Henry Schein (Nasdaq: HSIC) today announced that it has entered into an exclusive agreement with Radic8, a UK-based manufacturer of air purifier systems, to distribute their devices in the U.S. and Canada.*

The Radic8 ViruskillerTM is currently being marketed under the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) enforcement policy for air purifiers during the COVID-19 public health emergency. The product is intended to be effective at killing SARS-CoV-2 based on its demonstrated effectiveness against viruses that are similar to SARS-CoV-2 or are harder to kill.** The results show a 99.9999%, 6 log reduction, kill rate in a single air pass. The kill rate is used to describe what percentage of a given germ is killed by a particular process or disinfectant.

When dealing with viruses, single air pass kill rates are critical to minimize the risk of cross contamination. Two key factors to consider when using technology to reduce airborne and droplet virus exposure are controlling the airflow to take the danger away from the breathing zone and purifying the air as it passes through the unit in a single air pass. Controlled airflow drags contaminated air away from the breathing zone, replacing it with air that has been purified. Then the purified air is released from the top, pushing contaminated air to the floor and the fan drags it back towards the unit that creates laminar airflow.

“We’re pleased to announce this exclusive agreement with Radic8, as we know that patient safety is a top priority for dental professionals, and air purification systems can help practices improve indoor infection control, reducing the risk of exposure to certain pathogens,” said AJ Caffentzis, President, U.S. Dental Distribution. “We’re excited to add Radic8 air purification devices to our portfolio of air management technologies, reinforcing Henry Schein’s commitment to helping dental professionals provide a safer environment for their patients and staff.”

The Radic8 air purifier is available through Henry Schein Dental in three different versions:

· Radic8 ViruskillerTM 401 (VK 401): The VK 401 is an air purifier for medium to large rooms. This is useful in spaces up to 645 square feet and it drags contaminated air away from the breathing zone. The purified air of the VK 401 is released against both sides of the wall to maximize distribution and create controlled airflow within the space it is covering. With its air exchange capacity, the VK 401 is a good choice for dental operatories, waiting rooms, and sterilization rooms.

· Radic8 ViruskillerTM 103 (VK 103): The VK 103 draws contaminated air away from the breathing zone in the patient waiting area up to 1076 square feet. The VK103 unit creates controlled airflow within the space it is covering and can also be used to regulate positive pressure for medical and healthcare facilities. With its air exchange capacity, the VK 103 is a good choice for large dental waiting rooms and large open operatories.

· Radic8 Hextio: Hextio is a compact air purifier for spaces up to 215 square feet. The Hextio has an optional directional airflow hood and a quiet night mode. The light indicators show when the air is purified, this desktop unit is a good choice for reception desks and small offices.

For more information, please visit https://henryscheindigital.com/radic8.

*) The Radic8 air purifier is not FDA-Cleared or FDA-Approved.

**) The Radic8 air purifier has not been tested against SARS-CoV-2, but has been tested against harder to kill viruses, such as the adenovirus.

About Radic8 Viruskiller^TM

The Radic8 ViruskillerTM was developed to deal with airborne viruses in 2004 after the SARS epidemic and has been continuously evolving since. Radic8 technology uses a two-stage process: filtration followed by photocatalytic oxidation technology. ** The Radic8 photocatalytic oxidation chamber has multiple UV-C lights surrounded by chromed nano titanium tube filters and polished with activated carbon. The UV-C light reacts with the photocatalytic surface intended to create oxidants for killing viruses.

This product should be used as an adjunct to personal protective equipment (PPE) and other infection control procedures. When using ViruskillerTM, basic safety precautions should be observed, and instructions should be read to reduce the risk of fire, electric shock, or injury; the appliance should not be used by children or adults with reduced capabilities. Looking directly at an ultra-violet light may cause permanent damage to the eyes.

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 healthcare 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® index, Henry Schein is headquartered in Melville, N.Y., and has operations or affiliates in 31 countries. The Company's sales from continuing operations reached $10.0 billion in 2019, 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. 

OraVu®, a global leader in dental endoscopy solutions, announces the introduction of the 2G of the DeVA-1® Dental Vision Assistant. Camera sensors are now placed in the distal tip of the digital camera fiberscope so no need for a lens coupler therefore no need to focus. This new design allows for cleaner and crisper images and videos when viewing deep into the sulcus. Depth of field is 1mm to infinity and uses a 0.65mm square sensor with pixel spacing (density) equal to that of a 12Mp camera. The 2G has 40,000 pixels – 4 times greater than the 1G or other devices.

The 2nd Generation DeVA-1 digital camera endoscope allows periodontists, dentists, and dental hygienists to see deep into the gingival pocket without flap surgery, thereby giving “sight” to otherwise “blind” procedures.

With Visual-SRPSM (Visual Scaling and Root Planing, or V-SRPSM), dental practitioners can now see the calculus below the gum line that may cause gum disease, through a non-surgical technique. The innovative technology used for Visual-SRPSM is a flexible digital camera endoscope built using hundreds of illuminating fibers to provide high definition imaging and brightness during debridement. With the use of the DeVA-1®2G and Visual-SRPSM, practitioners can now optimally treat varying stages of gum disease and other blind dental procedures.

The DeVA-1®2G system is a fully transportable Visual-SRPSM system available in two configurations: the lightweight, wheeled system can be quickly moved in an intra-office environment, while the transportable unit is easily disassembled and reassembled and transported in a hard sided 2 wheel case. Bundled with the unit are the ViRSSTM (Vision Rinse and Safety Sheath) and the Dental XplorerTM hand tools. The ViRSSTM sheath locks into place to avoid slippage, while delivering a robust and adjustable water supply to aid in flushing out detritus and bacteria. In addition, the ViRSSTM is engineered with an environmentally sealed window to prevent endoscope contamination. The Dental XplorerTM set of six autoclavable configurations has been ergonomically designed to be lightweight and non-slip, providing operators tactile feedback and control during the Visual-SRPSM procedure. All accessories integrate with the new 2nd Generation DeVA.

ABOUT ORAVU

OraVu® is a dental technology company headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona whose mission is to improve preventative care by offering the most advanced, minimally invasive tools to the dental healthcare community. Designed with both affordability and customer experience in mind, OraVu® leads the way in revolutionizing dental care. To learn more about OraVu® and its FDA-registered products, please visit www.oravu.us

US and International Patents Pending

Products listed may not be available in all markets.

OraVu®, DeVA-1®, Visual-SRPSM, VIRSSTM, and Dental XplorerTM are trademarks of OraVu®.

Dental practices that were able to stay open and service dental emergencies during this COVID-19 pandemic played a critical role in supporting our local hospitals and healthcare system as a whole. Dentists were not only critical in helping to preserve precious capacity at emergency rooms across the country, but they also played a vital role in helping to preserve resources like PPE, which were desperately needed by frontline physicians and nurses to treat COVID-19 and other medical emergencies. Beyond dental emergencies, however, the importance of one's oral healthcare in relation to their overall health, especially those receiving treatment for systemic conditions such as diabetes, heart diseases, and more, cannot be overstated. Dental care, as has been demonstrated both prior to and during this entire pandemic, is necessary and safe.

Compendium’s Public Health Section Editor, Dr. Jack Dillenberg, created a video along with Dr. Georges Benjamin regarding the importance of oral health and the safety of dental procedures during COVID-19. Please take a moment to watch this brief video.

Many states unfortunately continue to grapple with increasing infection rates and, as a result, some governments are considering a retraction of certain authorized activities, services and businesses. If that is being considered in a given state, please know that dentists and their staffs have been expertly trained in infection control - and this statement has been proven repeatedly throughout this crisis, as evidenced by the fact that the CDC has yet to confirm a single case of COVID-19 being transmitted due to a dental procedure in a dental practice.

These are undoubtedly difficult times, but know that there are reliable, expertly trained dentists who are stepping up in their role as a provider for their patient population. 

In order to help offices with the “New Normal,” VOCO is highlighting products that can help reduce procedural steps, reduce disinfection needs, and reduce products in the operatory. These products enable dentists to do more with less and come in SingleDose packaging to reduce sanitation steps and increase efficiency.

Futurabond U is VOCO’s universal adhesive in a SingleDose blister pack to reduce disinfection needs. It is indicated for or all direct or indirect materials with no extra activator, for all cure and etch modes, and for all substrates to reduce products in the operatory. Its fast and easy one-coat application (apply, dry and cure in 35 seconds) saves time and steps.

Admira Fusion x-tra is VOCO’s nano-ORMOCER restorative in one universal shade to reduce procedural steps and is available in SingleDose ISO-pak caps to reduce disinfection needs. It eliminates the shade-matching step while providing an esthetic, long-lasting restoration with a 4mm depth-of-cure, a low shrinkage rate of 1.25%, and is 100% BPA-free for superior biocompatibility.

GrandioSO Heavy Flow is VOCO’s universal flowable with a higher fill rate than most packables, and is available in a SingleDose capsule to reduce disinfection needs. It is universally indicated for all cavity classes to reduce products in the operatory. GrandioSO Heavy Flow’s 83% fill rate supports physical properties superior to that of most packable composites.

These products enable dentists to do more with less, come in SignleDose packaging to reduce sanitation steps, save time and increase efficiency.

Howard University alumnus and former College of Dentistry Dean Leo E. Rouse, D.D.S., FACD, was recently presented the American Dental Association’s Distinguished Service Award.

Dr. Rouse, who previously served as a guiding force in the College of Dentistry, retired in 2015. He often credited Howard University for providing nourishment, support, mentorship and leadership in his development as a student, professional, faculty member and administrator. Read the ADA‘s feature on Dr. Rouse here.

Dr. Rouse is widely esteemed as the first African American to serve as president of the American Dental Education Association (ADEA). He chaired the ADEA Council of Deans and served as one of the four ADEA commissioners on the Commission of Dental Accreditation. In 2009, he was awarded an ADEA Presidential Citation for distinguished service to the association and dedication to the advancement of the dental education community. He received the 2011 Legend Award from the National Dental Association.

Prior to his 2004 appointment as dean, Dr. Rouse served as associate dean for Clinical Affairs and chair of the Department of Clinical Dentistry. Before entering academia, he served in the U.S. Army for 24 years. He concluded his military career at the rank of colonel as commander and chief operating officer of the U.S. Army Dental Command, commanding the Army Dental Corps worldwide.

Dr. Rouse holds a B.S. and his D.D.S. degree from the Howard University College of Liberal Arts (1969) and the Howard University College of Dentistry (1973). In May 2014, Dr. Rouse was awarded a Doctor of Humane Letters Honorary Degree from the Western University of Health Sciences. In 1997, he received the Howard University College of Dentistry Alumni Achievement Award for distinguished service to the nation and the profession of dentistry.

About Howard University

Founded in 1867, Howard University is a private, research university that is comprised of 13 schools and colleges. Students pursue studies in more than 120 areas leading to undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University operates with a commitment to Excellence in Truth and Service and has produced one Schwarzman Scholar, three Marshall Scholars, four Rhodes Scholars, 11 Truman Scholars, 25 Pickering Fellows and more than 165 Fulbright recipients. Howard also produces more on-campus African-American Ph.D. recipients than any other university in the United States. For more information on Howard University, visit www.howard.edu.  

Medicated chewing gum has been recognised as a new advanced drug delivery method but currently there is no gold standard for testing drug release from chewing gum in vitro. New research has shown a chewing robot with built-in humanoid jaws could provide opportunities for pharmaceutical companies to develop medicated chewing gum.

The aim of the University of Bristol study, published in IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering, was to confirm whether a humanoid chewing robot could assess medicated chewing gum. The robot is capable of closely replicating the human chewing motion in a closed environment. It features artificial saliva and allows the release of xylitol the gum to be measured.

The study wanted to compare the amount of xylitol remaining in the gum between the chewing robot and human participants. The research team also wanted to assess the amount of xylitol released from chewing the gum.

The researchers found the chewing robot demonstrated a similar release rate of xylitol as human participants. The greatest release of xylitol occurred during the first five minutes of chewing and after 20 minutes of chewing only a low amount of xylitol remained in the gum bolus, irrespective of the chewing method used.

Saliva and artificial saliva solutions respectively were collected after five, ten, 15 and 20 minutes of continuous chewing and the amount of xylitol released from the chewing gum established.

Dr Kazem Alemzadeh, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, who led the research, said: "Bioengineering has been used to create an artificial oral environment that closely mimics that found in humans.

"Our research has shown the chewing robot gives pharmaceutical companies the opportunity to investigate medicated chewing gum, with reduced patient exposure and lower costs using this new method."

Nicola West, Professor in Restorative Dentistry in the Bristol Dental School and co-author, added: "The most convenient drug administration route to patients is through oral delivery methods. This research, utilising a novel humanoid artificial oral environment, has the potential to revolutionise investigation into oral drug release and delivery."

Paper

‘Development of a chewing robot with built-in humanoid jaws to simulate mastication to quantify robotic agents release from chewing gums compared to human participants’ by Kazem Alemzadeh, Sian Bodfel Jones, Maria Davies, Nicola West in IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering

BIOLASE, Inc. (NASDAQ: BIOL), the global leader in dental lasers, today announced data published in the Journal of Periodontology from a clinical trial conducted at The McGuire Institute™. Designed to meet the stringent American Association of Periodontology Best Evidence Consensus (BEC) standards, this first-of-its-kind study compared BIOLASE's REPAIR® Perio protocol to the traditional Minimally Invasive Surgical Technique (MIST) treatment of moderate to severe generalized periodontitis.

The study found that the REPAIR Perio protocol had shorter procedure times than open flap procedures, as well as less bruising, swelling, and post-operative bleeding, demonstrating that REPAIR is as effective as open flap procedures in clinical parameters, such as pocket depth and attachment level, but with significantly better patient-reported outcomes.

"With 65 million Americans suffering from periodontitis, the findings from this study are significant in determining the best course of treatment for these patients," said Todd Norbe, president and CEO of BIOLASE. "The study unequivocally confirms that patient-reported outcomes were significantly better after laser procedures. Using laser technology, periodontitis can now be treated – with less pain and greater patient acceptance – by both periodontists and general dentists alike. Studies continue to suggest that periodontal health is essential for overall health, as related to susceptibility to infection, including COVID-19 infections."

BIOLASE believes this landmark study is the first controlled, multi-centered, blinded study on lasers in managing moderate to severe periodontitis. 54 patients were enrolled at five different sites, with six experienced periodontists. It is also the only laser study in managing periodontitis designed to meet the stringent American Association of Periodontology BEC standards. To view the study results, visit https://aap.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/JPER.20-0028.

The REPAIR Perio protocol utilizes Waterlase® laser technology to provide safe, minimally invasive, effective laser treatment for periodontal disease. To learn more about the Waterlase® technology used in the study, visit www.biolase.com.

The McGuire Institute is a not-for-profit organization with a unique vision for advancing the practice of dentistry through clinically-relevant research.

About BIOLASE, Inc.

BIOLASE, Inc. is a medical device company that is a global market leader in the manufacturing and marketing of proprietary dental laser systems that enable dentists and dental specialists to perform a broad range of minimally invasive dental procedures, including cosmetic, restorative, and surgical applications. BIOLASE's laser systems are designed to provide clinically superior, patient-friendly results for many types of common dental procedures compared to those achieved with traditional instruments. BIOLASE has sold over 41,000 laser systems to date in over 80 countries around the world.

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

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

June 18, 2020 - The American Mobile & Teledentistry Alliance announced today that Dr. Kwane Watson has been selected as the first ever President.

“Dr. Watson brings a wealth of experience, knowledge, talent, and enthusiasm to our mission,” says the Board of Directors. “We are thrilled to have someone with Dr.Watson’s leadership experience and knowledge of mobile and teledentistry representing our organization.”

Dr. Kwane Watson is the founder and CEO of Kare Mobile, a consulting company and mobile dental practice which provides comprehensive concierge services. He is a graduate of the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry. Serving 20 years in various leadership roles within the dental industry, he serves as an industry expert and thought leader.

“As President, my primary focus is three-fold,” says Dr. Watson. “I strive to increase industry awareness of the alliance, to advance legislative policy on mobile and portable dentistry, and to create an environment within the organization of inclusion, where all members can share ideas and collaborate on improving oral health access and best practices.”

The American Mobile & Teledentistry Alliance launched in January 2020 as a unique international association of mobile dental health professionals and organizations who are dedicated to promoting and providing oral health and well-being for patients in a mobile or virtual healthcare setting. The alliance provides educational resources and information exchange for members, which include dentists, dental hygienists, non-dental healthcare providers, health program administrators, residents, students, as well as organizations. The organization advocates for national legislation and develops initiatives to advance the mobile and teledentistry niche. For more information on becoming a member or a corporate partner, please visit www.AmericanMobileDentistryAlliance.org.

CPAC’s RapidHeat™ family of waterless tabletop high-velocity hot air sterilizers is growing with the introduction of the RH-Pro9 compact tabletop sterilizer.

The RH-Pro9 has a 3-tray capacity and provides a complete 12-Log Kill cycle from start to finish in less than 20 minutes for pouched instruments and 40 minutes for wrapped cassettes.

Unlike steam sterilization, modern RapidHeat sterilizers require NO lengthy drying cycle that can be by-passed or shortened to speed up instrument turnaround… a practice that is in violation of FDA and CDC requirements. With the absence of water, steam and pressure, RapidHeat sterilizers do not require extensive maintenance.

Independent laboratory tests have confirmed that RapidHeat’s energy consumption is 85% less than steam. These tests have also confirmed that the RapidHeat™ waterless sterilization environment does not contribute to instrument corrosion and shortened instrument life that has been proven to be characteristic of steam sterilization.

In addition to the RH-Pro9, CPAC also offers RapidHeat sterilizers in two other models: the RH-Pro11 Large-Capacity 4-tray unit and the small single-tray COX RapidHeat unit.

For more information: visit us at www.cpac.com or call toll free 800-828-6011, ext. 1372 or E-mail dbaker@cpac.com.

As part of Dentsply Sirona’s continued pledge to create healthy practices for healthy smiles and drive practice recovery, the Dental Solutions Company™ has teamed up with the American Dental Association (ADA) to provide ADA members access to free patient communication resources based on the ADA’s Return to Work Interim Guidance Toolkit.

Recognizing that patient safety and oral health education are top priorities in a world full of “new normals,” these digital resources, found in the ADA’s Patient Return Resource Center, are designed to support dental professionals in empowering their patients during this unprecedented time. No need to stress if you’re using the right language to reassure patients; let the toolkit do thetalking for you.

The Patient Return Resource Center includes:

• Patient Prep Visual Guide

• Customizable Social Posts

• Text Scripts

• Customizable Email Templates

• Patient FAQs

• Printable in-office signage

Dentsply Sirona will provide practices with information about how to access these resources, as well as a Safety Window Cling. “As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, patients are looking at their own well-being differently – and may have questions when resuming their dental visits. It is important that we do not lose sight of their needs and concerns as part of our rebound and recovery efforts,” Dentsply Sirona VP Chief Clinical Officer Terri Dolan said.

No matter where a practice is in recovery, these resources are specifically designed to meet all dentists’ current and future needs and will continue to be updated in the coming weeks. Accessing the Patient Return Resource Center is easy, fast and free for ADA members! Simply head to dentsplysirona.com/patienttoolkit to be guided to the ADA resource center at ada.org/patienttoolkit. Start communicating with confidence and accelerate your practice recovery today.