Custom Automated Prosthetics (CAP) held an Oktoberfest event Saturday, October 17 at its Boston headquarters.

"We had a great turnout. ... I believe all who attended really learned a lot and enjoyed the day," CAP President Bob Cohen said on the company's website.

The event featured table clinics covering 3Shape scanning and several CAD applications. There also were demonstrations of 3D printing, Amann Girrbach's Ceramill system, 3Shape's Trios 3 intraoral scanner, 3Shape's Implant Studio guided surgery software, handling of both green state and sintered zirconia, and more. Two different CAM solutions and 6 different mills were displayed producing work that was designed during many of the table clinics.

For more photos from the event, go to https://cap-us.com/2015/10/20/oktoberfest-education-and-celebration/.

CAP will have another Oktoberfest on Friday, October 23 in its Clearwater, Florida location. This complementary combined party and education will include the unveiling of the latest product from Roland. To register, go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cap-oktoberfest-clearwater-fl-tickets-18262415376.

Custom Automated Prosthetics (CAP) will present a free webinar entitled "Bringing Monolithic Posterior Zirconia Restorations to Life" on Friday, October 30 from 11am to noon.

Dental technicians have all struggled with opacity and and unnatural esthetics of full-contour zirconia crowns. In this webinar, Lucas Lammott of CAP will demonstrate how to achieve lifelike results using both a highly translucent, full-contour cubeX² and CAP Z-Complete zirconia in the posterior region. Utilizing GC America Inc.’s GC Initial Lustre Paste, the webinar will discuss proper application and detail, and how to mix your own shades and effects with GC’s INvivo stains in just 2 bakes.

For more information about the webinar and to register for free, go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/webinar-bringing-monolithic-posterior-zirconia-restorations-to-life-tickets-18954702024.

CHICAGO, October 22, 2015 – Today’s dental implant clinicians will learn about the past, present and future of implant dentistry at The Academy of Osseointegration’s (AO) 2016 Annual Meeting. Speakers from all over the world will present data to promote the development of dental implant technology, as well as clinical and surgical best practices.

The 31^st Annual Meeting is set for February 17 to 20, 2016, in San Diego. You can register to attend at www.osseo.org. Follow AO on Facebookand Twitterusing #AO2016 to stay up-to-date.

“We are giving attendees a nice balance,” said Dr. Peter Moy, 2016 Annual Meeting Program Chair. “We are not just pushing the high-end procedures, but also looking at what techniques we have performed in the past and whether they are becoming outmoded or remain a standard of care.”

From computer software to stem cell research, growth factors, and other biologic materials available today, implant dentistry is evolving continually. Dr. Moy and the 2016 Annual Meeting Committee designed the 2016 Program for dental implant experts to share new research, information on best practices and exchange ideas. He encourages clinicians to make time to attend.

“If they don’t come, clinicians are going to miss very important information they can take back to their office and use immediately, as well as information about where we are headed for the next five years,” Dr. Moy explained. “You can perform status quo, but then you are not providing the best evidence-based treatments for the patients.”

The AO Annual Meeting has always served the following three purposes:

1.    To offer the chance to learn new procedures, new biomaterials and new treatment philosophies

2.    To provide a meeting place to listen to, speak with and share their ideas with a large number of doctors attending from around the world

3.    To facilitate the presentation of the clinician’s data by supplying the forums to share the information.

This year the AO is excited to add a Hands-On workshop session on Wednesday afternoon, February 17, 2016, the daybefore the official start of the main program. Several of AO’s corporate sponsors will provide “hands-on” experiences for those attendees who want to arrive a day early and take advantage of these training sessions. Course descriptions will be provided in the program book due out later this year. Sign up early, as there will be a limited number of participants and the sessions are expected to fill to capacity.

In addition, next year’s Annual Meeting will also feature more than 50 clinical presentations; an expansive Exhibit Hall; hundreds of E-Posters, as well as Oral Scientific Abstracts and Oral Clinical Research Sessions; Corporate Forums; Lunch and Learn Sessions; a Young Clinicians Lecture Series; and a TEAM Program and Laboratory Technician Program.

The theme of the 31^st Annual Meeting is “Globalization of Implant Dentistry: A World Collaboration.” Dr. Moy credits AO’s President Dr. Russell Nishimura for the theme, which speaks to AO’s commitment to facilitating the exchange of scientific and clinical knowledge on a global level. 

“AO is reaching out from multiple perspectives, and this is just one of them, to bring everyone to one location and to highlight what’s happening in implant dentistry around the world,” Dr. Moy explained.

Dr. Moy is excited about the whole agenda but, in particular, the Focus Country Symposium: Implant Dentistry in China with Moderators Professor Dehua Li and Professor Feilong Deng.

“With our blinders on, we think that the American techniques lead the world as far as how we perform dental implant procedures. There are ten speakers from China presenting throughout the main program allowing us to showcase the methods and procedures that our colleagues in China are performing,” Dr. Moy said. 

ROSEMONT, Ill., Oct. 22, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Advances in dental science have led dental implant surgical care to become the best treatment option for patients who have lost one or more teeth.

Whether teeth have been lost to accident, gum disease, or decay, fixed bridges or removable dentures are no longer the only, or best, solutions to restore functionality. When surgically placed by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon (OMS), dental implants can last a lifetime.

Avoid unnecessary complications. Dental implant placement is SURGERY. Choose an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, the only surgically trained dental specialist, to replace your missing teeth. Watch and learn how oral and maxillofacial surgeons can perform your dental implant surgery and give you your smile back.

"For more than 50 years, oral and maxillofacial surgeons have been leaders in dental implant surgery," said Dr. Louis K. Rafetto, president of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. "The vast majority of the dental implants first placed by OMSs are still functioning at peak performance, giving these patients greater comfort and the ability to live an active lifestyle without the worry that ill-fitting or slipping dentures may affect their speech or their ability to eat certain foods."

Unlike removable dentures, or fixed bridges that use neighboring teeth as anchors, dental implants are surgically placed in the jawbone. Because they "fuse" with the bone, dental implants never slip, make clicking noises or decay. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons have successfully placed dental implants in patients of all ages, even those with such pre-existing health conditions such as diabetes.

"An oral and maxillofacial surgeon has the specialized training and knowledge of the bone, teeth, gum and other tissues of the mouth, jaws and face to assure patients of the best possible results," said Dr. Rafetto. "The loss of a tooth can affect anyone. It is important to seek out the best medical care when those situations arise."

For more information about dental implant surgery and how oral and maxillofacial surgeons are uniquely qualified to provide them, visit www.MyOMs.org, the patient-focused Web site where readers can find comprehensive information about dental implant surgery, wisdom tooth management, oral cancer and other conditions affecting their face, mouth, and jaws. View www.MyOMS.org's library of videos, brochures and illustrations explaining the many procedures performed by oral and maxillofacial surgeons and the difference they are making in the lives of their patients.

After more than 9 months of research and development, Spear Education has produced an advanced dental patient education product

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. –Spear Education, a leading dental continuing education provider, announced the release of its new dental Patient Education platform Sept. 25.

A component of the provider’s online platform, Spear Patient Education is a suite of state-of-the-art, high-definition animations that clearly and concisely explain a wide range of dental conditions and procedures.

In order to develop the best dental patient education platform possible, Spear began researching the project in January 2015. The company worked with thinktank, a research and strategy consultant, to survey 500 adults 25 and older.

“Most people surveyed who recently had some sort of dental procedure said their dentist gave a verbal explanation,” said the founder of Spear Education, Dr. Frank Spear. “However, when dentists added a video presentation, the acceptance rates skyrocketed.”

In fact, the survey shows that 91 percent of patients who saw a video during case presentation said that it positively influenced their decision to accept treatment.

As the development process progressed, Spear also showed their animations to focus groups of both patients and dentists. The focus groups allowed Spear to optimize their videos for everyone on both sides of the chair.

 “I am truly excited to see Spear patient education improve patient-client interaction,” Spear said. “We have created a continuously expanding patient education library that sets a new standard in detail, variety and clinical accuracy. What we have done is created something that will impact dentists and patients every day”

The Patient Education team is made up of both 3D animators and Spear faculty. They worked – and continue to work – together to create a series of animations that are clinically accurate and easily understandable. The videos run between 30 and 60 seconds, and the narrations are presented in layman’s terms without being condescending to the dental patient. The team also optimized the content for a variety of platforms, from desktops to tablets to mobile devices. Dentists may also deliver the animations in a variety of ways: present the animations to their patients chairside, send their patients a link to the videos via email or embed the videos on their own websites.

In related news, Ricardo Mitrani, prominent prosthodontist lecturer and author joins Spear resident faculty. “We are so happy to welcome Dr. Mitrani to our team,” said Spear founder, Frank Spear. “He is a consummate clinician and educator who will help carry the Spear legacy to the next generation of great dentists. Dr. Mitrani’s work in prosthodontics and treatment planning are well respected, and will greatly benefit our curriculum.” 

Spear Patient Education is currently available to members with access to Spear Online. For more information, people can contact Spear toll-free at 855-625-2333 or via email at online@speareducation.com.

VITA served as general sponsor for this year’s Society for Color and Appearance in Dentistry (SCAD) event in Chicago. The seventh annual conference featured high-quality, evidence-based information on color-related issues in dentistry presented by some of the industry’s foremost leaders.

The 2015 recipients for the SCAD VITA Award for Excellence in Research Related to Color and Appearance in Esthetic Dentistry, the Larsen-Chu Award for Excellence in Dental Technology, and the Virtuoso Award were also announced.

William M. Johnston, PhD, presented the SCAD VITA Research Award to Natalie Pereira Sanchez, DDS, of the University of Texas School of Dentistry at Houston. Aki Yoshida, RDT, Chair of the SCAD CDT Awards, presented the 2015 Larsen-Chu Award to Ryan Sungmin Lim, CDT, and the Virtuoso Award to Nori Kawada, RDT. VITA Zahnfabrik will organize and pay for a 3-day complimentary visit and hands-on training at the company’s headquarters in Bad Säckingen, Germany for both CDT Award winners.

(Charlotte, North Carolina, October 19, 2015) – Nearing its 10-year anniversary, America’s ToothFairy:  National Children’s Oral Health Foundation was established in 2006 to address the disease of childhood tooth decay, particularly of underserved children and youth. Through its comprehensive programs, America’s ToothFairy mobilizes America’s youth and adult allies, as well as dental professionals, in finding innovative ways to prevent tooth decay before it starts. Recognizing the importance of mobilizing young people to solve the problems they face, America’s ToothFairy works to solve the issue of pediatric dental disease through its #MySmileMatters Youth Movement.

America’s ToothFairy is proud to announce seven winners of the 2015-2016 #MySmileMatters mini-grants. This effort was designed to spark the development of local oral health projects through the #MySmileMatters National Youth Engagement Plan, while allowing young people to incorporate their own creative approaches. This mini-grant recognizes the efforts of youth-focused groups and their adult allies across the U.S. who are working to raise the optics and conversation on children’s oral health. By providing mini-grants, America’s ToothFairy seeks to grow the #MySmileMatters Youth Movement at the local level and allow young people to become the voice of the importance of oral health literacy and access to oral healthcare for children.

The two $3,000 winners are Southwest High School HOSA of El Centro, CA, and Rolla Technical Center HOSA of Rolla, MO. The two $1,000 winners are the Health & Wellness Club at Lawrenceburg High School in Lawrenceburg, IN, and the Boys & Girls Club of Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The three $250 winners are as follows: Boys & Girls Club of Stamford (CT), Boys & Girls Club of Salem, Marion & Polk Counties (OR) and Chattahoochee High School HOSA in Johns Creek, GA.

Fern Ingber, President and CEO of America’s ToothFairy, expressed her pride in the applications received from across the U.S., “I cannot wait to see the impact #MySmileMatters has on the nation, and what these grantees do to increase oral health literacy in their own communities. Creating opportunities for youth to lead the conversation on oral health in our nation is an invaluable asset. America’s ToothFairy is committed to growing this effort.”

America’s ToothFairy will continue to seek and provide mini-grant opportunities through its #MySmileMatters program. For more information on this initiative and how you can provide support, contact Shannon Weatherly, National Director of Youth Programs at sweatherly@ncohf.org.

MINNEAPOLIS, Oct. 20, 2015 -- SRS Web Solutions, a leading U.S. healthcare digital marketing and technology company that specializes in creating marketing solutions for medical providers, announces the launch of a new, cutting-edge mobile app for dentists now available on Google Play and the App Store.

According to SRS Web Solution CEO, Samad Syed: "This mobile app for dentists modernizes and streamlines practices by allowing doctors to remain in touch 24/7 with their patients. In addition, this dental mobile app not only improves patient retention but also allows dentists to share promotional offers directly with patients. Users of our dental mobile app will also benefit from easy social media integration, which helps maintain that all-important 'buzz' about their practice."

Features of the New Mobile App for Dentists from SRS Web Solutions

• Patients can download the app for free and connect with a practice in minutes

•Open appointment slots can be viewed by patients who may then schedule themselves instead of calling in to ask about available appointment times

•Patients have access to information about upcoming and historical appointments, which significantly reduces the costs of no-show rates

•Allows patients to instantly post positive reviews on Google business pages

•Makes it easy for clinics to publish coupons to attract new patients

•Holds comprehensive contact information that is accessible with one click (maps, phone, email and social media)

•Can be customized and branded with a practice's logo and/or images

SRS Web Solutions' Mobile App for Clinics Proves a Hit with Dental Practices

By providing a state-of-the-art "window" with which healthcare professionals can announce promotional offers, share referral reward programs and interact instantly with patients, SRS Web Solutions' mobile app for clinics is proving to be indispensable to practices already implementing the app. Moreover, dentists are discovering that with the app practically running their practice, they are seeing more patients every day, improving quality of care and increasing revenue by decreasing overhead expenses.

Surveyed dentists also reported that the consistent feedback they receive from patients using the app has contributed to bettering their practice by accommodating patient needs and expectations. In addition to improving patient loyalty and retention, this mobile app for dentists facilitates communication with patients without having to deal with the inconvenience and unreliability of emails or voicemails that often fail to be acknowledged.

SRS Web Solutions provides a free demo app that can be downloaded on your smart phone, contact company to get the link and find out more about this app that is sure to revolutionize the way dentists manage their practice.

Visit SRS Web Solutions (www.srswebsolutions.com/mobileoffer.html) for more information about the newest dental mobile app available today.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SRSWebSolutionsInc

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/srswebsolutions

Twitter: https://twitter.com/srsweb

Alsip, IL – GC America Inc. is excited to announce the launch of a new composite restorative, G-ænial Sculpt, and a new universal bonding agent, G-Premio Bond, effective September 1, 2015.

G-aenial Sculpt is a compactable, universal composite that features the same high density, uniform dispersion nano-filler technology found in G-aenial Universal Flo. This creates a resin that is easy to shape, sculpt and polish. G-aenial Sculpt provides a strong, wear resistant and radiopaque finished restoration with beautiful esthetics. A self-polishing effect enables simple rough finishing with a bur to bring the restoration to a beautiful luster and will continue to increase in polish over time with excellent “chameleon” shade match to enamel. This feature helps to provide an exceptional clinical outcome for a wide variety of clinical procedures. It is available in 17 shades in either syringe or unitip delivery.

G-ænial Sculpt was developed to be used in combination with G-ænial™ Universal Flo. Complimentary shades and the unique self-polishing characteristic are present in both G-aenial brands providing clinicians with an excellent option for any direct restorative procedure.

G-Premio Bond is a universal (8th generation) bonding agent that is compatible with total-etch, self-etch and selective etch techniques providing excellent versatility. It is perfectly adapted to all direct restorations and can also be used to repair indirect restorations without the use of primer. G-Premio Bond can also be used in combination with a silane when repairing glass or hybrid ceramic and is also ideal for hypersensitivity. It is available in a 5 mL bottle with a new silicone cover to enable more precise drop dispensing and a 50 unit dose pack (0.16 mL each).

When using G-ænial Sculpt, G-ænial Universal Flo and G-Premio Bond together, a clinician will have the consistent and predictable materials that allow him to create highly esthetic and wear resistant direct restorations. Please note that G-ænial Sculpt Introductory Kits contain G-Premio Bond allowing clinicians to try both products together.

For more information on GC America’s products, please visit www.gcamerica.com.

ATLANTA, Oct. 19, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Kool Smiles, a leading U.S. provider of quality dental care in underserved communities, is coordinating for the fourth year 'Operation Troop Treats,' a nationwide program designed to promote good dental hygiene during the Halloween season and give kids the opportunity to send overseas troops a sweet reminder of home. Operation Troop Treats encourages children to trade their Halloween candy in exchange for a toy at 125 Kool Smiles offices nationwide. The candy will then be sent in care packages to U.S. troops serving abroad via Operation Gratitude. Since 2012, Kool Smiles has collected more than five tons of donated candy and sent 800 care packages to troops through Operation Troop Treats. 

"Operation Troop Treats is our way of encouraging kids and their parents to maintain good dental health this Halloween while providing an opportunity to give back to our brave U.S. soldiers serving overseas," said Dr. D Ray Gifford, Managing Dental Director for Kool Smiles. "Limiting the amount of sugar-filled sweets eaten during Halloween, along with encouraging healthy eating, brushing and flossing habits, can help reduce the risk of cavities. Sending some of these sweets to our troops abroad - along with dental kits to encourage good oral hygiene for them, too - is a win-win for everyone. We don't want to take the fun out of Trick or Treating - just the cavities!"

In addition to the exchange program, Kool Smiles is donating 200 dental kits for troops to Operation Gratitude, as well as the funds to cover the assembly and shipment of 200 Operation Gratitude care packages. Operation Gratitude is a 501(c)(3), volunteer-based organization that annually produces more than 100,000 care packages for U.S. Service Members deployed in harm's way, their children left behind, New Recruits, Wounded Warriors, Veterans and First Responders. Since 2007, Operation Gratitude has encouraged dentists to collect Halloween candy from their patients for donation to the troops through their Halloween Candy Buy-Back initiative. To date, Kool Smiles has organized the largest Candy Buy-Back effort by a dental organization participating on a national level.

"We're extremely grateful that Kool Smiles is continuing 'Operation Troop Treats' for a fourth year. As the largest dental donor to ourHalloween candy program, Operation Troop Treats has enabled more and more children to donate candy each year, and to make a huge impact on the lives of our Armed Forces members," said Operation Gratitude Founder Carolyn Blashek. "During Halloween, the kindness of small children donating their candy puts a smile on the faces of servicemen and women and lifts their morale. Kool Smiles' additional commitment to donate dental care kits and operational funds helps us send our valuable packages to our troops and is deeply appreciated."

All Kool Smiles offices throughout the country are participating in Operation Troop Treats during business hours from Friday, October 30 through Wednesday, November 4. The program is open to everyone, regardless of whether they are Kool Smiles patients. Every child that takes part will receive one toy for every 25 pieces of unopened candy in its original intended packaging. There is a limit of three toys per child and toys are distributed on a first come, first served basis.

Brushing twice daily and getting regular dental checkups is vital for people of all ages. However, Halloween is an especially important time for parents to pay close attention to their children's dental health. Good oral care can prevent complex and expensive procedures, as well as contribute to a child's overall health and wellbeing.  Poor oral health, on the other hand, can contribute to significant health issues and costs later in life.

For more information on the program or to find a dental office near you, please visit https://www.mykoolsmiles.com/trooptreats.