Continuing its long-standing commitment to the mission of America’s ToothFairy: National Children’s Oral Health Foundation has signed Patterson Dental on as the Title Sponsor for the 2018 National Mobile Outreach Initiative.

Patterson’s $100,000 contribution will provide resources for mobile programs and components serving more than 50,000 children in need across the country. It will also support America’s ToothFairy operations, programs and resources, which bring dental services to underserved children who live in urban and rural Dental Healthcare Professional Shortage Areas or have limited transportation options.

Through the National Mobile Outreach Initiative, America’s ToothFairy clinical partners overcome barriers to care by providing dental services in mobile units, schools and childcare facilities, community centers and other familiar settings. By meeting underserved families where they live, work, learn and play, children who may otherwise have fallen through the cracks will receive critical preventive and restorative oral health care.

“With Patterson Dental’s generous contribution, we can provide critical resources to help expand access to care for children in need,” said Jill Malmgren, Executive Director of America’s ToothFairy: National Children’s Oral Health Foundation. “We are very grateful for their continued support and value their partnership in improving children’s oral health outcomes.”

“Patterson Dental is committed to expanding access to dental care for underserved families. We are proud to continue our support for America’s ToothFairy and the National Mobile Outreach Initiative,” commented Dave Misiak, President of Patterson Dental North America. “With many communities without a dental provider and families facing financial hardship and a lack of transportation, NCOHF’s program partners that bring mobile dental services to children in need are critical to increasing access.”

About Patterson

Patterson Companies Inc. (Nasdaq: PDCO) is a distributor serving the dental and animal health markets. Patterson’s Dental segment provides a complete range of consumable dental products, equipment and software, turnkey digital solutions and value-added services to dentists and dental laboratories throughout North America. To learn more visit pattersoncompanies.com.

About America’s ToothFairy: National Children’s Oral Health Foundation

As a resource provider, America’s ToothFairy: National Children’s Oral Health Foundation (NCOHF) increases access to oral health care by supporting non-profit clinics and community partners delivering education, prevention and treatment services for underserved children. Since its inception in 2006, America’s ToothFairy has distributed more than $18 million in donated products, educational materials and financial grants to improve oral health outcomes for children and youth in need. For more information, visit AmericasToothFairy.org.

Washington, DC; April 17, 2018 – Cellerant Consulting Group is excited to announce that Dr. Chris Salierno has joined the company as the newest member of its esteemed Chief Development Officer (CDO) team. Dr. Salierno has also joined the Cellerant Best of Class Technology Award panel of judges which is currently concluding deliberations for 2018 award winners that began in February at the Chicago Midwinter Meeting.

“Chris is an important addition to the Cellerant CDO team,” said Dr. Lou Shuman CEO and founder of Cellerant Consulting Group. Chris joins fellow CDOs Marty Jablow DMD, Paul Feuerstein DMD, and John Flucke DDS. Chief Development officers play a critical role to Cellerant’s corporate clients by providing early stage product design input, hands-on evaluation, and high quality post-launch clinical education to the dental community. “Chris has rapidly emerged as one of the most respected voices in the dental community combining expert clinical knowledge with tremendous insights on the products and technology that will make modern dental practices successful for the future.”

In addition to practicing dentistry, Dr. Salierno is the Chief Editor of Dental Economics. He lectures internationally on clinical dentistry, practice management, and leadership development. He has served as the National President of the American Student Dental Association and Chair of the ADA New Dentist Committee. He is currently a general dentist in his Long Island, New York based practice and graduated from Stony Brook School of Dental Medicine in 2005.

“Dr. Shuman and the Cellerant team fill a unique position in accelerating the development and market growth of important new products and services for dental manufacturers” said Dr. Salierno. “It’s clear from Cellerant’s client portfolio that they continue to attract the innovators of next generation dental technologies,” Salierno goes on. “It’s an honor to join this team and work with this dynamic group of clients.”

“We have been fortunate that Cellerant has grown rapidly since its launch two years ago,” said Dr. Shuman. “It’s the perfect time and opportunity to add someone of Chris’s caliber to the team as a CDO. As a member of the Best of Class panel Chris also brings great perspective to judging the best technologies from a practice growth perspective,” said Dr. Shuman.

About Cellerant Consulting Group

Founded and led by CEO Lou Shuman, DMD, CAGS Cellerant provides strategic dental market insights, clinical expertise, and implementation resources to accelerate growth for client dental companies. Cellerant services include product development, accelerated market awareness due to intimate relationships with the media community, new concept incubation, clinical product evaluation, manufacturing, seed funding, continuing education program development and CE sponsorship, 510k support, strategic branding and marketing, corporate social media, website development and online marketing resources, lead generation and dental media relations management. As an orthodontist and former owner of a 10-doctor multi-specialty private group practice, Dr. Shuman guides clients to develop offerings that connect with and engage dental customers on a relationship level that provides sustained differentiation. Cellerant operates under a unique model that merges leading voices in clinical product evaluation and strategic partner companies to provide a menu of services from one easily accessible network.

About the Cellerant Best of Class Technology Award

Since the inaugural presentation in 2009, the “Best of Class” Technology Awards have grown to occupy a unique space in dentistry, by creating awareness in the community of manufacturers that are driving the discussion as to how practices will operate now and in the future.

The selection process relies on an expert panel of dentists recognized as thought leaders and educators that includes Dr. Paul Feuerstein, Dr. John Flucke, Dr. Marty Jablow, Dr. Chris Salierno and Dr. Lou Shuman. Over the course of each year, the panel members seek out and conduct research on potentially practice-changing technologies, with official deliberations beginning at the Chicago Midwinter and final selection concluding in May. Panelists are precluded from voting in any category where they have consulting relationships. The entire selection process is conducted rigorously and managed on an unbiased not-for-profit basis.

For more information on the Cellerant Best of Class Awards go to www.cellerantconsulting.com/BestofClass.

CHICAGO, April 17, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Oral Health America (OHA) today published a national report examining factors impacting the oral health of older adults. With an expected 72.1 million seniors living in the United States by 2030, OHA's A State of Decay, Vol. IV, illustrates progress in some areas and the need for continued action to ensure America's rapidly growing population of seniors age healthily and independently.

Top report findings include:

-One-third (33%) of older adults have lost six or more teeth

-25 U.S. states received a poor overall score based on six key performance measures

-Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Connecticut and Colorado all earned an "Excellent" Composite Score. Iowa and California made big improvements, jumping from 23 and 30, respectively, in 2016, to 3 and 9 in 2018

-The states with the lowest overall scores are Wyoming, Delaware, West Virginia, New Jersey, Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana and -Tennessee, with Mississippi's score being the least favorable. Alabama improved from 50 in 2016 to 29 in 2018

-Community water fluoridation (CWF) increased to a state average of 72.6%, a national increase of about 2.2 million people

-Medicaid coverage of oral health benefits increased

-Sociodemographic factors, such as income, race, gender and education play a critical role in oral health outcomes

A State of Decay, Vol. IV gives a rating of "Poor," "Fair," "Good," or "Excellent" based on state-level data analyzing six variables impacting older adult oral health: Severe Tooth Loss (loss of 6+ teeth), Dental Visits, Adult Medicaid Dental Benefits, Community Water Fluoridation, State Oral Health Plans and Basic Screening Surveys. For the first time, A State of Decay, Vol IV adds a national analysis of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) individual data on severe tooth loss and recent dental visits by considering associations with sociodemographic factors.

"With half of the United States receiving a 'fair' or 'poor' rating relative to meeting minimal standards for the oral health of older adults, we must identify and address the steps needed to ensure the health of our burgeoning senior population," said Beth Truett, President and CEO of Oral Health America. "As depicted in this report, even with improvements by certain states, millions of older adults are still at a disadvantage when it comes to oral health care. Access to and utilization of care and to the coverage needed to pay for care is critical to increasing the overall health and wellness of America's seniors."

Federal and state policies are needed to address the underlying, systemic variables that prohibit older adults from achieving good oral health outcomes.

A State of Decay, Vol. IV recommends the following to promote healthy aging and independence for this rapidly growing cohort of America's population:

-Reinstate, establish or maintain a comprehensive adult Medicaid dental benefit.

-Integrate comprehensive dental coverage in Medicare.

-Sustain or expand community water fluoridation.

-Include specific objectives for older adults in all State Oral Health Plans (SOHP).

-Conduct Basic Screening Surveys (BSS) of older adults in all states.

Through A State of Decay, OHA continues to lead the way toward healthier mouths for older adults. States, advocates and public health coalitions that share OHA's commitment can use these actions to push forward policies needed to positively impact the oral health of older adults as a key factor for overall health.

Links to the latest volume of A State of Decay and earlier editions can be viewed on astateofdecay.org.

Proper oral health is crucial to a healthy life, according to a recent national survey from Delta Dental. The results reveal that more adults say their oral health (85 percent) is important to their life than their diet or nutrition (71 percent), relationship with friends (71 percent), or weight (71 percent).

Making a health connection

The Delta Dental survey shows that most adults (85 percent) recognize their oral health is important to their overall health and having good oral health makes them feel confident on a daily basis (67 percent).

"There is a growing trend for Americans to correlate oral health with overall health and well-being," said Bill Kohn, DDS, chair of Delta Dental Plans Association's Dental Science Committee. "For example, mouth conditions can be associated with many important and serious systemic diseases, including heart disease, diabetes and even some cancers."

Dr. Kohn reminds us that April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month, an ideal time to schedule an exam with your dentist.

Protecting America's smiles

The Adult's Oral Health & Well-Being Survey indicates that 88 percent of Americans are dedicated to the well-being of their mouth, teeth and gums.

Dr. Kohn suggests brushing twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, flossing, and seeing your dentist regularly as basic steps for preventive oral health care.

"Smiles play an important role in health and overall daily life, including social well-being," said Jennifer Elliott, chief marketing officer for Delta Dental Plans Association. "The Delta Dental national survey illuminates that healthy smiles are important to our nation, including impacting Americans' confidence."

Americans are thinking about their future smiles and plenty of adults are worried. Nearly half of adults (48 percent) in the United States are concerned they will not have an attractive smile as they age, according to the survey.

While a quarter (25 percent) of Americans are extremely satisfied with the health of their mouth, teeth and gums, only a few (15 percent) would rate their current oral health as excellent, leaving most American adults with healthy room for improvement.

About the survey

The Adult's Oral Health & Well-Being Survey was conducted between December 13 and December 28, 2017, among 1,008 nationally representative Americans ages 18+, with a margin of error of +/- 3.1 percent.

Follow us on Twitter @DeltaDental and Facebook: Delta Dental Plans Association

About Delta Dental Plans Association

Delta Dental Plans Association, based in Oak Brook, Illinois, is the not-for-profit national association of the 39 independent Delta Dental companies. Through its companies, Delta Dental is the nation's leading dental insurance provider, covering more than 75 million Americans, and offering the country's largest dental network with roughly 154,000 participating dentists. Year over year, Delta Dental companies invest more than $50 million to help improve oral health care in local communities across the country. For more information, visit: deltadental.com.

SOURCE Delta Dental Plans Association

Related Links

https://www.deltadental.com

Brasseler USA®, a leading manufacturer of quality instrumentation, is pleased to expand upon its extensive family of operative carbide burs with its new C-Series Carbides. The latest addition to the classic Peter Brasseler Series, C-Series Carbides, are designed to address the #1 problem clinicians experience while using carbide burs, breakage.

“Carbide burs have traditionally been designed with a two-piece construction. Our new single-piece design enhances head integrity, a major advance in the marketplace,” explains Larry Rose, Director of Innovations for Brasseler USA.

The unique and durable single-piece construction of the C-Series Carbides can enhance patient care and minimizes unforeseen handpiece repairs, improving clinicians’ daily practice flow. In addition to its innovative single-piece solid carbide construction, C-Series Carbides feature improved blade geometry for extremely rapid and precise cutting, consistent with the superior performance and quality that dental professionals have come to expect from the Peter Brasseler Series.

Now available in head sizes less than 1.6mm, C-Series Carbides offer a wide selection of the most popular operative carbide shapes, including 330, 557, 245, and Rounds.

For more information about Brasseler USA’s extensive offering of operative carbide burs as well as the company’s full roster of comprehensive product and service solutions for all dental, hygiene and laboratory professionals, please visit www.BrasselerUSA.com or call 800-841-4522. 

About Brasseler USA®

Brasseler USA® is a leading ISO Certified healthcare company, providing quality instrumentation to healthcare professionals for use in restorative dentistry, endodontics, oral surgery, and oral hygiene. For nearly 42 years, Brasseler USA has developed a reputation as an innovative market leader in diamonds, carbides, polishers, endodontics, hand instruments and handpieces. Today, Brasseler USA offers one of the most comprehensive assortments of instrumentation available under one brand. For more information, please visit www.BrasselerUSA.com. 

DentiMax, Inc. announces the release of its all new DentiMax Cloud Imaging application. Specifically designed for the cloud, DentiMax Cloud Imaging gives dental providers access to all their digital x-rays and extra oral images from any web enabled device.

“With DentiMax Cloud Imaging, if you have access to the Internet, then you have access to your x-rays,” DentiMax co-founder David Arnett explained. “Additionally, our cloud imaging can be bridged from most practice management systems and integrates with virtually all digital sensors, pans and intraoral cameras. But it is at its best when combined with our Dream Sensors and cloud practice management software, giving dental providers a complete cloud solution,” he added.

Increasingly, dentists have expressed interest in a cloud, Internet-based system that includes everything needed to manage the clinical, financial and imaging areas of their practices. After working closely with dental practices for many years, DentiMax has delivered this integrated cloud solution. Now practices can get all the cloud functionality they need from one company.

About DentiMax

Founded in February 2004, DentiMax, Inc. offers cloud and in-office digital imaging software with digital x-ray sensors as well as dental practice management software. The company consistently exceeds customer expectations by providing easy-to-use products and services at an exceptional value.

Dental Care Alliance (DCA) is pleased to announce Dale M. Hockel, Jr. has joined the company as its Chief Operating Officer (COO).

As COO, Hockel will be responsible for driving continued organic growth, optimizing operational performance and improving service capabilities at DCA’s Sarasota-based corporate support campus and throughout its 265 affiliated dental practices in the Eastern U.S.

“Dale has demonstrated success as a strong leader in healthcare management operations, and I’m pleased to have someone of his caliber join the DCA team,” said Jerry Rhodes, CEO. “DCA is positioned for significant growth in 2018, and Dale is an integral player in achieving that goal.”

Prior to joining DCA, Hockel served as COO for Alliance HealthCare Services, leading strategic planning, business development, patient experience, and operational performance for radiology and imaging facilities across the U.S. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Management Science from Buena Vista University, an MBA from Indiana Wesleyan University and is a Fellow with the American College of Healthcare Executives.

Established in 1991, DCA is one of the country’s largest and most respected multi-brand dental support organizations. Today DCA supports more than 265 affiliated dental practices in 13 states. DCA-affiliated dentists join a family of more than 660 like-minded associate and partner dentists, along with a support team of industry experts working together to advance dental service without compromising patient care. DCA-supported practices encompass all facets of general dentistry and all recognized dental specialties. DCA offers dental professionals groundbreaking affiliation and partnership opportunities for every career stage.

Oral Health America (OHA) has released A State of Decay, Vol. IV – a state-by-state analysis examining the state and national variables impacting the oral health of older adults as a key factor to their overall health and wellness. Did you know – by 2029 the baby boomer generation will include older adults ranging from ages 65 to 83 years old? While the 65+ population will fall under the same Medicare system, the needs of the oldest and youngest baby boomers will look very different. A State of Decay, Vol. IV illustrates states’ progress in some areas and the need for continued action and long-term systems change solutions. OHA has created supplemental resources, including key messages and guidelines on how to talk about state scores, for stakeholders to use while advocating locally and engaging in conversation about what they are doing in their state to advance the oral health of older adults.

As advocates for oral health equity for all, we urge you to use A State of Decay to tackle the unaddressed issues in your state and work toward changing the lives of seniors. We know it’s not about a pretty smile – it’s about whole body health, and it starts with us. 

Links to the latest volume of A State of Decay and advocacy tools can be viewed on astateofdecay.org.

School-based prevention programs can substantially reduce children’s cavities – but what type of treatment should be delivered in schools to best prevent tooth decay?

A new study by researchers at NYU College of Dentistry, published in the journal BMC Oral Health, suggests that cavity prevention programs with a combination of prevention strategies may be more effective than one alone for reducing tooth decay.

Dental cavities are the world’s most prevalent childhood disease, affecting nearly 30 percent of school-age children and 50 percent of rural, minority, or Medicaid-receiving children in the United States.

School-based cavity prevention programs have emerged as an important way to improve access to dental services.  In medically underserved areas, these programs often serve as the sole source of dental care for children. While the American Dental Association supports the use of school-based cavity prevention programs, questions remain on the optimal mix of treatment services, intensity, and frequency of care.

“Given the high variability in school-based programs to prevent cavities, comparing the effectiveness of different prevention agents, frequency of care, or intensity of treatment can lead to optimal program design,” said Ryan Richard Ruff, MPH, PhD, assistant professor of Epidemiology & Health Promotion at NYU Dentistry and the study’s lead author.

In this study, NYU Dentistry researchers compared two cavity prevention programs in elementary schools serving more than 8,200 students over 10 years (2004-2014). Both programs provided school-based care twice a year to children ages 5 to 12.

One program provided sealants on molars (primary prevention) while the other provided sealants on all teeth and interim therapeutic restorations (primary and secondary prevention). Interim therapeutic restorations are a minimally-invasive method for controlling tooth decay by filling a cavity with a fluoride‐releasing agent. Interim therapeutic restorations are intended to bridge the gap between identifying a cavity, particularly in a nontraditional setting or in a very young child, and having the cavity filled or crowned in a more permanent procedure.

Both school-based cavity prevention programs reduced the risk of untreated decay over time. While the total number of all decayed or filled teeth observed over the course of the study increased across both programs, the comprehensive program that provided primary and secondary prevention significantly lowered the rate of new and untreated cavities when compared to only sealants on molars.

“A comprehensive cavity prevention program, particularly for children without regular access to dental care, can be significantly better than the traditional molar sealant programs,” said Richard Niederman, DMD, professor and chair of the Department Epidemiology & Health Promotion at NYU Dentistry and the study’s coauthor.

Ruff and Niederman are continuing to study how to optimize school-based cavity prevention. They are currently leading two large studies – a PCORI-funded study in the Bronx and an NIH-funded study in New Hampshire – to compare two cavity prevention techniques in school-based dental programs. One technique is a more complex treatment similar to the combined primary and secondary prevention, but the Bronx and New Hampshire studies will also introduce the use of silver diamine fluoride, a non-invasive, cavity-fighting liquid that is painted onto teeth to halt the progression of tooth decay. The cavity prevention programs will begin in schools in the fall of 2018.

This research was supported the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (R03DE025289) and the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (U24MD006964).

Acurity (formerly GNYHA Services) recently enhanced its Group Purchasing Program portfolio by launching an agreement with TriState Dental Supplies & Equipment for dental supplies, equipment and service.

The Acurity Group Purchasing Program provides its broad membership with access to national and international suppliers as well as strategic regional partners that offer compelling value and individualized customer service,

Effective April 2018, all Acurity members will have access to TriState’s comprehensive value program, delivering new, wide-ranging dental practice solutions and benefits to Acurity member dental teams. Through this beneficial agreement, members receive negotiated, contract pricing on major dental supply product lines and access to TriState’s catalog of capital dental equipment, as well as in-house equipment service & repair, dental software and technology and site design, expansion and construction.

“We are very proud to formalize our continued support of the network of acute and affiliated non-acute care Acurity members,” noted David Howlett, vice president of sales & marketing at TriState. “We have worked in lockstep with the Acurity team to develop a dental program that presents a holistic, guided approach to member dental practice platforms and as part of Acurity’s enhanced supply chain performance solution set. We are excited to strengthen our partnership with Acurity member dental teams in their mission to provide improved patient care, while also helping to maximize their operating resources.”

“Acurity has long prided itself on its ability to contract with entrepreneurial companies, like TriState that recognize that the Acurity business model drives growth and shortens sales cycles for suppliers who can offer a compelling value proposition,” affirmed Bob Karcher, vice president of contract services for Acurity. “We are happy to include TriState’s catalog of dental products, equipment and services to our portfolio and TriState’s value to our members.”

YOUR PARTNER IN EVERYTHING

Serving the dental community for almost 30 years, TriState Dental Supplies & Equipment is one of the fastest-growing independent, authorized dental dealers in the U.S. with sales offices and equipment showrooms in New Jersey, New York and Connecticut. For more information visit www.tristatedental.com.

ABOUT ACURITY 

With a member base of more than 300 acute care facilities, Acurity helps its members deliver better patient care while reducing operating expenses. As a company comprised of healthcare people, Acurity’s success is driven by its close working relationships with providers and its extensive knowledge of the healthcare industry and mutually beneficial relationships with quality suppliers. www.acurity.com