Two industry leaders join forces to offer strategic collaboration and growth for DSOs.

DSO Tech Solutions, a new division of Cellerant Consulting Group is connecting DSOs with leading dental technology companies to deliver growth for both parties. Cellerant formed this new platform in partnership with The DSO Project, an industry leader in DSO consulting and advisory services.

The program has outstanding benefits for DSOs. It is free for DSOs, and provides insight into a variety of beneficial technologies. By operating on a “hands on proof of concept” model and paced regional implementation, DSOs lower the risk of implementing new technologies through programs carefully managed by Cellerant.

When asked about this new program, Cellerant Founder and CEO, Dr. Lou Shuman explained, “There are so many great technologies in the dental space that previously never had the opportunity to present their solutions to the DSO decision-makers. The program we have developed is from the knowledge gained having a 70 office DSO as a client. This provides the industry a level of comprehensive advisory services that truly benefits DSOs and technology companies alike.”

Dr. Jeromy Dixson, Founder and CEO of The DSO Project further commented, “I’ve been very active in the DSO space for nearly 20 years. During that time, I’ve noticed an increasing gap in terms of what DSOs need to be successful and the technology they’re using to get there. That gap is a real problem for most DSOs. After learning about Cellerant it became clear how to fix the problem.”

Technology companies who wish to participate are carefully vetted based on their ability to benefit DSOs at multiple levels. If selected, they will gain access to dozens of DSOs working with the Cellerant team.

In addition, for more personalized education for the doctors and team members, industry experts can be retained through Cellerant’s team of KOLs to provide the DSO additional onsite training.

For more information, visit https://www.dsotechsolutions.com/.  

Scan your physical material and send it digitally. Panthera will design and manufacture your desired product. Avoid the hassle of physical material shipment, save time and money and receive the same high-quality product with the latest digital workflow from Panthera Dental.

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-related breathing disorders, has launched a new digital workflow to avoid physical material shipment. Only weeks after announcing its new library 5.2.2 and a new feature in exocad to add the Panthera Angulated Screw Channel, the company is back with another digital innovation: the You Scan, We Design workflow.

The entire ordering process can be done seamlessly in only two easy steps: Scan your denture try in, model and scan bodies with any latest-generation laboratory scanner and create your prescription through the Panthera online ordering system. Panthera will handle the remaining steps, guaranteeing an impeccable design and unrivalled manufacturing of your desired product. As usual, you can monitor the progress of your order and validate or modify the design prior to manufacturing.

Compatible with more than 60 implant platforms, this innovative workflow is available with Panthera standard metal implant bars, but also incorporate exclusive Panthera products such as Double Structure, ReBourkeTM and DiamartTM, giving you a complete range of solutions for your patients.

“Say goodbye to material breakage concerns, expensive shipping or time lost in transit. Simply scan your material and Panthera will design and manufacture your desired product. Ultimately, you get to choose between physical or digital workflow, but be sure to give your patients the high-quality product they deserve through the Panthera design and manufacturing service,” says Béatrice Robichaud, Co-Founder and VP Marketing & Customer Experience at Panthera Dental.

To help customers with the new You Scan, We Design workflow, Panthera has updated its online ordering system and has created guides and videos. View a video describing the workflow procedure here.

Visit www.pantheradental.com/prosthetic-workflows or contact the Panthera support team for assistance.

Discover the updated online ordering system at order.pantheradental.com

More than 500 participants from 40 countries joined 50 international speakers at Dentsply Sirona’s Implant Solutions World Summit, which took place in Athens, Greece from June 8-10, 2023. The three-day event brought together an outstanding group of professionals from the implant dentistry community in a setting steeped in history and scientific discovery.

Implant professionals from around the world came together at the Implant Solutions World Summit for three days full of knowledge exchange, inspiration, and peer-to-peer networking. The combination of innovative presentation formats, timely topics, opportunities to experience state-of-the-art solutions firsthand at the Inspiration Hub exhibition area, and remarkable setting, made the event a memorable one for participants.

An abundance of learning opportunities

On the first day of the summit, participants could choose from seven master classes to kick off the program’s strong educational content. Digital dentistry was in focus throughout the program with a special CLOUD session dedicated to how DS Core can support in making implant treatment easy and secure for file sharing, collaborating, and ordering directly from the lab. Attendees also enjoyed engaging presentations through an innovative and interactive format in a special BATTLE session in which the audience took part in two lively, friendly and interesting debates: one between Dr. Rodrigo Neiva and Dr. David Barack and the other between Dr. Mischa Krebs and Dr. Gary Jones. Using an online tool, the participants contributed to the discussion, answered questions, and voted for the winners.

Sustainability was also a topic of discussion as highlighted by Danish oral and maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Malene Hallund, who was also one of the summit’s Program Chairs. Dr. Hallund shared her experience of building a dental practice that is considerate of the environment. She also aims to attract employees who are similarly conscious about sustainability and feel a sense of ownership in the endeavor.

The summit’s final day of the scientific program started off with parallel sessions discussing the aim of optimal esthetics, questions around the desire for immediate implant placement, and dealing with risk factors in implant dentistry. An expert panel guided the audience through several controversial topics in implant dentistry before the program wrapped up with a FUTURE session focused on augmented reality and how its use can bring value in a dental context.

Supporting Healthy Smiles

In keeping with the theme of the Implant Solutions World Summit – “Passion Delivered” – Dentsply Sirona announced a 10,000 USD donation to Smile Train, the world’s largest cleft-focused organization.

The two organizations entered a five-year renewable partnership in 2021, driven by the shared ambition to further the provision of safe, high quality, and expert cleft care from diagnosis through to comprehensive care delivery using the most advanced dental technology resources to serve the complete patient care continuum. Dentsply Sirona’s on-site donation will help children with financial challenges obtain access to cleft care and help to create healthy smiles.

Building community

The Implant Solutions World Summit provided implant dentistry professionals a platform to come together to learn, form professional bonds, and network for the future. In addition to the educational program attendees also had the chance to network with peers and enjoy the cultural sides of Athens with two social evenings. Dr. Hallund remarked that, “It was a privilege to be part of this program – to engage in so many informative discussions with colleagues. The summit truly brought a sense of community for professionals working in implant dentistry.”

“Science, the humanities, and art are a big part of what Athens represents. It was the perfect place to come together with dental professionals who practice the science of medicine, the humanity of personal patient care and the art of creating unique and beautiful smiles,” said Tony Susino, Group Vice President, Global Implant & Prosthetic Solutions at Dentsply Sirona. “It was an honor to bring together so many passionate professionals committed to lifelong learning and delivering the best care for their patients. At Dentsply Sirona, we are committed to supporting this type of peer-to-peer education.”

The Implant Solutions World Summit truly was a representation of ‘passion delivered.’ Attendees walked away feeling excited and inspired for what the future holds – the Implant Solutions World Summit will be back! Stay tuned for more details coming soon!

The dental support services provider encourages men of all ages to practice proper hygiene routines and establish dental homes for routine care

Benevis and its 120 dental offices in 13 states and the District of Columbia are proud to support Men’s Health Month this June. As a leading dental support services provider for practices focused on dental care and orthodontics, Benevis strives to educate patients about the importance of practicing good oral health habits such as regular check-ups and proper hygiene routines to take care of their teeth and gums. With a focus on men’s health, the organization is calling for greater awareness to the increased oral health risks men face due to their lifestyle choices, social determinants of health (SDOH) as well as their sex and gender identity.

Dental hygiene and lifestyle habits play a large role in influencing the oral health of men. It has been found that men tend to exhibit riskier behaviors than women with habits like tobacco and marijuana use, which raises their risk for cavities and tooth loss. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have cautioned that untreated tooth decay is higher in people who smoke cigarettes and over 40% of adults aged 20 to 64 who currently smoke cigarettes have untreated tooth decay. Studies have also shown that men are less likely than women to pursue medical services overall, even if they have a serious problem or illness, with 60% of men avoiding annual check-ups. Poor oral health is associated with chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease; although cavities are largely preventable, they are also one of the most common chronic diseases throughout a person’s lifespan.

“To improve the trajectory of dental health in America, we must focus on care at the patient level to truly understand how their lifestyle choices and SDOH play a greater role in their oral health. That begins by building a trusted relationship with a dental care team in a dental home,” explained Dr. Julian Stewart, DDS, of Benevis’ Franklin Dental & Braces in Forest Park, GA. “When patients establish dental homes with organizations like Benevis, they can rest assured that they’ll be treated like family and high-quality dental care will be delivered to ensure everyone can enjoy happy, healthy smiles.”

Through proper education and the help of friends and family, all patients can improve the state of men’s dental health now and in the future. To expand access to high-quality oral care for all adults and children, Benevis continues to deliver on its mission to improve patients’ lives by changing the paradigm of dental health in the United States. Benevis offers a variety of oral health resources to inspire patients and healthcare providers to focus on the importance of dental health. The resources include:

Men’s Oral Health Infographic: Showcasing the unique health risks that influence men’s oral health and wellness.

Men’s Oral Health Educational Video: Highlighting the uncommon knowledge of men’s oral health behaviors and what they should know about their oral health.

Physician Dental Home Playbook: For healthcare providers looking to help patients establish a dental home or to review oral risk assessments and care checklists.   

Largest dental plan marketplace radically simplifies how consumers shop for dental coverage

DentalPlans.com, the largest dental plan marketplace, and part of the Henry Schein One portfolio of solutions, today announced the launch of its new guided online plan finder to provide dental plan recommendations to consumers in minutes. The online plan finder is the first of its kind and size. By leveraging user responses to a short questionnaire, the plan finder will intelligently and agnostically provide personalized plan recommendations. This includes dental savings plans and/or dental insurance plans that best fit the needs of individual consumers, ensuring more people can afford to take care of their oral health.

DentalPlans.com, established in 1999, has provided affordable, quality dental care to more than one million customers for more than 20 years and is now helping to lead a paradigm shift within the direct-to-consumer dental plan space.

"Dental care is crucial for overall health, yet so many people delay dental care due to cost. Our guided plan finder is designed to help change that," said Jennifer Stoll, Chief Commercial Officer, DentalPlans.com. "We know that offering shoppers a convenient way to find a plan that truly fits their needs can help reduce costs, so more people can take care of their oral health. This has the potential to change not only how people shop for a dental plan, but how easy it is for Americans to maintain their dental and overall health."

DentalPlans.com offers more than 25 dental savings plans and dental insurance plans from trusted healthcare brands including Aetna, Cigna, Humana, Delta Dental, and more, which are accepted by 70% of all dentists nationwide.

DentalPlans.com's guided plan finder makes it simple for patients to choose the plan that is right for them. Dental savings plans, a trusted alternative to dental insurance that can save plan members an average of 50%* on most procedures, may be an ideal fit for some patients. Dental insurance can also reduce costs at the dentist, and there are a number of different options that may be recommended using the guided plan finder.

To learn more or try the guided plan finder, visit DentalPlans.com.

Representative Barragán and Senator Cardin file bill to address unmet dental needs of older adults, people with disabilities

Today, CareQuest Institute for Oral Health® — a leading national nonprofit focused on creating a more accessible, equitable, and integrated oral health system — expressed its support of a new bill that would add comprehensive dental benefits to Medicare.

The bill, the Medicare Dental Benefit Act of 2023, was introduced by US Representative Nanette Barragán (D-CA-44th) and US Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD). It would help address significant unmet dental needs faced by older adults and people with disabilities and represent a move toward a more equitable health care system.

CareQuest Institute President and CEO Myechia Minter-Jordan, MD, MBA issued the following statement:

“We commend Representative Barragán and Senator Cardin for filing this bill and prioritizing the health and well-being of millions of older adults and people with disabilities across our country. This legislation is an opportunity to help address the health care disparities that have plagued our country for generations.

“Oral health care is essential health care, and we know that a person’s inability to access dental care presents a clear threat to overall health, especially for some of our most vulnerable populations. Poor oral health has a direct connection to increased risks of chronic illnesses and can negatively affect mental health and overall quality of life. Still, millions of people with Medicare — a population that often faces comorbidities associated with periodontal disease like diabetes, heart disease, and dementia — don’t have access to this basic and necessary coverage.

“Adding a dental benefit to Medicare is a commonsense measure that would save taxpayer money, improve health outcomes, and address inequities that have existed for far too long in our health care system.”

Additional research and facts about oral health and Medicare:

● Poor oral health is directly linked to conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, respiratory illness, and even Alzheimer’s — all diseases that particularly impact our older citizens.

● Of the 60 million Medicare beneficiaries, more than two-thirds don’t have any dental coverage at all.

● Nearly half of all Medicare patients haven’t visited a dentist within the past year. That number is closer to 70 percent for Black, Hispanic, and lower-income Medicare beneficiaries. 

● One in five rural seniors haven’t seen a dentist in the past five years. 

● One study estimated $63.5 billion in medical savings over 10 years simply by providing dental and periodontal treatment through Medicare. 

● Older adults delayed dental care more than any other health care during the pandemic. 

Oral Care Innovator Leads Orthodontic Industry In Taking Further Steps to Increase Customer Transparency 

SmileDirectClub, Inc. (NASDAQ: SDC), the oral care leader and creator of the first med tech platform for teeth straightening, announced today it has reached an agreement with the Office of District of Columbia Attorney General (AG) Brian L. Schwalb, to resolve the litigation brought by the AG’s Office against SmileDirectClub, falsely alleging that it stifled consumer reviews by requiring consumers to agree to a confidentiality clause in order to obtain a prorated refund for those customers wishing to return aligners after 30 days.

“SmileDirectClub has always believed transparency is key to building trust with its customers, and that’s why we were the first company in the teeth straightening industry to give consumers the pricing transparency and accessibility they deserve,” Chief Legal Officer, Susan Greenspon Rammelt said. “For too long there has been a misinformation campaign claiming SmileDirectClub stifles negative consumer feedback through the use of non-disclosure agreements. While we were disappointed this misinformation caused the District of Columbia to file its complaint, we are pleased to set the record straight and work with the District of Columbia’s Office of Attorney General in its efforts to create new policy for the industry and increase customer transparency.”

SmileDirectClub does not require customers to execute a release or any form of non-disclosure before or during treatment or in order for a customer to retain a prorated refund. That form of release is modeled on a release form historically used in the industry. Given the infrequent use of the GRF by SmileDirectClub over the years and the ongoing misinformation campaign, the Company already had plans to tailor the non-disclosure provision more narrowly in its GRF. This litigation gave the Company an opportunity to address both that campaign and the lawsuit at the same time.

“We are proud of our products and services, and customer satisfaction has been and will continue to be our North Star. As the District of Columbia enforces its newly developing policy to limit the use of non-disclosure provisions, even in general forms of release, across the dental industry, we encourage the rest of the orthodontic industry to follow our example as a leader in consumer transparency and embrace honest reviews and feedback from consumers in digital forums,” said Greenspon Rammelt.

SmileDirectClub was founded in 2014 with the mission of making premium oral care accessible, affordable, and convenient for everyone. The Company has helped more than two million people around the globe achieve the confidence that comes with a smile they love through its innovative telehealth platform for teeth straightening.  

Ultradent Products, Inc., a leading developer and manufacturer of high-tech dental materials, is announcing the addition of the Ultrapro™ Tx Cordless handpiece to its prestigious Ultrapro™ Tx prophylaxis family. Building on a legacy of providing innovative dental solutions, the Ultrapro Tx Cordless handpiece combines the power and reliability of corded devices with the convenience and freedom of a cordless one.

Designed to deliver comfort and efficiency, the Ultrapro Tx Cordless handpiece takes the strain out of prophy treatment with a lightweight and ergonomic structure, improving experience for both the clinician and patient.

The Ultrapro Tx Cordless handpiece combines high performance with extreme mobility and accessibility—featuring a robust output of up to 4,000 RPMs for efficient stain removal, without compromising enamel safety. Its open design is compatible with most disposable prophy angles, including Ultrapro™ Tx disposable prophy angles, like the Ultrapro™ Tx Sweep™ DPA.

Further enhancing its operability, the Ultrapro Tx Cordless handpiece comes equipped with a Bluetooth foot pedal, enabling the same control as a corded handpiece with no learning curve. Clinicians can also appreciate the handpiece's endurance—a single wireless charge ensures all-day operation. Ultradent's unwavering commitment to quality is embodied in the 2-year warranty accompanying the Ultrapro Tx Cordless handpiece, providing added assurance to dental professionals.

CAHPS® Dental Plan Survey uncovers unique insights about patient care

Delta Dental announced key findings from the Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS®) Dental Plan Survey, which provides feedback from Delta Dental patients about their oral health care experiences.

Delta Dental is the only carrier utilizing the survey nationwide to continuously enhance patient experiences with its outstanding network of dentists. This trusted anonymous survey tool is used in the health care industry to evaluate a patient's experience throughout their dental care journey and includes questions related to care from dentists and staff, access to dental care, and dental plan information and services.

Recent CAHPS Dental Plan Survey findings

More than 20,000 Delta Dental adult patients responded to the survey during the past year. Key results include:

● Patients rate their experiences with Delta Dental dentists an average 9.5 out of 10

● Patients gave an average 9.4 out of 10 overall dental care rating

● 96% of patients said their dentist and dental staff treated them with courtesy and respect

● 88% of patients reported feeling comfortable during dental treatment

"The CAHPS Dental Plan Survey is an important tool for Delta Dental to advance our commitment to patient-centered care and provide excellent experiences for our members," said Joseph Dill, DDS, MBA, Chief Dental Officer, Delta Dental Plans Association. "Patients who feel respected and understood by their dentists are more likely to follow home care recommendations and return for regular preventive care. This helps ensure a lifetime of good oral and overall health."

Aggregate results from the survey will be shared with Delta Dental network dentists through customized Patient Feedback Reports. These insights will help dental providers consistently deliver exceptional levels of care.

"Delta Dental is the first and only dental carrier to deploy the CAHPS Dental Plan Survey with commercial groups on a national scale," added Dill. "By collaborating with dentists, we're able to recognize strengths and pinpoint specific areas for improvement in the patient experience. This is critical because studies show that positive patient experiences are associated with better health outcomes."

Survey history

Developed by the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, the CAHPS survey tool has been widely used by numerous health care organizations in addition to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, the National Committee for Quality Assurance, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. In 2006, the CAHPS Dental Plan Survey was developed to assist the U.S. military with assessing its TRICARE dental services program. The Yale School of Public Health and RAND Corporation collaborated to ensure the validity of the CAHPS Dental Plan Survey — refining questions and improving administration methods to provide a consistent measure of the patient experience.

"CAHPS" is a registered trademark of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

The programs at UCLA, University of Michigan and University of Washington enhance students' real-world clinical education while increasing access to quality care for patients

The University of Washington is the most recent university to tap doctors in the Aspen Dental network to serve as adjunct faculty and mentoring clinicians in its clinical externship rotation for the fall 2023 semester. These clinicians join 12 other Aspen Dental practice owners that serve as preceptors and adjunct faculty in clinical externship programs at other top universities including the University of California, Los Angeles, and the University of Michigan.

Aspen Dental first joined the University of California, Los Angeles's externship program in 2018, when they piloted their program. A select group of dental students had the opportunity to complete a two-week community rotation. Today, students in their fourth year complete at least six weeks of rotations at six different practice models, with Aspen Dental representing the dental support organization model. Connections within the program introduced Aspen Dental to the University of Michigan's program, where students are completing similar rotations, and later this fall, University of Washington students will have the same opportunity.

"The vision of the ongoing collaboration with university externship programs is to inspire students to develop the skills clinically and socially for continued professional growth, which we are champions of day in and day out," said Dr. Arwinder Judge, Chief Clinical Officer at Aspen Dental. "Dental students on the precipice of their professional careers are gaining real-world experience to determine what path is best for them, while potentially matching with an immediate post-graduate opportunity within an organization that will support them through their journey as a new doctor."

Externship programs enable dental students at these universities to gain hands-on experiences in various dental practice models while completing their clinical rotations at Aspen Dental office locations. Students develop valuable skills necessary for professional growth and to learn patient engagement, practice management and team-based care delivery, while also increasing access to dental care for vulnerable populations through sustainable community service.

"The externship program allows dental students to learn more about different dental models firsthand before entering the workforce," said Rachel Greene, Clinical Assistant Professor, Restorative Dentistry at the University of Washington. "This experience empowers them to choose a career that is best suited for them while also giving back to the community."

"There is no substitute for hands-on experience," said Bill Piskorowski, Associate Dean of Community-based clinical education UCLA. "This program prepares our students to deliver person-centered care in an integrated health care delivery system. We have started to see a shift in the industry with historically non-traditional practice opportunities becoming traditional."

To date, 52 dental students have participated in rotations in an Aspen Dental practice. The class of 2024 is expected to include 60 students on rotation at Aspen Dental branded offices from all three participating universities.

"Aspen Dental is committed to continuing education for students and working professionals alike to ensure the best quality care for patients," said Dr. Tawfiq Alkilani, Aspen Dental practice owner and preceptor. "It's been very rewarding to be able to work with young dentists to build their skills through this program while also allowing them to get an understanding of and work with people in different dentistry models."