Legislation Would Require The Dept. Of Veterans Affairs To Assess Its Oral Health Care Program And Its Ability To Meet The Needs Of Veterans

Today, CareQuest Institute for Oral Health® — a leading national nonprofit focused on creating a more accessible, equitable, and integrated oral health system — applauds members of the US House and Senate Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittees for including language in their respective versions of the FY24 appropriations bills that would require the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to assess its oral health care program and its ability to adequately meet the needs of current and future veterans. The bills were voted out favorably by the US House Appropriations Committee on June 13 and by the US Senate Appropriations Committee on June 22, 2023.

The Senate bill also includes language that would require the VA to assess the feasibility of expanding dental care to all veterans diagnosed with heart disease or diabetes.

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

“The inclusion of this language in the House and Senate Appropriations bills recognizes the unfortunate reality that millions of veterans struggle to access basic health care services across our country each day.

“Right now, 85% of veterans are not eligible for dental care through the VA and many end up paying out of pocket or do not receive care at all, putting their financial and physical health at risk. We also know that compared to nonveterans, veterans are more likely to experience worse oral health outcomes, including higher rates of tooth decay, higher rates of gum disease, and an increased need for restorative dental care.

“After putting their lives on the line to serve our country, access to critical health care services is the last thing that veterans should have to worry about. This proposal will require the assessment of the current VA oral health care program and help us start taking the steps necessary to ensure veterans are getting the care they need and deserve.

“We thank the House and Senate Appropriations Committees for their advocacy and look forward to continuing to work with Congress to address this unmet health need faced by our veterans.”

Additional research and facts about veterans’ oral health:

• The VA reports that only 15% of veterans are eligible to access dental services through the VA health system.

• The majority of the 85% of veterans who are not eligible for dental care through the VA access dental insurance through an employer, through self-pay, or not at all, creating health risks and/or undue financial burden.

• Approximately 42% of veterans report having had gum treatment or bone loss around their teeth as compared to 27% of nonveterans.

• Roughly two in five, or 8 million veterans, describe their oral health as fair or poor.

• Nearly 24% of veterans live in rural areas, where consistent access to care can be challenging.

A visual report from CareQuest Institute and the American Institute of Dental Public Health (AIDPH) shows that improving dental care for veterans reduces costs, improves overall health, and stimulates the economy. The report includes some heartbreaking firsthand accounts from veterans who are struggling to access oral health care. CareQuest Institute and AIDPH also released a white paper focused on solutions supporting veteran oral health. 

Expansion Brings Total Doctors Supported to More Than 1,100

MB2 Dental, the first and largest dental partnership organization (DPO) nationwide, announced today its record growth and expansion for the first half of 2023.

During the first six months of 2023, MB2 Dental, or the Company, added 73 new practices to its network. This includes the forging of partnerships with 70 new practices and the opening of three de novo practices (locations MB2 Dental built and added), consisting of a mix of general and specialty practices. As a result, at the end of June 2023, the MB2 Dental network included over 1,100 supported doctors, with 536 of them as doctor owners.

Furthermore, MB2 Dental is dedicated to offering career advancement opportunities for its associate dentists. During this period, MB2 Dental supported 13 associate dentists as they transitioned into practice owners. Other growth benchmarks included the addition of more than 975 employees to aid in serving the Company’s current patient base of over one million patients nationwide.

The success of MB2 Dental can be attributed to its distinctive model and collaborative approach, which combines the advantages of a traditional dental group with the clinical autonomy of private practice. By equipping dental professionals with the necessary tools, resources and support, MB2 Dental empowers its doctor owners to achieve their full potential in creating a lasting impact on patient health and well-being.

“The growth in new partnerships underscores the trust and confidence dental professionals place in making MB2 Dental their dental group of choice. The sustained year-over-year organic growth from our existing affiliated practices is indicative of the myriad ways we support our growing dental network. Additionally, we have gained recognition for our emphasis within the specialty dental arena, which now comprises over one-third of our network. All of this is a true testament to our pioneering model, innovative approach and ability to rapidly meet the distinct needs of our doctor owners,” said Dr. Chris Steven Villanueva, founder and chief executive officer at MB2 Dental.

“As the dental industry continues to rapidly evolve, dental professionals are constantly seeking solutions for navigating the changing landscape in their local markets. Our forward-thinking strategies, technological advancements, and the collaborative culture we created allow MB2 Dental to stand out amongst doctor owners. I look forward to celebrating our 2023 achievements to date with our partners at our upcoming annual owners retreat this July,” Villanueva concluded.

MB2 Dental is on pace to sustain its current growth trajectory through the second half of 2023. Alongside a pipeline of future acquisitions, MB2 Dental also has a robust schedule of de novos and practice expansions in the year ahead. The Company expects to reach its 600th practice milestone by the end of this summer.

Newly Added Award Categories Expand Recognition Opportunities for Virtual-First Care

MouthWatch, LLC, has opened nominations for its 6th annual Teledentistry Innovation Awards, “The Tellies.” These awards recognize individuals, organizations, and programs utilizing teledentistry and virtual dental care applications to expand access to care and improve oral health.

With the growth of teledentistry expanding into a range of virtual-first care applications focused on oral health, an increasing number of organizations are supporting health through services such as Dentistry.One, a virtual-first dental care network introduced by MouthWatch earlier this year.

Inspired by Dentistry.One, MouthWatch added three new categories to this year’s Teledentistry Innovation Awards: employers, industry innovators, and payers. The addition of these categories now provides seven opportunities for individuals, organizations, and programs to be recognized for outstanding work in advancing oral health. Original categories include dentists, hygienists, oral health programs, and educational institutions.

“The addition of new Tellie Award categories is a direct reflection of the growing number of individuals and organizations who recognize not only the benefits of teledentistry and virtual dental care, but also the new ways these benefits can reach patients,” said Brant Herman, Founder & Chief Executive Officer of MouthWatch and Dentistry.One. “We are excited to recognize and honor those who use these innovative solutions to bring more people into the dental care journey, while driving greater efficiency in the delivery of oral care.”

Dentistry.One offers a comprehensive virtual-first dental care solution designed to transform the traditional dental patient care journey with a nationwide network of on-demand dentists and Care Advisors who help expand access to care and improve health outcomes for today’s patients.

Nominations are open until September 15, 2023, and can be submitted on The Tellies’ website, teledentistryinnovationawards.com. Tellie award winners will be announced during the 2023 Greater New York Dental Meeting taking place November 24-29, 2023. The location and time of the Tellie Awards event will be announced separately.

For more information, visit mouthwatch.com or dentistry.one.

Lack of Access to Routine Dental Care Leads to Dangerous Home Remedies

As the use of dangerous at-home health remedies continues to gain traction on social media, CareQuest Institute for Oral Health®, a leading national nonprofit focused on creating a more accessible, equitable, and integrated oral health system, is warning people about the dangers of treating oral pain at home. The new report reveals that more than half (53.8%) of adults in the US do not have consistent access to dental care and may resort to self-prescribed home remedies, which are not always safe. In fact, half of the adults who experienced an oral health problem in the last year used a home remedy to try to alleviate the problem.

CareQuest Institute analyzed data from its State of Oral Health Equity in America survey, revealing insights into home remedies used by consumers. The most common unsafe home remedies included:

• tobacco poultice; 

• pain medication prescribed for another purpose; 

• illegal narcotics; 

• a needle to lance a gum abscess; 

• aspirin powder applied to the gums; and 

• alcohol/spirits. 

“We’ve seen an uptick of potentially dangerous at-home dental care trends across social media, and our data support the fact that many people resort to home remedies, often because they cannot access routine care,” said Kelly Schroeder, health scientist and dental hygienist at CareQuest Institute. “Remedies that mask pain are delaying having a larger problem such as an infection being treated properly. It’s critical that people seek care and advice from a trusted dental professional for their oral health issues.”

The report reveals additional insights, including:

• Those who had not had a dental visit in the last two years were 10% more likely to use dangerous home remedies than those who had a dental visit more recently. 

• Those who smoke used one or more dangerous home remedies twice as often as those who do not smoke. 

• Individuals who identify as Black (62.4%) and as two or more race/ethnicities (60.0%) reported that they used a home remedy for oral health symptoms more often than individuals identifying as white (49.5%), Hispanic (45.5%), Asian (42.9%), or “other” (47.6%). 

When people don’t have a dental home where they receive regular, preventive dental care, both oral health and overall health can easily deteriorate. One important part of the solution is to increase dental insurance coverage through employer-sponsored plans as well as by strengthening and protecting adult dental benefits within Medicaid and Medicare. One recent study showed that Medicaid, even with its limited dental coverage, significantly improved adults’ access to and utilization of dental services, compared to those who lack medical coverage. It’s important for people to have access to a dental home where safe, effective, and personalized home care guidance is provided to prevent individuals from using unsafe home remedies.

Read the full report here.  

Team of Oral Care Experts Chosen to Advance Research and Development Efforts in the U.S.

CURAPROX, the Swiss oral care brand known for its innovative products and commitment to promoting oral health, has established a Advisory Board (AB) comprising experts in the field of dentistry. The AB's mission is to support CURAPROX in advancing its efforts to drive education improve patients oral health in the US.

The members of CURAPROX's AB are respected thought leaders in their respective fields and bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to the board. They include:

• Anne Nugent Guignon, RDH, MPH, CSP

• Adam Saltz, DMD, MS, MPH

• Janis Spiliadis, CRDH

• Nicole Fortune, MBA, RDH

• Martha McComas, RDH, BS, MS

• Natalie Purcell, RDH

“We are extremely excited to work together with this group of experts,” says Steffen Mueller, Managing Director, USA at Curaden. “The purpose of the newly formed Advisory Board for Curaden is to best serve dental professionals in the U.S., deepening our understanding of their key needs and providing the best solutions to ensuring their success while keeping patients happy.”

CURAPROX's Advisory Board will meet regularly to discuss research findings, review new product developments, and provide insights and recommendations to the brand. With this new initiative, CURAPROX is reaffirming their long-standing commitment to promoting oral health and improving the lives of people through innovative oral care solutions.

"This team will provide current knowledge, critical thinking and analysis to explore new opportunities for Curaden USA,” says Shannon M. Nanne, RDH, Director of Professional Relations and Education for CURAPROX. “Each one was chosen for their specific expertise in the field."

For more information about CURAPROX and its products, please visit www.curaprox.com.

Aurident has redesigned and expanded its website to shop online with convenience! Dental lab materials, equipment and services are easy to order. Featuring a live chat agent, a user can ask questions to help make a pleasant purchasing experience. The new Aurident website is simple to navigate and offers a user-friendly mobile version. Included are special offers and the latest promotions on zirconia, PMMA, cutting tools, Asiga 3D printers, resins and more. For more information visit Aurident’s website at www.aurident.com.

Oral Care Leader Opens 18 New Locations Of Its Patented SmileShop Concept As It Celebrates Two Million Customers Served Through Its Telehealth Platform

SmileDirectClub, Inc. (Nasdaq: SDC), the med tech oral care company with the first telehealth platform for teeth straightening, today announced the opening of 18 new locations of its patented SmileShop concept, bringing the Company’s retail footprint to 128 locations across the globe. The expansion comes as SmileDirectClub celebrates its two millionth aligner customer served through its orthodontic telehealth platform.

These SmileShop openings mark the first expansion of the Company’s retail footprint in the U.S. since the beginning of the 2020 pandemic. The additional locations will provide even more consumers with the opportunity to begin their smile journey through the Company’s doctor-directed digital orthodontia telehealth platform.

“SmileDirectClub’s patented SmileShop revolutionizes the way consumers access oral care by providing a safe, doctor-directed, and convenient experience,” said David Katzman, CEO and Chairman, SmileDirectClub. “The expansion of our retail portfolio underscores our commitment to providing an elevated, omni-channel experience that gives customers a choice on how they access premium, affordable oral care. By blending the strengths of digital and traditional retail, along with high-tech solutions like our new SmileMaker Platform, we're working to provide our customers with options that previously did not exist in traditional dental care."

The new SmileShops will allow the Company to efficiently expand its reach without cannibalizing existing outlets, and to service incremental customer demand generated by new channels like the AI-powered SmileMaker Platform, which was launched in the U.S. in April. The patented SmileMaker Platform allows customers to access their Custom Smile Plan within minutes by creating a 3D scan of their teeth using a mobile device. Once a customer receives their Custom Smile Plan, they will go to either a local SmileShop for a 3D scan or complete a doctor-prescribed Impression Kit.

SmileDirectClub was issued a patent by the United States Patent & Trademark Office for its SmileShop concept in 2020. The patent encompasses the unique SmileShop concept and process, including scheduling of an appointment at a SmileShop, sending the scheduling confirmation to the customer, conducting the intraoral scan, generating a treatment plan, receiving approval of the treatment plan by a licensed dentist or orthodontist, producing aligners in accordance with the treatment plan, and sending those aligners to the customer.

Last month, SmileDirectClub opened SmileShops in the following cities (in alphabetical order): Artesia, CA; Cleveland, OH; Dearborn, MI; Flourtown, PA; Friendswood, TX; Fullerton, CA; Great Neck, NY; Harlem, NY; Indianapolis, IN; Glen Ellyn, IL; Long Beach, CA; Los Angeles, CA; Manhattan, NY; Paramus, NJ; Royal Oak, MI; Spring, TX; St Louis, MO; and Wilkinsburg, PA. To locate the nearest SmileShop or to book an appointment, customers can visit SmileDirectClub.com.

• Type 2 diabetes patients with good oral hygiene habits such as interdental cleaning show lower blood glucose levels over 24 hours

• ‘The relationship between interdental cleaning habits and 24-hour blood glucose fluctuations in type 2 diabetes patients’ cross-sectional study also indicates that prevention of tooth loss is important for people with type 2 diabetes

A new cross-sectional study investigating oral hygiene habits and blood glycemic control indicators has found compelling evidence that good oral care habits such as interdental cleaning in people with type 2 diabetes are associated with better glycaemic control.

Highlighting the importance of the connection between interdental cleaning and blood glucose levels, the results also indicate that prevention of tooth loss through good oral care habits and regular dental visits are important for people with type 2 diabetes from the perspective of better blood glycaemic control.

The joint study by the Clinic Masae Minami/Minami Diabetes Clinical Research Center and international oral healthcare company Sunstar investigated oral hygiene indicators and blood glycaemic control indicators, such as 24-hour continuous blood sugar fluctuations.

This study confirms the relationship between blood sugar fluctuations and the number of teeth in people with diabetes. The results also make it clear that interdental cleaning habits and the number of teeth are related not only to measurements such as HbA1c and fasting blood sugar levels, but also to Time in Range, a figure that shows the amount of time a patient spends in the target blood glucose range between 70-180mg/dL during a 24-hour blood-sugar measurement.

That diabetes and periodontal disease are closely related was again demonstrated in a high-impact study a few years ago, showing that treating periodontal disease in patients with type 2 diabetes improved glycaemic control.

Although there have been few reports on the relationship between oral hygiene habits and blood sugar control in diabetic patients, a previous study, which used the same study population as the present study, clarified the association between interdental cleaning habits, gender- and age-adjusted HbA1c, and fasting blood sugar levels. 

The number of teeth is strongly related to interdental cleaning and dietary habits to maintain oral health. Although the results of this study alone do not reveal a causal relationship, it is expected that incorporating regular dental visits and interdental cleaning into oral care will lead not only to the prevention of tooth loss but also to the maintenance and promotion of overall health.

Key research results

1. Single correlation between parameters (Spearman's ρ)

The number of teeth was negatively correlated with age, the frequency of dental visits was positively correlated with age, and BMI, HbA1c, and fasting blood glucose level were negatively correlated. Frequency of teeth brushing showed a negative correlation with male gender, BMI, urinary albumin/creatinine ratio, high-sensitivity CRP, and TNF-α. The frequency of interdental cleaning was positively correlated with time in range with male gender, BMI, high-sensitivity CRP, IL-6, and TNF-α.

* Negative correlation is a relationship where the larger one value is, the smaller the other value is.

2. Comparison of glycaemic control and the variation indicator between the groups by oral hygiene conditions

Groups were divided according to whether or not they had interdental cleaning habits of at least three times per week, and large differences were seen when average glucose levels over 24 hours were plotted and compared (Figure 2-①). Similar results were also obtained in comparison between the group with or without at least 20 teeth (Figure 2-②).

In comparison between groups for glycaemic indicators calculated from continuous glucose monitors CGM data, the group that had an interdental cleaning habit of at least three times per week had significantly lower total mean glucose levels than the group that did not, and Time in Range was higher. Similarly, the group with at least 20 teeth had lower average glucose levels than the group that did not, and the Time in Range was higher.

3. Analysis of the relationship between Time in Range and Interdental Cleaning Habits considering other factors (logistic regression model)

When the Time-in-Range goal of 70% was achieved/not achieved was used as the dependent variable and corrected for gender, age, and BMI, interdental cleaning habits (at least three times a week) became a significant independent variable. Similar results were obtained in models in which inflammation-related indices were added as adjustment factors, suggesting that there is a mechanism mediated by factors other than inflammation.

Research background and purpose

In recent years, CGM devices that continuously record glucose fluctuations day and night by a sensor attached to the arm, have been approved and used in the treatment of diabetes. CGM can be used to reveal hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia, and a range of sugar fluctuations that was not possible with HbA1c or self-monitoring of blood sugar. Time in Range (which is the percentage of time that glucose level measured by CGM between 70-180 mg/dL) is attracting attention as an indicator of the "quality" of blood glucose fluctuations, as reporting has increased, indicating that Time in Range is associated with the onset/progression of complications and mortality. This new study aimed not to only examine the relationship between oral hygiene habits and glycemic control indicators, such as Time in Range, but also the involvement of inflammation as the mechanism of action.

Sunstar has been promoting and supporting research into diabetes for over 30 years driven by the personal story of the founding family of Sunstar. The company’s founder, Kunio Kaneda, suffered from diabetes and eventually lost his long-term battle with it at a relatively young age. Since then, Sunstar has focused on the relationship between diabetes and periodontal disease and is engaged in research, new product development and awareness in collaboration with universities and medical institutions.

Study methodology

The cross-sectional study involved 104 type 2 diabetes patients with 15 or more natural teeth attending clinics. Survey questions included the number of teeth, number of times teeth are brushed per day, frequency of interdental cleaning using dental floss and interdental brushes, and frequency of dental visits. Blood and urine were tested for HbA1c, fasting blood sugar, insulin, high-sensitivity CRP, IL-6, TNF-α, MCP-1, urinary albumin/creatinine ratio. Additionally, glycaemic variability indicators were considered for CGM. BMI data was also added to the analysis.

The results of this study were presented at the 66th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Japan Diabetes Society in May 2023.

Whip Mix Corporation announced today that the Company will phase-out the reselling of its current portfolio of digital and milling equipment. This strategic decision enables the Louisville based Company to focus on its core strength of manufacturing its primary products, including gypsums, investments, articulators and 3D print resins. The Company will work with each of the distribution partners and customers affected to support them during this transition.

“This was a difficult decision given the strength of the brands we represent, the success of our efforts, and the relationships we have developed with these key digital equipment manufacturers. Our restructuring effectively aligns our organization to continue providing innovative products to the dental laboratory, educational and clinical market segments,” stated Anne Steinbock, CEO of Whip Mix. “Our actions today build on the success of our 100 year history and position the company for the future.”

For more information, go to: www.whipmix.com.

• Lithoz GmbH, world leader in ceramic 3D printing, and New York-based biomaterials manufacturer Himed sign strategic research partnership agreement to further accelerate the development of medical-grade bioceramics

• Himed acquires a Lithoz CeraFab S65 Medical Printer to explore novel integrations of their leading calcium phosphate biomaterials with Lithoz’s proprietary ceramic binder

Lithoz GmbH, global market and innovation leader in ceramic 3D printing, and New York-based biomaterials specialist Himed have entered into a long-term partnership, joining forces in further driving innovation and research into the 3D printing of medicalgrade bioceramics.

This joint effort, including Himed’s acquisition of a CeraFab S65 Medical printer, follows last year’s successful Formnext, where Lithoz received tremendous feedback on the launch of its significantly improved LithaBone HA 480 material. After searching for a strategic partner in the United States to better access the enormous potential of top-level surgery specialists there, this partnership forms the next logical step in the large-scale commercialization of this highly specific 3D printing product, but also will form a powerful intercontinental pool of top researchers driving 3D-printable bioceramics to the next level. Partnering with Himed allows Lithoz to explore the potentials of other CaP phases within the highly sophisticated biomimetic forms their printers can make.

Thanks to their fascinating properties, such as excellent biocompatibility and osteoconductivity, the tricalcium phosphate or hydroxy apatite based LithaBone medical ceramics have proven to be a highly attractive alternative to metals used in human surgery. Lithoz has also received numerous innovation study requests involving these bioceramics, as the precision and design flexibility of Lithoz LCM technology possess huge potential for innovation when it comes to lattice structures and porostities achieving the desired ideal level of osteoconductivity.

First-phase research will occur at Lithoz’s U.S. location in Troy, NY this summer by a joint team of materials scientists. Himed will install a new Lithoz CeraFab S65 printer at their 25,000 sq. ft. facility in Long Island early this fall, allowing the company to more rapidly experiment on site and run important analytical testing at its in-house laboratory. The addition of a CeraFab S65 at Himed also broadens their R&D service offerings, adding rapid prototyping of different forms for clients who contract with Himed to conduct unique biomaterials research.

Himed’s CEO, Dana Barnard, explains, “Himed understands CaP optimization and how to scale it for a growing market. We’ve refined many calcium phosphates to strengthen their healing potential, but most of these were targeted toward surface coatings on traditionally manufactured titanium implants. Lithoz’s remarkable 3D printing technology allows a whole new direction for our products, in which we can use CaP to its greatest advantage—as a biomimetic material within the implant structure itself that can be replaced by a person’s own natural bone over time.”

Lithoz CEO Dr. Johannes Homa takes the same line: “This is definitely a big milestone for our partnership, and just a first starting point for a mutual beneficial collaboration for additive manufacturing of bone replacement.”

Ultimately, both companies believe there is still much to discover about developing CaP materials to augment the performance of 3D-printed implantable forms. This strategic partnership represents a first step in growing the range of biocompatible materials suitable for a future that includes highly customized, patient-specific medical solutions that can be printed on demand. Over the last thirty years, calcium phosphates such as hydroxy apatite have gained widespread use in implantable devices, bone putties, and grafting materials for their similarity to natural bone, and can aid the organic regrowth of hard tissue at the implantation site. Since 1991, Himed has collaborated with different medical implant manufacturers to develop and optimize various CaP powders and surface treatments for osseointegration. The partnership with Lithoz, however, allows new opportunities for Himed in the medical additive manufacturing market beyond bioactive surface treatments and postprocessing of implants.