In a joyous occasion that brought together the local community, city officials, dental businesses, and patients, the grand opening of the BIOLASE Education Center and Laser Smiles was met with resounding success. Attended by esteemed members of local government, city commerce, and the Mayor of Lake Forest, the event welcomed a total of 50 attendees who were eager to explore the cutting-edge facilities.

The open house showcased a visionary initiative aimed at elevating dental education to new heights. Through the BIOLASE Education Center, dental clinicians will receive unparalleled hands-on Waterlase training, fostering expertise in the use of BIOLASE's state-of-the-art dental laser technology. Attendees were captivated by the facility's modular design, meticulously crafted to host diverse events and courses catered to various dental disciplines, including restorative, periodontics, endodontics, and pediatric dentistry.

A highlight of the evening was the heartwarming dedication of a plaque in memory of Jose Villalobos, a cherished service engineer whose remarkable 22-year contribution transformed the treatment of tens of thousands of patients in the Southern California region. The event featured CEO John Beaver unveiling this touching tribute to honor Villalobos' legacy and commitment to dental care.

"The open house was an incredible opportunity for us to connect with our community and showcase the latest advancements in dental technology. We are thrilled by the positive response we received and are committed to continue delivering cutting-edge solutions to our customers," said Beaver.

Laser Smiles, as the demonstration hub adjacent to the Education Center, promises to provide live patient access for educational purposes. This facility's seamless integration of patient care and educational opportunities instilled confidence in the potential of BIOLASE's dental laser technology to revolutionize dental practices.

With the BIOLASE Education Center and Laser Smiles now operational, the future of dental education and patient care appears bright. Both facilities embody the commitment of BIOLASE to empower dental professionals and ensure top-of-the-line care for patients. The event concluded with attendees filled with optimism. 

Authors Offer Recommendations to Address Dental Needs, Utilization of Dental Services, and Workforce in Hispanic Communities

The Hispanic Dental Association (HDA) and CareQuest Institute for Oral Health® recently released a comprehensive white paper on oral health disparities in Hispanic communities. “Addressing the Oral Health Needs of Hispanics in the US” identifies several key policies that can improve oral health and reduce inequities among Hispanics in the US, which now represent nearly 19% of the total population.

“To effectively address health inequities among Hispanic populations, we need to understand the unique barriers they face in accessing care,” said CareQuest Institute Chief Health Equity Officer and Executive Vice President Kaz Rafia, DDS, MBA, MPH. “It’s also critical that those most impacted by disparities are included in those conversations and solutions. We are grateful to the HDA for their work on this important report that offers actionable insights on how we can work together to improve the health and well-being of Hispanic people across our country.”

“It is the first time in American history that we have national research revealing the oral health disparities that Hispanics and other racial/minority groups face,” said President-Elect and Chair of the Research Initiative at the Hispanic Dental Association, Martha Mutis, DDS, MPH, EdD, FICD. “The publication offers valuable recommendations for advocacy at federal, state, and local levels to improve access, quality, and coverage in oral health for minority and underserved populations.”

The authors engaged with over 60 experts representing public health, dentistry, and academia to analyze findings from multiple surveys and collaborate on recommendations to benefit Hispanic communities.

The white paper traces the history of Hispanics in the US, analyzes the utilization of dental services, evaluates Hispanic representation within the dental workforce, and makes recommendations for policy changes to improve overall health and quality of life for Hispanics.

Key findings include:

● Hispanic people reported higher percentages of being treated for gum disease than other racial/ethnic groups, especially in the 35–49-year-old age group.

● Hispanic children aged 6–11 years had the highest prevalence of decayed and filled teeth compared to other children in that age group.

● The prevalence of losing at least one permanent tooth was higher for Hispanic adults compared to white, non-Hispanic adults.

● Approximately 15% of Hispanic adults aged 65 or over had no teeth.

● Hispanic people were more likely to report the status of their teeth and gums as “fair” or “poor” compared to non-Hispanic individuals in most age groups.

● Hispanic dentists represent 6% of the total national dentists’ workforce, 10.7% of dental hygienists, 30.4% of dental assistants, and 19.8% of dental laboratory technicians.

Policy recommendations from the white paper include:

● Improve the collection and disaggregation of data to better understand disparities, especially among Hispanic subgroups.

● Provide more oral health education, especially for parents and children.

● Increase community-friendly access to dental care opportunities, such as mobile and school-based dental services, in communities with high proportions of undocumented persons.

● Build more career pathway programs for minority students going into dental careers and more cultural competency training for dentists.

Read the full white paper.  

Spear Education's new Endodontics Workshop Curriculum series for general practitioners teaches dentists how to preserve their patients’ natural teeth while reducing their pain. Spanning from foundational to advanced skills, this series consists of two immersive workshops conducted over four days at Spear's state-of-the-art facility in Scottsdale, Ariz. By investing in an extended weekend at Spear, general practitioners will acquire the expertise needed to confidently perform endodontics starting Monday morning. The first workshop in this series, Predictability in Clinical Endodontics, lays the foundation for performing endodontic therapy predictably.

Through a step-by-step workflow demonstrated in numerous hands-on exercises, dentists will gain invaluable insights. Topics covered include comprehensive diagnosis and treatment planning, access preparation, glid path formation, final shaping, and obturation. The second workshop, Advanced Clinical Endodontics, builds upon the concepts covered in the first workshop and delves into more complex clinical challenges. Topics include calcification, tight/tricky anatomy, and ledges. Through this workshop, dentists will gain a deeper understanding of these advanced subjects, enhancing their clinical endodontic skills.

Both workshops will be led by new Spear Resident Faculty member, Matthew Chesler, D.D.S., a distinguished professional in the field of endodontics with extensive knowledge and practical experience. “We've put something together that I feel is really special,” explained Dr. Chesler. “This course comes from a culmination of not only my clinical experience and knowledge, but others who have influenced me along the way. I deliver my course like I would like to take a course, which is focused on clinical relevance with lessons that directly translate into better clinical performance,” continued Dr. Chesler. “These lessons are backed by the endodontic literature for an evidence-based guide to clinical success. Whether you have a vast degree of endodontic experience or you're new to the game, everyone will leave more confident in their ability to perform endodontic therapy.”

Workshop participants are able and encouraged to take both workshops within the same weekend for a comprehensive learning experience.

For more information visit Spear's Endodontics Workshop Curriculum series web page, including available dates, or contact a Spear Campus Advisor at 866-781-0072.

Free dental, vision and medical services set for Aug. 12-13

Remote Area Medical – RAM® – a major nonprofit provider of pop-up clinics delivering free, quality dental, vision and medical care to those in need – will hold a free, two-day clinic on Aug. 12-13. RAM will be set up at the Executive Education Academy Charter School, located at 555 Union Blvd., Allentown, PA 18109 for two days only. This clinic is in collaboration with Global Hope International.

All RAM services are free, and no ID is required. Free dental, vision and medical services will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis. The patient parking lot will open no later than 11:59 p.m. (midnight) on Friday night, Aug. 11, and remain open for the duration of the clinic. Once in the parking lot, additional information regarding clinic-opening processes and next steps will be provided. Clinic doors open at 6 a.m.

Due to time constraints, patients should be prepared to choose between DENTAL and VISION services. Medical services are offered, in addition to dental or vision services, free to every patient attending the clinic. For more information, to donate or to volunteer, please visit www.ramusa.org or call 865-579-1530. Patients may also visit the Facebook Event for this clinic at https://fb.me/e/2PmbinpLm

Services available at the free RAM clinic include dental cleanings, dental fillings, dental extractions, dental X-rays, eye exams, eye health exams, eyeglass prescriptions, eyeglasses made on-site, women's health exams and general medical exams.

In some situations outside of RAM’s control, such as inclement weather, volunteer cancellations or other circumstances, the parking lot may open earlier or a smaller number of patients may be served. RAM encourages everyone who would like services, especially dental services, to arrive as early as possible. Clinic closing time may vary based on each service area’s daily capacity. For more information, please see RAM’s FAQ page.

Ivoclar, a leading manufacturer of integrated solutions for dentistry, is celebrating their 100 Year Anniversary in dentistry. To commemorate the occasion, the company hosted an employee and family day celebration at it’s North American headquarters in Buffalo, NY on Thursday, July 20. More than 300 people joined in the fun.

“Very rarely do organizations make it to 100 years”, said Chris Holden, President, Ivoclar Inc. - North America. “Our people and their families are Ivoclar’s most precious assets. This was a great night of celebrating their accomplishments and contributions to our success.”

Food trucks, kids games and activities, musical performances by Ivoclar employees and company tours were all part of the festivities.

Benco Dental, the nation's largest independent distributor of oral healthcare technology and supplies, has been Certified™ by Great Place To Work® yet again.

“Being certified over and over, and again this year, is especially gratifying because this award is based 100% on feedback from our associates," said George Rable, Benco Dental's Chief Culture and People Officer. “As a family-owned company, our culture thrives not only on the work contributions of our dedicated team, but also how much our associates feel valued, engaged and indispensable to our success."

This year, 88 percent of employees said it’s a great place to work, compared to 57 percent at a typical US-based company. Benco Dental associates overwhelmingly agreed they're proud to tell others they work here; are made to feel welcome upon joining the organization; and enjoy a healthy work-life balance that allows for time away from their jobs. In addition, associates said they're confident in the company's leadership strategies and rate the service they help deliver as "excellent."

Benco Dental's culture of Driving Dentistry Forward together means that Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are woven into the fabric of our family. Associates to encouraged to bring their whole self to work, inspire innovation, drive results, assume positive intent, and focus on giving back. Benco Dental offers numerous opportunities for associates to help guide the company's cultural growth via volunteer committee participation, surveys and personal feedback. Further, associates are supported by an internal team of Total Rewards compensation specialists who administer bonuses, wellness programs, profit sharing and an associate emergency fund.

"Great Place To Work Certification is a highly coveted achievement that requires consistent and intentional dedication to the overall employee experience," says Sarah Lewis-Kulin, the Vice President of Global Recognition at Great Place To Work. She emphasizes that Certification is the sole official recognition earned by the real-time feedback of employees regarding their company culture. “By successfully earning this recognition, it is evident that Benco Dental stands out as one of the top companies to work for, providing a great workplace environment for its employees."

According to Great Place To Work research, job seekers are 4.5 times more likely to find a great boss at a Certified great workplace. Additionally, employees at Certified workplaces are 93% more likely to look forward to coming to work, and are twice as likely to be paid fairly, earn a fair share of the company’s profits and have a fair chance at promotion.

Want a join a Great Place to Work? Benco Dental is hiring for positions nationwide. Visit benco.com/careers to find an exciting new opportunity.

Glidewell Receives PDAC-Approval for Silent Nite Sleep Appliance, Making It the Second Silent Nite Appliance Eligible for Medicare Reimbursement Using Code E0486

Glidewell announced today that its signature mandibular advancement device (MAD), the Silent Nite® Sleep Appliance, is now eligible for Medicare reimbursement under code E0486. This new benefit makes treatment more accessible to patients who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), characterized by repeated obstruction of the upper airway.

In the U.S., more than 60 million people are enrolled in Medicare,¹ and many Medicare recipients may suffer from OSA. Research suggests that more than half (56%) of people aged 65 or older have a high risk of OSA.² This condition is associated with wide-ranging adverse effects, including cardiovascular disease, cognitive dysfunction, depression, metabolic syndrome, motor vehicle accidents and diminished quality of life.³

Introduced in 1996, the Silent Nite Sleep Appliance treats snoring and OSA by gently shifting the lower jaw forward in a therapeutic position during sleep, which activates the airway muscles and ligaments to prevent the airway from collapsing. The appliance is flexible, thin and designed to be comfortable for all-night wear.

"We're thrilled that the Silent Nite Sleep Appliance is now available to treat Medicare-enrolled patients diagnosed with OSA," said Glidewell Founder and President Jim Glidewell, CDT. "It's a tribute to our world-class R&D and preventive care teams, who continue to steadily advance the dental sleep medicine landscape. We're committed to making oral appliance therapy more practical for clinicians — so they can improve the lives of their patients."

Clinicians in this space desire appliances that are effective, affordable and PDAC-approved. The Silent Nite appliance encompasses 27 years of clinical success, and it's Glidewell's most affordable sleep appliance.

Key features of the Silent Nite MAD:

● PDAC (Pricing, Data Analysis and Coding) contractor-verified for Medicare reimbursement: Code E0486

● Fast turnaround time of only three days in the lab

● Backed by a three-year warranty

● Low cost increases access to care

● Each case includes extra connectors, in various sizes, and an AM Aligner® to aid patients in exercising and realigning the jaw after nighttime mandibular advancement

This is the second PDAC-approved option in the Silent Nite portfolio. In 2022, the Silent Nite with Glidewell Hinge™ was introduced as part of Glidewell's family of sleep solutions. The company currently offers accredited continuing education courses to help dentists successfully integrate dental sleep medicine into their practice.

To learn more about the Silent Nite appliance or to receive information about the Glidewell Clinical Twinpak™, which provides significant savings on a duplicate MAD to ensure uninterrupted treatment, call 800-407-3326 or visit glidewell.com/silent-nite.

References:

1. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services [Internet]. Baltimore (MD): U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. CMS releases latest enrollment figures for Medicare, Medicaid, and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP); 2021 Dec 21 [cited 2023 Jul 20]. Available from: https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/news-alert/cms-releases-latest-enrollment-figures-medicare-medicaid-and-childrens-health-insurance-program-chip.

2. Institute for Healthcare Policy & Innovation, University of Michigan [Internet]. Ann Arbor (MI): Regents of the University of Michigan. OSA in older adults: often present, seldom investigated; 2018 May 10 [cited 2023 Jul 20]. Available from: https://ihpi.umich.edu/news/osa-older-adults-often-present-seldom-investigated.

3. Braley TJ, Dunietz GL, Chervin RD, Lisabeth LD, Skolarus LE, Burke JF. Recognition and diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea in older Americans. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2018 Jul;66(7):1296-1302.

AM Aligner is a registered trademark of Airway Technologies, LLC.

ThereaBreath, a premium oral care brand, stood out in its presence at RDH Under One Roof as it teamed up with Orangetheory® Fitness to offer three morning workout sessions on Friday, July 21st, free for attending dental hygienists.

The event aimed to highlight the importance of oral health as an integral part of overall wellness. It also provided attending dental hygienists with a fun-filled fitness experience to energize and inspire them.

Each session was packed with hygienists getting an invigorating workout and receiving free swag (including TheraBreath oral rinses) – fostering a healthy mouth and healthy body. RCC Influencer Paola Brown, RDH, stopped by a session and took her followers on a GRWM journey as she prepped for an early morning workout.

The Massachusetts Dental Society (MDS) is pleased to welcome Abe Abdul, DMD, MBA, as its 159th president for the 2023-2023 and 2023-2024 governance years. Dr. Abdul was ceremonially sworn in as president during the MDS House of Delegates Annual Session held on January 26, 2023. He officially took office on July 1, 2023. Dr. Abdul succeeds Meredith Bailey, DMD, MBA, who will continue as the Board of Trustees' immediate past president.

“We are happy to have Dr. Abe Abdul as President of the Massachusetts Dental Society,” said Kevin C. Monteiro, MBA, CAE, MDS CEO & Executive Director. “Dr. Abdul’s passion and experiences will help the MDS continue empowering dental health professionals across the Commonwealth throughout their careers.”

For the last two years, Dr. Abdul has served on the MDS Board of Trustees as vice president and is currently on the Budget and Fiscal Planning Committee. He has volunteered in various capacities at the local state level over the years, including district chair and chair-elect for the MDS South Shore District, a member of the governance task force, and Board vice chair for the MDS People's Action Committee (PAC).

Dr. Abdul's contributions to the dental profession are exemplified by his work on the 2022 medical loss ratio ballot initiative in Massachusetts. He, along with a small group of dentists and patients, worked tirelessly to ensure that it was put before voters on the Massachusetts ballot and worked to inform voters about the issue. His work helped the ballot question pass in a landslide victory. Now the benefits and protections afforded by this initiative are replicating in states across the US. The American Dental Association acknowledged his dedication to this initiative with a Presidential Citation for his impact.

Dr. Abdul is an Albert Schweitzer Fellow recognizing his efforts in connecting members of the community with access to dental care. He is also a diplomate of the American Board of General Dentistry and a fellow of the American Association of Hospital Dentists, the American College of Dentists, and the International College of Dentists.

Dr. Abdul holds a doctorate of dental medicine from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, completed his fellowship at Harvard Dental School, and residency at Harvard Medical School/Brigham and Women's Hospital. As an advocate for healthcare, patients, the community, and the dental profession, Dr. Abdul will work to continue the Society's mission of being the trusted resource for oral health in Massachusetts.

The 2023-2024 MDS Board of Trustees is comprised of the following individuals:

· Dr. Abe Abdul– President

· Dr. Steven Spitz – Vice President

· Dr. David Samuels – Speaker of the House

· Dr. Jennifer Korzeb – Treasurer

· Dr. Maritza Morell – Secretary

· Dr. Meredith Bailey – Immediate Past President

· Mr. Kevin Monteiro – MDS CEO & Executive Director

· Dr. Colleen Chambers – Trustee

· Dr. Charles Greffrath – Trustee

· Dr. Jeffrey Karen – Trustee

· Dr. Mary DeMello – Trustee

· Dr. Michael Mayr – Trustee

· Dr. Albert Sandler – Trustee

· Dr. Dylan Weber – At-Large Trustee

· Dr. Laura Glicksman – Guest Board Member

· Dr. Micheline Moini – Guest Board Member

· Dr. Divya Mudumba – Guest Board Member

· Dr. Samantha Taylor Parad – Guest Board Member

Dentsply Sirona announced that Andrea Frohning has been appointed as Senior Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer. In this role, she is a member of the Management Committee reporting to the CEO.

Andrea Frohning has over twenty-five years of experience in diverse business environments and industries, including consumer products, industrial manufacturing, healthcare, distribution and financial services. She joins Dentsply Sirona from Premier Incorporated, where she held the role of Chief Human Resources Officer.

"Andrea brings outstanding experience and background to Dentsply Sirona to further develop the HR function,” said Simon Campion, Chief Executive Officer of Dentsply Sirona. “The operational and cultural transformation that is underway at our Company requires leaders with a keen eye for talent identification and development, who are comfortable challenging the status quo and driving partnership across the Company. Andrea’s proven track record of leading change to drive cultural and business transformations and her core competencies like organizational development, DE&I, safety & compliance and ESG will add significant value for our organization."

"I am very excited to join Dentsply Sirona at this time,” said Andrea Frohning, Senior Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer, of Dentsply Sirona. “Its mission and values strongly resonate with me, and I believe immensely in the potential of this Company and our talented people. I am honored to be able to help drive and contribute to the transformation that is underway and enhance the experience of working at Dentsply Sirona. Together we will build a high-performing and winning culture."

About Andrea Frohning

Andrea is a Human Resources executive with over twenty-five years of experience in diverse business environments and industries including consumer products, industrial manufacturing, healthcare, distribution and financial services. Most recently, she has been Chief Human Resources Officer of Premier Incorporated and before that of Patterson Companies from 2018 to February 2023.

Before this, she served at Snyder’s-Lance as the company's Chief Human Resources and Senior Vice President between 2016 and March 2018. Andrea also served as the Vice President, Human Resources at Crane Co. from 2013 to 2016. Previously, she held various managerial positions at Hubbell, General Electric and Pepsi Bottling Group. Andrea holds a master’s degree in Labor & Industrial Relations and a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies from the University of Illinois.