When Dr. Bill Busch was volunteering with NFL players for TeamSmile, a charity he started in Kansas City over ten years ago, he had some questions. Why isn’t someone making great scrubs that fit these dentists like uniforms fit these athletes? And why didn’t he look and feel as good in his uniform as professional athletes do in theirs? Busch relayed his questions to his wife Natalie, and the couple did some research. Initially,

they thought this would be an excellent opportunity to outfit dental professionals that were volunteering for TeamSmile a few times a year. It turns out, medical professionals were also looking for these kinds of scrubs.

“We started with a mission to create scrubs that would actually fit and not just hang off a body. We named them for the element Titanium (Ti). We wanted to create something that reflected that element—lightweight, yet strong; cut for athletes but forgiving all at once. Our fabrics and patterns move with the human form more than the typical cotton numbers you see at a hospital. Plus, our fabric is anti-microbial and pet hair resistant, making it a suitable choice for vets and scientists,” says Natalie, who now is CEO of TiScrubs in its eighth year in business.

A former Marketing Strategist at Hallmark in Kansas City, Natalie knew there was an opportunity for the company to grow but also to not take itself so seriously. While her husband was the expert in what a medical professional needs, her branding efforts were vital in continuing to expand the business.

“We started this business when there were very few people making scrubs. Now, you’ve got to stand out. We spend extensive time researching fabrics and cuts, but I still think our customer service and our turnaround times are the best in the business. Plus we are injecting

some serious fun into this product. You have to have humor to function as a medical professional too. Our web site is fun and fresh, and we’ve got the ability to make anything from conservative solids to wild custom prints.”

The couple hasn’t forgotten its roots. The North Kansas City company continues its generous spirit. At least five percent from each sale goes back to TeamSmile, bringing the effort full circle.

“Our mission for TeamSmile was always to help people, and I feel the same way about this business,” Dr. Busch says. TeamSmile partners pro sports teams and dental professionals to provide free dental care to underserved kids in the U.S. You can see the TiScrubs on the Sporting Field on April 26, 2019, with TeamSmile.

DentalEZ Integrated Solutions is pleased to announce an upgrade to its RAMVAC Osprey Smart Compressors. RAMVAC now makes it simple and easy to convert an Osprey Smart Compressor from standard to high-pressure whenever needed with a push of a button on the on-board control system. With the high-pressure ranges needed to run a milling machine, our SMART model Osprey compressors can help, allowing the compressor to sustain and deliver consistent high-pressure in the range of 105-130 PSI.

Lindsay Viola, Senior Product Manager for Equipment and Utility, noted that “knowing consistency in pressure delivery can be critical to the proper operation of many in-office milling machines, we are committed to solving challenges like this as more offices embrace technology to benefit their patients. What’s even more exciting is doing this in a way that makes it easy for our customers, all within our on-board smart control.” RAMVAC opted for an integrated approach in delivering a new level of performance that requires no additional kits or part changes at the installation, making this a seamless choice.

All Osprey Smart compressors shipping from our manufacturing plant now include this feature. Ask your local PSA representative for a demonstration.

About DentalEZ®

DentalEZ Integrated Solutions is committed to providing real solutions to everyday challenges in oral healthcare by uniquely combining innovation focused on simplification and efficiency in value-based products and outstanding customer service and support. DentalEZ manufactures a full line of products and well-known brands including StarDental® Instruments, DentalEZ® Equipment, RAMVAC® Utility, NevinLabs™ Workstations and Columbia Dentoform® Teaching Solutions. For more information, please visit www.dentalez.com.

BurSafe Bur Holders make bur storage, sterilization, and retrieval easier and safer than ever. Unique, patent-pending design stores burs horizontally, and removal is as simple as pressing down on one end, eliminating the risk of personal injury posed by traditional bur blocks that present sharp burs vertically. The fully sterilizable soft silicone holders come in four colors and slide easily into flat sterilization pouches. Interlocking tabs let you connect holders if desired. Package includes two FG and two RA holders.

For 35 years, Practicon has partnered with dental professionals to advance patient care, increase productivity and profitability, and heighten professional enjoyment by bringing “practical innovations” to dentistry. Practicon’s growing product line ranges from hard-to-find problem solvers to cost-effective everyday supplies. For more information, visit www.Practicon.com or telephone (800) 959-9505.

ATLANTA, April 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Georgia School of Orthodontics (GSO) announced that it will provide four Sandy Springs and Gwinnett County based children with complimentary orthodontic care through its Gift of a Smile program. GSO established the Gift of a Smile program in 2016 to celebrate the grand opening of its Atlanta clinic. Since its inception, the program has provided free orthodontic care to nine children in the metro Atlanta area, as part of the School's pledge to provide $100,000 in complimentary orthodontic care to children who need braces but cannot otherwise afford it.

"For our family to receive the gift of a smile, it has changed our world," said Reena Henson, mother of smile recipient, Sierra Henson. "We had already started the process at GSO for my oldest daughter to receive braces, and shortly into the process we found out my husband had cancer.  We did not have insurance, so we had to put braces on the backburner. Then I received an email for the Gift of a Smile contest.  We applied and Sierra was selected!"

The relaunch of the Gift of a Smile program marks the celebration of the School's three-year anniversary in the Atlanta community.  GSO has partnered with Sandy Springs Public Schools and Gwinnett County Public Middle Schools for nominations for this year's recipients. Four students at participating schools will be selected to receive complimentary braces, and the schools with the most nominations will receive free school supplies for their classrooms.

Past recipients are grateful for the profound impact the program has had on their lives. Clarissa Cox, mother of recipient Savien Cox, said, "GSO has already changed Savien's life. He's going to walk with his shoulders high, his chin up, ready to conquer anything with his new smile."

The School's Gift of a Smile program is just one part of its mission to provide increased access to the highest quality orthodontic care at a lower cost than private practice orthodontics. GSO also has the Purple Heart Smiles program, which provides free orthodontic care to the children of Purple Heart recipients. To date, GSO has provided over twenty (20) children of Purple Heart recipients with complimentary care.

"Giving back to our community is the most important mission we have here at the Georgia School of Orthodontics. Nothing is more rewarding than seeing the smile of a child whose life has forever changed from orthodontic treatment," said Dr. Ricky Harrell, Program Director at GSO.

For more information on the School's Gift of a Smile program, and to determine your child's eligibility please visit www.BracesToday.com/Gift.

About Georgia School of Orthodontics

Georgia School of Orthodontics (GSO), based in Atlanta, GA, offers an advanced specialty education program in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics. The 36-month residency program is structured to provide collaborative and evidence-based learning for residents while providing quality orthodontic care to patients in the School's two patient clinics in metro Atlanta. GSO's mission is to educate outstanding dentists to be proficient in the clinical specialty of orthodontics, while providing Georgians with the highest level of patient care available. GSO faculty and staff are dedicated to diversity in both education and practice. For more information about GSO, visit GSOrthodontics.org. To schedule a complimentary consultation, visit bracestoday.com or call 770.351.7737

NY, NY – APRIL 25, 2019 – The Santa Fe Group, an action-oriented think tank with a passion to improve oral health for the public, today announced its 2019 Salon “Comprehensive Health Without Oral Health: The Medicare Paradox,” from May 8-10 at the Renaissance Arlington Capital View Hotel in Arlington, Virginia. More than 25 leading educators, researchers, policy makers, consumer advocates and business leaders will present at this interactive program that will convene 200 of our nation's leading healthcare change agents to focus on the critical need for Medicare to include oral health benefits as a component of overall health care. 

"Our Salon empowers attendees with compelling data confirming the significant economic and total health benefits of putting 'teeth' in Medicare. This data underscores the best practices of the private insurance sector, which should inspire federal and state agencies to help effect policy change," said Santa Fe Group President Dr. Michael Alfano. "The Salon builds upon the movement that's taken hold in the last five years, with 85 prestigious organizations joining us to call for expansion of Medicare to include basic dental services for individuals with medical need. Further, a bipartisan group of Senate and House members have called on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to expand dental care in Medicare. The time is now to join this movement and help challenge the system for the public good." 

Featured presentations at the 2019 Salon include: 

Congresswoman Donna Shalala - As the longest serving Secretary of Health and Human Services in U.S. history, who commissioned the first ever Surgeon General's Report on Oral Health, Ms. Shalala will present her perspective, now nearly two decades later, on the progress she believes has been made as well as what further change needs to be made either at the legislative or administrative level. 

AARP National Volunteer President Dr. Catherine Alicia Georges - Will speak to how the inclusion of an oral health benefit in Medicare and Medicaid could help to stem the negative health and financial impact on individuals without it; AARP's policy and advocacy recommendations; and what actions AARP believes would meet seniors' oral health benefit needs. 

Henry Schein, Inc. Chairman & CEO, Stanley M. Bergman – Will highlight perceived obstacles to the interoperability of current and future electronic health record systems and the maximum benefit to the patient when the exchange of information is facilitated among all health care providers, across a variety of health care delivery settings. 

New York State [NYS] Department of Health, Research Scientist, Kevin Malloy, & Stony Brook University School of Dental Medicine, Clinical Professor, Dept. of Periodontolgy, Dr. Ira B. Lamster - Will present the exclusive findings from an extensive, novel analysis of NYS Medicaid dental care data across adult patients, bringing to light the substantial positive economic and health impact of dental care in Medicaid populations. 

Marketing for Change Co., CEO, Peter Mitchell & DentaQuest Partnership, President, Alison Gregg Corcoran - Will present how public momentum is building for dental benefits in Medicare, the results of "we have teeth and we vote" outreach programs in three states during the 2018 election, and what motivates citizens 50+ to take action on this important issue. 

Liberty Partners Group, Principal, Eric Berger - Will highlight the call to action to achieve better care at lower costs for people in need of medically necessary oral healthcare, as well as the community effort that has enlisted organizations across the nation to join the movement to put "#TeethinMedicare. 

Additional presenters and panelists include: 

• Michael Monopoli, D.M.D., M.P.H., M.S., Executive Director, Grant Making Strategy, DentaQuest Partnership for Oral Health Advancement 

• Chet Douglass, D.M.D., Ph.D., Professor Emeritus, Harvard School of Dental Medicine 

• Marko Vujicic, Ph.D., Chief Economist & Vice President, Health Policy Institute, American Dental Association 

• Robert Lewando D.D.S., M.B.A., Executive Director, Dental Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts 

• Paul Manos, D.D.S., Dental Director, Professional Affairs, United Concordia 

• George J. Isham, M.D., M.S., Senior Fellow, HealthPartners Institute 

• Anita D. Glicken, M.S.W., Executive Director, National Inter-professional Initiative on Oral Health (NIIOH) and Professor Emerita, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Pioneer Leader of the Physician Assistant Oral Health Leadership Initiative 

• Hugh Silk, M.D., M.P.H., Professor, Department of Family Medicine and Community Health UMass, UMass Medical School, Medical Director, Primary Care Wellness Center/Community Healthlink 

• Rita Jablonski, Ph.D., C.R.N.P., F.A.A.N., F.G.S.A., Professor, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing.Anthony A. Miller, M.Ed., PA-C, Distinguished Professor & Director, Division of Physician Assistant Studies, Shenandoah University 

• Anthony A. Miller, M.Ed., PA-C, Distinguished Professor & Director, Division of Physician Assistant Studies, Shenandoah University 

• William Scanlon, Ph.D., Consultant, West Health 

• Meg Booth, M.P.H., Executive Director, Children’s Dental Health Project 

• Burton Edelstein, D.D.S., M.P.H.,B.A., Founding Chair Emeritus and Senior Fellow in Public Policy, Children’s Dental Health Project, Washington D.C. and Professor of Dental Medicine and Health Policy & Management, Columbia University Irving Medical Center 

• David Gesko, D.D.S., F.A.C.D., Dental Director & Senior Vice President, Health Partners 

• Patrick Willard, Senior Director of State and National Strategic Partnerships, Families USA 

• Lindsey A. Robinson, D.D.S., Diplomate, A.B.P.D. 

• Patrick T. Courneya, M.D., Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer, National Health Plan and Hospitals Quality, Kaiser Permanente 

To see the full agenda and to learn more, please visit: SantaFeGroup.org 

About the Santa Fe Group 

The Santa Fe Group is an action-oriented think tank with a passion to improve oral health for the public. Its members work across multiple groups of stakeholders to foster policy, analyze and disseminate health program and policy information, create networks of concerned citizens from all walks of life, develop advocacy programs to promote change for improved health, and convene professionals from across all sectors to access leading public health research and best practices to effect policy change. Since its inception more than 25 years ago, the Santa Fe Group has been instrumental in raising awareness and moving the needle on critical issues such as oral cancer, dental education reform, children's oral health, improved primary care access, the importance of linking medical and dental health systems, and most recently, expanding oral healthcare for our nation's seniors. To learn more, please visit: SantaFeGroup.org 

When choosing a biomaterial, there is a strong demand in clinical practice for predictable outcomes. For over 20 years, LifeCell™, an Allergan affiliate and leading global medical technology company, has developed innovative products for use in a wide range of applications.

BioHorizons Camlog expands its soft-tissue portfolio in partnership with LifeCell™ to bring NovoMatrix™, the next generation of soft-tissue augmentation material, into the European market. Full market release of this product will take place at the Oral Reconstruction Foundation Symposium in New York City in April 2020.

What is NovoMatrix™?

NovoMatrix™ is an acellular extracellular dermal matrix consisting of tissue-engineered porcine material. NovoMatrix™ is a breakthrough in xenogenic processing ensuring a structurally intact, undamaged scaffold that supports cell and microvascular ingrowth. The proprietary tissue processing allows for rapid revascularization, cell repopulation and minimal inflammation. NovoMatrix™ comes pre-hydrated and ready to use and offers a true alternative to autogenous soft-tissue grafts and current products on the market.

Indications and clinical evidence

The NovoMatrix™ indications include guided tissue regeneration procedures in recession defects for root coverage, localized gingival augmentation to increase keratinized tissue (KT) around teeth and alveolar ridge reconstruction for prosthetic treatment. Dr Edward Pat Allen, one of the pioneer users of NovoMatrix™, says: “NovoMatrix™ graft exhibits uniform physical characteristics and great surgical handling, enhancing its ease of use in the tunnelling technique. This results in an excellent clinical outcome with minimal post-operative swelling and inflammation.”

“NovoMatrix™ represents a significant addition to our soft-tissue product portfolio,” said Steve Boggan, President and CEO of BioHorizons. “We now offer our customers a differentiated alternative to connective tissue for applications such as root coverage and soft-tissue augmentation around implants and natural teeth.”

Osteology Highlights

At this year’s Osteology Symposium, BioHorizons and Camlog will display their complete product line-up and will also be sponsoring a hands-on workshop on Thursday, May 25th on “Novel regenerative concepts using dermal matrices- from integration to regeneration” with Dr Edward P. Allen. In the afternoon of the same day, Dr Gerhard Iglhaut will discuss “Innovative treatment concepts on how to improve efficiency and regeneration” during the corporate forum. Furthermore, at booth #5 during coffee and lunch breaks, BioHorizons and Camlog’s team of experts invite clinicians to participate in interactive demonstrations featuring the PROGRESSIVE line implants, which was recently launched, as well as NovoMatrix™, led by Dr. Edward P. Allen.

About BioHorizons and Camlog

BioHorizons and Camlog are leading suppliers of premium dental implant systems, restorative components, a comprehensive line of biologics products and digital solutions. They are committed to developing evidence-based and scientifically proven products as well as offering continuous education according to highest standards.

Headquartered in the U.S. and Europe, respectively, BioHorizons and Camlog’s geographic positions enable them to efficiently serve direct subsidiaries in the Americas and Western Europe as well as their entire distribution network in more than 90 countries around the world.

Both companies are part of Henry Schein, Inc., a solutions company for health care professionals powered by a network of people and technology. With more than 18,000 Team Schein Members worldwide, Henry Schein’s network of trusted advisors provides over 1 million customers globally with more than 300 valued solutions improving operational success and clinical outcomes. The Company’s business, clinical, technology, and supply chain solutions help office-based dental and medical practitioners work more efficiently so they can provide quality care more effectively. These solutions also support dental laboratories, government and institutional health care clinics, as well as other alternate care sites.

For more information, visit www.biohorizons.com, www.camlog.com and www.henryschein.com.

The American Association of Endodontists is pleased to announce its incoming board of directors, who were officially selected during the Association’s annual meeting known as AAE19 in Montréal earlier this month.

Keith V. Krell, D.D.S., M.S., M.A., will serve as the AAE’s President. Dr. Krell has been an endodontist for 38 years. He was a full time educator for 8 years at the University of Iowa and was in private practice in West Des Moines, Iowa for 29 years until he retired December 31,2017. He is still an adjunct clinical Professor in the department of Endodontics at the University of Iowa College of Dentistry. He also works part-time at Broadlawns Hospital in the Dental Department treating Medicaid patients. In 1993, he retired from the United States Army National Guard as a lieutenant colonel after 22 years of service. He is a past president of both the ABE and AAEF (now the Foundation for Endodontics).

Alan S. Law, D.D.S., Ph.D., will serve as vice president. Dr. Law received his Doctor of Dental Surgery and Certificate in Endodontics from the University of Iowa College of Dentistry, Iowa City, Iowa. He completed his Ph.D. with the Department of Pharmacology at the University of Iowa. Dr. Law has published several articles in scientific and clinical journals. He is in full–time practice in the Twin Cities with The Dental Specialists, a multi-specialty dental practice, and is an adjunct associate professor in the Division of Endodontics at the University of Minnesota.

Craig S. Hirschberg, D.D.S., will serve as secretary. He is the chair of the Department of Endodontics at Rutgers School of Dental Medicine. He received his Bachelor of Science from the University of Cincinnati. Dr. Hirschberg pursued his dental education at New York University College of Dentistry, where he earned his D.D.S. in 1980.

Paul A. Falcon, D.M.D., M.S., will represent District II. Dr. Falcon holds an undergraduate and master’s degree in Chemical Engineering from NJ Institute of Technology. His dental training is from NJ Dental School (now Rutgers School of Dental Medicine) and he completed undergraduate studies in 1981 and Certificate in Endodontics in 1983. Dr Falcon was ABE certified in 1992. He still maintains private part-time practice limited to endodontics and is director of the Advanced Specialty Education Program in Endodontics at Rutgers School of Dental Medicine.

Michael J. Mintz, D.D.S., will represent District IV. Dr. Mintz is an active member in many dental groups and societies. He is also an assistant professor of endodontics at the University of Illinois, College of Dentistry. He currently practices in Illinois and Indiana. Dr. Mintz attended Indiana University School of Dentistry and received his D.D.S. in 1986.

Bradley H. Gettleman, D.D.S., M.S., will represent District V. Dr. Gettleman earned his dental degree from the University of Missouri, in Kansas City. He finished his master’s degree and endodontic residency at the University of Minnesota. He has published numerous articles on endodontic therapy, and has a private practice in Arizona.

Kirk A. Coury, D.D.S., M.S., will represent District V. He attended Texas Tech University and received his D.D.S. degree from Baylor College of Dentistry in 1987. He received his Certificate in endodontics, and a master's degree in dentistry in 1990 from the University of Texas Health Science Center - Houston. Later that year, he opened his practice in Amarillo, Texas, as the first endodontist of the Panhandle area. In 1996, Dr. Coury and his partner Dr. James Douthitt formed Amarillo Endodontics. Dr. Coury is active in all levels of organized dentistry and currently serves as treasurer of the Foundation for Endodontics.

Kenneth B. Wiltbank, D.M.D., will represent District VI. Dr. Wiltbank attended dental school at the Oregon Health and Sciences University and graduated in the class of 1998. After seven years working in Beaverton/Tigard as a general dentist, he returned to school at the University of Texas, Health Sciences Center at San Antonio, where he completed a residency in endodontics (Class of 2007). He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Endodontics. He is a member of and volunteers in the American Association of Endodontists in the capacity of a representative to the American Dental Association’s Codes Maintenance Committee and to the American Association of Dental Consultants.

About the American Association of Endodontists

The American Association of Endodontists, headquartered in Chicago, Ill., represents more than 8,000 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. For more information about the AAE, visit the Association’s website at aae.org.

The American Association of Orthodontists’ (AAO) 2019 Annual Session will be held May 3-7 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, California, with an expected attendance of 16,000, including more than 4,400 international attendees representing 96 countries. Orthodontists and their professional staff members will gather for five days of learning, discussion, study and collaboration. More than 240 lectures will be presented during the Annual Session by the world’s leading orthodontic clinicians, researchers and experts in practice management.

As the oldest and largest dental specialty organization in the world, the AAO is dedicated to providing unparalleled continuing education opportunities to support excellence in patient care among its more than 19,000 members in the U.S., Canada and abroad. AAO orthodontists are dentistry’s specialists in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics.

“The 2019 AAO Annual Session is an incomparable opportunity to gain knowledge and insights into emerging treatment topics that will benefit orthodontists at all stages of their careers,” said AAO president Brent Larson, DDS, MS. “While we hope members can attend in person, we recognize that not everyone is able to be present. Those individuals can take advantage of livestreaming of four half-day lectures on Saturday and Sunday, May 4 and 5, and earn up to 12 hours of CE. Topics will include Sleep Apnea, Pre-adolescent Treatment, and Evidence/Advances.” Find details here.

The AAO Annual Session Exhibit Hall, the largest show of its kind in the world, will be open Saturday, May 4 through Tuesday, May 7. More than 350 exhibitors will fill nearly 125,000 sq. ft. of space in the Exhibit Hall to showcase the products and services that are essential to contemporary orthodontic practices.

Special events offered exclusively to 2019 AAO Annual Session attendees include a performance by the World Classic Rockers at the May 4 Opening Ceremonies; and two May 5 events, a keynote speech by renowned filmmaker Ron Howard at the Excellence in Orthodontics Luncheon and Awards Ceremony, and that evening’s AAO Celebration featuring Tom Thumb & the Hitchhikers, a rock band comprised of orthodontists.

AAO Named Lectures

Highly anticipated lectures that are named for pioneering orthodontists will be presented Saturday, May 4.

Jacob A. Salzmann Lecture – Hugo de Clerck, DDS, PhD, of Brussels, Belgium;

“Miniplate Skeletal Anchorage: An Update and New Perspectives.”

Edward H. Angle Lecture – Peter Buschang, PhD, of Dallas, Texas; “Thirty Years of Achievements: Our Proudest Moments.”

John Valentine Mershon Lecture – Greg Huang, DMD, MSD, MPH, of Seattle, Washington; “Results from the National Dental Practice Based Research Networks (PBRN) Adult Anterior Openbite Study.”

Awards Recipients and Ceremony

Outstanding individuals and their accomplishments will be celebrated at the Excellence in Orthodontics Awards Ceremony and Luncheon on Sunday, May 5.

Jaime de Jesús-Viñas, DMD, MS, of San Juan, Puerto Rico, is the recipient of the 2019 James E. Brophy AAO Distinguished Service Award. It is presented to those who have made contributions to orthodontics in addition to other valuable and devoted services to the AAO and to its membership.

Peter Buschang, PhD, of Dallas, Texas will be presented the Lifetime Achievement Award in Orthodontic Research, which recognizes significant contributions to the science related to the specialty of orthodontics over the course of the recipient’s lifetime.

J. Moody Alexander, DDS, MS, of Arlington, Texas will receive the AAO 2019 Humanitarian Award. The award recognizes significant contributions to improve the quality of human life that extends beyond the usual scope of private practice, academic functions or organized dentistry.

Mr. Paul Gange, Sr., president of Reliance Orthodontic Products, will be the first to be awarded the AAO Outstanding Contribution Award. This new award recognizes outstanding service to the specialty of orthodontics made by a non-orthodontist.

Anne Marie Kuijpers-Jagtman, DDS, PhD, of Nijmegen, The Netherlands, will be presented the 2019 Louise Ada Jarabak Memorial International Teachers and Research Award presented by the American Association of Orthodontists Foundation for her significant contributions to orthodontic teaching and research.

Michael Riolo, DDS, MS, of Seattle, Washington, will receive the 2019 Albert H. Ketcham Memorial Award, presented annually by the American Board of Orthodontics to an orthodontist who has made a notable contribution to the science and art of orthodontists.

“We hope the 2019 AAO Annual Session is a wonderful and memorable experience for all attendees,” Dr. Larson said.

Detailed information on speakers, lectures and workshops is offered at https://s3.amazonaws.com/aao-upload/prod-meetings/2019/04/08135410/AAO-2019-Annual-Session-Program-Grid_rev-04.08.19.pdf. Registration is available at https://register.xpressreg.net/EventRegistration/AAOS0518/Register/Landing/65fcb7e5-989c-43e8-9a53-f8b76104e97b.

About the American Association of Orthodontists

Members of the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) help children, teenagers and adults achieve healthy, beautiful smiles.

Orthodontists are uniquely qualified specialists who diagnose, prevent and treat dental and facial irregularities to correctly align teeth and jaws. Orthodontists receive an additional two to three academic years of specialized education beyond dental school at an accredited orthodontic residency program.

Founded in 1900, the AAO is the world’s oldest and largest dental specialty organization. It represents more than 19,000 orthodontist members throughout the United States, Canada and abroad. The AAO encourages and sponsors key research to enable its members to provide the highest quality of care to patients, and is committed to educating the public about the need for, and benefits of, orthodontic treatment. Comprehensive orthodontic treatment is a complex medical process, and the AAO has long held the position that it is in the best, and safest, interest of the public to have that treatment conducted under the direct and ongoing supervision of a licensed orthodontist.

Only orthodontists qualify for AAO membership. For more information, and to find AAO orthodontists, visit aaoinfo.org.

A mutation in the ORAI1 gene—studied in a human patient and mice—leads to a loss of calcium in enamel cells and results in defective dental enamel mineralization, finds a study led by researchers at NYU College of Dentistry.

The study, published April 23 in Science Signaling, identifies ORAI1 as the dominant protein for calcium influx and reveals the mechanisms by which calcium influx affects enamel cell function and the formation of tooth enamel.

Calcium is critical for many cellular functions, including mineralizing teeth and bones. Calcium enters cells via ORAI proteins, which form pores in a cell’s plasma membrane to enable calcium influx when activated. 

“Our previous research has shown that deficiencies in the modulation of calcium influx or calcium transport result in dental enamel malformation,” said Rodrigo Lacruz, PhD, associate professor of basic science and craniofacial biology at NYU College of Dentistry and the study’s senior author. “Despite this knowledge, the biology of enamel cells as it relates to the role of calcium signaling remains poorly understood.”

Studies show that several genes, including ORAI (which encode ORAI proteins), are involved in the formation of tooth enamel. Enamel—the hard, outer layer of teeth—first forms as a soft, gel-like matrix. ORAI proteins then help the enamel-forming cells to mineralize. 

Mutations in the human ORAI1 gene result in immune dysfunction and immune diseases, but people with ORAI1 mutations also have defects in their tooth enamel. In this study, the researchers investigated the case of a patient with a complex medical history, including combined immunodeficiency and a mutation in the ORAI1 gene. Throughout his childhood, the patient had defects on his tooth enamel, resulting in severe cavities and related dental abscesses. Based on his clinical presentation, the researchers concluded that the ORAI1 mutation likely accounted for the defective enamel mineralization. 

Given the lack of dental samples from patients with ORAI1 mutations, Lacruz and his colleagues then developed mouse models to study the role of ORAI proteins in enamel formation, both by observing tooth enamel and examining its influence on the environment inside enamel cells.

The researchers studied the ORAI family of proteins (ORAI1, ORAI2, and ORAI3) and genetic mutations in the corresponding genes to investigate the mechanism by which calcium is modulated by each of these proteins. When mice had a mutation in the ORAI1 gene and were therefore deficient in ORAI1 protein, calcium entry into enamel cells was significantly reduced (by roughly 50 percent), and tooth enamel was abnormal, including cracks in the outer enamel layer. By contrast, mice with ORAI2 mutations and ORAI2 deficiency showed an increase in calcium by approximately 30 percent in the enamel cells, which did not result in obvious enamel defects. This suggests that ORAI1 is the dominant channel for modulating the influx of calcium into enamel cells.

To better understand how calcium influx—and conversely, deficiency in calcium—changes the functioning of enamel cells, the researchers examined the activity of cells lacking ORAI1. They found that calcium dysregulation in ORAI1-deficient cells affects their function at multiple levels, including increased mitochondrial respiration and subsequent changes in redox balance. An elevation in reactive oxygen species can be detrimental to cells, and to protect proteins in an intracellular environment that is more oxidizing, a mechanism called S-glutathionylation is promoted.

The findings provide a foundational understanding of what happens in enamel cells, which could help create a pathway for researchers interested in regenerating tooth enamel or developing therapies to treat patients with enamel defects.

“We’ve long observed deficiencies in tooth enamel associated with abnormal calcium levels in the enamel cells, but can now detail a mechanism for how this occurs,” said Lacruz.

In addition to Lacruz, study authors include Miriam Eckstein, Francisco Aulestia, Veronica Costiniti, Serena Kassam, Timothy Bromage, and Amr Moursi of NYU College of Dentistry; Martin Vaeth and Stefan Feske of NYU School of Medicine; Pal Pedersen of Carl Zeiss Microscopy, LLC; Youssef Idaghdour of NYU Abu Dhabi; and Thomas Issekutz of Dalhousie University. This research was funded by the National Institutes of Health’s National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (DE025639, DE027679) and National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (AI097302, AI130143, AI107448).

About NYU College of Dentistry

Founded in 1865, New York University College of Dentistry (NYU Dentistry) is the third oldest and the largest dental school in the US, educating 9 percent of the nation’s dentists. NYU Dentistry has a significant global reach with a highly diverse student body. Visit https://dental.nyu.edu for more.

Nursing, medical, and dental students can work as a team to improve their knowledge of pediatric oral health—and how to work with their fellow health professionals, finds new research led by NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing. The study appears in the Journal of Dental Education.

Cavities are the most common chronic childhood disease. Over the past two decades, reports and policies have called for pediatric primary care providers to incorporate oral health into their well visits, including screening and referring children to dentists.  Despite these efforts, many primary care providers are not integrating oral health into patient visits, and some report feeling unprepared or uncomfortable in this role.

To improve interprofessional skills and collaboration between primary care and dental providers, NYU Meyers’ Oral Health Nursing Education and Practice (OHNEP) program–which works to help nurses and other health professionals incorporate oral health into patient care—developed an innovative pediatric oral health clinical experience.

In the interprofessional experience, family nurse practitioner, medical, and dental students work as a team to assess patients. Together they review a patient’s chart, take a patient’s medical and dental history, perform an oral assessment, apply fluoride varnish, and educate children and parents. Students also learn to identify the connection between oral health and overall health—for instance, how certain diseases or medications can affect oral health. The goal is to increase the oral health knowledge and skills of non-dental primary care providers while boosting dental students’ knowledge about the link between oral and systemic health.

“Collaborative, workplace-ready students are valuable assets to any clinical team. Our goal is for team-based, whole person care to become the norm for promoting children’s oral health and preventing cavities,” said Erin Hartnett, DNP, PPCNP-BC, CPNP, director of OHNEP at NYU Meyers and the study’s lead author.

Over three semesters, a total of 162 family nurse practitioner, dental, and medical students participated in this interprofessional experience at a New York City hospital. Students completed surveys before and after their participation to evaluate whether their interprofessional competencies changed.

The researchers found that all students had significantly improved interprofessional competency scores after the team-based experience. This includes improvements in important factors for working with other professionals, such as communication, collaboration, conflict management, team functioning, and using a patient-centered approach.

“Our findings suggest that a team-based, clinical approach can be an effective strategy to help health professional students develop interprofessional competencies,” said Judith Haber, PhD, APRN-BC, FAAN, the Ursula Springer Leadership Professor in Nursing at NYU Meyers, executive director of OHNEP, and the study’s coauthor.

In addition to Hartnett and Haber, study authors include Peter Catapano of Bellevue Hospital Center, NYU School of Medicine, and NYU College of Dentistry; Nancy Dougherty, Amr Moursi, and Courtney Chinn of NYU College of Dentistry; Ramin Kashani of NYU College of Dentistry and Bellevue; Cindy Osman of NYU School of Medicine and Bellevue; and Abigail Bella of NYU Meyers.

The interprofessional experience is part of NYU Meyers’ Teaching Oral-Systemic Health program, funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) (grant #D09HP25019).

About NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing (@NYUNursing)

NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing is a global leader in nursing and health. Founded in 1932, the College offers BS, MS, DNP, and PhD degree programs providing the educational foundation to prepare the next generation of nursing leaders and researchers. NYU Meyers has three programs ranked in the top 10 by U.S. News & World Report and is among the top five nursing schools receiving NIH funding, thanks to its research mission and commitment to innovative approaches to healthcare worldwide.