Nineteen innovation pioneers were announced today as the 2019 Class of the National Inventors Hall of Fame® (NIHF) on the main stage at CES®.

These innovators, whose inventions range from the UNIX operating system to fluoride toothpaste, will be celebrated as the newest Class of Inductees during the NIHF Induction Ceremony. In partnership with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), NIHF will honor these Inductees in Washington, D.C. on May 1-2 at one of the innovation industry’s most highly anticipated events — “The Greatest Celebration of American Innovation.”

“I am honored to be inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame," said 2019 Inductee Bill Warner, pioneer of digital nonlinear editing for video. “I love how inventions can change the world for the better, and I am thrilled to join this year’s Class.”

THE CLASS OF 2019

• Chieko Asakawa: Web Browser for the Blind and Visually Impaired

Chieko Asakawa invented the Home Page Reader (HPR), the first practical voice browser to provide effective Internet access for blind and visually impaired computer users. Designed to enable users to surf the internet and navigate web pages through a computer’s numeric keypad instead of a mouse, HPR debuted in 1997; by 2003, it was widely used around the world.

• Jeff Kodosky and James Truchard: Virtual Instrumentation – LabVIEW™

Kodosky and Truchard introduced LabVIEW in 1986 as a graphical programming language that enables user-defined testing and measurement and control systems. It grew to be used by engineers, scientists, academics and students around the world.

• Rebecca Richards-Kortum: Medical Devices for Low-Resource Settings

Rebecca Richards-Kortum develops low-cost, high-performance medical technologies for people in places where traditional medical equipment is not an option. She’s led the development of optical technologies to improve early detection of cervical, oral and esophageal cancer; and tools to improve newborn survival in Africa, including the Pumani CPAP system for newborns with breathing problems; BiliSpec for measuring bilirubin levels to detect jaundice; and DoseRight, for accurate dosing of children’s liquid medication.

• Dennis Ritchie (Posthumous) and Ken Thompson: UNIX Operating System

Thompson and Ritchie’s creation of the UNIX operating system and the C programming language were pivotal developments in the progress of computer science. Today, 50 years after its beginnings, UNIX and UNIX-like systems continue to run machinery from supercomputers to smartphones. The UNIX operating system remains the basis of much of the world’s computing infrastructure, and C language — written to simplify the development of UNIX — is one of the most widely used languages today.

• Edmund O. Schweitzer III: Digital Protective Relay

Schweitzer brought the first microprocessor-based digital protective relay to market, revolutionizing the performance of electric power systems with computer-based protection and control equipment, and making a major impact in the electric power utility industry. Schweitzer’s more precise, more reliable digital relay was one-eighth the size, one-tenth the weight and one-third the price of previous mechanical relays.

• David Walt: Microwell Arrays

Walt created microwell arrays that could analyze thousands of genes simultaneously, revolutionizing the field of genetic analysis. His technology accelerated the understanding of numerous human diseases and is now being used in diagnosis. It has also made DNA sequencing more affordable and accessible.

• William J. Warner: Digital Nonlinear Editing System

Bill Warner invented the Avid Media Composer — a digital nonlinear editing system for film and video. Warner’s technology revolutionized film and video post-production by providing editors with faster, more intuitive and more creative techniques than were possible with traditional analog linear methods.

• John Baer, Karl H. Beyer Jr., Frederick Novello and James Sprague: Thiazide Diuretics/Chlorothiazide (Posthumous)

Beyer, Sprague, Baer and Novello were part of the Merck Sharp & Dohme Research Laboratories team that pioneered thiazide diuretics, the first class of drugs to safely and effectively treat hypertension. Today, thiazide diuretics remain a first-line treatment for high blood pressure and related heart problems.

• S. Duncan Black and Alonzo G. Decker: Portable Hand-Held Electric Drill (Posthumous)

Virtually all of today’s electric drills descend from the original portable hand-held drill developed by Black and Decker, whose invention spurred the growth of the modern power tool industry. By 1920, Black & Decker surpassed $1 million in annual sales and soon had offices in eight U.S. cities and a factory in Canada. Today, the company is known as Stanley Black & Decker.

• Andrew Higgins: LCVP (Landing Craft, Vehicle, Personnel); Higgins Boats (Posthumous)

Higgins, a New Orleans-based boat builder and inventor, developed and manufactured landing craft critical to the success of the U.S. military during World War II. The best known was the Landing Craft, Vehicle, Personnel (LCVP), or Higgins Boat, used to land American troops on the beaches of Normandy on D-Day.

• Joseph Lee: Bread Machines (Posthumous)

The son of slaves, Boston-area entrepreneur Joseph Lee was a pioneer in the automation of bread and bread-crumb making during the late 1800s. The self-educated inventor was a successful hotel and restaurant owner who created his machines to allow for greater efficiency in his kitchens, and by 1900 his devices were used by many of America’s leading hotels and were a fixture in hundreds of the country’s leading catering establishments.

• Joseph Muhler and William Nebergall: Stannous Fluoride Toothpaste (Posthumous)

Dentist and biochemist Muhler and inorganic chemist Nebergall developed a cavity-preventing product using stannous fluoride. In 1956, Crest® toothpaste was introduced nationally. Four years later, it became the first toothpaste to be recognized by the American Dental Association as an effective decay-preventing agent.

For full biographies of each Inductee, visit invent.org/honor/inductees/.

THE CELEBRATION

The Class of 2019 will be honored at “The Greatest Celebration of American Innovation,” a two-day event held in our nation's capital. Danica McKellar — star of the TV show “The Wonder Years,” Hallmark Channel regular, mathematician and author — will serve as master of ceremonies.

• May 1 – Illumination Ceremony at the National Inventors Hall of Fame Museum at the USPTO Headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia, where new Inductees will place illuminated hexagons displaying their names in the Gallery of Icons.™

• May 2 – The 47th Annual National Inventors Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be held at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C., where the new Inductee class will be honored for their contributions to society during an evening including a black-tie dinner, ceremony and after party. To learn more about the event, visit invent.org/honor/inductees/induction-ceremony/.

“The National Inventors Hall of Fame honors the innovation game-changers who have transformed our world,” said NIHF CEO Michael Oister. “Through inventions as diverse as life-saving medicines and web browsers for the visually impaired, these superhero innovators have made significant advances in our daily lives and well-being.”

About the National Inventors Hall of Fame

The National Inventors Hall of Fame (NIHF) is the premier nonprofit organization in America dedicated to recognizing inventors and invention, promoting creativity, and advancing the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship. Founded in 1973 in partnership with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, NIHF is committed to not only honoring the individuals whose inventions have made the world a better place, but to ensuring American ingenuity continues to thrive in the hands of coming generations through its national, hands-on educational programming and collegiate competitions focused on the exploration of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The National Inventors Hall of Fame Museum is a Smithsonian Affiliate. For more information, visit invent.org. To nominate an inventor for Induction, visit invent.org/nominate.

BIOLASE, Inc. (NASDAQ: BIOL), the global leader in dental lasers, and TeamSmile, the nation's premier advocacy group that supports life-changing dental care for underserved children and the Chargers announced today that nearly 300 students at Gerald P. Carr Intermediate School will be given free access to advanced dental care. The program will take place on Friday, Jan. 18 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., with special appearances by the Charger Girls.

This incentive is one of several partnership programs that BIOLASE has ventured into with nonprofit organizations to educate families on the minimally-invasive, gentler dental experience a Waterlase dentist can offer. At the program, students will receive free screenings and preventive care, and if needed, the children will receive radiographs and laser treatments onsite.

"Using the power of professional sports organizations, TeamSmile creates a fun day which gets children excited about dental care. We call it a TeamSmile dental tailgate party" said TeamSmile Executive Director, John McCarthy. "We value this new partnership with BIOLASE, which provides us the opportunity to demonstrate pain-free care. We're offering children memories and an education component that can last a lifetime."

BIOLASE and TeamSmile have continued this momentum of the program since working together on their first program with the Chargers in 2018. The organizations are already planning another program slated for Feb. 4, 2019 to continue efforts in the Dallas area.

"Few things say 'don't fear the dentist' like being able to receive treatment and then get an autograph from a Charger's alumni," said BIOLASE CEO Todd Norbe. "Dental care is a significant part of life, and one we want to educate children on at an early-age – instilling good habits and positive experiences. Because our dental lasers offer less invasive solutions, we're able to foster a healthy environment, free of fear, pain and anxiety."

For more information about the initiative, please visit https://teamsmile.org/.

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 220 patented and 95 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 36,200 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.

For updates and information on Waterlase iPlus®, Waterlase Express™, and laser dentistry, find BIOLASE online at www.biolase.com, Facebook at www.facebook.com/biolase, Twitter at www.twitter.com/biolaseinc, LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/biolase, Instagram at www.instagram.com/waterlase_laserdentistry, and YouTube at www.youtube.com/biolasevideos.

BIOLASE®, Waterlase® and Waterlase iPlus® are registered trademarks of BIOLASE, Inc.

About TeamSmile

TeamSmile is a non-profit organization that has created partnerships with professional sports teams, local dentists, dental organizations, dental schools and area volunteers to help promote the importance of oral health care. For more information on TeamSmile, visit www.teamsmile.org.

ST. PAUL, Minn.--Patterson Companies (Nasdaq: PDCO) announced today that Eric Shirley will join Patterson as President of the Dental business unit effective February 4, 2019.

Sterngold is pleased to announce the recent hiring of their new Director of QA and Regulatory Affairs, Diane Tiernan. Diane previously served as a regulatory consultant to the medical device and combination product industries at DCT Ltd. Her role at DCT Ltd. included providing regulatory guidance to clients with products in any phase of product development, including preparing and filing regulatory submissions and acting as a liaison between the client organization and regulatory authorities. Diane has over 30 years of experience in medical device regulatory affairs. 

Diane began her career as a certified audiologist, working extensively with cochlear implants. She received her BA in speech pathology from the University of Connecticut and her MS in audiology from Ithaca College. She is a former member of the Editorial Advisory Board of Medical Devices and Diagnostics Industry Magazine and served as an adjunct faculty in Northeastern University’s Master of Science Degree Program in Regulatory Affairs. She is a member of the Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society (RAPS), and former chair of the Boston chapter of RAPS. 

George “Yatz” G. Gundrum, BA, CDT, passed away the evening of Saturday, January 12, according to the National Association of Dental laboratories (NADL).

Gundrum was the co-owner of Gundrum Dental Labs Inc. in Cincinnati, Ohio. A statement posted on Facebook by NADL Chief Staff Executive Bennett Napier, CAE, said Gundrum had served for many years on the boards of both the Southeastern Conference of Dental Laboratories and the Ohio Dental Laboratory Association.

“He was a true friend to all who knew him,” Napier wrote.

Gundrum authored an article in the January 2019 issue of Inside Dental Technology, titled “Porcelain Furnaces in the Modern Dental Laboratory.”

IDT offers its deepest condolences to his family.

As the world of dentistry continues to evolve, modernized products and techniques are introduced to meet the advancing demands of the industry. In order to accommodate these changing needs, 3M Oral Care and Bioclear are excited to announce a new partnership that will support dentists while they pursue the implementation of state-of-the-art procedures.

As part of the partnership, 3M will host hands-on training courses across the country, featuring Bioclear approved specialists, in order to amplify education of the Bioclear Method. Kits containing all of the required Bioclear tools, along with 3M’s direct restorative products, will be available to dentists who are implementing the method into their practice.

“With the Bioclear Method, Dr. David Clark basically reinvented the Class II restoration,” said Sebastian Arana, President & General Manager, Oral Care Solutions Division, 3M. “As he continues to advance superior dentistry through innovative clinical techniques, we share the same vision of improving every life through the products used in those techniques.”

The Bioclear Method is a minimally invasive procedure offering a faster approach that results in long-lasting and esthetic anterior and posterior composites. By combining true engineering and new standardized cavity preparations, along with modern 3M materials and Bioclear instruments, a universal pathway for clinicians is realized.

“It’s our mission to provide dentists and dental schools with the techniques, tools and equipment to allow for longer lasting, stronger, and aesthetically superior composites,” said Dr. David Clark, Founder, Bioclear. “I’ve honed the techniques and I’ve tested the products so I know, without a doubt, what works best in the mouth, and that’s why I’m excited to partner with 3M to further the education of dentists in modern restorative techniques.”

Along with providing the tools to perform better composite restorations, Bioclear also focuses on educating dentists through hands-on training sessions which take place at venues throughout the country, including the Bioclear Learning Centers.

Bioclear Learning Centers offer a custom-designed composite workshop continuum that provides personalized learning in intimate settings to dentists, and ensures that they are directly supported throughout the entire learning process of the cutting-edge restorative method.

To view listings and to register for an upcoming Bioclear educational event, please visit 3M.com/BioclearMethod. For more information on Bioclear, please visit: www.bioclearmatrix.com.

About 3M Oral Care

3M Oral Care promotes lifelong oral wellness through inventive solutions that help oral care professionals achieve greater clinical, professional and personal success. Learn more at 3M.com/dental.

About 3M

At 3M, we apply science in collaborative ways to improve lives daily. With $32 billion in sales, our 90,000 employees connect with customers all around the world. Learn more about 3M’s creative solutions to the world’s problems at www.3M.com or on Twitter @3M or @3MNewsroom.

About Bioclear

Bioclear Matrix offers the latest, most progressive products and techniques evolving from the traditional preparations and matrixing systems for anterior and posterior composites. Dr. David Clark founded Bioclear to change the course of dental restorations by bringing new dimension to aesthetics and function through cutting edge procedural advances.

3M is a trademark of 3M. Used under license in Canada. © 3M 2019. All rights reserved.

The latest innovations in oral health will be on display at Yankee Dental Congress® 2019 (Yankee) from January 31 – February 2, 2019, at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center. Yankee, which is New England’s largest dental meeting, is presented by the Massachusetts Dental Society in cooperation with the dental societies of Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

Nearly 27,000 dental health professionals and guests from around the United States are expected to attend this year’s event, which features more than 300 innovative continuing education (CE) and hands-on courses and events presented by leading experts in the dental profession.

Educational highlights include courses on:

-Digital dentistry and technological advancements, including lasers, intraoral scanners, and 3D printing 

-Changing trends in tobacco use, including vaping and e-cigarettes, and their impact on oral and systemic health

-Marijuana legalization and dental treatment considerations

-Providing comprehensive dental care for patients with special needs

-Managing chronic disease and oral systemic inflammation

-Pediatric sleep and airway disorders and obstructive sleep apnea

Along with endodontic, pediatric, prosthodontic, oral and maxillofacial surgery, and orthodontic specialty symposia held at Yankee, the Fifth Annual Interprofessional Symposium will focus on the diagnosis and process for treating eating disorders.

Yankee also will provide complimentary registration and educational courses to public health dental professionals to help support those who provide vital oral health care to underserved and disadvantaged populations throughout New England.

The Exhibit Hall Floor will showcase a wide range of the latest dental technologies and products from more than 400 exhibitors, along with several education pavilions. Special presentations this year include Joe Gatto, celebrity chef and host of the cutting-edge cooking show From Scratch, and best-selling author Julia Glass.

For more information on Yankee Dental Congress® 2019, please visit yankeedental.com or call 877.515.9071.

Yankee Dental Congress® is New England’s largest meeting for professionals seeking the highest quality dental continuing education, as well as dental products, services, and resources. With nearly 27,000 dental professionals in attendance from across the U.S., Yankee Dental Congress® is the fifth largest dental meeting in the country. Held in Boston each January, Yankee is the best source in New England for industry professionals on the cutting-edge of oral health care. Yankee Dental Congress® is presented by the Massachusetts Dental Society, in cooperation with the dental associations of Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. For more information, please visit yankeedental.com or call 877.515.9071. 

The Thomas P. Hinman Dental Meeting -- the nation’s leading dental meeting and comprehensive source of continuing education in dentistry – has launched its new #MyHinman campaign. When someone posts the official hashtag, #MyHinman, on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram between now and Hinman 2019, which will be held March 21-23, he or she will help raise money for scholarships and be entered into a monthly drawing for $100 cash. Each month, the winners will be posted at hinman.org/myhinman.

Hinman will donate to the scholarship bank each time a post is shared on social media with the #MyHinman hashtag. Individuals are encouraged to vote for which schools should receive the “My Hinman” scholarships, which will be disbursed to three deserving students. The 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners will be announced after Hinman 2019. To see a list of schools and to cast your vote for the school of your choice, visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MyHinman.

“We are proud to share that for nearly two decades the Hinman Dental Meeting has contributed millions of dollars to students and dental education programs throughout the country,” said Dr. Jonathan Dubin, General Chair for Hinman 2019. “The #MyHinman campaign is just another example of our mission, which combined with the delivery of a world-class educational experience at our annual Meeting, truly sets Hinman apart.”

Posts can range from sharing the #MyHinman YouTube video and posting a photo from your last Hinman to inviting your friends to join you at Hinman’s Night Out at the Georgia Aquarium on Friday, March 22. Posts also can simply be sharing Hinman’s page with your followers or identifying which courses, events or speakers excite you the most.

In addition, Hinman’s official housing company, EventSphere, again will match donations to help increase the scholarship amount awarded to the three winners. As a result of EventSphere’s scholarship match at Hinman 2018, Hinman raised $3,000 in additional scholarship funds.

The 2019 G.O.L.D. Program

Designed specifically for students and graduates of the last decade, the G.O.L.D. Program (Course Fr500) returns to Hinman 2019 as a full-day session on Friday. The program kicks off at 8:30 a.m. and concludes at 3 p.m. Topics include:

· “Pathways to Practice,” Dr. David Rice, 8:30 – 9:15 a.m. – Navigating the multiple pathways to practice success.

· “Whose Brand Is It Anyway? Three Ways to Ignite Your Brand’s Social Success in Health Care,” Ms. Anastasia Turchetta, 9:15 – 10 a.m. – Creating brand loyalty fueled with high octane content providing transparency, community and profitability

· “Building the Unstoppable Team,” Ms. Ragan Hartman, 10 – 10:45 a.m. – How to create a shared vision where the staff members have more ownership and accountability in the practice

· “America’s No. 1 Killer: Your Role in Reducing Cardiovascular Deaths,” Dr. Brad Bale and Dr. Michael Gelb, 10:45 a.m. – 12 p.m. – Outlining how oral health is a critical element in the guarantee of arterial wellness and sharing published clinical data illustrating the effectiveness of the Bale Doneen Method.

· Lunch and Video Testimonials – 12 to 1 p.m.

· “Clinical Failures: How to Fix Them and Avoid Them,” Dr. Lee Ann Brady, 1 – 2:15 p.m. – Learn the failures and solutions that can help jumpstart your practice.

· Closing with Dr. David Rice – 2:15 – 3 p.m.

In addition to the G.O.L.D. Program, there are two hands-on workshops offered specifically for dental students and a dental review exam course available free of charge on Saturday, March 23:

· “Hands-On Oral Surgery Workshop for Dental Students Only,” (Sa166) Dr. Robert Edwab, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. -- Giving students the chance to hone their oral surgery skills using fresh pig mandibles for soft tissue surgery and suturing

· “Suturing for Dental Students Only,” (Sa169) Dr. Lee Silverstein, 12:30 to 3 p.m. -- Covering the specifics of materials, needles, techniques and types of surgical knots, as well as the ins and outs of suturing for particular clinical procedures.

· “2019 CRDTS Dental Examination Review,” (Sa383) Dr. Stephan Holcomb, Chairman, CRDTS Examination Review Committee, 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.

Students are invited to all of the Hinman 2019 social events, including the Dental Student Happy Hour @ Hinman Hoops (Fr408) on Friday, March 22, 4 to 5 p.m. and “Hinman’s Night Out at the Movies,” at the Georgia Aquarium (Event Fr407) on Friday, March 22 from 7 to 10:30 p.m. Registration for Hinman 2019 is open and attendees can take advantage of lower fees by registering on or before February 21, 2019 at www.hinman.org.

The Hinman Tradition

The Hinman Dental Meeting is designed with a commitment to quality and professionalism and a high regard for the value of continuing education. The meeting is sponsored by the Hinman Dental Society, a non-profit organization, and all excess revenue is invested and gifted in the form of individual scholarships to dental, hygiene, assisting and lab tech students and contributions to institutions that foster dental education. For additional information about the Thomas P. Hinman Dental Meeting, visit www.hinman.org or contact Ms. Sylvia Ratchford, Executive Director, at (404) 231-1663. 

Published on January 8, 2019

Apteryx, Inc, Akron, Ohio –

Dental Colleagues, Customers, and Partners,

Since the first of the year, rumors and concerns have been circulating in the dental community about the on-going operations of Suni Medical Imaging — an Apteryx reseller partner. As dentists, you may know them better as Dr. Suni. Since 2002, they have installed thousands of practices with Dr. Suni and Prof. Suni, which are their brand names for Apteryx’s XrayVision imaging software.

It has been rumored that as of January 1, Suni has discontinued operations. Since learning of this news last week, we have reached out to Suni leadership to clarify the situation without a response. In the interest of getting the facts straight, we will continue our efforts to contact Suni directly. However, we feel an immediate obligation to reassure Suni customers that their software and support needs will continue to be met by Apteryx.

Over the next several weeks, Apteryx will proactively contact practices where we know that XrayVision software, sold under Suni’s Dr. Suni and Prof. Suni labels, has been installed. Since we don’t have direct visibility to everyone, we invite all Suni customers to call us at (877) 278-3799 for your immediate support needs and to register for on-going support. Suni customers may also email us at support@apteryx.com or visit www.ledapteryx.com/suni.

As Suni/ XrayVision customers, please rest assured that you are well positioned to make whatever transitions may be required. Dr. Suni and Prof. Suni, like all Apteryx XrayVision products, are designed as an “open” system meaning that you have plug and play interoperability with other open hardware and software solutions. XrayVision is used by over 30,000 practices in the U.S. alone and continues to be actively developed and enhanced — in fact, Suni customers have not yet received our latest version, XrayVision 4.0. We also offer a cloud-based upgrade path via our XVWeb product, which received FDA clearance for our 3D module in late 2018.

Most importantly, know that as a leading provider of imaging solutions since 1995, we understand just how important your imaging system is to your practice. Apteryx stands behind XrayVision and our entire product line, whether sold direct or by our reseller partners. We are ready to support the Suni user community with our team of imaging experts and ensure stability for your practice.

David Gane, DDS

CEO

Crosstex International, Inc. (“Crosstex”), the Dental division of Cantel Medical Corp. (NYSE:CMD) announced today that it has acquired Vista Research Group, LLC (“Vista Research Group”), a company that provides a complete line of innovative water treatment, purification and management solutions for the dental industry.

Crosstex will now be the provider of the innovative portfolio of solutions for filtration, purification, treatment and management of dental water to reduce the risk of infections, improve patient care, enhance practice workflow, and protect dental equipment.

“The addition of Vista Research Group’s solutions will broaden our dental water purification portfolio and advance the development of our product line. In addition to our DentaPure™ Cartridge, it also will enable us to provide a full suite of end-to-end dental water compliance solutions to dental practices,” said Gary Steinberg, President, Crosstex. “In our ongoing commitment to infection prevention and compliance, we look forward to driving the awareness of and access to the VistaPure™, VistaCool™, and VistaClear™ products so more dental practices can benefit from improved efficiency, simplified workflows, and better protection for both patients and staff.”

Jim Chandler, President of Vista Research Group stated, “We are very excited to now be part of Crosstex and the Cantel family. Crosstex is uniquely positioned to integrate our innovative water processing and time-saving products into more dental offices worldwide.”

About Crosstex International, Inc.

Crosstex International, Inc., the Dental division of Cantel Medical Corp., manufactures a wide array of unique and innovative infection prevention and compliance products for the global healthcare industry. Founded in 1953 and headquartered in Hauppauge, New York, Crosstex is a recognized leader for its portfolio of waterline treatment and compliance solutions, biological monitoring, sterility assurance, and preventive products, nitrous oxide sedation, and personal protection equipment (PPE).

For further information, visit www.crosstex.com.

About Cantel Medical Corp.

Cantel Medical Corp. is a leading global company dedicated to delivering innovative infection prevention products and services for patients, caregivers, and other healthcare providers, which improve outcomes, enhance safety and help save lives. Our products include specialized medical device reprocessing systems for endoscopy and renal dialysis, advanced water purification equipment, sterilants, disinfectants and cleaners, sterility assurance monitoring products for hospitals and dental clinics, disposable infection control products primarily for dental and GI endoscopy markets, dialysate concentrates, hollow fiber membrane filtration and separation products. Additionally, we provide technical service for our products.

For further information, visit the Cantel website at www.cantelmedical.com.

About Vista Research Group, LLC

Vista Research Group provides a complete line of innovative water processing solutions for the dental industry. From specialized filtration to waterline cleaning and backflow prevention, Vista Research Group products save practices time and money while protecting their equipment, facilities, staff and patients.

For more information, visit the Vista Research Group website at www.vistaresearchgroup.com.

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, the risks detailed in Cantel's filings and reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Such forward-looking statements are only predictions, and actual events or results may differ materially from those projected or anticipated.