CHICAGO, July 8, 2014   — “The American Dental Association (ADA) and the dental community send their condolences to the family of Dr. Alison P. Riddle-Fletcher, D.D.S., upon her untimely passing,” said Charles H. Norman, D.D.S. Dr. Riddle-Fletcher, who was the president of the National Dental Association (NDA), died July 1 at the age of 55.

“Dr. Riddle-Fletcher dedicated her life to helping others on a local and national level,” said Dr. Norman. “Her contributions to her community and dentistry will be missed.” 

Dr. Riddle-Fletcher practiced general dentistry in Baltimore with her husband, Nathan Fletcher D.D.S. Prior to her installation as NDA’s president, she most recently served as NDA’s president elect and previously as vice president, speaker of the NDA’s House of Delegates and its parliamentarian.

Dr. Riddle-Fletcher was honored with several community service awards for her work, including the Mayor’s Citation for Service and the Conscientious Dentist Certificate for her work with the Baltimore City Public Health Department.  Dr. Riddle-Fletcher is also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and the Links, Inc.

A Houston native, Dr. Riddle-Fletcher attended Howard University in Washington, D.C., where she earned a dental degree in 1987 and a certificate in advanced general dentistry in 1993. She also met her husband at Howard. She is a third generation dentist.

Chicago (July 1, 2014) — The American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) continues to advocate for the development and implementation of new oral health-care workforce models that will benefit the public, and improve its oral and overall health. Dental hygienists, with their formal education and the licensure requirements necessary in each state to provide care, are well prepared to assist in preventing oral health diseases. And with more than 185,000 dental hygienists licensed in the United States, the profession is ready and available to meet this growing need.

“Dental hygienists are educated, licensed and prepared to be a part of the solution,” said ADHA President Kelli Swanson Jaecks, RDH, MA. “We know that the public will benefit from a provider who can provide both preventive and specified restorative services.”

On June 30, 2014, The Pew Charitable Trusts released a report that included examples of mid-level dental providers in Minnesota and Alaska performing routine preventive and restorative care to underserved populations, and the benefits those services could have nationwide to those requiring oral health care. The state of Maine also recently passed legislation allowing a dental hygienist or an independent practice dental hygienist to become a dental hygiene therapist. Maine and Minnesota, as well as tribal lands in Alaska, have moved forward to address their access to care challenges and now recognize these oral health workforce models.

Currently, 37 states allow the public to directly access the oral health care services of a dental hygienist in at least one practice setting. In some states, such as California, a dental hygienist with an advanced license can work under remote supervision to perform a variety of services in schools and nursing homes, including X-rays, sealants, and interim therapeutic restorations. The state of Oregon has a similar allowance. Several states, including Washington, New Mexico, Kansas and Vermont, are currently deliberating dental hygiene-based mid-level workforce proposals that would allow registered dental hygienists with additional education and experience the opportunity to help meet the public’s oral health needs. New Hampshire and North Dakota are among states that are studying alternative workforce models.

“The profession of dental hygiene is on the cusp of transformation and is committed to improving access to oral health care through the integration of dental hygienists into the health-care delivery system as essential primary care providers.” added Swanson Jaecks. “The ADHA supports oral health-care workforce models that culminate in graduation from an accredited institution, professional licensure and direct access to patient care.”

MELVILLE, N.Y., June 18, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Stanley M. Bergman, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Henry Schein, Inc. (NASDAQ: HSIC), the world's largest provider of health care products and services to office-based dental, animal health and medical practitioners, joined dental industry and education leaders from around the world for the installation of a Tree of Peace statue at Harvard School of Dental Medicine (HSDM) on June 16. The Tree of Peace, a sculpture created by noted UNESCO Artist of Peace Hedva Ser, symbolizes the power of dentistry to bridge cultural and political divides, using the oral health profession as a vehicle for building relationships and understanding throughout the world. 

The Tree of Peace program was developed by Dr. Allen Finkelstein, Chief Executive Officer of Bedford HealthCare Solutions, and is supported by the Dr. Edward B. Shils Entrepreneurial Fund; Henry Schein Cares, Henry Schein's global corporate social responsibility program; and the Alliance for Oral Health Across Borders, which was founded by 41 dental schools in 2011 to promote peace and well-being through oral health by building bridges among dental and health professionals around the world, especially in areas of conflict. The Tree of Peace at HSDM was also supported by the Alpha Omega International Dental Fraternity, the world's oldest international dental organization, representing about 5,000 active dentists and dental students worldwide.

The Tree of Peace at HSDM is the fifth to have been installed globally, with the others at the Hebrew University-Hadassah School of Dental Medicine; A.T. Still University Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health; Temple University Kornberg School of Dentistry; and, most recently, Al-Quds University. The Tree of Peace at HSDM honors two long-time members of the Harvard School of Dental Medicine: Dr. Walter C. Guralnick, Professor Emeritus of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, and Dr. Bruce Donoff, Dean of Harvard School of Dental Medicine, for their service and commitment to using dentistry to promote peace and understanding.

"Drs. Guralnick and Donoff truly embody the spirit behind the Tree of Peace," said Mr. Bergman. "Through decades of dedication and commitment to the global dental community, they and the Harvard School of Dental Medicine have become a true champion for all that the Tree of Peace represents: the power of inter-professional relations, education, international relations, globalization, partnership and, most important, trust."

Dr. Donoff has served as Dean of the Harvard School of Dental Medicine since 1991. In that time, he has worked on many oral education and oral health initiatives and programs, including the Alliance for Oral Health Across Borders, the Dr. Edward B. Shils Entrepreneurial Fund, and the American Dental Education Association (ADEA) Geis Awards. These initiatives, among others in which Dr. Donoff has participated, have served to emphasize the value of leadership and cooperation in the dental community, highlighting dentistry's capacity to promote tolerance and compassion.     

Dr. Guralnick has served on the Harvard School of Dental Medicine faculty since 1950. Among his many contributions to dentistry, Dr. Guralnick established an oral surgeon residency exchange program between Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), Harvard's primary teaching hospital, and numerous hospitals in the United Kingdom. This program provided residents culturally diverse educational and clinical experiences, extending the scope of their learning to include international perspectives and insights.  

West Long Branch, NJ (June 18, 2014) –In partnership with the American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA), The Dental Geek Blog recently launched a campaign dedicated to generating funds for the ADHA’s Institute for Oral Health (IOH).

The campaign, titled #TheDentalGeekSelfie is aimed at bringing the dental community together to give back to the dental hygiene profession. The Dental Geek is asking dental professionals to submit a group selfie at www.thedentalgeek.com/selfie. For every group selfie submitted from a dental professional team – whether it’s a dental office, marketing team or dental lab, The Dental Geek will donate $1 to the ADHA’s Institute for Oral Health (IOH).

The Institute for Oral Health’s mission is to advance the profession of dental hygiene through educational scholarships, research grants and community service grants to hygienists throughout the country.

In addition to the donation to the ADHA’s Institute for Oral Health, The Dental Geek will choose one participating dental office at random and provide them with a free professional photography session. The high-quality photography session of the practice and its employees offers a great marketing tool for website and social media development as well as patient brochures.

The Dental Geek launched #TheDentalGeekSelfie Campaign to align with the ADHA’s 91^st Annual Session. During the popular industry event, The Dental Geek is showcasing the campaign throughout The Institute for Oral Health Booth #221 in the Community Center. Attendees can stop by the booth to find out more about the campaign.

The Dental Geek also welcomes any manufactures, businesses and/or publications in the dental space to contribute to the campaign with additional match donations. Any contribution in support of the dental hygiene profession and the Institute for Oral Health would be greatly appreciated. Interested parties can contact info@thedentalgeek.com for more information.

The Dental Geek team urges everyone out there to participate and give back to the hygiene community. Need inspiration? Check out #TheDentalGeekSelfie’s photo gallery. For more information about the campaign or to submit a group selfie, please visit www.thedentalgeek.com/selfie or send an email to info@thedentalgeek.com.

CHICAGO - "How can I save my tooth?" is one of the most significant questions a patient can ask.

In an unprecedented move, the American Association of Endodontists, the American Academy of Periodontology and the American College of Prosthodontists will come together to tackle this issue at their 2014 Joint Symposium, Teeth for a Lifetime: Interdisciplinary Evidence for Clinical Success. The weekend conference, to be held July 19-20 in Chicago, will bring together an array of inspiring speakers and thought leaders from the three dental specialties to discuss advanced treatments and evidence-based best practices for saving natural teeth. Participants can earn up to 10.5 CE credits.

As dentists, a shared goal is to save the patient’s tooth whenever possible. Endodontists, periodontists and prosthodontists alike believe that evidence-based treatment planning produces better patient outcomes. Each specialty has made advances in the art and science of dentistry, making long-term preservation of the natural dentition attainable. Recent scientific innovations in regenerative procedures have made restoring lost periodontal tissues and the structural development of immature teeth more predictable than ever. 

With this in mind, the goal of this symposium is simple: to provide new perspectives and skills to specialty dental practices through integrated treatment planning. Attendees will hear the best available evidence, learn contemporary techniques and walk away with real-life tools to work with their colleagues across the restorative disciplines to save patients’ natural teeth.

“Attending dentists will develop an appreciation for comprehensive, interdisciplinary treatment planning and learn new approaches to collaborating with fellow specialists in our patients’ best interests,” said Dr. Alan H. Gluskin, Joint Symposium Planning Committee chair and AAE member. “We need to recognize that the nature of dental practice is changing; that independent practitioners and independent groups are declining and more interdisciplinary structures are ascending. This is the future of treatment planning.”

Speakers at the symposium represent the best in the endodontic, periodontal and prosthodontic fields, and include Drs. Ove Peters, Maurice A. Salama and John A. Sorenson, among others. The first half of this unique educational program will present the evidence for preserving the natural dentition in the literature of each specialty; discuss diagnostic and assessment methods used in determining the structural and periodontal prognosis of teeth; identify the most contemporary surgical and restorative therapeutics to restore disease and protect the functioning dentition; describe the use of three-dimensional dental imaging in diagnosis and treatment planning; and define regenerative therapies and describe the indications and treatment procedures required for success in periodontal disease and teeth with immature root formation. The second day of the event will focus on interdisciplinary communication and a team approach to restorative therapies.

“Helping patients maintain and keep their teeth and ensuring supporting structures are healthy, beautiful and functioning are fundamental goals for every practicing dentist,” said Dr. Lily T. Garcia, ACP Education Foundation chair. “Having this multidisciplinary symposium will highlight some of our top dentists across three specialties sharing when, why and how all dentists can determine if that tooth can and should be saved for the patient’s benefit.”  

The Joint Symposium agenda includes informal opportunities to network with colleagues and speakers. Following the event, proceedings from the conference will be shared with the dental community.

Specialists and general dentists alike are invited to register online for the meeting. Complete program details and fees are available at www.aae.org/teethforalifetime.

MELVILLE, N.Y., June 11, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Henry Schein, Inc. (NASDAQ: HSIC), the world's largest provider of health care products and services to office-based dental, animal health and medical practitioners, announced today that its third annual Henry Schein Business of Dentistry Conference will kick off at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas on August 7, 2014. The three-day event is designed to unite and empower the entire dental team to operate efficient, successful practices in today's rapidly evolving digital world.  Dentists, front office staff and managers, dental assistants and hygienists will learn how to maximize technology investments, improve productivity and boost overall practice performance while enhancing patient care from world-class dental practice management experts.

The conference will feature insights from renowned dental practice management experts into effective profitability strategies and building productive, high-performing teams. Dental software specialists will provide training for optimizing the advanced features of Henry Schein's practice management systems, including Dentrix®, Dentrix® Enterprise and Easy Dental®.  Clinicians and dental surgeons will also be on hand to discuss the benefits of integrating digital technology into practice workflows.  In addition, conference speakers will discuss the changing realities of the health care landscape, underscoring the need for more efficient, integrated dental teams to enhance long-term business success and quality patient care. 

"Last year's Business of Dentistry Conference set new standards for quality of informative seminars and training for attendees, and this year we are raising the bar even higher," said Kevin Bunker, President, Henry Schein North America Dental Practice Solutions.   "From improving practice management, to using the latest software and understanding treatments that are setting new standards in dental clinics, the Business of Dentistry Conference is where dental team members can find the right answers for their specific practice needs."

The conference will include more than 80 classes on the latest practice management and clinical skills. Topics will include: billing and accounts receivable, clinical technology, dental team management, insurance, patient communication, practice analysis, practice marketing, practice security, practice profitability, scheduling, and treatment planning and case acceptance.  This year's premiere conference sponsors include DEXIS®, Ivoclar Vivadent®, PracticeSafeGuard™ and DemandForce®.  The conference will also include a special pre-conference track offered by Planmeca covering the benefits of digital restorative dentistry; and Henry Schein Financial Services featuring "Entrepreneurship in Dentistry."

To learn more about the 2014 Business of Dentistry Conference and for registration information, please visit www.businessofdentistry.com.