FORT COLLINS, Colo., May 15, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Waterpik^®, creator of the original Water Flosser, introduces Waterpik^®Sonic-Fusion^®, the world's first and only flossing toothbrush. Designed for self-professed "flossing failures" who value gum health but can't commit to the extra step, Sonic-Fusion^® offers an effective, one-step oral care regimen for a complete clean.

By merging the latest Waterpik^® Water Flosser and Sonic Toothbrush technologies, Sonic-Fusion^® enables brushing and flossing at the same time. As the sonic toothbrush head cleans tooth surfaces, the Water Flosser jet inside the brush head targets plaque and debris between teeth and below the gumline where toothbrush bristles can't reach. This flexible device also allows for brushing and flossing separately, with the touch of a button. 

Waterpik^® Sonic-Fusion^® delivers all the clinically-proven benefits of the Waterpik^® Water Flosser¹ and is significantly more effective for removing plaque vs. other sonic toothbrushes.

• Up to 2X as effective as regular brushing and flossing

• Removes up to 99.9% of plaque from treated areas

Dr. Chris Salierno, DDS, tested Sonic-Fusion^® with his patients who struggled with home care. "I had the opportunity to test Sonic-Fusion with my patients and I was truly amazed by the results that I saw.  My patients had significantly less plaque build-up, less bleeding and less inflammation of the gums.  It appears to me that Sonic-Fusion is not only a more effective way to brush and floss, but it's also easier, so I found that my patients were actually flossing more often than they normally would."

The new Sonic-Fusion^® features specially engineered Waterpik^® Water Flosser and Sonic Toothbrush technologies, as well as:

• Compact, all-in-one design that requires less counter space

• One-handed mode control for simplified use

• Three modes (brush, floss, brush + floss) for flexibility

• Advanced water pressure control and 10 settings for custom comfort

• 2-minute brushing timer with 30-second pacer

• Reservoir capacity of 60+ seconds

• Premium LED recharge indicator

• 2 patented Water Flossing brush heads included

• Deluxe toothbrush case included

• 3-year limited warranty

Waterpik^® Sonic-Fusion^® has earned the American Dental Association (ADA) Seal of Acceptance. The extensive review of the clinical research by the ADA Council on Scientific Affairs confirmed that it helps remove plaque along the gumline and between teeth and prevents and reduces gingivitis.  

The new Waterpik^® Sonic-Fusion^® will be available online May 15^th for $199.99.   For more information, visit waterpik.com/sonic-fusion

¹ Find more information at https://waterpik.com/oral-health/clinical-research/.

Young Innovations, a leading global manufacturer and distributor of dental supplies and equipment, today announced that Dave Misiak has joined Young Innovations as Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Young’s consolidated dealer businesses. Dave will provide strategic leadership and have full sales and marketing responsibility in North America for Young Dental, Microbrush, American Eagle Instruments, MyDent, and Bridge2 businesses.

Dave joins Young Innovations after spending over 20 years with Patterson Companies

where a successful career led him to his most recent position as President of Patterson Dental North America. In addition to his work at Patterson, Dave serves as a Director on the Dental Trade Alliance Board. His extensive knowledge of the dental industry and keen understanding of the dental distribution network make him ideally prepared to lead Young Innovations’ Sales and Marketing teams as they continue to execute on their short-term and long-term growth initiatives.

Young Innovations, Inc. is a portfolio company of The Jordan Company.

About Young Innovations, Inc.

Young Innovations is a leading global manufacturer and distributor of supplies and equipment used by dentists, hygienists, dental assistants and consumers. Our portfolio of

brands includes products that hold leadership positions in the preventive, restorative, orthodontic, endodontic and diagnostic segments. With its mission of Creating Smiles, Creating Possibilities, Young focuses on delivering innovative, high-quality products and solutions to clinicians and their patients. We seek out opportunities to enhance our portfolio of brands and products through organic growth and acquisitions.

About The Jordan Company

TJC (www.thejordancompany.com), founded in 1982, is a middle-market private equity firm with original capital commitments in excess of $8 billion and a 35-year track record of investing in and contributing to the growth of many businesses across a wide range of industries. The senior investment team has been investing together for over 20 years and is supported by the Operations Management Group, which was established in 1988 to initiate and support operational improvements in portfolio companies. Headquartered in New York, NY, TJC also has an office in Chicago, IL.

To further strengthen its position on the North American dental market, vhf's newest milling machines will be presented to customers by the resellers Talladium and Pearson Dental, as well as the material manufacturer VITA at LMT LAB DAY West and CDA Presents Anaheim 2018 in mid-May.

Recently, vhf successfully launched the new R5, a state-of-the-art 5-axis milling and grinding machine, in Chicago. Following up on this, vhf will cooperate with Pearson Dental, Talladium, and VITA to meet the high demand for desktop milling machines in North America.

Dr. Nicolas Rohde, CEO of vhf Inc., highly values the support: “We’re glad to have these great partners at hand – and that they will present our machines to customers at two established exhibitions on the West Coast. We work closely with our partners in order to meet our customers’ growing demand for prime dental restorations and to ultimately enable better patient care.”

Visitors at these exhibitions have the chance to see vhf’s milling and grinding machines for dry or wet processing. The Talladium TR5 will be shown at LAB DAY West by Talladium at booth H-10/I-10. Visitors can see the K5, a 5-axis dry milling machine, at Pearson’s LAB DAY West presence (booth F-6), and the Z4, the innovative wet mill for same day dentistry restorations, will be at CDA Presents (booth 408). VITA will exhibit the K5 in Garden Room 4 at LAB DAY West.

More than 4,000 members, guests and exhibitors attended the American Association of Endodontists’ annual meeting in Denver, April 25-28. Endodontists debated hot topics in the specialty, including the future of canal irrigation using multi-sonic techniques and advanced nanoparticles, surgical versus nonsurgical retreatment, and defining treatment outcomes. More than 100 other educational courses addressed a wide range of endodontic topics including regeneration, pain management, standard of practice and practice management.

A highlight of AAE18 was the keynote address by Aron Ralston, an adventurer, speaker, author and advocate, who survived six days trapped between two boulders in a remote location in Utah. Ralston brought many audience members to tears with his grippin

The meeting also included the installation of new leadership for the Boards of the AAE, Foundation for Endodontics and American Board of Endodontics, the largest endodontic exhibit hall and several special events. A record 108 new Diplomates of the American Board of Endodontics were recognized for their achievements. These Board-certified endodontists complete written, case history and oral exams demonstrating their exceptional knowledge, skill and expertise in the specialty of endodontics, commitment to quality patient care and dedication to professional growth. AAE18 also recognized the winners of the AAE’s most prestigious honors and awards, acknowledging several endodontists and other dental professionals for the commitment to the specialty.

Attendees also raised more than $3,700 for Veterans’ Passport to Hope, to support its efforts to raise awareness of issues that veterans face after returning from duty.

At the annual President’s Breakfast, Dr. Garry L. Myers celebrated the 75th anniversary of the AAE and called on younger members to be creative and optimistic about what lies ahead for the specialty. “To our residents and new practitioners, you are our future. You have inherited the foundation that has been laid for the past 75 years,” he said. “How people interact and communicate will be the defining factor for the success for all of us, both within the AAE and in our interactions outside of the AAE. Be engaged with your profession and your professional colleagues.”

Dr. Myers also announced the AAE’s new consumer engagement initiative to increase awareness of the specialty. Part of the AAE’s strategic plan, the initiative will target key audiences and encourage them to see an endodontist for root canal treatment. The program is expected to launch by the end of the year.

Dr. Patrick E. Taylor also emphasized the importance of participation in organized dentistry in his first remarks as AAE President. “I suggest an item for our members that will help move us forward—get involved. Let people know about the value of endodontics, network with your peers to spread the word, and keep up on continuing education to keep on top of the latest innovations in endo.”

About the American Association of Endodontists

The American Association of Endodontists, headquartered in Chicago, represents more than 8,000 members worldwide. Endodontics is one of nine dental specialties formally recognized by the American Dental Association. The AAE, founded in 1943, is dedicated to excellence in the art and science of endodontics and to the highest standard of patient care. The Association inspires its members to pursue professional advancement and personal fulfillment through education, research, advocacy, leadership, communication and service. For more information about the AAE, visit the Association’s website at aae.org.

The American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) will host its 95th Annual Conference from June 20-23 in Columbus, OH. ADHA’s Annual Conference is North America’s premier dental hygiene event. The Conference will feature over 35 unique seminar courses, 24 hands-on workshops and top exhibitors showcasing the most recent advancements in products and services in dental hygiene and oral healthcare. This exhilarating three-day event will take place at the Greater Columbus Convention Center with more than 1,500 dental hygienists from all across the U.S. in attendance.

This year, ADHA announced their new all-inclusive pricing model that gives attendees more registration options to choose from with the opportunity to earn up to 22 CE credits at no additional cost. Sessions at ADHA’s Annual Conference cater to dental hygienists in all different industries and stages of their careers, including public health, research, clinical, education, new professionals and students. Some of this year’s sessions include:

From the Inside Out: Where Perio-Systemic “Links” with Oral Pathology

Cultural Competency: Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in the Dental Office and Beyond

ADHA’s Annual Conference will include a keynote address from comedian Michael Jr. (sponsored by Crest + Oral-B).

Dental hygiene professionals have even more opportunities to learn, engage and advance at Annual Conference with a newly added Career Center and more networking and social events available to attendees, such as the In Motion 5K: Run, Walk, Fun, Community Service Day and President’s Dinner.

To learn more about ADHA’s 95th Annual Conference and find registration information, please visit adha.org/annual-conference.

VISUAL: Members of the media are welcome to view our press guidelines and register for a press badge on our website. Interviews with ADHA leadership and members are available upon request. Please contact britania@bigvoicecomm.com to schedule an interview.

About the American Dental Hygienists’ Association:

The American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) is the largest national organization representing the professional interests of more than 185,000 dental hygienists across the country. Dental hygienists are preventive oral health professionals, licensed in dental hygiene, who provide educational, clinical and therapeutic services that support total health through the promotion of optimal oral health. For more information about ADHA, dental hygiene or the link between oral health and general health, visit ADHA at www.adha.org.

Ryan S. Lim, CDT, AAACD, and Carmen Nicholas, MDT, AAACD, were among the 18 dental professionals recently recognized and honored by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) for demonstrating their dedication to continuing education and responsible patient care by becoming credentialed by the AACD. This year, the AACD acknowledged 14 newly Accredited Members and four newly Accredited Fellows during the 34th Annual AACD Scientific Session in Chicago.

AACD Accreditation is an honor and can only be achieved by completing a rigorous credentialing process including a written examination, oral examination, and the submission of clinical cases for peer-reviewed evaluation. The Accreditation process, which was developed by the AACD and is the world's most recognized advanced credentialing program, encourages further education, interaction with like-minded colleagues, and the opportunity for professional growth. Accreditation requires dedication to continuing education and responsible patient care.

In addition to Lim and Nicholas, the newly Accredited Members include: Margarita Aleksanyan, DDS, AAACD; Anthony Michael Gadbois, DDS, AAACD; Carole E. Landman, DDS, AAACD; Marianella Marin Rivera, DDS, AAACD; Saiesha K. Mistry, BDS, MSc, AAACD; James R. Predmore, DDS, AAACD; Nick Seddon, DMD, AAACD; Robert L. Strain, DDS, AAACD; Allan S. Thomas, DMD, AAACD; Priya S. Tirumalasetty, DDS, AAACD; Matthew D. Webb, DDS, AAACD and Michael A. Weiss, DDS, AAACD.

"The time, commitment and dedication that's required to complete the Accreditation process is unrivaled. The sense of achievement that comes with it is indeed life changing. These newly Accredited members have completed this task and have so much to be proud of, as they have reached a level of dentistry that is desired by many and achieved by few," notes AACD Accreditation Chairman Adamo Notarantonio, DDS, AAACD.

The AACD also welcomed four new Accredited Fellows. The purpose of Fellowship is to provide the highest level of achievement for members in accordance with the AACD's mission of education and excellence.

The AACD's new Accredited Fellows include:

• Marshall W. Hanson, DDS, FAACD has been a member of the AACD since 2004 and achieved Accredited Member status in 2013. He graduated with Honors from the University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry in 2007 and currently works at Villa Dental in Hamilton, New Zealand.

• Ken Hovden, DDS, FAACD has been a member of the AACD since 1998 and achieved Accredited Member status in 2008. He graduated with honors from Stanford University with a BS in Biology and BA in Political Science.  He obtained his dental degree from the University of the Pacific School of Dentistry. Dr. Hovden has practiced comprehensive, esthetic, restorative dentistry in the San Francisco Bay area for 36 years.

• Fred Peck, DDS, FAACD has been a member of the AACD since 1996 and achieved Accredited Member status in 2005. He is a graduate of The Ohio State University College of Dentistry and completed his residency at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Dr. Peck teaches dental residents at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, serves on the Board of Directors of Dental Care Plus, a Cincinnati based dental insurance company, and serves on the AACD Board of Directors.

• Todd Snyder, DDS, FAACD has been a member of the AACD since 1996 and achieved Accredited Member status in 2012. He received his doctorate at the UCLA School of Dentistry, has trained at the F.A.C.E. institute and is a member of Catapult Education. Dr. Snyder was on the faculty at U.C.L.A. where he created and co-directed the first two-year graduate program in aesthetic and cosmetic restorative dentistry. He maintains a practice in Laguna Niguel, CA.

"These dental professionals' commitment to responsible esthetics and cosmetic dentistry is undeniable with their most recent achievement as AACD Accredited Fellows," said AACD Fellowship Chair Bradley J. Olson, DDS, FAACD. "Our Accredited Fellow members must complete one of the most rigorous, yet life-changing journeys of their career-and of their lives."

The newly credentialed dental professionals were recognized and received their awards during special ceremonies at the 34th Annual AACD Scientific Session held April 18 - 21, in Chicago.

For more information about AACD's credentialing programs, visit www.aacd.com/accreditationfellowship.

Henry Schein, Inc, provider of health care products and services to office-based dental, animal health, and medical practitioners, today reported record first quarter results for the quarter ended March 31, 2018.

Net sales for the quarter were $3.2 billion, an increase of 10.2% compared with the first quarter of 2017. This consisted of 5.9% growth in local currencies and a 4.3% increase related to foreign currency exchange. In local currencies, internally generated sales increased 3.8% and acquisition growth was 2.1%.

Net income attributable to Henry Schein, Inc. for the first quarter of 2018 was $140.2 million, or $0.91 per diluted share, representing a decline of 0.4% and an increase of 3.4%, respectively, compared with GAAP results for the first quarter of 2017. Non-GAAP net income for the first quarter of 2018 was $145.9 million, or $0.95 per diluted share, representing growth of 3.6% and 8.0%, respectively, compared with non-GAAP results for the first quarter of 2017. Note that the first quarter of 2018 included restructuring costs of $3.8 million pretax, or $0.02 per diluted share, as well as costs related to the spin-off and merger of Henry Schein's Animal Health business, also in the amount of $3.8 million pretax, or $0.02 per diluted share.

"We are pleased with our financial results for the first quarter of 2018, which we believe reflect generally healthy end-market growth. It is an exciting time at Henry Schein as we continue to evolve our business strategy to ensure we are well-positioned to pursue the significant growth opportunities ahead of us while seeking to maximize shareholder value," said Stanley M. Bergman, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Henry Schein.  

"In line with our strategy, in early April we announced the majority ownership of a new dental technology joint venture, named Henry Schein One, created to deliver integrated dental technology to help the profession improve practice management and marketing as well as patient communications. More recently, we announced the planned spin-off and merger of our global Animal Health business with Vets First Choice to create a new publicly traded company, to be named Vets First Corp., which will be owned by the shareholders of Henry Schein and Vets First Choice. With a sharper focus on our market-leading dental and medical businesses, as well as newly available resources to invest in our business, we believe Henry Schein will be poised for continued growth and leadership over the long term," said Mr. Bergman.

Dental sales of $1.5 billion increased 10.2%, consisting of 5.2% growth in local currencies and a 5.0% increase related to foreign currency exchange. In local currencies, internally generated sales increased 2.9% and acquisition growth was 2.3%. The 2.9% internal growth in local currencies included 3.1% growth in North America and 2.6% growth internationally.

"In North America, dental consumable merchandise internal sales in local currencies continued solid year-over-year growth, at 2.7%. We believe this reflects a stable end-market, as well as market share gains. Dental equipment internal sales in local currencies increased by 4.4%, following a strong result in the fourth quarter of 2017 when we reported sales growth of 18.1%. We see that dentists are continuing to invest in their practices, turning to Henry Schein for a wide range of solutions," commented Mr. Bergman. "Internationally, dental consumable merchandise internal sales growth in local currencies was 2.4% as we continue to leverage a competitive platform of solutions, service, and support. Internal growth in local currencies for international dental equipment was 3.1%."

Animal Health sales of $919.8 million increased 13.1%, consisting of 7.1% growth in local currencies and a 6.0% increase related to foreign currency exchange. In local currencies, internally generated sales increased 3.6% and acquisition growth was 3.5%. The 3.6% internal growth in local currencies included 3.7% growth in North America and 3.4% growth internationally.

"Animal Health internal growth in local currencies in North America was a robust 11.6% after normalizing for a manufacturer switch from direct sales to agency sales," commented Mr. Bergman. "With the pending spin-off and merger of our Henry Schein Animal Health business with Vets First Choice, we expect that Vets First Corp. will provide veterinarians with a powerful new platform to grow their practices, improve client engagement, and drive better health outcomes for pets. We believe this spin-off and merger will result in greater focus and therefore growth opportunities for the Henry Schein Animal Health business rather than continuing as part of Henry Schein, and we are excited about the possibilities from combining these highly complementary businesses."

Medical sales of $640.4 million increased 6.9% and included internal growth in local currencies of 6.4%, acquisition growth of 0.1%, and an increase related to foreign currency exchange of 0.4%.

"Our North America Medical business delivered another solid quarter with internal growth in local currencies of 6.7%, reflecting increased patient traffic to physician offices and our continued execution in serving large group practices," remarked Mr. Bergman. "We are recognized and rewarded for meeting the needs of large group enterprises through our strong supply chain management capabilities while remaining committed to our end customer, the general practitioner, providing the products and support they need to deliver quality clinical care."

Technology and Value-Added Services sales of $112.4 million increased 6.1%, consisting of 4.0% growth in local currencies and a 2.1% increase related to foreign currency exchange. In local currencies, internally generated sales increased 2.9% and acquisition growth was 1.1%.

"In North America, Technology and Value-Added Services had internal sales growth of 1.7% in local currencies, or 2.2% when normalized for certain products switching between agency sales and direct sales. Growth was primarily impacted by lower unit sales. International Technology and Value-Added Services internal sales grew 9.3% in local currencies, highlighted by double-digit growth in both financial services and veterinary software revenue," said Mr. Bergman.

"Upon the expected closing of our Henry Schein One joint venture during the current quarter, we will significantly enhance our Value-Added Solutions portfolio of products as we build upon our technology integration capabilities to deliver a new platform of enhanced dental software and services that work seamlessly together to share data and streamline digital workflows. In helping dental teams work smarter and more efficiently, Henry Schein One will afford dentists more time for quality patient care," he added.

Stock Repurchase Plan

During the first quarter of 2018, Henry Schein did not repurchase any shares of common stock as a result of a blackout period related to the spin-off and merger of the Company's Animal Health business. Henry Schein is committed to a balanced capital allocation approach to building shareholder value, including stock repurchases, which we expect to resume during the year. At the close of the first quarter of 2018, Henry Schein had approximately $200 million authorized for future repurchases of its common stock.

2018 EPS Guidance

Excluding costs related to restructuring and the spin-off and merger of the Henry Schein Animal Health business, Henry Schein, Inc. today is affirming its prior 2018 diluted EPS guidance. At this time, the Company is not able to provide estimates for the impact of these costs on full year 2018 financial results. Guidance is as follows:

• 2018 diluted EPS attributable to Henry Schein, Inc. is expected to be $4.03 to $4.14, reflecting growth of 12% to 15% on a non-GAAP basis compared with 2017 non-GAAP diluted EPS of $3.60. This includes the impact of approximately $0.02 related to a previously announced one-time cash bonus for certain designated staff members that we disclosed last quarter, and excludes costs related to restructuring and the spin-off and merger of the Henry Schein Animal Health business. 

• Guidance for 2018 diluted EPS attributable to Henry Schein, Inc. is for current continuing operations as well as completed or previously announced acquisitions, and does not include the impact of potential future acquisitions, if any. Henry Schein expects to update full-year earnings guidance for the remaining business once the spin-off and merger of its Animal Health business closes. Guidance also assumes foreign exchange rates that are generally consistent with current levels.

The Company has provided guidance for 2018 diluted EPS on a non-GAAP basis, a forward-looking non-GAAP measure that excludes the costs related to restructuring and the spin-off and merger of the Henry Schein Animal Health business. A reconciliation to the Company's projected 2018 diluted EPS prepared on a GAAP basis is not provided because the Company is unable to provide such reconciliation without unreasonable effort. The inability to provide a reconciliation is due to the uncertainty and inherent difficulty predicting the occurrence, the financial impact, and the periods in which the non-GAAP adjustments may be recognized. The Company's 2018 diluted EPS prepared on a GAAP basis will include the impact of such items as restructuring charges and spin-off and merger expenses and the tax effect of all such items. Management does not believe that these items are representative of the Company's underlying business performance. For the same reasons, the Company is unable to address the probable significance of the unavailable information, which could be material to future results.

First Quarter 2018 Conference Call Webcast

The Company will hold a conference call to discuss first quarter 2018 financial results today, beginning at 10:00 AM Eastern time. Individual investors are invited to listen to the conference call through Henry Schein's website at www.henryschein.com. In addition, a replay will be available beginning shortly after the call has ended.

In Chicago 63% of third graders have cavities and more than half go untreated. Thanks to a collaboration between GC America and America’s ToothFairy: National Children’s Health Foundation (NCOHF), caregivers will be provided with the basic tools for home oral care and education. GC America’s $100,000 philanthropic investment as Title Sponsor for the 2018 Chicago Smiles Initiative will help support operational expenses and efforts to overcome significant barriers faced by under-served families in Chicago and surrounding areas with an emphasis on the education of grandparents, parents and other adult caregivers.

Under-served families face tremendous obstacles in accessing dental care, which include low oral health literacy, financial hardship, lack of transportation, limited clinic hours, difficulty identifying dental providers who can provide preventive and follow up care, and a low number of providers. Serving thousands of families, the Chicago Smiles Initiative will help support service delivery, educate caregivers, and reinforce the importance of oral health for the entire family.

“We are focused on access to care, prevention and education,” said Jill Malmgren, Executive Director of NCOHF. “We are very grateful for GC America’s continued support and value their partnership in improving children’s oral health outcomes.”

“GC America has already worked with Chicago-area schools to support oral health educational programming for students,” said Steve Fletcher, CEO of GC America and NCOHF Board member. “We are excited to work with America’s ToothFairy to make sure families in Chicago and beyond have the tools and information to reinforce those lessons at home.”

About GC America

GC America Inc. is a leading private manufacturer of innovative dental products, committed to excellence, and dedicated to quality and customer satisfaction. For more information, visit www.gcamerica.com.

About America’s ToothFairy: National Children’s Oral Health Foundation (NCOHF)

As a resource provider, America’s ToothFairy: National Children’s Oral Health Foundation (NCOHF) increases access to oral health care by supporting non-profit clinics and community partners delivering education, prevention and treatment services for underserved children. Since its inception in 2006, America’s ToothFairy has distributed more than $18 million in donated products, educational materials and financial grants to improve oral health outcomes for children and youth in need. For more information, visit www.AmericasToothFairy.org. 

A new video released today by the American Association of Endodontists helps patients understand how advanced imaging greatly enhance an endodontist's ability to diagnose, evaluate, treat and care for patients. Cone beam computed technology – CBCT - captures images using a cone-shaped X-ray beam. These images are then used to construct a 3-D representation of the patient's teeth.

The AAE released the video to kick-off the 12th annual celebration of Root Canal Awareness Week, an effort to educate the public about the benefits of modern root canal treatment and endodontists as the specialists in treating tooth pain and saving teeth.

In a recent survey of the public, 48 percent of respondents would make an appointment to see their dentist if they experienced tooth pain. Roughly half of respondents said if they were to feel tooth pain, they would only wait between two and six days to seek treatment. Another 23 percent said they would seek treatment that same day. Clearly, most people wish to resolve tooth pain very quickly, and that’s exactly what endodontists are trained to do.

“Endodontists have at least two extra years of specialized training in root canal procedures, and are better equipped to handle the intricacies of different cases and potential complications that can occur,” said AAE President Dr. Patrick E. Taylor. “In addition to using the most sophisticated technology, endodontists prioritize patient comfort, ensuring root canal procedures are virtually painless.”

The AAE is encouraging the public to celebrate Root Canal Awareness Week, and teamed up with more than two dozen endodontic practices, supplying them with “superhero kits” filled with capes, t-shirts, hot-cold packs and more to give to patients and staff. Results of these efforts are being showcased on the AAE website and social media channels.

Patients are encouraged to share their root canal success stories to help the AAE spread the word about endodontists and the value of saving natural teeth.

For more information about the AAE and Root Canal Awareness Week, follow the AAE on Twitter at @savingyourteeth or search #RCAW. To find an endodontist in your area, use the Find an Endodontist feature at aae.org/find.

ProHEALTH Dental is expanding its Oral Health Integration model through a Clinical Affiliation Agreement with Riverside Medical Group, the premiere medical practice in Northern New Jersey with over 200 providers serving 250,000 unique patients at over 85 locations in Bergen, Essex, Passaic, Hudson, Middlesex, Burlington and Camden counties.

“The clinical literature is clear that poor oral health is a leading contributor to many chronic diseases including diabetes, pulmonary and heart disease, and certain cancers including oral cancer which is the cause of over 10,000 deaths/year in the United States. Through our affiliation with ProHEALTH Dental, we will collectively address this issue through patient education and coordinated medical/dental care,” said Dr. Azzam Baker, founder and Co-President of Riverside Medical Group.

Dr. Omar Baker, Riverside’s Co-President and Chief Quality & Safety Officer said:

“Riverside has an ingrained culture of delivering the highest quality, accessible and most affordable care. We achieve this through adherence to evidence based best practices, integration and continual innovation that has enabled us to transform care delivery in the region while delivering a superior patient experience. A dental care clinical affiliation with our complete medical home model is a natural evolution for our pediatric and adult patient population that will inevitably allow us to optimize managing the population while improving overall public health. ProHEALTH Dental has demonstrated they are leading the industry in the integration of medicine and dentistry, and we are confident that we will accomplish this important goal together in the region.”

“We are extremely proud that Riverside has selected us as their oral health affiliate – their commitment to providing high quality medical care goes back over three decades and, through our affiliation, we can work together to ensure that patients understand the importance of good oral health and provide state-of-the-art dental services to the patients and communities they serve,” said Norton Travis, CEO of ProHEALTH Dental.

ProHEALTH Dental’s initial clinical affiliation was with ProHEALTH Care Associates, LLP, a 900+ physician practice serving over 1.2 million patients at 300+ locations throughout Long Island and the metropolitan New York area. Last year, ProHEALTH Dental expanded its model to include an Academic and Clinical Affiliation Agreement with The Mount Sinai Health System / Icahn School of Medicine with affiliated practices in Queens and Brooklyn.

Through its affiliations with ProHEALTH Care and Mount Sinai, ProHEALTH Dental has in operation and development nine (9) dental offices serving patients of all ages throughout Long Island, Queens and Brooklyn. The affiliation with Riverside will add four (4) state-of-the-art dental offices in Hoboken, Edison, Secaucus and Clifton this year, with additional offices planned for next year.

“We believe that this is the model of the future,” said Travis. “It’s time to break down the historical barrier between medicine and dentistry and have these important healthcare professionals work together to improve the oral and overall health of their patients.”

About ProHEALTH Dental:

Based in Lake Success, New York, ProHEALTH Dental partners with health systems and medical groups to coordinate dental services with primary care medical services and promote the oral and overall health and well-being of their patients. Under these partnership arrangements, ProHEALTH Dental develops state-of-the-art dental offices to provide both preventative and restorative dentistry, as well as all needed specialty services, for both children and adults. ProHEALTH Dental currently operates in Nassau County and Queens, New York, with planned expansions throughout Long Island, the five boroughs and New Jersey. For more information, contact Norton L. Travis, CEO atntravis@prohealthdentalmanagement.com or 516-622-6000 ext. 3268 or visit www.prohealthcaredental.com.

About Riverside Medical Group:

Riverside Medical Group is the premier medical practice in Northern New Jersey serving patients in counties. Started over 40 years ago and is now serving Bergen, Essex, Passaic, Hudson, Middlesex, Burlington and Camden counties. Riverside has been able to grow due to its unwavering commitment to continuity of care and evidence-based medicine of the highest caliber. We have over 85 locations specializing in Adult Medicine, Pediatrics, Allergy & Immunology, Behavioral & Mental Health, Cardiology, Developmental Pediatrics, ENT, Gastroenterology, Foot & Ankle, Ophthalmology, Pain Management, Pediatric Gastroenterology, Physical Therapy, Pulmonology, Rheumatology, and Sleep Medicine. As a nationally designated “Patient Centered Medical Home,” Riverside is able to provide patient-focused precision medical care to your entire family. The team consists of 200 board certified medical providers trained at the most prestigious academic institutions in the nation. Riverside offers the longest hours of operation of any private multi-specialty group in the country, with our headquarters open 365 days a year from 7 AM - midnight. As an advocate for prenatal health and birthing education, Riverside offers free prenatal, breastfeeding, and diabetes education classes. Welcome to Riverside; where your family is our family. To learn more, please visit: www.riversidemedgroup.com