontics and the American Board of Prosthodontics. He has given more than 300 presentations worldwide and authored more than 60 publications. 

In faculty practice for 18 years, Dr. Driscoll applies his advanced training as a Prosthodontist to help restore speech and function to head and neck cancer patients like Jim, who is featured in the ACP patient education video, "Cancer Care and the Role of the Prosthodontist." Dr. Driscoll's favorite procedure to perform as a Prosthodontist is designing, creating, and placing a surgical obturator, which gives patients like Sylvia the ability to eat, breathe, swallow and talk soon after life-saving cancer surgery where she lost the roof of her mouth. 

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. 

MELVILLE, N.Y., Oct. 23, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- 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, announced today an innovative new partnership with the American College of Prosthodontists Education Foundation (ACPEF). The new partnership commits $1.25 million to fund a program of the American College of Prosthodontists (ACP) for the development of a groundbreaking new curriculum that incorporates computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) technology into the dental school curriculum. 

The ACPEF Digital Dentistry Curriculum Initiative will be offered to dental students and practicing dentists through continuing education programs.  The new initiative is expected to be piloted by several dental schools beginning in 2017.

"We believe CAD/CAM technology enhances dentistry and we are pleased to support this initiative, which will offer dental students the education and training needed to effectively apply this exciting technology in their future work," said Stanley M. Bergman, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Henry Schein. "By rallying the industry to ensure that dental students are fully educated on the practice benefits and patient benefits of digital dentistry, we are helping the dentists of tomorrow succeed. We are proud to partner with the ACPEF in helping to accelerate the adoption of digital dentistry."

According to the ACP, CAD/CAM technology was introduced to dentistry decades ago but is still only used in 15% of dental practices in the U.S. A recent study by the ACP confirmed that the underlying cause of the slow adoption of digital dentistry may not be the technology itself or its ability to deliver better patient care, but rather a relative lack of available education and training about its applications and benefits among users.

"Digital Dentistry is transforming patient experiences, as well as opening up incredible new pathways that support excellence, improved workflows, greater productivity and importantly, better care for our patients," said Dr. Lyndon Cooper, Chair of the ACPEF.  "The ACP looks forward to creating a new digital curriculum for dentistry. This exciting undertaking is made possible by the generous support of Henry Schein, and we are grateful for their commitment to the betterment of patient care, our practices, and education."

More than 5,000 dental students graduate each year from 66 dental schools across the U.S. 

"The best patient care begins with the best educational tools, and for the profession of dentistry, the best possible tools are digital," said Dr. Robert Gottlander, Vice President of Global Prosthetic Solutions at Henry Schein. "The partnership announced today is vitally important to ensure that the coming generation of dental professionals has the training and confidence to derive all of the benefits that digital technology has to offer to their patients.  We are so grateful to our supplier partners at Planmeca, 3Shape, Glidewell, BioHorizons, and CAMLOG for their financial support of Henry Schein in this essential initiative."

Alexandria, Va., USA -- The International and American Associations for Dental Research (IADR/AADR) have published a Journal of Dental Research special issue on craniofacial stem cells. This special issue of the Journal of Dental Research encompasses a diverse group of articles that provide a review of important recent advances in craniofacial stem cell biology as well as examples of state-of-the-art research in the field. The issue spans multiple components of the craniofacial complex, from teeth to bones and glands, and it covers both normal development as well as disease processes. The findings from this special issue have implications in the advancement of human oral health in patients suffering from afflictions such as oral cancer, injury or congenital disorders. 

The dental articles have a notable focus on the pulp, including mineral tissue formation by dental stem cells (Volponi et al., 2015), regulation of tooth dentin formation by growth factors (Sagomonyants et al., 2015), and the behavior of tooth-related pulp cells (Smith et al., 2015). In addition, stem cells of the human tooth supporting structures are explored (Athanassiou-Papaefthymiou et al., 2015), and other craniofacial organs covered include the salivary gland (Aure et al., 2015; Maruyama et al., 2015) and the temporomandibular (TMJ) joint (Lu et al., 2015). The role of stem cells in diseases of the craniofacial complex is reviewed in a number of the articles (Yin et al., 2015; Chai and Zhao, 2015). New discoveries as well as ongoing challenges involving stem cells in head and neck cancer are covered, and interaction between the immune system and stem cells as well as therapeutic opportunities are discussed (Dionne et al., 2015; Birkeland et al., 2015). Another review focuses on papillomavirus infection and its effect on stem cells of the head and neck region (Pulios et al., 2015). Finally, the issue covers therapeutic strategies in a number of conditions. The current state and future prospects of pulp-dentin regeneration are reviewed (Cao et al., 2015), as is the use of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) in dentistry (Hynes et al., 2015). Original work explores the molecular basis for cell-based therapy of TMJ osteoarthritis (Lu et al., 2015) and possible uses of dental-derived cells in spinal cord injury repair (De Berdt et al., 2015). 

“This issue highlights the impressive advances occurring in the craniofacial stem cell field and demonstrates the enormous promise that stem cell-based therapies hold for the future,” said Special Issue Co-Editor Ophir Klein. 

JDR Associate Editor Jacques Nör echoed those sentiments. “I am pleased with the quality of research that is published in this special issue and I am thankful to the authors who chose to submit their research for publication.” 

Klein and Nör moderated a podcast, which complements this special issue, with Professors Paul Sharpe and Mark Prince who are internationally-recognized experts in head and neck stem cell biology. Please visit the JDR website at jdr.sagepub.com/site//misc/Index/Podcasts.xhtml to access the podcast. The JDR special issue on craniofacial stem cells in oral health and disease is available at https://jdr.sagepub.com/content/current. Reporters and writers may contact Ingrid L. Thomas at ithomas@iadr.org to request access to the issue.