Sandra Hulac, 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. Dr. Hulac has been a member of the AACD since 2008 and achieved Accredited Member status in 2014.

Dr. Sandra Hulac was born in Munich, Germany into a family of dentists. She graduated top of her class from University of Witten/Herdecke dental school in 1993. After practicing for some time in London, Dr. Hulac relocated with her family to Hong Kong in 2001. In 2007, she co-founded Tam, Hulac & Partners, one of the few interdisciplinary dental practices in Hong Kong. In addition to achieving Accredited Fellow status in the AACD, Dr. Hulac has also published several articles, is a mentor at the Kois Center in Seattle, and is an honorary council member of the Hong Kong Society of Esthetic Dentistry.

“Dr. Hulac’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.”

Hulac will be honored for this achievement at the 35th Annual AACD Scientific Session in San Diego on April 27th, 2019. Sandra is now the 83rd individual in history to achieve this remarkable status.

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 5,000 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.

To help the public realize the importance of saving their natural teeth and to seek treatment from endodontists as their first choice for oral health care, today the American Association of Endodontists launched a national consumer campaign pilot with digital advertising.

This integrated campaign consists of social media, earned press, promotion through AAE’s thousands of members, and other direct consumer engagement activities. The AAE created a mix of search engine advertising, sponsored social media posts and online display advertising. They are also implementing grassroots activation through member outreach, a series of videos, surveys and social listening.

Those who click on the advertisements and social media posts will be sent to the AAE’s helpful Find My Endodontist online search tool, which allows patients to easily find an endodontist based on distance and office locations. Additionally, the portal provides information for patients to connect with the endodontist by phone, email or practice website. The AAE Board of Directors prioritized the ongoing initiative in its Strategic Plan.

“It’s important that patients understand the importance of preserving their natural teeth versus the overused, costly and complicated process of extraction,” said Dr. Patrick E. Taylor, AAE president. The campaign uses the tagline “Worth Saving” to help reinforce the importance of retaining your natural teeth and seeking an endodontist, a specialist in diagnosing tooth pain and saving teeth, as the first choice for care.“The Worth Saving campaign is also intended to grow the public’s awareness of who endodontists are and their specialized training,” Taylor said. “Along with two to three years of advanced training beyond dental school, endodontists have incredible precision and hand-eye coordination, making them highly skilled in performing complex treatments.”

For more information about how endodontists can help save your natural tooth, visit aae.org/patients.

About the American Association of Endodontists

The American Association of Endodontists, headquartered in Chicago, represents more than 8,00 members worldwide. Endodontics is one of nine dental specialties formally recognized by the American Dental Association. The AAE, founded in 1943, is dedicated to excellence in the art and science of endodontics and to the highest standard of patient care. The Association inspires its members to pursue professional advancement and personal fulfillment through education, research, advocacy, leadership, communication and service.  

A dental laboratory in the Princeton, New Jersey, area is seeking a Dental Laboratory Technician/Information Technology person. The individual must have the following qualifications:

•   • Experience with all phases of CAD software, especially exocad.

•   • Must know how to run and maintain milling machines.

•   • Must have networking experience to resolve communication issues.

•   • Must be familiar with 3D printing and basic dental laboratory work.

•   • Must have a minimum of 5 years of experience in above.

Anyone interested should email their resume and three references to Ben@princetondigiden.com. Qualified candidates will be contacted to set up interviews. 

OraVu®, a global leader in dental endoscopy solutions, announces the launch of the DeVA-1® Dental Vision Assistant, a complete micro-endoscope system that allows periodontists, dentists, and dental hygienists to see deep into the gingival pocket without flap surgery, thereby giving “sight” to otherwise “blind” procedures.

"I am a big fan of this technology because even though I am a surgeon I would rather spare my patients the cost and discomfort associated with surgery if there is a non-surgical way to achieve the same outcomes,” said Michael Rethman DDS, MS, Diplomate, American Board of Periodontology, and OraVu® Medical Director. “The DeVA-1® facilitates that, not just in a few cases but in most cases.”

With Visual-SRPSM (Visual Scaling and Root Planing, or V-SRPSM), dental practitioners can now see through a non-surgical technique the bacterial calculus below the gum line that causes gum disease. The innovative technology used for Visual-SRPSM is a flexible micro-endoscope built using hundreds of illuminating fibers to provide high definition imaging and brightness during debridement. With the use of the DeVA-1® and Visual-SRPSM, practitioners can now optimally treat varying stages of gum disease and other blind dental procedures.

“We set out to create a complete Visual-SRPSM system for the dental operatory,” commented OraVu® CEO, Michael Austin, “that blends ergonomic elements with premium features and functionality to enable practitioners to provide better outcomes for their patients while experiencing greater ease of use. Making the touchscreen fully adjustable to allow for optimal viewing angles and creating lightweight hand tools that ease wrist discomfort are just a few examples. These features coupled with our high-resolution camera and digital image capture software offer the perfect system for vision in the periodontal pocket.”

The DeVA-1® system is a fully transportable Visual-SRPSM system available in two configurations: the lightweight, wheeled system can be quickly moved in an intra-office environment, while the transportable unit is easily disassembled and reassembled. Bundled with the unit are the ViRSSTM (Vision Rinse and Safety Sheath) and the Dental XplorerTM hand tools. The ViRSSTM sheath locks into place to avoid slippage, while delivering a robust and adjustable water supply to aid in flushing out detritus and bacteria. In addition, the ViRSSTM is engineered with an environmentally sealed window to prevent endoscope contamination. The Dental XplorerTM set of six autoclavable configurations has been ergonomically designed to be lightweight and non-slip, providing operators tactile feedback and control during the VisualSRPSM procedure.

For an in-pocket video of V-SRPSM please visit https://vimeo.com/308651503 OraVu products will be onsite for demonstration at the Chicago Dental Society Midwinter Meeting in booth 4745, February 21-23.

ABOUT ORAVU

OraVu® is a dental technology company headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona whose mission is to improve preventative care by offering the most advanced, minimally invasive tools to the dental healthcare community. Designed with both affordability and customer experience in mind, OraVu® leads the way in revolutionizing dental care. To learn more about OraVu® and its FDA-registered products, please visit www.oravu.us

Philadelphia, Pa. —The benefits of good dental care can result in more than just a pretty smile. And as National Children’s Dental Health Month gets underway, healthcare providers are encouraging parents to help their children develop good oral health habits that can lead to a lifetime of overall health and wellness.  According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), tooth decay, or cavities, is one of the most common chronic childhood conditions in the United States occurring more among children from low-income or minority families.  Studies show:

• Tooth decay is prevalent among 25 percent of children from low-income families – more than double that of children from higher-income families (11 percent). 

• African American youths had the most untreated cavities, 17.1 percent compared with Hispanic (13.5 percent) white (11.7 percent), and Asian (10.5 percent) youth.¹

The American Dental Association has tracked the historical trend of racial disparity in oral health care -- and its correlation to income levels -- over several decades, finding that as family income levels increase, the prevalence of untreated cavities and tooth decay decreases.² Socioeconomic factors and a lack of access to healthcare may contribute to poor dental health for children – problems that, if untreated, can continue as children enter adulthood. AmeriHealth Caritas, a national leader in Medicaid managed care, offers dental benefits to help reduce oral health disparities among children and adults in greatest need.

Failure to maintain good dental hygiene for children can lead to a variety of problems in addition to tooth decay, including halitosis (also known as chronic bad breath), gum disease, and even tooth loss. Additionally, tooth decay can adversely impact a child’s ability to eat, speak and learn.

“The earlier you get a child to the dentist, the better," said Lawrence Paul, DDS, vice president of Corporate Dental with AmeriHealth Caritas. "The more proactive you are about a child’s dental care, the more you can know about his or her dental health and the more likely you are to avert problems down the road."

Poor dental care can also cause serious health problems beyond the mouth and teeth. Research shows that neglecting dental hygiene can be linked to diabetes, pancreatic cancer, and heart disease.³ In very rare cases, tooth decay can be deadly, Dr. Paul added, referencing the tragic case of a 12-year-old Maryland boy who died in 2007 due to a severe brain infection caused by dental decay.

"Oral disease can have an impact on physical, psychological, social, and economic health and well-being through pain, diminished function, and reduced quality of life,” Dr. Paul said. “So it’s vitally important that parents and caregivers know how to best care for the dental needs of their children, showing them how to properly brush and floss so they eventually know how to care for their teeth on their own.”

An early start to good dental hygiene can help develop lifelong habits that contribute to healthier and happier outcomes. Some simple advice to preventing dental problems includes:

Go For Two – Children should brush their teeth twice a day for two minutes. Most municipalities have fluorinated water, but it’s also worthwhile to brush using toothpaste with fluoride, a natural mineral that strengthens tooth enamel and prevents cavities. For young children, parents and caregivers should monitor their children to ensure they are properly brushing all of their teeth and that they avoid swallowing toothpaste, which can upset the stomach and cause gastrointestinal problems.  

Get Flossy With It – Even brushing twice a day won’t get rid of all the food and plaque that can become stuck in between teeth. Children should floss once a day to ensure that their teeth are completely clean. 

An Apple a Day Keeps Tooth Decay at Bay – Children that have diets low in sugar are less likely to develop cavities or other problems with their teeth. Dr. Paul says children (and adults!) should eat foods that have cleansing effects, such as fruits and vegetables, especially apples. The American Dental Association adds that children should drink plenty of water and eat a variety of foods in addition to fruits and vegetable, including whole grains, lean sources of protein and low-fat dairy foods. 

First Things First – Children should see a dentist soon after their first tooth appears or by their first birthday – whichever happens first. The best way to stay on top of dental health is for children to be seen by their dentist twice a year.

About AmeriHealth Caritas 

AmeriHealth Caritas is part of the Independence Health Group in partnership with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. AmeriHealth Caritas is one of the nation’s leaders in health care solutions for those most in need. Operating in 11 states and the District of Columbia, AmeriHealth Caritas serves approximately 5.1 million Medicaid, Medicare and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) members through its integrated managed care products, pharmaceutical benefit management and specialty pharmacy services, behavioral health services, and other administrative services. Headquartered in Philadelphia, AmeriHealth Caritas is a mission-driven organization with more than 35 years of experience serving low-income and chronically ill populations. For more information, visit www.amerihealthcaritas.com. 

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¹ “CDC: Minorities still most at risk for caries.” ADA.org. April 19, 2018 https://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2018-archive/april/cdc-minorities-still-most-at-risk-for-caries

² Gabriel, Erin. “Fewer dental cavities found in young people, but minorities still most at risk.” CNN.com. April 16, 2018. https://www.cnn.com/2018/04/13/health/prevalence-of-cavities-study/index.html

³ Mayo Clinic Staff. “Oral health: A window to your overall health.” mayoclinic.org. November 1, 2018. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/dental/art-20047475

Palmero Healthcare, a Hu-Friedy subsidiary, is pleased to announce two new additions to our line of Dynamic Disposables™, a lightweight, disposable cost-effective alternative eye protection that reduces eye splash contamination incidents. These new office packs each contain ten reusable frames, a cord, and twenty disposable lenses designed and tested to protect the eyes of both clinicians and patients.

Dynamic Disposables™ Office Pack, orange bonding lens (Ref#3906C): These state-of-the-art orange lenses provide protection from harmful blue light rays. Our orange lenses are tested and proven to ensure they truly filter out the harmful blue wavelength of light from 380-495nm, so they can be worn, even over prescription eyewear with confidence.

Dynamic Disposables™ Office Pack, grey lens (Ref#3905C): Offering optimal eye protection for patients from bright operatory lights to splashes and splatters, these grey color filters also protect against potentially harmful UVA and UVB rays to which patients may be exposed in a clinical setting.

Palmero has always offered orange and grey filtered lenses as replacement packs, but this release represents the first time they have been available in a starter pack format. These Office Packs have been designed to meet the standards of our “Four Cs” of disposable safety eyewear: Clarity + Comfort + Convenience = Compliance.

Clarity Each lens features fog-free, anti-glare, anti-static coating to provide a clear field of view. The tinted lenses provide protection from harmful wavelengths of light as well.

Comfort The reusable frame and snap-on top-down design eliminates pressure points found in traditional safety eyewear. Dynamic Disposables can be worn comfortably with a clinician’s own prescription glasses.

Convenience The reusable frames are durable and economical. The shields can be replaced for each patient, reducing the time the office staff spends cleaning and disinfecting safety eyewear.

Compliance The lenses in our entire disposables line feature self-closing holes to prevent gaps and meet the OSHA and Center for Disease Control’s Guidelines for protective eyewear. Implement safety eyewear for everyone, in every procedure, every day.

To learn more about these disposable eyewear products, sample opportunities, and other innovative Palmero products, please reach out using the contact information above.

About Palmero Healthcare

Palmero Healthcare has been committed to bringing a wide range of infection prevention products such as hospital-level disinfectants, barrier products, and safety products to the dental community since 1957. With quality and reliable dental products, Palmero’s goal is to become the recognized leader in infection prevention and safety products. We take pride in knowing that our legacy will continue to expand and flourish as a Hu-Friedy subsidiary where our MISSION is to provide infection prevention and safety products that protect clinicians, patients, and the practice.

 Inspiring speakers, the latest in dental technologies, innovative agendas – The Lucy Hobbs Project invites members of the dental community to experience these at three February events where they can make a difference in their careers, communities and the lives of their patients.

In the Midwest next month, free events will be hosted on the regional and collegiate level; registration is currently open.

“The Lucy Hobbs Project is dedicated to offering diverse events across the country,” said Rachel Pugh, Branding and Communications Manager for Benco Dental. “Whether it be on campus, to connect with students, in collaboration with dentists, to discuss relevant issues or within networking opportunities, to bring colleagues together, our mission is to keep the conversation going and drive dentistry forward.”

Powered by Benco Dental, The Lucy Hobbs Project encourages dental professionals to become part of the movement that is changing the face of dentistry through networking, innovation and giving back.

FEBRUARY 7 in DUBLIN, OHIO:

An evening of educational discussion will focus on The Opioid Crisis: What We Don’t Fix Cannot Heal, along with efforts of addiction prevention being made statewide. Phing Saurer, DDS, PhD will serve as emcee for a Lucy Hobbs Project Regional Event at Brick House Blue, 6605 Longshore Street, Suite 240, Dublin, Ohio 43017. Lucy Hobbs Humanitarian Award recipient Sharon Parsons, DDS, will discuss the importance of prevention and opioid harm. Speaker and activist Dr. Parsons founded the nonprofit “A Voice for Sean” for opioid addiction education and advocacy after the loss of her adult son, Sean, to an opioid overdose. A raffle of prizes will benefit “A Voice For Sean.” Dinner and refreshments will be provided and the top 15 nominees in the Columbus area will receive dental support awards. Attendees will earn 1.5 Continuing Education credits while learning and giving back. Register today: Click here.

FEBRUARY 7 in DETROIT, MICHIGAN:

A keynote discussion, Giving It Your Heart, aims to inspire dental and hygiene students and dental alumnae from Detroit Mercy to ignite their passions for the profession. This Lucy Hobbs Project YOU Event, hosted in collaboration with University of Detroit Mercy will take place from 5:45 to 7:45 p.m., at the Detroit Mercy Dental Corktown Campus Special Functions Room, 2700 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Detroit, Michigan 48208. Attendees will gain insight from Professor Pamela Zarkowski, JD, MPH, BSDH, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at the University. Desserts and networking are also on the menu. Register today: Click here.

FEBRUARY 21 in CHICAGO, ILLINOIS:

An evening of cocktails and networking at the Riff Music Lounge (3rd Floor) – a Meet-up – will celebrate the formal announcement of the 2019 Lucy Hobbs Project Annual Celebration. Attendees can expect free transportation from the Chicago Midwinter meeting to the venue, 2239 South Michigan Ave., Chicago, Illinois, 60616, along with cocktails and heavy hors d’oeuvres from 5 to 8 p.m. For more information, reach out to Ali Riviello at 570-602-7068 or ariviello@benco.com. Register today: Click to register.

To host a regional event, take part in a Lucy Hobbs Project YOU event at a dental school, or attend the 7th Annual Celebration of Women in Dentistry, contact Event Coordinator Ali Riviello at 570-602-7068 or ariviello@benco.com.

Powered by Benco Dental, The Lucy Hobbs Project, invites members of the dental community to three February events where they can make a difference in their careers, communities and the lives of their patients. Among them, a February 21 Meet-up hosted at Riff Music Lounge (3rd Floor), shown, to celebrate the formal announcement of the 2019 Lucy Hobbs Project Annual Celebration. Attendees can expect free transportation from the Chicago Dental Society Midwinter meeting to the Meet-up venue, 2239 South Michigan Avenue Chicago, Illinois, 60616

About The Lucy Hobbs Project

The national, long-term program, powered by Benco Dental and 10,000 members strong, helps women in dentistry use their voices as a force for change. Named for Dr. Lucy Hobbs Taylor, 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 profession – dentists, dental assistants, hygienists, receptionists, sales representatives and others. Free to join, it supports the following pillars: innovation, networking, and giving back. To learn more, or to sign up for The Lucy Hobbs Project®, visit: https://thelucyhobbsproject.com/

About Benco Dental

Benco Dental, headquartered in Northeastern Pennsylvania, is the largest privately-owned dental distributor in the United States, offering a full array of supplies, equipment and services to dentists across the nation. Founded in 1930 by Benjamin Cohen, the company has remained family-owned and focused on its unique mission to “deliver success, smile after smile.” Within the past 88 years, the company has grown from a single downtown location to a national network that includes five distribution centers, and three design showrooms. Benco, which has been named one of Fortune Best Workplaces in Health Care and Biopharma for the past three years, one of the NAFE Top Companies for Executive Women for the second consecutive year, and Pennsylvania’s Best Places to Work® for 12 of the past 14 years, is proud to feature a highly skilled team of more than 400 professionally trained sales representatives and over 300 factory-trained service technicians. For more information, visit benco.com or call 1.800.GO.BENCO.

Henry Schein Inc., (Nasdaq: HSIC) today announced its lineup of solutions and educational offerings available at the 2019 Yankee Dental Congress Meeting in Boston, MA. Visitors to the Yankee Dental Meeting will have the opportunity to learn how Henry Schein can help oral health professionals operate successfully and deliver quality patient care through its expansive portfolio of solutions and educational offerings. At the Henry Schein Dental booth (#2238), attendees can explore a variety of business, clinical, technology and supply chain solutions, including digital equipment and technology products, practice transitions and financial services, and practice management software solutions.

Enhancing Practice Efficiency Through Education

As part of Henry Schein’s commitment to help customers increase practice efficiency and integrate digital technology into their practice with confidence, Henry Schein and its supplier partners will host a series of educational courses presented by dental professionals and key opinion leaders, located in the Henry Schein Dental classroom – across from booth #2238.

Thursday, January 31st, 2019

· 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. & 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.: Exceed with CEREC 101: The Basics – Presented by Dr. Gregory Wu, director of clinical operations for Onsite Dental Care of New England, and operator of a private practice in Westford, MA. This course focuses on the benefits of integrating digital impressions and/or CAD/CAM technology into a dental practice.

Friday, February 1st, 2019

· 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.: Digital and Esthetic Dentistry: State of the Art – Located in the BCEC ballroom, this course will focus on how digital dentistry can help increase practice efficiency and will feature a complimentary breakfast, refreshments during the course, and networking opportunities for attendees. Presenting this course will be Dr. Chad Anderson, research instructor, and Dr. Gerard Kugel, associate dean of research, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, department of prosthodontics and operative dentistry.

· 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.: Reinvesting in Your Practice to Create Long-Term Value – Presented by Trent Watrous, CPA is a dental specific CPA at WSW CPAs, PLLC in Nashville, TN. This course focuses on how to build wealth in a dental practice.

· 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.: Set Your Practice Apart with Digital Technology – Presented by Dr. William Davidson, an ISCD certified CAD/CAM instructor. Dr. Davidson also maintains a private practice in Northfield, OH. This course focuses on the positive impact that same-day dentistry and digital technology can have on patients and profitability.

Saturday, February 2nd, 2019

· 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.: Blueprint to a Successful Dental Practice– Presented by Vanessa Bucheit, a practice development coach with 16 years of experience in the dental field. This course focuses on effectively lowering practice overhead costs while increasing production and profitability.

· 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.: SOI = ROI: Increasing your Profitability with Sleep, Ortho, and Implants – Presented by Dr. Samuel Bollwinkel, a cosmetic dentist and president of the East Valley Dental Specialty Center, Gilbert, AZ who donates services to a local youth organization. This course focuses on the benefits of integrating new procedures into the practice workflow to help increase revenue, differentiate the practice, and enhance patient satisfaction.

To register for these courses at the Yankee Dental Congress meeting, please visit the registration page, and for more information about Henry Schein Dental’s solutions and educational offerings featured at the meeting, please visit Henry Schein’s events landing page.

About Henry Schein, Inc.

Henry Schein, Inc. (Nasdaq: HSIC) is a health solutions network powered by people and technology. With more than 22,000 Team Schein Members serving more than 1 million customers globally, the Company is the world's largest provider of Business, Clinical, Technology, and Supply Chain solutions to enhance the efficiency of office-based dental, animal health, and medical practitioners. The Company also serves dental laboratories, government and institutional health care clinics, and other alternate care sites.

A Fortune 500® Company and a member of the S&P 500® and the Nasdaq 100® indexes, Henry Schein's network of trusted advisors provides health care professionals with the valued solutions they need to improve operational success and clinical outcomes. The Company offers customers exclusive, innovative products and solutions, including practice management software, e-commerce solutions, specialty and surgical products, as well as a broad range of financial services. Henry Schein operates through a centralized and automated distribution network, with a selection of more than 120,000 branded products and Henry Schein private-brand products in stock, as well as more than 180,000 additional products available as special-order items.

Headquartered in Melville, N.Y., Henry Schein has operations or affiliates in 34 countries. The company's sales reached a record $12.5 billion in 2017, and have grown at a compound annual rate of approximately 15 percent since Henry Schein became a public company in 1995. For more information, visit Henry Schein at www.henryschein.com, Facebook.com/HenrySchein, and @HenrySchein on Twitter.

BIOLASE, Inc. (NASDAQ: BIOL), the global leader in dental lasers, announced today a joint product promotion with Hu-Friedy, the global leader in the manufacturing of dental instruments, at two upcoming major dental meetings in 2019. BIOLASE's Waterlase products and Hu-Friedy's AIRFLOW therapy devices and Piezon power scaling devices are complementary in delivering positive periodontal and implant maintenance outcomes.

The two companies will feature a cross-promotion that offers exclusive deals and product samples for complementary product lines at the upcoming Yankee Dental Congress on Jan. 31 through Feb. 2 and Chicago Dental Society Midwinter Meeting on Feb. 21 through 23. Attendees will be treated to an exclusive opportunity when visiting the BIOLASE booth; dentists that purchase a BIOLASE Waterlase All-Tissue Laser will receive a Hu-Friedy EMS Piezon 150 at no additional cost. Additionally, dentists who visit the BIOLASE booth for a demonstration of the Waterlase laser and the Hu-Friedy booth for a demonstration of the AIR-FLOW Master Piezon will receive a Hu-Friedy Orban Knife at no charge*.

"We're proud to partner with a company that shares our goal in addressing soft tissue management at the earliest stages," said BIOLASE CEO, Todd Norbe. "By doing so, we can help avoid future tissue and bone loss, while focusing on the growing concern around peri-implantitis."

Customers can visit the BIOLASE booth and the Hu-Friedy booth at the two upcoming events for more information.

*While supplies last. Certain restrictions apply. Visit the BIOLASE or Hu-Friedy booths for details.

About BIOLASE, Inc.

BIOLASE, Inc. is a medical device company that develops, manufactures, markets, and sells laser systems in dentistry and medicine and also markets, sells, and distributes dental imaging equipment, including three-dimensional CAD/CAM intra-oral scanners and digital dentistry software. BIOLASE's products advance the practice of dentistry and medicine for patients and healthcare professionals. BIOLASE's proprietary laser products incorporate approximately 244 patented and 74 patent-pending technologies designed to provide biologically clinically superior performance with less pain and faster recovery times. BIOLASE's innovative products provide cutting-edge technology at competitive prices to deliver the best results for dentists and patients. BIOLASE's principal products are revolutionary dental laser systems that perform a broad range of dental procedures, including cosmetic and complex surgical applications, and a full line of dental imaging equipment. BIOLASE has sold over 37,600 laser systems to date in over 90 countries around the world. Laser products under development address BIOLASE's core dental market and other adjacent medical and consumer markets.

About Hu-Friedy

Founded in Chicago in 1908, Hu-Friedy Manufacturing Company, LLC helps dental professionals perform at their best by producing dental instruments and products designed to function as an extension of each practitioner's particular skill. Its products, hand-crafted by highly-skilled artisans, are known for their precision, performance, longevity, reliability, and quality. Headquartered in Chicago, Hu-Friedy products are distributed in more than 75 countries and the company maintains offices in Frankfurt, Tuttlingen, Germany, Milan, Shanghai, and Tokyo.

CHICAGO – JANUARY 29, 2019 – A recent study has periodontists, experts in the treatment, diagnosis, and prevention of periodontal disease, encouraging patients to maintain gum health in an effort to reduce their Alzheimer’s disease risk.

The study, published in the journal Science Advances, uncovered a potential link between P. gingivalis, the bacteria associated with periodontal disease (commonly known as gum disease) and Alzheimer’s. Researchers analyzed brain tissue, spinal fluid, and saliva from Alzheimer’s patients—both living and deceased—and found evidence of P. gingivalis. Gingipains, the toxic enzyme secreted by P. gingivalis, were found in 96 percent of the 53 brain tissue samples examined, with higher levels detected in those with the pathology and symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.

Additionally, researchers including co-author Mark I. Ryder DMD, Professor of Periodontology at the University of California, San Francisco, noted that the presence of P. gingivalis increased the production of amyloid beta, a component of the amyloid plaques whose accumulation contributes to Alzheimer’s. The study confirmed via animal testing that P. gingivalis can travel from the mouth to the brain and that the related gingipains can destroy brain neurons. These findings are noteworthy in that they suggest a biological mechanism for how periodontal disease bacteria may play a role in the development and progression of Alzheimer’s.

According to Richard Kao, DDS, PhD, president of the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP), the professional society representing more than 8,000 periodontists, this study underscores the important role of gum health on overall wellness. “Periodontists have long known that a healthy mouth contributes to a healthy body, and research has suggested an association between periodontal disease and dementia conditions, such as Alzheimer’s,” Dr. Kao said. “These recent findings present strong evidence on how periodontal disease can impact the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease and should highlight how crucial it is to manage periodontal disease, especially in older adults or individuals who have increased risk for dementia.”

Although the study results add to the evidence supporting a link between gum disease and Alzheimer’s, additional research is needed to better understand the etiology of Alzheimer’s and how periodontal disease bacteria can exacerbate progression. An upcoming FDA Phase II clinical trial will assess the benefits of using a novel small molecule inhibitor of these P. gingivalis gingipains in hindering the development and progression of Alzheimer’s. This clinical trial may add further insight to the link between gum disease and Alzheimer’s.

Dr. Kao encourages older adults and other at-risk individuals to maintain diligent oral care and promptly treat periodontal disease to help mitigate Alzheimer’s risk. “More than half of the U.S. population age 30 and older has some form of periodontal disease. Prevalence increases to 68 percent for those age 65 and older. Routine brushing, flossing once a day, and visiting a periodontist can help identify any disease and treat as needed, potentially diminishing the risk of developing Alzheimer’s.”

To learn more about periodontal disease or to find a periodontist, visit perio.org.

About the American Academy of Periodontology

The American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) represents over 8,000 periodontists—specialists in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of inflammatory diseases affecting the gums and supporting structures of the teeth, and in the placement of dental implants. Periodontics is one of the nine dental specialties recognized by the American Dental Association.