The venue for this year’s President’s Reception, the San Diego Air and Space Museum, dedicates itself to honoring the accomplishments of yesterday to inspire the leaders in aviation today. It was a fitting place for old and new members of all ages and nationalities to celebrate the Academy of Osseointegration’s (AO) 31st Annual Meeting.

AO aspires to do the same for its members, both young and old. It’s the interaction of all the clinicians from around the world with different backgrounds and various levels of experience that make the AO meeting special.

Caption: The San Diego Air and Space Museum was the perfect backdrop for AO’s 2016 President’s Reception.

“It’s almost a misnomer to call it the President’s Reception,” said Dr. Russell Nishimura, AO President. “It’s really AO’s reception. It’s a chance to get everybody at the meeting to relax, kick back, reunite and meet new friends. It’s great to see so many people of all ages here.”

When it comes to the AO’s Annual Meeting, the President’s Reception always proves to be one of the most memorable events. This year was no exception.

“It’s a wonderful evening to celebrate all that we’ve accomplished in the last year under Dr. Nishimura’s guidance,” said President-Elect Dr. Alan Pollack. “I look forward to continuing to advance the strategic initiatives we’ve laid out to support our members.”

In addition to the opportunity to mingle and make new friends, attendees had exclusive access to the exhibits throughout the museum, as well as plenty of food and drinks. 2016 President’s Reception was complimentary to all attendees and bus transportation was provided to the site.

“I think it’s great to see all these people out here enjoying their time and just coming together and spending time with each other,” said Dr. Benjamin Yagoubian, who was heading to check out exhibits in the adjoining hall.

Dr. Tara Aghaloo, AO Board member, looks forward to the President’s Reception every year. “You can see a lot of old friends and colleagues while getting together just to kick back after a packed scientific meeting.” She was considering a dance before checking out some of the planes on exhibit or trying out the flight simulator.

Resident Dr. Grant Nishimura, son of AO President Dr. Nishimura, was attending his first AO Annual Meeting as a member this year. Celebrating with his father as he wrapped up his presidency, he shared his thoughts on the meeting.

“It’s amazing. I’ve never seen so much diversity of research in one meeting. It’s a great opportunity to meet other clinicians. I have been meeting a bunch of the residents. I have also met a lot of members, new and old, and a lot of people that have a lot of influence in the field of osseointegration.”

The 2016 Academy of Osseointegration (AO) Annual Meeting offered four days of sessions addressing issues clinicians face every day in their practice and information they can use on their first day back in the office post-meeting.

We asked AO attendees what key takeaways they learned at Friday’s sessions and here’s what they said:

#1: Pink porcelain produces some beautiful restorations.

“I was pretty amazed at the things people can do with prosthetics. The fact that [the prosthetic] was fixed, and mold work and pink and white porcelain were done on top to create some beautiful cases … is blowing my mind with how realistic it looks!”

-Dr. Alyssa Edwards, General Practitioner, League City, Texas

#2: The materials you use as a substrate for temporary dentures can make a big difference in its clinical effectiveness.

“I learned about [Ti-PMMA] used as a substrate for temporary dentures, which is pretty awesome because normal acrylic fractures and that doesn’t. It’s a new material for my lab to use if I ever make a prosthesis like that.”

-Dr. Megan Clarke, General Practitioner, La Mesa, Calif.

#3: Certain types of lasers effectively treat peri-implantitis.

“The treatment of peri-implantitis is a topic we will be discussing for a long time. Now, there is a new approach to try to decontaminate the surface that seems very promising with a type of laser that you can clean the implant surface and then get new bone formation where there was disease. It’s still not there, but it seems promising.”

-Dr. Arthur Novaes, University of San Paulo, Brazil

#4: When to choose surgery and when to choose prosthetics to correct inherited problems.

“There was a good deal of information on whether you make surgical or prosthetic corrections as far as some of the difficulties, failures, or complications we sometimes inherit. I thought it was a beautiful presentation.”

-Dr. Paul Binon, Prosthodontist, Roseville, Calif.

#5: The AO holds their speakers to a level that is intellectually stimulating and clinically useful.

“I spend probably 500 hours a year at various meetings, and I see a lot of things presented that aren’t backed scientifically, and, unfortunately, I see people following something a KOL says that is not scientifically based and it misguides people. It’s nice to see an Academy hold its speakers above that level.”

-Dr. Todd Schoenbaum, General Practitioner Los Angeles, Calif.

#6: To get published, playing by the rules is the best thing you can do.”

“It’s important to know the preferred style of the journal to which you are submitting your study—and follow them.”

-Dr. Steven Eckert, Prosthodontist Edina, Minn.

#7: Distraction Osteogenesis is a cool way to regenerate bone.

“I learned about the distraction osteogenesis which I hadn’t really learned a lot about before. I thought that was cool.”

-Meghan Toland, General Practitioner, La Mesa, Calif.

#8: When choosing the between regenerative treatment or prosthetic in the esthetic zone, go with what makes the patient happy.

“I love that in the esthetic zone you can always use pink porcelain and gain a good result. Ultimately the success comes from how happy your patient is. Sometimes we try to do those 10,000 regenerative procedures for ourselves, but the patient doesn’t always want that.”

-Dr. Ashwini Bhave, Prosthodontist, Detroit, Mich.

#9: Guided full arch immediate implant reconstruction is a much better technique than the traditional method.

“I was already familiar with the system, but it was a nice review of the side-by-side comparison of how much faster, easier, and all-around better it is than the old approach.”

-Dr. Robert Jungman, General Dentist, Escondido, Calif.

#10: It’s important to challenge your old way of thinking.

“I’ve learned that a lot of the specialists are doing everything at once; tissue grafting, bone grafting, and they are getting great results. Before I would be more conservative and just do a bone graft and then connective tissues at another visit. Now I may be more inclined to try that out in the future.”

-Dr. Natasha Kapoor, Periodontist from Md.

The Academy of Osseointegration Annual Meeting brings together clinicians from around the world in one location to share advancements and best practices in implant dentistry. This year, the meeting included a special Focus on China Symposium where four speakers from different regions of China presented their clinical experiences on a range of topics.

Caption: AO Annual Meeting includes Focus on China Symposium, which was translated into Mandarin for some audience members.

“China is booming not only economically, but in the medical and dental field as well. Everyone knows it’s a big population, which means a large patient pool to support the study of new techniques and procedures to advance evidence-based dentistry,” said Dr. Chao Ji from China, currently a periodontics resident in Maryland, who helped to translate the Symposium from English to Mandarin for attendees who were listening via headset.

Dr. Dehua Li moderated the sessions on Friday and presented his own experience. He was grateful for the opportunity to share what he and his colleagues are doing in implant dentistry.

“Implant dentistry is getting more dynamic in China and is growing fast. We have had many chances to improve our techniques. It’s a good opportunity for us to introduce ourselves to our international colleagues,” he said.

The Symposium featured four presentations. The first presentation covered research from the past decade on immediate loading of zygomatic implants and the long-term results after lateral sinus floor elevation. The remaining presentations featured techniques ranging from treating adult ectodermal dysplasia patients with atrophied jaws to the lateral mini-window approach for modified sinus floor elevation to treating patients with untreated periodontitis.

Attendees described Dr. James Chow’s presentation as “fantastic” and “really cutting-edge.” They appreciated his explanation of the delicacy of surgical and prosthetic treatment and how to help those who may not benefit the most from conventional implant rehabilitation.

Beyond this Focus on China Symposium, the AO Meeting provided an opportunity for people from all around the world to learn more about Chinese implant practices and advancements.

“Speakers from China presented throughout the main program on the methods and procedures being used in China, one of the world’s fastest-growing dental implant markets,” added Dr. Peter Moy, 2016 AO Annual Meeting Program Chairman. “This was an excellent way to represent China to AO’s global membership.”

“It’s been great to see our international colleagues from China at the meeting and get to network and see what they’re doing overseas,” said Dr. Daniel Taub.

February 19, 2016 -- A 68-year-old Evansville, Ind., man is the first to benefit from a transformative Indiana University School of Dentistry process of fabricating artificial facial parts using digital technology. Among the benefits: The patient has gotten back something most people take for granted -- a face.

Dr. Travis Bellicchi, a second-year maxillofacial prosthodontics resident in the IU School of Dentistry at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, started developing the new process after being challenged with producing the largest facial prosthesis ever made at the dental school. The prosthesis was for Shirley Anderson, a 68-year-old retired maintenance mechanic, who had his Adam's apple removed as well as his mandible, leaving him without a chin.

"This was a unique case," Bellicchi said. "It's a much larger prosthesis than what we normally work on. Typically we might do a nose or an ear. This is maybe four or five times larger." Because of the size of the prosthesis, Bellicchi found traditional materials were bulky and cumbersome to use. "So I began pursuing a digital solution," he said.

With his training in prosthodontics and as an IU School of Medicine Maxillofacial Prosthetics Fellow, Bellicchi serves as a bridge between restorative dental and medical specialties for patients who have had cancer surgery or facial trauma such as from a car accident, gunshot wound or burn. "My training allows me to provide prostheses when surgical intervention or reconstructions are insufficient to provide a good aesthetic or a functional result," he said. "Then I come in and make something out of silicone or acrylic resin that would restore function or, in this case, aesthetics." Asked about his reaction to the prosthesis Bellicchi made for him, Anderson wrote two words on a whiteboard: "True Amazement."

Anderson was first diagnosed with tongue cancer in 1997. Treated with radiation, Anderson believed he was cancer-free after 15 years had passed. But the tongue cancer recurred in 2012, with devastating consequences. After being treated with radiation again, Anderson developed osteoradionecrosis of the jaw, or bone death, a severe side effect of radiation therapy. Head and neck surgeons made several attempts to reconstruct Anderson's mandible, including using pieces of bone from his fibula and a titanium bar.

"Despite their best efforts," Bellicchi said, "the healing just wasn't there. The efforts just didn’t take." Anderson now breathes through a tracheotomy and is fed through a tube in his stomach. He lost almost half his body weight. When he doesn't wear the prosthesis, he wears a mask in public to hide the holes where his face and neck once were. Anderson is hoping that some semblance of normal will return with the increasingly better-looking and better-fitting digitally designed prosthetic devices Bellicchi and his team are creating.

"My main interest now is using digital imaging, digital design, and 3-D printing to streamline the prosthesis fabrication process, making it much quicker and with much less patient involvement in far fewer appointments," Bellicchi said. To accomplish that goal, Bellicchi has enlisted medical, information technology, design and engineering experts from schools at IUPUI, including the dental school, the School of Informatics and Computing, School of Engineering and Technology, and the Herron School of Art and Design. The IUPUI interdisciplinary team is creating is a hybrid digital/analog approach, using 3-D printing to create the mold so that mold has a negative space inside of it. That negative space becomes the prosthesis itself.

"Then I use traditional materials, for now, to fill that space," Bellicchi said. "My motivation to use traditional materials is that they are predictable, they are biocompatible, they have research behind them, and we know how to do the characterization to make them lifelike." Bellicchi expects they will produce a prototype 3-D printed prosthesis for Anderson soon, having already completed digital imaging and digital modeling of his face.

"Shirley really believes in helping us as an institution," Bellicchi said. "He totally gets the work we are trying to do on the discovery side of this as well as the patient-care side. He is a problem-solver and a funny guy. I couldn’t have asked for a better person to spend a year with as I come up with different prosthesis solutions and explore the digital protocol."

When it comes to naming the new digital protocol, Bellicchi and Anderson know exactly what they want to call it: the IU Shirley Technique.

Source: Newswise

DentalEZ^®Expands Product Management Team

with Promotion and Additions

Aggie Pennington 

Kim Pinegar

Kristin Wolf 

Mary Alban

Malvern, PA – DentalEZ^® announces several changes to its Product Management team. Aggie Pennington recently made the change from Sr. Product Manager, DentalEZ to Sr. Product Manager, StarDental^®, Kim Pinegar recently joined the Company as Sr. Product Manager, NevinLabs^® and Columbia Dentoform, Kristen Wolf was hired as Sr. Commercial Product Manager, and Mary Alban joined the DentalEZ team as Sr. Product Manager, Equipment & Utilities.

Effective December 21, Aggie Pennington’s focus switched from the DentalEZ category of products to the Company’s StarDental division, where Pennington originally worked after joining DentalEZ nearly four decades ago. A long-time employee, Pennington has held many positions throughout the years. Pennington has a well-rounded working knowledge of all aspects of the Company, and through her seasoned knowledge and strong relationships built throughout her career she has positioned herself as a staple among the dental community.  

“Aggie is a long-time veteran of DentalEZ and has held many positions, making her an invaluable Company employee,” remarked Heather Trombley, President and Chief Operating Officer at DentalEZ. “She started her DentalEZ career at StarDental and this shift returns her to her roots where she can focus on the Company’s flagship products and further grow our StarDental brand.”

In addition, effective January 4, 2016, Kim Pinegar joined DentalEZ as Sr. Product Manager, NevinLabs and Columbia Dentoform, and alternates her time between the Company’s Pennsylvania and Chicago locations. Pinegar has many years of marketing and product management experience. Prior to joining DentalEZ, she was employed as Product Marketing Manager at DORMA USA and spent eleven years as Product Manager with DENTSPLY.

“Kim’s experience in both the dental and dental laboratory fields make her an outstanding fit for this position where she will work with both NevinLabs and Columbia Dentoform products,” stated Trombley. “Her expertise will help us refine our strategies and messaging in both product categories and we’re confident that Kim will be a key factor in executing the exciting growth we have planned for these two very important divisions of DentalEZ.”

Kristen Wolf was recently hired on February 9^th as Sr. Commercial Project Manager. Wolf brings over a decade of commercial experience to the DentalEZ marketing department. Prior to joining the Company, she led major commercialization initiatives for industry healthcare giants such as Johnson & Johnson, Bayer Healthcare, and Walgreens. She also has experience working in smaller, targeted areas of healthcare such as orthopedics, diabetes, cardiovascular, and other therapeutic areas. Wolf holds an MBA from University of South Carolina and is fluent in Spanish and introductory German. Wolf reports to Bob Senesac, Sr. Director, Marketing for DentalEZ.

“With such a substantial amount of well-rounded experience in the healthcare arena, we are confident that Kristen will have a positive impact on our organization,” remarked Trombley. “We are very pleased that Kristen has a rich background in commercial marketing, holding many roles within a wide variety of healthcare companies. We look forward to a very bright future with Kristen.”

Mary Alban joined the Company on February 8, 2016 as Sr. Product Manager, Equipment & Utilities. Alban holds over a decade of product management experience in the medical device industry, working for companies such as ConMed Linvatec and DePuy Synthes. Alban has been a key driver of product development for targeted medical specialties such as hip arthroscopy, orthopedic implants, and instruments, and has developed and implemented several educational programs for various medical products. Alban graduated from Villanova University, completed a graduate program at West Chester University, and studied Spanish at University of Piura in Peru. Alban reports to Bob Senesac, Sr. Director, Marketing.

“Mary has a rich background of medical product experience, broad industry knowledge, and excellent communication skills,” remarked Trombley. “I have no doubt that, given Mary’s education and professional background, she will continue to be successful in her career here at DentalEZ.”  

To kick off the Opening Symposium at the Academy of Osseointegration’s (AO) 31^st Annual meeting, AO President Dr. Russell Nishimura welcomed attendees from more than 50 countries and announced that more than 800 new members have joined the Academy. Presenters from around the world then took an objective look at the pros and cons of various treatment decisions clinicians choose from every day.

Caption: AO President Dr. Russell Nishimura welcomed #AOSanDiego attendees from more than 50 countries to the 31^st Annual Meeting. 

Dr. Frank Spear delivered the keynote address, “Globalization of Training, Education, and Comprehensive Collaborative Treatment Planning in Implant Dentistry: Understanding the Risks and Rewards.” After restoring implants for 30 years, Dr. Spear believes technique is one thing, but perspective is another, and clinicians should consider what’s ahead for patients in their life when placing implants.

Dr. Reed Rayher, an oral surgeon from San Francisco, comes to the AO meeting to stay current on implant developments. One of his key takeaways from Dr. Spear’s presentation is that sometimes less is more.

“He breaks down difficult concepts that always confused you throughout your dental career and education and made them a lot simpler. He helps you understand a concept you never could understand,” said Dr. Rayher. “He’s very good at making complicated things simple.”

Dr. Takis Megas, a periodontist from Amherst, Mass., also attended the Opening Symposium. As a supporter of the team approach to implant dentistry, he comes to the AO Meeting to learn more about the other specialties. He attended Dr. Henning Schliephake’s session about the risks and rewards of grafting with growth factors/biologics.

“It gives me a chance to learn more about the entire restorative industrial complex. I know the surgical side; the AO Meeting allows me to gain insight on the restorative side,” said Dr. Megas.

Dr. Liqun Wu, a general dentist from China, was excited to attend Dr. Franck Renouard’s full-house presentation on the risks and rewards of not grafting. Dr. Renouard’s presentation addressed the reliability of the short implant option, the factors to consider when weighing the associated therapeutic options, and emphasized that the simplest procedure should always be the first choice. With the influx of patients in China, being up to date on these issues are of critical importance to Dr. Wu.

“In my country, implant patients are rising by 30% every year,” said Dr. Wu.

The AO Annual Meeting strives to create a meeting that allows collaboration with the best and brightest clinicians from around the world. Attendees agree that the meeting is a great way for clinicians to stay current on implant dentistry’s best practices.

The Young Clinicians Committee (YCC) hosted a reception at Café Sevilla as part of the Academy of Osseointegration’s (AO) 31^st Annual Meeting. Dr. Lauren Brownfield, Chair of the YCC, explained the idea behind the reception was to give the youngest clinicians in the Academy a chance to interact with people their own age who face similar issues, and to create new relationships.

Caption: The festive Café Sevilla set the stage for an evening of great food and fun as young clinicians wrapped up the first day of the AO 2016 Annual Meeting

Dr. Tabitha Chen from San Francisco shared a sentiment expressed by a number of other clinicians, “It’s hard because when you are in private practice, which I am, it feels very isolating. You don’t get to talk to your peers. At a function like this, you can talk to people that graduated around the same time who are going through the same thing as you … trying to get their feet wet and trying to establish themselves in the community,” explained Dr. Chen. “It’s very comforting to know you are in the same type of situation as a lot of other people.

Dr. Nathan O’Connor is a young clinician from Yakima, Wash. who said he came to the meeting to improve his diagnostic and treatment skills, adding that the global emphasis has helped him mature as a clinician by providing different points of view.

“I liked the presentation by Dr. Frank Spears. You get a sense for times when you do treat with implants, and times when you don’t. You get a broad perspective in an organization that draws people from all over the world,” said Dr. O’Connor.

Dr. Brian Lee from Irvine, Calif. agrees that the AO and the YCC provide him a broader look at the developments in the science that he wasn’t aware of in his practice.

“Sometimes in your practice, you are so focused on what you have been doing that you don’t know where the field is headed in general. Coming here gives you a kind of broad overview perspective that you can take back with you,” said Dr. Lee.

Resident Hebe Cevera-Gonzales from Mexico City is here to support friends who are presenting E-Posters. She is enthusiastic about the AO meeting and how it has helped her expand her skills and feel more comfortable.

The YCC includes young professionals who are newer members of AO. Many members are involved in both research and academia in addition to being practicing clinicians.

“The YCC facilitates the exchange of ideas from the future of the AO’s membership,” said Dr. Brownfield. “It is important to keep the Academy going.”

The committee was established in 2010 to bring together the knowledge of experienced clinicians and the enthusiasm of young members to raise awareness of the Academy and promote research and education. To learn more about becoming a member of the YCC, email academy@osseo.org.

Misch International Implant Institute and Glidewell Laboratories Announce Educational Partnership

Newport Beach, CA -  The Misch International Implant Institute and Glidewell Laboratories announced a partnership in continuing education that will introduce the Hahn™ Tapered Implant as the exclusive dental implant system used in the institute’s courses. As part of this collaboration, the Misch Institute will relocate its West Coast programs to the Glidewell International Technology Center in Newport Beach, California.

Since its inception in 1984, the Misch Institute has trained more than 10,000 dentists to surgically place implants. The institute was founded by Dr. Carl Misch, practitioner and educator who authored the textbook, “Contemporary Implant Dentistry.” Offering a one-year continuum in implant education, the Misch Institute has strived to elevate the standard of care through its courses, which were the first to offer supervised, hands-on training outside of postgraduate specialty programs.

Glidewell Laboratories launched the Hahn Tapered Implant in 2015 in cooperation with clinician and innovator Dr. Jack Hahn, who oversaw the development of the new implant system. As recently noted by Dr. Misch, “The Hahn Tapered Implant is a great fit for the institute, as its design is based on Dr. Hahn’s 40-years-plus of clinical experience.” Dr. Hahn taught courses during the formative years of the Misch Institute and, as part of this collaboration, will return as an institute faculty member.

Ideal for hands-on workshops and live surgical demonstrations, the Glidewell International Technology Center is a welcome addition to the Misch Institute’s programs in Michigan and Florida. “I am very excited about the partnership with Glidewell Laboratories,” Dr. Misch continued. “Jim Glidewell’s vision and passion for education is closely aligned with the Misch Institute and our entire faculty, and his state-of-the-art education facility is the perfect West Coast venue for our courses.”

Glidewell Laboratories, which has made teaching general dentists to place implants a cornerstone of its continuing education efforts, is equally enthused with the partnership. “The Misch Institute is the premier implant training program in the world today,” said Dave Casper, president of Prismatik Dentalcraft, the manufacturing division of Glidewell Laboratories that produces the Hahn Tapered Implant. “Their science-based approach, complemented by a curriculum that continues to build on each attendee’s experience, is exactly the right model for doctors who want to get started placing implants today.”

The Hahn Tapered Implant was developed by Dr. Hahn to simplify treatment and make implant therapy accessible to as many dentists as possible. The implant system provides a comprehensive treatment solution for clinical indications and a streamlined surgical protocol.

For more information on Misch International Implant Institute course offerings, visit https://www.misch.com or call 248-642-3199. Additional information on the Hahn Tapered Implant can be found by visiting https://www.hahnimplant.com or calling 800-407-3379.

Dubai, 18 February 2016– The Alliance for a Cavity-Free Future (ACFF) held its first annual symposium at the 20th annual UAE International Dental Conference in Dubai (AEEDC) on February 2. The day-long session, titled “The Fight for a Cavity-Free Future: ‘Joining Up’ the Evidence to Make an Achievable Difference,” engaged key thought leaders in robust discussion to not only understand the existing body of evidence regarding the current approach to caries prevention and control, but to determine how to integrate that evidence and identify a clear path towards a cavity-free future for all. The symposium hosted a group of experts across key disciplines, including, nutrition, education and behavior change, cariology, public health, clinical practice, and caries management.

“The annual AEEDC meeting brings together leading oral health professionals to address pioneering advancements in oral health research and technology,” said Professor Abdullah R. Al Shammery, Rector of the Riyadh Colleges of Dentistry and Pharmacy in Dubai and Co-Chair of the local North Africa and Middle East ACFF Chapter. “Today’s ACFF Global Symposium is a powerful example of the importance of global collaboration among oral health stakeholders to promote efforts and evidence that address the burden or oral disease on a global scale and, in consequence, drive meaningful change.” 

A Need for Collaboration

Symposium experts agreed that dental caries is a complex, multifactorial disease that cannot be prevented by the traditional focus on single factors in isolation. Very often, oral health efforts have worked in silos to address pressing issues around oral disease burden. The group suggested that organized collaboration and synergy that effectively “joins up” existing evidence between individual elements of the “Caries Puzzle,” can help fulfil the primary goal of the ACFF, a cavity-free future for all.

Key Takeaways

Symposium experts discussed what specific factors needed to be part of the comprehensive approach and stressed the need for synergy to operationalize the existing evidence:

- Sugar: following the new World Health Organizations (WHO) guidance on reducing the amount of free sugars to prevent caries, obesity and diabetes.

- Education and behavior change: enabling both patients and health professionals to do the right things at the right time to prevent and control caries.

- Cariology: implementing the wealth of evidence about how to control caries, realizing that fluoride is important, but not sufficient, against high sugar challenges.

- Public health: responding to the need for advocacy on caries and oral health issues, often neglected in public health policy and practice.

- Clinical practice and management: recognizing the clinical evidence to support a preventive approach, as well as adopting a System to deliver caries classification and disease management in dental clinical practice, the International Caries Classification and Management System (ICCMSÔ).

Importantly, experts overwhelmingly agreed that “Joining-up” these pieces of the “Caries Puzzle,” combined with suitable actions from other external stakeholders – including  health professions, the public and patients –  will allow us to achieve a  cavity-free future more rapidly than separate strategies or individual group efforts.

A Focus on Sugar

A key strategic element for action discussed at the symposium was how best to react to the recently published evidence-based guidelines on sugar consumption issued by the World Health Organization. Implementing these guidelines should impact the health outcomes of patients in terms of caries, obesity and diabetes. However, the group agreed that there exists a gap in policy efforts globally, and discussed ways to strengthen action at the policy level, with potential activities ranging from implementing a sugar tax to expanding sugar information on nutrition labels, noting that similar policies and programs in the tobacco industry have been effective in educating the public and changing behavior.  Updating education on the health impact of sugars was also felt to be a priority.

“The recently published World Health Organization guidelines on sugar consumption, along with the existing evidence on caries management and prevention, suggest the need to update practice and training protocols so they reflect this new evidence-based nutritional guidance” said Professor Paula Moynihan, Newcastle University, United Kingdom, World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Nutrition and Oral Health. “Today’s discussions reemphasize the need for clear and meaningful guidance to the dental professional and patients on how to best address the connection between sugar and oral health.” 

About the Alliance for a Cavity-Free Future (ACFF)

The Alliance for a Cavity-Free Future, a non-profitable charitable organization, is a group of worldwide leading dental experts who have joined forces to help implement changes to dental health practices across the globe. The aim of the Alliance is to promote initiatives to stop the development and progression of tooth decay in order to move towards a Cavity-Free Future for everyone. To achieve this goal, the Alliance believes that collaborative action is required to raise awareness of dental caries (tooth decay) and positively influence people’s dental health habits.

Since its establishment in 2010, the Alliance for a Cavity-Free Future has increased its global presence to 25 Chapters and growing, including Australia, Brazil, Canada-United States, Central America, Central Eastern Europe, China, Colombia, India, North Africa/Middle East (NAME), Philippines, South Africa, Turkey, the United States and Venezuela amongst others.  Global activities have included providing an online database of tools and other resources for professionals and patients (www.allianceforacavityfreefuture.com), securing commitment from dental school deans to integrate caries prevention and management into school curricula and promoting community-based education and prevention programs to families and communities.

Colgate-Palmolive Company is a supporter of the Alliance for a Cavity-Free Future; the company supports improved oral health through its partnerships with the dental profession and government and public health agencies.

About the UAE International Dental Conference & Arab Dental Exhibition – AEEDC Dubai

The UAE International Dental Conference & Arab Dental Exhibition – AEEDC Dubai is held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Minister of Finance, and President of the Dubai Health Authority. The event is in strategic partnership with the Ministry of Interior Naturalization and Residency Administration, Dubai, United Arab Emirates and has gained the esteemed support from Dubai Health Authority, Global Scientific Dental Alliance, Arab Dental Federation, Executive Board of the Health Ministers Council for Gulf Cooperation Council States, GCC Oral Health Committee, Riyadh Colleges of Dentistry and Pharmacy, Arab Academy for Continuing Dental Education, and International Association for Orthodontics-IAO. AEEDC Dubai is the pioneering and largest dental event in the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia region, providing the best platform for dental professionals and industry experts from the MENASA region and other parts of the world to update knowledge, network, interact and generate business partnerships.

Copenhagen – 3Shape will present its latest digital dentistry solutions, like TRIOS® 3 and the D2000 laboratory scanner, at the Midwinter Meeting in Chicago, February 25 - 27, 2016. 3Shape will also deliver an industry-focused lecture program and product training at the show.

3Shape TRIOS 3

3Shape will present TRIOS 3 digital color impression solution, which has been updated with new features and functionality at the show. Visitors will be able to demo TRIOS® 3 at the 3Shape booth.

D2000 dental laboratpry scanner for ultimate productivity

The D2000 laboratory scanner, that scans two dental models at once, will be on display as well. The D2000, and select 3Shape scanner models, have been enhanced with new features and technology to increase productivity and reduce workflow time.

Some of the new features include: improved scanning workflows for smoother and more flexible scanning and optimized processing that significantly shortens waiting time between creating an order and starting the scan. New techologies will be unvailed first at the event.

OPENING DAY PRESS CONFERENCE

3Shape will hold a press conference at 9.30 AM, Thursday, February 25 at its Midwinter Meeting 3Shape Booth #2043. Products and solutions will be introduced.

Upcoming Dental System™ 2016

Midwinter and Lab Day visitors will get a sneak peek at the upcoming Dental System 2016 to be released later in the year. The new software has added many advanced tools while strengthening overall system stability. Dental System 2016 provides dental professionals with even more indications, tools, and libraries as well as integrated and intuitive workflows with leading 3D printers and milling machines.

New Dental System™ 2016 features include:

• Accelerated laboratory scanners and new impression scanning technology

• Enhanced integration with TRIOS® and 3rd party intraoral scanners

• Fast and robust crown design engine

• Complete and seamless integration with milling machines and 3D printers

Additional new features will be revealed in Chicago.

Integrated solutions with Dental System™ for expanding lab business

Implant services

3Shape Implant Studio module is fully integrated with Dental System to enable laboratories to design and produce cost-efficient surgical guides, and offer prosthetic driven implant planning. Using the implant positions identified in Implant Studio, technicians can then design and produce all the prosthetic components, such as temporary crowns and customized abutments, using Dental System. Come by for a demo.

Orthodontic services made easy

3Shape Dental System also includes Splint Designer to enable laboratories to provide splints and simple orthodontic appliances.

3Shape lecture schedule at Lab Day 2016

The Hyatt Regency Chicago, 151 E Wacker DR, Chicago, IL 60601 - Columbus Ballroom IJ, Gold level

Thursday 

1:00pm - 1:45pm: Rune Fisker - The Latest and Greatest Innovations from 3Shape

2:00pm - 3:00pm: Justin S. Marks, CDT - Progress in Digital Dentures and RPDs

3:00pm - 3:45pm: Mitch Jula - Digital Pressing Design & CADCAM integration with 3Shape

Friday

9:00am - 10:00am: Rune Fisker - The Latest and Greatest Innovations from 3Shape

10:00am - 11:am: Bob Cohen - A comprehensive protocol for screw retained full arch zirconia bridges

11:00am - 12:00pm: BJ Kowalski - Implant Studio: How to get data into the software and get out a perfect surgical guide and everything in between

12:00pm - 1:00pm: Lee Culp - Smile Design- Not just an image

1:00pm - 2:00pm: Matt Roberts and Franklin Shull - The team approach to digital dentistry

2:00pm - 3:00pm: Steven Pigliacelli - 3D Printing: The next CADCAM manufacturing technology

3:pm - 4:00pm: Alan Jurim - Guided Implant Placement with TRIOS, what no other intraoral scanner can do

4:00pm - 5:00pm: Tim Traekjaer - Indirect Bonding with 3Shape

Attendees should pre-register to ensure CR-credits at: https://www.3shape.com/knowledge+center/exhibitions+and+events

Lab Day training for 3Shape users

3Shape will conduct hands-on training in using 3Shape Dental System 2015, Implant Studio™ and Orthodontic solutions. Training sessions are open to 3Shape LABcare users and take place February 27-28, Hyatt Regency Chicago, Roosevelt room, 9 AM – 4 PM. Attendees should pre-register to ensure CR-credits at: https://www.3shape.com/knowledge+center/exhibitions+and+events .