At the end of 2023, 25 dental professionals from ten countries in Europe, Asia and North and South America visited Dentsply Sirona’s Innovation & Development Center in Zurich, Switzerland for the first DS Core User Innovation Day. During the event Dentsply Sirona shared insights on the current capabilities of DS Core, a glimpse of future developments on the cloud platform, and discussed ideas on how DS Core can further optimize dental professionals’ day-to-day workflows.

In 2022, Dentsply Sirona introduced DS Core, a comprehensive cloud-based platform that takes digitalization in the dental practice to the next level. As a digital and interconnected platform, it is constantly being enhanced to increase value for its users.

DS Core User Feedback

The first DS Core User Innovation Day marks the beginning of a “DS Core User Community”, a global network of dentists and dental technicians who want to unlock the full potential of digital dentistry for themselves, their practices, and labs. This event offered participants the opportunity to dive into the digital universe of Dentsply Sirona to better understand how the platform’s potential can be realized and which existing tools can be used to simplify or accelerate processes.

Dental professionals were particularly interested in the rapidly evolving capabilities of DS Core including central media storage, patient communication, lab and specialist collaboration as well as the connectivity and inter-play with existing DS equipment (CEREC Primemill, Primeprint Solution, Primescan and X-ray devices such as Axeos).

Digital Dentistry Workflow Experience

Collaborative work sessions focusing on comprehensive workflows were held in the DS Innovation and Development Center in Zurich which has a fully operational dental office. These sessions fostered discussions from various user perspectives resulting in great ideas and valuable feedback.

“I felt privileged to be part of a meeting of experts with different strengths, all with the goal of improving everyday clinical dentistry processes and outcomes for our patients," said Dr. George A. Bruder, endodontics practitioner from Stony Brook, New York, USA. "DS Core represents a true paradigm shift in dental practices. I am grateful that Dentsply Sirona is leading the way."

Further comments and thoughts of DS Core users about the platform and how dental professionals around the world use it, can be seen in this video.

From the perspective of Max Milz, Group Vice President Connected Technology Solutions at Dentsply Sirona, this user meeting was an important milestone in the further development of DS Core: "Only with the feedback from our customers can we learn what’s working and what we can do better. It's all about making processes simple while offering high flexibility at all times."

The DS Core User Innovation Community is a group of global dental professionals who are an integral part in the development process as part of Dentsply Sirona's focus on user-centricity. It’s important to note, any DS Core user can provide feedback directly on the platform with the input landing directly on the developers’ desk and feeding into further development of the cloud platform.

For more information please visit:

DS Core: Cloud Solution for Dentists & Labs | Dentsply Sirona Global 

In a bold move set to revolutionize the dental care industry and make a significant impact on the broader healthcare landscape, Subscribili, a pioneer in subscription-based healthcare, has secured a significant $4.3 million in seed funding. This investment, led by Darby Group Companies and supported by Vyne Dental, is also backed by other notable figures in the dental and technology industries. Among them are Gokul Rajaram, a distinguished board member of Pinterest and Coinbase, and Krishna Raj Raja, the founder of Support Logic. This funding heralds a new era of accessibility and innovation in dental care

Addressing a critical challenge in the healthcare sector, Subscribili's innovative approach simplifies the traditionally complex and costly process of accessing dental care. This funding will accelerate the company's mission, focusing on cutting-edge technological advancements, the development of groundbreaking products, and the expansion of strategic partnerships within the dental sector. The investment underscores the market's confidence in Subscribili's revolutionary model, which is rapidly reshaping healthcare access and affordability.

With a user base that has doubled in size, Subscribili is pioneering a new era in dental care, leading the transformation of healthcare through its innovative fintech solutions. As the company rapidly expands to meet growing demand, its unique subscription model is proving to be a game-changer. This model not only simplifies dental care delivery but also enhances accessibility for consumers. For dental care providers, it offers a stable and recurring revenue stream, ensuring a more predictable and sustainable business model. This dual advantage creates a win-win scenario: consumers gain easier and more affordable access to dental care, while providers benefit from a broader and more consistent patient base.

“On behalf of Darby Group Companies, I am thrilled to announce our partnership with Subscribili,” said Frank Massino, President, Darby Group Companies. “Subscribili’s subscription management technology allows patients who are uninsured or underinsured to access quality dental care. Subscribili’s mission aligns perfectly with Darby’s long-standing commitment to provide value for our customers while working with partners to improve oral healthcare throughout the patient community at large.”

The partnership with Vyne Dental, and the launch of Vyne Dental Plans, marks a significant milestone set to redefine patient experiences in dental care. This collaboration streamlines workflows, improves revenue collection, and lowers expenses for both insurance-based practices and the growing number of practices moving to a heavier focus on fee-for-service.

Sudha Vetri, CEO of Subscribili, states, “This funding is not just a financial boost—it’s a catalyst for transformative change. Our vision is to elevate the patient experience by integrating consumer-centric approaches into dental care. We're building a dynamic marketplace that caters to patients, providers, and employers alike. With our EHR/PMS integrated subscription platform, Subscribili is uniquely positioned to disrupt and redefine dental care, making quality care accessible to all.”

As Subscribili celebrates this significant funding achievement, their commitment to spearheading innovation in dental care remains steadfast. Backed by forward-thinking investors and industry partners, Subscribili is at the forefront of transforming American healthcare, championing accessible, quality healthcare for everyone.

For more information and to stay updated on Subscribili's journey, visit www.subscribili.com.

New CareQuest Institute for Oral Health Report Highlights Impact of Untreated Dental Disease and the Cost of Lost Productivity

CareQuest Institute for Oral Health® has released a new report that shows that adults 18 and older in the US lose more than 243 million work or school hours annually due to oral health problems. The lost productivity time due to untreated dental disease costs the US an estimated $45 billion each year.

The visual report, The Hour of Need: Productivity Time Lost Due to Urgent Oral Health Needs, reveals that oral health problems and unplanned dental visits have a greater impact on daily activities such as work and school for individuals with lower incomes, no dental insurance, and less education.

“No one should have to sacrifice their schedule or pay because of preventable health issues,” said Myechia Minter-Jordan, MD, MBA, president and CEO of CareQuest Institute. “This new report underscores the urgency of promoting equitable access to oral and overall health care, particularly for those with lower incomes and education levels.”

The report also finds that dental issues don’t just impact the person experiencing them; caregivers’ and parents’ lives are also impacted by unexpected dental visits and tending to oral pain. In fact, approximately 5.7 million parents/guardians missed an estimated total of 38.5 million productive hours due to their children’s oral pain or unplanned dental visit. Additionally, caregivers reported missing an estimated total of 22 million hours of productivity time as a result of either taking those for whom they care to an unplanned dental visit or staying home with them due to their oral pain.

Key findings, summarized in the visual report include:

· Lost productivity time due to untreated dental disease costs the US an estimated $45 billion each year.

· Adults reported missing productivity time for their own oral pain or unplanned dental visits (182.6 million hours) and the oral pain or dental visits of children (38.5 million hours) or adults (22 million hours) in their care.

· Nine million adults lost more than 60 million total work/school hours due to others’ oral health problems.

· Approximately 5.7 million parents/guardians missed an estimated total of 38.5 million productive hours due to their children’s oral pain or unplanned dental visit.

· Approximately 3.3 million adults said that, in the past year, the adult for whom they care had oral pain or an unexpected dental visit.

The report is based on findings from CareQuest Institute’s State of Oral Health Equity in America (SOHEA), an annual, nationally representative survey of 5,240 adults about knowledge, attitudes, experiences, and behaviors related to oral health.

Read the full report.  

Provider collaboration can help expand access to oral health services to prevent tooth decay, one of the most common chronic childhood diseases in the U.S.

Benevis, a leading dental healthcare and orthodontics delivery organization committed to providing quality care to underserved communities, announced today a call to action for primary care physicians and clinicians across the care continuum to join forces to help families establish dental homes for Children's Dental Health Month. Oral health is an essential part of an individual's whole health, which is why a dental home—the ongoing relationship a child or family establishes with a dental provider, much like the one they have with their primary care doctor—is vital.

The need to help eliminate oral disease in U.S. children is dire. Cavities, also called tooth decay, are one of the most significant unmet health treatment needs, with over 52% of children having tooth decay by age eight and 25% having at least one cavity by four years old, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For disadvantaged patient populations such as children with Medicaid or Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) coverage, the American Dental Association Health Policy Institute research found that 49% did not visit the dentist last year. To improve this care gap and prevent the early onset of dental disease, oral health should be integrated with primary care services for lifelong health.

"Research has proven that poor oral health has long-term health consequences as well as immense financial implications for Americans. Benevis works to help children form relationships with dental providers earlier in life to better a child's ability to receive the benefits of preventive care and help avoid oral disease," explained Bryan Carey, CEO, Benevis. "Tooth decay is preventable through the practice of good oral health and education, which is why teaching dental hygiene is a critical component of Benevis' care delivery model."

Dr. Jane Whang, Regional Director of Clinical at Benevis, emphasized the importance of early intervention, stating, "I see firsthand the impact of preventive care on a child's oral health. Establishing a dental home early allows us to educate families on proper oral hygiene, leading to healthier smiles and better overall well-being."

Benevis recommends that primary care providers help their patients and families secure a dental home by the age of one to keep their mouth and teeth healthy through regular dental visits. In its 100 dental home offices, Benevis will honor Children's Dental Health Month by providing patients and their communities with educational resources on the significance of good oral hygiene to protect primary teeth. To provide patients with tips for healthy teeth, all dental offices will share the Children's Dental Health Month infographics, which can be viewed here.

To help support primary care providers in their daily practices with patients’ oral health, Benevis created a Dental Home Physician Playbook. The guide includes oral risk assessments and checklists for clinicians and educational resources for patients. To review the materials, please click here.

For patients to confirm if they qualify for Medicaid or CHIP benefits, click here. To find a list of dental Medicaid or CHIP plans in each state, click here.  

- At the upcoming LMT Lab Day in Chicago, Lithoz will highlight a wide array of their fascinating 3D-printed lithium disilicate veneers and crowns, jointly developed with Ivoclar, in their latest development stage

- Lithoz will present a full illustration of the entire LCM printing process, alongside a range of restorations available for ‘touch and feel’

At the upcoming LMT Lab Day in Chicago, Lithoz GmbH, world market and technology leader in high-performance ceramic materials and 3D printers, will present the next development stage of their lithium disilicate material for dental 3D printing. This material has been jointly developed with Ivoclar, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of integrated solutions for aesthetic, high-quality dental applications.

The 3D-printable lithium disilicate is based on IPS e.max lithium disilicate powder from Ivoclar and opens up a long-awaited path to the patient-individual serial production of high-profile all-ceramic dental restorations. With veneers as thin as 0.3 mm and crowns with high levels of detail especially at the occlusal surfaces reaching sharp and natural representation of the features combined with natural translucency, lithium disilicate dental restorations can finally be fabricated in scalable yet individual series production. In one single print run, a multitude of patient-specific restorations can be created with exceptional aesthetics comparable to those of traditional manufacturing. This will launch a new era of unprecedented production efficiency for large dental labs.

Further innovative dental applications made possible by the impressive precision of LCM technology will be on display at the Lithoz booth, including fully patient-specific osseoconductive and bioresorbable mandibular augmentations (hydroxy apatite or tricalcium phosphate) and additively serially manufactured dental implants made of zirconia (TZP-A) or alumina-toughened zirconia (ATZ). At the Lithoz booth, visitors can pick up a range of these parts for a thorough ‘touch and feel’ examination, guided by Lithoz dental experts from Austria and the USA, while also learning about every step of the manufacturing workflow via an exhibition of the whole process.

Dr. Daniel Bomze, Director of Medical Solutions at Lithoz GmbH, will host a free interactive workshop presenting ‘3D-Printed Lithium Disilicate Restorations: The Efficient Way to Perfect Dental Aesthetics’. This talk, showcasing the new production process for these innovative parts, will take place on February 23rd at 10:45am.

Lithoz at LMT Lab Day Chicago:

➢ Booth F-24 in the East Exhibit Hall

➢ Free Interactive Workshop: ‘Lithoz Presents 3D-Printed Lithium Disilicate Restorations: The Efficient Way to Perfect Dental Aesthetics’ – Dr. Daniel Bomze, Feb. 23rd 10:45am.

ArmiGard™, ArmiCare™, and ArmiClenz™ Deliver Exceptional, Non-Toxic Antimicrobial Protection for Oral Appliances, Hands and Surfaces

Armis Biopharma®, Inc., a rapidly emerging developer of Frontline Solutions for Infection Control will be exhibiting for the first time at booth #1943 during the 2024 Chicago Midwinter Meeting. During CMW 2024, the company will be showcasing “The Trifecta of Dental Infection Control” that includes the following three products:

1. ArmiGard™ Advanced Hygiene for Oral Appliances: Armis Biopharma’s flagship product is a non-toxic, non-corrosive solution specially formulated to remove 99.9999% of odor-causing bacteria found on any oral appliance, device, denture, aligner, or CPAP. ArmiGard keeps any oral appliance clean, fresh, and clear without distortion.

Armis Biopharma is a partner of Viva Learning Institute and ArmiGard is the official oral appliance solution for Vivos-trained clinicians.

2. ArmiCare® The Hand Friendly Sanitizer: This specially formulated, lavender scented hand sanitizer kills germs while keeping your hands hydrated, not sticky or dry. ArmiCare is tough on bugs, yet gentle on hands.

ArmiCare is the official hand sanitizer for the 2024 OSAP Dental Infection Control Boot Camp.

3. ArmiClenz® - Aim. Spray. Sanitize: A multi-surface, multi-purpose disinfectant, sanitizer, and deodorizer that kills bacteria and 99% of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID and Human Rhinovirus 42 (the common cold). Take aim on harmful pathogens with ArmiClenz.

The Armis Biopharma Difference

ArmiGard and ArmiClenz both share core ingredients that are key to creating a potent single step antimicrobial/antitoxin platform. This proprietary peracid/hydrogen peroxide-based non-systemic antimicrobial agent has been verified by independent laboratories to eliminate a comprehensive number of bacterial, viral, and fungal threats present in today's environment.

“We’re very excited to leverage the success that Armis Biopharma has achieved in the medical industry and apply it to specific dental industry product applications,” said Michael Voss, Armis Biopharma’s Chief Commercial Officer. “Our goal is to raise the bar on the efficacy and safety of commonly used products that sanitize oral appliances, hands, and surfaces. We also have another innovative dental product in development that we will introduce in the upcoming year.”

The Chicago Midwinter Meeting Show Special

When you visit Armis BioPharma at booth #1943 and allow your badge to be scanned, you’ll be able to purchase the Armis Biopharma Travel Safe Defense Kit, which includes a 4–6-month supply of Armis Biopharma’s Trifecta of Dental Infection Control listed above for only $59.99. Regular price is $79.00. The Travel Safe Defense Kit protects against travel-related pathogens in three ways:

1. ArmiGard – Effectively sanitizes your oral appliance between uses, snacks, meals, and socializing.

2. ArmiCare – Gently sanitize hands after touching public surfaces or after shaking hands.

3. ArmiClenz – Quickly sanitizes public surfaces such as tray tables, doorknobs, TV remotes, etc.

According to Debbie Zafiropoulos, Armis Biopharma’s Business Development and Education Manager, and resident road warrior, “For the past several months, I’ve been relying on The Armis BioPharma Travel Safe Defense Kit to help me arrive at my destinations feeling healthy  and protected from harmful pathogens. I can’t wait to share these products with my friends and colleagues during CMW 2024.”

For more information, visit www.ArmisBiopharma.com. For dental practice sales, dealer, and distributor inquiries, contact Debbie Zafiropoulos at DebbieZ@armisbiopharma.com.

Spear Education proudly introduces two new hands-on Composite Workshops, designed to elevate your skills in both anterior and posterior restorations. The series is taught by Dr. Jason Smithson, a member of Spear’s faculty and international expert of direct composite resin artistry and minimally invasive ceramic restorations. Participants can choose to attend one or both workshops during which they will learn how to place beautiful, aesthetic, and lifelike class 1 and 2 direct composite restoration, the art of shade selection.

Additional Information:

Posterior Direct Mastery Workshop

Tailored for modern dentists eager to excel in direct composite resin restorations. Explore high-tech tools, minimize risks, and master the "C-Factor" through effective build-ups. By the end of the workshop, you'll navigate matrix systems, perfect the stratification technique, and leave with a comprehensive skill set.

Available Dates:

June 23-24, 2024

Oct. 6-7, 2024

Exceptional Direct Anterior Restorations Workshop

Demystify shade selection, explore composite resin variations, and master intuitive finishing protocols. Feel empowered to achieve exceptional esthetic outcomes in your direct anterior restorations.

Available Dates:

June 25-26, 2024

Oct. 8-9, 2024

Click here to learn more and register for these transformative workshops https://bit.ly/3w5tQMm.  

The IPS e.max® family of products developed by Ivoclar, one of the world's leading providers of integrated solutions for high-quality dental applications with a comprehensive product and system portfolio, has impressed dental professionals around the globe with its quality, esthetics, and longevity for many years. Ivoclar is now introducing a new addition: The new IPS e.max® ZirCAD Prime block for CEREC®/inLab® empowers users to create high-strength, esthetic zirconia restorations that require a sintering time of only 15 minutes.¹

Growing the IPS e.max® family

Ivoclar’s IPS e.max® materials (blocks, discs, ingots, layering materials) are well-known among dental professionals worldwide for their outstanding quality and longevity. In the milling material part, the IPS e.max® CAD block has revolutionized the market 19 years ago and is the world's best-selling glass ceramics.²  IPS e.max® CAD crowns can be speed crystallized in 11:10 minutes.³  Ivoclar now takes speed and efficiency in the zirconia area to another level and adds another block to the IPS e.max® family: A speed-sintering zirconia block.The latest addition to the range is based on the successful IPS e.max® ZirCAD Prime and Prime Esthetic discs. It provides an ideal solution for single-visit treatments with zirconia in Prime quality.

Speed, strength and esthetics combined

Crowns milled from the new Ivoclar IPS e.max® ZirCAD Prime block can be sintered in only 15 minutes¹ with no compromises in strength (1,100 MPa)⁴ and esthetics. Moreover, the wall thickness of 0.8mm for posterior crowns enables dental professionals to provide conservative dentistry to their patients. The natural shade and translucency progression from the dentin area to the incisal edge ensures highly esthetic outcomes. This is made possible by the special material composition consisting of the raw material powders 3Y-TZP in the dentin area and 5Y-TZP in translucent incisal area. Available is the block in the size C17 and in the shades BL1, 0⁵ , A1, A2, A3, B1 and C2.

Single-visit treatment

As of software version 5.2.9, the new block can be milled in the CEREC® Primemill, MC XL, MC X and MC. Once the dry milling process is completed, IPS e.max® ZirCAD Prime crowns are sintered for 15 minutes in the Ivoclar Programat® CS6 (Software Version V2.1), or for 16 minutes in the CEREC SpeedFire.¹

The optional finishing procedure of IPS e.max® ZirCAD Prime restorations includes: polishing with OptraGloss®, glazing with IPS e.max® CAD Crystall./Glaze Paste Fluo with fluorescence effect,⁶ or characterizing with IPS e.max® CAD Crystall./materials. The finished restorations are conventionally cemented with e.g. ZirCAD® Cement. Alternatively, they can be self-adhesively or adhesively seated. This provides maximum flexibility to the dental team during single-visit treatments.

“We are incredibly grateful and happy about the positive feedback we have received from our customers so far on the new block as well as on the Programat® CS6 furnace. By listening carefully to our customers, we have been able to develop a zirconia that empowers dental professionals to take their zirconia restorations to the next level. The reactions we got at DS World (Las Vegas, USA) and the IADR Oral Health Research Congress (Rhodes, Greece) were outstanding. We are looking forward to presenting our new IPS e.max® ZirCAD Prime block to more customers at Chicago Midwinter in February 2024,” says Donald Bell, Vice President Product Marketing at Ivoclar North America.

In combination with the Programat® CS6, Ivoclar's two blocks – the new IPS e.max® ZirCAD Prime zirconium oxide block and the trusted IPS e.max® CAD lithium disilicate glass-ceramic block – speed up your oven time and deliver without compromising on quality and great esthetic results.

Availability and additional information

With the introduction of the new block, Ivoclar demonstrates its innovative power once again. The new IPS e.max® ZirCAD Prime block will be available through dental dealers such as Henry Schein and Patterson.

For more information on the IPS e.max® ZirCAD Prime block, please visit: IPS e.max® ZirCAD Prime Block (ivoclar.com)

Experience live at Chicago Midwinter:

The new IPS e.max® ZirCAD Prime block will be presented at the 159th Chicago Dental Society Midwinter Meeting from February 22nd to February 24th, 2024.

Footnotes 

1. Programat® CS6, superspeed sintering in 15 minutes, without predrying, three crowns, or CEREC®, SpeedFire, 16 minutes, without predrying, two crowns, R&D Ivoclar, Schaan.

2. Based on global sales figures

3. Programat® CS6, Superspeed crystallization, 11:10 minutes, IPS e.max® CAD HT, MT, LT, IPS e.max® CAD Crystall./ Glaze Spray or Self Glaze technique, max. two restorations, R&D Ivoclar, Schaan.

4. Dentin, typical mean value of biaxial flexural strength, R&D Ivoclar Schaan.

5. Shade 0 is comparable to shade A1 but with less color and a chroma between shade A1 and BL3.

6. At natural light conditions. The use of articially generated UV or UV-like light may result in a different impression.

Community event will feature free dental services, including dental and orthodontic screenings, cleanings, fluoride treatments for 120 DC Schoolchildren

The American Dental Association Foundation’s Give Kids A Smile® (GKAS) program, one of the largest national initiatives focused on children and dental care, is kicking off at Howard University College of Dentistry on Thursday, Feb. 1 and Friday, Feb. 2, 2024.

The American Dental Association (ADA) launched Give Kids A Smile 22 years ago as a way for dentists across the country to join with others in the community to provide free dental services to underserved children while also highlighting for policy makers the ongoing challenges that underserved families face in finding and affording dental care.

The national Give Kids A Smile kick-off event is held annually at a selected site on the first Friday in February during National Children’s Dental Health Month. Since 2003, thousands of GKAS volunteers have provided free oral health education and services to more than 7 million underserved children throughout the United States. Throughout 2024, GKAS events will take place at schools, universities, health centers, and private dental practices. In addition to providing care, the goal of Give Kids A Smile has become continuity of care – finding dental homes for these families. The Give Kids A Smile program would not be possible without the generosity of long time national sponsors, Henry Schein and Colgate, who provide education and product kits to support Give Kids A Smile events.

“Howard University has been an enthusiastic partner every step of the way, and we are honored to take the lead this year in support of America’s underserved children,” said Andrea D. Jackson, DDS, Dean of the Howard University College of Dentistry. “Each year, Give Kids A Smile provides a powerful platform for us to share the knowledge, teach prevention, and provide treatment to vulnerable children – giving them something to smile about.”

LaToya M. Barham, DDS, associate professor, residency director, and chair of the Department of Pediatric Dentistry, said the college is anticipating 100 children across four local schools in the District of Columbia. She said this year’s event will put the spotlight on preventive care and oral health literacy.

“What began as a grassroots effort twenty-three years ago in St. Louis has become a national public private collaboration that ensures access to quality oral health care for all children,” said Dr. Michele Tulak-Gorecki, DDS, chair of the American Dental Association Foundation. “The success of GKAS would not be possible without the nearly 27,000 dental professionals who volunteer at local events each year in addition to national sponsors, Henry Schein and Colgate. My sincere appreciation and thanks to all of you who have been a part of the program, some from the very first day. We are all involved for the right reason – to Give Kids A Smile and help children in need.”

“Since the program’s inception, Henry Schein has been the exclusive product sponsor of Give Kids A Smile, and we are honored to continue to be part of the program’s long-term success,” said Jennifer Kim Field, Chief Sustainability Officer with Henry Schein, Inc. and co-chair of the ADA’s Give Kids A Smile National Advisory Committee. “Together with our valued supplier partners, we are committed to helping expand access to care and enhance oral health literacy for underserved children. Congratulations to the American Dental Association Foundation and all the dental volunteers, dental school faculty, staff, and students who help make one of the largest, charitable dental health programs in the country so successful.”

“As the worldwide leader in oral care and with the Colgate brand found in more homes than any other, Colgate is committed to our purpose to reimagine a healthier future for all,” said Dawna Michelle Fields, Senior Director, Community & Operations, North America, Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures Program and National Advisory Committee Member, ADA Give Kids A Smile. “Colgate-Palmolive is proud to be a long-time supporter of the Give Kids A Smile program and promote oral health literacy, which is foundational for children’s overall health and wellbeing.”

Since 2007, Colgate-Palmolive has supported GKAS as the exclusive national sponsor of essential health and hygiene products to help build proper oral hygiene habits, which reflects the Company’s purpose to reimagine a healthier future for all. In addition to supporting GKAS, Colgate-Palmolive aims to advance health equity through its Bright Smiles, Bright Futures® (BSBF) initiative. Established in 1991, BSBF leads global social impact efforts that empower children and families to achieve healthy and bright futures, and has reached more than 1.7 billion children in over 100 countries around the world. For families, communities and healthcare professionals, the Company’s www.KnowYourOQ.com initiative is designed to improve people’s oral health literacy and ultimately create positive health outcomes.

Howard University College of Dentistry is the nation’s fifth oldest dental school and one of only two HBCU (Historically Black College University) dental schools in the nation. The college has trained more African-American dentists than any other dental school in the United States. The school is the only dental college in the District of Columbia.

For more information about the ADA Foundation’s Give Kids A Smile program, visit www.ADAFoundation.org/GKAS.

Millennium Dental Technologies, Inc. commemorates Gum Disease Awareness Month with an annual pledge to provide complimentary LANAP® treatment to approximately 100 patients suffering from moderate to severe periodontal disease. Offered in collaboration with the Institute for Advanced Laser Dentistry (IALD), the dental laser treatment scholarships are valued at approximately $1 million in free dental care for individuals who may have limited access to healthcare services. Gum disease affects up to 85% of adults and is the leading cause of tooth loss. The LANAP® protocol helps save natural teeth by removing harmful bacteria and diseased tissue while preserving healthy tissue and regenerating alveolar bone.

Millennium Dental Technologies, Inc., the leader in dental laser-assisted regeneration (LAR) technology and innovative procedures, has officially kicked off Gum Disease Awareness Month with an annual pledge to provide complimentary LANAP® treatment to approximately 100 patients suffering from moderate to severe periodontal disease.

Offered in collaboration with the Institute for Advanced Laser Dentistry (IALD), a non-profit educational and research organization dedicated to eradicating periodontitis, the scholarships are valued at approximately $1 million in free dental care for individuals who may have limited access to healthcare services.

Periodontal disease, more commonly known as gum disease, affects up to 85% of adults and is the leading cause of tooth loss.

The LANAP® protocol helps save natural teeth by selectively removing harmful bacteria and diseased tissue while preserving healthy tissue and regenerating alveolar bone. Only available using a specialized laser called the PerioLase® MVP-7™, the no-incision, no-suture procedure provides more comfortable treatment and faster recovery time compared with traditional surgery.

"Gum disease is a particularly insidious, contagious infection that has far reaching effects on the human body," said Robert H. Gregg II, DDS, Founder, President and Chairman of the Board at Millennium Dental Technologies. "It has been linked to many systemic conditions such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes and even stillbirths. Even more unfortunate, less than half of people with gum disease aren't even aware of it, so regular dental visits and screening are critical."

Gum Disease Awareness is recognized in all 50 states by official proclamation in February and March to promote early detection and treatment. Some warning signs include red or swollen gums, bleeding while brushing, sensitive or receding gums, chronic bad breath, and loose or sensitive teeth.

"We're pleased to again offer members of our community an opportunity to receive LANAP® treatment that they otherwise might not have received," said Dawn M. Gregg, DDS, Training Director, IALD. "For patients who qualify for scholarships, treatment is administered under the supervision of a LANAP®-certified instructor as part of a live hands-on training experience with licensed dentists, so each patient will benefit from an entire team of dental professionals during treatment."

Since inception, the annual pledge has benefitted more than 1500 patients and represents more than $15 million in free dental treatment. Each scholarship includes initial screening, x-rays, LANAP® treatment and four post-op cleaning visits for up to one year. Treatment is conducted at the IALD's training clinic in Cerritos, CA.

Patients interested in applying for a LANAP® treatment scholarship must meet eligibility requirements including residency in Southern California. For eligibility requirements or to apply, visit http://www.lanap.com/treatmentscholarship.

Headquartered in Cerritos, CA, Millennium Dental Technologies, Inc., is the developer of the LANAP protocol for the treatment of periodontal disease and the manufacturer of the PerioLase MVP-7 digital dental laser. By providing a simple and comfortable experience with unique bone-building clinical results, the company's FDA-cleared LANAP protocol removes the fear from gum disease treatment, offering a more comfortable and less invasive regenerative treatment alternative to conventional surgery. The PerioLase MVP-7 Nd:YAG laser has the power and versatility to perform a wide range of soft- and hard-tissue laser procedures including the LAPIP™ protocol to save failing dental implants and BLAST™ protocol to prevent peri-implantitis and enhance implant integration. The company's founding clinician, Robert H. Gregg, II, DDS, continues to operate the company with the vision: To create better clinical outcomes in periodontal disease patients and to remain true to the guiding principle, "It's all about the patient." For more information, visit http://www.lanap.com.

The IALD is a non-profit educational and research center dedicated to providing evidence-based clinical training in advanced laser dentistry therapies. Formed in 1999, the IALD is nationally recognized for its continuing education programs as both an ADA-CERP and AGD-PACE recognized provider. For more information, visit http://www.theiald.com.