IDEM 2020 (International Dental Exhibition and Meeting) Singapore will open its doors in 10 months. The event is widely considered to be one of the premier dental industry trade shows and conferences for the fast-growing Asian market. Very early sign-ups by North American dental manufacturers for IDEM Singapore 2020 indicate higher-than-ever interest from US and Canadian companies seeking to expand their sales into the Pacific Rim region. The 11th edition of IDEM will take place from April 24-26, 2020.

Product groups at the show cover the entire spectrum of dental medicine and dental technology – from materials and instruments, prophylaxis products, and pharmaceuticals to dental surgery and laboratory equipment. A top-notch scientific conference program will provide detailed information on the latest in scientific trends. The conference organizer is the Singapore Dental Association.

Over 30 North American dental manufacturers have already signed up for space. The majority of them will use the North American group exhibit organized by Koelnmesse’s subsidiary in Chicago.

Mette Petersen, President and Managing Director of Koelnmesse, Inc., Chicago, noted: “US dental products are in high demand in this part of the world. More than 30% of dental imports into Singapore actually originate from the United States. This time, we expect close to 40-50 North American companies to take part in IDEM 2020, most of them via our Pavilion Program. Based on early sign up levels this will be the strongest participation we have ever seen.“

IDEM will take place on two floors at the Suntec Singapore International Convention Center accommodating over 500 exhibitors from 40 countries. The last event in 2018 generated 8,500 visitors from the Pacific Rim region. IDEM attracts dealers, distributors, dentists, dental technicians, hygienists, and dental students from the entire ASEAN region. Besides the USA Pavilion, national pavilions will participate from Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Switzerland, the UK, and Taiwan.

The end of the academic year signals report card time for millions of households across America. Likewise, parents recently assigned grades to the status of their kids' oral health as a part of the Children's Oral Health Survey. Few parents (21%) nationwide would give their kids an excellent bill of oral health.

Views of their young ones' oral health tend to diminish over time as parents relinquish control of kids' brushing and flossing habits. For example, while 30% of parents score children under 3 years old with having excellent oral health, that number declines to 21% for 3-5 years old, 17% for 6-9 years old, and 14% for 10-12 years old.

Obstacles to children's healthy smiles

So what contributes to kids' oral health being less than it could be? Get your toothbrush ready … not brushing enough (50%) is the most popular response from parents, according to the Delta Dental national survey.

Other top responses include not flossing enough (46%), eating too many sweets (37%), and a family history of poor oral health (21%). 

No vacation from oral hygiene

"While most parents do not view their children's mouths as pictures of model health, there is an opportunity to inspire healthy oral care habits at an early age," said Dr. Joe Dill, DDS, MBA, Delta Dental Plans Association's vice president of dental science and network strategy.

"Summer break from school can be especially difficult for maintaining proper oral hygiene, as normal daily routines may be disrupted," Dr. Dill continued. "Regularly remind kids to brush for two minutes twice a day, including during summer vacation."

Parents can help keep their children's oral health on track with the free Delta Dental mobile app featuring a toothbrush timer. Delta Dental Mobile is optimized for iOS and Android devices (smartphones and tablets) and is available for download in the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store for Android devices. To learn more, search for Delta Dental in the app store.

About the survey

The Children's Oral Health Survey was conducted between December 31, 2018, and January 13, 2019, among a nationally representative sample of 1,481 parents of children ages 12 and under. The margin of error is +/- 3%.

Follow us on Twitter @DeltaDental and Facebook: Delta Dental Plans Association

About Delta Dental Plans Association

Delta Dental Plans Association, based in Oak Brook, Illinois, is the not-for-profit national association of the 39 independent Delta Dental companies. Through these companies, Delta Dental is the nation's largest provider of dental insurance, covering more than 78 million Americans, and offering the country's largest dental network with approximately 156,000 participating dentists. In 2017, Delta Dental companies provided more than $61 million in direct and in-kind community outreach support to improve the oral health of adults, children and infants in local communities across the country. For more information, visit: deltadental.com.

SOURCE Delta Dental Plans Association

Related Links

https://www.deltadental.com

Henry Schein One, a joint venture of Henry Schein Inc., has been selected as a 2019 Cellerant Best of Class Technology Award recipient.

“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.”

Henry Schein One combines practice management, marketing, and patient engagement solutions into one connected management system to deliver software, hardware and services. Henry Schein One was recognized for its TechCentral OmniCore™ all-in-one “Network in a Box,” which comes complete with a virtualized server, network-attached storage (NAS), a wireless access point and firewall, and hybrid data backup, all contained in a sleek, mobile, low-profile rack that can easily be rolled into an office.With OmniCore, TechCentral also provides, monitors, and maintains your network for a low, regular monthly cost that’s easy to budget in, so you don’t have to give the IT that runs your practice a second thought.

“Our goal is to help the doctor make the best decisions for their office which, in the end, benefits the patients that we all serve,” said John Flucke, DDS, Best of Class panel member. “I’m honored to be able to help my peers with the decision-making process and helping them wade through the plethora of high tech products that can change offices and lives for the better.”

“We are excited to be recognized by such a distinguished panel of thought leaders and educators,” said James A. Harding, Jr., Chief Executive Officer, Henry Schein One. “OmniCore’s features allow customers to access to a wide range of solutions ranging from patient acquisition to treatment and planning. Customers can rely on TechCentral to manage and maintain their dental practice network, helping them focus on delivering quality patient care.” -

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.

BEGO USA has announced a new Distribution Agreement with Alien Milling Technologies, a distribution enterprise with nation-wide presence.

With 129 years of experience in the dental industry, BEGO works with dental partners worldwide to implement and optimize dental technologies needed to improve the health and well-being of patients. The new distribution agreement with Alien Milling Technologies allows BEGO, which brings decades of research and continuous innovation into the partnership, to expand its expertise in the dental field and the reach of its products. BEGO is a specialist for non-precious-metal alloys and has process expertise in CAD/CAM technology. This expertise is bundled in the Mediloy^® CAD/CAM milling blanks, which stand out for their excellent cutting ability.

BEGO’s new milling blanks, launched in March 2019, were created to help reduce the processing times needed to produce highly accurate results. Mediloy^® CAD/CAM milling blanks have outstanding material properties, generating an efficiency gain of 25% due to less tool wear. The cobalt-chrome milling blank Mediloy^® M-Co, thanks to its homogenous structure, minimizes the risk of shrinkage cavities or porosities. The Mediloy^® titanium milling blanks, M-Ti4 and M-Ti5, are available as grade 4 pure titanium or grade 5 alloy.

The cobalt-chrome and titanium milling blanks can be used for the lab production of crowns and bridges (including metal ceramics), as well as implant prosthetics. The new CAD/CAM materials are biocompatible and corrosion resistant, as well as free of nickel, cadmium, and beryllium.

Newberg-based A-dec, Inc. announced that they have acquired the assets of Dean Dental Systems, effective today.

A-dec is the largest privately-owned dental equipment manufacturer in the world. Dean Dental Systems is a Midwest based manufacturer of mechanical room solutions.

Dean Dental Systems manufactures environmentally friendly Dry Vacuum Systems, Oil Free Compressors, and other products including remote controls, tandem vacuum systems, water safety valves, mini oil free compressors, and complete systems. Dean Dental Systems also provides remote monitoring services for their mechanical room equipment.

A-dec President and CEO Scott Parrish and COO Marv Nelson announced the acquisition to employees in Newberg, Oregon.

“At A-dec, we believe in empowering dentists to focus on what truly matters most: their patients,” said Nelson. “By expanding our products and services to include both the dental operatory and mechanical room, we can deliver reliable, creative solutions for the entire dental office. Bringing the innovation that Dean Dental has accomplished under the roof of A-dec’s reputation for quality, reliability and taking care of the customer will serve as a key differentiator.”

Dean Dental Systems’ manufacturing facility will remain in Fenton, Missouri. The company’s employees, including co-owners Patrick Hertel and Bill Henning, will remain with the company under A-dec general management. 

Legacies of Innovation

A-dec was co-founded by husband and wife team Ken and Joan Austin in 1964. They grew A-dec into the largest privately owned dental manufacturing company in the United States, Newberg’s largest employer and the foundation for a lifetime of philanthropy and community involvement that will be felt throughout Oregon and the world for generations to come. Joan passed away in 2013, and Ken passed away earlier this year in May.

A-dec has been led by CEO and President Scott Parrish, son in law of Ken and Joan, since 2004, with Marv Nelson taking on the role of Executive VP and COO in 2016. In 2013, the company appointed a seven-member Board of Directors. 55 years after its inception, A-dec is recognized as a global leader with continued growth; while maintaining its Mission of providing a quality environment where people work together for the betterment of dentistry worldwide. A-dec has over 1,300 employees. The company markets its manufactured dental products, including dental chairs, delivery systems, dental lights, and dental furniture in more than 100 countries worldwide.

Patrick Hertel began inventing products for the dental mechanical room in 2006. He founded Dean Dental Systems in 2012 and co-owns the company with Bill Henning. Prior to starting Dean Dental Systems, Hertel spent nearly 20 years custom designing compressors and vacuum systems for some of the largest companies in the US. Upon turning his creative attention towards the dental industry, Hertel discovered that the three industry leading providers of mechanical room equipment were utilizing design and technology that was 15 to 30 years dated. Dean Dental Systems introduced the dental industry's first Variable Speed Dry Vacuum System in 2007. This product featured variable speed technology and energy efficient dry vacuum pump to reduce power consumption and eliminate water and sewage costs. The Dean Dental Guardian Remote Monitoring Service was the first dental manufacturer to live monitor mechanical room equipment.

Today, Dean Dental System’s focus is on delivering products and services that champion efficiency and dependability for dental professionals in the United States.

Acquisition Transition

Dean Dental will continue to operate from their Fenton location with A-dec general management, creating products as Dean Dental Systems by A-dec. These products are available for purchase in the United States only at this time.

Existing Dean Dental Systems customers may contact Dean Dental regarding technical support, warranty, and other queries. New customers may visit www.deandentalsystems.com or www.a-dec.com for information about either company.

Acquisition Expands Henry Schein One’s International Presence and Establishes Leading Software Position in Italy under the OrisLine Brand

Henry Schein, Inc. (Nasdaq: HSIC) today announced that Henry Schein One has acquired Elite Computer Italia S.r.L. (Elite), a full-service software company that delivers state-of-the-art practice management solutions to dental practices and dental laboratories in Italy. The addition of Elite complements Henry Schein One's strategy to deliver integrated technology platforms that help dental teams become more productive and improve each stage of the patient experience, and marks Henry Schein’s entry into the Italian dental practice management software market.

Founded nearly 30 years ago with headquarters in Milan, Elite has approximately 50 employees, serves more than 8,000 dental clinics and dental laboratories, and had 2018 sales of approximately $6 million. Its OrisLine brand includes the OrisDent, OrisLab, OrisEduco, and OrisCeph Rx software products. Henry Schein expects that Elite will be neutral to the Company's 2019 earnings per diluted share and accretive thereafter. Financial terms were not disclosed.

“Having the right practice management system is one of the most essential facets of any successful dental practice. We have served dental practitioners in Italy since 2004 and are now well-positioned to offer the highly regarded OrisLine family of software products,” said Stanley M. Bergman, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Henry Schein. “We look forward to a strong partnership with Elite that will enable a true digital workflow to help dental teams streamline office procedures and make the most of their practice management investment.”

Co-Founders Gianluigi Boerio, CEO, and Marco Parodi, President, Research and Development, along with Elite’s management team, will join Henry Schein One and bring significant experience in defining and delivering technology solutions. In addition, the OrisLine brand will be maintained and Henry Schein One will continue to offer and support all current Elite products following the acquisition.

“We are pleased to join Henry Schein One,” said Mr. Boerio. “This partnership expands our ability to offer our customers a comprehensive portfolio of practice management systems and web-based services to include a full complement of dental merchandise and equipment.”

“We are delighted to welcome co-founders Gianluigi Boerio and Marco Parodi and the entire Elite team to Henry Schein One,” said James A. Harding, Jr., Chief Executive Officer of Henry Schein One. “Our two companies share a commitment to innovation and transforming dentistry by ensuring practice success, improving patient experience, and increasing access to care. We firmly believe that the products, services, and solutions we deliver through our combined expertise will be instrumental to helping dental practices run smoothly, provide quality care, and attract new patients.”

About Henry Schein One

Henry Schein One, founded in 2018 as a joint venture between Henry Schein and Internet Brands, is a software company providing integrated software and services to the dental industry. Headquartered in American Fork, Utah, the company offers market-leading solutions for dental practices, including Dentrix, Dentrix Ascend, Dentrix Enterprise, Easy Dental, TechCentral, Demandforce, Sesame Communications, Lighthouse360, Officite, and DentalPlans.com as well as international companies, including Software of Excellence, Logiciel Julie, InfoMed, Exan, and LabNet, among others. For more information, visit www.henryscheinone.com.

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.

Henry Schein operates through a centralized and automated distribution network, with a selection of more than 120,000 branded products and Henry Schein private-brand products in stock, as well as more than 180,000 additional products available as special-order items.

A FORTUNE 500 Company and a member of the S&P 500® and the Nasdaq 100® indexes, Henry Schein is headquartered in Melville, N.Y., and has operations or affiliates in 31 countries. The Company's sales from continuing operations reached $9.4 billion in 2018, and have grown at a compound annual rate of approximately 13 percent since Henry Schein became a public company in 1995.

For more information, visit Henry Schein at www.henryschein.com, Facebook.com/HenrySchein, and @HenrySchein on Twitter.

exocad HmbH, the dental industry's leading provider of CAD software, has been selected as a 2019 Cellerant Best of Class Technology Award recipient."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."

exocad is the choice of software for leading manufacturers of dental CAD/CAM systems. With the new ChairsideCAD, clinicians now have the freedom to choose the best hardware and software for same-day dentistry regardless of the product or system they prefer. This is a groundbreaking evolution since historically the industry has been limited to specific workflows and that specific hardware/software work together adhering to a more closed architecture.  Derived from exocad DentalCAD, a signature software solution within the dental laboratory marketplace for over a decade, ChairsideCAD includes dentalshare, a powerful collaboration tool for clinicians and labs. "We are honored to receive this prestigious industry award from our clinical audience. With the introduction of exocad ChairsideCAD, clinicians can now access labs, design and production centers with the freedom of choice like never before," states Larry Bodony, President of exocad America, Inc. He continued, "With this revolutionary open and flexible workflow, clinicians can finally maximize their return on investment as well as valuable chairtime."

"Our goal is to help the doctor make the best decisions for their office which, in the end, benefits the patients that we all serve," said John Flucke, DDS, Best of Class panel member. "I'm honored to be able to help my peers with the decision-making process and helping them wade through the plethora of high-tech products that can change offices and lives for the better."

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.

Larry Bodony claims, "Having received the Best of Class Award from the Cellerant Company and recognition from their exclusive panel of experts is truly an honor, for which we are incredibly proud."

About exocad

exocad GmbH is a dynamic and innovative software company committed to expanding the possibilities of digital dentistry and providing resellers with flexible, reliable, and easy-to-use CAD/CAM software for dental labs and dental practices. exocad software has been chosen by leading OEMs worldwide for integration into their dental CAD/CAM offerings, and thousands of exocad DentalCAD licenses are sold each year. For more information and a list of exocad reseller partners, please visit exocad.com.

About the Cellerant Best of Class Technology Award

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.

Daniel M. Laskin, DDS, MS – the longest-serving editor of a dental association newsletter – has received the 2018 Distinguished Dental Editor Award from the American Dental Association Council on Communications and the American Association of Dental Editors and Journalists (AADEJ).

Laskin of Richmond, Va., has been editor of AAOMS Today – a bimonthly publication of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons – and its predecessor publications since 1966. AAOMS represents more than 9,000 oral and maxillofacial surgeons, and AAOMS Today provides those members with specialty and association news as well as information on opportunities for education, research and advocacy.

The Distinguished Dental Editor Award honors editors who bring acclaim to their association, dentistry and dental journalism through exceptional editorial direction and the creation of first-rate publications. Laskin received the award at the 2018 AADEJ Annual Conference in Hawaii.

As the AAOMS newsletter's first editor, Laskin wrote all the content and laid out pages. Since then, the publication has become increasingly larger with additional staff and expansive content. However, he still edits every article for content, message and grammar. He guided the 2018 redesign of the publication that featured more photos, expanded event coverage and additional in-depth features, including articles on AAOMS members who treated the Las Vegas shooting victims and an OMS who performed a complex, "miracle" jaw surgery on a young woman. Laskin's numerous editorials over the years have dealt with healthcare issues, education and training as well as professional responsibility and ethics.

During Laskin's tenure as editor, AAOMS Today has won journalism awards from the International College of Dentists for outstanding newsletter in 2011 and 2018 and most improved publication in 2014. The magazine also was honored with two Platinum Awards for overall magazine and writing in the 2019 Hermes Creative Awards; named most improved magazine by the 2018 APEX Awards for Publication Excellence; and presented four 2018 MARCOM Awards for feature article (platinum) as well as association magazine, overall writing and overall design (golds).

Laskin served as president of AAOMS from 1976-77 and the International Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons from 1983-86 as well as editor-in-chief of the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (JOMS) – AAOMS's monthly journal that covers new techniques and innovations in the specialty – from 1972-2002. Annual accolades named after Laskin include an award for the best article in JOMS and AAOMS's outstanding predoctoral educator award.

Currently, Laskin is adjunct clinical professor and chair emeritus in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry after serving as chair of the department from 1984-2002. He also served as head of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) College of Dentistry from 1973-83 and established the college's Temporomandibular Joint and Facial Pain Research Center. UIC annually hosts the Daniel M. Laskin Lectureship in his honor.

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

For hundreds of thousands of children across Massachusetts, the end of summer will mark the beginning of another school year. This often means a trip to the pediatrician or family doctor for a physical exam. However, one aspect of children’s health that is often overlooked is right under our noses—the mouth. With a new school year just around the corner, the Massachusetts Dental Society (MDS) is encouraging parents to schedule their children’s back-to-school dental exams now.

“Making sure children have a dental checkup before they go back to school is important to ensuring their teeth are healthy and cavity-free,” said Janis Moriarty, DMD, president of the MDS and a general dentist practicing in Winchester. “Oral health is a critical component of overall health, and children can't concentrate and learn in school when they have a toothache.”

According to the National Institutes of Health and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), dental caries, or tooth decay, is the most common chronic disease in children—it is about five times as common as asthma and seven times as common as hay fever. Untreated cavities can cause pain and infections that may lead to problems with eating, speaking, playing, and learning. Children who have poor oral health often miss more school and receive lower grades than children who don’t. In the U.S., more than 34 million school hours are lost each year due to dental problems.

Fortunately, cavities are preventable. The CDC notes that fluoride varnish can prevent about one-third of cavities in primary (baby) teeth. Children living in communities with fluoridated tap water have fewer cavities than children who live in areas where tap water is not fluoridated. Similarly, children who brush daily with fluoride toothpaste will have fewer cavities. Dental sealants can also prevent cavities.

Parents are encouraged to steer their kids away from sticky treats like fruit snacks and candy. Even seemingly good-for-you snacks, like raisins, can stick to teeth and cause decay. Instead, parents should pack a variety of mouth-healthy foods in their children’s lunch boxes, like fruits, veggies, yogurt, cheese sticks, or whole-grain crackers. Packing a bottle of water instead of a sugary soda or sports drink is a better choice because teeth that are exposed regularly to sugar and acid from these drinks are at increased risk of cavities and the breakdown of dental enamel.

“Sports injuries also can be a big pain in the mouth for students and expensive for parents,” Dr. Moriarty added. “Athletes who play contact sports should always wear a mouthguard designed to prevent injury to the teeth, lips, cheeks, and tongue.”

There are several types of mouthguards available, but custom-made mouthguards, which can be fitted by a dentist, are best in terms of fit, comfort, and protection. The next best option is a “boil-and-bite” version, which is less expensive and available at sporting goods stores, but may not fit as well as a custom-made one. Ready-made or stock mouthguards are also available, but they cannot be shaped to the contours of the teeth and may sometimes interfere with breathing and speaking.

“Visiting the dentist for a bi-annual exam and cleaning, eating nutritious foods, brushing and flossing on a daily basis, and wearing a mouthguard while playing sports are essential for a cavity- and pain-free school year,” Dr. Moriarty said.

If parents have not already established a dental home for their child, they can search for an American Dental Association (ADA) and Massachusetts Dental Society member dentist near them by using the ADA’s Find-a-Dentist® easy online search tool.

The Massachusetts Dental Society (MDS), a 5,000-member professional association and statewide constituent of the American Dental Association, is dedicated to the professional development of its member dentists through initiatives in education, advocacy, the promotion of the highest professional standards, and championing oral health in the Commonwealth. For more information, visit massdental.org and follow the MDS on Twitter @MassDental.