As part of its ongoing global partnership with Smile Train to help children with clefts, Dentsply Sirona provided a new equipment donation and championed a series of fundraising activities to support communities in need access high-quality cleft care. Dentsply Sirona’s actions were recognized through Newsweek’s rankings of America’s Most Responsible Companies of 2023.

Following a successful first year of collaboration – with more than 730 cleft surgeries funded – Dentsply Sirona and Smile Train have continued their efforts to provide care for children with clefts through a series of fundraising activities in the second half of 2022.

Dentsply Sirona’s support of Smile Train, along with other initiatives in its BEYOND sustainability program, has seen the company named as one of America’s 500 Most Responsible Companies by Newsweek – coming in at number 35 in the Health & Life Sciences category.

Helping cover the costs of life-changing cleft surgery

The first fundraiser was launched at DS World 2022, which took place September 15-17, 2022, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Attendees were invited to visit the BEYOND booth to learn more about the partnership between Smile Train and Dentsply Sirona and donate in support of children with clefts. The momentum continued to World Smile Day on October 7, when the general public was encouraged to make donations through a social media fundraising campaign leading up to Smile Train’s Giving Tuesday campaign on November 29. For all three activities, Dentsply Sirona matched every US $1 donated (up to US $200,000 in total).

Dentsply Sirona employees also participated in their own fundraiser, with the company donating US $25 for every dental check-up booked between October 7 and November 18 – encouraging employees to take care of their own oral health while raising a total of US $67,700.

The company strengthened these efforts with a cash donation of US$ 160,000 which, in conjunction with the product donations made to Smile Train partner treatment centers, brought the total donations since the start of Dentsply Sirona’s partnership with Smile Train in September 2021 to over US $1 million.

“We’re very pleased to have Dentsply Sirona as our partner,” said Susannah Schaefer, President & Chief Executive Officer for Smile Train. “By combining our extensive network of care with Dentsply Sirona’s cutting-edge digital solutions, we can ensure that more people around the world have access to industry-leading cleft care.”

Bringing advanced digital solutions to partners in Brazil

To further amplify the impact of fundraising and partnership efforts made this year, Dentsply Sirona made a new dental and orthodontic equipment donation in September 2022 to Smile Train’s Cleft Leadership Center (CLC) at the Hospital de Reabilitação de Anomalias Craniofaciais (HRAC/Centrinho)-USP in Brazil.

The team will now have access to two additional Primescan intraoral scanners, an Axeos 2D/3D hybrid unit and two Heliodent Plus intraoral X-ray units. The digital impression and imaging equipment will make treatment more comfortable for children with clefts and speed up clinical treatment time. With a reduction in both chair time and the number of return visits, the clinic can now provide life-changing cleft care to even more patients.

The equipment donation is also expected to reduce the costs of acquiring impression and laboratory materials for the clinic and to help improve and modernize the research carried out by the hospital. More than 40 dentists on the team are transitioning to the digital workflow, with an average of 100 patients treated each day at the center.

“We’re happy that our patients with clefts can benefit from the highest standards of procedures and protocols,” said Dr. Cleide Felício de Carvalho Carrara, pediatric dentist at HRAC. “With the new equipment, our daily work is enhanced, patients’ appointments are faster, and all treatment is completed using a digital workflow.”

Partnering to advance cleft care globally

Globally, 1 in 700 babies are born with a cleft lip and/or palate. Accessing essential treatment for cleft care can be challenging for many families – particularly in low-income countries. The collaboration between Dentsply Sirona and Smile Train is designed to help advance treatment standards and best-practice digital cleft care globally by ensuring that local dental professionals have access to both cutting-edge technology and high-quality clinical education and training.

“Recently, we have seen many examples of the amazing outcomes that can be achieved when our industry unites,” said Cherée Johnson, SVP, Chief Legal Officer, and Chair of the Sustainability Committee at Dentsply Sirona. “We are very proud of the way our community rallied around these fundraisers for Smile Train and were pleased to be able to support their important work with our own donations. We look forward to continuing our partnership in 2023 and helping provide even more children with the healthy smiles they deserve.”

For more information about Smile Train’s work in cleft care or to make a donation, please visit: https://www.smiletrain.org/.

Doctors can receive one-on-one dental practice design assistance and see floor plans in 3D

Midmark Corp., a leading dental solutions provider focused on the design of the clinical environment to improve delivery of care, is proud to offer complimentary in-booth design consultations with experts Jeff Carter, DDS, and Pat Carter, IIDA, of Practice Design Group at the Yankee Dental Congress, Chicago Dental Society Midwinter Meeting and Henry Schein’s THRIVELIVE dental conferences. Dental professionals can also meet with a Midmark 3D layout designer to see their floor plan, equipment selections, and finishes come to life in a 3D rendering of their space.

“At Midmark, we believe that better care starts with a better-designed care environment,” says Stephanie Woeste, director of dental marketing for Midmark. “But planning a remodel or new construction can be overwhelming. How do you know your new floor plan will optimize your workflow? How can you be sure to choose the right equipment and finishes to complement your space? It’s difficult. That’s why we are pleased to offer free design consultations right in our booth. Doctors can get input and advice on their floor plans and selections from experienced dental practice designers.”

“We are committed to helping dentists bring their dream practice into reality—no matter how expansive or seemingly modest,” says Dr. Jeff Carter. “From our 60-plus years of combined dental practice design experience, Pat and I know well how to avoid typical inefficiencies and help create a better workflow for a better overall patient and clinician experience.”

Visitors to the Midmark booth can also explore two new Midmark solutions. First, they can check out the new Midmark and Bien-Air electric delivery solutions that combine Bien-Air’s renowned electric handpiece solutions with Midmark’s industry-leading delivery equipment for a single delivery care solution. Second, they can explore the new Midmark Extraoral Imaging System (EOIS). This new EOIS 3D X-ray solution is designed for general dentistry and features easy-to-use controls and software, clear and consistent image quality, and the training and installation support needed to help ensure better patient care.

Explore the possibilities for your practice by visiting the Midmark booth at the Yankee Dental Congress, Chicago Dental Society Midwinter Meeting, and/or THRIVELIVE events. Visit midmark.com/dental to learn more about Midmark solutions.

Former National Dentex Executive Brings Healthcare Industry Experience to Lead An Established & Growing Oral Health Organization

Carbon, a leading 3D printing technology company, today announced the appointment of Terri Capriolo as the Senior Vice President of Oral Health. Capriolo brings extensive healthcare industry expertise and impressive sales experience to the new role from tenures at National Dentex, Solvay Dental 360, and Straumann. Capriolo’s appointment is effective immediately, reporting directly to the Office of the CEO.

“We are privileged to have a leader join Carbon who is so well respected throughout the industry. Terri has a wealth of knowledge and strong relationships with dental labs that will benefit the growth of Carbon’s Oral Health business,” said Phil DeSimone, member of the Office of the CEO. “Terri is joining a well-established team who has successfully grown our dental lab and aligners businesses. With Terri’s focus on customer success and team culture, we’re positive she’s the right fit to execute our go-forward strategy.”

Capriolo brings over 20 years of sales and leadership experience to the new role at Carbon. For the past five years, Capriolo served at National Dentex, a leading dental laboratory network, where she climbed the ranks from Sales Director to General Manager. While at National Dentex, Capriolo produced consistent double-digit growth for the Implant Solutions and nSequence Guided Surgery organization. Prior to this, Capriolo served as the North American sales leader at Solvay Dental 360. Additionally, at Straumann, a world leader in dental equipment and supplies manufacturing company, Capriolo spent over eight years achieving sales targets as a regional sales leader.

“I’ve admired the Carbon platform and its benefits to the Oral Health industry, so joining the team feels like a natural fit. Carbon has a respected brand in the industry because of its continued innovation, proven results, and talent with industry expertise,” said Capriolo. “I am a true believer in building a strong team culture above all else. I’m excited to join a loyal and passionate team that has proven to be focused on customer success.”

The Campaign Is a Testament to the Dental Technology Company’s Continued Investment in Doctors and Their Patients

Sonendo, Inc. (NYSE: SONX), a leading dental technology company and developer of the GentleWave® System, today announced the launch of its new brand campaign and website. The updated branding is designed to reflect Sonendo’s ongoing commitment to investing in the specialty of endodontics and providing clinicians with the technology and resources they need to elevate patient care. With a modern and forward-looking quality to it, the campaign aims to bring a fresh, unique perspective to dentistry.

As part of this next iteration of the brand, the new website prominently features clinicians that use the GentleWave System. The goal is to feature doctors who have mastered the complexities of the root canal system by leveraging GentleWave Technology. By placing the clinician at center of the entire campaign, Sonendo aims to reaffirm its commitment to its doctors, profiling the professionals behind the procedure and their vital partnership with Sonendo to enhance patient care.

"Root canal therapy is highly complex, and there are challenges beyond the reach of even the most skilled hands. On top of this, many patients are fearful or anxious about root canal treatment due to widespread misconceptions or outdated information about the procedure," said Bjarne Bergheim, president and CEO of Sonendo. "We aim to help doctors navigate these challenges by providing a simpler and more streamlined way to perform the procedure that elevates patient care."

Since its inception, Sonendo has been dedicated to supporting clinicians and their practices with innovation designed to improve the patient experience and maximize clinical efficiency. The Company’s Sound Science® Academy offers professional education and peer-to-peer mentorship programs, while its GentleWave Practice Success (GPS) Program provides doctors with comprehensive staff training, expansive marketing initiatives and self-marketing strategies. Sonendo also supports the specialty through EndoCon, an annual conference on endodontic innovation, and Women in Endo, a seminal event established in 2022 to support leadership and professional growth.

The launch of the GentleWave System’s new brand campaign and website comes shortly after Sonendo announced more than one million patients have been treated with the GentleWave Procedure since the system entered the commercial market, demonstrating doctors’ growing preferences for modern root canal treatment and technology.

For more information on the GentleWave System, visit https://gentlewave.com/doctor/.

With the addition of more than 100 implant platforms in the last year, Panthera Dental now has over 700 compatibilities. This list includes the most popular international implant brands, as well as several lesser-known and more local brands.

Panthera Dental (Quebec, Canada), a global leader in CAD/CAM solutions for the dental and medical fields, as well as for the treatment of sleep breathing disorders, has reached a new level of implant platform compatibility. The company is proud to announce the recent addition of more than 100 new platforms, bringing the total to over 700 compatibilities.

These new compatibilities once again confirm one of Panthera Dental’s main objectives: to offer the most flexible and comprehensive implant connection compatibility on the market. Thus, any dental professional working with international or locally known brands can easily perform their cases with Panthera.

“This list is proof of our commitment to support our customers by offering the most diverse implant compatibility on the market. Aside from monthly additions, any platform addition request made by one of our customers is completed by the team and made available to other dental professionals.” said Béatrice Robichaud, Co Founder and VP Marketing & Customer Experience at Panthera Dental.

The complete compatibility list as well as the list dedicated to exocad and 3Shape for manufacturing by STL file are available on the Panthera website.

To simplify the compatibility search, Panthera Dental has developed an easy-to-use online search tool. Users simply type in the company or platform name to find all of Panthera’s possibilities with it.

Discover the complete list of compatibilities and the online search tool here: www.pantheradental.com/compatibility-list/

The American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA®) is proud to announce its partnership with Heartland Dental, the nation’s largest dental support organization, to launch student and professional education programs and events.

ADHA and Heartland Dental share a passion for professional development and empowering dental professionals to achieve their goals. The purpose of this partnership is to support and connect dental hygienists, and in particular dental hygiene students, with information and opportunities that enable them to further their clinical skills, self-advocate, and address the non- clinical aspects of their professional environment to grow as leaders and professionals.

“We know that dental hygienists want and need skills training to advocate for themselves, and this is supported by a recently completed longitudinal research study by the ADHA and the American Dental Association (ADA®),” said ADHA 2022-2023 President Dawn Dean, RDH, MSDH. “The value-added education and events in development through ADHA’s partnership with Heartland Dental will help to fill a gap for non-clinical learning opportunities that develop important skills in communications, problem-solving, negotiation and leadership in practice.”

“Heartland Dental recognizes the critical role hygienists play in supporting a dental office’s success and the need for them to develop skills and competencies beyond clinical skills. We are thrilled to partner with ADHA to bring resources to current and prospective hygienists across the nation,” shared Lori Hall, CDA, LDH, Sr. Hygiene Director of Operations at Heartland Dental. The ADHA and Heartland Dental will partner on several in-person and virtual events at no charge to attendees, including a January webinar, multiple student networking events in Charlotte, N.C., Pittsburgh, P.A., and the ADHA’s Annual Conference in Chicago, I.L.

For more information about the events and education opportunities supported through the ADHA and Heartland Dental partnership, including registration for these events, visit https://www.adha.org/sponsored-events-by-heartland-dental.

Directa Dental has announce that it reached an agreement for the acquisition of the Ceramir® product line from Doxa Dental. These products will be included in the product range of Directa as of January 9th, 2023. The acquisition of the Ceramir Brand of products will strengthen the unique product portfolio from Directa Dental and will further strengthen the position of Directa as a manufacturer of premium niche products. For more information about the Ceramir product range, contact Directa Dental at 203-491-2273.

Dentsply Sirona recently revealed new findings from a global anlaysis of SureSmile® aligner cases that no refinements were required in three out of four cases,¹ delivering predictable results that both clinicians and their patients can appreciate. More predictable results mean less chair time for patients – allowing for greater productivity for dental practices and increased patient satisfaction. By drawing on twenty years of experience in digital planning for orthodontic treatment, SureSmile combines its unique understanding of customer needs with advanced materials and technology to provide more predictable treatment plans to give patients the confidence boost that comes with a straighter smile. 

User enhancements in SureSmile Aligner Software 

As part of the company’s ongoing commitment to provide dental professionals with clear aligner solutions for a comprehensive treatment approach, SureSmile has introduced new enhancements to its SureSmile Aligner Software to improve usability and efficiency. With an intuitive user experience and dependable results, treatment planning has never been so easy. The new integrated “Help” features provide support throughout the treatment planning process, with simplified and easy to understand terminology. Streamlined order summary page, and redesigned workflows support efficient treatment planning. New customers can also benefit from an optimized registration process that makes it even easier to sign up and get started with SureSmile Clear Aligners. 

The SureSmile Aligners open platform fully integrates with the Primescan® intraoral scanner and other commonly used scanners, allowing clinicians to use existing equipment. After uploading patient records to the SureSmile Treatment Planning software, clinicians can specify detailed treatment preferences or request a customized plan from the SureSmile Digital Lab.“SureSmile is so simple and intuitive to use – the whole process is seamless,” said Dr. Shivi Gupta, a dentist from San Diego, CA, and SureSmile Key Opinion Leader. “With minimal or no refinements, I save time and can help even more of my patients achieve the healthy, beautiful smile they are searching for.” 

Patient-inspired solutions and value to practices 

SureSmile offers solutions throughout the treatment journey to provide a better treatment experience for patients and clinicians. SureSmile Clear Aligners are custom made using advanced technology and proven materials, with unique features that allow for personalization even in complicated cases. 

SureSmile understands that every patient’s journey is different, that’s why they are committed to empowering dental professionals with clear aligner tools and solutions needed to provide their patients with best-in-class dental care. This includes SureSmile VPro,™ a high-frequency vibration at-home treatment device that may reduce discomfort when used five minutes a day with clear aligners.2 SureSmile Retainers and the SureSmile™ Whitening Kit are designed to protect patients’ investment in their smile once treatment is complete. SureSmile Retainers protect teeth from damage caused by bruxing or grinding, without compromising the retainer’s clinical effectiveness,3 and the SureSmile Whitening Kit provides patients with a brighter, whiter smile. 

For more information on SureSmile® Clear Aligners, visit https://www.suresmile.com/.

LightForce has announced that Dr. Alfred Griffin, CEO of LightForce, will have the great opportunity of speaking at this year’s JP Morgan Healthcare Conference in San Francisco, CA.

During this conference, Dr. Griffin will share the impressive growth of LightForce, as well as the innovative approach the company is taking to revolutionize the orthodontics industry. He will delve into the company's use of mass customized 3D printing technology to create personalized orthodontic braces for doctors and patients alike. During his presentation he will also discuss the gap in the market of treatment options for teenagers, and how LightForce is bridging that gap with its innovative and convenient digital braces.

As a disruptor in the field of orthodontics, LightForce is dedicated to finding innovative ways to improve the patient experience. LightForce is proud to be able to share these exciting developments with the healthcare community at such a prominent conference such as the JP Morgan Healthcare Conference.

About LightForce

LightForce is a digital platform providing orthodontists with fully customized, 3D printed tooth- moving tools. Founded in 2015 by Dr. Alfred Griffin, DMD, PhD, MMSc, along with Dr. Lou Shuman, DMD, CAGS, LightForce is revolutionizing the specialty through advanced manufacturing and technology. After five years of extensive research and development, LightForce launched their first product to the Orthodontic market- the world’s first and only fully customized 3D printed bracket system and digital treatment software. Learn more at www.lf.co or reach out directly to Marketing@lightforceortho.com.

Pankey's Essentials Series is known for helping dentists transform their experience of practicing dentistry, increasing predictability, fulfillment and even profitability

"Hinman is excited to offer Pankey's Essentials 1 Course during our March 2023 meeting. This is an excellent opportunity to 'Explore Your Future' in dentistry," said Dr. Roy McDonald, General Chairman, Hinman Dental Meeting 2023.

The E1 course will be held in-person at the Hinman Dental Meeting, March 16-18, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia with a virtual session scheduled later. The course is being led by Pankey faculty Dr. Lee Ann Brady, Dr. Kelley Brummett, Dr. Mike Crete and Dr. Michael Melkers.

"Our Essentials Series gives dentists the tools, training and coaching to help them practice dentistry the way they want, doing more of the procedures they enjoy most, for patients who value and appreciate the exceptional care they receive," explained Dr. Lee Ann Brady, Director of Education & Executive Director of Pankey.

The Essentials 1 course is the starting point for the series, which is grounded in an exam, diagnosis and treatment planning system based on five key focal points: Aesthetics, Occlusion, Restorative, Biology and the Patient. The course follows a system of risk assessment, patient ownership and risk management designed to create outcomes that are predictable and technically excellent. Dentists leave the course ready to incorporate these systems and processes into their practice the very next day.

There are a limited number of seats available. More information and registration are available at: https://www.pankey.org/event/e1-hinman2023/