Many patients, especially those who are anesthetized or emotionally challenged, cannot communicate precisely about their pain.

For this reason, University of Michigan researchers have developed a technology to help clinicians "see" and map patient pain in real-time, through special augmented reality glasses. Their small feasibility study appears in the Journal of Medical Internet Research.

The technology was tested on 21 volunteer dental patients, and researchers hope to one day include other types of pain and conditions. It's years away from widespread use in a clinical setting, but the feasibility study is a good first step for dental patients, said Alex DaSilva, associate professor at the U-M School of Dentistry and director of the Headache and Orofacial Pain Effort Lab.

The portable CLARAi (clinical augmented reality and artificial intelligence) platform combines visualization with brain data using neuroimaging to navigate through a patient's brain while they're in the chair.

"It's very hard for us to measure and express our pain, including its expectation and associated anxiety," DaSilva said. "Right now, we have a one to 10 rating system, but that's far from a reliable and objective pain measurement."

In the study, researchers triggered pain by administering cold to the teeth. Researchers used brain pain data to develop algorithms that, when coupled with new software and neuroimaging hardware, predicted pain or the absence of it about 70% of the time.

Participants wore a sensor-outfitted cap that detected changes to blood flow and oxygenation, thus measuring brain activity and responses to pain. That information was transmitted to a computer and interpreted.

Wearing special augmented reality glasses (in this case, the Microsoft HoloLens), researchers viewed the subject's brain activity in real time on a reconstructed brain template, while the subjects sat in the clinical chair. The red and blue dots on the image denote location and level of brain activity, and this "pain signature" was mirror-displayed on the augmented reality screen. The more pain signatures the algorithm learns to read, the more accurate the pain assessment.

Co-authors include: Xiao-Su Hu, Andrew Racek, Thiago Nascimento, Mary Bender, Theodore Hall, Sean Petty, Stephanie O'Malley and Niko Kaciroti of U-M; Roger Ellwood of Colgate Palmolive; and Eric Maslowski of Ann Arbor-based Moxytech Inc.

The American Dental Association (ADA) today announced that Biotene Dry Mouth Oral Rinse is the first product to earn the ADA Seal of Acceptance in the Dry Mouth product category.

The ADA Council on Scientific Affairs in June accepted the oral rinse, a product of GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare (GSK), based on its finding that the product is safe and has shown efficacy in temporarily relieving dry mouth symptoms, when used as directed. 

Dry mouth, also called xerostomia, results from an inadequate flow of saliva. Saliva is the mouth’s primary defense against tooth decay and maintains the health of the soft and hard tissues in the mouth. Saliva washes away food and other debris, neutralizes acids produced by bacteria in the mouth and provides disease-fighting substances throughout the mouth, offering first-line protection against microbial invasion or overgrowth that might lead to disease.

“Biotene Dry Mouth Oral Rinse addresses an important problem that many people face,” said Mia L. Geisinger, D.D.S., M.S., chair of the ADA Council on Scientific Affairs’ Seal subcommittee. “By earning the ADA Seal of Acceptance, this product has shown to be safe and effective in helping relieve dry mouths symptoms and will hopefully help consumers identify a trusted solution when shopping for products that address this issue.” 

To earn the Seal, the product’s manufacturer, GSK, had to pass ADA Laboratory tests and meet ADA and American National Standards Institute-approved dental standards. The company also submitted studies proving clinical safety and efficacy.

“We are very honored that Biotene Dry Mouth Oral Rinse received the first ADA Seal of Acceptance in the new Dry Mouth category,” said Ryan Chung, Biotene brand manager, GSK Consumer Healthcare. “We understand that dry mouth can cause unintended long-term consequences on a person’s oral health, so we are proud to be recognized by the ADA for helping people manage their dry mouth symptoms effectively.” 

For more information about the ADA Seal program, visit ADA.org/Seal. For more information on dry mouth, visit MouthHealthy.org. 

Editor’s Note: Reporters are invited to follow the ADA on Twitter @AmerDentalAssn

About the American Dental Association

The not-for-profit ADA is the nation's largest dental association, representing more than 163,000 dentist members. The premier source of oral health information, the ADA has advocated for the public's health and promoted the art and science of dentistry since 1859. The ADA's state-of-the-art research facilities develop and test dental products and materials that have advanced the practice of dentistry and made the patient experience more positive. The ADA Seal of Acceptance long has been a valuable and respected guide to consumer dental care products. The monthly The Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA) is the ADA's flagship publication and the best-read scientific journal in dentistry. For more information about the ADA, visit ADA.org. For more information on oral health, including prevention, care and treatment of dental disease, visit the ADA’s consumer website MouthHealthy.org. 

About GSK Consumer Healthcare 

Our Consumer Healthcare business combines science and consumer insights to creative innovative everyday health care brands.  We build world-class brands that consumers trust, and experts recommend for oral health, pain relief, respiratory, skin health, nutrition and digestive health. 

Our purpose is to help more people around the world to do more, feel better and live longer with everyday healthcare products. We have a heritage that goes back over 160 years. We own some of the world's best loved healthcare brands, including Sensodyne®, Theraflu®, Excedrin®, Nicorette® and NicoDerm®CQ®, FLONASE®, and TUMS®. These brands are successful in over 100 countries around the world because they all show our passion for quality, guaranteed by science. They are inspired by the real wants and needs of the millions of people who walk into pharmacies, supermarkets, market stalls and go online all over the world every day and choose us first.

Danaher Corporation (NYSE: DHR) ("Danaher") today announced that Envista Holdings Corporation ("Envista" or the "Company") will be the name of the separate company Danaher intends to create and take public via an initial public offering in the second half of 2019.  Envista will be comprised of three operating companies within Danaher's Dental segment: Nobel Biocare Systems, KaVo Kerr, and Ormco. These businesses have significant positions in dental implants, orthodontics, dental equipment and consumables, and include brands such as Nobel Biocare, KaVo, Kerr, i-CAT, Dexis, Metrex, Pelton & Crane, Ormco, Implant Direct, and Orascoptic. Envista will be led by Amir Aghdaei, who will become President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Aghdaei currently serves as Danaher Group Executive with responsibility for the Dental segment.

Mr. Aghdaei stated, "Envista's name is a combination of two Latin root words: 'en', a prefix meaning to be within, and 'vista', meaning a view. Our logo of concentric circles represents our ability to collaboratively achieve endless possibilities ahead. The Envista brand reflects the forward-looking energy that embodies our company culture."

Aghdaei continued, "Envista's culture will be built on four core values: 'Better Choices, Better Outcomes,' 'Relationships Built on Trust,' 'Innovation in Action,' and 'Continuous Improvement as a Competitive Advantage.' Our Danaher heritage helped us shape these values and serves as a strong foundation for our business. The Envista Business System, which will be based on the Danaher Business System, will be our common operating model."

Envista intends to apply to list its common stock on the New York Stock Exchange. The stock symbol will be NVST. 

Envista will employ 12,000 people worldwide. The company's website is www.envistaco.com.

NOT AN OFFER OF ANY SECURITIES

The information in this communication is for informational purposes only and shall not constitute, or form a part of, an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities.

ABOUT DANAHER

Danaher is a global science and technology innovator committed to helping its customers solve complex challenges and improving quality of life around the world. Its family of world class brands has leadership positions in the demanding and attractive health care, environmental and applied end-markets. With more than 20 operating companies, Danaher's globally diverse team of approximately 71,000 associates is united by a common culture and operating system, the Danaher Business System, and our Shared Purpose, Helping Realize Life's Potential. For more information, please visit www.danaher.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Statements in this release that are not strictly historical, including the statements regarding the anticipated initial public offering of Envista, Envista's leadership, strategy, prospects and business plans, and any other statements regarding events or developments that we believe or anticipate will or may occur in the future are "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. There are a number of important factors that could cause actual results, developments and business decisions to differ materially from those suggested or indicated by such forward-looking statements and you should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements.  These factors include, among other things, the ability to complete the initial public offering of Envista on the currently contemplated timeline or at all and achieve the intended benefits thereof, deterioration of or instability in the economy, the markets served by us and the financial markets, developments and uncertainties in U.S. policy stemming from the U.S. administration, such as changes in U.S. trade and tariff policies and the reaction of other countries thereto, contractions or growth rates and cyclicality of markets we serve, competition, our ability to develop and successfully market new products and technologies and expand into new markets, the potential for improper conduct by our employees, agents or business partners, our compliance with applicable laws and regulations (including regulations relating to medical devices and the health care industry), the results of our clinical trials and perceptions thereof, our ability to effectively address cost reductions and other changes in the health care industry, our ability to successfully identify and consummate appropriate acquisitions and strategic investments and successfully complete divestitures and other dispositions, our ability to integrate the businesses we acquire and achieve the anticipated benefits of such acquisitions, contingent liabilities relating to acquisitions, investments and divestitures (including tax-related and other contingent liabilities relating to past and future IPOs, split-offs or spin-offs), security breaches or other disruptions of our information technology systems or violations of data privacy laws, the impact of our restructuring activities on our ability to grow, risks relating to potential impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets, currency exchange rates, tax audits and changes in our tax rate and income tax liabilities, changes in tax laws applicable to multinational companies, litigation and other contingent liabilities including intellectual property and environmental, health and safety matters, the rights of the United States government to use, disclose and license certain intellectual property we license if we fail to commercialize it, risks relating to product, service or software defects, product liability and recalls, risks relating to product manufacturing, the impact of our debt obligations on our operations and liquidity, our relationships with and the performance of our channel partners, uncertainties relating to collaboration arrangements with third-parties, commodity costs and surcharges, our ability to adjust purchases and manufacturing capacity to reflect market conditions, reliance on sole sources of supply, the impact of deregulation on demand for our products and services, labor matters, international economic, political, legal, compliance and business factors (including the impact of the United Kingdom's decision to leave the EU and uncertainty relating to the terms and timing of such separation), disruptions relating to man-made and natural disasters and pension plan costs. Additional information regarding the factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements is available in Danaher's SEC filings, including our 2018 Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the first quarter of 2019. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release, and except to the extent required by applicable law, Danaher and the Company do not assume any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events and developments or otherwise.

SOURCE Danaher Corporation

Project Accessible Oral Health at The Viscardi Center, a global public-private partnership that aims to improve access to oral healthcare and improve the overall health of the disability community, recently held its annual summit and “First Steps” awards ceremony as it continues to advance the conversation around fostering culturally competent oral healthcare for people with disabilities.

The summit, “Champions for Oral Healthcare in the Disability Community,” took place June 17-18 in Philadelphia, bringing together dental and medical professionals, educators, policymakers, people with disabilities, caregivers, and other stakeholders. The event kicked off with an awards ceremony at The Study at University City highlighting the groundbreaking work of four honorees:

•AmeriHealth Caritas/Keystone First were recognized for creating a new dental insurance plan specifically to address the needs of people with disabilities, and for committing to train its providers to competently and confidently treat its plan members. The honorees were inspired to create the plan by the inaugural Project Accessible Oral Health conference in 2017.

•The University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine and Temple University’s Maurice H. Kornberg School of Dentistry were each honored for their commitment to treating people with disabilities, and ensuring that future generations of dentists are taught how to address the oral health needs of the disability community.

•The ADA Foundation was honored for its recent ADA Foundation Challenge, which raised awareness of the oral health access issues facing people with disabilities among thousands of American Dental Association members.

Throughout the rest of the event, which took place at the The University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, attendees discussed progress that has been made since Project Accessible Oral Health’s inception in 2017 and celebrated individuals who have led efforts to improve access to care around the world. Panel discussions explored ongoing oral health challenges facing the disability community, and keynote speaker Neil Romano, Chairman of the National Council on Disability, spoke to attendees about the responsibility each of them must take to ensure that dental practices are accessible and oral health professionals are trained to meet the unique needs of people with disabilities.

For a closer look at the issues discussed during the event, please watch this video interview featuring Steve Kess, Vice President of Global Professional Relations at Henry Schein, Inc., and Dr. Larry Paul, Vice President of Corporate Dental for AmeriHealth Caritas, as they discuss “A New Approach to Oral Health Care for People with Special Needs.” The interview is part of #scheinchats, Henry Schein’s signature social media series.

“We have made tremendous progress in just two short years, and it is rewarding to be joined by colleagues who want to continue driving change that improves the oral health, and overall health, of this most deserving community,” said Barbie Vartanian, Executive Director, Project Accessible Oral Health at The Viscardi Center. “Throughout this year’s event, colleagues exchanged best practices, shared challenges, and embraced the opportunity to build on our successes. We thank the attendees for their enthusiasm and we look forward to next year’s event.”

3Shape’s recently-launched TRIOS® 4 intraoral scanner has received the 2019 Cellerant “Best of Class” Award. The win marks an unprecedented seven years in a row that 3Shape TRIOS intraoral scanner models have won the prestigious industry award.

3Shape originally launched the TRIOS intraoral scanner in 2011. It has since received the Cellerant “Best of Class” award for digital impression solutions every year.

“When we began developing the new TRIOS 4, we committed to changing the paradigm for intraoral scanning. We wanted to create a scanner that did so much more than just replace conventional impressions. We wanted to create a solution that took doctors beyond scanning and would provide them with more actionable data and insight. The TRIOS 4 accomplishes this with ground-breaking features like surface and interproximal caries detection,” says Tais Clausen, 3Shape Co-CEO and Co-founder. He adds, “We’re very excited about winning the award because Cellerant winners are chosen by doctors and industry professionals. Like the panel, we truly feel TRIOS 4 brings real and measurable benefits to practitioners, as well as outstanding value.”

3Shape TRIOS 4 is the world’s first and only intraoral scanner with dual caries detection.* The wireless intraoral scanner is 3Shape’s most powerful scanner to date. It also includes a new generation of TRIOS smart tips that feature instant-heat technology for optimized scanning.

All TRIOS models are recognized for their documented accuracy, scanning speeds, and ease of use. TRIOS intraoral scanners provide professionals with an open and unrivalled ecosystem of workflow and partner integrations with orthodontic, implant, practice management, and sleep treatment providers, as well as open and trusted manufacturing options with 3D printers and milling machines.

“The Cellerant Best of Class Technology Award continues to highlight dental technologies that are shaping the future of our profession. As a seven-time winner, 3Shape continues to impress the panel with its cutting-edge innovation and easy-to-use functionality,” says Dr. Lou Shuman, Best of Class founder and Cellerant CEO.

The 2019 Cellerant Best of Class Technology Award is selected by a panel of the most prominent technology leaders in dentistry: Paul Feuerstein, DMD, technology editor for Dentistry Today; John Flucke, DDS, technology editor for Dental Products Report; Marty Jablow, DMD, known as America’s technology coach; Pamela Maragliano-Muniz, DMD, editor-in-chief of Inside Dental Hygiene; Chris Salierno, DDS, editor-in-chief of Dental Economics; and Lou Shuman, DMD, CAGS, founder and creator of the Best of Class Technology Award.

Learn more about 3Shape TRIOS 4 intraoral scanner - https://ww1.3shape.com/en/trios-4

*Caries diagnostic aid for surface caries is not cleared by the FDA for clinical use in the USA. Caries diagnostic aid for interproximal caries detection is not yet available.

MADISON, WI (05-09-2019)— American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) Accredited Member, Duane H. Beers, DMD, AAACD, was recently awarded the Humanitarian Evy Award during the 35^th Annual AACD Annual Scientific Session’s Celebration of Excellence on April 27, 2019in San Diego.

The AACD honors its most accomplished and dedicated professionals with Celebration of Excellence awards, also known as Evy awards. Evy recipients are first nominated for the award by their colleagues and then are selected by the Awards and Recognition Committee. Evy award winners represent the most exemplary and talented individuals within the AACD who are dedicated to advancing excellence in the art and science of cosmetic dentistry and to the highest standards of ethical patient care.The Humanitarian Award is given to an AACD Member who has made outstanding philanthropic contributions inside and outside of dentistry.

Duane H. Beers, DMD, AAACD, has been an AACD member since the year 2000, and currently maintains a private practice located in Socorro, New Mexico. Dr. Beers graduated from UC-Davis in 1971 with a B.S. in biochemistry. He then attended Washington University School of Dental Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri and received his Doctor of Dental Medicine diploma with honors in March 1975. Duane H. Beers then went on to achieve his AACD Accreditation in 2008.

During Dr. Beers career, he has been involved in over 35 humanitarian efforts in 23 countries. He has become known for his ability to rebuild a tooth, restore a smile, and change a life for those who previously had no hope. He has seen patients in war-torn countries where every patient had a heart-wrenching story of escape from ISIS, including the brutal death of family members, and the loss of their homes. He brings his own dental unit, dental chair, and supplies to perform necessary dental procedures and has performed cosmetic bonding in countries with no electricity or running water. For these reasons and for his passion for helping others the AACD selected him to be the recipient of the Humanitarian Award.

For more information about AACD Celebration of Excellence awards, visit https://www.aacd.com/evy-awards.

About the AACD

The AACD is the world’s largest non-profit member organization dedicated to advancing excellence in comprehensive oral care, combining art and science to optimally improve dental health, esthetics, and function. Comprised of more than 5,000 cosmetic dental professionals in 70 countries worldwide, the AACD fulfills its mission by offering superior educational opportunities, promoting and supporting the respected Accreditation and Fellowship credentials, serving as a user-friendly and inviting forum for the creative exchange of knowledge and ideas, and providing accurate and useful information to the public and the profession.

Henry Schein Dental, the U.S. dental business of Henry Schein, Inc. (Nasdaq: HSIC), hosted its 24th annual National Sales Meeting at the Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center in Aurora, Colorado. The Meeting brought together more than 1,700 attendees, including Team Schein Members (TSMs) and supplier partners who exhibited their products and solutions to the sales team. The theme of this year's meeting was "The Extra Mile."

Stanley M. Bergman, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, and Jimmy Breslawski, Vice Chairman of the Board opened the meeting with a corporate overview, highlighting the successes of the past year and reviewing Company strategy. Following the corporate overview, Jon Koch, Senior Vice President and Chief Executive Officer, Global Dental Group, AJ Caffentzis, President, North American Dental Group, Tim Sullivan, Executive Advisor, Global Dental Group, and Dave Steck, Vice President and General Manager, Dental Sales, led presentations that motivated the team to go the ‘extra mile' in helping customers adapt to the pace of change accelerating in today's dental marketplace, while also helping to advance their efforts in delivering high-quality patient care.

"The National Sales Meeting is a dedicated time for Team Schein and our supplier partners to come together and harness the skills needed to go the extra mile for our customers," said Mr. Caffentzis. "Through presentations and breakout sessions, sales consultants receive the necessary education and encouragement to thrive in this time of transformation, while still upholding Henry Schein’s firm belief that relationships and trust are the foundation of customer care.”

Mr. Koch’s and Mr. Caffentzis’ presentations about the importance of culture, working as a team, and managing change were further enforced by motivational breakout sessions that covered various topics, from learning about the latest equipment and technology to implementing best practices as a trusted advisor to practitioners. Mr. Sullivan and Mr. Steck built on this momentum during their presentations, encouraging the team to celebrate their successes and embrace new challenges to strengthen their collective ability to enable customer success.

During the meeting, awards recognizing 2019's top performing TSMs in the following categories were presented: Total Solution Provider, Rookie of the Year, Henry Schein Financial Services “Big Kahuna,” Henry Schein Cares, Field Leadership, Region of Excellence, and the McHugh Award.

For the second year in a row, Dental TSMs also participated in the We Care Global Challenge, a company-wide initiative in which TSMs at 15 Company locations in four countries assemble comfort kits for people fighting cancer around the world. At the Dental National Sales Meeting, nearly 5,000 kits were assembled to support the American Cancer Society's Hope Lodge program. These kits will then be distributed to over 30 Hope Lodge locations throughout the U.S. Each Hope Lodge offers cancer patients and their caregivers a free place to stay when their best hope for effective treatment may be in another city. Partnering with Heart to Heart International - to handle the logistics of the We Care Global Challenge kit building events and management of all shipments of the completed kits - the Challenge embodies the Henry Schein Cares mission to "help health happen" for people living in underserved, at-risk, and remote communities.

About Henry Schein, Inc.

Henry Schein, Inc. (Nasdaq: HSIC) is a solutions company for health care professionals powered by a network of people and technology. With more than 19,000 Team Schein Members worldwide, the Company's network of trusted advisors provides more than 1 million customers globally with more than 300 valued solutions that improve operational success and clinical outcomes. Our 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. 

DenMat Holdings, LLC (“DenMat”) has expanded its line of high-quality, end-to-end laboratory services to include custom implant abutments and screw-retained crowns and bridges. The addition of implant services enables oral health professionals to prescribe a custom-tailored restorative solution for virtually any patient – be it simple or complex – from DenMat Laboratory.

“For more than 30 years, DenMat has led the industry in esthetic innovation by consistently designing beautiful smiles for practices and their patients worldwide,” says David Casper, DenMat Chief Executive Officer. “As the leader in anterior esthetic case design, specializing in complex cases, we are uniquely qualified to offer implant services that are ideal for intricate combination cases,” he adds.

When oral health professionals partner with DenMat, they work in unison with a dedicated team that delivers extraordinary expertise for both simple and demanding esthetic cases; gain access to exceptional technical support; and have at their fingertips an array of professional services and solutions.

“The majority of cases we receive are full-arch restorations,” says Randy Berry, DenMat’s Director of Laboratory Operations. “We are seeing consistent growth in cases that include an implant as one of the units to be restored. The addition of implant services is the natural next-step for our lab, which will better serve our customers and their patients."

DenMat offers three custom abutment options, three implant crown options, and three screw-retained restorative options. These implant offerings are compatible with most major implant systems on the market today. Custom titanium abutments include free anodization. Turnaround time for screw-retained restorations is five days, while custom abutments and crowns require 10 days.

Oral health professionals are invited to visit denmat.com/laboratory to learn about DenMat Implant Services in more detail, including step-by-step presentations of complex, multi-faceted cases utilizing DenMat’s new implant solutions.

Prescribe DenMat Implant Services and receive high-quality, customer-centric services that deliver esthetic results time and time again.

About DenMat:

Since 1974, DenMat is a leader in high-quality dental products for dental professionals around the world. DenMat makes and assembles most of its products at its world headquarters on the Central Coast of California. DenMat offers three main product categories: Consumables, Small Equipment, and a Dental Laboratory. DenMat's consumables include brands that are known and trusted, including Fluoridex®, Geristore®, Core Paste®, Tenure®, Ultra-Bond®, Infinity®, Splash Max®, Precision®, Perfectemp®, Atridox® and LumiSmile White®. DenMat's small equipment offering includes a broad range of products, including NV® PRO3 and SOL® soft-tissue diode lasers, the Rotadent® power toothbrush, PeriOptix® magnification loupes and lights, Flashlite® curing lights and a full line of high-quality Hartzell® hand instruments. DenMat is also home to Lumineers®, the world's #1 patient-requested thin veneer, and Snap-On Smile®, the life-changing removable appliance. 

The Pacific Dental Services® (PDS) Foundation is pleased to announce its Mobile Dental Clinic (MDC) provided donated dentistry to patients during its recent stop at Bethlehem Center in Visalia, CA. In partnership with The Smile Generation®, on Saturday, June 15, Smile Generation-trusted dentists and their clinical teams joined forces with Bethlehem Center where volunteers provided $11,812 of donated dentistry to 22 patients.

“Partnering with an organization like the Bethlehem Center is amazing as it allows the Mobile Dental Clinic to provide dental care to families and patients who wouldn’t be able to afford it,” said Kyle Guerin, PDS Foundation & Corporate Social Responsibility. “Everyone deserves access to care and I’m proud to say that the Mobile Dental Clinic is able to fulfill that need.”

Following its stop at the Bethlehem Center, the Mobile Dental Clinic also provided donated dentistry for patients at the Sacramento Children’s Home on June 22. In addition, the MDC also provided over $19,000 in donated dentistry for patients in Long Beach during the Special Olympics Summer Games. The MDC will continue its tour throughout the United States to provide comprehensive oral health care to hundreds of underserved patients in need.

The PDS Foundation’s Mobile Dental Clinic enables Smile Generation-trusted clinicians and volunteers to provide donated dental care to people in challenged areas, and also provide dentistry to patients during major community healthcare events.

About Pacific Dental Services® Foundation

The Pacific Dental Services Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) charitable organization whose mission is to create opportunities to serve through improving oral healthcare locally, nationally and internationally. By creating opportunities to serve, the PDS Foundation positively enhances the lives of those in need, and in turn, those who serve. The Foundation provides access and advocacy to disadvantaged and underserved communities in four key areas: PDS Foundation Mobile Dental Clinic, Special Needs Advocacy and Training, Oral Health Scholarships, and International Trips. For more information, visit www.pdsfoundation.org.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PDSFoundation

Twitter: https://twitter.com/PDSFoundation

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pdsfoundation/ 

About The Smile Generation®

The Smile Generation is a referral service that connects patients with trusted dentists and financial options that helps patients afford the care they want and need. The Smile Generation network is made up of more than 700 dental offices throughout Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Tennessee, South Carolina, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Washington. Smile Generation-trusted offices are supported by Pacific Dental Services®. For more information, visit https://www.smilegeneration.com.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smilegen

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smilegeneration/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/smilegen

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/SmileGenerationTV

Vista Dental Products is pleased to announce that the Phasor™ Composite Heating System has been selected as a 2019 Cellerant Best of Class Technology Award recipient. Vista is honored to receive this prestigious award for the first time in company history!

“We are entering a new era in dentistry — one that will change how we diagnose, treat, and manage our patients and practices," said Dr. Lou Shuman, CEO of Cellerant and founder of the Best of Class Technology Awards. "This was a breakthrough year in product and services technologies. The panel spent hundreds of hours in close discussion reviewing and analyzing the corporate landscape. Pay close attention to our winners as they are truly leading the way to provide you what is best in today's contemporary practice.”

According to James Onderak, President of Vista Dental Products, “The Cellerant Award is a testament to the time and resources Vista dedicates to advance clinical outcomes through innovation. This affirms that we are succeeding in our mission to positively impact the lives of both patients and clinicians alike.”

The 2019 Cellerant Best of Class Technology Award is selected by a panel of the most prominent technology leaders in dentistry: Paul Feuerstein, DMD, technology editor for Dentistry Today, John Flucke, DDS, technology editor for Dental Products Report, Marty Jablow, DMD, known as America’s technology coach, Pamela Maragliano-Muniz, DMD, editor-in-chief of Inside Dental Hygiene, Chris Salierno, DDS, editor-in-chief of Dental Economics, and Lou Shuman, DMD, CAGS, founder and creator of the Best of Class Technology Award.

“Vista is thrilled that the Phasor was selected by such a respected panel of industry leaders,” said Mark Scheftner, EVP of Sales for Vista Dental Products. “The Vista team works tirelessly to deliver technologies that improve patient care, while promoting efficiency in the dental office.”

About Vista Dental Products

Founded in 1997 and headquartered in Racine, Wisconsin, Vista Dental designs, manufactures, packages and distributes more than 300 cataloged items, many of which offer significant clinical advantages. The company is best known for its endodontic irrigating solutions that outperform traditional medicaments, leading to better patient outcomes. More recently, with the introduction of the Phasor composite heating gun and the Valiant curing light, Vista has become a leader in dental material handling technology.

About the Cellerant Best of Class Technology Award

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

The selection process relies on an expert panel of dentists recognized as thought leaders and educators. It includes Dr. Paul Feuerstein, Dr. John Flucke, Dr. Marty Jablow, Dr. Pamela Maragliano-Muniz, Dr. Chris Salierno, and Dr. Lou Shuman. Over the course of each year, the panel members seek out and conduct research on potentially practice-changing technologies, with deliberations on nominees and final voting taking place in February. Panelists are precluded from voting in any category where they have consulting relationships. The entire selection process is conducted and managed on a not-for-profit basis.

For more information on the Cellerant Best of Class Awards and the 2019 Award Winners, go to cellerantconsulting.com/bestofclass.

About Cellerant Consulting Group

Founded and led by CEO Dr. Lou Shuman, DMD, CAGS, Cellerant provides strategic dental market insights, clinical expertise, implementation resources and support to accelerate growth for client dental companies. Cellerant services include new concept incubation, clinical product evaluation, product development, continuing education program development and CE sponsorship, strategic branding and marketing, online marketing, content marketing and dental media relations management. As an orthodontist and former owner of a 10-doctor multi-specialty private group practice, Dr. Shuman guides clients to offer products that engage dental customers and provide sustained differentiation. Cellerant operates under a unique model that merges leading voices in clinical product evaluation and strategic partner companies to provide a menu of services from one easily accessible network.