Penn Dental Medicine is continuing to build upon its services to persons with disabilities through the development of two new resources – a teledentistry assessment portal and a series of education videos, being made possible in great part through recent gifts from CareQuest Institute for Oral Health and the Eagles Autism Foundation, respectively.

“We are tremendously grateful to the CareQuest Institute and the Eagles Autism Foundation for their support,” says Dr. Miriam Robbins, Director of Penn Dental Medicine’s Care Center for Persons with Disabilities. “The service we are able to provide to our patients will truly be enhanced through these new resources.”

The teledentistry assessment portal, piloted this fall through a $67,600 grant from CareQuest, is helping to maximize access to the School’s Personalized Care Suite within its Care Center for Persons with Disabilities. The Care Suite, which became fully operational in early 2021, is specially designed and staffed to treat individuals with wide-ranging disabilities.

“The teledentistry program will help our patients and their families navigate access to appropriate oral care,” says Dr. Robbins. “The difficulty for many is obtaining care advice and pre-visit consultation. We see utilizing teledentistry to provide counseling on oral health maintenance, ameliorate non-urgent dental problems, and triage true emergencies.”

The primary application of the teledentistry program since its launch is as a pre-visit platform to facilitate gathering essential medical and behavioral information ahead of a patient’s first in-person visit so that first appointment can focus on beginning the evaluation of necessary services. The Center’s patient navigator collects pre-visit demographic information to help patients make appointments and to ensure that any identified special needs of the patient can be accommodated. A nurse practitioner on staff at the Center along with DMD students conducts a pre-visit teledentistry call to collect necessary medical information, including identifying the need to obtain information from other health care professionals.

The goal is to establish a baseline of teledentistry services over the next three years with metrics captured to evaluate patient satisfaction and value. “We want to provide an enhanced patient experience both pre- and post-appointment with follow-up calls and instructions as needed,” says Dr. Robbins. “Utilizing teledentistry can add this extra level of support for patients, their families, and caregivers.”

Another part of this patient/caregiver support are plans to develop educational tools that can be easily accessed by patients, their families, and caregivers and other health care professionals through the Penn Dental Medicine web site. A new series of orientation videos supported by a $20,000 grant from the Eagles Autism Foundation will be a key resource in this area.

Targeted to both the patient and caregiver, they will provide an introduction to the Care Suite facility and what is involved in a visit to the dentist, helping patients prepare for their visit. The Care Suite has two specialized treatment rooms specially designed with low lighting and soundproofing to serve patients with light and noise sensitivities.

“We recognize that going to the dentist can be anxiety producing for anyone,” says Dr. Robbins. “Add to that the challenges with communication for an autistic person and the anxiety can skyrocket. Using videos to acquaint patients to the dental environment and what it means to go to the dentist ahead of a visit can be tremendously beneficial.”

The educational videos will be utilized in conjunction with teledentistry visits before and after in-person appointments and will be available to the general public as well.

Individuals interested in making an appointment at Penn Dental Medicine’s Care Center for Persons with Disabilities should call 215-898-8180, www.dental.upenn.edu/PersonalizedCareSuite.

Integrate. Educate. Celebrate.

This summer, Neoss is celebrating 20 years of Intelligent Simplicity and is inviting the dental community from around the globe to attend an exceptional scientific program.

Happening in Gothenburg Sweden, the home of modern implantology and Prof. Per-Ingvar Brånemark, June 9-11. This three-day conference chaired by Prof. Christer Dahlin, will invite renowned speakers to the stage to discuss topics and techniques such as; Prosthetic simplicity without compromise, Simplicity in practice, Managing risk factors, Digital flexibility for you and your patient, and Accurate simplicity in intraoral scanning. Included, will be various break-out sessions for the whole dental team. The program lectures and break-out sessions will showcase how you can bring efficient workflows into your daily practice.

That’s not all!

Each day, scheduled around the conference will be social activities and excursions which will delight all, from the more energetic morning running, boat trips and exciting dinners, to the more relaxed sunrise yoga and health and wellbeing sessions. All to celebrate the valued community Neoss has created over its 20 years of innovation.

“This will be the event of the year, by not only providing a world class educational program, but to see the Neoss community come together to integrate and celebrate will be of great value to all attending and not to be missed.”

Dr. Robert Gottlander, CEO and President of Neoss Group.

Make sure to get your ticket today and find out more about the program and the speakers on www.neossintegrate.com.

Roland DGA Corporation, a leading provider of large-format inkjet printers and printer/cutters, state-of-the-art dental milling machines, and other innovative digital devices, has announced the launch of its completely redesigned Roland DGA Online Store. The e-commerce portal has received a total makeover, resulting in a great new look, more intuitive navigation, and a faster, simpler purchasing and check-out process. Those who visit the online store via their smartphones will find that the mobile version is also aesthetically pleasing and easier to use than ever before.

The Roland DGA Online Store is a virtual one-stop shop for a wide selection of Roland DG parts and accessories as well as some consumables. Visitors can buy everything from replacement components and media for Roland DGA’s advanced digital imaging machines to milling burs and abutment kits for the company’s DGSHAPE dental mills – all with a few clicks of the mouse. Online shoppers can also purchase select Roland DG desktop devices, such as the VersaSTUDIO BT-12 direct-to-garment printer or the CAMM-1 GS-24 vinyl cutter, directly through the online store.

“Essentially, it’s a brand new e-commerce platform,” noted Roland DGA Senior Product Manager Lily Hunter. “Our team has made extensive customer-facing and back-end changes to make the overall customer experience more enjoyable, efficient, and convenient. We’re extremely pleased with the end result, and we’re confident users will immediately recognize and appreciate the significant improvements.”

To access the completely redesigned Roland DGA Online Store, visit https://dgastore.rolanddga.com. For more information on Roland DGA Corporation, or the complete Roland DGA product line, visit https://www.rolanddga.com.

Event to Offer Interactive Booth Experiences Featuring Leading Dental Technology, Educational Courses, and Networking Opportunities

Henry Schein, Inc. (Nasdaq: HSIC) today announced that it plans to host its first in-person THRIVELIVE™ event at the Bellagio Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, NV, from April 7-9. The premier educational event of Henry Schein Dental will deliver a unique opportunity for clinicians and their teams to hear from influential thought leaders about clinical applications of dental technology and the business side of dentistry. Attendees will also have opportunities to network with peers and enjoy world-class entertainment.

THRIVELIVE 2022 is open to all dental professionals, and brings together speakers and educators from all backgrounds and treatment philosophies, as well as leading dental technologists, who will guide attendees through educational courses. During the day, this first-of-its-kind event will showcase clinical education featuring an extensive lineup of the latest technologies from a variety of leading manufacturers and allow time for customized walkthroughs at interactive booths.

As part of Henry Schein’s continued effort to create an even greater educational value for the dentist and staff, Henry Schein One’s Business of Dentistry conference is now part of THRIVELIVE. Previously hosted as a standalone event in Las Vegas for customers of Dentrix®, Dentrix Ascend®, and Dentrix® Enterprise, the Business of Dentistry conference offered advanced product training and business development training that will now be available through breakout sessions during THRIVELIVE.

“Building on the success of last year’s THRIVELIVE virtual program, we are so excited to host this premier in-person event for our customers in Las Vegas,” said AJ Caffentzis, President, US Dental Distribution. “This world-class live education event reinforces our commitment to providing dental professionals with the knowledge and education needed to operate an efficient and high-tech dental practice. We have brought together the top industry thought leaders to help clinicians make educated decisions about their dental practice. We look forward to providing an event that delivers exceptional education, networking with like-minded peers, and fun for the whole dental team.”

To learn more about THRIVELIVE, please watch this video from Mark Hillebrandt, Chief Marketing Officer of Henry Schein, and click here to view the Company’s COVID-19 health and safety protocols for this event. To register for THRIVELIVE 2022, please visit www.thrivelive2022.com.

First-of-its-kind partnership will leverage medical-dental care integration to improve health outcomes and reduce medical expenses for the ACO’s patient population in Arizona.

Pacific Dental Services^® (PDS), one of the nation’s leading dental support organizations, today announced a new, innovative partnership with Arizona-based accountable care organization (ACO) Commonwealth Primary Care ACO (Commonwealth) with the goal of reducing the medical expenses and improving the overall health of the ACO’s patient population in Arizona. Through the initial phase of the partnership, both parties will prioritize medical-dental care integration so that patients within Commonwealth’s network who are diagnosed with diabetes or prediabetes will receive proper oral healthcare and periodontal therapy as part of their clinical treatment plan. Eventually, the collaboration will extend to all Commonwealth patients in order to create a model for healthier populations throughout Arizona.

Diabetes is a major public health concern in the United States, with 34.2 million Americans or 10.5 percent of the population diagnosed with the disease, according to a 2020 analysis produced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In fact, the American Diabetes Association reported that the cost of diabetes is $327 billion per year for the U.S. healthcare system, and annual health care costs for a person diagnosed with diabetes are 2.3 times higher than for a person without.

Research has shown that the relationship between diabetes and periodontal disease is bi-directional, meaning that both diseases and their inflammatory factors, when not treated or controlled, directly affect the other negatively. Additionally, periodontal disease is often considered a complication of diabetes. Recent studies also indicate that treating periodontal disease in patients with high-risk conditions such as Type 2 diabetes can lead to a 40 percent reduction in hospital inpatient admissions, emergency room visits, and overall healthcare spending.

A 2021 report from Kaiser Family Foundation stated that nearly half of Medicare beneficiaries do not have dental insurance and haven’t been to the dentist in the past year. In Arizona, where PDS currently has over 90 supported dental practices, Commonwealth has a network of 24 multispecialty primary care offices and more than 130 independent physicians throughout the state. Of the 10,000 Medicare Advantage beneficiaries who are currently under the care of Commonwealth providers, roughly 25 percent have diabetes and many have no dental insurance. To help address the lack of dental coverage, PDS and Commonwealth are developing a customized dental plan which will be available to Commonwealth’s patients in order to reduce any financial burden that might prohibit them from seeking necessary dental treatment.

Jack Dillenberg, DDS, MPH, Dean Emeritus of A.T. Still University Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health, commented on the partnership by saying, “The U.S. healthcare system is still largely siloed with communication misses and gaps in care between health care specialties – especially oral health and primary care – that lead to poor patient outcomes and unnecessary health care costs. This innovative, patient-centric approach between Commonwealth and Pacific Dental Services will enable and promote systematic communication between primary care providers, dentists, and care coordination teams to ensure that patients have access to the care they need.”

The unique partnership between PDS and Commonwealth was finalized in December 2021 and commenced this month. In its initial phase, care coordination will occur between Mesa Modern Dentistry and Orthodontics, a PDS-supported practice owned by Miran Ho, MS, DDS and located at 3440 East Baseline Road, Suite 106, and Velda Rose Medical Center, a practice owned by Mark Goldberg, MD and located at 5252 East Main Street. Both practices are located within five miles of each other in Mesa, Arizona. The collaboration will begin with a focus on Commonwealth’s Medicare Advantage members but will eventually extend to all Commonwealth patients, including those with other co-morbidities.

“Pacific Dental Services is proud to be a leading voice in advocating for better collaboration between medical and dental professionals in order to improve systemic health outcomes for patients,” said Stephen E. Thorne IV, Founder and CEO of Pacific Dental Services. “In July 2021, we launched Union Village Modern Dentistry and Union Village Medical Group, our first fully integrated medical-dental practice in Henderson, Nevada. This partnership with Commonwealth is another exciting and unprecedented step towards fulfilling the promise of integrated care, enabling individuals with diabetes and periodontal disease in Arizona to receive comprehensive oral health care as part of their chronic disease management.”

Lance Donkerbrook, CEO of Commonwealth, added, “Commonwealth is pleased to partner with Pacific Dental Services to close gaps in care and provide better access for patients in Arizona. Both of our respective organizations have long respected and promoted the coordination of health with the understanding that improving oral health will improve overall health. This novel integrated medical-dental approach is unique because it brings together patient education, care coordination and targeted outreach across our collaborative medical and dental specialties to improve the overall health of the patients under our care.”   

Glidewell, a leader in dental education and a technological innovator in restorative dentistry for more than 50 years, has announced open registration for its 2022 Glidewell Symposium titled "Implants: The Next Level." Scheduled for June 24-25, 2022, at the brand-new Glidewell Clinical Education Center in Irvine, Calif., the event will provide two days of practical, cutting-edge clinical education designed to help dentists succeed in making implant dentistry a bigger part of their everyday practices. Attendees will earn nine hours of continuing education units.

"Over the past two years, we've brought more than 100,000 hours of continuing education to dentists through our online learning platforms — Chairside^® magazine, on-demand courses and the Glidewell Online Study Club," said Dr. Neil Park, scientific chair of the Glidewell Symposium and vice president of clinical affairs at Glidewell. "Now, as clinicians seek more opportunities to explore implant dentistry, we're once again hosting our Glidewell Symposium, which has been a popular component of our live, in-person learning program. We're bringing together world-class speakers, who are thought leaders and practicing clinicians in implant dentistry, to help attendees expand their practices and enhance the lives of their patients."

The Glidewell Symposium, now in its fourth year, will provide a unique two-day educational format. The first day will include fast-paced podium presentations, with topics such as single-tooth implant placement, bone grafting and ridge augmentation, implant overdentures, and full-arch surgical and restorative procedures. Renowned dental experts will share their insights during lively panel discussions, and a tour of the Glidewell campus will be provided during the lunch break.

For the final presentation, keynote speaker Dr. Jack Hahn will explore the "emergency" implant protocol, in which an extraction is performed, an implant placed, and a provisional restoration delivered on the same day, allowing practitioners to provide for the urgent need of the patient in a definitive and practical manner. At the conclusion of the first day, attendees are cordially invited to a hosted cocktail party and dinner at Mesa Manor, home of Jim and Parvina Glidewell.

On the second day of the event, attendees can choose from nine hands-on workshops and focused lectures to further dive into the most relevant clinical and business information to enhance their practices. Topics include clinical photography, practice management, digitally guided implant surgery, small-diameter implants, and practical guidance on avoiding complications in implant dentistry.

"This is the first time we'll be holding the symposium at our home headquarters in Southern California — in our brand-new Glidewell Clinical Education Center," said Andy Klein, director of clinical education and events at Glidewell. "Not only has our team organized an impressive lineup of clinical presentations and hands-on workshops, but we're also going to welcome clinicians to tour our expansive campus for a behind-the-scenes look at how intelligent dental technology is used in the products prescribed every day. We know this will be an exciting and memorable experience for everyone."

The 2022 Glidewell Symposium is for dentists, hygienists, and chairside and front-office staff. Tuition is $495 for the two-day event and attendees can use promo code GLIDEWELLDENTAL22 to receive $100 off registration. Tuition includes complimentary breakfast and lunch on both days, as well as a campus tour and a hosted cocktail party and dinner on Friday. Participants will be able to browse interactive exhibits during both days of the event. Due to limited space, attendees are encouraged to register early to secure their seats. For the complete symposium schedule and to register, call (866) 791-9539 or visit glidewellsymposium.com.

Geistlich Bio-Oss® 0.125 g / 0.25 cc is now available

Geistlich Pharma North America, Inc. announced a new concentration of bone grafting material. The company's Geistlich Bio-Oss® is the leading bone substitute for regenerative dentistry worldwide, providing a stable scaffold for bone formation leading to long-term volume preservation.^1-6 The newest Geistlich Bio-Oss® 0.125 g (0.25 cc) is just the right amount of original granules needed for:

● Small bony defects

● Layering procedures

● Long-term stability when combined with autogenous bone

Learn more about Geistlich Bio-Oss® here or shop now

References:

1. iData Research Inc., US Dental Bone Graft Substitutes and other Biomaterials Market, 2015.

2. iData Inc., European Dental Bone Graft Substitutes and other Biomaterials Market, 2015.

3. Maiorana C, et al.: Int J Periodontics Restorative Dent 2005; 25(1): 19-25.

4. Traini T, et al.: J Periodontol 2007; 78(5): 955-61.

5. Mordenfeld A, et al.: Clin Implant Dent Relat Res 2012, Oct 15 (Epub ahead of print).

6. Galindo-Moreno P, et al.: Clin Implant Dent Relat Res 2013; 15(6): 858-66. 

Partnership strengthens sales, customer support and service for the vhf Z4, N4+, R5 and S5 series in Canada and the USA.

vhf, a leading developer and manufacturer of dental milling machines, tools and CAM software, is proud to announce a new partnership with Proto3000. The specialist in Digital Dental Workflow Products and Services relies on vhf to enable labs to rapidly turn digital scans into dental restorations with extreme precision and high efficiency.

“As a one-stop shop for dental labs, Proto3000 offers a full suite of digital dental workflow products that allow labs to transform scans into dental restorations and virtual models for milling and 3D printing,” says Mohamed Soliman, CEO of vhf Inc. “Our machines complement this portfolio very well and we look forward to working together to support customers on their journey and provide real value.”

“We are very excited to add the vhf Z4, N4+, R5 and S5 to our product range,” says Eyal Geiger, president and co-founder of Proto3000. “These beautifully designed high-performance systems enable dental technicians to take their processes to the next level. With just a few clicks of the mouse, they can deliver perfectly fitting restorations to their dentists and patients that will serve them reliably for many years to come.”

The vhf Z4 is an easy-to-use Ultra HD milling and grinding machine designed for same-day dentistry applications, whereas the N4+ is a wet milling and grinding machine which is ideal for laboratories. The R5 is the next big step towards automation for labs or clinics. With a ten-fold blank changer and DIRECTCLEAN Technology for wet and dry machining it is capable of handling even the toughest material in highest precision. Finally, the S5 is a 5-axis machine with almost unlimited material compatibility for high throughput applications in dental labs. All milling and grinding machines from vhf are supplied with a perfectly matched suite of CAM software and tools. The solutions, made in Germany, meet the highest design and quality requirements.

Headquartered in Vaughan, Ontario, Canada, Proto3000 has offices in Laval, Quebec, CA, and Atlanta, Georgia, USA. The entire portfolio of 3D scanners and software, dental printers and milling machines, post-processing units, materials and services is available at dental.proto3000.com. 

Roland DGA Corporation, a leading provider of large-format inkjet printers and printer/cutters, state-of-the-art dental milling machines, and other innovative digital devices, has announced three key organizational changes that further strengthen the company’s leadership team. Amado Lara, previously Roland DGA Director of Sales, has been promoted to Vice President of Sales and will now oversee sales, business development, and product management throughout North and South America as well as DGSHAPE Americas, Roland DGA’s dental solutions division. In addition, Yadira Cepeda, who currently manages the company’s Sales Development department, will now also oversee the Roland DGA Customer Service Department as Director of Sales Development and Customer Service. Finally, Roland DGA has brought on Peter Chen as Director of Service to manage Technical Support and Field Service functions.

Lara, who has held various sales and management positions within the company over the last 30 years, has contributed greatly to the success of Irvine, California-based Roland DGA. As the newly appointed Vice President of Sales, Lara’s responsibilities will include oversight of a broader range of major departments within Roland DGA’s corporate infrastructure, allowing for even better coordination and alignment.

Cepeda, a Roland DGA staffer for more than 24 years, has also held a number of different positions in various departments. In her new position she will provide strategic sales development and customer service oversight, with a focus on identifying and implementing new ways for the two departments to further enhance the purchase experience for Roland DGA customers.

Chen, a customer service and tech support veteran with more than 25 years of managerial experience, most recently served as Director of Operations and Customer Support for Tustin, California-based SEB Professional North America. As Roland DGA’s new Director of Service, he will be responsible for managing day-to-day technical support and service operations throughout the Americas, ensuring that customers continue to receive the very best service and support in the industry. Chen will report to Ron Ball, Roland DGA’s Vice President of Service, who will provide strategic oversight.

“Each of these individuals are accomplished professionals with extensive knowledge, and we’re confident they will excel in their important new roles,” said Andrew Oransky, Roland DGA’s president and CEO. “We had a record-breaking sales year in 2021, despite significant challenges; the contributions of Amado and Yadira were crucial to making that goal a reality. We’re also excited about Peter joining our team. We look forward to benefiting from his skills and expertise in providing our customers and dealer channel with service and support that exceeds expectations.”

To learn more about Roland DGA Corporation, or the complete Roland DGA product line, visit https://www.rolanddga.com. 

The dental industry pioneer passed away on Jan. 8, 2022

VITA Zahnfabrik is mourning the loss of its owner and president, Henry Rauter, who passed away on Jan. 8, 2022 at the age of 76, surrounded by his family. For over 40 years, Henry Rauter guided and shaped VITA Zahnfabrik through his tremendous passion, pioneering spirit and entrepreneurial vision.

After completing his degree in law, Henry Rauter joined the family business based in Bad Säckingen, Germany in 1973, representing the third generation. He successfully expanded VITA into a leading company in the dental industry and was dedicated to achieving significant progress in the field.

Consistently developing better solutions for perfect prosthetics in both function and esthetics was something he regarded as his personal mission in life. He was confident that the best solutions could only be achieved through mutual cooperation. As a result, proximity to users and their needs, as well as knowledge exchanges with experts, always took center stage in his work.

Thanks to his progressive mindset and his commitment to driving progress with a focus on sustainable user orientation, Henry Rauter forged innovative pathways and set new standards with VITA. Shade competence was particularly close to his heart. With the introduction of the VITA SYSTEM 3D-MASTER, he raised the bar in terms of tooth shade determination and reproduction. Under his leadership, the company's pioneering role in esthetic prostheses with prosthetic teeth was expanded further, its expertise in the field of veneering ceramic was broadened and the world's first CAD/CAM material was launched.

Henry Rauter made a significant contribution to the development of the dental industry through his entrepreneurial endeavors and creative force, earning him international recognition. He was not only highly respected within the dental industry, but also by his more than 600 employees. His knowledge and prowess, his values and his loyalty made him a true role model in every respect. Henry Rauter and his life's work will not be forgotten.