MELVILLE, N.Y., May 16, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Henry Schein, Inc. (NASDAQ: HSIC), the world's largest provider of health care products and services to office-based dental, animal health and medical practitioners, announced the opening of the Henry Schein Digital Dentistry Program at Temple University's Kornberg School of Dentistry. The goal of the training and delivery of care program is to prepare the next generation of dental professionals for advances in digital dentistry.
A grand opening was recently held at Temple where dental students and faculty demonstrated the new 3D imaging equipment, intra-oral scanners and milling machines made available as a result of a partnership with Henry Schein. Five volunteer patients from Temple's local underserved community received digital crowns, and one patient received an inlay, custom-milled on site.
"We are in the midst of unprecedented change in dentistry, driven by digital technology advancements," said Stanley M. Bergman, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Henry Schein, Inc. "Yet one thing will never change, and that is the trust Temple's Kornberg School of Dentistry can place in Henry Schein to help accelerate the adoption of digital dentistry. The profession and its future leaders can rely on Henry Schein to help increase productivity through digital solutions and services, support, education and training."
"This new technology marks the beginning of a new era in oral health care, in which digital technology will dramatically improve patient outcomes," said Dr. Amid Ismail, Dean of Temple University's Kornberg School of Dentistry. "Temple Dental has been on the cutting edge of dentistry for more than 150 years, with a constant mission to provide the highest quality of care to all those in need. This technology will have a life-changing impact for those we serve. The scanners will reduce patient discomfort, and the milling of well-fitting crowns and other dental prostheses can be completed within a few days, instead of weeks. We are grateful to Henry Schein for giving us the tools that will help enable us to prepare our students for clinical practice, not only with this equipment, but with the type of positive learning experience that will prepare them to work in a technology-driven oral health care environment throughout their careers."
During the launch of Temple's program, 16 faculty members were trained to use the Planmeca PlanScan Scanner® and Planmeca PlanMill 40®. In addition, Dr. Amid Ismail, Dr. Hai Qing, D.D.S., PhD., F.A.C.P., Diplomat of the American Board of Prosthodontics, Assistant Professor, Temple University's Kornberg School of Dentistry, Department of Restorative Dentistry, and Dr. Aaron Segal, D.D.S., F.A.C.P., Associate Professor and Clinical Scholar, Temple University's Kornberg School of Dentistry, Department of Restorative Dentistry, were on hand to supervise student work, assist fellow faculty members, and celebrate the launch of the program. Dr. Robert Gottlander, Chief Marketing Officer for Henry Schein Inc.'s Global Dental Group, also attended to discuss Henry Schein's commitment to the education of future dental leaders.
"We are pleased to have collaborated with Temple on the launch of their Henry Schein Digital Dentistry Program as part of our ConnectDental offering, which includes a deep commitment to help educate practitioners about the patient and practice benefits of digital dentistry," said Dr. Gottlander. "Our partnership with leading dental schools, such as Temple, helps ensure future dental professionals have the training and confidence to embrace digital technology."
The collaboration with Temple on the Henry Schein Digital Dentistry Program is another example of the Company's commitment to providing the education and training needed by students to effectively apply new technology in their future work. In October 2015, Henry Schein announced a new partnership with the American College of Prosthodontists Education Foundation (ACPEF)to fund a program of the ACPEF for the development of a digital dentistry curriculum at dental schools.
