Dentsply Sirona’s new Aligner Course Series is designed to build and expand clinicians’ skills through self-paced, user-friendly, interactive online learning. The continuing education (CE) courses, available through DS Academy, support clinicians in orthodontic aligner treatments.

The Aligner Course Series is an on-demand program designed to equip dental practitioners with the knowledge and skills to excel in aligner therapy. The self-paced curriculum enables clinicians to progress through learning modules at their own speed and according to their own schedule.

Advance aligner therapy practice with confidence: Individual learning journey to expand dental skills

The Aligner Learning Series consists of nine courses, categorized into three levels: Foundational, Procedure-based, and Mastery. The Foundational level, which lays the groundwork for understanding key concepts and principles, includes two expert-led courses covering the biomechanics of tooth movement and aligners, as well as occlusion and alignment problems. These courses provide a solid foundation for practitioners looking to delve into aligner therapy.

● Course 1: Biomechanics of Tooth Movement & Aligners, Dr. Tyler Rathburn

● Course 2: Occlusion & Alignment Problems, Dr. Sara Mahmood

“I highly recommend the orthodontic Learning Series for anyone who may be interested in growing this sector of their clinical life,” says Sara Mahmood, DDS from Dallas, TX United States, a Dentsply Sirona educator and key opinion leader. “The key takeaway from my course is simple. Malocclusion is a disease process that clinicians should diagnose and treat like they do everyday conditions such as caries and periodontal disease. It's our responsibility to understand and educate the ins and outs of misaligned teeth and to subsequently offer solutions to our patients.”

Procedural Courses

Moving on to the Procedure-based level, five courses delve into various aspects of aligner therapy. These courses are ideal for clinicians seeking a comprehensive understanding of identifying and treating aligner case types efficiently and predictably.

● Course 3: Case Diagnosis and Patient Selection, Dr. Kelly Toft

● Course 4: Treatment Plan & Prescription, Dr. Geoff Stone

● Course 5: Digital Treatment Plan for Aligner Therapy, Dr. Anthony Ponzio

● Course 6: Starting & Managing Treatment, Dr. Karin Frank

● Course 7: Clear Aligner Capstone, Dr. Jeff Rohde

Mastery Courses

For those seeking to master complex cases, Dentsply Sirona offers two Mastery courses providing participants with the expertise necessary to handle the most challenging aligner therapy cases with confidence and precision.

● Course 8: Diagnosing & Treatment Planning Complex Cases, Dr. Josh Rowley

● Course 9: Advanced Capstone, Dr. James Taylor

“We are dedicated to supporting dental professionals by providing comprehensive educational resources,” said Erania Brackett, Senior Vice President of Orthodontic Aligners Solutions and Customer Experience at Dentsply Sirona. “We understand the challenges dental practitioners face when it comes to continuing education. The Aligner Learning Series has been thoughtfully designed to address those challenges and provide an engaging and flexible learning experience; we aim to equip practitioners with the skills and knowledge required to achieve optimal patient outcomes, elevate their practices and advance with confidence.”

Clinical Education at Dentsply Sirona: Empowering dental professionals in excellent patient outcomes and career advancement

The Aligner Course Series is part of Dentsply Sirona’s Academy Clinical Education offering, which includes learnings series related to Diagnosis and Treatment Planning, Endodontics, Implants, and Sustainability. By expanding their access to educational resources, Dentsply Sirona aims to support dental professionals at every step in their career and keep them updated with the latest industry advancements.

The new Aligner Course Series are now available on Dentsply Sirona’s website.

Aligner Course Series | Dentsply Sirona Global

Dentsply Sirona’s DS Academy Campus is an additional touch point to engage with the DS Academy for clinical, technical, and product education. From digital aligner workflows to integrating artificial intelligence into the dental practice, Dentsply Sirona aims to foster a thriving DS Academy community. We extend a warm invitation to dental professionals worldwide, inviting them to embark on a journey of learning and self-development, empowering both themselves and their practices with unwavering confidence.

To register for the new DS Campus and access a plethora of high-quality clinical education content including the webinars, please visit: https://campus.dentsplysirona.com/en/

Talladium Milling Center (TMC) is pleased to welcome Charlie Azar to its team of dental professionals. Charlie joined TMC on January 8, 2024 in the capacity of Sr. Dental Lab Technician and is responsible for the overall design and delivery of high-quality dental restorations to meet customer needs.

In addition to Charlie’s education in digital technology, he is a certified 3Shape trainer. Charlie is also one of the 7% of professionals in digital dentistry that possess more than 15 years of experience. In fact, Charlie owned and operated his own fully digital milling center for approximately 10 years, fabricating custom crown and bridge dental restorations, specializing in implants, and delivering personalized customer service.

Talladium Milling Center is excited to see Charlie apply his industry experience and education to help grow its business. The team knows that his level of technical expertise and specialized customer service will fit the needs of their customers perfectly, and help expand business relationships to new customers seeking technically proficient resources.

Dentsply Sirona and the Foundation for Endodontics are proud to support three annual scholarships for endodontic residency students. The current application period for the first three scholarships runs through March 15, 2024.

Studying dentistry often means incurring high debt. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), the average amount owed after graduation is around $300,000.* This financial burden is an important factor in deciding to become a dentist, and where to specialize.

Financial Support for Aspiring Endodontic Specialists

The “Foundation for Endodontics and Dentsply Sirona Freedom Scholarship” is a joint project of Dentsply Sirona and Foundation for Endodontics. The scholarships will provide financial assistance toward tuition fees for second or third-year endodontic residents.

Key Features of the Foundation for Endodontics and Dentsply Sirona Freedom Scholarship:

• Five-Year Commitment: Dentsply Sirona has pledged a five-year commitment to contribute $150,000 annually to the Foundation for Endodontics, which will manage the scholarship recipient selection process and fund distribution.

• Annual Awards: Each year, three meritorious endodontic residents will receive a one-time $50,000 scholarship to assist them with the cost of tuition, courses, equipment, books and other training-related expenses.

• Eligibility Criteria: Candidates must be post-graduate residents of CODA-accredited endodontic programs in the United States or Canada. They must also be citizens or permanent residents of these countries, with a GPA of 3.1 or higher in dental school and endodontic residency.

• Application Process: The application process includes an online form, a personal statement, two letters of recommendation, official transcripts, and documentation of tuition and fees. The submission deadline for the upcoming academic year is March 15, 2024.

Advancing endodontics—because every tooth counts

"Every tooth is important," says Andrew Robinson, Senior Vice President, North America Regional Commercial Organization at Dentsply Sirona. "Preserving natural teeth improves overall health and sets the stage for a healthy, natural smile. We want to help endodontists move forward with confidence on their journey."

Dr. Margot Kusienski, President of Foundation for Endodontics expressed enthusiasm for the program: "We are thrilled to partner with Dentsply Sirona to create the Foundation for Endodontics and Dentsply Sirona Freedom Scholarship. By providing substantial financial support, we aim to empower talented endodontic residents to pursue their passion without the overwhelming burden of student debt."

The Freedom Scholarship Committee will review applications and determine scholarship winners in partnership with the Foundation's Board of Trustees. Scholarship recipients will be announced at the AAE APICES meeting in August 2024, an annual event for AAE Resident members and recent graduates.

* https://www.ada.org/-/media/project/ada-organization/ada/ada-org/files/resources/research/hpi/hpigraphic_0421_2.pdf?rev=9842f1f198184ba78d75d2254f695581&hash=24E0F760A7F18B3B04086AF309079103

** All information for candidates, program guidelines, and all criteria can be found here:

https://www.aae.org/foundation/funding-opportunities/resident-grants/ 

Dental Innovation Alliance (DIA), and Women in DSO (WinDSO) proudly announce a strategic partnership aimed at advancing women as entrepreneurs and investors in the dental industry. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in fostering diversity and inclusion within the dental space.

As two leading organizations dedicated to driving innovation and excellence in dentistry, DIA and WinDSO recognize the importance of supporting and empowering women in leadership roles. Through this partnership, both organizations will leverage their respective expertise and resources to provide women with the tools, mentorship, and networking opportunities needed to thrive as entrepreneurs and investors.

Founded on the principles of education, advocacy, and collaboration, DIA is committed to driving innovation and fostering collaboration among dental professionals to improve patient care and enhance practice success. Similarly, Women in DSO is dedicated to advancing women's leadership and professional development within the DSO community through mentorship, networking, and educational initiatives.

"We are thrilled to partner with Women in DSO to continue to push the industry forward and to intentionally empower women in the process," shares Tomm Sharpe, Managing Partner of DIA. "Through this partnership, we can amplify our efforts to provide women with the necessary support and guidance to succeed as entrepreneurs and investors in this rapidly evolving landscape."

"We believe that we can empower women as leaders and decision-makers to drive positive change and innovation within the dental industry," says Dr. Aman Kaur, Founder and President of Women in DSO. "This strategic partnership aims to create a more inclusive and equitable environment where women can thrive and make meaningful contributions to the future of dentistry."

Together, DIA and WinDSO will collaborate on various initiatives, including educational workshops, networking events, and mentorship programs designed to equip women with the knowledge, skills, and connections needed to succeed in dental entrepreneurship and venture capital investing.

To start, DIA is excited to launch Entrepreneurship Corner, a resource for women leaders who want to explore entrepreneurship. It begins with a breakout session, "A Step by Step Breakdown of the Dental Entrepreneurship Process," at Women in DSO's upcoming Empower and Grow conference, where over 900 attendees are expected. Join DIA and Women in DSO at the event and meet and learn from DIA team members Kentucky Morrow, Kate Orr, and Thomas Sharpe who will be onsite.

The innovative design of DreamAligners™ guarantees a constant and reliable force, delivering exceptional benefits: precise fit for optimal results, sustained force retention, accelerated treatment protocol, unmatched durability and patient comfort. DreamAligners resist tearing and staining; staying clear for inconspicuous treatment. Ideal for mild to moderate cases including: crowding, open bite, spacing, midline shift and overbite. The ultimate solution for anterior and premolar malocclusion. Contact Assured Dental Lab 877.283.5351, assureddentallab.com.

Consumer survey shows more than 60% more likely to accept treatment when aware of dental AI

VideaHealth, the leading dental artificial intelligence (AI) platform, announced new capabilities that enable pediatric dental clinicians across the country to offer their patients, and parents of patients, a significantly higher standard of care. With the only FDA-cleared pediatric dental AI capabilities of its kind, data shows that VideaAI offers an 80% improvement in true pediatric caries identification, while achieving an overall clinically beneficial detection rate.

Florian Hillen, CEO, VideaHealth, said, "Dental decay is the most significant unmet health treatment need among young people. And, because our mission is to support dental clinicians with the best possible dental AI for their patients, pediatrics cannot be overlooked. We're thrilled to announce this massive leap forward in driving more accurate diagnoses, thereby enabling pediatric dentists to spend extra time on comfort and patient management, knowing that their diagnosis will be validated."

This is the first and only FDA-cleared dental AI pediatric algorithm on the market.

VideaAI includes AI detection capabilities for pediatric caries detection for ages three years and older as well as many other AI models that allow for subtle detections across many ages. Particular impact is noted when identifying possible diseases in mixed dentition, overcoming one of the largest diagnostic challenges facing pediatric dentists. The most significant address attrition/grinding as well as broken/chipped teeth, which are the most frequent and troublesome dental issues for children 3+, as well as Dens Invaginatus and Widened periodontal ligament. For pediatric patients 12+ there are AI detections for calculus as well.

Consumer data suggests that Americans are eager for dental AI to be used in their care. Newly released data highlights parents' attitudes and behaviors related to dental care. It confirm that children's dental care is the top oral health priority for parents, exceeding even their own dental care needs. Nearly 75% of parents take their children to the dentist at least two times a year. Moreover, parents show more than 60% are more likely to take a dentist's recommendation after learning how AI can help.

Hillen concluded, "The benefit of dental AI doesn't stop at the point of diagnosis. Just as importantly, VideaAI helps to build trust with parents. Our precise and easily understood visual representation can be shared with parents as a part of the patient education process and when discussing treatment recommendations."

For more information, visit https://www.videa.ai

The Canadian Dental Hygienists Association (CDHA) welcomes the next phase of the rollout of the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP). Oral health providers have now received more specific details and are preparing to sign up to participate in the plan. While hopes are high that the plan will reduce barriers to accessing oral health care for vulnerable populations, there are concerns about some of the details surrounding the basket of eligible services for different populations and their unique needs and the reimbursement rates for independent dental hygienists.

Throughout the development process over the past many months, CDHA, representing more than 31,000 dental hygienists across the country, has consulted regularly with Health Canada and government officials. CDHA has advocated for the plan to cover preventive services, feature reasonable reimbursement rates for services provided, ensure cost of services are fully covered, not rely heavily on predetermination/pre-authorization of services, and offer equitable reimbursement rates for dental hygiene services whether provided by dental hygienists practising independently of a dentist or practising in a dentist/dental office.

An overarching concern is the lack of emphasis on prevention in the current iteration of the plan. There is no reimbursement for oral health education and counselling, limited number of reimbursements for oral examinations, anticariogenic treatments, and scaling and/or root planing units without pre- authorization for additional care. Dental caries is among the most common, yet preventable chronic diseases in children and adults as is periodontal disease. While the CDCP does cover treatment after disease occurs, it limits the services aimed at preventing disease before it arises, which would reduce upstream health system costs and burdens of illness.

Another concern is that the CDCP will only pay for oral health care services covered within the plan at the established CDCP fees. Based on the information released, the CDCP-established fees for dental hygienists practising independently are, on average, 15% lower than the published fees for general dentists. Furthermore, the reimbursement rate for eligible dental hygiene services provided by a dental hygienist working in a dental clinic owned by a dentist or a corporation is higher than that for the same services provided by an independent dental hygienist. Even though the plan does not encourage balanced billing, it will allow providers who do not want to absorb the difference between the CDCP reimbursement rates and the current suggested provincial or territorial fees to pass this cost along to their patients.

Many dental hygienists operate a mobile practice and are the best-placed providers to care for the most vulnerable populations, such as seniors in long-term care or in their own homes and those with physical or mental impairments, and complex medical needs. "The goal of the dental hygiene profession is very much aligned with the government’s plan to reduce barriers to access oral health care," said Francine Trudeau, president of CDHA. Canada’s dental hygienists are committed to participating in this plan to help support the estimated 9 million people expected to enroll, “but we have to get the plan right,” adds Trudeau.

CDHA and the provincial dental hygiene associations feel strongly that dental hygienists have a key role to play in providing essential oral health care under this plan. We will continue to closely monitor further developments and actively engage with government and other stakeholders to enhance the CDCP.

About the Canadian Dental Hygienists Association (CDHA)

CDHA is the national voice of dental hygienists in Canada. Representing over 31,000 dental hygienists across the country, CDHA advocates for the advancement and promotion of the dental hygiene profession while maintaining a commitment to the public's oral health. Dental hygiene is the sixth largest regulated health profession in Canada with professionals working in a variety of settings, including independent dental hygiene practice, with people of all ages, addressing issues related to oral health. For more information on oral health, visit dentalhygienecanada.ca. For more information on the work of CDHA, visit cdha.ca.

• The European and North American Awards of Distinction are now open for entries

• The winners of the Awards of Distinction will be announced in July 2024

Sunstar Oral Health, part of Sunstar, has announced a new edition of the Regional Awards of Distinction for Dental Hygienists to recognise the work and accomplishments of dental hygienists across Europe and North America who have made a significant contribution to the dental hygiene field.

The two regional Awards of Distinction are now open for entries from qualified dental hygienists until March 31, 2024 for the North American Award, and April 15, 2024 for the European Award. Created in partnership with the European Dental Hygienist Federation (EDHF) in Europe, RDH Magazine for North America and supported by the Sunstar Foundation, the separate European and North American Awards of Distinction celebrate the achievements of dental hygienists in their different regions.

Hygienists looking to enter either the European or North American Awards of Distinction can either nominate themselves or a colleague, as long as they, or the person they are nominating, are officially registered dental hygienists. Both awards are split into six categories from which the nominee can choose from: Public Health, Full Time Clinician, Academia, Entrepreneur, New RDH and Research.

Both the European and the North American Awards of Distinction act as qualifying rounds for the World Dental Hygienists Award. First established in 2007, the World Dental Hygienists Award was re-introduced last year following a three-year hiatus during the COVID pandemic. The 2024 WDHA winners will be announced in July during the International Symposium of Dental Hygiene celebrated in Seoul, and the new edition will begin in January 2025.

Gitana Rederiene, president of the European Dental Hygienist Federation, comments on the new edition of the European Award of Distinction announcement: “We have been very impressed by the standard of nominations received for the 2023 awards European Award of Distinction, and the EDHF is delighted to continue our involvement in the 2024 edition together with Sunstar.”

Comments Jackie Sanders, RDH, MBA, Chief Editor of RDH Magazine: “We have seen how the Sunstar/RDH Award of Distinction has become the annual celebration of dental hygienists, and we are extremely proud to have built this along with Sunstar over the years.”

Adds Mayumi Kaneda, Director of the Sunstar Foundation: “Our commitment to celebrating dental hygienists is now stronger than ever with not just one, but three awards dedicated to acknowledging their successes and achievements globally.”

All nominations across the six categories of both the European and North American Awards of Distinction will be judged by independent selection committees. Each winner will automatically qualify for the World Dental Hygienists Award (WDHA), and have the opportunity to win the global award and travel to Milan, where the International Symposium on Dental Hygiene (ISDH) and the World Dental Hygienist Award ceremony will be held in 2026.

Dental hygienists can find more information along with details of the prizes on the following links European Award of Distinction, the North American Award of Distinction, and the World Dental Hygienist Awards.

On National Wear Red Day and throughout February, PDS amplifies awareness through events and education.

Pacific Dental Services® (PDS), a leading dental and medical support organization in the U.S., is recognizing American Heart Month throughout February with several initiatives that highlight the growing link between oral health and heart health.

According to the American Heart Association, heart disease has been the leading cause of death in the United States for the past century, claiming over 1,900 lives each day.¹ Recent studies show a strong link between oral health and heart health, revealing that those with periodontal disease are two to three times more likely to experience a stroke or heart attack.² Despite its status as the primary cause of death in the U.S., there remains a significant lack of awareness surrounding this critical issue.

“During American Heart Month our focus is on raising awareness about the importance of maintaining optimal oral health — a key contributor to improved heart health,” said Stephen E. Thorne, Founder and CEO of Pacific Dental Services. “Effective care coordination between dental professionals and primary care providers is vital for early detection of heart disease. Just as we prioritize heart health this month, addressing periodontal disease early has shown to reduce cardiovascular risk.”

PDS-supported clinicians regularly educate patients about the link between oral health and overall health — also known as the Mouth-Body Connection®. Research shows oral bacteria and inflammation can indicate and even contribute to systemic conditions throughout the body. Periodontal disease has been connected to cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, pregnancy complications, and more. The link is often bi-directional: many systemic diseases, conditions and even medications can adversely affect a patient’s oral health.

To enable closer collaboration between the dental and medical fields, PDS became the first dental support organization in the world to implement Epic®, the most widely used comprehensive health records system, into its supported dental practices. This integration allows easy exchange of patient data between oral health providers and medical providers, improving overall patient care.

Throughout American Heart Month, PDS is conducting several initiatives to increase awareness about the connection between oral health and heart health, such as:

• Participating in National Wear Red Day to show support and raise awareness for heart health.

• Making heart-shaped pillows for patients recovering from open heart surgery to provide comfort and support during their healing process.

• Educating team members about heart health through the National Institutes of Health National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute’s #OurHearts campaign, which includes facts about healthy blood pressure, cholesterol, weight, and blood sugar levels, and distributing resources from the NIH’s Wellness Toolkit throughout the month.

• Providing interactive CPR demonstrations to ensure team members are better prepared in an emergency.

• Hosting a movement challenge to encourage team members to achieve the recommended 150 minutes of heart-pumping activity each week, as recommended by the American Heart Association.

• Participating in Love Notes Around the World in support of the American Cancer Society. Team members will create and send messages of compassion to cancer patients, caretakers, and care providers to show love and encouragement during challenging treatment.

• Distributing the latest issue of Generations of Smiles, an educational magazine produced by Smile Generation® that aims to educate the public on the link between oral health and overall health. This issue focuses on heart health and features content from cardiovascular expert Amy Doneen, DNP.

Visit pacificdentalservices.com to learn more.

1. “More than half of U.S. adults don’t know heart disease is leading cause of death, despite 100-year reign.” American Heart Association. January 24. 2024. https://newsroom.heart.org/news/more-than-half-of-u-s-adults-dont-know-heart-disease-is-leading-cause-of-death-despite-100-year-reign.

2. Harvard Health. 2021. “Gum Disease and Heart Disease: The Common Thread.” February 15, 2021. https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/gum-disease-and-heart-disease-the-common-thread.

Bluelight Analytics, a dental curing expertise company based in Halifax, NS has just been granted US patent No. 11,850,109 for the technology behind its CheckUp Smart Radiometer. The CheckUp Smart Radiometer utilizes precision optical sensors and machine learning algorithms to accurately bring laboratory grade curing light testing to dental clinics around the world.

“This patent award is the culmination of over a decade of research and development with some of the top minds in the world of dental academia. No other radiometer on the market today has the vast amount of data and analytics behind it,” said Chris Felix, Chief Scientist at Bluelight Analytics. “This technology affords dental staff the reassurance that they are delivering optimal light output to their restorations so that patients get top notch dental care.”

The CheckUp Smart Radiometer takes into account curing light output, coupled with curing tip circumference and crosses this information to a back-end data base of thousands of light-cured materials to offer recommendations on curing times and compatibility. All this analysis is distilled down into a simple stop-light style output to allow dental staff to make decisions on the state of their curing light in coordination with their materials to ensure proper curing and fewer remakes.

Visit: bluelightanalytics.com to learn more about CheckUp and to request a demonstration.