ROSEMONT, Ill., Oct. 5, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Both prospective dental implant patients and the general public agree in a new study: oral and maxillofacial surgeons are the most qualified to perform the procedure to replace missing teeth. 

The study also finds the public needs more education about dental implants, and dental providers should emphasize this information to potentially improve patients' experiences.

For the study, two groups of adult patients were asked about dental implants and where they obtained information about them. The general population group had 50 randomly selected patients at the emergency clinic at the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry. These patients had no plans to have dental implants placed. The other group had 76 patients who had scheduled a dental implant consultation at the school's Dental Implant Clinic.

Most participants from both groups agreed: 1) oral and maxillofacial surgeons are the best doctors to place implants, 2) implants need the same dental hygiene as a normal tooth, and 3) the top factor for not getting an implant is cost.

Nearly 25 percent of the general population group had never heard of dental implants. Most participants in this group received their implant information from less dependable sources, according to the study published in the July issue of the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. These participants were more likely to obtain information from their friends or family members, while the implant consultation patients were more likely to say their dentist was their top source for information.

The study also finds that patients who understand the dental implant procedure and their role in post-surgical care and oral hygiene can have an overall successful experience. Doctors should have an understanding of a patient's knowledge about implants, the accuracy of that information and why patients may decline getting them, researchers wrote.

"Although this study showed that patients presenting for dental implants generally are better informed than the general public, the fact that even in this group some were less knowledgeable than others indicates that there is still a need for public education," the authors wrote.

The authors of "Public and Patient Knowledge About Dental Implants" are George Deeb, DDS, MD, Associate Professor, Bryan Wheeler, DMD, Chief Resident, Daniel Laskin, DDS, MS, Professor Emeritus, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Dentistry; Margaret Jones, BS, Student, School of Dentistry; Caroline Carrico, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Research Administration; and Janina Golob Deeb, DMD, MS, Assistant Professor, Department of Periodontics, School of Dentistry; all from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Va.

The full article can be accessed at www.joms.org/article/S0278-2391(17)30342-7/fulltext.

Panthera Dental has announced partnerships with TVM Life Science Ventures VII and Emerillon Capital. This financial assistance will allow Panthera Dental to continue its international expansion. These two new partners join Capital Croissance PME in supporting Panthera Dental’s commercial development as it works to bring custom products in the fields of dental implantology and sleep-disordered breathing to a larger customer base.

“I am proud to partner with world-class venture capital funds to ensure that Panthera Dental will become a major player in its field. Those investments enable us to consolidate our physical establishment in the United States and in Europe while also allowing us to keep up with the rapid growth of our export, which we have been experiencing now for several years,” says Gabriel Robichaud, CEO.

“Panthera Dental commercializes innovative products targeting wide-ranging international markets. Our investment will position Panthera Dental as a world leader and concurrently keep its corporate roots in the province of Quebec. Panthera Dental will benefit from TVM Life Science Ventures VII’s European and North American network to facilitate its market access abroad,” says Dr. Luc Marengere, Senior Partner, TVM Life Science Ventures VII.

“We are enthusiastically partnering with Gabriel Robichaud and his team at Panthera Dental, a manufacturer recognized for the excellence of its products. Our investment will enable the company to accelerate its growth, mainly abroad, by drawing in part on the network of CIC Capital, Emerillon Capital’s lead sponsor,” says Pierre Cantin, Senior Investment Director, CIC Capital, on behalf of Emerillon Capital.

Panthera Dental has plans to establish subsidiaries in the United States and Europe, and will increase its production capabilities in the months to come in order to better meet demand in those regions.

Todd C. Snyder, DDS has been named an Accredited Fellow in the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD). The purpose of Fellowship is to provide the highest level of achievement for members in accordance with the AACD's mission of education and excellence.

Snyder has been a member of the AACD since 1996 and achieved Accredited Member status in 2012. He received his doctorate at the UCLA School of Dentistry, has trained at the F.A.C.E. institute, and is a member of Catapult Education. Additionally, Snyder was on the faculty at U.C.L.A. where he created and co-directed the first two-year graduate program in aesthetic and cosmetic restorative dentistry.

"Dr. Snyder's commitment to responsible esthetics and cosmetic dentistry is undeniable with his most recent achievement as an AACD Accredited Fellow," said AACD Fellowship Chair Bradley J. Olson, DDS, FAACD. "Our Accredited Fellow members must complete one of the most rigorous, yet life-changing journeys of their career-and of their lives."

He maintains a practice in Laguna Niguel, CA in addition to owning two software companies, being a professional race car driver and an entrepreneur.

Snyder will be honored for this achievement at the 34th Annual AACD Scientific Session in Chicago on April 21, 2018.

About the AACD

The AACD is the world's largest non-profit member organization dedicated to advancing excellence in comprehensive oral care that combines art and science to optimally improve dental health, esthetics, and function. Comprised of more than 6,000 cosmetic dental professionals in 80 countries worldwide, the AACD fulfills its mission by offering superior educational opportunities, promoting and supporting a respected Accreditation credential, serving as a user-friendly and inviting forum for the creative exchange of knowledge and ideas, and providing accurate and useful information to the public and the profession.

CHICAGO, October 3, 2017 — Oral Health America (OHA) encourages all Americans to adopt good oral health habits as part of its annual public awareness campaign, Fall for Smiles, created in partnership with Oral Healthcare Can’t Wait, an initiative of the Dental Trade Alliance. As such, OHA is hosting Advocacy Week from Monday, October 2 through Friday, October 6

Advocacy Week is an advocacy effort within Oral Health America’s Fall for Smiles campaign, which focuses on the oral health of families. Everyone is encouraged to participate by spreading the word about the positive effects of daily brushing and flossing, regular dental visits, eating a healthy diet and avoiding tobacco products.

“The Fall for Smiles campaign provides tools to encourage good oral hygiene habits at home,” said Beth Truett, President & CEO of Oral Health America. “Advocacy Week encourages people to learn and speak out about policies that impact their oral health.”

OHA has developed week-long opportunities to engage people in dialogue about the importance of oral health. The week began with a Twitter Chat on Monday and continues with a trip to the Capitol for a Day on the Hill and then an Instagram Takeover on Thursday. Throughout Advocacy Week, OHA is focused on the theme, Our Future, Our Families: Achieving Oral Health Equity.

Our Future, Our Families: Achieving Oral Health Equity allows OHA to engage policymakers, communities and families in a national dialogue. This year’s Advocacy Week seeks to confront oral health disparities by bringing attention to the differences between having equal access to oral healthcare versus having equitable opportunity to achieve good oral health outcomes across the lifespan.

Fall for Smiles includes interactive quizzes and free downloadable resources that include a brushing chart, coloring sheet and tips for the whole family (https://oralhealthamerica.org/our-work/fall-for-smiles/downloads/).

Fall for Smiles is generously sponsored by Tom’s of Maine; 3M; Patterson Dental; Oral Healthcare Can’t Wait, an initiative of Dental Trade Alliance; Hu-Friedy; Midmark Corporation; SciCan, Inc.; Crest + Oral-B; Sunstar; Whip Mix Corporation; Crosstex Dentapure; and National Dental Association (NDA).

Learn more about Fall for Smiles at oralhealthamerica.org/fallforsmiles.

Vista Dental Products expands its line of take home products to include Desensitizing Gel for the most sensitive patients.

This potassium nitrate and fluoride gel quickly eliminates hypersensitivity associated with whitening, temperature and chemical changes.

The fast acting, viscous gel stays in place and is easily dispensed through the tips that are included.

Packaged in kits of either (4) or (40) 1.2mL prefilled syringes.

Find out more by visiting www.vista-dental.com, call 877-418-4782 or email info@vista-dental.com 

ADHA & Mars Wrigley Confectionery Kick off National Dental Hygiene Month Promoting the “Daily 4”

Did you know that four simple steps, performed daily, can lead to better overall health? The American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA), in partnership with the Wrigley Oral Healthcare Program (WOHP), has kicked off National Dental Hygiene Month (NDHM) with a simple message for all families: “Brush, Floss, Rinse and Chew” every day can make a difference not only to oral health but overall health.

Known as the “Daily 4,” this campaign arms dental hygienists with conversation starters and educational materials that encourage patients to brush teeth twice daily, floss daily, rinse with an antimicrobial mouthwash daily and chew sugarfree gum for 20 minutes after meals. Daily 4 resources for professionals can be downloaded at Adha.org/Daily4.

“Oral health is directly linked to overall health,” ADHA President Tammy Filipiak, RDH, MS, said. “By encouraging dental hygienists across the U.S. to have conversations with their patients about the ‘Daily 4,’ we are helping patients understand that doing these four simple steps every day has a direct and positive impact on their total health! ADHA thanks the Wrigley Oral Healthcare Program for their long-standing partnership and for helping us celebrate the hard work that dental hygienists do to give America its brightest smiles!”

As part of NDHM 2017, the ADHA Institute for Oral Health (IOH) is proud to partner with the Wrigley Company Foundation to offer community service grants of $2,500 or $5,000 to dental hygienists who pursue projects intended to improve their community’s oral health and provide oral health education. More than 90,000 people have received oral care through this ongoing partnership, allowing expanded access to oral care for many underserved populations, including pediatric hospitals, senior living centers and public schools serving low-income communities.

For more information on the “Daily 4,” visit Adha.org/Daily4 and follow @ADHA on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter using the hashtag #NDHM2017.

Bloom Dental Group announced the production and release of its own smart electric toothbrush, free for all Bloom Dental patients. The dental group focuses on hygiene-first, preventative dental care; the new toothbrush will help more patients take better, more proactive care of their oral health.

“Studies show that when people use electric toothbrushes, their oral health improves,” said Dr. Lior Tamir, founder of Bloom Dental Group. “At our dental practice, we’re determined to provide the highest level of care to our patients, and that includes giving each patient the tools to help them take control of their dental health — both in and outside of the dentist’s chair.”

Dr. Tamir developed the smart brush to feature leading-edge technology, including Bluetooth tracking and five sonic cleaning modes. These features allow users to hold themselves accountable for good oral hygiene and track progress towards their oral hygiene goals.

Additional features of the Bloom Dental electric toothbrush include:

•Sonic cleaning system like top-of-the-line electric brushes

•Pressure sensor system to detect proper brushing technique

•Five (5) different brushing modes

•Keeps a charge for over 100 days

•Bluetooth-connectivity for oral hygiene tracking

•Easy USB charging -- great for travel

•Complimentary for all Bloom Dental Group patients

“This electric toothbrush provides a dentist-approved hygiene experience, longer battery life, and more advanced features for free for patients. At Bloom Dental we’re proud to be fusing a start-up mentality and fierce devotion to tech with a passion for healthy gums and teeth,” Tamir concluded.

For more information on Bloom Dental Group: https://bloomdental.co or (650) 458-3727.

Dentsply Sirona, Inc, made several leadership changes today. Effective immediately, CEO Jeffrey Slovin, Executive Chairman Bret Wise, and President and COO Christopher Clark have all resigned. The company named Mark A. Thierer as interim CEO and Bob Size as interim president and COO. Eric K. Brandt was elected as non-executive chairman of the board. The board of directors has also initiated a search process to identify a permanent CEO and COO.