Darby Group Companies, the parent company of Darby Dental Supply, has announced a strategic investment in American Nitrile, the largest US manufacturer of nitrile gloves, based in Grove City, Ohio. Darby will be the first dental supplier to distribute the highly anticipated DenTouch™ Gloves — a new glove designed to meet the unique needs of the dental market with patented compression tip technology that improves dexterity and simplifies handling of small, intricate instruments used by dentists and dental hygienists. This technology is the biggest innovation in nitrile gloves in over a decade.

The new DenTouch gloves boast several key advantages over their foreign-produced counterparts. The gloves offer superior protection by meeting a pinhole AQL of 1.5, exceeding the FDA requirement by 60%. With all manufacturing and R&D taking place in American Nitrile’s state-of-the-art facility in Ohio, the company can ensure ethical labor practices and sustainable manufacturing processes during every step of production. Furthermore, American Nitrile eliminates unpredictable trans-pacific shipping, port delays, and the need to carry high safety stock. The company also emphasizes sustainability at all levels, recycling up to 40 gallons of water per case of gloves and using 100% recycled and recyclable cardboard packaging.

“Darby Group Companies’ commitment to bringing best-in-class solutions to the dental market has been central to our investment strategy,” said Frank Massino, President. “At the core of our business, we believe in making our customers’ lives easier and more efficient through innovative solutions to everyday problems. DenTouch gloves are a game-changer for the dental market because of their improved dexterity and unmatched ability to handle small instruments for more efficient and comfortable procedures. We are thrilled to bring the benefits of these gloves to dental practices and, in turn, to improve the quality of patient care, nationwide.”

Bringing the DenTouch glove to market is a natural undertaking for Darby Dental, who maintains an entire division dedicated to gloves. “Love Your Glove” by Darby provides customers with a vast selection of nitrile, polychloroprene, latex gloves and more, as well as expertise on fit and functionality though the company’s highly trained glove experts.

“Darby’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and bringing the highest quality products to market is a natural extension of our own commitment and mission,” said Jacob Block, CEO and Founder of American Nitrile. “We are thrilled to leverage their decades of experience, expansive distribution network, and unwavering dedication to their customers to bring DenTouch gloves to market.” 

Dental professionals can get a first look at the DenTouch gloves at Dykema’s Definitive Conference for DSOs in Aurora, Colorado, from July 19–21, 2023, where they will be debuted and receive a 2023 Innovation Award. Practices nationwide can begin placing orders at this time.

For more information, please visit www.darby.com/dentouch.

Innovation and entrepreneurship are vital for the advancement of every industry, and oral health is no exception.

The Great Oral Health Pitch: Innovate, Elevate and Generate Your Idea to Advance Oral Health! expands upon the Shils Partnership Awards Program which was launched in 2022, to continue Ed Shils legacy of his enthusiasm for learning and pursuit of innovation by encouraging young entrepreneurs and students to compete and foster innovation in the field of oral health.

Through a series of educational webinars and in-person “practice pitch” nationwide events, The Great Oral Health Pitch: Innovate, Elevate and Generate Your Idea to Advance Oral Health! provides an educational environment to help entrepreneurs elevate their innovative ideas into a successful pitch, with the ultimate goal of winning the Shils Partnership Award!

The educational webinars are designed to educate students/entrepreneurs on all levels with best practices learned from top leaders in the oral healthcare space.  The webinars will cover current topics in oral health innovation/entrepreneurship and address the dynamic changing needs of the oral health industry. Webinars include a 15-minute Q&A for attendees to gain personalized feedback.

The in-person pitch events will take place at four major meetings: The Greater New York Dental Meeting, California Dental Association, Chicago Midwinter and the Dental Trade Alliance meeting. At each event, a panel of industry experts in various fields will share knowledge and personalized feedback to each attendee.

Winners of the Shils Partnership Award will each receive $5,000 in addition to an exclusive sponsorship package of oral healthcare products/services!

For more information and to register for the first in a series of educational webinars, go to https://shilsfund.org/the-great-oral-health-pitch/.

Darby Group Companies, the parent company of Darby Dental Supply, has announced a strategic investment in American Nitrile, the largest US manufacturer of nitrile gloves, based in Grove City, Ohio. Darby will be the first dental supplier to distribute the highly anticipated DenTouch™ Gloves — a new glove designed to meet the unique needs of the dental market with patented compression tip technology that improves dexterity and simplifies handling of small, intricate instruments used by dentists and dental hygienists. This technology is the biggest innovation in nitrile gloves in over a decade.

The new DenTouch gloves boast several key advantages over their foreign-produced counterparts. The gloves offer superior protection by meeting a pinhole AQL of 1.5, exceeding the FDA requirement by 60%. With all manufacturing and R&D taking place in American Nitrile’s state-of-the-art facility in Ohio, the company can ensure ethical labor practices and sustainable manufacturing processes during every step of production. Furthermore, American Nitrile eliminates unpredictable trans-pacific shipping, port delays, and the need to carry high safety stock. The company also emphasizes sustainability at all levels, recycling up to 40 gallons of water per case of gloves and using 100% recycled and recyclable cardboard packaging.

“Darby Group Companies’ commitment to bringing best-in-class solutions to the dental market has been central to our investment strategy,” said Frank Massino, President. “At the core of our business, we believe in making our customers’ lives easier and more efficient through innovative solutions to everyday problems. DenTouch gloves are a game-changer for the dental market because of their improved dexterity and unmatched ability to handle small instruments for more efficient and comfortable procedures. We are thrilled to bring the benefits of these gloves to dental practices and, in turn, to improve the quality of patient care, nationwide.”

Bringing the DenTouch glove to market is a natural undertaking for Darby Dental, who maintains an entire division dedicated to gloves. “Love Your Glove” by Darby provides customers with a vast selection of nitrile, polychloroprene, latex gloves and more, as well as expertise on fit and functionality though the company’s highly trained glove experts.

“Darby’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and bringing the highest quality products to market is a natural extension of our own commitment and mission,” said Jacob Block, CEO and Founder of American Nitrile. “We are thrilled to leverage their decades of experience, expansive distribution network, and unwavering dedication to their customers to bring DenTouch gloves to market.”

Dental professionals can get a first look at the DenTouch gloves at Dykema’s Definitive Conference for DSOs in Aurora, Colorado, from July 19–21, 2023, where they will be debuted and receive a 2023 Innovation Award. Practices nationwide can begin placing orders at this time.

For more information, please visit www.darby.com/dentouch.

About Darby Dental Supply:

Darby Dental Supply is where supplies meet solutions — for 75 years and counting. Darby provides dental practices of all sizes with convenient access to more than 50,000 products as well as technology services, equipment repair, a full line of private label products, and dedicated glove, specialty, and capital equipment divisions.

Darby began in 1947 as a single mail-order catalog in Brooklyn and has become one of the largest dental distributors in the United States, shipping over one million orders each year while never losing sight of what matters most — their customers.

Darby focuses not only on improving dental practices nationwide but improving communities as a whole. Through purposeful investments and thoughtful advocacy efforts, Darby is committed to making a positive environmental and social impact on the world for generations to come. For more information, please visit www.darby.com.

About American Nitrile:

Based in Grove City, Ohio, American Nitrile is a privately held company focused on manufacturing medical and nonmedical gloves for healthcare, government, and industrial use. The company will manufacture approximately 3.6 billion gloves per year in their state-of-the-art 530,000 square foot manufacturing facility when fully scaled in 2024. The American Nitrile team brings together entrepreneurs and operators with extensive manufacturing, supply chain, and PPE experience. For more information, please visit www.americannitrile.com.

U.S. Oral Surgery Management (USOSM) – a specialty management services company that exclusively serves premier oral and maxillofacial surgeons – is launching the USOSM Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Centers of Excellence program. It aims to recognize USOSM partner practices that consistently deliver superior patient care and clinical excellence, encourage those characteristics in other practices, and spur additional practice growth. USOSM is the first company of its kind to launch a centers of excellence program of this caliber.

“As the first and largest shared-services organization, dedicated solely to oral and maxillofacial surgeons, quality care has always been one of our guiding principles,” said USOSM President and CEO Richard Hall. “We established that in the beginning by partnering exclusively with board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeons, and we’ve continued that commitment to excellence through several quality enrichment programs. The USOSM Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Centers of Excellence program is our latest quality initiative. It establishes another way to deliver and measure the quality of care that we provide our patients.”

As defined by the National Library of Medicine, centers of excellence are specialized programs within health care institutions that supply exceptionally high concentrations of expertise and related resources – such as leadership, best practices, research and training. All of this is focused on a specific medical specialty and used to support medical professionals and patients.

“Centers of excellence are not common in oral health, but they are common within the health care industry as a whole. Patients and referral sources understand that they signify exceptional quality, particularly when it comes to patient care,” noted Hall. “So having that designation, should be meaningful to patients and our referral sources.”

Hall added that only USOSM partner practices are eligible for the certification, but that it is not guaranteed to all that apply. He explained, “This is a merit-based distinction. Each partner practice must earn it and meet the criteria of our clinical governance board – otherwise, it has little value.”

Interested practices must apply, meet eligibility criteria, pass an inspection and receive approval from the USOSM Clinical Governance Board. Eligibility requirement categories include leadership, best practices, support or training for a specific area and expertise. One of the main areas of consideration is clinical excellence.

“Clinical excellence means more than just excellent outcomes. It’s also about patient-centered care, patient safety, performance improvement, interdisciplinary education, excellence in communication and maintaining the highest standards in ethics and professionalism,” said USOSM Chief Clinical Officer Vincent J. Perciaccante, DDS, FACS and immediate past president of American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (ABOMS).

Each requirement has key performance indicators attached. They center on clinical excellence, patient experience, standardization/leveraging of best practices and assets, financial stability/performance, and guidance and governance.

In addition to internal review and approval, each practice will need to successfully complete an accreditation process overseen by a third-party partner. Once selected, that partner will provide additional oversight and help ensure the highest levels of quality control.

Headquartered in Irving, Texas, USOSM has partner practices spanning 26 states. A shared services organization, USOSM collaborates with premier oral and maxillofacial surgeons to offer a partnership solution for continued and accelerated practice success. USOSM provides operational, marketing and administrative support services, reinvests resources, and applies best practices to improve clinical and financial performance and produce steadier, more profitable growth for all. For more information, visit https://www.usosm.com/.

K Pharmaceuticals announced the launch of Aquoral, a clinically proven oral spray for dry mouth. Also known as xerostomia, dry mouth is a common, sometimes debilitating condition caused by disease, medication side effects, or other factors that result in discomfort or pain, and may affect the ability to chew, taste, swallow, and speak.

“Dry mouth is an under-reported but important condition that can lead to serious complications, especially in cancer patients,” said Sheryl Riley RN, OCN, CMCN, Founding Partner of Clarion LLC, a firm specializing in oncology care management. “Over-the-counter remedies provide temporary relief but do not protect the oral cavity. Aquoral forms a long-lasting protective barrier over the entire mouth, reducing moisture loss and maintaining the patient’s comfort and quality of life.”

Aquoral differs from aqueous-based treatments requiring patients to rinse-and-repeat up to ten times a day or to be mixed with water. Aquoral utilizes patented Oxidized Glycerol Triesters (OGT), a plant-derived, lipid-based technology. Previously marketed as Xerostomia Relief Spray and available only to dentists, Aquoral can now be prescribed by all healthcare professionals licensed to do so.

“As a pharmacist who specializes in oral medicine, I know that many prescriptions and over-the-counter medications can cause xerostomia, which may negatively affect daily living activities and also result in serious oral health issues, such as gingivitis, periodontal disease, or mucositis.” said Thomas Viola, RPh, CCP. “It has been my experience that lipid-based therapies, such as Aquoral, are superior to water-based formulas in helping to prevent oral disease and provide long-lasting relief.”

Aquoral is available by prescription only. For full prescribing information please visit www.aquoralspray.com.

“Dry Mouth is an under-reported but important condition that can lead to serious complications, especially in cancer patients,” said Sheryl Riley RN, OCN, CMCN, Founding Partner of Clarion LLC, a firm specializing in oncology care management. “Over-the-counter remedies provide temporary relief but do not protect the oral cavity. Aquoral forms a long-lasting protective barrier over the entire mouth, reducing moisture loss and maintaining the patient’s comfort and quality of life.” 

Aquoral differs from aqueous-based treatments requiring patients to rinse-and-repeat up to ten times a day or to be mixed with water. Aquoral utilizes patented Oxidized Glycerol Triesters (OGT), a plant-derived, lipid-based technology. Previously marketed as Xerostomia Relief Spray and available only to dentists, Aquoral can now be prescribed by all healthcare professionals licensed to do so. 

“As a pharmacist who specializes in oral medicine, I know that many prescriptions and over-the-counter medications can cause Xerostomia, which may negatively affect daily living activities and also result in serious oral health issues, such as gingivitis, periodontal disease, or mucositis.” said Thomas Viola, RPh, CCP. “It has been my experience that lipid-based therapies, such as Aquoral, are superior to water-based formulas in helping to prevent oral disease and provide long-lasting relief.” 

Aquoral is available by prescription only. For full prescribing information please visit www.aquoralspray.com. 

 K Pharmaceuticals is pleased to announce the launch of Aquoral, a clinically proven oral spray for Dry Mouth. Also known as Xerostomia, it is a common, sometimes debilitating condition caused by disease, medication side effects, or other factors that result in discomfort or pain, and may affect the ability to chew, taste, swallow, and speak. 

“Dry Mouth is an under-reported but important condition that can lead to serious complications, especially in cancer patients,” said Sheryl Riley RN, OCN, CMCN, Founding Partner of Clarion LLC, a firm specializing in oncology care management. “Over-the-counter remedies provide temporary relief but do not protect the oral cavity. Aquoral forms a long-lasting protective barrier over the entire mouth, reducing moisture loss and maintaining the patient’s comfort and quality of life.” 

Aquoral differs from aqueous-based treatments requiring patients to rinse-and-repeat up to ten times a day or to be mixed with water. Aquoral utilizes patented Oxidized Glycerol Triesters (OGT), a plant-derived, lipid-based technology. Previously marketed as Xerostomia Relief Spray and available only to dentists, Aquoral can now be prescribed by all healthcare professionals licensed to do so. 

“As a pharmacist who specializes in oral medicine, I know that many prescriptions and over-the-counter medications can cause Xerostomia, which may negatively affect daily living activities and also result in serious oral health issues, such as gingivitis, periodontal disease, or mucositis.” said Thomas Viola, RPh, CCP. “It has been my experience that lipid-based therapies, such as Aquoral, are superior to water-based formulas in helping to prevent oral disease and provide long-lasting relief.” 

Aquoral is available by prescription only. For full prescribing information please visit www.aquoralspray.com. 

 K Pharmaceuticals is pleased to announce the launch of Aquoral, a clinically proven oral spray for Dry Mouth. Also known as Xerostomia, it is a common, sometimes debilitating condition caused by disease, medication side effects, or other factors that result in discomfort or pain, and may affect the ability to chew, taste, swallow, and speak. 

“Dry Mouth is an under-reported but important condition that can lead to serious complications, especially in cancer patients,” said Sheryl Riley RN, OCN, CMCN, Founding Partner of Clarion LLC, a firm specializing in oncology care management. “Over-the-counter remedies provide temporary relief but do not protect the oral cavity. Aquoral forms a long-lasting protective barrier over the entire mouth, reducing moisture loss and maintaining the patient’s comfort and quality of life.” 

Aquoral differs from aqueous-based treatments requiring patients to rinse-and-repeat up to ten times a day or to be mixed with water. Aquoral utilizes patented Oxidized Glycerol Triesters (OGT), a plant-derived, lipid-based technology. Previously marketed as Xerostomia Relief Spray and available only to dentists, Aquoral can now be prescribed by all healthcare professionals licensed to do so. 

“As a pharmacist who specializes in oral medicine, I know that many prescriptions and over-the-counter medications can cause Xerostomia, which may negatively affect daily living activities and also result in serious oral health issues, such as gingivitis, periodontal disease, or mucositis.” said Thomas Viola, RPh, CCP. “It has been my experience that lipid-based therapies, such as Aquoral, are superior to water-based formulas in helping to prevent oral disease and provide long-lasting relief.” 

Aquoral is available by prescription only. For full prescribing information please visit www.aquoralspray.com. 

Rock Dental Brands, a leading dental service organization based in Little Rock, Arkansas, announced its affiliation with Baptiste Orthodontics and Baptiste Dentistry for Kids in Orlando, Florida. With this expansion of Rock Dental Brands’ footprint in Florida, the organization now manages 105 dental offices in five states.  

Baptiste Orthodontics, founded by Dr. Andre Baptiste in 2010, is an established, trusted provider of orthodontic care in the region, with two orthodontists on staff and clinics in Orlando (2) and Apopka, Florida. Dr. Baptiste founded Baptiste Dentistry for Kids in 2021 at the Apopka clinic in order to offer comprehensive dental care tailored to the unique needs of children at one location. The clinic has one pediatric dentist on staff. 

“Rock Dental Brands is an impressive organization, and we look forward to working with them to take the orthodontic and pediatric dentistry practices to the next level,”  Dr. Baptiste said. “Our teams will continue to do what we do best, and that’s helping individuals to achieve their best healthy, beautiful smiles.”

Rock Dental Brands entered the Florida market in late 2022, with the affiliation of four Coastline Orthodontics clinics in the Jacksonville area. The organization also manages practices for a host of dental brands in Arkansas, Missouri, Tennessee and Alabama. 

CEO Kristi Crum said expansion of Rock Dental brands is planned to continue. “Our organization is committed to growth in new markets, while building on our hard-earned reputation for providing the highest-possible quality of care to our providers and teams,” Crum said. “Baptiste Orthodontics and Baptiste Dentistry for Kids have demonstrated abilities to deliver exceptional dental care, and we could not be happier to welcome them to the Rock Dental Brands family.”

BIOLASE, Inc. (NASDAQ: BIOL), the global leader in dental lasers, announced that its Epic Hygiene dental laser, the only hygiene dental laser cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for laser bacterial reduction, has been awarded Cellerant's 2023 Best of Class Hygiene Award.

The Cellerant Best of Class Hygiene Awards program was created by Cellerant Consulting and its founder and CEO Lou Shuman, DMD, CAGS, to honor standout dental products designed for use during dental hygiene appointments. The Cellerant Best of Class Technology Awards identify and acknowledge the top technologies in dentistry and recognize innovative products that set a standard of quality in their respective categories.

The Cellerant Best of Class Hygiene Award selection panel consists of nine renowned thought leaders and educators who, over the course of each year, will seek out and conduct research on potentially practice-changing technologies, with deliberations on nominees and final voting taking place in February. Panelists are precluded from voting in any category where they have consulting relationships. The entire selection process is conducted and managed on a not-for-profit basis.

"Our dental laser technology enables dentists to enhance the standard of care and improve patient outcomes while advancing the quality of life," said John Beaver, BIOLASE President and Chief Executive Officer. "Now, more than ever, with the knowledge gained from the pandemic, ensuring a safer work environment is critical to reducing exposure to infectious pathogens and ensuring unimpeded dental care. On behalf of the BIOLASE family, I thank the award's committee for recognizing the aerosol-free Epic Hygiene dental laser, further validating our leadership position in the hygiene market."

About BIOLASE

BIOLASE is a medical device company that develops, manufactures, markets, and sells laser systems in dentistry and medicine. BIOLASE's products advance the practice of dentistry and medicine for patients and healthcare professionals. BIOLASE's proprietary laser products incorporate approximately 266 patented and 25 patent-pending technologies designed to provide biologically and clinically superior performance with less pain and faster recovery times. BIOLASE's innovative products provide cutting-edge technology at competitive prices to deliver superior results for dentists and patients. BIOLASE's principal products are revolutionary dental laser systems that perform a broad range of dental procedures, including cosmetic and complex surgical applications. From 1998 through December 31, 2022, BIOLASE has sold over 45,500 laser systems to date in over 80 countries around the world. Laser products under development address BIOLASE's core dental market and other adjacent medical and consumer applications.

For updates and information on Waterlase iPlus®, Waterlase Express™, and laser dentistry, find BIOLASE online at www.biolase.com, Facebook at www.facebook.com/biolase, Twitter at www.twitter.com/biolaseinc, Instagram at www.instagram.com/waterlase_laserdentistry, and LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/biolase.

BIOLASE®, Waterlase® and Waterlase iPlus® are registered trademarks of BIOLASE, Inc.

Arizona Capitol Times, Best Companies Group and BestCompaniesAZ announced today that for the fifth consecutive year Spear Education has earned a spot on the 11th annual list of 2023 Top Companies to Work for in Arizona.

This highly selective list is the result of anonymous and comprehensive employee surveys measuring culture, work environment, leadership, and employee pride and satisfaction, combined with rigorous evaluations of workplace practices, policies, perks, and demographics.

“This year’s Top Companies were selected based on the results of very high favorable employee survey scores averaging 90% overall survey results and an impressive 92% overall employee engagement. This level of performance for Arizona companies is about three times the national average when compared to Gallup’s recent reporting of US engagement at about one-third favorable,” says Jaime Zepeda, EVP Best Companies Group. “These winners should be very proud of their Top Companies status for this presents a powerful opportunity to attract and retain the very best talent.”

“We are honored to be included on this list of leading workplaces in Arizona for the fifth consecutive year. Spear is a special company built on a culture of collaboration, idea sharing, and individualism,” said Matthew Coggin, President of Spear Education. “I am incredibly proud of all of our employees and their dedication to our mission of helping dentists and their teams pursue and achieve Great Dentistry.”

The “Top Companies" will be honored at a virtual event on Aug. 22, 2023, and a special supplement listing the rankings will be published by Arizona Capitol Times and BestCompaniesAZ on Aug. 25.

https://newsroom.speareducation.com/article/view/spear-education-named-a-top-companies-to-work-for-in-arizona-for-five-years-in-a-row

About Spear Education:

Known for high-caliber dental education and practice solutions, Spear Education makes it possible for dentists and their staff to achieve “Great Dentistry”. Located in Scottsdale, Arizona, Spear offers the full spectrum of in-person and online education and practice management resources designed to help dental practices provide the best quality of care to their patients and love what they do. With more than 5,000 members, 700+ Study Groups, and thousands of available continuing education courses taught engaging faculty who are leaders in the dental industry, Spear is the industry leader in dental education and practice management solutions.

About Arizona Capitol Times

Arizona Capitol Times is the only media organization solely devoted to public policy and politics in Arizona. Independent and nonpartisan, we are the most trusted news source covering Arizona’s governments. Our physical proximity to the seat of power and unparalleled access to sources in the Capitol mean we consistently cover legislative and state government actions quickly, accurately and comprehensively.

About BestCompaniesAZ

BestCompaniesAZ is a marketing agency that specializes in employer branding. With more than 30 combined years of industry experience in public relations and human resources, BestCompaniesAZ elevates award-winning organizations through digital marketing, events, communication and award consultation services. For more information, visit BestCompaniesAZ.com.

About Best Companies Group

Best Companies Group is dedicated to establishing Best Places to Work programs to distinguish leaders in workplace excellence. As a research firm, BCG collects data about participating companies as well as employee feedback, analyzes that data, and produces a “Best” distinction that makes each recognized organization, the selected region (or industry) and the organizing partners proud. Best Companies Group identifies and recognizes places of employment that lead the way in defining the employee experience of the 21st century. 

DEXIS IOS Solutions is pleased to announce the expansion of its portfolio and ecosystem through new digital end-to-end workflows. The new and enhanced workflows are designed to align with the objective of DEXIS IOS Solutions to support dental practitioners in accelerating their workflow, resulting in increased productivity and improved patient experience. To reinforce this objective, DEXIS IOS Solutions is focused on three crucial principles: ease of use, productivity and practice expansion. Practitioners can now easily expand their range of services through aligner and denture treatments as well as in-house printing, offering their patients personalized and innovative care.

The new prescriptive workflows are being developed concurrently with ongoing innovations in the broader Envista™ portfolio, beginning with a new orthodontic workflow in combination with Ormco Spark™ that enables practices to easily add aligner therapy to their treatment options. A new Patient Engagement application within IS ScanFlow enables practitioners to show patients a simulated outcome of their orthodontic treatment, enabling them to visualize the treatment outcome chairside. Integrated digital transfer of the datasets to Ormco Spark streamlines the process, enabling patients to promptly initiate treatment.

“By further integrating DEXIS IOS Solutions into the broader Envista offerings, we are providing dentists with the solutions they need to provide exceptional and personalized care for their patients. We are committed to helping dental practitioners improve patient outcomes and grow their practice through digital innovation.” said Amir Aghdaei President and CEO at Envista Holdings Corporation. DEXIS IOS Solutions has also collaborated with SprintRay™ 3D printing ecosystem for definitive ceramic crowns, to simplify in-office printing and make same-day restorations a reality. SprintRay Cloud Design leverages artificial intelligence (AI) to streamline the design of crowns, appliances, and surgical guides within minutes. Practitioners can scan the patient with any DEXIS intraoral scanner and upload the dataset directly from either DTX Studio™ Clinic or IS ScanFlow to the SprintRay portal, eliminating the need to manually select files, enter redundant patient information and design the restoration or appliance.

“By combining DEXIS intraoral scanners with SprintRay’s ecosystem, dental practitioners can offer same-day delivery of crowns and appliances, increasing their productivity by completing more procedures in a shorter amount of time,” said Amir Aghdaei. ”Offering same-day restorations can give practitioners a distinct competitive advantage, as patients often prefer the convenience of single visit appointments, enabling dental practitioners to expand their services and attract patients seeking fast and convenient dental treatment.”

To further enhance the capabilities of the DEXIS IOS Solutions portfolio, IS ScanFlow v1.0.9 now includes a denture scanning workflow that streamlines the treatment planning process by combining the capture of the bite registration and prosthetic along with the edentulous and denture scans, eliminating the manual process of matching and aligning data sets by the lab. The software also provides embedded scan tips to optimize and simplify the edentulous data acquisition.

In addition, DEXIS IOS Solutions is introducing the IS 3800 wired scanner, which offers the same high-speed performance as the award-winning IS 3800W. The IS 3800 wired scanner is highly ergonomic and weighs just 190g without the cable, making it one of the lightest intraoral scanners available. It complements the IS 3800W wireless scanner, which weighs only 240g, and is considered

the lightest wireless intraoral scanner in the industry. The latest DEXIS IOS Solutions innovations provide dental practitioners with access to intuitive technology that simplifies and streamlines treatment, thereby boosting productivity. With an extended ecosystem and diverse range of new treatment options, practitioners can partner with Envista for access to prescriptive end-to-end workflows or opt for more open workflows, which enable collaboration with their preferred lab or manufacturer. The new workflows further align with the Envista intention to digitize, personalize, and democratize dental care, enabling productivity and predictability of dental practitioners to provide optimal patient treatment.

For more information about DEXIS IOS Solutions products and services, visit http://www.dexis.com or contact 888.88.DEXIS.

About DEXIS IOS

DEXIS IOS enhances the impact of dental expertise and clears away complexity from the digital workflow. Whether you are new to intraoral scanning or are an experienced advocate who wishes to upgrade, there is a DEXIS IOS Solution to precisely match your needs and provide simpler paths to better outcomes.

About DEXIS

DEXIS helps to transform practices and patient smiles — with a full portfolio of award-winning solutions for a comprehensive digital diagnostic workflow. From sensors to CBCT, intraoral scanning to implant planning, and NOMAD handheld x-ray to imaging software, practices throughout the world trust DEXIS for their digital imaging needs. Discover how DEXIS delivers for you. For more information, please visit http://www.dexis.com.

Leaders from across the country recognized for bridging gaps and advancing equitable access to oral care, awarded with $60,000 in charitable contributions

On its third annual Health Equity Hero Day today, DentaQuest, part of Sun Life U.S., announced its 2023 Health Equity Heroes, who this year represent the nation’s health connectors. In addition to celebrating and promoting the work of the 12 Health Equity Heroes, DentaQuest is making $60,000 in charitable contributions — $5,000 in the name of each hero to a qualified nonprofit of their choice.

Now in its ninth year, the DentaQuest Health Equity Heroes program honors individuals and organizations responsible for extraordinary work that advances equitable access to health care (medical, oral health, behavioral health) and thus optimal overall health. This year, DentaQuest recognizes the unique ways we benefit from health connectors — forward-thinkers taking action to remedy and eliminate systemic disparities in an effort to make health systems more welcoming to all.

“The pandemic and its aftermath exacerbated the major gaps in health care across the country, making access and affordability more difficult than ever,” said Steve Pollock, president at DentaQuest. “This year’s Health Equity Heroes are truly health connectors, bridging these gaps, positively impacting their communities and making real change from the ground up. We are proud to recognize these individuals as heroes and celebrate their efforts and accomplishments improving oral and overall health for all.”

The 2023 Health Equity Heroes:

Joel Bervell, a student at Washington State University’s Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine and TikTok’s 2021 Voice of Change, is making a life-saving impact on his digital community. As part of his mission to make health care more approachable, Joel creates TikTok content that covers a wide range of health and medical topics exposing health disparities and debunking long-standing myths, including racial biases in medicine. Joel's videos provide easily digestible sound bites that empower his 637,000 viewers to take control of their health and challenge systemic injustices. Joel’s Health Equity Hero donation will be used to support National Medical Fellowships.  

Richard Black, DDS, MS, founding dean of the Hunt School of Dental Medicine, practiced orthodontics for 40 years before dedicating himself to guiding the education of the next generation of dental oral health professionals. The school trains dentists in El Paso, a county with only 1 dentist for every 4,840 residents, compared to the national average of 1 dentist for every 1,638 individuals. Situated on the Texas-Mexico border, the school boasts a dental health curriculum focused not only on developing the latest, most technically advanced skills, but also on addressing the needs of patients and overall public health. Richard’s Health Equity Hero donation will be used to support the Dental Dean’s Excellence Fund of the Woody L. Hunt School of Dental Medicine.

Gail Brown is a lifelong health care advocate and director of the New Hampshire Oral Health Coalition. Thanks in large part to her work over two decades, the state recently established an adult Medicaid dental benefit. Gail’s grassroots approach creates strong relationships with members of the medical and dental community, the legislature, education and advocacy groups, and the insurance industry. Despite a vetoed proposal in 2020 and another failed bill in 2021, Brown remained undeterred. She continued educating stakeholders, providers and consumers about the importance of oral health and pushed for new legislation. As a result, more than 120,000 New Hampshire residents now qualify for adult Medicaid dental benefits. Gail’s Health Equity Hero donation will be used to support the New Hampshire Oral Health Coalition.  

Theresa Cheng, DDS, is founder and president of Everyone for Veterans (E4V), a nonprofit dedicated to providing free comprehensive dental care, resources and other support to veterans in need. Just about 15% of veterans are eligible for dental benefits through the federal Veterans Health Administration, meaning veterans are more likely to experience worse oral health outcomes compared to those who did not serve. Theresa has created a network of more than 680 volunteer dentists from 34 states to deliver oral health care to veterans and their families. Theresa’s Health Equity Hero donation will be used to support E4V.  

Lauren Easton directs the Commonwealth Care Alliance’s (CCA) efforts to drive health equity in Greater Boston. The CCA offers health plans and care delivery programs designed for people with significant needs. In her role as vice president of integrative program development and clinical innovation, Lauren focuses on providing support to unhoused individuals, leading such initiatives as the establishment of Marie’s Place Crisis Stabilization Unit. CCA members with behavioral health and substance use disorders benefit from the innovative, safe, home-like environment at Marie’s Place, which is a valuable alternative to inpatient psychiatric care. Lauren’s Health Equity Hero donation will be used to support Bay Cove Human Services. 

Cathy Levering, executive director of Sacramento District Dental Society (SDDS) and volunteer foundation leader, ensures that dental plans and providers fulfill their responsibility to care for Medicaid members in the region. SDDS under Cathy’s leadership notably in 2009 identified a crucial gap in the region’s managed care program. Her efforts drove significant program changes and grew dental access for children, with nearly 95% insured today. Cathy also expanded the foundation’s dental screening program from 1 school to 45. And the annual Smiles for Kids Day previously involved treating more than 1,000 kids at 40 sites, but her efforts to boost access helped cut that to 200 kids at just 3 sites. Cathy’s Health Equity Hero donation will be used to support the SDDS Foundation. 

Adam Luck has spent the last six years addressing the needs of unhoused individuals. As CEO of City Care in Oklahoma City, he focuses on equity and access, helping people find stability and housing. City Care provides vital services such as a low-barrier night shelter, transportation, permanent housing, and more. Through strategic partnerships, Adam helps give people access to essential services. For example, City Care’s Whiz Kids after-school tutoring and mentoring program recently added a dental health literacy initiative to help 550 students at risk of school failure also learn the importance of good oral hygiene. Adam has transformed countless lives, making him a champion of health equity. Adam’s Health Equity Hero donation will be used to support City Care.  

Christina Rosenthal, DDS, MPH, established Determined to be a Doctor Someday (DDS) to give back to the inner-city Memphis, where she grew up. DDS offers young people programming and mentorship to inspire change and foster interest in future health care careers. Each six-month program serves about 30 students ages 14 to 18 and features guest speakers who share similarities with participating students. These speakers candidly share their stories and how they became doctors, dentists, or other health professionals. Hundreds of students have completed DDS over the past 12 years, with many pursuing careers in medicine and some earning full college scholarships. Christina’s Health Equity Hero donation will be used to support the 516 Foundation.  

Bridget Saffold, MSN, MPH, RN, has dedicated herself to raising awareness about diabetes through her health education program, Focus on Diabetes. Recognizing oral health’s significant impact on overall wellbeing and its connection to diabetes, Bridget aims to educate her community about early detection and prevention. When her father passed away from diabetes-related complications, she recognized an essential gap in patient care – time and education. Annual Focus on Diabetes seminars and group meetings throughout the year address those gaps by assembling experts and community members for education on the disease and how to manage it without the limit of 15-minute clinic appointments. Bridget’s Health Equity Hero donation will be used to support Focus on Diabetes.  

Tammy Simmons is the driving force behind the Arkansas nonprofit ACCESS. Dedicated to serving individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities, Tammy has helped remove barriers that limit access to proper oral care and medical services. Since 1994, ACCESS has provided a comprehensive special education program in Little Rock, empowering children, young adults, and families with disabilities to build brighter futures. The nonprofit offers diagnostics, outpatient therapies, full-time education, and vocational training, to promote financial independence and community integration, reducing reliance on government safety-net programs. Tammy’s Health Equity Hero donation will be used to support ACCESS.  

Darlene Sorrell, DMD, is the first Navajo dentist and a co-founder of the Society for American Indian Dentists (SAID). During her 38-year career, she provided care with the Indian Health Service. Darlene now works with the Navajo Nation’s only nonprofit dental clinic, Nizhóní (Beautiful) Smiles – essential work, considering that dental disease incidence among Navajos is triple the rate of the general population. As president of the clinic’s board, Darlene collaborates with former colleagues and friends to grow staff and career opportunities at the clinic with initiatives such as an on-the-job dental assistant training program, plus mentorship and shadowing. Darlene’s Health Equity Hero donation will be used to support Nizhoni Smiles.  

Mark Wolff, DDS, PhD, established a dental home for more than 7,000 individuals by creating the Penn Dental Medicine’s Personalize Care Suite/Care Center for Persons with Disabilities in 2020. With experience running a private practice for patients with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDD), Mark set out to transform dental education when he became Dean of Penn Dental in 2018. To do so, he established a dental clinic and teledentistry program designed for adults with IDD. Mark also pioneered an online, no-cost continuing education series to enhance providers’ knowledge about caring for this population – more than 50 modules seen by more than 3,500 professionals in 30 countries. Mark’s Health Equity Hero donation will be used to support the Vulnerable Populations Clinic at the University of Pennsylvania.