Tralongo, LLC, a Florida-based firm specializing in dental practice acquisitions, announced that it finished 2016 with significant growth momentum. Founded in 2013, the firm has expanded its strategic alliance partner roster to 44 dentists across 71 offices, generating $88 million in revenue. Tralongo has also launched its new education and training program, called Tralongo University, which involves an app that is designed to facilitate professional development among Tralongo’s alliance partners and their staff.

“2016 has been the most pivotal year for our firm thus far,” says Dr. Ken Tralongo, founder of Tralongo. “We’ve launched a new world-class online education program with Tralongo University, completed a $55 million capital raise, seen record attendance at our brand discovery days, and hired the right people to help us better serve our partners and put us the best track to achieve our growth vision.” 

Along with growing its partner-base, the firm had some internal staff additions in 2016. New executive hires included Chief Finance Officer Brian LaBasco and Chief Legal Officer Eric Mason, who have factored into helping the company execute its main operational objective more efficiently.

“We’ve put the right people in place to guide our alliance partners and aid our company growth,” says Tralongo. “They played a crucial part in our recent debt and equity financing, helping us reach our goal of $55 million in capital and putting us on track to become the most successful DSO and DPMO in the United States.”

InterDent Service Corporation announced the appointment of Neal Crowley as the company’s General Counsel.

“We’re excited to have Neal join the InterDent team. His track record of guiding DSOs through the complexities of the evolving legal and regulatory environment, combined with his strategic and operational insights, make him uniquely qualified to lead InterDent’s legal efforts,” says InterDent Chief Executive Officer Marshal Salomon. InterDent is a provider of non-clinical services to independent dental group practices, supporting more than 200 locations under such brands as Gentle Dental, Smile Keepers, and Dedicated Dental.

Neal was previously a Partner with Waller Lansden Dortch and Davis, a national healthcare-focused law firm and a leading advisor to the DSO community. Prior to Waller, Neal operated a DSO consulting practice providing legal and compliance services to established and emerging DSOs nationwide. Neal previously served as the Chief Legal Officer of Smile Brands Inc., where he provided executive leadership and direction to the company’s Legal, Compliance, Risk Management, Government Affairs, Human Resources, Corporate Governance, and Corporate Secretarial functions. 

Neal graduated from Indiana University’s Mauer School of Law and completed his undergraduate education at University of Illinois–Chicago.  

“I look forward to working with the management team, our affiliated doctors, and the corporate support staff to identify and implement legally sound business solutions,” Neal sys. “This is an exciting time to be part of InterDent, and I’m delighted about the opportunity to help build the preeminent DSO in the country.”

PITTSTON, PA — January 31, 2017 — Diverse yet similar, six professionals who redefine their field and reinvigorate all those in their orbit will earn accolades this spring at a celebration inspired by the first woman to earn a degree in dentistry.

Benco Dental will host The Lucy Hobbs Project 5th Annual Celebration on April 27 and 28, 2017 at Loews Hotel, 1200 Market Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  During the gathering, The Project will honor six women selected as award recipients for setting new benchmarks in the dental profession.  The event, sponsored by Crest + Oral-B, KaVo Kerr Group, Ivoclar Vivadent, 3M, Hu-Friedy, GLO Science, Sunstar, Medicom, and Centrix, will also include CE credits, and a keynote speaker. Visit The Lucy Hobbs Project for updated information.  Register today at: https://www.regmadeeasy.com/benco/the-lucy-hobbs-project/2017

Blocks from the nation’s first hospital, medical school, and women’s medical school, in Philadelphia -- the first planned city in the United States – The Lucy Hobbs Project will honor these six inspirational women:

· Patricia L. Blanton, DDS, MS, PhD, recipient of the Industry Icon award, continually drives change with the optimism vital to leadership roles. Beginning with her first faculty appointment in 1967, Dr. Blanton embraced her talents as a groundbreaker and stays true to that course as Professor Emeritus in the Department of Biomedical Sciences, BCD/TAMUS; Interim Dean, James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina; Clinical Professor of Stomatology, Medical University of South Carolina, and owner of a private practice in periodontics and implantology in Charleston.  The first female President of the Texas Dental Association, she recently served as Vice-President of the American Dental Association and President of the American College of Dentists. Dr. Blanton most recently received the highest honor given from the ACD, the William John Gies Award.

· Winifred J. Booker, DDS, recipient of the Humanitarian award, is the owner of busy pediatric dental practice in Owings Mills, Maryland. In 1996 Dr. Booker established The Children’s Oral Health Institute, where she serves as the CEO and Director of Development. Her work with the nonprofit has focused on advancing two paramount efforts: (1) oral health education programs, including Lessons in a Lunch Box: Healthy Teeth Essentials & Facts About Snacks™.  This initiative is on track to reach all 50 states and 50,000 elementary school children in 2017, and (2) preserving the state law she was instrumental in helping to get passed in 2012 that requires oral health education to be taught as part of the curriculum in all Maryland public schools from grades K to 12. Inventor of the Brushtime™ Bunny and the Dental Care in a Carrot™ case, Dr. Booker also dedicates her talents as a mentor, media spokeswoman for the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, consultant, and contributing writer for national publications.

· Margaret Fickess, RDA, CDA, MEd, recipient of the Innovator award, empowers dental assistant students with confidence and career independence as Program Director for Dental Assisting at San Diego Mesa College. There she began her own personal professional journey in 1968, and in 2009 designed an 11- chair dental clinic for the Allied Health Building. Fickess has served in nearly every capacity with local (San Diego County Dental Assistants Society) and state (California Dental Assistants Association)branches of organized dentistry for nearly 50 years.Her efforts to improve lives include active volunteerism through CDA Cares and Children’s Dental Health Clinic, along with dental education of the underserved at schools, daycare centers and the Braille Institute for the Blind.

· Emily Ishkanian, DMD, recipient of the Mentor award, channels the drive that in 2011 led her to establish the Southern Nevada New Dentists committee of the American Dental Association into ongoing efforts to help all dentists succeed. In her current post as chair with the ADA’s New Dentist Committee, this University of Nevada Las Vegas School of Dental Medicine Alumni of the Year finds herself deeply embedded in national, state and local work to assist dentists in their transition from school to practice. A member of the Pierre Fauchard Academy, Dr. Ishkanian provides oral health care to patients in Henderson, Nevada while dedicating time outside the operatory to create a path for others’ professional growth.

· Irene Marron-Tarrazzi, DMD, MS,recipient of the Woman to Watch award, defies odds at age 42 to become the youngest elected Vice President of the American Dental Association. A periodontist in private practice in Miami, she had been serving on the ADA New Dentist Committee while holding positions at the state and local levels. Dr. Marron-Tarrazzi hails from Venezuela; she received her DMD in 1996 from Universidad Central de Venezuela in Caracas. Four years later, she graduated from the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill with a master’s in science and a certificate in periodontology. In 2003, she earned a DMD from Nova Southeastern University in Florida. She draws on her own story – one that encompasses success across two distinct cultures and languages --  to inspire young women looking to pursue a career in dentistry and to encourage them to run independently for leadership roles at the national level.

· Andrea Joy Smith, DDS, recipient of the Clinical Expertise award, creates solutions to her patients’ needs by seeking advanced education and training. Drawn to dentistry as a volunteer for the University of Southern California Mobile Dental Clinic, she earned her dental degree at the University of California San Francisco and has since committed 22 years to her patients’ oral health through Community Health Care and private practice.  A published Diplomat in the International Academy of Mini Dental Implants, she has worked diligently since 2007 to embrace the technology to provide a less costly and less invasive alternative to medically compromised patients unable to receive conventional dental implants. In 2011, she established the Smile Again Now Foundation (SANF), which she presently leads in its efforts to extend access to dental care to members of the Sacramento community in need.

Powered by Benco Dental, The Lucy Hobbs Project with a network of more than 9,000 members, empowers women in dentistry to drive change and deliver success through networking, innovation and giving back. Named for Dr. Hobbs, the woman who, in 1866, became the first American female to earn a degree in dentistry, this project aims to bring women together from all facets of the dental industry – dentists, dental assistants, hygienists, receptionists, sales representatives and others. Free to join, it offers networking opportunities, educational programs and charitable events.

To learn more about previous winners of The Lucy Hobbs Project^® Award, or to sign up for The Lucy Hobbs Project^®, visit: www.thelucyhobbsproject.com

Dr. Cyril Ian Evian, a world-renowned periodontist, respected professor, and revered lecturer, with the University of Pennsylvania, died January 26.

To read about Dr. Evian and a scholarship created in his name, click here.

ALBANY, N.Y. (February 1, 2017) -- Teledentistry is emerging as a practical solution for patients living in rural areas, according to a new report by researchers at the University at Albany.

The Oral Health Workforce Research Center (OHWRC) at the Center for Health Workforce Studies (CHWS) recently published “Case Studies of 6 Teledentistry Programs: Strategies to Increase Access to General and Specialty Dental Services,” summarizing findings from a study of oral health providers on their use of teledentisty services.

As a means to improve access to oral health services in areas with inadequate availability of general and specialty dental care, teledentistry can provide critical services in which gaps currently exist, especially for treatment planning and specialty consultations.

Concerns about limited access to oral health services for underserved populations are prompting providers to adopt innovative service delivery strategies to meet the needs of those with access barriers. This is especially true in rural areas, where there are limited oral health providers, higher percentages of elderly people, high rates of poverty, and low rates of dental insurance.

"Efforts to expand access to dental services, particularly in underserved communities, is increasing interest in the use of teledentisty," said Margaret Langelier, OHWRC Deputy Director who led this study. "It is important to better understand the teledentistry applications that providers are using, their impacts, and the barriers and facilitators of their use."

Teledentistry utilizes information technology and telecommunications such as video conferencing for dental care, consultation, and education. Case study participants identified the benefits of teledentistry, including allowing them to conduct oral health assessments, determine treatment needs, educate patients about treatment options, and offer appropriate referrals.

Other important findings include:

-Patients experience shorter wait times to obtain consultations and services, and providers find teledentistry to be efficient, timely, and cost effective

-Teledentistry enables efficient use of scarce dental resources in underserved communities and allowed providers to triage patients to the most appropriate level of care

-Maintaining teledentistry services requires the ongoing participation of a broad range of clinicians and support staff in sponsoring organizations

-Regulatory and reimbursement barriers to teledentistry include scope of practice requirements for dental hygienists, inadequate funding for the required technology equipment and installation, and inadequate reimbursement for services provided

The full report can be found on the CHWS website.

Leonard I. Linkow, DDS, DMSc, considered by many to be father of dental implants, died January 26 at age 90, according to the American Academy of Implant Prosthodontics. Read the article here.

3D Systems has acquired Vertex-Global Holding B.V., a provider of dental materials worldwide under the Vertex and NextDent brands, bringing together the Figure 4 platform from 3D Systems with NextDent’s advanced 3D printing materials.

"With the combination of our disruptive Figure 4 platform and NextDent’s revolutionary materials, we have the unique opportunity to deliver transformative digital production solutions from the dentist’s chair to the dental lab," said Vyomesh Joshi, President and CEO, 3D Systems.

3D Systems will continue to offer Vertex Dental and NextDent’s existing portfolios and will continue to sell to and serve all current customers. Leaders from Vertex and NextDent such as Rik Jacobs, the former CEO, and Connie Peterse-van der Koppel, formerly Chief Development & Regulatory Officer, will continue to deliver materials innovation, regulatory compliance, manufacturing efficiency, and vertical solutions expertise to advance 3D Systems’ solutions across healthcare and other verticals. 

"We believe 3D Systems is the perfect match to help accelerate adoption of 3D production in the dental industry and drive innovation towards next generation solutions," commented Jacobs. "We are delighted to be part of this amazing team." 

3M^TM has introduced the Lava^TM Esthetic Fluorescent Full-Contour Zirconia, which features a natural-toothlike fluorescence and excellent shade match.

“Finally, an indirect restorative that does not compromise esthetics while providing high strength,” said David Hornbrook, DDS, FAACD, FACE, FASDA. “With Lava Esthetic Zirconia, we can optimize strength, fit, and translucency and, since it is designed and milled in the dental laboratory, we achieve ideal contours, occlusion, and marginal integrity.” Hornbrook continued, “With its fluorescent properties, Lava Esthetic interacts with light like natural teeth.”

Lava delivers optimized translucency for esthetic full-contour crowns and 3-unit bridges* at a high strength of 800 MPa**. At the same time, a 2016 study has shown that restorations made of Lava Esthetic zirconia are wear-friendly against opposing enamel.

A unique four-shading element formulation makes it the first pre-shaded zirconia to offer inherent fluorescence for all shades, as well as a true color match with VITA^®Classic shades. Due to its inherent natural fluorescence in any lighting condition---whether daylight, sunshine, or black light---restorations will always look natural. No special fluorescent glaze is required.

Using Lava Esthetic Zirconia can save more than three hours since there is no need for shading liquids or drying time. More than two additional hours can also be saved in the sintering step versus other zirconia materials.

The pre-shaded discs have an integral color gradient to deliver natural-looking shading from enamel to dentin and a true color match to the VITA^®Classic shades Bleach, A1, A2, A3, A3.5, B1, C1, and D2. The material is available in 98mm disc with step format in 14mm, 18mm, and 22mm heights.