The Thomas P. Hinman Dental Meeting has announced the Learning Lab Co-Op Program for laboratory technicians at Hinman 2018, held in Atlanta on March 22-24. Designed specifically for lab techs, dentists, and staff, the program features lectures and demonstrations for CE credit. 

“For the fourth consecutive year, we have offered a comprehensive program for our laboratory technician partners. This year, we are excited to host even more lectures and demonstrations for lab techs, as well as dentists and staff who work closely with lab techs or do their own laboratory work,” said Dr. Patrick Yancey III, General Chairman for Hinman 2018. “The program features world-class experts in the field who will share with us the latest developments in implants and prosthetics so that the restorative team can deliver the best possible outcomes for our patients.”

Laboratory Technician Lectures 

Hinman 2018 will host lectures all three days at the Georgia World Congress Center. There is no fee to attend the lectures or demonstrations, but attendees must pre-register for the Hinman Dental Meeting first and then add courses to secure their participation. Courses and speakers include:

·     Th560 “Prosthodontic Protocols for the Modern Dental Team: A Team Approach to Navigating the Prosthodontics Restorative Landscape” 

       – Dr. Ben Ross and Mr. Joshua Polansky, 9 – 11 a.m., Thursday, March 22

·     Th561 “A Patient-Based Collaboration: Taking the Extra Step”

      – Dr. Adrien Pollini and Mr. Skip Carpenter, 12 – 2 p.m., Thursday, March 22

·     Fr562 “Fixed and Removable Treatment Planning of the Edentulous Arch”

      – Mr. Chris Bormes, 9 - 11:30 a.m., Friday, March 23

·     Fr563 “An In-Depth Look at Telescopic Implant Solutions”

      – Mr. Arian Deutsch, CDT, 12:30 – 2 p.m., Friday, March 23

·     Fr564 “Predictable Results with Full-Arch Screw-Retained Cases”

      – Mr. Bill Marais, RDT, 2:30 - 4 p.m., Friday, March 23    

·     Sa569 “Vision of Today in Dentistry: Clinical Partnerships and the Fusion of ‘Hand-Made’ and Technology”

      – Mr. Bobby Williams, CDT, 8 – 9:30 a.m., Saturday, March 24

·     Sa570 “Nature’s Details Successful Ceramics”

      – Mr. J. A. Pamplona, MDT, 10-11:30 a.m., Saturday, March 24

·     Sa571 “Passion of Handcrafted Ceramics”

      – Ms. Katrin Rohde, MDT, 12 - 1:30 p.m., Saturday, March 24

·     Sa572 “Keeping the Passion and Artistry Alive”

      – Mr. James Choi, 2 - 3:30 p.m., Saturday, March 24

Ceramic & Implant Demonstrations

Special ceramic and implant demonstrations will be held in Booth 201 on the Exhibit Floor. Seating for the demonstrations will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. They include:

·     Th576 “A New Approach to In-Office Sprint Fabrication Using Lost Wax Technique in a Closed System”

       – Dr. James Cassidy and Mr. Charlie Cassidy, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m., Thursday, March 22

·     Th577 “Scanner Demonstration with 3M, 3Shape, Carestream Dental, CEREC & Planmeca, USA Inc.”

       – Dr. James Cassidy and Mr. Charlie Cassidy, 2:30 – 3:30 p.m., Thursday, March 22

·     Th578 “Digital Dentistry: The Changing Face of Dentistry”

       – Mr. Jeff Paulen, 4 – 5 p.m., Thursday, March 22

·     Fr565 “Dental Morphology: A Vital Foundation”

      – Mr. Jared Fielding, 8 - 10:30 a.m., Friday, March 23

·     Fr566 “Layer Porcelain with Nature’s Guides”

      – Mr. J. A. Pamplona, MDT, 11 a.m. -12:30 p.m., Friday, March 23

·     Fr567 “Micro Layering on Today’s Esthetic Zirconia”

      – Mr. Bobby Williams, CDT, 1 -2:30 p.m., Friday, March 23

·     Fr568 “Transform Your Monolithic Restorations” 

      – Mr. James Choi, 3 - 4:30 p.m., Friday, March 23

·     Sa573 “Navigating the Confusing Universe of Implant Parts and Prosthetic Attachments”

      – Mr. Chris Bormes, 9:30 - 11 a.m., Saturday, March 24

·     Sa574 “A Demonstration of Arian’s Telescopic Restorative Techniques”

      – Mr. Arian Deutsch, RDT, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m., Saturday, March 24

·     Sa575 “Simplifying Pink Composite Tissue Work”

      – Mr. Bill Marais, RDT, 1:30 - 3 p.m., Saturday, March 24

To register and learn more about Hinman 2018, visit www.hinman.org.  

Young Innovations, a leading global manufacturer and distributor of dental supplies and equipment, today announced the acquisition of Mydent International Enterprises Corp. (“Mydent”). Launched in 1985, Mydent is a leading supplier of infection control products, disposables, preventives, impression material systems, rotary instruments and restoratives, including under the DEFEND brand, in over 45 countries.

“We are incredibly proud to lead Mydent through its next phase of growth in partnership with our distributor customers,” said Dave Sproat, CEO of Young Innovations. “The DEFEND brand has developed a reputation for high quality at great value that resonates well with clinicians and dental organizations around the world.”

“Our acquisition of Mydent complements our robust infection control, preventive and restorative brand and product portfolio and aligns well with our commercial strategy,” added Andrew Jones, Vice President of Corporate Development at Young Innovations. “This also demonstrates our commitment to continuing our focused acquisition strategy as an important pillar of our ongoing growth.”

"We built Mydent and the DEFEND brand over the last 30 years to provide trusted products to dental professionals at a reasonable price”, said Andy Parker, Founder and CEO of Mydent. “I am confident that Young is the best partner to steer Mydent toward continued success and the sustained growth of the DEFEND brand."

Andy Parker will serve in an advisory role for a transitional period. There will be no immediate changes to ordering and service procedures for customers or vendors.

Young Innovations was represented by Greenberg Traurig, LLP and Mydent was represented by Zukerman Gore Brandeis & Crossman, LLP of New York City.

Young Innovations, Inc. is a portfolio company of The Jordan Company.

The 34th Annual AACD Scientific Session will take place April 18-21, 2018, at McCormick Place Lakeside Center in Chicago, IL, and will include three dynamic general sessions from acclaimed speakers Ashley Latter, Mike Rayburn and Matt Mayberry.

Ashley Latter will address attendees during the opening general session on Wednesday, April 18, 2018. During the last 20 years, Latter has delivered more than 23,000 hours of business coaching to the dental industry, empowering dentists and their teams to communicate with their patients resulting in his clients world-wide selling more than $250 million worth of extra dental treatment in an ethical way. At AACD 2018, Latter will instruct attendees on the eight steps of the perfect consultation, so they will have more patients saying yes ethically.

Matt Mayberry will take to the podium on Thursday, April 19, 2018. A former Indiana University and Chicago Bears linebacker, Mayberry is one of the most widely read columnists for Entrepreneur Magazine, where he writes on peak performance, leadership, teamwork, overcoming adversity, and motivation. During Mayberry's keynote, attendees will discover the transformational mindset shifts that separate a leader with a title to a leader that changes the game, how to lead confidently and effectively through change, how to create a personal action plan that will increase their effectiveness to lead, and how to increase employee morale, engagement, and performance by effectively transforming their leadership style.

Mike Rayburn will close the keynote sessions with his presentation on Friday, April 20, 2018. A two-time TED Talk Presenter, innovative entrepreneur and Hall of Fame speaker, Rayburn uses world-class guitar and comedy to teach change and innovation to corporations world-wide. During his presentation, attendees will learn three simple tools for harnessing their unrealized potential, creating and leading change, and becoming a virtuoso performer.

"The Professional Education Committee could not be more excited about our keynote speakers for the upcoming Scientific Session in Chicago," said Sten Ericson, DDS, Co-Chair of the AACD's Professional Education Committee. "Whether you are a new graduate, Accredited Member, or office team member, these keynote speakers will leave you excited and change the way you think about your career."

For more information or to register for the 34th Annual AACD Scientific Session, visit www.aacdconference.com. Register before March 30 and save $100.

Monday's spending deal signed by President Trump included another 2-year suspension of the medical device tax.

Mark Leahey, President and CEO of the Medical Device Manufacturers Association (MDMA), issued the following statement in response: "MDMA applauds Congress for passing legislation that funds the government and reauthorizes CHIP, while protecting medical technology innovation from the destructive impact of the medical device tax by suspending it for two additional years. We remain committed to working with the broad, bipartisan coalition that supports a full and permanent repeal of the device tax this year so that this dynamic American ecosystem can deliver the next generation of cures and life-saving therapies, and provide the high-tech manufacturing jobs that develop them.”

Ivoclar Vivadent hosted its annual laboratory sales training program recently at one of its International Centers for Dental Education in Sarasota, Florida. Sales, marketing, and education teams from across the country gathered for the three-day event to discuss the latest trends and digital technology surrounding esthetic restorative dentistry.

The cross-departmental training program focused on IPS e.max ZirCAD Multi, a new multi-layer, multi-translucency zirconia, as well as an introduction to Ivoclar Vivadent's sister company, Sagemax, the manufacturer of NexxZr zirconia products.

"Our industry is changing so quickly," said Ivoclar Vivadent CEO Robert Ganley. "Assembling our team to discuss current trends and material options as well as provide training on these topics is critical to our customers' success and profitability. Our people need to be prepared to service and support the evolving material needs and questions that dental laboratories have."

Later next month in Chicago at the annual Mid-Winter meeting, Ivoclar Vivadent will be debuting their Ivoclar Digital portfolio, including milling machines and a variety of digital materials.

The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), has awarded Brian Schmidt, DDS, MD, PhD, of the Bluestone Center for Clinical Research at New York University College of Dentistry (NYU Dentistry) and Nigel Bunnett, PhD, of Columbia University’s Departments of Surgery and Pharmacology, a $3.7 million, five-year grant to study proteases and neuronal signaling responsible for oral cancer pain.

Oral cancer is notoriously painful. The pain signaling mechanisms responsible for cancer pain are not well understood.  Drs. Schmidt and Bunnett seek to identify the proteases – or enzymes that catalyze the breakdown of proteins – and signaling pathways that initiate and sustain oral cancer pain. 

Drs. Bunnett and Schmidt collaboratively investigated the role of proteases in oral cancer pain in 2009 when they were both faculty at the University of California San Francisco. Dr. Schmidt moved to NYU Dentistry in 2010 and Dr. Bunnett moved to Monash University in Australia in 2011. In August, 2016, Dr. Bunnett accepted the position of Vice Chair of Research in Surgery and Professor of Surgery and Pharmacology at Columbia University; once again in the same city, Drs. Bunnett and Schmidt renewed their collaboration.

Dr. Bunnett is an internationally recognized expert on G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR); over many years he investigated how proteases and a specific GPCR termed PAR2 (protease-activated receptor 2), mediate neurogenic inflammation and pain. PAR2 is a signaling receptor that can be activated on the surface of a cell. Dr. Bunnett’s landmark Nature Medicine publication in 2000 on the role of PAR2 and neurogenic inflammation set the stage for pioneering work that determined the role of PAR2 and TRPV (a pain-related receptor) in colitis, neurogenic inflammation, and pain.  The role of PAR2 in cancer pain, however, remained unexplored. According to Dr. Bunnett, “Brian and I hypothesized that proteases (which we found at high levels in oral cancers), probably induce pain by activating PAR2 on oral nociceptors (nerves that initiate pain signals). Manipulation of the protease/PAR2 axis stands out as a potential therapeutic approach to pain.”  

More recently Dr. Bunnett investigated PAR2 and endosomal signaling.  During the signaling process an activated cell surface receptor, such as PAR2, is internalized within endosomes – small membrane-bound compartments within a cell.  Dr. Bunnett adds, “An activated receptor apparently continues its signaling role while contained in an endosome; to confirm this finding I investigated delivery of pain attenuating drugs into endosomes.” Drs. Bunnett and Schmidt now propose to delineate the mechanism by which proteases associated with oral cancer initiate pain signaling through cell surface receptors and subsequently through endosomal signaling.

Dr. Schmidt’s research program is dedicated to laboratory and clinical investigation of oral cancer pain.  Dr. Schmidt describes his current collaboration with Dr. Bunnett as “the culmination of many years of work related to proteases, PAR2, and pain. Using drugs designed by Dr. Bunnett’s lab, we can trace pain signaling at a molecular level within the nerve.” Dr. Schmidt describes Dr. Bunnett’s research on PAR2 as profoundly informative for his work on the molecular mechanisms responsible for oral cancer pain.  Dr. Schmidt states, “Dr. Bunnett’s work on GPCR signaling has challenged dogma within the field and refined our understanding of how proteases signal on the cell surface and within intracellular compartments.”

Drs. Bunnett and Schmidt now seek to unequivocally identify tumor-generated proteases and define the signaling pathway from proteases to receptors on the surface of a nerve to the endosomes within the nerve.  Dr. Schmidt will utilize pain severity data gathered from his patients along with oral cancer tissue obtained during surgical resection. “My laboratory will study patient tissues to reveal the cellular origin of the proteases,” says Dr. Schmidt. Dr. Bunnett will use high-resolution imaging and molecular probes on patient tumors to track the GPCR intracellularly after cell surface activation. “This work has obvious implications for treating patients,” says Dr. Schmidt, “and may lay the foundation for development of a new class of drugs to treat cancer pain and chronic pain without opioids.”

The research is funded under NIH/NIDCR R01 grant number: R01DE026806-01A1 (Schmidt/Bunnett).

Air Techniques, Inc., a leading innovator and manufacturer of dental equipment will be showcasing a new Interproximal camera head called “Proxi” for their CamX Triton HD camera, along with Mojave LT3 dry vacuum system and ScanX Intraoral View, their latest digital radiography system. All three products will be on display at Air Techniques’ newly designed booth 1220, 600. In addition to these exciting new products, Air Techniques is also sponsoring two different Product Navigator Live CE courses taking place on Friday and Saturday.          

The new Proxi head for the CamX Triton HD is the third interchangeable head that will be offered for this camera system. CamX Triton HD currently has an intraoral Cam head and Spectra caries detection head. The new Proxi head enables practitioners to reliably detect interproximal caries. All three CamX Triton HD heads easily change amongst one another.

Air Techniques’ latest technological achievement for their high-quality line of dental vacuum systems is the Mojave LT 3. Designed to replace conventional liquid ring pumps and to be completely 100% water-free, the compact LT ditches the collection tank for a motor driven air/water separator.   

The ScanX Intraoral View digital radiography system enables the intuitive, efficient and time-saving digitization of PSPs for all intraoral formats, sizes 0-4. Its large touchscreen, easy-to-use interface, and multiple slots for simultaneous scanning contribute to this. Thanks to WiFi, the device is exceptionally flexible.

Along with exciting booth happenings, Air Techniques is also sponsoring two different Product Navigator Live CE courses during the Yankee Dental Congress. The first course, “Pearls Live: Enhanced Diagnosis and Treatment with Intraoral Technology” takes place on Friday, January 26 and will be presented by Josh Austin, DDS, from 10 AM to 12 PM. The second Air Techniques sponsored CE course, “Pearls Live: Updates in Preventive Materials” will be presented by Pamela Maragliano-Muniz, DMD, and takes place on Saturday, January 27, from 10 AM to 12 PM. Both CE courses will earn attendees 2 CE credits. 

Visit Air Techniques at the Yankee Dental Congress, booth 1220, 600. To register for Product Navigator Live CE courses, visit www.yankeedental.com. For more information on Air Techniques, please visit www.airtechniques.com. Become a fan of Air Techniques on Facebook and follow the company on Twitter and Instagram. To learn more about HHA please visit www.helpinghaitianangels.org. 

Fluoride utilization has led to the significant reduction in dental caries (decay), but dental caries still remain a major public health problem, particularly in underserved and aging communities. The International Conference on Novel AntiCaries and Remineralizing Agents 3 (ICNARA 3) sought to summarize the current status of caries management and highlight exciting new therapeutic possibilities and future research needs. The papers resulting from this conference are published in the latest issue of Advances in Dental Research, an e-Supplement to the Journal of Dental Research (JDR).

ICNARA 3, held May 1-3, 2017 in Napa, Calif., USA, is the third of a series of meetings occurring every four to five years, when the latest technologies in caries prevention require in-depth examination. These conferences bring together scientists from around the world who summarize the current status of caries management and discuss exciting new therapeutic possibilities and future research needs. While the historic approach to the prevention and management of the disease has reduced prevalence, it has not eliminated disparities or the progression of the disease over one's lifetime.

"The new frontier in reducing caries may not be dependent only in development of cost-effective products or devices to target the biofilm and the tooth, but may include a series of interprofessional approaches, including efforts to reduce sugar consumption, dependent for ultimate success on effective behavioral modification and being targeted based on the caries risk of the individual or community," said guest editor Margherita Fontana, University of Michigan School of Dentistry, Ann Arbor, USA. "We must continue to explore these innovative methodologies if we are to improve oral health for those in need."

This issue of Advances in Dental Research is accompanied by an Editorial in the JDR "Novel Anticaries and Remineralization Agents: Future Research Needs" and a companion podcast featuring guest editor Margherita Fontana and co-moderated by IADR President Angus William G. Walls and JDR Editor-in-Chief, William Giannobile. 

For media requests, please contact IADR Marketing & Communications Manager Elise Bender at ebender@iadr.org.

The 2018 installment of The Future of Dentistry Event begins Monday, January 29. Ten leading experts across the dental industry will come together to share their strategies and tips to help dentists navigate the rapidly changing, and increasingly complex world, of private dental practice ownership.

This two-week online video series event is completely complimentary and available to all dentists who simply register at https://www.futureofdentistryevent.com/register.

Their specialized topics of discussion include practice management, marketing, leadership, communications, and treatment acceptance.

“We’re absolutely blown away…not only by the vast knowledge of this year’s featured experts, but also by their genuine desire to help the private practice dental community,” says Kent Sears, co-host of The 2018 Future of Dentistry Event.

“Dentistry is changing, but there is still plenty of opportunity available. When I began this event in 2014, it was in honor of my father who was a private practice dentist for over 40 years. I’ve witnessed first-hand the challenges and struggles faced by today’s private practice owner. And it’s become my mission to provide an ongoing forum for today’s dentist to connect with and gain complimentary access to the industry’s top experts and thought leaders. Because in this time of change, the biggest risk is staying the same.” says Marilee Sears, Founder and co-host of the Future of Dentistry Event series.

About The Future of Dentistry Event: The Future of Dentistry is an annual online video series event founded by Marilee Sears (www.marileesears.com) in 2014. Marilee established the event to help private practice dentists understand the far-reaching changes happening within the dental industry, and through the help of the industry’s top experts and thought leaders, learn how to successfully navigate those challenges to achieve higher levels of personal and professional success. Marilee, who specializes in leadership coaching and practice management, is joined by Kent Sears (www.kentsearsconsulting.com), who specializes in marketing, as co-hosts for the 2018 installment of this event.