Daniel Burke, Chief Enterprise Strategy Officer at leading dental support organization (DSO) Pacific Dental Services (PDS®) discusses how PDS was able to quickly pivot its service model to help its supported practices during the earlier days of the COVID-19 crisis, including adding teledentistry capability in a new interview on the Becker's Dental + DSO Review Podcast titled, "Teledentistry, the Oral-Systemic Link, and More with Dan Burke." During the podcast, Mr. Burke discusses how PDS enabled its supported owner dentists to stay open to see dental emergencies when nearly all of their peers were forced to close in the middle of the Novel Coronavirus pandemic. For example, PDS was able to launch teledentistry in five days in April, which allowed PDS-supported dentists the ability to increase access to care for anyone with a smart phone, tablet or a computer. For more information on teledentistry, click HERE.

"Teledentistry was a solution looking for a problem, and COVID-19 was that problem," said Mr. Burke. "There was a lot of fear for patients who were at home and wondering if they should go to an emergency room for their dental emergencies. Prior to all PDS-supported practices reopening for general and emergency dentistry, teledentistry served as a great tool for patients to have a live person-to-person conversation with a clinician, and our supported dentists were able to screen patients. It still remains a popular and powerful tool."

Mr. Burke also discusses how the oral-systemic link has impacted the dental industry, and how PDS-supported dental practices were able to support their communities by staying open to treat dental emergencies.

To listen to the Becker's Dental + DSO Review Podcast episode, "Teledentistry, the Oral-Systemic Link, and More with Dan Burke," click HERE. The team at Becker's Dental + DSO Review Podcast interviews a variety of leaders across the dental and DSO space to learn best practices, share challenges, and exchange ideas.

About Pacific Dental Services®

Founded in 1994, Pacific Dental Services (PDS) is one of the country’s leading dental support organizations, providing supported autonomy that enables dentists to concentrate on clinical excellence and the highest levels of cost-effective comprehensive patient care. PDS originated the Private Practice+® model to enable dentists to focus on their passion: serving patients. PDS also pioneered the concept of Modern Dentistry so that dentists are equipped to combine advances in the latest technology with the best operational practices and procedures, highly skilled support staff and a commitment to ongoing training and education. PDS continues to grow, with over 800 supported dental offices across the United States and plans to expand into several new markets. PDS has been on the Inc. 5000 list of the fastest growing private companies in America 14 times. PDS supported dentists aim to be the provider of choice in all the markets they serve and to develop Patients for Life™.

For more information, visit us at https://www.pacificdentalservices.com

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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/293541/life/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/pacificdental

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

Medit announces the launch of three new T-Series laboratory scanner models: T710, T510, and T310. The open-system scanners offer upgraded performance at an unbeatable price, and with a fully customizable workflow, providing supreme flexibility to simplify dental labs’ work.

Suitable for all use cases: Four SMP cameras, 4-micron accuracy and an 8 second full-arch scan

The Medit T710 – the powerhouse of the new line-up is equipped with four 5.OMP high-resolution cameras, positioned to ensure there are no blind spots in the data, even after only a single scan. Full arches are scanned in only 8 seconds and the scanner’s 4-micron accuracy ensures high-quality results.

The T710 can be used to scan all indications, including implant cases, impressions and replica dentures. The model also features a flexible multi-die function and fits and articulator available in the market, allowing for maximum compatibility.

Enhancing lab capacity and productivity

“I am extremely proud to announce our new T-Series scanners. When it comes to scanner performance and compatibility, closed systems and limitations have long been detrimental to the efficiency of dental labs. Our team developed the scanners with the needs of technicians in mind, ensuring the new models enhance their capacity and overall productivity. I am confident to say that this new line-up is going to set a new industry standard yet again,” says GB Ko, CEO at Medit.

The new models at a glance

About Medit Corp:

Medit is a global provider of 3D measurement solutions for dental clinics and labs, including intraoral scanners, based on its own patented state-of the-art technology. The company also develops platform solutions for digital dentistry, supporting collaborative workflows. Additionally, the Solutionix line provides 3D scanners and software to the industrial market. The company’s goal is to provide innovative technology and the highest quality products to ensure mutual growth for all partners.

Medit is headquartered in Seoul, South Korea since its inception in 2000. The company also has representatives located in the Americas and Europe and boasts a global network of distributors in over 70 countries.

With renewed focus on applying innovative technology to solve real, everyday dentistry challenges, DENTALEZ has now launched three new smart products: the Aeras 500 Elite Handpiece by Star®, the Aeras Compressor by Ramvac®, and now, the Aeras Vacuum by Ramvac®.

Aeras Intelligence Revolutionizes Practice Operations

With an unprecedented focus on safety and efficiency, today’s dental offices must evolve quickly to include modern solutions that do more. The new Aeras Intelligent Platform from DENTALEZ connects the dentists’ most vital equipment, gives it something it’s never had before: a voice. With the power to provide actionable information, accurately, quickly and conveniently, every Aeras product collects and shares data, streamlining standard-of-care processes, and creating an environment of superior patient care and practice productivity. Creating new connections between vital equipment and key practice operations, Aeras simply delivers more.

Aeras Vacuum by Ramvac

The new Aeras Vacuum completes the Intelligent utility room with the same cloud-based diagnostic capability as the Aeras Compressor. Embedded sensors in critical areas on the vacuums monitor for indicators that typically herald trouble, including overheating or unwanted moisture. The system forewarns staff and service teams*, allowing for targeted diagnosis and service planning - all of which can be done remotely, improving service effectiveness and eliminating unproductive visits to the office.

The web-based Aeras smart technology offers remote scheduling and other efficiency-improving features, plus, all Aeras smart-enabled vacuums offer an 8-year extended warranty*, the best in the industry. The addition of Aeras takes the reliability of Ramvac vacuums to the next level, which are already recognized as an industry go-to, with quiet, energy-efficient motors, and 100% water-free operation.

President Heather Trombley is pleased to present the complete Aeras Intelligence Utility Room. “A dental office’s compressors and vacuums are the heart and soul of a dental practice, and if one goes down, it can take the whole practice offline, at incredible expense to the dentist and disruption for their patients. We’ve taken proven smart technology and applied it so that we can provide mission-critical information at dentists’ fingertips--and their chosen service provider’s-- at any time. This may mark the beginning of the end of unplanned downtime*.”

DentalEZ ® is committed to providing state-of-the-art dental practice solutions for unlimited interconnectivity, choice and control. A true dental pioneer, the Company stands as an indispensable industry staple with over 100 years of experience. DentalEZ provides real-life solutions for everyday challenges in oral healthcare through a unique union of advanced technical expertise and rich practical experience. With unwavering top-level customer service and support, the Company has securely established itself as a trusted partner in dentistry. DentalEZ has a proven history of providing tried-and-true dental products and equpment, and continues to manufacture a full line of technologically advanced front-to-back office solutions from well-known brands including Star, Ramvac, Forest™, NevinLabs™ and Columbia Dentoform® . Visit dentalez.com for more information.

*Applies only if subscribing to monitoring service

A global leader in oral care, Colgate® is excited to introduce a new technology platform called Colgate Professional Direct (CPD), a website for dental professionals to make recommendations at the click of a button and send discounted Colgate products right to patients’ homes.

“There has always been a need for a service that promotes patient compliance and supports the patient in implementing the recommended treatment plan,” said Patrick Casey, Marketing Director at Colgate-Palmolive. “As the dental community perseveres through the COVID-19 climate and patients start to get back on track with oral hygiene, Colgate Professional Direct can be that service for professionals, as well as a valuable tool overall for dental practices.”

With Colgate Professional Direct, it only takes a little friendly advice and the push of a button to help patients to elevate their oral health. All dental professionals need to do is access the website from a computer, tablet or smartphone and create a profile. Then they can choose products and send the recommendations directly to their patients via text or email. Patients then click a link to the CPD cart and easily check out. The best part: when patients buy through CPD, products are priced at a discount (versus retail).

The website will also provide access to the latest Colgate products, such as the new hum by Colgate smart rechargeable electric toothbrush. This new brand of smart toothbrush offers patented connected technology at an accessible price, guiding users to brush better by making it simple to track the frequency, duration and coverage of an individual's unique brushing style and to get personalized recommendations on how to improve.

“Colgate strives to make dental professionals’ jobs easier and their patients’ lives better through trusted and high-quality oral care products, with this project we are inviting Dental professionals to champion a lifetime of healthy smiles” said Flávia Palone Aldarvis Bacarin, Brand Manager at Colgate Oral Pharmaceuticals. “We are so excited about Colgate Professional Direct because it allows us to do both!

Patients benefit from having access to Colgate’s wide range of discounted specialty products; professionals benefit from eliminating in-office inventory management and sales processing, in addition to being able to communicate more effectively with patients and better monitor their oral care routines.”

Dental professionals who use CPD in their practices will have another reason to smile when they learn how they can choose to accept 10% of the sales amount or redirect these funds (in whole or in part) to support the Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures® program.

Go Direct with new Colgate Professional Direct today! Register now at pro.colgatedirect.com and start making fast, easy and convenient hygiene recommendations a reality for your patients! 

ABOUT COLGATE-PALMOLIVE:

Colgate-Palmolive is a leading global consumer products company, focused on Oral Care, Personal Care, Home Care and Pet Nutrition. With more than 34,000 people and its products sold in over 200 countries and territories, Colgate is known for household names such as Colgate, Palmolive, Elmex, Tom’s of Maine, Hello, Sorriso, Speed Stick, Lady Speed Stick, Softsoap, Irish Spring, Protex, Sanex, Filorga, EltaMD, PCA Skin, Ajax, Axion, Fabuloso, Soupline and Suavitel, as well as Hill’s Science Diet and Hill’s Prescription Diet. 

The Company is also recognized for its leadership and innovation in promoting environmental sustainability and community well-being, including its achievements in saving water, reducing waste, promoting recyclability and improving the oral health of children through its Bright Smiles, Bright Futures program, which has reached more than one billion children since 1991. 

For more information about Colgate’s global business and how the Company is building a future to smile about, visit https://www.colgatepalmolive.com

Researchers at Trinity College Dublin have examined the sustainability of different models of the most commonly used oral health product - the toothbrush - to ascertain which is best for the planet and associated human health.

Although the toothbrush is a widely recommended healthcare device worldwide, there is currently little quantitative data available for its impact on the planet. The research study, in collaboration with Eastman Dental Institute at University College London, is published in the British Dental Journal today (Tuesday, 15th September 2020). It represents the first time a life-cycle assessment (LCA) has been used to measure environmental consequences of a healthcare product.

Healthcare is a major emitter of environmental pollutants that adversely affect health, but awareness of these effects remains low both in the industry and in the general consumer population. There is currently little evidence or guidance regarding the sustainability of specific healthcare interventions, services or devices.

Researchers considered different manufacturing models of the toothbrush and measured the environmental impact (carbon footprint) and human health impact (DALYS) of the toothbrush. The electric toothbrush, the standard plastic brush, the plastic brush with replaceable head, and the bamboo brush were used. The team found that the electric toothbrush was comparatively harmful for planetary health.

The findings highlight the human health burden of the toothbrush manufacturing process. The electric toothbrush causes 10 hours of disability measured in Disability-Adjusted Life years or DALYS mainly for the people associated with the process of making and producing the devices. This is five times higher than a normal plastic brush.

The team found that the most environmentally sustainable toothbrush was not bamboo, as could perhaps be popularly believed, but a hypothetical continually recycled plastic toothbrush.

This simple comparative LCA showed that a plastic manual replaceable head toothbrush and bamboo manual toothbrush perform better than traditional plastic manual and electric toothbrushes in every environmental impact outcome measure used in this study. These results could be used to inform individual consumer choice, oral health recommendations, procurement of toothbrushes for public health programmes, and toothbrush manufacturers. Using LCA to inform healthcare policies and recommendations will help healthcare providers move towards a more environmentally sustainable system.

Dr Brett Duane, Associate Professor in Public Dental Health at Trinity College and lead researcher said:

"There are billions of toothbrushes used and discarded every year. Our research shows that electric toothbrushes are actually harmful for the planet and to the people involved in the manufacturing process and distribution. There is not a lot of evidence to show they are more effective unless you struggle to clean your teeth with a normal toothbrush. We have also shown bamboo toothbrushes are not the answer. Using them just stops land from being put to better use such as helping biodiversity, or in growing forests to offset carbon emissions.

The ideal toothbrush is one which uses plastic which is recycled in a continuous process. Plastic brushes which can be recycled don't take up a lot of land and they don't need lots of water to grow. The important thing here is to keep the plastic in the recycling chain. We need a system where plastic toothbrushes can be collected like batteries and then recycled into new products. If the plastic escapes the recycling chain, it needs to be able to be easily and naturally broken down into harmless products.

Manufacturers, consumers, health professionals, and health policy makers should consider environmental sustainability as well as money and people's health when recommending products. Governments and industry should consider how they could support recycling programmes. More funding is also required to support sustainability research in this area."

The research papers: 'Combining evidence-based healthcare with environmental sustainability: using the toothbrush as a model' and 'Incorporating sustainability into assessment of oral health interventions' can be viewed in the British Dental

Journal here: https://www.nature.com/bdj/volumes/229/issues/5

Notes for the Editor

Life cycle assessment (LCA) is used to measure the environmental impact of different services or products. Also referred to as a cradle-to-grave analysis, LCA considers all aspects of a product along its life cycle, including raw materials, manufacture, use, transport, and disposal.

The four types of toothbrush used in this research were:

1. Plastic manual: plastic handle with fixed head.

2. Bamboo manual: bamboo handle with fixed head.

3. Plastic manual replaceable head: reusable plastic handle (made from a bio-plastic) with replaceable heads.

4. Electric: handle and charging unit, with replaceable heads.

About UCL Eastman Dental Institute

UCL Eastman Dental Institute is a world-leading, academic centre for postgraduate dentistry and translational research, based in London. Research is focused upon preventing, diagnosing and treating common oral disorders such as childhood dental decay, gum disease and oral cancer. Postgraduates and staff are also engaged in research that has a wider impact on collective public health, investigating antibiotic resistance, bone repair and soft-tissue reconstruction. For more information please visit https://www.ucl.ac.uk/eastman

Botox injections to manage jaw and facial pain do not result in clinically significant changes in jaw bone when used short term and in low doses, according to researchers at NYU College of Dentistry. However, they found evidence of bone loss when higher doses were used.

The researchers, whose findings are published in the Journal of Oral Health Rehabilitation, call for further clinical studies to track bone- and muscle-related changes with long-term use of Botox for TMJD, or temporomandibular muscle and joint disorders.

TMJDs are a group of common pain conditions that occur in the jaw joint and surrounding muscles, with the most common type involving the muscles responsible for chewing. While many individuals manage their TMJD symptoms with conservative treatments such as jaw exercises, oral appliances, dietary changes, and pain medication, some do not respond to these treatments.

Botox (or botulinum toxin), an FDA-approved injectable drug known for its wrinkle-reducing capabilities, is approved to treat certain muscle and pain disorders, including migraines. It works in part by temporarily paralyzing or weakening muscles. In the U.S., a Phase 3 clinical trial is currently underway to study the use of Botox to treat TMJD, but in the meantime, it is increasingly being used off-label.

Thus far, small studies using Botox to treat TMJD in humans have had mixed results. In animal studies, Botox injections in jaw muscles have led to major bone loss in the jaw. This is thought to be due to the muscles not being used to exert force needed for bone remodeling, but Botox may also have a direct effect on bone resorption, the process of breaking down bone tissue.

“Given these concerning findings from animal studies, and the limited findings from clinical studies, more research on the safety of Botox for jaw muscles and bones is critically important,” said Karen Raphael, professor in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Radiology and Medicine at NYU College of Dentistry and the study’s lead author.

The NYU study included 79 women with TMJD affecting their facial muscles: 35 of whom received Botox injections (between two and five rounds in the past year) and 44 who were not treated with Botox but may have used other TMJD treatments. Using specialized CT scans, the researchers measured participants’ jaw bone density and volume.

The researchers found that jaw bone density and volume were similar between women who had Botox injections to treat their TMJD and those who did not. While most study participants were given relatively low doses of Botox—smaller than in most clinical trials for TMJD—individuals who received higher doses of Botox were more likely to have lower bone density.

Raphael and her colleagues recommend that more human studies be conducted to better understand the impact of the long-term use of Botox on jaw muscles and bones—and whether it just reduces muscle force on bone or also plays a direct role in altering bone resorption.

“Should Botox receive regulatory approval for the treatment of TMJD, we would recommend that a phase IV study be done using low-radiation CT and MRI to track bone- and muscle-related changes with Botox use, examining both dose and long-term use,” said Raphael. “Unless specialized imaging of muscle and bone are conducted among patients who receive Botox treatment over long periods, true cumulative effects will remain unknown.”

In addition to Raphael, study authors include Malvin Janal, Vivian Santiago, and David Sirois of NYU College of Dentistry, as well as Aditya Tadinada and Alan Lurie of the University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine. This research was supported in part by the National Institutes of Health's National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (R01DE024522).

About NYU College of Dentistry Founded in 1865, New York University College of Dentistry (NYU Dentistry) is the third oldest and the largest dental school in the US, educating nearly 10 percent of the nation’s dentists. NYU Dentistry has a significant global reach with a highly diverse student body. Visit https://dental.nyu.edu for more. 

A new study by researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago and the University of Pittsburgh suggests that a significant proportion of older patients receiving opioids at dental visits also use psychotropic medications — a potentially harmful combination. Their findings are published in the journal Pharmacotherapy.

Rates of polypharmacy, or taking multiple medications, are high among older adults who are more likely to be managing more than one health issue at any given time. Psychotropic medications that act on the central nervous system, such as antianxiety or antidepressant medications, are especially dangerous if taken with opioids because they can interact with each other and have negative effects.

“Some of the most concerning negative outcomes of these combinations include overdosing on opioids or falling, which can necessitate a visit to the hospital, which in itself carries greater risk for older adults,” said Gregory Calip, associate professor of pharmacy systems, outcomes and policy at the UIC College of Pharmacy and corresponding author on the paper.

The researchers looked at medical, dental and pharmacy claims data from 40,800 older adult dental patients who visited a dentist between 2011 and 2015 and were prescribed opioids. The data was from the IBM Watson MarketScan databases.

The average age of the patients included in the study was 69 years old and 45% were female. Of these patients, 10% were taking medications that are associated with increased risks for harm with opioid prescriptions.

There were a total of 947 hospitalizations or emergency room visits among these patients.

The researchers found that among patients prescribed opioids by their dentist, 1 in 10 were already taking a prescription medication that should not be prescribed with opioids.

They also found that patients inappropriately prescribed an opioid medication combination by their dentist were 23% more likely to be hospitalized or visit an emergency department in the 30 days after the dental visit where they were prescribed an opioid, compared with dental patients who were not prescribed an opioid medication.

“Dentists are among the top prescribers of opioids,” said Katie Suda, professor of medicine at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and principal investigator of the study. “It seems that the increased messaging regarding limiting opioid prescriptions has been aimed primarily at medical physicians and not tailored to other specialist providers, including dentists. This can have dire consequences. As we saw in our study, opioid interactions with other medications was likely responsible for the significant rise in emergency room visits and hospitalizations.”

“Although the percentage of opioids prescribed by dentists has decreased in the last 20 years, dentists must continue interprofessional collaboration with primary care physicians, pharmacists, and other health care providers to address devastating and preventable drug interactions affecting vulnerable patients who look to them for safe and compassionate care,” said Dr. Susan Rowan, executive associate dean and associate dean for clinical affairs at the UIC College of Dentistry.

Jifang Zhou and Rosanne Perez of UIC, Jessina McGregor of Oregon State University, Charlesnika Evans of the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and Walid Gellad of the University of Pittsburgh are co-authors on the paper.

This study was funded by a grant award from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (R01HS25177).  

The software manufacturer exocad has expanded its integrated workflow with the vhf dental milling machine Z4. Now, titanium abutments and so-called titanium-based hybrid implant restorations can also be manufactured within the ChairsideCAD software. A demonstration of the new possibilities will be given at the vhf booth during the exocad Insights in Darmstadt on September 21 and 22. The hybrid event will take place both onsite and online.

The particular advantage of the integrated workflow is that users can complete all the necessary steps under a consistent software interface: From modeling and restoration to placing the work in the block. The full material selection tested by vhf is available, so that now, for example, users can choose from more than 800 prefab titanium abutments from eleven manufacturers. The possibility to drill screw channels for ceramic implant restorations on titanium bases directly into the ceramic blocks is also particularly economical. This eliminates the need to use expensive prefabricated “meso” blocks. The University of Washington recently confirmed the feasibility and economy of this procedure in a scientific study.

vhf has developed the Z4 for the sophisticated requirements of prosthetic same-day dentistry. The futuristic housing contains a high-precision milling and grinding machine for wet processing of blocks. It produces perfect restorations made of glass-ceramics, PMMA, zirconia and composites as well as prefabricated titanium abutments within minutes. With the tool-free block clamping system, the material block is automatically fixed and can be changed in seconds. Other user-friendly innovations include the integrated PC and a touchscreen, which makes it easy to control the work processes. This, together with the integrated compressed air generation, means that the Z4 requires no connection other than a power supply and can therefore be easily set up anywhere in the practice.

Just as all vhf machines are open systems which can process all materials available on the market, exocad also allows the use of different scanners which are integrated in an easy to use workflow. ChairsideCAD is available in the EU, USA (currently without implant module), Japan, South Korea and Australia.

About vhf

Founded in 1988, vhf is a leading manufacturer of CNC milling machines, milling tools and CAM software for the dental sector, industry and sign making. Headquartered in Ammerbuch, Germany, vhf employs more than 250 people and is constantly expanding. With its subsidiary vhf Inc. in the state of New York, it provides North American customers with inventory, sales, service, and support.

About exocad

exocad GmbH is an innovative software company with the mission to expand the possibilities of digital dentistry and to offer flexible, reliable and easy-to-use CAD/CAM software for dental laboratories and dental practices. Leading OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) worldwide rely on exocad for the integration of their dental CAD/CAM offers. More information at: exocad.com.

This Friday kicks off Bid For Smiles, a week-long, online auction that helps America’s ToothFairy increase access to dental care for children in underserved communities. Dental practices are invited to register at BidForSmiles.org to bid on dental products and equipment, with starting bids set at a 50% discount.

“The COVID shutdown has made life more difficult for all businesses, but especially for dental offices,” said Jill Malmgren, Executive Director of America’s ToothFairy. “The savings that we’re offering will not only help practices operate during this uncertain time, but their participation will also help our nonprofit program members who are struggling to serve families in financial crisis.” Bid For Smiles raises funds safely online to provide aid to these organizations. Thanks to the support of Kleer, 100% of the proceeds will benefit the cause.

Most items up for bid include discounts of up to 50% off retail prices, and include:

Paradigm Deep Cure Curing Light donated by 3M Oral Care

Tornado X LK Air Turbine donated by Bien-Air

Dentapen Electronic Syringe donated by Septodont

Easyshade V Digital Shade Taking Device donated by VITA North America

An assortment of products from GC America including MI Paste and Fuji Automix

plus Level 3 masks, iSmile Take Home Kits, an Apple Watch, and much more

Additional items are still being accepted and added daily. The online auction will be held September 18-25th. To register as a bidder visit BidForSmiles.org. To learn more about becoming a sponsor or donating an auction item, contact Jill Malmgren at jmalmgren@ncohf.org or call 704-965-2070.

About America’s ToothFairy: National Children’s Oral Health Foundation

As a resource provider, America’s ToothFairy increases access to oral health care by supporting nonprofit clinics and community partners delivering education, prevention and treatment services for underserved children. Since its inception in 2006, America’s ToothFairy has distributed more than $21 million in donated products, educational materials and financial grants to improve oral health outcomes for children and youth in need. For more information, visit AmericasToothFairy.org.  

"The Quality of Esthetics” conference in Mexico has been a staple of the dental events calendar in Latin America for more than 25 years. This year, the conference, which is one of the world’s premier dental industry meetings, was held online for the first time—and it proved to be a resounding success.

In 2019, “The Quality of Esthetics” conference broke all previous attendance records, attracting more than 6,300 participants to the World Trade Center (WTC) in Mexico City. This year’s event, which was held in the new online format, drew more than 16,000 participants from 23 different countries. The US and Brazil registered the largest numbers, with more than 1,300 and 800 delegates respectively.

Live and online

During live virtual sessions, participating dental practitioners and technicians were given the opportunity to gain first-hand knowledge of the latest findings of renowned international dental experts in addition to an insight into their work and experience. Best practice methods and techniques, industry trends, and the latest technologies were presented in exciting talks, workshops, and demonstrations on patients, forming the basis for a lively exchange between the participants and the speakers. The digital equipment used to conduct the congress was of the highest quality. Real-time simultaneous interpretation allowed the attendees to follow the subject matter in both Spanish and Portuguese. Furthermore, a sophisticated sound system and several high-resolution cameras conveyed every single detail of the demonstrations from many different angles for a very special experience. In total, the presentations and lectures were viewed online more than 70,000 times. Moreover, a large number of the participants took advantage of the opportunity to gain valuable continuing education credits from two prestigious institutions—UNAM (National Autonomous University of Mexico) and the AGD (Academy of General Dentistry).

Making the most of young talent

Apart from two forums each dedicated to dental technicians and dental professionals, a forum was specially organized for dental students. At this year’s meeting, Ivoclar Vivadent went the extra mile once again to respond to the needs of young dental professionals. This aspect of the conference proved to be very popular: 28 up-and-coming speakers thrilled their online audience on the virtual stage. More than 600 dental students from 23 dental training institutions took advantage of attending the event free of charge.

Joining forces for the well-being of patients

David Hidalgo, Managing Director of Ivoclar Vivadent Mexico, CAC & SAN, summarized the conference as follows: “We are proud to have been able to gather such a large international crowd of dental practitioners and technicians for this virtual meeting under the present conditions. We all have one thing in common, which is our aim to consistently improve the quality and standard of dental medicine and dental laboratory technology. It is our responsibility to set new standards together—for the health and well-being of our patients.”