Partnership allows Curve Dental customers and Dental Whale members to save money and make running their practices easier.

Curve Dental, the most-widely used cloud-based practice management solution for the dental industry, announced its partnership with Dental Whale®, the leading practice solutions and learning provider in North America, today at Dental Whale’s Business Immersion Summit 2022.

Curve Dental delivers an all-in-one practice management solution that makes everything easy - scheduling, billing, texting, patient engagement, imaging, charting, reports/dashboards, implementation, support, training, data conversion, and more.

Through My Dental Whale™ Platform, clinicians and office staff have full control of their practice by streamlining access to essential business and marketing services, supply and equipment ordering, masterclass training offering CE credits, and data intelligence.

“This is a partnership between two companies that share the same DNA,” said Jana Macon, COO at Curve Dental. “Both care deeply about the dental industry—especially making it easier for practices to manage the clinical and operational side of their business while also saving money. We’re pleased to announce our relationship at this year’s Business Immersion Summit because it gives us an opportunity to connect with Dental Whale members at such a highly attended event.”

The partnership offers Dental Whale members significant savings on Curve SuperHero™, the #1 all-in-one practice management solution. Curve Dental customers receive a discount on a Dental Whale membership which provides them with access to the Dental Whale platform.

GC America announced that it will host a two day CE event featuring Daniel Alter, MSc, MDT, CDT, and Doug Frye, CDT, DTG. The event will take place October 28-29 2022. See below for more information:

The Thimble Technique: A New Philosophy!

Day 1 Lecture

Course Objectives

Daniel Alter, developer of the “Thimble Technique”. The Thimble Technique allows for a 3D outcome that creates a more realistic restoration. He will take you through understanding the philosophy of material choice and why using an absorbing material (Which is strong, lightweight, predictable, esthetically driven and, most importantly, will not damage the implant sites) is both successful and satisfying. This course is a great way to show your doctors the Trilor Thimble Technique by inviting them to attend this lecture. No prerequisite required.

1. Philosophy behind smart material selection for each technique

2. Create realistic restorations with 3D

3. Sure fire ways to avoid damaging implants

Instructor Information

Daniel Alter, MSc, MDT, CDT. Daniel’s experience and repertoire are comprised of more than 25 years in the dental profession with more than ten years owning and operating a successful mid-sized dental laboratory and is considered a true problem solver with a keen eye to the industry’s emerging trends and needs. His expertise involves Tooth Morphology and Gnathology, CAD/CAM, Implants, and Ceramics. Daniel currently serves as an educating Professor of Restorative Dentistry at the City University of New York.

Day 2 Workshop

Course Objectives

Participants will learn the Thimble Technique in a step by step process that is easy to learn, whether it is used for single unit implants, bridges, or for your All On X cases. The ease of this procedure brings out the artist in all of us. Prerequisite: attendance at day 1 lecture is required.

1. Gain confidence in your understanding and use of the Thimble Technique

2. Create realistic restorations using zirconia or pressable material with composite gum shades

3. Create realistic restorations using printed or PMMA material and stain kits

Instructor Information

Doug Frye CDT, DTG. Doug is the owner of D3 Solutions Guided Surgery along with his wife.

He has been involved as a R&D specialist and KOL for most of the leading manufacturers for the past 35. He has taught over 300 courses all which promote top esthetics, ease of use, and theories based on setting higher industry standards. Doug has a thorough understanding of the entire implant placement process from CBCT scans, surgical planning, and providing the surgical guides, he believes we owe the best possible results for patients. Doug has many published articles supporting his work.

• Date: October 28 – 29, 2022

• Location: GC America Education Center 3737 West 127th Street Alsip, IL 60803

• Time: 8:30am CT - 5:00pm CT (Meals will be provided)

• Cost: Lecture Only $105, Lecture & Workshop $375 (for technicians only) Includes lunch and course materials

• CE/CDT: Lecture Only - 8 Credits, Lecture & Workshop - 16 Credits

• RSVP by: RSVP by October 22, 2022

• AGD Code: 610

Registration is available through: http://www.gcamerica.com/ce/courses/

For additional information, please contact Angela Hill at 708.926.3013 or continuingeducation@gcamerica.com.

Please note: These courses are for Dental Professionals in the United States and Canada only.

Company Supports the Queens County Dental Society Diversity Leadership Roundtable, Forging A Dialog Between National, State, Local, and Culturally Diverse Dental Associations

Henry Schein, Inc. (Nasdaq: HSIC) continued its mission to advance diversity and inclusion in dentistry by recently participating in the Queens County Dental Society Diversity Leadership roundtable, an open forum for leaders from national, state, local, and culturally diverse dental associations to discuss how the dental industry and profession can work together to promote increased diversity in dentistry.

The two-day gathering joined representatives from the National Dental Association, the Dominican, Hispanic, Korean, and Puerto Rican Dental Associations, the Diverse Dental Society, and others, to address how to collaboratively strengthen the pipeline development and recruitment of underrepresented populations in the dental profession. Also in attendance were Congressman Adriano Espaillat, American Dental Association (ADA) President Dr. Cesar Sabates, former ADA President Dr. Chad Gehani, and ADA Executive Director Dr. Ray Cohlmia. Henry Schein’s global corporate social responsibility program, Henry Schein Cares, supported the roundtable when it was initially held in 1997, and it had a significant role in assembling the inaugural conference.

“We were pleased to participate in the Queens County Dental Society Diversity Leadership roundtable, which reinforces our ongoing commitment to advocating for diversity in health care professions and increasing access to care for stronger communities,” said Stanley M. Bergman, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Henry Schein. “By collaborating, we can continue to foster an environment in which diversity and inclusion are woven into the fabric of the dental profession and our industry.”

During the event, Steven W. Kess, Henry Schein’s Vice President of Global Professional Relations, was honored with a Congressional Recognition from Congressman Espaillat for his lifetime contribution to advancing oral health. Mr. Kess has been instrumental in forging innovative public-private partnerships, which have helped enhance access to care and health equity for underserved individuals. He is also co-founder of Henry Schein Cares, and he served as the Founding President of the Henry Schein Cares Foundation.

“On behalf of the more than 22,000 Team Schein Members, it is a privilege to receive this honor, and it is a testament to Team Schein’s commitment to promoting pathways of opportunity to encourage greater diversity within the health care profession,” said Mr. Kess. “We, along with many of our partners, are dedicated to 'helping health happen' around the world and we look forward to continuing our collaboration on this very important initiative.”

Henry Schein has helped drive the conversation around diversity and inclusion in dentistry for more than two decades. For example, the Company was one of four founding corporate sponsors of the ADA’s Institute for Diversity Leadership, which was created to foster leadership training and a corporate mentoring network within the dental industry to improve the business management skills of dentists from racial, ethnic, or gender backgrounds that have been underrepresented in such roles.

Henry Schein also supported the first annual conference in June 2014 of The Diverse Dental Society, comprised of three minority oral health professional organizations: the Hispanic Dental Association, National Dental Association, and Society of American Indian Dentists. These associations partnered during the COVID-19 pandemic to address unmet needs in under-resourced communities with the goal of drawing attention to care disparities.

“Henry Schein has been a driving force in expanding opportunities in dentistry and beyond for years,” said Congressman Adriano Espaillat (NY-13). “Steve Kess is an inspiration to each of us and his contributions to diversity, inclusion, and representation are commendable. Congratulations to him and Team Schein on this much-deserved recognition.”

To learn more about Henry Schein’s diversity and inclusion efforts, please click here.

The International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (IAOMT) is raising awareness of a systematic review indicating a wide variety of common activity significantly accelerates the release of mercury from amalgam dental fillings. Over 120 million Americans have amalgam dental fillings, which are approximately 50% elemental mercury.

The results of the study, "How Do Different Physical Stressors' Affect the Mercury Release from Dental Amalgam Fillings and Microleakage? A Systematic Review" found that exposure to static magnetic fields (SMF) such as those generated by MRI, electromagnetic fields (EMF) such as those produced by wi-fi and mobile phones; ionizing electromagnetic radiations such as X-rays and non- Ionizing electromagnetic radiation such as lasers and light cure devices can all significantly increase the release of mercury from amalgam restorations and/or cause microleakage.

The study authors conclude that "specific groups such as children, fertile women, elderly and hypersensitive individuals may be at risk". These concerns mirror the Food and Drug Administrations 2020 amalgam warnings to avoid dental amalgam in these high-risk populations.

Previous studies have found that even one amalgam dental filling can exceed the minimum risk level for mercury. The mercury from dental amalgam fillings has been associated with a wide variety of adverse health effects, especially demyelination as outlined in the IAOMT's position paper on the risks of mercury amalgam dental fillings.

"Considering the mountain of scientific evidence showing harm by the mercury released from amalgam dental fillings, it's therefore important for patients with dental amalgam fillings to either avoid future mercury fillings or have them safely removed by an IAOMT dentist certified in the Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal Technique (SMART)." Explains David Edwards, DMD, President of the IAOMT, who goes on to say, "These findings have huge implications for both patient safety and public health."

The IAOMT is committed to ensuring that dental care practices remain safe by researching potential risks associated with dental treatments, as there are substantial risks from mercury fillings, fluoride, root canal treatments and jawbone osteonecrosis.

The IAOMT is a non-profit organization dedicated to biological dentistry and its mission of protecting public health and the environment since it was founded in 1984.

Matregenix is headquartered at University Lab Partners, the premier life science incubator located in UCI Research Park.

Matregenix announced a grant award from the National Institute of Dental & Craniofacial Research under the auspices of the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program and National Institutes of Health (NIH). The grant will be utilized to develop a new dental barrier membrane for guided bone regeneration.

Guided bone regeneration (GBR) is a common technique used in the dental industry for the treatment of bony defects, among other conditions. Barrier membranes are crucial components of GBR procedures, used to cover the bone defect and create a secluded space that facilitates growth of the bone by preventing connective tissue from interfering in that growth while also protecting the wound. Legacy membranes fall short of attaining the desired properties for GBR techniques leading to additional costs and unnecessary pain for patients.

"Our new approach will address the limitations of current products by eliminating the need for animal-based materials while introducing a new biomaterial to benefit the areas of soft tissue repair applications. This award will help us validate the clinical significance of our innovative membrane to provide a more suitable armamentarium for oral and craniomaxillofacial bone regeneration compared to the gold standard collagen membrane," stated Dr. Sherif Soliman, Founder and CEO of Matregenix.

The research will be conducted in collaboration with Prof. Marco Bottino's research group from the University of Michigan. "This project is built on the extensive published and preliminary data that my lab has generated in collaboration with Matregenix over the past 3 years, and I strongly believe that successful completion of this project is the critical step to translating the next-generation of barrier membranes for guided bone regeneration applications," stated Prof. Marco Bottino, University of Michigan School of Dentistry.

Matregenix has also been recognized as a finalist in the 2022 High Tech Awards powered by Octane. In addition, the Matregenix Transparent Nanofiber Mask was announced as a Phase 2 finalist in the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA)-NIOSH-NIST Mask Innovation Challenge.

About Matregenix Inc.

Matregenix Inc. is a California-based technology company that designs, develops, and manufactures highly tunable nanofibrous materials adaptable to customized needs in a wide range of applications.

About University Lab Partners

University Lab Partners (ULP) is a premier, nonprofit, wet lab incubator located in UCI Research Park in Irvine, CA. ULP is a professionally managed and equipped wet lab facility along with the benefits of peer-to-peer interactions among a life science-focused entrepreneurial community.

● Dentsply Sirona launches new digital dentistry solutions at DS World 2022 in Las Vegas that enable long-term practice growth by increasing efficiency, introducing new procedures and treatment workflows, and improving patient outcomes.

● Superior intraoral scanner Primescan now available as laptop-based solution, Primescan Connect – an easy starting point in digital dentistry

● DS Core and further pioneering functionalities round off the experience in digital dentistry.

At Dentsply Sirona World 2022, Dentsply Sirona, the world’s largest manufacturer of professional dental products and technologies, launches new products and solutions as part of its digital universe which are designed to bring dentistry to a new level. One of the highlights is the new Primescan Connect, a laptop-based version of Primescan, Dentsply Sirona’s easy to use, fast and accurate intraoral scanner. It is powered by the cloud platform DS Core, which is now getting new features, and DS Core Care, Dentsply Sirona’s reliable service program. DS World visitors have the opportunity to experience all products live.

Cord Staehler, Chief Technology Officer at Dentsply Sirona: “With our innovations for digital impression, we are adding valuable components to our digital universe. Digital impression is more than just a digital alternative for analog impression. We can now offer a comprehensive digital workflow for treatment, patient monitoring, diagnostics and communication with patients and labs. Therefore, our new solutions for digital dentistry are a real game changer.”

The company has paid particular attention to user-friendliness and easy integration. All digital products and solutions were conceived to be very intuitive to provide effective support for the treatment process, documentation and in practice organization. This can help the dental practitioner save time and money in day-to-day operations and allows them to focus more on the patient.

Primescan Connect – the easy-to-use scanner for seamless collaboration

Primescan Connect offers a superior and highly connective 3D scanning technology for a lower investment*. In this new solution, Dentsply Sirona combined its fastest and most accurate intraoral scanners, Primescan, with a specified laptop. As such, not only is it more flexible and space-saving when not in use*, but it also fosters the collaboration with any lab by offering validated workflows to all major lab software, while maintaining the dental practice's work habits.

Primescan Connect can be used for digital workflows such as restorative indications, implantology, orthodontics and sleep appliances. Therefore, this innovative device can increase efficiency and improve the patients’ experience.

Dr. Daniel Aniol, dentist from Bornheim-Merten, Germany, said: “I already had the chance to test Primescan Connect in my everyday practice – and I’m really excited about this new solution. The new laptop-based solution of this great dental scanner convinced me right from the start with a simple initial installation, high flexibility and good integration into my existing system. I have an extremely high level of image quality while the data calculation times are pleasantly short and the data transmission via the Connect Case Center is very stable. I can deliver optimal data to my laboratory and can expect optimal results.”

Primescan Connect is the new configuration of Dentsply Sirona’s successful intraoral cart-based scanner, Primescan, which came onto the market in 2019. All the benefits of Primescan are now available in an accessible solution, making it an easy starting point in digital dentistry.

DS Core and DS Core Care for even more digital functionality

Providing a comprehensive experience in digital dentistry, Dentsply Sirona offers Primescan Connect Solution. In this package, Primescan Connect is supported by DS Core & DS Core Care to enhance the practice’s connectivity and deliver more comprehensive service and support.

The cloud-based platform DS Core supports practitioners in their secure storage and sharing of data. The tool which was developed in collaboration with Google Cloud and launched in March 2022 supports HIPAA/GDPR compliance, maintains the openness, flexibility and ease of use of the most common methods of digital dental practice’s collaboration, while allowing users to access their patient records anytime and anywhere. DS Core connects digital dental hardware and software through one platform, helping to improve efficiency and effectiveness in dental practices. This makes DS Core the gateway to the digital universe of Dentsply Sirona solutions. At DS World in Las Vegas, new DS Core features such as Primescan Connect support are announced.

Dr. Daniel Butterman, dentist from Centennial, Colorado, USA: “DS Core makes our everyday work noticeably easy for me and my team. It connects our Dentsply Sirona equipment and is accessible across multiple devices. We can store different types of patient files and share them with partners and colleagues even outside the practice. And all with a clear conscience because we know that the storage and data functions have been developed in a way to support keeping our patients' data safe and secure.”

DS Core Care is an easy-to-understand comprehensive service and support solution that harmonizes Dentsply Sirona equipment service offerings with a proactive and fast responsive support solution. It helps increase equipment uptime and allows dentists to run their practices efficiently.

In Dentsply Sirona’s digital universe all products and solutions interact seamlessly with each other. Also, Primeprint Solution, the highly automated, end-to-end, medical-grade 3D printing system for dental applications, can be easily integrated and connected to the other devices.

Dentsply Sirona’s new products and solutions are available starting in September 2022. Due to various certification and registration periods, not all products are immediately available in all countries.

You will find further information at: DS Core | Dentsply Sirona

Carestream Dental delivers the most advanced technology tools and resources oral healthcare professionals need to achieve clinical excellence in the dental industry. Today Carestream Dental is giving a preview of its latest breakthrough innovation to oral surgeons at the AAOMS Annual Meeting—an easy, versatile stackable guide solution for use with full arch implant restorations.

This is the latest technology addition to the smop implant planning system from Swissmeda, Carestream Dental’s clinical software and services portfolio. The stackable guide can be designed from a single workflow and the templates easily lock together for user-friendly chairside utilization; ideal for immediate loading of provisionals.

“The stackable solution is perfect for complex cases that demand high levels of accuracy, adaptability and flexibility,” Hugo Patrao, senior clinical specialist, dental services, Swissmeda, said. “With their multiple interlocking components, stackable guides are the reliable, precise and predictable solution for edentulous cases.”

Currently, complex All-on-X cases require multiple appliances that need to be designed and created separately to work together. With the new stackable guide technology, a comprehensive digital 3D design process is used to create an efficient and reliable solution for complex procedures. Through cloud-based planning and design, the interlocking fit of the stackable guide ensures the optimal patient outcome.

Carestream Dental is a catalyst for innovation and continues to expand its portfolio with ongoing investments in solutions that drive practice and partner value and differentiation. The simplicity of smop design software and the ability to create a stackable guide gives doctors confidence to precisely plan and place complex procedures with ease and confidence.

For a preview of the stackable guide technology, visit the Carestream Dental in booth #709 at the AAOMS Annual Meeting in New Orleans, La., at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, Sept. 15-17, to see stackable guides for yourself, or learn more about Carestream Dental’s latest innovations at carestreamdental.com. 

More than $1.5 million of Free Dental Care provided to 4,036 Patients across 211 Supported Offices with Help from Supply Partners

Heartland Dental today announced the results of the second annual Free Dentistry Day held on September 10. Free Dentistry Day is a day Heartland Dental supported Doctors dedicate to providing access to free dentistry to individuals who may otherwise go without dental care.

Hundreds of Heartland Dental supported dentists across the United States come together in an effort to give back to the communities they serve, by providing residents with easily accessible, high-quality dental care for free. 211 Heartland Dental supported offices across the country participated this year, providing basic dental care such as professional cleanings, dental fillings, and tooth extractions to 4,036 patients.

Dental supply donations were provided by Henry Schein and Envista, along with the support of Colgate and Septodont, enabling supported offices to serve as many patients as possible across the communities, and at no cost to patients. Donations reflected and reinforced the companies' shared commitment to assist its supported Doctors in providing dental hygiene needs to underserved communities.

"At Henry Schein, we actively support initiatives and programs that expand access to oral care for underserved and underrepresented communities in collaboration with our key health care partners," said Stanley M. Bergman, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Henry Schein, Inc. "We applaud Heartland Dental and the Doctors they support for their efforts, and we are pleased to support Free Dentistry Day for Heartland's supported practices, which aligns with our mission to make the world healthier."

Since 2010, Heartland Dental has partnered with its supported offices and supply partners across the country to offer Free Dentistry Days, providing more than $13 million in free dental care to over 35,000 patients throughout the lifespan of the program.

"We are proud to see so many supported doctors and team members using their talents and skills to give back," shared Pat Bauer, Heartland Dental President and CEO. "Free Dentistry Day is an opportunity to help those who otherwise might not have access to dental care, and we're happy to help our supported communities."

There is significant evidence that oral care is vital to a person's overall health and well-being. Common dental issues such as cavities and gum disease can affect not only your ability to speak or eat properly, but if left untreated, can lead to many other problems, including periodontal disease-related heart disease, diabetes, oral cancer, stroke, and kidney disease.

For more information on Free Dentistry Days, go to https://FreeDentistryDay.org.  

Darby Dental Supply, one of the nation’s largest dental distributors, has launched a first of its kind loyalty program called “Darby Diamond Rewards.” The latest installment in the company’s ongoing mission to provide value when needed most, Darby Diamond Rewards is free to join and helps customers earn exclusive benefits based on their yearly purchases.

“The launch of Darby Diamond Rewards is a major milestone in the evolution of Darby Dental Supply,” said Michael Caputo, President of Darby Dental Supply. “We’re constantly on the lookout for ways to enhance the customer experience and, especially at a time where practices could all use extra value for their hard-earned dollars, this program does just that.”

Through Darby Diamond Rewards, customers earn qualifying dollars with every dollar spent on every purchase with Darby Dental Supply. The more qualifying dollars earned throughout the year, the greater their tier level, starting at Member and moving up to Silver, Gold, and Diamond. The higher the tier level, the greater the rewards – which include exclusive access to flash sales, extra qualifying dollars on select purchases, opportunities to earn free cases of gloves, and deep discounts on Darby’s growing portfolio of solutions, such as CareStack’s all-in-one practice management software and onDiem temporary staffing services.

Customers can expect new additions and surprises throughout the year as the company expands the program. Learn more and sign up for free at www.darby.com/rewards. 

Two of dentistry’s leading advocates for driving disruption from approval to adoption, Dr. Margaret Scarlett, president of Scarlett Consulting International, and Michael Ventriello, owner, and founder of Ventriello Communications LLC, have forged a strategic working alliance named Dental Transformation Partners (DTP). Within the framework of this alliance, Dr. Scarlett will serve as the Chief Science and Technology Officer and Michael will be the Chief Marketing and Communications Officer.

The mission of DTP is to help launch the next generation of innovations that will transform dentistry and to ensure that oral health is recognized as a critical component of overall health by healthcare systems, providers, and patients.

According to Dr. Scarlett, “This is the most exciting time for significant change in dentistry since the late 1980s. DTP’s ideal clients will be companies launching new digital and biotech technologies that can be implemented at scale to prevent, diagnose, and treat a wide range of oral diseases.

DTP’s scope of services can range from assisting with prelaunch FDA approval to creating integrated strategic sales and marketing programs to accelerate adoption and drive revenue. This is made possible by the complimentary skill sets of Scarlett and Ventriello which enable Dental Transformation Partners to deliver an unparalleled combination of clinical, research, communications, and marketing prowess.

Dr. Scarlett and Michael Ventriello have worked in just about every dental product and technology category that has either changed the practice of dentistry or is currently transforming the dental industry. “Dr. Scarlett and I have been collaborating off and on for almost 20 years,” explained Ventriello. “Since the COVID outbreak, we found ourselves working together more frequently within relevant product categories such as teledentistry, air purification and periodontal therapy. We agreed that with all the innovation occurring in dentistry, such as diagnostics and artificial intelligence, we should combine our skills on a more consistent basis to help emerging companies and systems go to market. The result is Dental Transformation Partners.”

For more details about Dental Transformation Partners, visit www.DentalTransformationPartners.com, send an email to Info@DentalTransformationPartners.com and follow DTP on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/dental-transformation-partners/.