January 4, 2017 Lompoc, CA –DenMat, a leading manufacturer of innovative esthetic dentistry and advanced oral health solutions, has acquired the Fluoridex brand and product portfolio from Philips Oral Healthcare, the makers of Sonicare. Originally a Discus Dental product, Fluoridex is a premium line of prescription-strength fluoride toothpastes and a mouthrinse, indicated for the treatment and prevention of dental caries, and available exclusively through dental professionals.

As of January 3, 2017, the entire Fluoridex line, including sales, marketing and manufacturing, have been transferred to DenMat. DenMat’s Fluoridex products are identical to the previous Philips products, including the same formulas, ingredients, and raw materials such as tubes, bottles and caps. DenMat’s global headquarters in Lompoc, California has begun distribution of Fluoridex for US-based customers, and DenMat will utilize the same Canadian distribution facility that has managed Fluoridex order-fulfillment in Canada for the past 10 years.

A Loyal Following

The Fluoridex product line was launched by Discus Dental in 1998 in an effort to provide dental professionals with a prescription-strength solution that could immediately be dispensed to high risk and/or immunocompromised patients, ensuring compliance and improved oral health. Robert Cartagena, DenMat’s Chief Operating Officer and former Chief Operating Officer for Discus Dental, explains the history behind and the relevance of this product line for dental practices: “Fluoridex has a long history of brand preference and customer loyalty. Simply put, patients love the taste and the ease of use of Fluoridex products, while clinicians love the fact that their patients are more likely to be compliant with treatment if they have immediate access to the proper oral care solutions. We’re thrilled that the same great Fluoridex products introduced by Discus Dental are now available exclusively from DenMat,” says Cartagena.

Formulas Patients Need; Tastes They Love

Fluoride, the active ingredient in Fluoridex products, has been shown to prevent and control dental caries, and to enhance enamel remineralization. Fluoridex toothpastes contain 1.1% neutral sodium fluoride, concentrated at 5000 parts per million — more than four times the active ingredient of non-prescription brands. As an adjunct for patients with tooth or gum sensitivity, Fluoridex Daily Renewal Rinse contains concentrated 0.63% stannous fluoride.

Fluoridex is recommended for a wide range of patients, including those with current and recent caries, xerostomia, orthodontic appliances, extensive restorations and those over the age of 65. A recent study shows that nearly twice as many patients reported they would brush daily with Fluoridex rather than competing toothpastes.*

The New Era

DenMat will continue to offer the same products previously offered by Philips Oral Healthcare:

1.     Daily Defense Toothpaste— inhibits bacterial activity and enhances remineralization

2.     Sensitivity ReliefToothpaste— includes 5% potassium nitrate for sensitivity relief

3.     Sensitivity Relief SLS FreeToothpaste— includes 5% potassium nitrate for sensitivity relief, without added sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS)

4.     Enhanced WhiteningToothpaste— provides the anti-caries benefits of professional-strength fluoride, plus silica to help remove surface stains without the use of hydrogen peroxide

5.     Daily Renewal Rinse— offers prescription-strength caries protection and dental desensitization for patients with sensitivity

“Fluoridex is a natural fit within DenMat’s growing oral hygiene portfolio, and further strengthens our value proposition to help dental practitioners grow their practices,”explains Matt Whelan, Chief Sales & Marketing Officer for DenMat.“These products perfectly complement the latest and greatest Rotadent® power toothbrush – Rotadent ProCare™ – which we introduced in 2016. Together, Rotadent ProCare and Fluoridex offer dental professionals a unique pairing of premium homecare solutions, with proven track records of compliance, not available through retail distribution.”

Rotadent is the only power toothbrush clinically proven to be as effective as brushing and flossing combined, making it a true one-step system designed to simplify and streamline homecare.^† Learn more about Fluoridex and Rotadent ProCare at one of DenMat’s Soft Tissue Management® Continuing Education courses across North America.

References:

*Meczka Marketing/Research/Consulting, Inc. Toothpaste Preference Test. April 2012

^†Boyd RL, Murray P, Robertson PB. Effect on periodontal status of rotary electric toothbrushes vs. manual toothbrushes during periodontal maintenance. I. Clinical results. J Periodontal. 1989;60(7):390-395. 1991;15(5):229-234.

Henry Schein Dental announced the retirement of Norman Weinstock, Chairman of the company's Zahn Dental division.

In a memorandum, Henry Schein Chairman of the Board and CEO Stanley M. Bergman said:

"It is with the mixed emotions of sadness, incredibly fond memories and joy for him that I announce Norman Weinstock’s retirement.

"Norman joined Team Schein as part of a partnership formed with the Company in 1985, to purchase Zahn Dental.  At the time, Zahn Dental had $4 million dollars in annual sales. Today the Zahn Dental business in the United States has over $200 million in annual sales, and our global lab business is nearly $400 million. From the moment Norman joined Henry Schein, he became a pillar of the Company as the leader of the Zahn Dental business and was instrumental in the start of the Henry Schein acquisition program and field sales force.

"Norman's vast network throughout the dental community and his clear vision for the future contributed greatly to the growth of our Global Dental, Prosthetics and Practice Solutions businesses. Norman always approached business from the customer's perspective, and he has been an important mentor, not only to Jim Breslawski and Rich Miranda, but to many TSMs, offering counsel on how to be a great business partner for our customers, on the values of Team Schein, and the importance of a strong work ethic.

"There is no way to capture in a memo all that Norman has accomplished and meant to Henry Schein.  The good news is we have been able to secure some of Norman's time, so it is likely that we will see him at events during the next year.

"As Norman and Sheila move into a well-deserved retirement, I hope that all of Team Schein will join me in thanking Norman for his immeasurable contributions to our Company, for his enduring friendship, and in wishing him many more years of health and happiness."

CHICAGO – Registration is now open for AAE17, the annual meeting of the American Association of Endodontists, taking place April 26-29 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans. The world's largest education, exhibit and networking event for endodontists, AAE17 features a broad range of speakers, great variety in program formats and exciting special events.

"My goal for AAE17 is to offer a highly scientific, evidence-based program, and to include speakers new to presenting at the annual meeting," said AAE President Linda G. Levin. "I also want attendees to enjoy all that New Orleans has to offer – from the sights, sounds and cuisine there will be no mistaking we're in the Big Easy."

AAE17 offers more than 100 high-quality educational sessions in a variety of tracks including Pulp Fiction, which will address controversial and misunderstood topics in the specialty, Saving the Natural Tooth, sharing the latest evidence and recommended treatments to save patients' teeth, and Surgical and Nonsurgical Endodontics. The highlight of the Surgical Endodontics track is live, 3-D microsurgery. Dr. Syngcuk Kim will perform two live endodontic microsurgeries using 3-D technology that allows attendees to view the procedure as the surgeon sees it through the microscope.

Attendees also will be able to visit with nearly 100 vendors in the AAE17 Exhibit Hall to explore the latest in endodontic equipment, materials and supplies, as well as practice management and other business resources to support endodontic practices.

The AAE17 General Session will feature keynote speakers James Carville and Mary Matalin, New Orleans residents and one of America's best-loved political couples. Other special events include the President's Breakfast, Louis I. Grossman Ceremony, recognizing the newest Diplomates of the American Board of Endodontics, and the Edgar D. Coolidge Jazz Brunch, honoring the AAE's award winners. Making the most of the Crescent City, the Welcome Reception will feature New Orleans-style cuisine and entertainment, while attendees will join a brass band to march to Celebrate New Orleans! at Generations Hall.

To view the entire meeting schedule and register, visit www.aae.org/AAE17. Dental professionals who join the AAE receive a member discount on meeting registration of 35% - learn more about AAE membership at www.aae.org/join. When you register, be sure to make a donation to the New Orleans Musicians' Clinic and Assistance Foundation, which provides medical and dental care to musicians in the New Orleans area regardless of their ability to pay.

OAK BROOK, Ill., Jan. 4, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Americans want to see their dentists more often. A survey, out today from Delta Dental, finds that dentists lead the pack of health practitioners adults want to see more.

According to the survey, 41% of American adults reported they do not get to the dentist as often as they'd like, coming out 13% higher than the next health practitioner, dermatologists at 28%.

The full rankings of health practitioners Americans wish they visited more often, from the 2016 Adult Oral Health Survey, can be found in the chart.

Adults who give their oral health an "A" grade are 24% less likely to put the dentist at the top of the list of practitioners they want to see more.  Those who brush their teeth less than twice a day want to go more than those who brush at least twice a day (52% vs. 28%).

"Seeing the dentist regularly is an important part of maintaining good oral health," said Bill Kohn, DDS, Delta Dental Plans Association's vice president of dental science and policy. "We're at least glad to see that even those who aren't getting to the dentist as often as they'd like, recognize the importance of making more time to do so."

Good oral health can lead to a boost in confidence and overall well-being, according to the survey.

• 79% of American adults agree there is a connection between oral health and overall health.

• Adults who are extremely satisfied with their oral health rate their overall well-being as very good (48%), compared to those who report they are not satisfied (28%).

• 63% feel that good oral health helps them feel confident on a daily basis, more so than having clear skin (56%) or being in shape (50%).

About the Survey: The Adult Oral Health Survey was conducted between December 16, 2015 and January 14, 2016 among a nationally representative sample of 1,025 Americans 18+. The margin of error is +/- 3.1%.

Washington, D.C.– As his first initiative of the 115th Congress, Congressman Erik Paulsen (MN-03) has introduced legislation that would permanently repeal the burdensome medical device tax. The Protect Medical Innovation Act repeals the 2.3 percent excise tax included in President Obama’s health care law that applies to the sale of medical device products.

Similar legislation was introduced by Congressman Paulsen in previous sessions of Congress. In the 114th Congress, a two-year suspension of the medical device tax passed in both the House and the Senate with bipartisan support and was signed by the President. The Protect Medical Innovation Act was introduced with broad bipartisan support and 221 cosponsors.

“One of the best ways to protect American manufacturing, spur innovation, and make sure the latest and best medical technology is affordable for patients is to repeal this burdensome tax,” Paulsen said. “We are already seeing new American jobs and increased investment in research and development as a result of the temporary suspension of this tax. With over 200 cosponsors at the start of this new session, and with overwhelming bipartisan support in the past, permanent repeal should be a top priority for Congress.”

Advocacy groups and stakeholders praised the reintroduction of the Protect Medical Innovation Act.

“The early introduction of device tax repeal legislation sends a strong signal that this issue is a high priority for the incoming Congress. A bipartisan majority in the House recognizes that this anti-job, anti-innovation and anti-patient tax needs to be permanently repealed now,” said JC Scott, Senior Executive Vice President, Government Affairs at Advamed. “The current suspension of the tax has allowed medical technology companies to reinvest funds into new R&D, restart delayed projects, build infrastructure and support new hiring. The sooner this onerous tax is gone for good, the sooner these benefits can be made permanent. That's crucial for patients and for continued medical innovation.”

“In order for medical technology innovators to develop the new cures and therapies of tomorrow, we need smart policies in place today,”said Paul LaViolette, Executive Chairman of CardioFocus and Chairman of the Medical Device Manufacturers Association. “Permanently repealing the medical device tax is a major boost to accomplish our mission, and Congressman Paulsen has been a tremendous leader in making sure innovation thrives in the 21st century."

“We appreciate the leadership of Congressmen Paulsen and Kind on this bipartisan issue and for their longtime support in championing economic growth, job creation and patient care through investment in the medical technology industry,” said Joe Robinson, chairman of MITA Board of Directors and Senior Vice President of Health Systems Solutions at Philips Healthcare. “Full repeal of the medical device tax is the only way to remove a significant barrier to medical progress once and for all, thereby allowing the next generation of life-saving, breakthrough technologies to become a reality.”

Congressman Paulsen, a champion of small business and advocate of free enterprise, entrepreneurship, and innovation, serves on the House Ways and Means Committee, the bicameral Joint Economic Committee, and is co-chair of the Congressional Medical Technology Caucus.

For more information on Congressman Paulsen’s work in Congress visit paulsen.house.gov. 

The Heroic Dentistry series celebrates oral health care providers who, like PULPDENT founder Dr. Harold Berk, have made it their mission to save teeth and help patients live in comfort and smile with confidence.  

Special needs patients often present unique challenges for the practitioner. This was the case with Daniel, who was 19 years old when he was referred to our office.

Daniel suffers from severe autism and its associated lack of speech, and he is further compromised by a seizure disorder.  His mother has had great difficulty finding a dentist who could treat him. When he was younger, he could be restrained for treatment, but now as a strong young man, physical restraint is neither desirable nor possible.  His mother was hopeful that I would be able to sedate him and treat his needs.

Daniel had no ability to communicate with me and was completely uncooperative.  With patience I was able to get a brief look in his mouth, which revealed severe caries. His mother confirmed that there was a lot of apple juice in his diet, and so one of the causes was obvious. We had a long discussion about diet as a major caries risk factor.

Considering these obstacles, I now had to devise a treatment plan. I would have to treat him as quickly as possible, for an affordable cost, with a material that would withstand stress and not contribute to rapid recurrent marginal caries. From my experience using strip crowns in primary dentition, I knew that they offered a fast, single appointment option that could both reduce cost and the risks of extensive anesthesia. I had to plan so that I could complete the treatment in one visit. Thinking ahead, I quickly made an upper anterior alginate impression.

Using the study model, I prepared and trimmed four strip crowns in advance of Daniel’s visit. On treatment day, I placed an IV with some difficulty and sedated him with midazolam. Even with IV sedation, I knew that I wouldn’t have much time.  The caries was very deep, but there were no exposures, so I removed the decay, treated the dentin with Pulpdent Desensitizer, placed a bonding agent, and filled the strip crown forms with ACTIVA BioACTIVE-RESTORATIVE. 

Why Activa? I have been using Activa for the past two years and knew that it would be the solution for several reasons. It is esthetic, durable, and its bioactive properties and marginal integrity are more resistant to recurrent caries than any other product. It is high strength, dual cure, and it flows nicely, so it is easy to fill and apply the strip crowns. The actual treatment time was remarkably fast for treating such severe disease. Daniels’s mother was simply delighted with the outcome.

Daniel returned for a follow up the next week, and upon seeing me walk into the room, he began to smile! Although he could not express it verbally, he knew how much I had helped him. With proper planning, this seemingly impossible case had a gratifying outcome for both the patient and his family, and for me as well.

More than 2,400 companies from approximately 60 countries are expected to attend the International Dental Show (IDS) in Cologne from March 21-25. At the most recent IDS, in 2015, a "Career Day" was staged in this setting for the first time, with the aim of accelerating the communication and information exchange between the companies exhibiting at the IDS and newcomers to the profession or people interested in a career in the dental sector.

The event, organized by the Association of German Dental Manufacturers e.V. (VDDI) and Koelnmesse, was deemed a success and will return in 2017, in the Passage between Halls 4 and 5 on Saturday, March 25.

Career Day at the IDS offers university graduates, trainees from the fields of dentistry and dental technology, as well as current students who want to find out about training and career opportunities in the dental sector a first impression of the various spheres of activity of the participating companies. In addition, Career Day offers fully trained people or career changers information about further training options and career opportunities in the dental sector.

Career Day presents IDS exhibitors with an opportunity to make presentations about professional training, further development, and career advancement. Brief presentations to introduce a company can be booked on the Career Day stage. In addition, the "Recruitment Lounge" connected to the presentation area also offers facilities for individual meetings and presentations in discreetly partitioned areas. The event is being held for the first time on a spacious surface in the lit-flood Passage between Halls 4 and 5.

Career Day has its own presence on the IDS website. You can easily arrange meetings with candidates and interested parties using the online scheduling facility, but spontaneous "speed-dating campaigns" are also possible. All exhibitors involved in the initiative will be named on the IDS homepage and will also be mentioned in a special printed flyer.

Interested groups, ie, vocational schools or universities, can contact Koelnmesse (Sonja Blümel, s.bluemel@koelnmesse.de) regarding individual offers and support.

3DBioCAD will be featured in an upcoming episode of "Worldwide Business with Kathy Ireland" on Fox Business Network, the company announced.

In an episode scheduled to air February 5 at 5 PM EST, 3DBioCAD VP of Tech. Development Charles Park and Senior Technical Advisor Kevin Black join Ireland in the studio to discuss transforming dentistry with digital technology. Also included are product highlights and dentist, technician, and patient testimonials.

Dental pioneer Dr. Larry Rosenthal reimagined dentistry as a visual art, transforming the practice of Aesthetic Dentistry, simplifying new approaches to dental care that begin with a beautiful smile and facial enhancement and expand to help eliminate disease, improve anti-aging vigor, and reduce long-term healthcare problems. He invented the Smile Lift, his “non-surgical facelift” that helps us look our best, raising self-esteem without surgery and completed in a day or two.

Now, in his new book OPEN WIDE(R): A Guide to Smile and Facial Aesthetics to Enhance Your Confidence, Appearance, and Overall Health (Rosetta Books; January 17, 2017; $27.99), Dr. Larry Rosenthal breaks down the myths, deceptions, and misconceptions about dental care and empowers you to take charge of your smile and the lifelong health you’ve always wanted and needed.

Dr. Larry, as his patients call him, reveals how our mouth and teeth health can significantly influence our overall health, including an array of problems like sleep apnea, snoring, chronic head and neck pain, TMD and heart disease. Tooth health also can influence oxygen intake, affecting our immune system, which can be related to misdiagnosed attention deficit disorder (ADD).

Offering insights and news about treatments and convenience that many consumers are not yet aware of, in OPEN WIDE(R) Dr. Larry discusses, among many topics:

·       The Smile Lift– A “non-surgical facelift” that Dr. Larry and his “Dream Team” achieve with proper lip support, smile balance and facial enhancement, as well as anti-aging implementation— it also combats the sunken-face syndrome that can be common when we age, taking a decade off one’s visage noninvasively and painlessly

·       The Trial Smile– A cool way to try before you buy; using provisionals, a dentist can demonstrate a wider, fuller smile on one side, and a more subtle, softer smile on the other, with variations in color and shading, to help patients in the decision making

·       A Smile Literally Increases Your Face Value— It boosts your immune system, increases your endorphins, so you feel better and your self-confidence rises; visually, others attribute you with intelligence, and higher employment value

·       “Designing Your Smile”– Less invasive than crowns, porcelain veneers can result in a dramatic overall change in facial appearance, covering minor chips, cracks, or striations in the enamel, closing small gaps, and restoring tooth color or worn-down or crooked teeth

·       How “Bleach Junkies” Do Harm– Over-bleaching causes their teeth to be brittle and crack

·       The Parent’s Responsibility– Proactive steps to take to now with children to prevent major adult problems

·       The Artistry of Dentistry from Prep-Less, Minimal Invasive Dentistry to Full Reconstruction; prep-less means painless, little-or-no-drilling procedures that maintain as much tooth structure as possible

·       A Visual Guide to the Smile Assessment– What you should be looking for and asking your dentist about

·       Health Dentistry– How it applies to anti-aging and it’s correlation to heart disease, head and neck pain, maximum oxygen intake, and snoring

Informative and inspiring, Dr. Larry Rosenthal’s OPEN WIDE(R) is a valuable consumer handbook to getting optimal dental care and an intriguing look into the latest advantages in modern dentistry. It will have people across the country smiling.

Premier Dental’s market-leading Rotary tooth Preparation, Tissue Management, and Finishing /Polishing products are packaged together with a step-by-step technique in a “solution” kit that ensures successful ceramic restorations.

Traditional impressions, Digital Scanning and CAD/CAM demand a new level of focus to deliver consistent, esthetically pleasing metal-free restorations. The Ceramic Success Kit contains all of the appropriate materials and presents a predictable technique to guarantee proper tooth preparation, clear effective retraction/hemostasis, any needed adjustments, and a smooth polish.

Key benefits make it easy as 1, 2, 3:

1.     Prep

2.     Retract

3.     Adjust/Polish Ceramics

Dentists can confidently use the ceramic success kit to help transition from PFM’s to all ceramic restorations as well when moving from traditional impression making to digital scanning. For more info visit: https://www.premusa.com/product/rotary/ceramic-success-kit/