Charlotte, NC - Sirona Dental, Inc. will host a superhero‐themed party at the House of Blues on February 26, 2016 in Chicago during the 2016 Chicago Dental Society Midwinter Meeting. This party is a membership benefit of SIROWORLD, Sirona’s new event‐based community.

After saving the day, attendees are encouraged to emulate their favorite superheroes by dressing up in tights, capes, and masks to celebrate into the night at Sirona’s Superheroes of Dentistry party.

“Sirona is known for throwing incredible parties and this party will be no different,” said Sirona Dental, Inc. President Michael Augins. “At the CEREC 30TH Anniversary Celebration in Las Vegas, Sirona hosted the Party Like a Rock Star event in which attendees arrived in their best rock star attire to a club filled with 10-foot laser robots and acrobats swinging from the ceiling! At the Superheroes of Dentistry event we will have more surprises in store for our SIROWORLD community members as our Dental Superheroes party the night away at one of Chicago’s most famous venues, The House of Blues."

All SIROWORLD members are invited to join in on the action. Membership into SIROWORLD includes access to parties such as this, along with SIROWORLD’s educational events held at major U.S. trade shows such as the Greater New York Dental Meeting and the CDA South meeting in Anaheim, California. The highlight of SIROWORLD membership is the Inaugural SIROWORLD Celebration in Orlando, Florida, where entertainment and education collide at digital dentistry’s premier event.

During these educational events, members can speak to leading experts in the field of digital dentistry and compare stories with fellow members about the technologies that have helped integrate his/her practice into the digital age.

Pricing for SIROWORLD is now available at $1,995 a year for a membership and $2,995 a year for VIP membership and include entrance into all of the celebration events planned at the trade shows and the annual event in Orlando. Total Office membership packages are currently available for $5,995, for a total savings of $4,000 off list price, and include SIROWORLD membership for up to six people.

CHICAGO (Nov. 13, 2015) – Hu-Friedy, a global leader in the manufacture of high quality dental instruments and products, announced today the launch of their new Periodontal Maintenance Curettes, developed in partnership with renowned dental hygiene educator and practitioner, Anna Pattison. Adding to Hu-Friedy’s already extensive line of scalers and curettes, this new set of four instruments allows for greater access subgingivally in patients with tight tissue.

When periodontally healthy patients or those who have undergone periodontal therapy have tight tissue, standard or rigid Gracey curette blades are too big and thick to insert subgingivally. For periodontal maintenance patients, specifically, the gingiva tightens as it heals. These new instruments feature smaller blades honed at a 60°angle with a modified rigid shank specially designed to allow easier access and easier insertion under tight tissue. Each design has a fine, sharp EverEdge blade that will insert effortlessly to the base of any sulcus or pocket to remove biofilm and new calculus.

“Hu-Friedy has a long tradition of collaborating with leading dental professionals to develop products that help practitioners achieve optimal clinical results”, says Ken Serota, President of Hu-Friedy. “Partnering with Anna Pattison to develop the Periodontal Maintenance instruments is the latest example of this innovation process, and we’re honored she has shared her decades of clinical insight and expertise with us to help create these unique designs.”

Anna Pattison, internationally recognized speaker on advanced periodontal instrumentation, adds, “Since my first week of clinical practice, I have wished for a set of modified Gracey curettes to use on patients with tight periodontal tissue. After over forty years in practice, I am delighted to have had the opportunity to design this new set of Gracey curettes with Hu-Friedy, the original manufacturer of the Gracey Curettes.”

The Periodontal Maintenance Curettes are available in 1/2, 7/8, 11/12 and 13/14 designs to provide access in all areas of the mouth. For more information on these and our full line of products, please visit www.hu-friedy.com.

About Hu-Friedy

Founded in Chicago in 1908, Hu-Friedy Manufacturing Company, LLC helps dental professionals perform at their best by producing dental instruments and products designed to function as an extension of each practitioner's particular skill. Its products, hand-crafted by highly-skilled artisans, are known for their precision, performance, longevity, reliability and quality. Headquartered in Chicago, Hu-Friedy products are distributed in more than 75 countries and the company maintains offices in Rotterdam, Tuttlingen, Germany, Milan, Shanghai, India and Tokyo. For more information, visit www.hu-friedy.com.

PHOENIX, Ariz. (November 16, 2015) – Dental Fix Rx—the fastest-growing, mobile dental equipment repair service franchise—is helping local dental professionals get back to serving customers more quickly when equipment breaks down.

Traditionally, when equipment malfunctions, a dental practices’ main option is to contact their area dealer whose large sales area prevents them from being able to respond quickly or deliver personalized service. Jorge Quinteros—who locally owns and operates Dental Fix Rx of Phoenix—plans to relieve this pain point felt by many dental professionals throughout the Phoenix-Tempe area.

Quinteros is the fourth Dental Fix Rx franchisee in Arizona and services up to 350 dental offices throughout the Phoenix area. He has had a lifelong passion for the dentistry field and loves that his business allows him to be a part of the industry by making personal connections with dental professionals in his local area.

“I’ve had past professional experience with loan caring for dentist equipment but when I found Dental Fix Rx, I saw a better business model that I knew I had to be a part of,” said Quinteros. “My van hit the road in September and I’ve already received tremendous gratitude from local dentists for not having to wait days-to-weeks for equipment repairs.”

Prior to becoming a Dental Fix Rx franchisee, he underwent an intensive eight-week training program with the Dental Fix Rx corporate team. With the technical skills necessary and a fully-equipped Mobile Service Center van, Quinteros delivers prompt repairs of chairs, sterilizers, handpieces, vacuum pumps and more, along with sales of new parts and devices – all at a competitive price. Prepared with the latest technology and diagnostic equipment, he is able to provide immediate services and repairs for any dental service scenario.

“My Mobile Service Center van allows me to drive directly to the problem the dentist is having and perform repairs on-site. This allows me to be the faster fix and gives me an affordable competitive edge over other repair options,” added Quinteros, noting that he can respond to customers within 24 hours since he is local to his service area. “Being the owner and operator of my Dental Fix Rx business, I’m able to see firsthand the difference I’m making for dental practices within my community.”

The Dental Fix Rx corporate team, provides centralized technological and account management services to handle the majority of the back-end office support. This allows Quinteros to primarily focus on serving local dental practices and offering first-class customer service. Dental Fix Rx clients also benefit from always working with the same experienced industry professionals, as well as no travel charges, free estimates and assessments, free emergency loaner service for compressor or vacuum pumps and personalized telephone support and account management.

Other services include equipment sales, delivery and upholstery. For more information on Dental Fix Rx of Phoenix and Tempe, visit https://dentalfixrx.com/home.html or call (800) 586-0340.

About Dental Fix Rx

Founded in 2009, Dental Fix Rx is a fast-growing mobile dental equipment repair service franchise that is revolutionizing the dental service industry by delivering immediate, on-demand equipment service, hand-piece repairs and cost-effective consumable products through its network of highly-trained franchise professionals. With local franchise owners serving businesses within their market, Dental Fix Rx completes repairs on-site from mobile repair centers that are equipped to fix a wide range of equipment found in any practice – from compressors to chair upholstery. The company has sold more than 200 franchises that service 14,000-plus customers throughout North America. For more information, visit www.dentalfixrx.com. For franchise information, call (855) 242-5230 or visit www.dentalfixrx.com/franchise/.

FREEPORT, NY – Town & Country Dental Studios (Town & Country), a dental laboratory located in Freeport, NY, announced today its participation as the National Laboratory Partner for the Alpha Omega-Henry Schein Cares Holocaust Survivors Oral Health Program. The program, which provides pro-bono oral care to Holocaust survivors, was created as a partnership between Henry Schein Cares, the global corporate social responsibility program 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, and the Alpha Omega International Dental Fraternity in response to the White House’s call to action to help Holocaust survivors in the United States age with dignity and support.

Vice President Joe Biden applauded the program at the General Assembly of Jewish Federation of North America on November 10, 2014, saying, “…At least 25 percent of Holocaust survivors…in the United States…[are] living in poverty. With your encouragement, and the President’s authority, I announced the appointment of a Special Envoy for U.S. Holocaust survivors to… [rally] volunteer organizations throughout the country, from AmeriCorps…to the Association of Jewish Families and Children’s Agencies, to Alpha Omega Dental Fraternity and Henry Schein, giving free dental care to [250-300] survivors.”

A total of 250-300 Holocaust survivors across nine North American metropolitan areas will receive free oral care this year through the program, as part of a pilot three-year initiative. The program commenced this month in the following areas: Boston, Chicago, Detroit, New York City, the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area, Philadelphia, Seattle, Montreal and Toronto. The program focuses on providing care for the most economically vulnerable Holocaust survivors who are served by the network of Jewish Family and Children’s Service agencies or other identified partner organizations, as well as individuals of any faith who were victims of Nazi persecution and meet the other eligibility requirements of the program. The individuals participating in the program are directly referred through the local Jewish Family and Children’s Service agencies or another identified local partner organization. In addition to financial need, the three critical factors in prioritizing patients for participation are: elimination of pain, restoration of function and lack of dental coverage. A clear set of clinical guidelines directs the specific scope of care to be provided through this program.

“Henry Schein is deeply appreciative that our long-standing business partner, Town & Country, has stepped forward to partner with us on this important program,” said Stanley M. Bergman, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Office of Henry Schein. “The Alpha Omega-Henry Schein Cares Holocaust Survivors Oral Health Program is helping to address the vital oral health needs of this vulnerable, underserved population, whose experiences during World War II had lifelong oral health impacts. We thank Town & Country for joining us in this important work.”

In December 2014, Stephen Lampert, Laboratory Manager, Town and Country Dental Studios, and leadership from Henry Schein, Alpha Omega International Dental Fraternity, and philanthropic organizations attended the White House Convening on Holocaust Survivor Dental Services, hosted by the White House Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation, to discuss the upcoming launch of the Alpha Omega-Henry Schein Cares Holocaust Survivors Oral Health Program.

“We are so proud to support this great program, which will help Holocaust survivors live healthier, more comfortable lives," said David Lampert, Vice President and Business Manager of Town & Country Dental Studios. "We have worked with Henry Schein for a long time, and it gives us tremendous pleasure to build upon our strong partnership by participating with the Company on a program that will bring much needed oral care to a most deserving and at-risk population.”

About Town & Country Dental Studios

For more than 50 years, Town & Country Dental Studios has been dedicated to helping doctors and staff restore their patients smiles. Located in Freeport, NY, Town & Country is built upon a foundation of service through strong, lasting relationships with clients. That’s why their slogan is “Building Relationships and Restoring Smiles.” They want their doctors and their doctor's staff to know that, not only are they a fine dental laboratory, but they are also a resource; an avenue for knowledge, skill, assistance, and even a favor now and again. They have some of the best staff and technical support around, and many of them have been here at Town & Country for decades. Their staff's tenure is a testament to their nurturing, service-oriented approach. For more information, visit Town & Country’s website at https://www.tncdental.com/.

About Henry Schein Cares

Henry Schein Cares stands on four pillars: engaging Team Schein Members to reach their potential, ensuring accountability by extending ethical business practices to all levels within Henry Schein, promoting environmental sustainability, and expanding access to health care for underserved and at-risk communities around the world. Health care activities supported by Henry Schein Cares focus on three main areas: advancing wellness, building capacity in the delivery of health care services, and assisting in emergency preparedness and relief.

Firmly rooted in a deep commitment to social responsibility and the concept of enlightened self-interest championed by Benjamin Franklin, the philosophy behind Henry Schein Cares is a vision of “doing well by doing good.” Through the work of Henry Schein Cares to enhance access to care for those in need, the Company believes that it is furthering its long-term success. “Helping Health Happen Blog” is a platform for health care professionals to share their volunteer experiences delivering assistance to those in need globally. To read more about how Henry Schein Cares is making a difference, visit their blog: https://helpinghealthhappen.org/.

About Henry Schein, Inc.

Henry Schein, Inc. is the world's largest provider of health care products and services to office-based dental, animal health and medical practitioners. The company also serves dental laboratories, government and institutional health care clinics, and other alternate care sites. A Fortune 500^® Company and a member of the NASDAQ 100^® Index, Henry Schein employs more than 17,500 Team Schein Members and serves more than 1 million customers.

The company offers a comprehensive selection of products and services, including value-added solutions for operating efficient practices and delivering high-quality care. Henry Schein operates through a centralized and automated distribution network, with a selection of more than 100,000 branded products and Henry Schein private-brand products in stock, as well as more than 150,000 additional products available as special-order items. The company also offers its customers exclusive, innovative technology solutions, including practice management software and e-commerce solutions, as well as a broad range of financial services.

Headquartered in Melville, NY, Henry Schein has operations or affiliates in 28 countries. The company's sales reached a record $10.4 billion in 2014, and have grown at a compound annual rate of approximately 16% since Henry Schein became a public company in 1995. For more information, visit the Henry Schein website at www.henryschein.com.

About Alpha Omega International Dental Fraternity

The Alpha Omega International Dental Fraternity (AO) is the oldest international Jewish dental and medical organization. Founded in 1907 at the University of Maryland School of Dental Medicine, AO has expanded into an international community of dental professionals who are guided by the tenets of professionalism, fraternalism, and commitment to Judaic values.

With over 100 alumni and student chapters in 10 countries, AO members embrace the spirit of Tikkun Olam, or healing the world through charitable endeavors. As healers, their members strive to make their communities better. For more information, please contact Heidi Weber, AO Executive Director, at hweber@ao.org.

MADISON, Wis. — The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry Charitable Foundation’s Give Back a Smile program is launching two new initiatives: Lab Challenge and Give Back a Bigger Smile. With these new programs, Give Back a Smile hopes to increase its ranks of supporters and its reach to more adult survivors of domestic or sexual violence.

The Lab Challenge is an easy and impactful way for dental laboratories to support the Give Back a Smile (GBAS) program. The program was inspired by the existing GBAS Whitening Challenge available to dentists. “Dentists have had an opportunity to give back through the GBAS Whitening Challenge,” says Scott Greenhalgh, DDS, Chairman of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees. “Now, lab technicians have a chance to give back financially as well.”

To participate in the Lab Challenge, laboratories pledge to donate a portion of proceeds from units fabricated to GBAS. The suggested donation amount is $1-20/unit. Considering it costs approximately $400 to restore one smile through GBAS, a dental laboratory could help restore the damaged smile and life of a survivor of domestic or sexual violence with the proceeds from only 20 units.

GBAS is also expanding its reach to help more survivors of domestic or sexual violence. Give Back a Bigger Smile is an expansion of the Give Back a Smile program and will provide a limited number of full mouth smile restorations for GBAS applicants who qualify.

To download a pledge form to participate in the Lab Challenge, visit www.aacd.com/labchallenge.

To become a GBAS volunteer dentist or laboratory, visit www.aacd.com/GBASvolunteer.

Jersey City, NJ - TAUB Products, a longtime manufacturer of dental consumable products, has appointed Ed Matthews Vice President of Sales.

Matthews will assume sales responsibility for all of TAUB’s new and existing dental products. Matthews, an industry veteran, brings more than 15 years of dental sales and marketing experience to the position.

“We are very pleased to have Ed as an important part of our executive team,” Executive Vice President Jordan Taub says. “His dental industry contacts will pay immediate dividends for us.”

Matthews is also the owner of Sure Business Logic, a creative dental sales services company.

“I am pleased to join the TAUB organization in this capacity,” Matthews says. “I am looking to make their sales programs as successful as possible.”

TAUB will be exhibiting at the upcoming Greater New York Meeting in booth 2708. Matthews will be there to meet customers and discuss the release of TAUB’s newest products, Zero-G Bio Implant Cement and Liquid Magic.

CHICAGO, Nov. 12, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The American College of Prosthodontists (ACP) has elected new officers to its Board of Directors for a one-year term. During the 45th Annual Session of the American College of Prosthodontists in Orlando from Oct. 21-24, 2015, six board certified Prosthodontists were sworn in as officers of the College.

Carl F. Driscoll, DMD, FACP, (pictured left) will be installed as 2015-16 president; Susan E. Brackett, DDS, MS, FACP, will be installed as president-elect; Robert M. Taft, DDS, FACP, will be installed as vice president; Julie A. Holloway, DDS, MS, FACP, will be re-installed as treasurer; and Carol A. Lefebvre, DDS, MS, FACP, will be re-installed as secretary. Frank J. Tuminelli, DMD, FACP, (pictured right) will continue as an officer of the College in 2015-16 as the ACP immediate past president.

Dr. Carl F. Driscoll, ACP President, is a professor and director of the Prosthodontic Residency program at the University of Maryland Dental School. He is past president of the American Board of Prosthodontics and the American Academy of Fixed Prosthodontics. Dr. Driscoll was chair of the 44th Annual Session of the American College of Prosthodontists. As an ACP Spokespersons Network member, Dr. Driscoll has appeared on Fox 45 Baltimore.

Dr. Susan E. "Betsy" Brackett, ACP President-Elect, is in private practice in Oklahoma City, Okla. She previously was director of the ACP Public Relations and Communications Division and ACP secretary. Dr. Brackett is a co-author of an award-winning textbook, Fundamentals of Tooth Preparation, and the Fundamentals of Fixed Prosthodontics, third edition. Dr. Brackett is the recipient of the ACP Education Foundation's Highest Honor. Dr. Brackett is featured in ACP's cosmetic dentistry video about dental implants.

Capt. Robert Taft, ACP Vice President, served as Dean of the Naval Postgraduate Dental School and Specialty Leader to the Surgeon General for Postgraduate Dental Education from June 2006 to June 2011, Deputy Chief, United States Navy Dental Corps from June 2011 to June 2013 and is currently Department Chair, Prosthodontics, and Naval Postgraduate Dental School. Captain Taft also served as the Maxillofacial Director for the ACP Board of Directors.

Dr. Julie Holloway, ACP Treasurer, is professor and head of the Department of Prosthodontics at the University of Iowa College of Dentistry. In addition to serving as treasurer, she is immediate past president of the American Academy of Fixed Prosthodontics. She has served as editor of the ACP Board Preparation Study Guide. As a member of the ACP Spokesperson Network, she appears in this ACP video.

Dr. Carol Lefebvre, ACP Secretary, is the dean of Georgia Regents University College of Dental Medicine. She also is a professor in the Oral Rehabilitation and Oral Biology departments in the College of Dental Medicine and the College of Graduate Studies. She has been an ACP member for over 30 years and is a member of the ACP Judicial Committee.

Dr. Frank J. Tuminelli, ACP Immediate Past President, is in private practice in Great Neck, New York. He has served as a member of the ACP Board of Directors for over 10 years and is an ACP Fellow. As a member of the ACP Spokespersons Network, Dr. Tuminelli has been featured in USA Today, Inside Dentistry, and Newsday as well as in this ACP Digital Dentistry video. During his tenure as president, the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) passed new standards for Advanced Education Programs in Prosthodontics and the ACPEF was awarded $1.25 million by Henry Schein to develop a Digital Dentistry Curriculum.

ANNAPOLIS, MD. – November 13, 2015– The Organization for Safety, Asepsis and Prevention (OSAP), the advocate for The Safest Dental Visit™, is offering an early-bird discount on registrations for their 2016 Dental Infection Control Boot Camp™ in Atlanta, Georgia, January 11-13, 2016. The “basic training” will cover all of the core infection prevention fundamentals for dental practitioners, and offer up to 24 continuing education (CE) hours. The $75 discount is good only through December 7, so participants are encouraged to register now. For more information or to register, go to https://bit.ly/1WF6kKC. Space is limited.

The OSAP Boot Camp features national and international experts in infection prevention and safety, presenting a fast-paced, comprehensive curriculum. The course starts at 8 am on Monday, January 11, and concludes at 5:30 pm on Wednesday, January 13. Federal services attendees will have breakout sessions on Thursday, January 14 and will earn additional hours of CE credit. All attendees will receive a resource binder, checklists, tools, and much more.

Boot Camp participants will learn about:

·       disease transmission and principles of infection prevention and control in a variety of oral healthcare settings

·       infection control laws, regulations, guidelines and best practices

·       principles of quality assurance in infection control

Anyone involved with infection control in dentistry would benefit from this course.  Boot Camp is targeted to dental personnel who desire a strong foundation in infection control, infection control coordinators, educators, and compliance officers, federal service employees with infection control responsibilities, federally qualified health center personnel, consultants, and sales representatives.

Early-bird registration for the 2016 Boot Camp is $400 for OSAP members and $575 for non-members ($475 and $650 after December 7). There is a discount for additional attendees from the same facility. A limited number of discounted hotel rooms are available at the Westin Atlanta Perimeter North, where the course will be held. Complete information on the Boot Camp is available on the OSAP website: www.osap.org.

Companies are invited to showcase innovative products and services related to dental infection control and patient safety at the vendor fair on Wednesday, January 13.Exhibition space is still available and OSAP Corporate members are eligible to receive a discounted rate. For more information about exhibiting, go to: https://bit.ly/1NljgCn.

Celebrating over 30 years of service to the worldwide dental community, OSAP is a growing community of clinicians, educators, students, policy-makers, and industry representatives who advocate for safe and infection-free delivery of oral healthcare. OSAP focuses on strategies to improve compliance with safe practices and on building a strong network of recognized infection control experts. OSAP offers an extensive online collection of resources, publications, FAQs, checklists and toolkits to help dental professionals ensure that every visit is The Safest Dental Visit™ for patients and the dental team. For more information, call 800-298-OSAP (6727) or 410-571-0003 or visit www.osap.org.

Receptors on bone cells activate bone loss in contact with bacteria that cause inflammation in patients resulting in loosening of the teeth, loosening dental and orthopaedic implants or arthritis. The discovery indicates that the so-called Toll-like receptors also play an important role in the formation of new bone. This according to a dissertation at Umeå University in Sweden.

The research builds upon previous discoveries of how various bacteria that cause inflammation communicate with the body’s cells through Toll-like receptors that recognise the bacterial structure. Since the receptors can also be activated by internal substances in autoimmune diseases, the discovery can also be important in the understanding of how bone loss develops in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. “We have discovered that Toll-like receptors on the surface of bone cells are activated by bacteria that are suspected to cause of loosening of the teeth or septic arthritis, which leads to the formation of osteoclasts –cells specialised in breaking down bone. If the mechanism controlling new bone formation via these receptors can be revealed it could be used to recreate bone lost due to inflammatory processes, says” Ali Kassem, doctoral student at the Department of Molecular Periodontology at Umeå University.

The dissertation shows how the Toll-like receptors 2 and 5, which can stimulate bone loss, are also a part of the body’s own mechanism for the formation of new bone tissue.

Knowing that bacteria can cause inflammation is widespread, but only in the last years have researchers been able to show how bacteria communicate with cells in the body. The discovery of the gene called Toll (which is German for ‘great’) in the fruit fly and later, the function of this gene in humans were awarded the 1995 and 2011 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.

On the side of his doctoral studies, Ali Kassem works as a dentist at the Department of Molecular Periodontology at Umeå University.

For the full article visit here.

Awareness of the Potential Link between Oral Health and Diabetes Raised Through 30 Tales, Tips, Tweets and More via Advocates from Stage, Screen and Smartphone

PR Newswire, NEW YORK, NY (November 12, 2015)

Teaming up with the American Diabetes Association® and the multi-talented performer and caretaker Joey Fatone @RealJoeyFatone, Colgate Total® is using the power of laughter to help raise awareness of the potential link between oral health and diabetes with the new “30 Days of Laughter” campaign (#30DaysofLOL), beginning today. The 30 days from November 12 to December 11, 2015 will be filled with laugh-out-loud videos, funny social media posts, engaging apps and more to make the diabetes community laugh, all while building awareness of the importance of maintaining the health of the teeth and gums behinds those smiles.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people with diabetes are two times more likely to develop gum disease1. Colgate Total®toothpaste can help prevent and even reverse gingivitis, the most common form of gum disease. It is the only FDA-approved and American Dental Association-accepted2 toothpaste to help prevent gingivitis. With regular twice daily brushing, you can help improve your gum health in as little as four weeks3 with Colgate Total®.

Understanding how challenging managing diabetes can sometimes be, the funny and talented performer Joey Fatone is leading the “30 Days of Laughter” campaign to remind people that sometimes laughter can feel like the best medicine. “When my father was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, our family was shocked. But we’re a big, loving group and we all help him together every day. I know that humor in the face of challenges is vital and I’m excited to share that with other families touched by diabetes.”

Colgate Total has also teamed up with mySugr, the leading digital diabetes company that aims to “make diabetes suck less.” Together, they will launch the Monster Selfie app to help create moments of laughter that are captured on camera and can be instantly shared with friends. The Monster Selfie app will be available for download for iOS and Android starting November 9.

“Not many people with diabetes know about the increased risks of developing gum disease or how oral health may can affect overall health,” says said Dr. Foti Panagakos, global director of scientific affairs and research at Colgate-Palmolive. “30 Days of Laughter” will help bring awareness and prevention to this community with a bit of healthy laughter along the way.”

Additionally, three health advocates have joined the “30 Days of Laughter” campaign to spread laughter and awareness of the potential link between diabetes and oral health:

• Divabetic @mrdivabetic – Max “Mr. Divabetic” Szadek promotes prevention, early action and education with a “glam more, fear less” philosophy. “Be bold and sassy about your diabetes. Don’t get down, get DIVA!”

• Diabetesaliciousness @diabetesalish – Kelly Kunik’s mission is to spread diabetes validation through humor, ownership & advocacy. “I am more than the sum of my parts — including my beautiful, busted pancreas.”

• Sofrito for Your Soul @urbanjibaro – George "Urban Jibaro" Torres blogs about his experiences on what it means to be Latino in the U.S., including how he manages his own Type 2 diabetes.

Online and across social media channels, the diabetes community can find and share funny tips, stories and images and more by searching with and using #30DaysofLOL across Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. More information is available at OralHealthandDiabetes.com and diabetes.org.