Everyone wants less pain during dental surgery, but it can be challenging for dentists to choose the best drug option for each patient. Dentists have several general anesthesia alternatives and finding the right option can result in less patient anxiety and better overall outcomes.

Researchers from the Tokyo Dental College in Tokyo, Japan, wanted to find out which anesthetic was the better choice in a dental office: propofol or sevoflurane. In an article published in the current issue of the journal Anesthesia Progress, the researchers compared the recovery and satisfaction of 20 patients who had severe anxiety about the dental surgery. All patients were healthy, and none had been given general anesthesia for prior dental treatment.

At two different appointments, each patient was anesthetized with either propofol or sevoflurane alone.  Patients were given the same drug to eliminate any movement and a breathing tube was used. The single-drug anesthetic had never been studied; patients were always given opioids or nitrous oxide to keep them anesthetized throughout the procedure, making it difficult to pinpoint the effects of the primary painkilling drugs themselves.

The researchers found no differences between the two drugs in terms of recovery. Although patients came out of anesthesia more quickly with sevoflurane than with propofol, all patients were discharged at a similar time. A few patients had nausea while recovering from sevoflurane, but none reported complications 24 hours later. All patients were able to eat their first meal and drink fluids at a similar time, and no patients experienced nausea or vomiting once leaving the dentists’ office.

However, patients revealed a clear preference for propofol after being anesthetized with each drug. They said they had more discomfort and fatigue after taking sevoflurane. Some also said they disliked the smell of sevoflurane. Even though some patients reported more pain during injection of propofol, 80% of patients in the study said they would choose propofol for future surgeries.

The researchers concluded that propofol is the anesthetic of choice for dental patients with severe anxiety about surgery, but these patients may continue to need general anesthesia in future surgeries. When patient satisfaction is the highest priority, the researchers suggest that dentists may want to give propofol during in-office surgery.

Full text of the article “Recovery Profile and Patient Satisfaction After Ambulatory Anesthesia for Dental Treatment—A Crossover Comparison Between Propofol and Sevoflurane,” Anesthesia Progress, Vol. 63, No. 4, 2016, is now available at https://www.anesthesiaprogress.org/doi/full/10.2344/15-00012.1.

Costa Mesa, Calif. – January 17, 2017– Thirty years ago, CareCreditwas founded on a simple idea: Everyone deserves a smile.

Patients needed a way to help pay for dental implants so they could comfortably enjoy eating and smiling. CareCredit was born and the brand has evolved to be a leading provider of promotional financing to consumers for healthcare procedures and services.

The CareCredit credit card is a flexible payment option available at more than 200,000 locations across the United States, including veterinary, cosmetic, hearing health, dental and vision practices, as well as health-focused retailers such as LensCrafters, Rite-Aid and Bowflex. With nearly $70 billion of care financed since 1987, CareCredit has helped millions of people with everything from their family’s dental and hearing health to veterinary care for their pets.

Along with advances in care, the CareCredit health, wellness and personal care credit card has expanded its breadth of services and reach during the last 30 years:

·      More than 24 million accounts opened since inception.

·      More than 12,000 people apply for a CareCredit card nearly every day to help pay for care.

·      A new cardholder is approved, on average, every 14 seconds.

·      On average, more than 822,000 card acceptance locator searches on carecredit.com every month via desktop and mobile.

·      More than two-thirds of all dental practices and more than 7 out of 10 veterinary practices in the nation accept CareCredit.

“We started so we could help patients move forward with care,” said Dave Fasoli, CEO, CareCredit. “It’s still what keeps us moving forward after 30 years. We’re proud of the fact that we’ve continued to reliably serve healthcare providers and their patients and clients through many changes in the healthcare environment. We help thousands of people every day and millions of people every year. Our focus remains offering our cardholders more ways to use the card, in more places, for more things.”

As part of its 30^th anniversary, CareCredit is inviting cardholders to enter the My Best 30 Sweepstakes now through March 31, 2017 by visiting carecredit.com/mybest30. Official Rules for the sweepstakes can be found at carecredit.com/mybest30/rules. Eligible cardholders 18 years of age or older and residents of the United States or its territories as of January 14, 2017 will be invited to submit their story of how CareCredit has helped them, their families or their pets. To celebrate CareCredit’s 30^th anniversary, 30 lucky cardholders will be randomly selected from among all eligible entries to win $1,000.

CHICAGO, January 18 – Oral Health America (OHA) announces that Milly Goldstein will be recognized with the Tribute Award at its 27^th Annual Gala & Benefit on February 22, 2017 at Navy Pier in Chicago. Ms. Goldstein served as President of the Harry J. Bosworth Company and is the first female recipient of OHA’s Tribute Award.

Each year, OHA honors an individual whose career significantly impacts oral health on a regional or national level; has been innovative, creative and pioneering; demonstrated positive, measurable change over a sustained period; and achieved success in overcoming barriers to oral health access, education and advocacy.

“Ms. Goldstein more than exemplifies each of these criteria for this award in the most profound ways imaginable,” said Beth Truett, President & CEO for Oral Health America. “Her loyalty to Oral Health America’s mission and work as a Board member and her commitment to the dental industry are exemplified in everything she has accomplished. Ms. Goldstein changed the landscape of the industry as the first female president of a dental company. She was also dedicated to the field as chair of many organizations, including having the honor of serving as the first female chair of the American Dental Trade Association (ADTA). We are grateful for all of the work Ms. Goldstein, along with her husband Herbert Pozen, have done for the industry.”

The Tribute Award is presented during the dinner at OHA’s annual Gala which is recognized as the premier charity event kicking off the Chicago Midwinter Meeting. It will feature a cocktail reception, dinner and dancing, as well as a silent auction.

Tickets for OHA’s Gala are currently on sale. All proceeds underwrite OHA's mission to connect communities with resources to improve access to care, increase health literacy and raise awareness about the importance of oral health's impact on overall health. OHA’s programs serving children and older adults are active in 47 states and one U.S. territory as a result of support received from this annual event. Please join Oral Health America for this year's Gala theme, Broadway: Oral Health Takes Center Stage, and commit to making a difference in the oral health of all Americans, especially those most vulnerable.

The Gala is generously supported by Presenting Sponsor - KaVo Kerr Group; Technology Sponsors - Ivoclar Vivadent and Patterson Dental; Entertainment Sponsor - Henry Schein Dental; Plantinum Sponsors - A-dec Inc., Colgate Palmolive Company, Dentsply Sirona, Philips Oral Healthcare, SciCan and Septodont; Raffle Sponsor - Darby Dental Supply; Dessert Sponsor - Midmark Corporation; Diamond Sponsors - Chicago Dental Society and DentaQuest; Quick Raffle Sponsor - Aspen Dental; Wine Draw Sponsor - DentalEZ Integrated Solutions; and Gold Sponsors - Aurelia Gloves, BISCO, Inc., Burkhart Dental and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Health Plan.

CHICAGO (Jan. 17, 2017) - The American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) is pleased to announce Catherine K. Draper, RDH, MS, as the new managing editor for the organization’s premier, peer-reviewed scientific research publication Journal of Dental Hygiene (JDH). She will work closely with JDH’s editor-in-chief Rebecca Wilder and the editorial advisory board to manage the day-to-day operations of the publication and maintain its high-quality content that provides dental hygienists with the latest research, technology and innovation to guide their evidence-based treatment decisions.

“Cathy is a respected dental hygiene educator and leader both in the U.S. and internationally. Her professional expertise as a journal editor and her contributions to Access magazine as a member of the editorial advisory board made her an excellent choice to be managing editor of our scientific journal,” said ADHA CEO Ann Battrell, MSDH.

Draper is currently adjunct faculty at Foothill College in the Biological and Health Sciences Division and has practiced clinically for the last 30 years in a general, cosmetic and implant practice in Mountain View, Calif. Formerly the editor of the Journal of the California Dental Hygienists’ Association from 2011 to 2016, she has been a member of the editorial advisory board for ADHA’s Access magazine since 2009 and a frequent contributor to a variety of publications including two dental hygiene textbooks. Draper is a past president of the California Dental Hygienists’ Association and has served on the ADHA Board of Trustees as the District XI Trustee. Draper has presented continuing education programs across the country on a variety of topics ranging from the role of human papillomavirus in oropharyngeal cancer, technology, implant maintenance, infection control and evidence-based practice. She has spoken at the International Federation of Dental Hygienists Symposia in South Africa and Switzerland. Her international experience extends to practicing dental hygiene in Croatia and Germany and leading a delegation of dental hygienists to China. In 2015, Draper received the Stanford Healthcare Volunteer of the Year Award for her 20-plus years as a library reference associate at the Stanford Hospital Health Library. She is a graduate of the Foothill College Dental Hygiene program and earned her master’s degree in dental hygiene from the University of Michigan. 

The Journal of Dental Hygiene is published six times per year and delivered to nearly 34,000 dental hygiene professionals. JDH is the standard for dental hygienists looking for the latest information and research to assist them in making evidence-based treatment decisions. ADHA members and paid subscribers have access to the 12 most recent months of content, and archived issues beyond one year are open access.

COSTA MESA, CA. and MELVILLE, N.Y. – January 19, 2017 – CareCredit, a leading provider of promotional healthcare financing through its health, wellness and personal care credit card, today announced a new multi-year agreement with Henry Schein Financial Services, LLC, a subsidiary of Henry Schein, Inc., the world's largest provider of healthcare products and services to office-based dental, animal health and medical practitioners.

Under the new agreement, CareCredit will provide patient financing services and offer integrated solutions with Henry Schein’s practice management software programs—Dentrix^® and Easy Dental^® for dental practitioners and AVImark^®, ImproMed^® Infinity^™, and ImproMed^® Triple Crown^® for veterinarians. The added feature will make it convenient for dental and veterinary practices to offer financing options to help patients and pet owners receive needed care and services. The alliance will also include co-marketing programs and collaboration on prospective, value-added services, and the availability of the patient financing services will be promoted by Henry Schein’s field sales consultants.

“This alliance brings together two respected brands that have collectively served the healthcare profession for more than a century,” said Doug Hammond, senior vice president and general manager, CareCredit. “Partnering with Henry Schein and leveraging their credibility and expertise in serving healthcare professionals builds on our sales and technology strengths to provide comprehensive solutions and greater value to dental, veterinary and medical providers nationwide.”

CareCredit research shows the availability of financing options plays a key role in how patients approach their healthcare decisions. According to Path to Purchase healthcare research*, more patients considered or researched financing (73%) than researched procedures or treatments (70%). The same study showed the likelihood of patients applying for or using a healthcare credit card increases as the cost of care increases. Additionally, half of respondents (50%) who did not have a CareCredit credit card stated they would consider financing if it enabled them to purchase the healthcare service, or related items, immediately.

“Healthcare today offers an increased array of treatment options to patients. For some, the biggest obstacle to obtaining treatment may be financing for elective or cosmetic procedures and services that may not be covered by insurance,” said Keith Drayer, vice president, Henry Schein Financial Services. “At Henry Schein, we offer an array of business solutions and our agreement with CareCredit further demonstrates our commitment to help our customers operate more efficient practices so they can focus on delivering quality patient care.”

Henry Schein Financial Services provides business solutions for healthcare practitioners, including equipment leasing and financing, and practice credit card services, practice brokerage, practice valuations and practice transition and staffing services.

*Path to Purchase Research – conducted by Rothstein Tauber, Inc. on behalf of CareCredit, 2014.

New York, New York, January 16, 2017 - Ceatus Media Group has announced the hiring of Sure Business Logic, Inc. as its new sales and marketing partner to help develop sales programs, identify strategic sales tactics, and create innovative marketing techniques to establish company and product branding and build long-term sales growth.

Sure Business Logic was founded in 2010 by Ed Matthews, a seasoned dental industry marketing executive. The company works exclusively in the dental industry and specializes in helping dental manufacturers with their branding and rebranding efforts. This includes identifying advanced sales tactics, developing marketing concepts, and producing sales and marketing materials, including graphics, video, and digital signage to highlight the unique features of clients’ products.

The company’s capabilities, combined with industry knowledge, are two of the main reasons that Ceatus chose Sure Business Logic. Dr. David Evans, Ceatus’ Founder and CEO stated, “Sure Business Logic can help us to implement fresh concept marketing campaigns as we expand the dental segment of our business.”

Ceatus Media Group, founded in 2004, is a leading provider of Digital Marketing

Services for dentists and other elective healthcare practices. Ceatus combines advanced expertise in dentistry with unique Internet marketing strategies for search engine optimization (SEO), website design, reputation management and social media to educate consumers about high-end cosmetic and restorative procedures and to connect prospective patients with Ceatus dental clients.

To learn more about Sure Business Logic, contact Ed Matthews at sblogic@optimum.net or call 516-883-3443.

On January 1, 2017, Knight Dental Group, Inc., acquired Precision Craft Dental Laboratory, Inc., a progressive full service dental laboratory and a leader in dental implant solutions.

The recent acquisition will strengthen Knight’s presence in the northeastern US, which also includes three laboratories around New York and one in Maryland.

“With the completion of the Precision Craft acquisition, we have established a stronger presence in a critical dental market in the US eastern corridor. We are pleased to welcome our new Precision Craft team and grateful to have the leadership of Richard Napolitano and Ryan Napolitano in our Senior Management Team” said Warren Rogers, CEO of Knight Dental Group.

“We are excited about our future with the Knight Dental Group,” said Ryan Napolitano, newly appointed President of Precision Craft. “We share a common goal of delivering high quality dental device solutions and services to the dental community in North America. The partnership will give Precision Craft an opportunity to expand our brand in New England and other markets of the country.”

“This strategic investment of Precision Craft in a key region of the United States and Knight’s recent acquisitions in this region, will better position us as a leading and growing dental laboratory group,” said Harmeet Bindra, CEO of Leixir Private Holdings. “We will continue our plans to be a market leader in the North American sector and investing in strategically placed, high-quality dental laboratories.”

Dentsply Sirona announced that a college student outperformed over 30 dental laboratory professionals in a Software Design Competition using the Company’s inLab^® software. The contest was recently held at the Dental Lab Owners Association of California’s (DLOAC’s) 13^th Annual International CAD/CAM Expo & Symposium on November 17-19, 2016, in Orange County, California.

Shortly after learning the software program that same morning, Zhen Yin, a student at L.A. Community College, took home the grand prize of $5,000 for his winning designs using the inLab software. “The inLab software was very easy to use and made designing each restoration quick, efficient, and actually fun,” remarked Zhen. “I am very proud to say that I won this contest among so many talented and experienced laboratory professionals.”

In fact, all four winning designers (first through fourth place) used the inLab software. Software Design Competition creator, Jean Chiha, President of DLOAC, said, “I wanted to make sure that it was a very well-rounded and fair competition so I choose a wide range of judges and design software from a variety of manufacturers to ensure that all designs were judged without bias.”

All contestants were free to choose from a number of software design platforms to work on for their restorative challenges including Cercon^®, exocad, 3Shape, Dental Wings, and inLab. They then participated in three rounds of competition where they were tasked with designing different restorative requests within a very limited timeframe:

·       First Round: 3-unit posterior bridge (two minutes)

·       Second Round: 6-unit anterior bridge (four minutes)

·       Third Round: Full-arch upper bridge (ten minutes)

Designs were judged on speed, aesthetics, occlusion contacts, and the shape of teeth. Frankie Acosta, one of the judges for the competition, weighed in on the winning design. “I think a big reason as to why Zhen came out on top using inLab was because of the simplicity of the software. Of course his designs were outstanding, but I think he ultimately won because he let the software work for him.” 

“With a myriad of classes available and classes being added frequently, grant recipients have a wide selection to choose from and can ultimately take the course that fits their needs and interests,” said Foundation Chair, Jeff Stronk. “We at the Foundation are grateful beyond words for the opportunity to further educate individuals on the changes going on in the industry today,”

CAP, a subsidiary of Henry Schein, Inc., located in Clearwater, FL and headquartered in Stoneham, MA, helps dental laboratories navigate through the digital transition that is occurring in dental technology today through CAD/CAM products, milling services, supplies and education. The Foundation’s purpose is to advance the profession of dental laboratory technology by addressing industry-driven needs and providing solutions relevant to dental technicians. 

Ramping up for Dentsply Sirona World 2017 in Las Vegas, the Dental Solutions Company™ is hosting another wild party at the House of Blues in downtown Chicago

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Jan. 17, 2017)-Dentsply Sirona, The Dental Solutions Company, is set to host another epic, untamed party at the House of Blues on Friday evening, Feb. 24, 2017, during the Chicago Midwinter Meeting (CMW).

Dentsply Sirona threw an incredible superhero-themed party during the 2016 CMW meeting that attracted thousands of meeting attendees donning superhero attire. The upcoming jungle-inspired affair is expected to draw a higher level of excitement and greater attendance than the previous year’s superhero soiree.

Guests are encouraged to arrive at the House of Blues on Friday evening unleashing their wild side: unveil your spirit animal, dress as an exotic flower or bird, or create your own jungle-being! Beverages will be available for purchase.*

 “As the largest supplier of dental technology and consumables, Dentsply Sirona thought it fitting to host a party reflective of the strength, fortitude and vigor that embodies our organization,” said Vice President of Marketing Ingo Zimmer.

Guests will enjoy a live performance by popular local cover band Maggie Speaks. A crowd-favorite, this energetic group of talented musicians played at the 2016 CMW party and wowed partygoers with their lively performance and dynamic lineup of songs. Additionally, there will be face painters to help guests complete their look and a photographer at the party to capture favorite moments.

“Throwing a party at the House of Blues during the Midwinter Meeting each year is our way of expressing appreciation to all of the dentists and office staff who work tirelessly to increase productivity in their practice, enhance patient care through continuing education and attend trade shows to learn more about innovations in dentistry,” said Senior Vice President of the U.S. Commercial Organization Michael Augins.

Getting a ticket to the party is easy: Simply visit www.dentsplysironaworld.comand register online before heading to the Dentsply Sirona booth (booth 2011) during regular trade show hours (9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.) on Thursday or Friday during CMW to pick up your ticket.

The party also comes as a pre-celebratory event leading up to the kickoff of the second annual Ultimate Dental Meeting, Dentsply Sirona World 2017 occurring from Sept. 14-16, 2017.

Located at the Venetian and the Palazzo Hotel in Las Vegas, Dentsply Sirona World will continue a custom of premium education for all dental professionals, offer boundless opportunities to mingle and network with industry colleagues, provide a vast trade show displaying the top technologies and services offered in dentistry, and deliver extraordinary entertainment that is unmatched by any other dental conference.

Registration for Dentsply Sirona World 2017 is open and special Super Early Bird pricing is available through March 31, 2017.

For more information on Dentsply Sirona World 2017 and the CMW party, visit www.dentsplysironaworld.com. For questions, contact the event help desk at events@dentsplysironaworld.com or by phone at 1.844.462.7476.