The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS) and the Henry Schein Cares Foundation are supporting the volunteerism of four oral and maxillofacial surgeons (OMSs) through the joint Global Outreach Program.

For the fourth consecutive year, AAOMS and the Foundation are presenting $2,500 grants to four doctors to help fund their oral and maxillofacial surgery care in the United States and around the world. The program also offers each recipient $2,000 in healthcare products courtesy of Henry Schein Cares, which aims to increase the delivery of healthcare services and information to at-risk and underserved communities.

"Oral and maxillofacial surgeons deliver vital healthcare to patients in underserved communities around the world,” said AAOMS President A. Thomas Indresano, DMD, FACS. "Since 2015, the Global Outreach Program has provided grants to help oral and maxillofacial surgeons use their expertise to make a significant difference around the world.”

The 2018 grant recipients are:

Joli Chou, DMD, MD, FACS, of Philadelphia, Pa. – Chou plans to use the grant for a two-week surgical mission trip with Africa Mercy to Guinea. She and other healthcare providers from more than 30 countries will conduct approximately 60 major oral and maxillofacial surgeries on patients of all ages. Continuing education also will be provided to local healthcare providers. Chou has received four grants from the program to fund trips with Mercy Ships, a nonprofit that operates a fleet of ships to offer healthcare services in developing countries.

Clay Van Leeuwen, DMD, MD, of Fairbanks, Alaska – The grant will cover licensing, supplies as well as hospitalization, food and travel for patients from remote locations treated by Global Medical and Surgical Teams, a small group of doctors and nurses. Last year, the group partnered with a clinic in Kyotera, Uganda, to perform cleft lip and palate surgeries. The group is scheduled to return for follow-up and to perform additional primary lip and palate repairs.

Gary R. Parker, DDS, of Lindale, Texas – During approximately nine months in Conakry, Guinea, Parker and his team plan to treat about 250 patients. He also expects to participate in a full-time surgical mentoring program for surgeons. Parker has been a full-time volunteer OMS with Mercy Ships for 31 years. Every year since 2015, he has received a grant from the Global Outreach program for his service with Mercy Ships.

Edward Zebovitz, DDS, of Bowie, Md. – The grant will cover supplies and medications for procedures to be performed during Surgeons for Smiles’ trip to Eritrea, Africa. The procedures will include prosthetic reconstruction of the TMJ, facial reconstruction, tumor management and cleft lip and palate reconstruction. One mission trip can provide 35 to 50 surgeries, and patients range in age from 8 months to 80 years.

The experts in face, mouth and jaw surgery® — The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS) is the professional organization representing more than 11,000 oral and maxillofacial surgeons, OMS residents and OMS professional staff in the United States. AAOMS supports its fellows' and members' ability to practice their specialty through education, research and advocacy. AAOMS fellows and members comply with rigorous continuing education requirements and submit to periodic office anesthesia evaluations. For additional information about oral and maxillofacial surgery, visit the AAOMS websites at AAOMS.org and myOMS.org.

Elevate Oral Care relaunches the popular Toothprints Dental ID System. Like fingerprints, dental imprints are unique to each person. Toothprints provides offices with a valuable community service tool for parental peace of mind. Toothprints are suggested at three dentition stages (ages 3, 7 and 13). Toothprints are a valuable patient retention and recruitment tool. $25 from each box of 48 will be donated to an access to children’s oral heath program. Advocacy for, and the protection of, our pediatric patients is a core value of our growing organization. Call 877-866-9113 or visit us at elevateoralcare.com.

Incisal Edge, the premier lifestyle magazine for dental professionals nationwide, will honor America’s finest young practitioners for the 9th consecutive year. Nominations will be accepted through February 25, 2019 at: IncisalEdgeMagazine.com

Annually, Incisal Edge’s top 40 Under 40 recognizes innovative and passionate young professionals in dentistry across the U.S. Whether they’re renowned for their medical innovations, volunteer work and philanthropy, or simply their commitment to outstanding patient care, these honorees—nominated by industry experts from around the country and vetted by an independent panel—represent the best of dentistry today, and the promise of even better dentistry tomorrow. For contest specifics, visit: IncisalEdgeMagazine.com , where detailed instructions and previous year’s winners are featured.

"We're proud to honor America’s rising stars who represent the very highest level of accomplishment right now—and aspire to even greater success in the future," said Chuck Cohen, co-founder of Incisal Edge, dentistry's premier lifestyle magazine. "Our nominees are very clearly aligned with Benco Dental's highest aim to drive dentistry forward, and their passion and artistry inspire us all year long."

As part of yearlong accolades, honorees are celebrated in the dental lifestyle magazine with a series of informative profiles and a glossy pictorial. It all begins with an exclusive high fashion photo shoot in the heart of New York City, and a whirlwind celebration of all they have achieved thus far in their professional careers. On June 7 and 8, the top young dentists in the nation will receive the red-carpet treatment from magazine staff, renowned style director Joseph DeAcetis and a professional photography team. The portfolio they create will serve as the centerpiece of the magazine’s fall edition.

To nominate a dentist, visit: IncisalEdgeMagazine.com. Submissions must be completed on or before 11:59 p.m. EST on February 25, 2019. Dentists are welcome to self-nominate and should feel free to nominate a colleague or peer.

Published by Benco Dental since 1997, Incisal Edge celebrates dentists’ achievements both inside the operatory and during their hard-earned downtime—and nothing better exemplifies this than the magazine’s annual 40 Under 40 edition. To learn more about Incisal Edge, visit: https://www.IncisalEdgeMagazine.com/

Image Published by Benco Dental, Incisal Edge, the leading lifestyle magazine for dental professionals nationwide, will honor America’s finest young practitioners for the 9th consecutive year. Nominations for the 2019 40 Under 40 will be accepted through February 25, 2019 at: IncisalEdgeMagazine.com Shown are members of the 2018 40 Under 40, as photographed by Sasha Maslov at Kimpton Hotel Eventi, 851 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY: clockwise, from bottom left: Dr. Tuan Pham, Dr. David Choi, Dr. Kate Schacherl, Dr. Gregory M. Feldman, Dr. Malieka Johnson, and Dr. Ellen Im. (Style Director Joseph DeAcetis)

About Incisal Edge

Knowledge. Success. Life. Those three words, printed on the cover of every issue, guide editorial content for the national premier dental lifestyle magazine—Incisal Edge. Published by Benco Dental since 1997, Incisal Edge celebrates dentists’ achievements both inside the operatory and during their hard-earned downtime. Known for its “40 Under 40—America’s Best Young Dentists,” which highlights the country’s brightest rising stars, the magazine’s content ranges from “The 32 Most Influential People in Dentistry” and news about the latest techniques, tools, and dental practice designs, to the best in travel, automobiles, and timepieces. Incisal Edge magazine’s print edition reaches 130,000 readers quarterly via a direct mail distribution package with Dentaltown magazine. Digitally, IncisalEdgeMagazine.com, leads with dynamic visuals and follows with exclusive web content, an improved mobile experience, and a centralized nomination hub for the magazine’s signature awards: the aforementioned 40 Under 40, the Lucy Hobbs Project Awards for Exemplary Women in Dentistry and the Incisal Edge Design Competition for interior design, architecture and space planning within the dental profession.

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.

Grandio disc is VOCO’s 86% filled Nano-ceramic Hybrid CAD/CAM Disc indicated for crowns, inlays/onlays, veneers, and implant supported crowns. Based on the same Nano-ceramic Hybrid CAD/CAM technology as VOCO’s Grandio blocs, Grandio discs offer the same combination of optimal tooth-like physical properties, category-leading compressive strength, extremely low water absorption, and natural esthetics with enhanced color stability. This provides high-quality solutions for both practitioners and labs that are looking to streamline their CAD/CAM processes.

Grandio discs’ extremely high filler degree offers physical properties—such as modulus of elasticity and thermocycling— that mimic human dentition. This enables them to be antagonistically friendly while providing enhanced marginal integrity and overall longevity.

Grandio discs can be more finely milled and achieve an even greater accuracy of fit due to their unique Nano-ceramic Hybrid composition. This also provides excellent polishability and esthetics comparable to pure ceramic CAD/CAM discs or blocks. Due to Grandio discs’ composition, the firing process is eliminated, allowing dentists to offer a complete restoration in just one session. Furthermore, Grandio discs simplify polishing and characterization, and allow for straightforward intraoral repairs. Grandio discs are processed by standard milling devices and are available in four shades and two translucencies. 

Website: www.vocoamerica.com

Phone: 888-658-2584

VOCO announces the release of its newest addition to the GrandioSO family – GrandioSO x-tra, a truly esthetic, packable bulk-fill nano-hybrid restorative material. In addition to the high-quality esthetics, easy handling and enhanced physical properties that come with being a GrandioSO product, x-tra can be reliably light cured at a depth of up to 4mm and has a filler content of 86% by weight, which accounts for a low shrinkage rate of only 1.4% by volume. GrandioSO x-tra comes in both syringes and capsules and is available in four shades: universal, A1, A2 and A3. This makes for a long-lasting, esthetically-pleasing, strong and reliable restoration.

For more information on GrandioSO x-tra please visit www.voco.dental.com

MicroDental Laboratories and Modern Dental USA announce that Laura Kelly, AAACD, has been appointed to the position of Chief Executive Officer for the companies’ operations in North America and Canada. In this position, Ms. Kelly will be responsible for developing and growing comprehensive laboratory prosthodontic processes and solutions, business expansion, and new market education and communication for both the MicroDental Laboratories and Modern Dental USA brands. Reporting directly to Godfrey Ngai, Director and CEO of Modern Dental Group, she will be based at MicroDental Laboratories in Livermore, California.

“I am honored and privileged to return “home” to the very place that launched so many opportunities for me to contribute to this amazing profession,” acknowledges Ms. Kelly, who began her career as an entry-level technician at MicroDental, adeptly broadened her talents and expertise as a ceramist, and simultaneously played an instrumental role in advancing the laboratory’s success in cosmetic dentistry during the 1990s. “I look forward to aligning the dedicated and skilled technician families at MicroDental and Modern Dental to support the dental community through close partnerships, education, and on-going product advancements that ultimately help to enhance oral health, function, and smile esthetics.”

Throughout her tenure in the dental laboratory industry, Ms. Kelly’s career has been punctuated by numerous accomplishments and leadership roles. In 1993, she became one of the first dental technicians to achieve Accreditation from the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD), an organization for which she has served on more than 50 committees and is currently a member of the Past President’s Advisory Council. In 2006, Ms. Kelly was elected President of the AACD, becoming the first technician and first woman to serve in this capacity. In addition to serving in leadership roles in the AACD, she was also elected to serve as Secretary for the International Federation of Esthetic Dentistry (IFED), as well as in numerous boards and advisory roles within the dental community. Prior to her new position, Ms. Kelly also held Vice President and Senior Vice President positions at diverse dental laboratories, including MicroDental (1995-2001) and LK Dental Studios—the boutique laboratory she established in 2008 (2008-2015).

“Ms. Kelly’s appointment as CEO of MicroDental Laboratories and Modern Dental is a testament to her experience pioneering for dental technicians, as well as her true understanding of the importance of the doctor/technician relationship for achieving successful case outcomes,” said Dr. Jeff Morley, co-founder of the AACD and founder of AACD Accreditation. “She is truly qualified for the responsibilities now awaiting her within the profession of dentistry in this new role.”

About MicroDental Laboratories

MicroDental Laboratories is a network of dental laboratories committed to helping dentists provide optimal results for their patients. Using FDA compliant materials, and with more Certified Dental Technicians across our family of laboratories than any other single laboratory, MicroDental provides an industry-leading, full-service catalog of innovative and leading products, with a commitment to excellence in service to deliver the best options to meet the diverse needs of dental patients. Though renowned for our advanced technical and esthetic expertise and commitment to service, what makes MicroDental different is our unique collaborative approach and commitment to the profession. MicroDental Laboratories and the Macstudio teams are known for their esthetic and functional expertise, as well as an established and enforced quality system (DAMAS). The requirements set forth in DAMAS are based upon the sound quality system management principles specified in ISO, and are geared specifically for dental laboratories committed to the highest standards and accreditation.

About Modern Dental USA

Modern Dental Group Limited is a leading global dental prosthetic device provider with a product portfolio broadly categorized into three product lines: fixed prosthetic devices (e.g., crowns and bridges); removable prosthetic devices (e.g., removable dentures); and other devices (e.g., orthodontic devices, sports guards, anti-snoring devices). Our global proprietary sales and distribution network enables direct access to customers, including dentists, dental clinics, and others, in key prosthetics markets around the world, allowing us to better satisfy the needs and preferences of our diverse customer base. Our portfolio of respected brands includes Modern Dental USA in the United States.

About one-third (35%) of independent dental professionals surveyed said they want to own a practice, according to a national research study from Bankers Healthcare Group, a leading provider of financial solutions for healthcare professionals.

Ownership can be a natural transition for a young dentist working as an associate in a practice, and 2/3 of dentists under age 35 said they’re involved in an ownership transition model in order to one day obtain the practice at which they work.

Among those who desire to own a practice, more than half of those surveyed (53%) expect to take on ownership within the next five years, while roughly a third (28%) forecast ownership within six to eight years. As they move toward ownership, here’s what they said they’re thinking about:

72% Cost involved

52% Concerns about running a business

51% Effect on work/life balance

35% Student loan debt

22% Not sure where to start

“It’s exciting to see the desire for dental practice ownership. Certainly, it’s a big investment of both time and money, but an important step in one’s career that can reap great rewards,” said Al Crawford, Co-Founder, Chairman and CEO of BHG. “Clearly, preparation is required, and by having a timeline to achieve the goal of ownership, dentists can use that time to secure the right financing, tackle other outstanding debt, and learn about what’s required to run their own practice.”

The dentists who indicated they wanted to remain independent cited the following reasons:

35% I’m happy at my current employer

28% Financial implications

21% Too much responsibility

19% Current industry environment

19% Previously owned a practice and sold it

BHG’s National Survey of Dentists examines financial concerns, business outlook and social media use across dental specialties in the United States. BHG surveyed 413 dental professionals (practice owners and independent providers) to gain understanding of their concerns and goals within their profession. To learn more about how BHG works with dentists, please visit www.bankershealthcaregroup.com/dentists.

About Bankers Healthcare Group

Bankers Healthcare Group provides innovative, hassle-free financial solutions to healthcare professionals. Since 2001, BHG has provided more than $3.5 billion in financial solutions to satisfied customers nationwide and worked with over 110,000 practitioners. BHG is proud to maintain partnerships with leading healthcare industry associations, and is continually recognized for innovation, growth, and being a best place to work. BHG is partially owned by Pinnacle Financial Partners. To learn more, visit www.bankershealthcaregroup.com, and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook.

Ivoclar Vivadent is proud to announce that, at the 2018 American College of Prosthodontics (ACP) Annual Session, CEO Robert Ganley was recognized for his leadership and service to the dental industry.

In his comments, Dr. Leonard Kobren, chair of the ACP's Education Foundation said, “Ivoclar Vivadent’s Bob Ganley has been a true friend and supporter of the ACP and the Education Foundation. His vision, leadership, dedication, and service have advanced the field of prosthodontics. Bob is truly a visionary who transformed the dental technology landscape by innovating disruptive processes, technologies, and products that altered the profession.”

“Despite his transformative work in dental technology, Bob's leadership and passion was always present with his involvement with the ACP Education Foundation and as an honorary board member of our team,” continued Kobren. “Even during some difficult years, Bob believed in our mission, trusted our work, and supported the Foundation."

In 2018, Ganley renewed Ivoclar Vivadent’s support of the ACP Education Foundation for another five years, commencing this year.

Ganley joined Ivoclar Vivadent in 1980, as vice president. He was named president of Ivoclar Vivadent North America in 1990, and in 2003, he was appointed chief executive officer of Ivoclar Vivadent AG in Schaan, Liechtenstein. Ganley also serves as chairman of corporate management in Schaan.

Ganley has a deep understanding of the dental market and its customers; he spends half of his time in Europe and half in North America and other global markets. As chief executive officer of Ivoclar Vivadent AG, Schaan, Ganley is leading the charge for quality, esthetic dentistry, a vision that has earned him distinction worldwide and has advanced and expanded the industry. He also remains committed to supporting education and improving access to oral healthcare for underserved populations.

About Ivoclar Vivadent

Ivoclar Vivadent is a global leader in innovative materials and processes for quality, esthetic dentistry. The company employs over 3,500 people and operates in over 120 countries throughout the world. Ivoclar Vivadent is headquartered in Schaan, Liechtenstein. Its North American headquarters is based in Amherst, NY.

Pulpdent Corporation is pleased to welcome Christie Bailey in the position of Manager of Professional Relations and International Sales.

Christie Bailey uses a combination of strategy, data analysis and creative problem-solving to identify customer needs and deliver thoughtful resolutions. She is responsible for overseeing Pulpdent’s KOL network and international sales development. Prior to Pulpdent, Christie worked for PDT, Inc. (Paradise Dental Technologies), where she was successful in branding, high level marketing strategy and global sales leadership.

Christie will work closely with Larry Clark, Director of Clinical Affairs and Marketing at Pulpdent, who comments that “in the nearly three years I have known Christie, she has proven herself to one of the most professional and personable individuals I have met in my career. Very genuine and very smart, she listens and learns. Christie has been a bright light for many. I’m truly excited to have her as part of our Pulpdent team.”

Christie holds a BA in Psychology, with a minor in English Language & Literature from the University of Montana, where she was involved in founding a non-profit health collaborative. She is passionate about health and wellness and studied Yoga and holistic healing in India.

About PULPDENT® Corporation

PULPDENT® Corporation is a family-owned dental research, manufacturing company and leader in bioactive dental materials. ACTIVA BioACTIVE™, developed by PULPDENT, is a bioactive restorative material that behaves much like natural teeth and stimulates the formation of apatite (the building blocks of teeth), chemically bonds to teeth and helps protect against decay. PULPDENT celebrates its 70th anniversary this year with continued commitment to product innovation, clinical education and patient-centered care. To stay updated on bioactivity and learn about the Heroic Dentistry Series, which demonstrates ACTIVA’s unprecedented capabilities, visit the Pulpdent blog. 

According to Dr. Michael J. Lewis, a specially trained root canal dental specialist known as an endodontist, chronic sinus infections are sometimes caused or intensified by an underlying tooth infection.

“In short, sometimes the roots of one’s teeth become infected and that infection can spread to a space located behind one’s cheek bones,” Dr. Lewis said. “The patient may experience signs of seasonal allergies or of a sinus infection and be prescribed antibiotics by their primary care providers. While these antibiotics may treat the infection in one’s nose, they don’t always cure their tooth infection.”

The medical process Dr. Lewis referred to is called Maxillary Sinusitis of Endodontic Origin (MSEO). MSEO is when the roots of someone’s upper back teeth extend quite close to an air-filled space located behind their cheekbones called the maxillary sinus. If one of their upper back teeth becomes infected, the infection can spread rather easily out of the end of the tooth’s root into the maxillary sinus. Patients with MSEO often exhibit sinus or nasal symptoms including post nasal drip or general sinus congestion which they may think is due to seasonal allergies. Some patients may even experience recurring sinus infections, which are often treated by their physician with antibiotics. While antibiotics will resolve the infection for a period of time, the antibiotics are incapable of reaching the source of the infection inside the tooth.

Once the antibiotics are ceased, the infection will slowly re-emerge from the tooth and spread back into the sinus. Ironically enough, patients with MSEO will usually not exhibit any tooth pain. This absence of dental symptoms can make it very difficult for both the patient and their medical doctor or general dentist to recognize that there is even a tooth infection present. As a result, patients often suffer from this condition for many years before it is recognized. Dr. Lewis says easy and relatively painless treatment options like a root canal may help rid the bacteria that causes the infections.

“Many people may cringe at the thought of having root canal treatment, but in the right hands of a highly skilled and specialized endodontist, the process is quite easy and relatively painless,” Dr. Lewis continued. “For those patients diagnosed with MSEO, root canal therapy or retreatment alone may completely resolve their sinus symptoms, with about half of all patients experiencing the procedure requiring no other medical care. Patients who do not experience relief may need additional care from an ENT to fully resolve their complaints, but a root canal treatment is a necessary first step.”

Dr. Lewis received his dental degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 2004 and completed advanced, specialty endodontic dental training at the New York University of Dental Medicine. He is a member of the American Association of Endodontists.

To learn more about MSEO, interested parties are encouraged to sign up for the AAE’s webinar being offered Feb. 21, 2019, or refer to articles featured in Dear Doctor or Decisions in Dentistry.

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.