Roland DGA once again hosted free continuing education dental clinics in conjunction with the Lab Day 2017 event in Chicago. These 10 information-packed sessions were led by industry experts on Friday, February 24, and Saturday, February 25, at the Hyatt Regency Chicago. In addition to obtaining a wealth of information on a wide variety of important industry topics, show-goers also gained scientific credit by attending the clinics.

These clinics included topics regarding the continual advancements in digital dentistry, such as CAD/CAM applications, prosthetic design and production, lab workflow and efficiency optimization, and more. It was “a great opportunity for attendees to learn from top industry experts and earn CE credits at the same time---all at no charge,” said Brian Brooks, Roland DGA’s Group Product Manager, Specialty Systems.

Roland DGA also hosted a lively cocktail reception exclusively for its dealers, partners, and customers on Friday, February 24, at the Chicago Hyatt’s American Craft Restaurant.

Convergent Dental Inc., a privately held dental device company, announced that Colby A. Ledbetter has joined the team as National Vice President of Sales. In this role, Ledbetter will drive all aspects of sales for Convergent Dental’s flagship product Solea^®, the first FDA cleared CO₂ 9.3-micron dental laser for hard, soft, and osseous tissue procedures. Specifically, Ledbetter will identify and implement all sales goals and strategies, manage the company’s growing sales team, and maintain existing professional relations while identifying new prospects to increase all company sales. 

"My entire career has focused on bringing innovative solutions to both medical and dental professionals and I truly look forward to working with Convergent’s dedicated sales force,” Ledbetter says. “I was immediately attracted by the Solea technology, as well as the strong commitment that Michael and the entire team have in providing such a high level of personal service to each and every client. I am very fortunate to be joining such a progressive and respected company.”

Ledbetter brings almost two decades of sales management experience to her new position. Prior to joining Convergent Dental, she worked with several leading dental and medical companies, including Cefla Medical Solutions, Carestream Dental, Dentsply Tulsa Dental Specialties, and Stryker Orthopaedics, where she created high-performance sales teams, dramatically increased revenues, and developed strong business alliances with distributors, clients, and the collaborative industry.

“We are pleased to welcome Colby as a very important member of our sales team,” says Michael Cataldo, CEO of Convergent Dental. “Throughout her career, Colby has garnered rich experience in both the dental and medical industries, and her expertise in these areas will be instrumental as we continue to develop our forthcoming plans. Colby knows our industry inside and out, and her strong leadership and positive influence within the dental arena will be invaluable as Convergent enters the next phase of growth. We look forward to a bright future with Colby.” 

For more information about Solea, visit www.convergentdental.comor call 844-GO-SOLEA.

Additional speaker and session information will be announced as it becomes available.

“The roster of talented speakers scheduled to engage and educate our attendees is sensational, and we’re just getting started!” says Director of Clinical Affairs and Dentsply Sirona World Dr. Mike DiTolla. “We’re inviting a new generation of speakers, along with our veteran speakers, to 2017’s event to further diversify the education offered and continue to provide the ultimate experience for attendees.”

Dentsply Sirona World is the second annual Ultimate Dental Meeting hosted by Dentsply Sirona. At The Venetian and The Palazzo in Las Vegas, this year’s event is expected to attract an even greater number of dental professionals than SIROWORLD or CEREC 30.

From now through March 31, Super Early Bird pricing is available for all dental professionals who would like to save on registration to the meeting of the year. Doctor registration is available for $1,495 (regularly $1,995). Staff, spouse, guest, technician registration is just $895 (regularly $1,195), plus buy two, get one free. Visit www.dentsplysironaworld.comto learn about additional registration types and specials.

VIP registration is available for all registration types for an additional $500. VIP includes reserved seating and upgraded dining options as well as special admission to Dentsply Sirona World entertainment events.

To register now or to learn more about the Ultimate Dental Meeting, visit www.dentsplysironaworld.com. For any questions, contact the help desk by email at events@dentsplysironaworld.com or by phone at 844-462-7476. 

Darby Dental Supply, LLC recently purchased an equity stake in the Dental Fix Rx mobile service franchise. The equity acquisition adds a meaningful new option to Darby’s growing list of customer offerings, providing dental equipment service, installation, and repair to its customers.

With more than 65 years in business, Darby ships more than 1 million orders per year. When Darby began its capital equipment expansion a few years ago, the company recognized the need to be able to offer service and repair. Priding itself on providing unique solutions to everyday challenges while keeping costs low, Darby sought to add a service arm to its offerings without the fixed expense of an in-house service team.

Ownership interest in Dental Fix Rx was an obvious choice for Darby. Both companies share a common focus in serving their customers through convenience, value, and dependability. 

“We’re thrilled to take on the reins of providing dentists with reliable, quick and professional on-site repairs,” says David Lopez, CEO of Dental Fix Rx. “Bundling both companies capabilities will only offer dental professionals an incredible value.”

Founded in 2009, Dental Fix Rx is a mobile dental equipment repair service that has sold more than 250 franchises nationwide. Dental Fix Rx delivers immediate, on-demand equipment service and on-site hand-piece repairs 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.

Together, Darby Dental Supply and Dental Fix Rx say they are uniquely positioned to offer a value proposition that until now, has not existed: high quality, priority equipment service, and cost savings on supplies.

For more information about all Darby services and products, visit www.darby.com. 

For more information about Dental Fix Rx franchises and services, visit www.dentalfixrx.com

BIOLASE, Inc. announced its Epic Pro™ laser system, a new, innovative dental diode laser system that offers higher laser power than most diode lasers in dentistry, has received 510(k) clearance for commercial distribution from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The Epic Pro laser system, which received marketing authorization in select international markets late last year, can now be sold in the US.

The newest addition to the company’s Epic portfolio of soft-tissue diode lasers, Epic Pro offers important advancements in cutting speed, control, precision, consistency, and predictability.

The Epic Pro is the first commercially available laser system resulting from BIOLASE’s strategic development agreement with IPG Medical Corporation, a subsidiary of IPG Photonics Corporation, reached in 2015.

“The collaboration between IPG Medical and BIOLASE has been exciting,” says IPG Medical President Gregory Altshuler, Ph.D. “The Epic Pro with IPG Medical’s super pulse diode laser offers all new computer-controlled thermal super pulsing capability with real-time tip temperature monitoring and automatic power control designed to assist dentists in performing procedures quickly and with great precision. This new feature is a very significant innovation that we believe will provide the technological basis for other clinical modalities.”

BIOLASE President and CEO Harold C. Flynn, Jr. noted that the company’s worldwide launch is now underway with systems available for delivery in the U.S. and select international markets.

“We are proud to expand the BIOLASE product portfolio by introducing the Epic Pro as our premium diode laser solution. There is nothing else like it on the market,” Flynn says. “The high-end capabilities of this new laser, such as its cutting speed, power and control, allow us to access market segments we have not been able to before, such as the oral and maxillofacial surgeon markets, which previously had not been interested in diode lasers. This advanced new laser system also provides us a platform for the future expansion of our capabilities and indications. Epic Pro represents our ongoing commitment to elevating the standard of care in dentistry, and achieving better patient reported outcomes while enabling clinicians to realize better business returns.”

To learn more about Epic Pro, visit www.biolase.com.

A multidisciplinary team of researchers at KU Leuven (University of Leuven, Belgium) has developed a dental implant that gradually releases drugs from a built-in reservoir. This helps prevent and fight infections.

Our mouth contains many micro-organisms, including bacterial and fungal pathogens. On traditional dental implants, these pathogens can quickly form a so-called biofilm, which is resistant to antimicrobial drugs like antibiotics. As a result, these implants come with a significant risk of infections that may be difficult to treat.

KU Leuven researchers have now developed a new dental implant that reduces the risk of infections. "Our implant has a built-in reservoir underneath the crown of the tooth," explains lead author Kaat De Cremer. "A cover screw makes it easy to fill this reservoir with antimicrobial drugs. The implant is made of a porous composite material, so that the drugs gradually diffuse from the reservoir to the outside of the implant, which is in direct contact with the bone cells. As a result, the bacteria can no longer form a biofilm."

In the lab, the implant was subjected to various tests for use with chlorhexidine, a universal mouthwash with a powerful antimicrobial effect. The study shows that the Streptococcus mutans, a type of mouth bacteria that affect the teeth, can no longer form biofilms on the outside of the implant when the reservoir is filled with the mouthwash. Biofilms that were grown beforehand on the implant could be eliminated in the same way. This means that the implant is effective in terms of both preventing and curing infections.

LabStar’s first upgrades and new features for 2017 have been released. Some of the notable improvements include:

- New tooth arch that’s easier to use, eliminates old bridge case entry restrictions, and displays perfectly on iPads

- Patient appointment time easier to use on case flow calendar

- Invoice "subtotal" and "total" display streamlined

- The Digital Transfer "Downloads" tab now highlights undownloaded files plus other navigation improvements

- Improved/faster printing format for balance snapshot, production reports, and all delivery lists

- New "ship date" column for administrative users in production search results

Tom Love, an Air Force-trained technician with 25 years of experience in complex implant and attachment cases, has joined the PREAT team as Technical Manager. “He brings technical experience, a belief in servicing our customers, and fits the culture of the PREAT family. I’m excited to have Tom spearhead our expansion,” said PREAT President Chris Bormes.

Tom will be responsible for maintaining PREAT’s commitment to excellent technical service to customers, new product development, digital support, and laboratory relationship development.

On Friday, January 20, at the Champagne-Ardenne Technological Industries Training Center’s event, “Commission Industrie,” Platinum 3D introduced the newest addition to its line-up: the 3D printer ProMaker L6000 from Prodways, Thanks to its high production capacity combined with a high level of precision, this industrial 3D printer offers potential for industrial tooling applications.

Based on MOVINGLight® technology, patented by Prodways, a subsidiary of Groupe Gorgé, the ProMaker L6000 functions by executing the polymerization of photosensitive resins using moving DLP (digital light processing) UV rays, delivering a unique combination of high resolution and fast throughput. Platinium 3D also held several technical discussions at the Commission Industrie regarding possibilities provided by MOVINGLight^® technology, mainly in the fields of machine operations, foundry tooling, plastics processing, and industrial control.

Platinium 3D is a technological and scientific platform dedicated to the production of metallic parts through additive manufacturing processes. Open to all (companies, public and private laboratories, technical centers, training centers, etc) and equipped with significant training and research & development tools, Platinium 3D supports its customers in the industrialization of additive manufacturing processes, most notably in the key fields of tooling, wearing parts, and high dimension parts.

CHICAGO (January 13, 2017)– Hu-Friedy, a global leader in the manufacturing of dental instruments and products, today announced the acquisition of J. Palmero Sales Company, a family-run dental products company located in Stratford, Connecticut. Palmero, which was founded in 1931 by Joe Palmero, offers a wide range of infection prevention and safety products for the dental office.

The acquisition represents a continuation of Hu-Friedy’s strategy to expand into product categories and markets that align with growth objectives. Over the last three years, the company has acquired multiple brands, including J and J Instruments, Julius Wirth and Karl Schumacher. As Hu-Friedy continues to be the leader in infection control management, acquiring Palmero augments the company’s product line and represents a sound strategic fit.

“J. Palmero is a family-owned company, and we are proud to have been entrusted to carry on and build upon the legacy of the Palmero brand,” said Ron Saslow, CEO of Hu-Friedy.  “This acquisition plays an important role in driving our continued growth, while expanding the range of infection prevention and safety products we offer to the global dental market,” continued Saslow. “We believe we can add considerable value to the Palmero business by developing a strong marketing and sales strategy, and we will help their brand become even more successful in their market segment.”

Karen Neiner, Vice President of Corporate Development and Professional Relations at Hu-Friedy will lead this new venture as President, while continuing in her current role. As with previous acquisitions, Hu-Friedy and Palmero will operate mostly independently with separate brand identities, value propositions and operations.

Hu-Friedy is proud to celebrate this accomplishment as it helps support the organization’s mission of improving lives by advancing dental performance – smile after smile.