Added oral health care locations will improve access to dental care for more than 50K Panhandle Medicaid and CHIP members

As part of its mission to improve the oral health of all, DentaQuest is expanding access to dental care in three Florida Panhandle counties, all designated as dental health professional shortage areas (HPSAs).

Current data shows the region has 25% lower access rates than Florida’s statewide average. By working with its affiliate organization Advantage Dental+, four dental practices were opened over the last several months, ensuring the DentaQuest members in the region – including an estimated 30,000 children enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP – have access to dental care, education and support.

“DentaQuest is able to help state agencies and health plans better serve all their members with access to quality, prevention-first dental and vision care closer to home,” said Brett Bostrack, executive vice president and chief network officer for DentaQuest. “We focus first on building a strong network with existing providers, but in many regions – including the Florida Panhandle – there just aren’t enough providers to adequately support member needs. That’s where a clinical care delivery solution comes in, differentiating us from other dental benefits partners. We look forward to bringing access to members in other dental deserts over time.”

Dental deserts are areas with limited access to oral health care and are a segment of the broader, federal HPSA designations, which cover three categories: primary medical, dental and mental health. To be a dental HPSA, the population to provider ratio must be at least 5,000 to 1 (4,000 to 1 if there are unusually high needs in the community). There are currently more than 6,600 dental HPSAs nationwide that need 10,822 dentists to close the gap.

“This particular region in Florida includes four cities that have had limited access to necessary dental care, and, in line with our mission, we aim to remedy that,” said Todd Cruse, president of Advantage Dental+. “By putting the communities first, we will not only improve access to care, but also will deliver required results for DentaQuest by leveraging expertise in teledentistry and patient outreach to drive healthier outcomes that fit within people’s lifestyle and personal needs.”

The Crestview, Pace, Ft. Walton Beach and Pensacola practices will total approximately 44 dental chairs and collectively start with roughly 40 staff, including 5 dentists, to meet the region’s demand for care. At capacity, each location will serve 10,000 patients, with the exception of Pensacola, which will serve 18,000.

The new locations add to Advantage's network of practices, which now include some 200 providers and 600 support employees throughout five states – Alabama, Florida, Massachusetts, Oregon and Washington. Rooted in a unique philosophy of care called Preventistry®, these practices focus on preventive and person-centered care to meet patient needs in, around and beyond the dental chair.

DentaQuest has served as the incumbent administrator of the Florida Healthy Kids program for more than 20 years, providing Medicaid, CHIP, Medicare Advantage and Health Exchange programs for more than 1.9 million dental and more than half a million vision enrollees across the state.  

In an ongoing effort to simplify the business of dentistry through innovative technology for their customers, Leixir Dental Group announced today its official partnership with Dental Whale® -- a Dental Purchasing & Services Organization (“DPSO”) offering membership that enables purchasing power through its online ordering app.

“This exciting new alliance between Dental Whale ® and Leixir Dental Group will be instrumental to us providing outstanding products and extraordinary customer service to a wider range of dentists. Our team is a mosaic of professionals who are truly passionate about the final result – a person’s smile. When you create dental products with that in mind, the result is nothing short of exceptional,” said Christian LeBrun, CEO of Leixir Dental Group.

Dental Whale ® currently serves 2,200+ members in private practice and dental groups across North America with a robust offering that includes: an education portal that offers training and continuing education, a 24/7 team of repair and equipment experts, and an online Supplies Shop that features substantial members-only savings. Joe Cavaretta, Chief Executive Officer and Dental Whale Leader, said the partnership will “provide our members' quality dental prosthesis at reduced negotiated fees with Leixir’s outsourced manufacturing solutions and domestically produced cases.”

Through Dental Whale's exclusive My Dental Whale™ Platform, clinicians and office staff have access to their personalized dashboard, where they can order heavily discounted supplies and equipment, train and manage new and existing team members with exclusive online content, schedule on-site repairs, equipment maintenance, and service, and even receive 1:1 help in managing quarterly and annual budgets to save revenue and eliminate waste. Not to mention a complete range of fixed and removable dental products made by true experts in their craft, thanks to the advantageous new partnership with Leixir Dental Group.

“This newest partnership adds another option to our evolving partnerships bringing added innovation within the lab space. We value partnerships that bring Dental Whale members quality services, value, and attention to detail in all aspects. Leixir Dental Group meets all criteria,” says Phil Cruz, Procurement Leader at Dental Whale.

Gen4 Dental Partners, a Thurston Group portfolio company, announced today the acquisition of Stoner Periodontic & Implant Specialists, a premier dental practice with four locations in the Columbus, OH, metropolitan area.

The new partnership brings world-class periodontal expertise, including gum grafting, TMJ therapy, frenectomy, and gum disease treatment, as well as dental implant surgery, allografts, and 3D Cone Beam technology into the Gen4 Dental Partners family while maintaining Stoner’s autonomy and distinctive brand identity in central Ohio.

Jason Stoner, DDS, MS, founder of the 21-year-old practice, said Gen4’s doctor-led, patient-obsessed corporate vision fit naturally with his group’s treatment philosophy.

“We target total body health and rejuvenation, through a constant focus on compassionate care, consistent professionalism, and the most up-to-date periodontal science,” he said, which includes collaborative treatment plans, comprehensive therapies, and proactive patient education.

With thriving locations in Dublin, New Albany, Upper Arlington, and Chillicothe, Ohio, Stoner said joining with Gen4 would free his team to maintain focus on high-quality periodontal dentistry while gaining Gen4 advantages of robust administrative systems, deep back-office support, and financial economy of scale.

Gen4 CEO Lamonte Jensen praised the caliber of excellence in periodontal care set by Stoner. “We’re excited to welcome such a great perio practice into our family,” he said. Gen4 Dental Partners now comprises 74 locations in 10 states with 45 dentist partners. Each brings a unique expertise and perspective to the 18-month-old Dental Service Organization, and Jensen said he was looking forward to the fresh ideas in periodontal treatment Stoner would add to the mix.

Dr. Stoner is a Board-Certified Periodontist and Implantologist accredited by the American Board of Periodontology and Dental Implantology. He attended The Ohio State University, where he earned a B.A., D.D.S., and Certificates in Periodontology and Implantology. While earning an M.A. in Oral Surgery, Oral Pathology, and Oral Medicine, his research in the field of medicinal cancer therapy earned him a Fellowship for two consecutive years from the American Cancer Society, an honor reserved for only two people each year. He is a highly regarded mentor to periodontists in Central Ohio, having provided associateships focused on advanced esthetic periodontal and dental implant surgery, business administration, community action and awareness, and case planning.

Carestream Dental announced today its partnering with Overjet, the industry leader in dental artificial intelligence. The partnership gives Carestream Dental’s customers access to Overjet’s AI-powered X-ray analysis tool that detects decay, quantifies bone loss and highlights other areas of concern.

Overjet’s FDA-approved technology can also analyze 18 months of prior radiographs and cross-reference them with an office’s practice management system to identify potential decay and periodontal disease that has not been diagnosed. Research shows that diseased teeth are misdiagnosed nearly a quarter of the time when using traditional methods.* However, the AI technology eases the workload and streamlines the diagnostic process for practitioners, while building greater trust with their patients.

“We’re seeing an increase in AI in every part of the industry, which is giving clinicians greater confidence in their diagnosis and treatment planning,” Jeremy Thomas, general manager of the Americas for Carestream Dental said. “Now, Carestream Dental imaging customers will experience a new level of confidence and quantification with access to Overjet’s AI analysis tool.”

“With this partnership, thousands of more dentists will have AI technology at their fingertips to help improve patient care,” Wardah Inam, co-founder and CEO of Overjet, said. “Overjet is committed to improving oral health by creating a future that is clinically-precise, efficient and patient centric.”

Carestream Dental is a catalyst for technological innovation and continues to expand its portfolio with ongoing investments in solutions that drive practice and partner value and differentiation. To learn more about how Carestream Dental customers can access the power of AI, please visit overjet.com/carestreamdental.

* Ekert T, Krois J, Meinhold L, Elhennawy K, Emara R, Golla T, Schwendicke F (2019) Deep Learning for the Radiographic Detection of Apical Lesions. J Endod. 2019 Jul;45(7):917-922.e5. doi: 10.1016/j.joen.2019.03.016. Epub 2019 Jun 1.

The Dr. Edward B. Shils Entrepreneurial Fund, Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to the recognition and development of innovative and entrepreneurial leaders in oral health care and named after the late Dr. Edward B. Shils, held its annual Shils Awards ceremony on October 19^th. The ceremony took place at the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, which celebrated the Fund’s 20^thanniversary, and presented awards to tenured health care professionals, and rising stars in the field of oral care innovation. 

At this year’s event, The Dr. Edward B. Shils Entrepreneurial Fund presented the Innovation Awards, which recognize individuals, organizations, and programs that have made a significant impact on the oral health community and public health overall. This year’s recipients include:

• Dr. Rena D’Souza, Director, National Institute of Dental & Craniofacial Research, National Institutes of Health, in recognition of her “Excellence in Research” for the completion of the landmark report on Oral Health in America and leadership in advancing the movement of scientific findings to user communities. 

• Dr. Wardah Inam, CEO, Overjet, Inc., in recognition of her “Excellence in Industry” for innovation and entrepreneurial role for advancing oral health.

• Dr. Mark Wolff, Morton Amsterdam Dean Professor, University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, received the “Cohen-Volpe Award,” given to those who made great innovative strides in the health care space and named after Dr. D. Walter Cohen and Dr. Anthony Volpe, two extraordinary leaders in oral health innovation. The award recognizes Dr. Wolff’s innovative approach to re-establishing the generational relationship between Hebrew University and University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, and for outstanding leadership on behalf of individuals and communities in need.

• The Santa Fe Group received the “Special Recognition Award,” given to individuals, organizations or programs that have made significant positive impacts on the dental community, in recognition of celebrating 25 years of advocacy to improve oral health for the public, the profession, and research. 

In addition to the Innovation Awards, Partnership Awards were announced, which continue Ed Shils’ legacy of encouraging young entrepreneurs and students to compete and foster innovation in the field of oral health. Sponsored by Henry Schein, Inc., DMG, Septodont, Bank of America, and DICE, the awards were presented to the following recipients, who submitted innovative oral health care product, business, community advocacy, and health equity ideas. Each received a $5,000 prize and were assigned a health care industry leader mentor to support project research and development:

• The Future Developers Award, which honors an individual or organization in the early-stages of an innovative product or business idea that will have a positive impact on the oral health care industry, was presented to Robert Choe, DMD, MS, University of Maryland College Park: “U Cleaner – The Oral Superwash.” 

• The Young Entrepreneur Award recognizes an individual between the ages of 18 and 40 with an entrepreneurial spirit and who initiates extraordinary project ideas that have a positive impact on the oral health care industry and was awarded to Jonathan Elbaz, Baz Dental: “Oral Care. Updated.”

• The Diversity Innovation Award honors an individual or organization developing innovative programs aimed at advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion for students in the health care industry and was awarded to Shane Janick, MPH, Executive Director, The Arc of Philadelphia: “Advancing Oral Health Through Student Education with Special Populations.” 

• The Emerging Transformational Leadership Award recognizes an oral health advocate who has been exceptionally proactive in the oral health community to benefit the public’s overall health and was presented to Angeliz Rivera-Concepción and Skylar McGaughey, UNC-Chapel Hill Adams School of Dentistry: “SOAR - Sonrisas saludables through Oral Health Action and Readiness Program.”

During the gala, the Shils Fund also presented a panel discussion, “Driving Innovation to Advance Oral Health,” featuring Stanley M. Bergman, Chairman of the Board & CEO, Henry Schein, Inc.; Dr. Rena D’Souza, Director of the National Institute of Dental & Craniofacial Research, National Institutes of Health; Dr. Teresa A. Dolan, Chief Dental Officer, Overjet, Inc.; and Michael Monopoli, Vice President, CareQuest Institute for Oral Health. Panelists discussed the current oral health landscape and developing new innovative strategies and products to advance population oral health.

As a result of this year’s Partnership Awards program, and the positive feedback received, Shils plans to continue to offer the Partnership Awards in 2023, and will be actively looking for new sponsors. For young entrepreneurs and students interested to apply next year, please visit Shils Partnership Awards Program.

About The Dr. Edward B. Shils Entrepreneurial Fund, Inc.

Friends and colleagues of Dr. Shils, who are also prominent leaders in the dental industry, founded the Dr. Edward D. Shils Entrepreneurial Education Fund in 2002 because they knew that Dr. Shils wanted to leave a legacy of entrepreneurship. In 2012, the Fund was renamed The Dr. Edward B. Shils Entrepreneurial Fund, Inc. and became a registered 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. Through annual awards, partnerships and other branded events, the Fund honors the pioneering vision of Dr. Shils and helps foster inspiration and initiative in current and future healthcare entrepreneurs. For more information, please visit: www.ShilsFund.org.

Geistlich Pharma North America announced today the acquisition of Lynch Biologics, LLC, the developer and sole provider of GEM 21S^®, the first recombinant growth factor product for use in oral regenerative surgery. This acquisition further strengthens the regenerative product portfolio of Geistlich and provides significant growth potential.

 “We are delighted to welcome Lynch Biologics to our Geistlich family and to have the opportunity to work with Dr. Lynch and his talented team that are so passionate and committed to developing products that make a difference in the field of regeneration. I couldn’t be more excited about our future together,” said Les Burrows, General Manager, Geistlich Pharma North America. “GEM 21S contributes to our expanding portfolio of regenerative solutions. This acquisition allows us to align with another organization that has the same beliefs, clinically proven products, and a commitment to ongoing research. This sets the stage for additional new products that support our mission to drive regeneration in oral surgery.”

The combination of two regenerative leaders offers:

·      Expanded regenerative solutions for clinicians and their patients

·      A combined team of purpose-driven leaders and highly skilled experts

·      Strengthened product development, clinical research, and education on new regenerative technologies

·      A shared commitment to research, quality, and safety

“I am so excited to combine Lynch Biologics with Geistlich Pharma North America. We look forward to being a part of the Geistlich Pharma North America team, known for their tremendous professionalism, integrity, and commitment to improving care for patients,” stated Sam Lynch, DMD, DMSC, CEO, Lynch Biologics. “I believe this is an exciting opportunity as we bring together the companies with the most widely used biologic and the world market leader in dental biomaterials, which is an ideal combination to serve our customers in the oral regenerative space. Equally, I am thrilled to expand our training and education capabilities, as well as continue our clinical research. Having played a small role in helping to launch Geistlich products in the US many years ago and now having the ability years later to work with this team to bring new cutting-edge technologies together is incredibly fulfilling for me personally.”

“The acquisition of Lynch Biologics demonstrates our commitment to the clinicians and patients of the United States and further enhances our portfolio of innovative products used worldwide, said Dr. Ralf P. Halbach, Chief Executive Officer, Geistlich Pharma AG. “We have long admired the pioneering spirit of Dr. Sam Lynch and welcome Lynch Biologics into our family.”

Following the close of this acquisition, in conjunction with the Geistlich team, Dr. Lynch will continue to support existing and new customers through best-in-class dental education and trainings, as well as assist in addressing any questions doctors may have regarding GEM 21S®.  All operations will be seamlessly integrated, so Lynch Biologic customers can continue to conveniently order GEM 21S® online, call the same 1-800 number, and most importantly, receive the same personalized service. pH Partners served as the exclusive financial advisor to Lynch Biologics.

About Lynch Biologics

Lynch Biologics is a regenerative medicine and tissue engineering company supplying advanced biotechnology products that promote healing and tissue regeneration spearheaded by GEM 21S®, and other widely used regenerative products, for periodontal and oral and maxillofacial indications. Their products have been used to help millions of patients regenerate lost bone and soft tissues and continue to be among the most popular grafting products with our dental colleagues. 

GEM 21S® Growth-factor Enhanced Matrix was developed utilizing innovative tissue engineering principles which combine a bioactive protein (highly purified recombinant human platelet-derived growth factor, rhPDGF-BB) with an osteoconductive matrix (beta tricalcium phosphate, β-TCP).

This completely synthetic grafting system is engineered to stimulate wound healing and bone regeneration when implanted in the body by triggering a cascade of molecular events that continues on even after the implanted rhPDGF-BB is gone.

About Geistlich North America Inc.

Geistlich Pharma North America brings the leader in regenerative dentistry directly to the United States and Canada. For 171 years, our respected family-owned Swiss parent company, Geistlich Pharma AG, has pioneered technological advances that make regenerative treatment, with safe and naturally sourced biomaterials, the preferred choice for clinical predictability. Geistlich is the world market leader in regenerative dentistry^1,2. All our products are investigated rigorously before being released on the market. Geistlich products have been tested and developed for use in various therapeutic areas, in collaboration with more than 100 universities and leading surgeons. 

We consistently meet or exceed industry safety and quality standards and follow a continuous training program for our employees. Meeting international scientific standards is a core principle of Geistlich Biomaterials. Geistlich Bio-Oss® and Geistlich Bio-Gide® bone regeneration materials are the most researched products in regenerative dentistry worldwide^1,2. Moreover, we are committed to guiding clinicians through regenerative education, whether though physical courses, webinars, or through our BIOBRIEF clinical case series.

These substantial efforts lead to a single goal – to provide the highest standard of product quality and safety to improve the patients’ quality of life. For more information, please visit us on our website https://dental.geistlich-na.com, or connect and follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook. 

MK1 Dental-Attachment GmbH appoints Panthera Dental as its sole distributor for North America for all their products.

Panthera Dental (Quebec, Canada), a global leader in custom-made dental restorations, sleep breathing disorder solutions and implantology products, today announced an exclusive distribution agreement with MK1 Dental-Attachment GmbH, a German company, inventor of the MK1 attachment system. The agreement will expand Panthera Dental’s exclusive components offerings within the United States and Canada.

The MK1 system is recognized as the “easy to lock and unlock” attachment that offers the stability of a fixed restoration and the convenience of a removable. Panthera Dental prosthetic division offers the widest variety of CAD/CAM dental prosthetic products and is renowned for its unprecedented product quality.

Panthera CAD/CAM Double Structure and MK1 attachments is a dream team combination for a perfect friction fit and a guarantee that the suprastructure is held securely in place.

“We, MK1 Dental-Attachment in Germany, are very happy that we have found a strong and reliable partner for North America. As our official distributor for Canada and the US, Panthera was our first choice, and our cooperation will surely be fruitful. From the start, MK1 Dental-Attachment was a family-based company, founded by Manfred Kipp who invented the product back in the ’80s. We are thankful that despite all economic highs and lows our product, the MK1 Attachment, is still in the market and is being distributed worldwide,” said Insa Felgendreher, CEO.

“Our team is very pleased that MK1 team has chosen Panthera Dental as its exclusive distribution partner,” said Gabriel Robichaud, CEO of Panthera Dental. “We are looking forward to work closely with MK1 Dental-Attachment to grow our mutual business in North America.”

The MK1 attachment can be easily ordered on the Panthera online ordering system in the component catalog or selected during your next Double Structure case order. Simply visit order.pantheradental.com.

For more information about Panthera Dental: www.pantheradental.com

For more information about MK1 Dental-Attachment GmbH: www.mk1.de

Neocis closed its latest round of funding, led by a prominent dental investor, with participation from Intuitive Ventures and existing partners DFJ Growth, Vivo Capital, Mithril Capital Management, Norwest Venture Partners, and Fred Moll. This additional funding comes as robotic adoption within implant dentistry continues to increase dramatically; to date, the Yomi system has been used to place more than 20,000 implants.

Neocis®, manufacturer of Yomi® and the global leader in robot-assisted dental implant surgery, announced today that the company has completed its latest round of financing.

The oversubscribed $40M round was led by one of the dental industry’s largest specialist investors. They were joined by Intuitive Ventures, the independent VC arm of Intuitive Surgical that is accelerating the future of minimally invasive care. These new investors were joined by Neocis’ existing partners, bringing total investment in the Miami-based business to more than $160 million since its founding in 2009.

Started by Alon Mozes and Juan Salcedo, Neocis manufactures and markets Yomi, dentistry’s first and only FDA-cleared robotic surgical system. The innovative platform assists clinicians during all phases of implant placement via streamlined digital planning and haptic guidance of surgical instrumentation–so they can place implants with accuracy, efficiency, and confidence. The Yomi system is often used to perform flapless procedures, a less invasive surgical approach with proven patient benefits.

"Neocis shares Intuitive Ventures' commitment to advancing positive patient outcomes in minimally invasive care through innovative technology and solutions," said Oliver Keown, MD, Managing Director at Intuitive Ventures. “We believe Neocis’ deep commitment to addressing customer and patient need through a broadening robotic ecosystem and their impressive technology platform that expands access to high-quality dental care, makes them a transformative force in this rapidly evolving market.”

This latest infusion of capital will allow Neocis, which the South Florida Business Journal recently named one of the fastest growing companies in South Florida, to advance its mission of transforming dental surgery through advanced robotics. The company will use these funds to continue accelerating research and development efforts, bolstering marketing and educational initiatives, and expanding the footprint of its sales, clinical support, and business optimization teams.

“We are thrilled to be joined by discerning investors aligned with Neocis’ mission to advance precision dentistry,” said Ajay Royan, Managing General Partner and Founder of Mithril Capital Management, an early investor in Neocis. “The future of dental robotics is limitless, and this latest round of capital will help the Neocis team continue innovating at the highest level.”

“For a company in the dental robotics space, I couldn’t dream up a better syndicate of investors than this,” said Alon Mozes, Neocis Co-Founder and CEO. “This new backing underscores Neocis’ strong position in a growing market and will help us further our product development and commercial efforts.”

The finalization of this new round of funding comes just a few months after Yomi was named one of the best dental technologies of the year by Dental Products Report and Cellerant Consulting Group–the first time a Neocis product has received a Cellerant Best of Class Technology Award.

To learn more about Neocis and the Yomi system, visit neocis.com.  

As part of its sustainability strategy “BEYOND: Taking action for a brighter world”, Dentsply Sirona has supported World Oral Health Day (WOHD) throughout 2022 and sponsored the Best Branded Photo Award of this year’s campaign. The company announces continued support for World Oral Health Day in 2023 and will continue to take action to increase access to oral health globally.

Dentsply Sirona, the world’s largest manufacturer of professional dental products and technologies, was the award sponsor for this year’s WOHD “Best Branded Photo” award and has congratulates the winners of the award – the Dental Students Association from Etugen University in Mongolia. The winning photo features teachers and students posing with the World Oral Health Day 2022 #MouthProud frame and personalized posters created by the group to teach kindergarten children how to keep their teeth healthy.

“We have seen some great initiatives come out of the 2022 campaign and we commend the Etugen Dental Students Association for their efforts to instill good oral health practices in the next generation,” said Erania Brackett, Senior Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer at Dentsply Sirona. “Oral health is such a central part of a person’s overall health and wellbeing, and we are proud to once again support World Oral Health Day in 2023.”

The award-giving ceremony took place during the FDI General Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland, on September 22, 2022. At the same event, key results from World Oral Health Day 2022 were presented and the 2023 campaign’s theme and concept were disclosed. The 2023 campaign focuses on the importance of maintaining life-long good oral health with its motto “Be proud of your mouth for a lifetime of smiles.”

Dentsply Sirona partners with FDI World Dental Federation for World Oral Health Day 2022 as part of its sustainability strategy “BEYOND: Taking action for a brighter world”. At its core is the ambition to lead the transformation towards a sustainable dentistry, increase quality of and access to oral care globally and create 25 million smiles by 2025.

Erania Brackett presented Dentsply Sirona’s ongoing activities in which the company partnered with dental professionals to promote the importance of oral health for overall health to their patients at the event at the FDI General Assembly. To continue the momentum of World Oral Health Day throughout the year, Dentsply Sirona recently ran a social media campaign that promoted the WOHD themes of emotional, social and physical wellbeing, with a mixture of culture and information posts to highlight oral health issues and ways to create healthy smiles. Meanwhile, DS Women, an employee resource group at Dentsply Sirona, organized an employee-led initiative to further oral health by collecting and donating more than 4,000 toothbrushes and oral hygiene products for community-based organizations serving families and individuals in need in the US and Canada.

Recognizing the importance of oral health

“With the recent approval and adoption of a global oral health strategy, the World Health Organization has recognized oral health as an integral part of overall health and a priority area for Member States to address”, says Cherée Johnson, Senior Vice President, General Counsel & Chief Legal Officer and Chair of Sustainability Committee at Dentsply Sirona “At Dentsply Sirona, we welcome this decision and believe that now more than ever is the time for everyone in dentistry to increase awareness as well as take action and work on identifying new ways to increase the quality and access to oral health globally so that everyone around the world has a chance for a happy, healthy smile.”

For more information on Dentsply Sirona’s sustainability strategy BEYOND, visit www.dentsplysirona.com/sustainability.

Further information about the WOHD partnership with FDI is available on the website.

The American Dental Association’s general oral care recommendations include brushing twice a day, regular dentist visits, and flossing daily but there's more that can be done to maintain optimal oral health. There’s no better time than October’s National Dental Hygiene Month to start good habits like choosing or avoiding certain foods, proper dental care, and selecting the right product, which can make a big difference in achieving that megawatt smile.

Dr. Jeferson Santos, DDS, shares his advice in honor of this entire month dedicated to promoting healthy mouths, gums, and teeth. Dr. Santos is passionate about promoting effective oral care and helping his patients fight cavity-causing bacteria and bad breath that can be a result of poor habits.

“Practicing good oral care every day can be incredibly rewarding both physically and mentally,” says Dr. Santos. “Maintaining healthy oral habits not only prevents gum disease, tooth decay, and other maladies but it can promote a beautiful smile and fresh breath to boost confidence to take on the day.”

Dr. Santos recommends these five easy-to-follow tips:

1. Brush three times a day: Most people are great about brushing in the morning and before bed but skip out on the afternoon session. Consider packing a travel toothbrush and floss for that after lunchtime trip to the restroom.

2. Drink plenty of water: Good old-fashioned H2O does wonders for the body, including the mouth! Staying hydrated helps to reduce bacteria that cause tooth decay and bad breath.

3. Eat fruit: Consider adding oranges, melons, or berries to your diet. They are high in vitamins such as A, B, C, and E which help to prevent gingivitis and gum disease.

4. Cut Alcohol Consumption: Alcohol increases dry mouth resulting in more cavity-causing bacteria. Cut back on the strong drinks and try a no-alcohol mouth rinse like TheraBreath’s Invigorating Icy Mint, which uses the power of oxygen to target bad breath-causing bacteria.

5. Avoid e-cigarettes and smoking: Nicotine is responsible for a number of oral health issues, including bad breath, tooth decay, and gum disease, and significantly heightens the risk of periodontal disease by increasing the pocket depth of the gums.

About Dr. Jeferson Santos, DDS: Dr. Santos is a dentist at Eco-Friendly Dentistry, based in Chicago, Illinois. Santos was educated at UCLA School of Dentistry and Universidade Ibirapuera for certification in Implantology and other injectables. Dr. Jeff makes sure to stay current with the latest technology and techniques to ensure the highest level of care.