Josef Kolbeck, CDT, owner of Kolbeck Dental and a member of Inside Dental Technology's Editorial Advisory Board, recently donated 30 Occlusal Measurement Plane (OMP) tools to the dental laboratory technology program at Tottenville High School in Staten Island, New York.

The OMP is a five-in-one measuring tool for the fabrication of denture setups, wax rims, cast analysis, occlusal measurements, diagnostic waxups, and more.

Kolbeck has frequently donated OMP tools as well as training sessions. Read more about his charitable work here.

Organizations From Across the Country Will Work to Address Barriers to Oral Health Care for Those With Disabilities

CareQuest Institute for Oral Health awarded $1.25 million in funding to 10 organizations selected for their Disability Inclusion and Justice in Oral Health Request for Proposals (RFP). Each organization received $125,000 to fulfill work to address systemic barriers to oral health — including access to oral health — for people with disabilities.

“As we work to build true systemic change, we have to listen and learn from those who have been negatively impacted by the current oral health system, with a specific focus on historically marginalized and under-resourced communities,” said Trenae Simpson, Director of Grants and Programs at CareQuest Institute. “These insights shape our philanthropic strategy and our intentional investments in community-driven projects that amplify these voices and solutions. The organizations that CareQuest Institute has selected for this funding are working in their communities, clinical practices, and academia to address and correct years of institutional discrimination and access barriers for those with disabilities—we are proud to support this work.”

CareQuest Institute provided grants to the following organizations:

• American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) Foundation aims to improve the dental delivery system to better serve people with disabilities as they transition from childhood to adulthood.

• Alameda Health System Foundation plans to develop a dedicated Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) mobile application that draws on the input from patients with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, their family members/caregivers, and dental professionals who care for this patient community, specifically through focus group interviews and beta testing among this community.

• New Mexico Dental Association Foundation plans to collaborate with the University of New Mexico Department of Dental Medicine and the New Mexico Dental Association to develop a comprehensive statewide report with recommendations aimed at addressing the oral health needs of individuals with disabilities.

• The American Institute of Dental Public Health will partner with Coalition of Texans with Disabilities to create a 5-part toolkit for advocates to expand access to care for people with disabilities in Medicaid, deliver a series of trainings and workshops for advocates around these legislative levers, and create a policy and bill bank for advocates to reference.

• The Arc of the United States plans to launch the Dental for All project to promote outreach in communities to address disparities in dental outcomes for people with disabilities.

• UCLA School of Dentistry plans to expand clinic operations to focus on developing a more inclusive patient-centered dental home for people with disabilities.

• University of Cincinnati Foundation will pilot a dental program through the Timothy Freeman, MD, Center for Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities at University of Cincinnati (UC) Health. A Disability Dental Focus Group will be formed to inform the creation of the dental program and provide feedback.

• University of Colorado Denver (UCD) will advocate for administrative policy in reimbursement for care for people with disabilities, maintain a coalition of disability partners to maintain the work, provide training for dental students, and advocate for state government funding to develop a new center at UCD for people with disabilities, and implement a patient Navigator.

• University of Florida Foundation will create a mobile program to provide dental services for people with disabilities. The program will include pre-visit telehealth screens, a psychologist as part of the team, and minimally invasive care when appropriate.

• University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine proposes to build a network (Community Advocates for Resource Enhancements) and a coalition in Philadelphia of organizations and individuals committed to improving the oral health of people with disabilities. The coalition will complete an assessment, identify and pilot solutions, create resources for families and caregivers of people with disabilities and provide ongoing input for the clinical program.

CareQuest Institute prioritized proposals that reflect the applicant's authentic commitment to meaningfully and consistently engage members of the disability community throughout their proposed project. This definition of engagement goes beyond treatment to nurture environments ripe for community empowerment and justice. Additional details can be found on CareQuest Institute’s Disability Inclusion and Justice in Oral Health Request for Proposals page.

MB2 Dental, the first and largest Dental Partnership Organization (DPO) nationwide, announced today its entry into West Virginia with the forging of a dental partnership with two locations in the state. This marks the 40th state in which MB2 Dental now operates.

The practice, Drs. Daniel K. Monday & Stephen P. Graziani P.L.L.C., is the latest addition to MB2 Dental’s fast-growing DPO network. The two practices in the state—one located at 1213 Virginia Street E, Charleston, WV, 25301, and another at 2939 Virginia Avenue, Hurricane, WV, 25526—are focused on providing general dentistry while also offering a wide array of other services, including implant placement surgery, emergency extractions and bone grafting. Dr. Monday has been in the practice since 1994 while Dr. Graziani joined in 2014.

Currently, MB2 Dental has nearly 700 partnerships spanning 40 states and supporting more than 1,400 dentists and specialists. These practices serve in excess of three million patients throughout the country.

“On behalf of our staff, Dr. Graziani, and myself, I would like to share how happy we are to join the MB2 family. We are truly looking forward to partnering with Dr. V, the executive team and all members of MB2. It is very exciting to be taking this next step in our journey. We appreciate how professional, respectful and kind everyone at MB2 has been throughout this merger process. We consider it a great honor to be the first practice in West Virginia to be acquired by MB2, and look forward to enabling them to make their mark down the country roads of West Virginia,” said Dr. Monday.

Dr. Chris Steven Villanueva, founder and chief executive officer of MB2 Dental, commented on the recent partnership, stating: “The collaboration with Drs. Monday and Graziani marks a significant milestone for MB2 Dental as we expand our presence into an additional state, bringing our total to 40 nationwide. This expansion underscores the growing recognition amongst dental professionals of the substantial advantages that come from being part of our strong network. We look forward to continuing to attract more doctor partners in West Virginia and are committed to further broadening MB2 Dental's impact across the state.”

Part of the Midwest® brand of handpieces, the Energo™ electrics are designed with durability, ergonomics, and noise reduction in mind. The portfolio comprises standard, short, and mini-head handpieces to suit dentists’ needs and preferences.

The new Midwest Energo portfolio of electric handpieces offers a range of benefits for dental professionals, with small head dimensions, long durability, and high level of safety.¹ The new handpieces will be available in North America from end of February 2024.

“We are thrilled to officially launch our brand-new Midwest Energo series,” said Max Milz, Group Vice President Connected Technology Solutions at Dentsply Sirona. “With the new electric handpieces, we have been able to design features such as a smaller head,² quieter operation³ and lower heat generation² for increased patient safety.¹”

Quality that feels like day one

The Midwest Energo portfolio comprises the premium T1 Energo electric handpieces (with a standard and short version) and the comfort T2 Energo (with a standard version and a mini-head option). The small head size of the handpiece provides a very good view during the treatment. Both the T1 and T2 handpieces are equipped with “safe head technology”, which offers the coolest2) heads on the market and thus increases patient safety.¹ They are also very easy to reprocess and incredibly quiet thanks to the patented³ 4x2 nozzle spray. In addition, the lifetime has increased many times in comparison to the current models.¹

“Our new range of electric handpieces provides quality in every detail – no matter how big or small,” said Andrew Robinson, Senior Vice President of North America RCO at Dentsply Sirona. “We have listened to what our customers want and developed an innovative portfolio of motor-driven handpieces to deliver high quality of care to our patients.”

Environmentally friendly design

In line with Dentsply Sirona’s sustainability program, “BEYOND: Taking Action for a Brighter World,” the company strives to reduce the environmental impact of its products through design. The Midwest Energo handpieces are designed to reduce carbon emissions across the whole lifecycle of the product. The instructions for use are available in a convenient digital format, reducing the need for printed materials and reducing transport weight. Also, the product is delivered in a new sustainably produced packaging. These measures have reduced the carbon footprint of the Energo portfolio by 25% compared to previous models.

For further information please click here.

1. Study with measurement results of the current and new platform available on request (contact@dentsplysirona.com)

3. European patent EP 2 708 204 B1European patent EP 2 708 204 B1

The healthcare industry is losing a staggering $150 billion annually due to a rarely mentioned challenge that affects providers and patients: no-shows. Surprisingly, 25% to 30% of all medical appointments, 40% of Medicaid appointments and 50% of primary care appointments end in no-shows. Statistics reveal that transportation issues are cited as the reason for missing medical appointments 7% of the time, with seniors reporting this as the primary reason an overwhelming 65% of the time.

According to a study published in the NIH National Library of Medicine, transportation barriers are linked to a decline in continuity of care, reduced use of regular outpatient care, increased emergency department visits and higher readmission rates, all of which contribute to elevated costs for individuals and third-party payers.

The repercussions of patient no-shows extend beyond financial implications, impacting clinic revenue, staff productivity, and creating scheduling and operational stress. Moreover, patients suffer from disrupted continuity of care, further exacerbating the issue.

Recognizing the significance of addressing transportation challenges, Chris Ochs, chief development officer at Kerico, emphasized, "A community’s health can be positively impacted by improving accessibility. Providing reliable transportation is one of the easiest solutions." Ochs highlighted the substantial savings resulting from investing in non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT), stating that for every dollar spent on NEMT, $11 is saved in long-term care.

About Kerico

Kerico is a premium, non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) company. Known as care providers’ best choice for patient transportation, Kerico has successfully reduced “no-show” appointments, expedited hospital discharges and increased patient satisfaction scores for Medicare Advantage across Texas. Setting the gold standard for patient transportation, all of Kerico’s drivers undergo extensive background checks and are held to the highest standards and performance-based metrics. Kerico uses state-of-the-art technology and is HIPAA compliant to ensure patient safety and privacy. For more information, visit www.kericocare.com.

In honor of women’s history month, Austin Oral Surgery will host its fourth annual Lucy Hobbs Project, March 1 from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. at The Norris Center in Austin. Named for Lucy Hobbs Taylor – the first woman to earn a dental degree – the annual event was designed to empower and inspire all women who work in dentistry and related fields. This year’s theme, “Renovate Your Office Wellness,” will focus on the renovation, revitalization and rejuvenation of dental teams.

“Burnout has been a real and significant threat to our industry for years, and unfortunately, it’s affecting more and more people,” said Renee Dixon, marketing director at Austin Oral Surgery. “We want to reverse that, to equip women throughout our industry with the tools they need to overcome burnout and restore happiness, productivity and engagement in the workplace.”

This year’s key note will focus on belonging, an innate human desire for connection and acceptance, which is directly related to office wellness. A wide variety of research indicates that belonging helps to create a happier, more productive workforce, which among other things, leads to better employee retention, improved customer/patient satisfaction and increased profitability.

In fact, Deloitte’s Human Capital Trends report ranked belonging as the top human capital issue that organizations face today. The Lucy Hobbs key note presentation will directly address this. Key note speakers Whitney Nelson and Brettne Shootman, the dynamic sister duo behind Brilliant People,™ will introduce the concept of belonging, reveal how belonging at work affects both individual and team wellness, and examine how personality types influence belonging.

Nelson also will serve as the event’s returning guest MC. Additional presentations include: End Human Trafficking, Ignite Hope; The Strong Mind Initiative: Our Sisterhood; Breaking Up With Dentistry: You Don’t Call Me Darlin, Darlin and Benefits That Matter.

End Human Trafficking, Ignite Hope will be presented by Liz Griffin, the executive director of Unbound Now Austin, a 501c3 nonprofit that is dedicated to extinguishing human trafficking and igniting hope. According to the International Labour Organization, human trafficking is the fastest growing criminal industry in the world, with more than 40 million victims, worldwide.

“We believe the dental community is in a unique position to help eradicate human trafficking because there are several warning signs that can be found in the mouth, and with the right training, dental professionals can correctly identify these warning signs and act on them, without putting themselves or their patients in further danger,” explained Dixon.

The Strong Mind Initiative: Our Sisterhood will be presented by Anne Rice of Oral Systemic Seminars. Rice will offer insight on the unique role estrogen has on female brains and the impact of X chromosomes, provide tips for achieving a more well-nourished brain, and demonstrate how Kirtan Kriya meditation can enhance cognition.

Breaking Up With Dentistry: You Don’t Call Me Darlin, Darlin will be presented by Kandice Swathout of Inspired Education & Wellness and Muffins & Mimosas Dental Study Club. Swathout will define burnout and its causes, explain how chronic stress can lead to chronic illness, and discuss mental health strategies to reduce stress in a demanding work environment.

Swathout also will serve as the moderator for the panel discussion Benefits That Matter. The discussion will include both employee and employer perspectives. It will identify which benefits mean the most to team members during different seasons of life, explain why the benefits that matter, do, and explore how work culture can be considered part of the benefits package.

Lucy Hobbs Project attendees will have the opportunity to earn up to five units of continuing education credit. In addition, the event will include a brunch buffet, networking, shopping and opportunities to raise funds and awareness for Unbound Now Austin.

About Austin Oral Surgery: When Doctors James Fricke and Sam Fason established Austin Oral Surgery more than 50 years ago, they had one goal in mind: to put patients first. Austin Oral Surgery continues that legacy of exceptional care today, treating patients with a wide variety of oral/maxillofacial needs from wisdom teeth removal and corrective jaw surgery to dental implants and more. For more information, visit www.austinoralsurgery.com.

Co-CEOs Dr. Jason Auerbach and Jeff Ward of MAX Surgical Specialty Management are proud to announce MAX’s expansion into Pennsylvania. Just off the heels of partnering with practices led by thought leaders in New York and Vermont, this entry into Pennsylvania will further add to New Jersey based, MAX’s position as a leading innovator in the realm of surgeon-led OMS platforms. This growth is another steppingstone in solidifying MAX’s presence as the premier OMS platform supporting practices throughout the Northeast.

"With each partnership, we reinforce that MAX is not just another option but rather a real difference maker for so many great surgeons trying to navigate this space,” shares Dr. Auerbach. “The feedback has been astounding, and we are confident it will be no different from our new partners at Lititz Oral Surgery. We are witnessing a transformation in our industry, and MAX is proud to be at the forefront of this evolution."

In Pennsylvania, MAX has forged a partnership with Lititz Oral Surgery, located in Lititz and Hershey, Pennsylvania. Led by esteemed surgeon Dr. John Vakkas, DDS, MD, Lititz Oral Surgery is recognized for its superior clinical standards, patient-focused approach, educational initiatives, and exceptional treatment outcomes. Dr. Vakkas will directly contribute to MAX’s passion for philanthropy as he has done great work to support those with cleft lip and palate around the world.

"Dr. Vakkas and his team exemplify the values that MAX stands for,” Jeff Ward reflects. “Their dedication to superior patient care and specialized expertise make them invaluable partners that complement our other practices."

This new partnership in Pennsylvania showcases further progress toward MAX's mission in a tangible manner. MAX is thrilled to be reshaping the OMS industry landscape with surgeon-led vision and ideals. 

Henry Schein One today announced that it has established alternative approaches to processing customers’ insurance claims in response to the recent cyber incident affecting a third-party vendor, Change Healthcare, one of the nation’s leading clearinghouse companies for processing claims. Importantly, no Henry Schein One systems have been compromised as a result of this incident.

The recent Change Healthcare incident led to a temporary suspension of claims feeds across U.S. medical and dental practices, including those sent to Change Healthcare by Henry Schein One. Nevertheless, within 48 hours of learning about the incident, Henry Schein One began processing claims with a new clearinghouse, helping support its customers’ revenue streams.

"Our customers are the heart and soul of everything we do at Henry Schein One. We deeply respect the tireless efforts they pour into their practices, especially when faced with unexpected hurdles," said Christine King, Executive Co-Chair, Henry Schein One Board of Directors. "In the face of recent challenges, our team has risen to the occasion to help our customers and support a smooth claims transition, while keeping our customers' needs at the forefront. This is the true essence of teamwork, and I couldn't be more pleased by their unwavering commitment."

Anticipating the needs of its customers, the Henry Schein One team has proactively offered the following to minimize inconvenience:

• Support and Business Process Continuity: implemented a plan to transition claims processing from Change Healthcare to a new clearinghouse.

• Financial Assistance: offered a short-term credit line to customers facing temporary financial strain, recognizing the importance of uninterrupted cash flow.

• Value-Added Services: provided complimentary email and text-based patient statements through the Dentrix and Dentrix Ascend platforms.

• Helpline: established a help line for processing assistance due to the incident: 888-647-2547.

The Henry Schein One team will continue to prioritize customers by providing more information and offering assistance throughout this challenging time.

• This alliance will work in collaboration with prominent international opinion leaders, as well as a number of scientific societies

• An informative consensus document will be prepared for oral healthcare professionals, dentists, and hygienists, as well as for patients, on the use of mouthwashes according to EFP Clinical Practice Guidelines

The SEPA Foundation and LISTERINE® join forces in a new initiative entitled “Principles for Oral Health”, an ambitious global agreement to promote periodontal health and ensure that oral healthcare professionals have access to the fundamentals of primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention of periodontitis.

The first project within this cooperation framework is called “Essentials”. It will aim to specifically reflect on the efficacy and value of antiseptics and clinically tested antibacterial mouthwashes included in the EFP S3 systematic reviews and simplify relevant conclusions about the current use of mouthwashes as well as their adjuvant role in the mechanical removal of dental plaque.

As highlighted by Dr. Paula Matesanz, the vicepresident of SEPA (Spanish Society of Periodontology), “We must promote periodontal health with clear criteria that are easy to implement among the general population, reinforcing prevention as a daily habit, while facilitating access to existing scientific evidence for oral health professionals.”

Global Impact

The activities to be developed will have a global impact, with a special focus in seven countries: Spain, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Italy, as well as Brazil and the United States.

Dr. Soha Dattani, Director and Head Scientific Engagement, Listerine® Oral Care, EMEA, points out: “We are excited about this ambitious project and the potential it has to improve people’s oral health.”

One of the main projects is the creation of a group of global opinion leaders who will establish practical recommendations on the use of oral antiseptics to help control and manage plaque biofilm and inflammation in patients subject to supportive periodontal therapy: Dr. Paula Matesanz, the vice president of SEPA and member of the Etiology and Therapy of Periodontal and Peri-implant Diseases Research Group (ETEP) of the Complutense University of Madrid (UCM), is the project leader, while the scientific leader of the initiative is Dr. David Herrera, a trustee of the SEPA Foundation and member of the ETEP Research Group, along with numerous accredited experts. Among the Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) from Europe are those from Italy (Filippo Graziani, University of Pisa, SIdP); experts from the UK (Nicola West, University of Bristol, BSP-EFP and Iain Chapple, University of Birmingham); from France (Marjolanie Gosset, Université Paris Cité, APHP, and president del French Society of Periodontology and Oral Implantology, SFPIO); from Germany (Henrik Dommisch, Universitätsmedizin Berlín, DG Paro); from Spain (Elena Figuero and Ana Molina, ETEP Research Group of UCM, SEPA; Beatriz De Tapia, International University of Catalonia); Ricardo Fischer, representing the University of Rio de Janeiro and the Brazilian Society of Periodontology, Sobrapi; and the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Clinical Periodontology (JCP), Panos Papapanou, also representing the American Academy of Periodontology. Given the preventive nature of the project, Rhiannon Jones, from Cardiff University and the British Society of Dental Hygiene and Therapy, will also contribute.

The expert consensus session will be held on April 5 at The House of Gums, a SEPA center located in Madrid dedicated to the promotion of periodontal, oral, and general health.

In order to promote collaboration and teamwork to achieve better health for the general population, the project will seek significant institutional support. As Dr. Matesanz says, “the collaboration with medical scientific societies and universities will also be a critical component in order for this project to become a point of reference for the dental community.”

The Annual Awards Recognize Scientific Excellence, Charitable Care and Community Impact

The Chicago Dental Society (CDS) recognized Robert Rada, DDS, and Judy Kay Mausolf, for their outstanding contributions to the dental profession during the 159th Midwinter Meeting. Dr. Robert Rada was presented with the Chicago Dental Society Foundation Vision Award and Judy Kay Mausolf was presented with the Gordon J. Christensen Lecturer Recognition Award in honor of their dedication to scientific excellence, volunteer and philanthropic services and commitment to oral health.

The Midwinter Meeting is CDS’ annual scientific meeting, attracting world-class speakers, hundreds of exhibiting companies and thousands of dental professionals to create one of the dental industry’s premier events in North America.

“We are proud to recognize the remarkable achievements of Dr. Robert Rada and Judy Kay Mausolf and the contributions they have made to drive dentistry forward,” said Dr. David Lewis, CDS President. “Their work advocating for those in need and improving the field of dentistry has left a lasting mark on the future of the profession. These awards are only a small piece of the accomplished careers and lasting impact these two individuals have left on their colleagues, peers, patients and future generations of dental professionals.”

The CDS Foundation Vision Award honors dedicated volunteers who generously support access-to-care programs and dental education for underserved individuals in their community, and practice dentistry with integrity, honesty and truthfulness with a commitment to protecting public trust.

Apart from maintaining a private practice in LaGrange, IL, Robert Rada, DDS, is a Clinical Professor in the Department of Oral Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences at the University of Illinois College of Dentistry. He received his MBA from Benedictine University and his DDS from the University of Illinois College of Dentistry.

Throughout his career, Dr. Rada has focused on the treatment and well-being of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Not only has he personally treated thousands of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, but he has equipped other oral health and medical practitioners with the education and tools to treat and advocate for patients with intellectual and developmental disabilities and advocates for the community at dental meetings and agencies. He carries a high dedication to volunteerism and works with young dental professionals to inspire the next generation to carry on his passion for volunteerism.

Dr. Rada is a respected leader at AdventHealth Free Clinics, Refugee One Dental Clinic and the Schweitzer Fellows Program. He has transformed AdventHealth Free Clinics by initiating the first dental component of the free clinics and provided dental equipment to support the clinic’s efforts. Due to Dr. Rada’s efforts and leadership, dental is now the most utilized discipline of AdventHealth Free Clinics.

The Gordon J. Christensen Lecturer Recognition Award is named in honor of Dr. Christensen’s many outstanding contributions to dentistry and the Midwinter Meeting.

Judy Kay Mausolf is the Director of Sponsoring Partners for the Speaking Consulting Network, where she applies her expertise in communication as a member of the Academy of Dental Management Consultants. Prior to this, she was the President of the National Speakers Association for the Minnesota Chapter.

Mausolf is an expert in the culture of the dental industry and demonstrates it through her commitment to advocating for the importance of developing team relationships and communicating in attitude-elevating ways. Much like Dr. Gordon J. Christensen, she emphasizes the importance of engaged collaboration in the workplace. With three published books on the topic of cultivating happiness, she has taught teams and individuals to find success in effective ways.

Judy Kay Mausolf's teaching principles are geared towards creating successful, harmonious, and patient-focused dental practices. Her approach is holistic, recognizing that both leadership development and team collaboration are essential for a thriving dental practice. By emphasizing empowerment, communication, and a positive work culture, she helps dental teams achieve their full potential and deliver exceptional care to their patients. She is passionate about coaching teams of dentists to their fullest potential and sharing this passion has broadened the mindsets of patients and peers alike.