Roland DGA’s DGSHAPE Americas dental business group has announced the addition of the 3DX Dental 3D Printer Bundle, Powered by Roland DGA to its line of dental products and accessories. This bundle offers a reliable, full-service 3D printing solution at one affordable price, along with Roland DGA’s world-renowned customer service and support. Equipped with the 3DX bundle, dental businesses can produce a wide variety of products in-house quickly, easily, and cost-effectively, including dental models, dentures, provisional crowns and bridges, occlusal guards, surgical guides, custom clear retainers, removable die fits, and more.

The 3DX bundle was created exclusively to complement DGSHAPE DWX wet and dry dental milling solutions. Its 3DXPRINT 3D printer incorporates state-of-the-art 4K LCD 3D print technology that provides fast, precise, and uniform production of 3D-printed dental applications, while the small footprint and high-quality output make it the ideal printing solution for dental laboratories and clinical offices of all sizes.

Within its compact housing, the 3DXPRINT features a large 190 x 120 x 180 mm build plate that offers a generous 40-square-inch surface, allowing users to print up to eight full-arches at one time—all with outstanding consistency and precision. Its print speed ranges from 10~50 mm per hour, depending on material layer thickness. In addition, its open-architecture platform is validated for use with resins from over 20 resin manufactures and more than 150 resins.

The 3DXPRINT’s durable, state-of-the-art design was developed through a 5-million-layer test process in real-time dental conditions to ensure the highest level of performance and reliability. Incorporating industrial-grade optical components further ensures an optimal product life cycle. It also features an automated cooling system (ACS) for ideal temperature maintenance.

“We are excited to offer this fast, precise, and affordable 3D printing solution to our customers,” said Roland DGA Dental Marketing Manager Lisa Aguirre. “The 3DX bundle is a complete, advanced, easy-to-use 3D printing solution that perfectly complements our high-performance DWX milling machines. By integrating its capabilities into their workflows, businesses can optimize their production and offer same-day applications with outstanding uniformity and accuracy.”

The 3DX bundle comes complete with the 3DXPRINT 4K LCD 3D printer, 3DXWASH cleaning system, 3DXCURE curing system, and 3DXMODEL resin. In addition, it includes easy-to-use 3DXWORKS CAD design and slicing software, with no maintenance, update, or annual fees. 3DXPRINT is backed by Roland DGA’s unsurpassed one-year trouble-free warranty and support.

To learn more about the new 3DX bundle, visit www.rolanddga.com/3DXPRINT. For more information on the complete line of DGSHAPE dental milling solutions, visit https://www.rolanddga.com/dental.

About Roland DGA Corporation and DGSHAPE Americas

Roland DGA Corporation serves North and South America as the marketing, sales, distribution and service arm for Roland DG Corporation and its subsidiary, DGSHAPE. Founded in 1981 and listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, Roland DG of Hamamatsu, Japan is a worldwide leader in wide-format inkjet printers, engravers, photo impact printers and CNC milling machines. DGSHAPE Americas is the Roland DGA dental business group dedicated to the DGSHAPE line of products, most notable as a market leader in dental milling machines. To learn more about Roland DGA Corporation and DGSHAPE Americas, visit https://www.rolanddga.com/dental.

About Roland DG Corporation

With the purpose of “To Empower Creativity and Excitement Worldwide,” Roland DG Corporation strives to bring new opportunities to society through digital solutions that make it easy for anyone to create things. The company’s inkjet printers and printer/cutters are widely used in a variety of visual communication fields, including signage and interior decoration. In the digital fabrication field, our inkjet printers, cutting machines, and 3D digital fabrication tools enable the personalization and customization of items tailored to individual customer needs. By adopting a high-mix, low-volume, on-demand approach, Roland DG aims to create new applications. Recently, Roland DG has further expanded the digital transformation frontier. The company provides a cloud-based service to enhance customers’ printing operations and profitability and a cloud-based production improvement solution offering the expertise of its proprietary production support system for small and medium-sized manufacturers. To learn more about DGSHAPE Corporation, visit https://www.dgshape.com.

A new High Point University Poll, conducted in honor of Oral Cancer Awareness Month in April and in conjunction with the Workman School of Dental Medicine, finds a majority (60%) of North Carolina residents have not had a dental exam for oral cancer. Another one-third (33%) of poll respondents said that they have been examined.

Three-quarters (75%) of North Carolinians said they were not aware April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month, while 20% said they were aware.

The HPU Poll also asked how long it has been since they last visited a dentist or a dental clinic for any reason. Nearly half (49%) said it had been between one to 12 months, another 16% said one to two years, 16% said two to five years and 14% said it had been five or more years.

Conversations with Your Dentist

More than half of North Carolina residents are not having direct conversations with a dental professional about several important oral issues. Most poll respondents said they have not had a conversation with a dentist, a hygienist or another dental professional in the past year about how mouth diseases can include allergies and autoimmune conditions and be related to inflammatory bowel disorders (71%) or that the human papilloma virus (HPV) infection can cause oropharyngeal cancer (71%).

Majorities said they have not had a conversation with a dental professional in the past year about the dental health benefits of checking their blood sugar (70%), how diseases of the teeth, gums and mouth are related to conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and Alzheimer’s disease (67%), the benefits of giving up cigarettes or other types of tobacco to improve their dental health (64%), how mouth diseases can be related to underlying nutritional deficiencies and food intolerances (64%), and the importance of examining their mouths for oral cancer (59%).

Oral Cancer Risk Factors

A majority (68%) of poll respondents said they were not aware HPV infection is the main risk factor for oropharyngeal cancer. Only about one-quarter (26%) said they were aware of this risk factor.

Asked if they were aware of any other risk factors for oral cancer, most (81%) said they were aware of tobacco and smokeless tobacco being a risk factor for oral cancer. A majority of these same respondents were also aware that inflammation (57%), alcohol consumption (55%), precancerous lesions (54%) and genetic predisposition (50%) were risk factors for oral cancer. Less than half were aware that HPV infection (48%), oral microbiome (40%) and field cancerization (29%) were risk factors.

Brushing Teeth, Tooth Decay and Toothaches

When asked about using dental floss or other devices to clean between their teeth, about one-quarter (24%) of North Carolinians said they flossed every day, and 19% said they didn’t floss at all in the past week.

When North Carolinians were asked how many of their permanent teeth have been removed because of tooth decay or gum disease, almost half (44%) said none of their teeth had been removed because of tooth decay or gum disease. About one-third (30%) said between one and five teeth have been removed, 12% said six or more but not all and 10% said all of their teeth had been removed.

About one-third (34%) of respondents said in the past year they have never had painful aches anywhere in their mouth. Another one-quarter (27%) said they hardly ever had such pain, while 20% said occasionally and 10% said fairly often. Only 7% said they very often have painful aches anywhere in their mouth in the past year.

“This survey highlights the need for the entire health care community to remove silos and be at the forefront of educating patients on the risk factors associated with oral cancer,” says Dr. Ali Shazib, dean of HPU’s Workman School of Dental Medicine. “A systematic oral cavity examination with proper patient education performed annually would bring us one step closer to early detection and better outcomes. The time is now for us to unite to have those important conversations.”

HPU Poll 102 was fielded by the High Point University Survey Research Center on March 22 through March 30 as an online survey using a panel of respondents recruited and maintained by Dynata. Dynata sent invitations to its panel of N.C. respondents and the SRC collected 1,016 total responses on its Qualtrics platform. The items reported in this release were presented to one-third of the total respondents for an effect sample size of 347. The SRC verified that the demographics of this sub-sample were similar to those of the full sample. The SRC did all data analysis. The online sample is from a panel of respondents, and their participation does not adhere to usual assumptions associated with random selection. Therefore, it is not appropriate to assign a classic margin of sampling error for the results. In this case, the SRC provides a credibility interval of plus or minus 3.4 percentage points to account for a traditional 95% confidence interval for the estimates (plus or minus 3.1 percentage points) and a design effect of 1.2 (based on the weighting). For the sub-sample, the credibility interval is plus or minus 5.8 percentage points (5.3 adjusted to account for a design effect of 1.2 based on the weighting) The data is weighted toward population estimates for age, gender, race, ethnicity, and education based on U.S. Census numbers for North Carolina. Factors such as question wording and other methodological choices in conducting survey research can introduce additional errors into the findings of opinion polls. Percentages may not add to 100 because of rounding.

Further results and methodological details from the most recent survey and past surveys can be found at the Survey Research Center website. The materials online include past press releases as well as memos summarizing the findings (including approval ratings) for each poll since 2010.

The HPU Poll reports methodological details in accordance with the standards set out by AAPOR’s Transparency Initiative, and the HPU Survey Research Center is a Charter Member of the Initiative.

You can follow the HPU Poll on X.

Dr. Martin Kifer, chair and associate professor of political science, serves as the director of the HPU Poll, and Brian McDonald is the associate director of the HPU Poll.

A new High Point University Poll, conducted in honor of Oral Cancer Awareness Month in April and in conjunction with the Workman School of Dental Medicine, finds a majority (60%) of North Carolina residents have not had a dental exam for oral cancer. Another one-third (33%) of poll respondents said that they have been examined.

UptimeHealth, a leader in healthcare technology solutions based in Boston, Massachusetts, is proud to announce the successful acquisition of Dental Whale, the leading dental practice solutions and learning provider in North America, including its subsidiaries, Dental Fix, Florida Dental Repair and Front Office Rocks. These expansions enhance UptimeHealth’s offerings and signal the launch of UptimeServices, a new subsidiary focused on expanded service solutions within the healthcare and dental industries.

This acquisition and series of partnerships signify a critical expansion in UptimeHealth’s trajectory, coinciding with the unveiling of UptimeServices. UptimeServices is designed to play a crucial role in our strategy to elevate access to service for providers, improve standards of service, and facilitate education to aspiring technicians across healthcare settings.

Key Highlights of the Acquisition and New Partnerships:

Enhanced Capabilities: The inclusion of Dental Whale, Dental Fix, Florida Dental Repair, and Front Office Rocks significantly broadens our asset management, staff training, and education opportunities, and onsite equipment repair services specifically tailored for the dental market.

Expanded Reach: These strategic expansions extend our reach into thousands of dental practices across North America, bolstering our ability to enhance healthcare delivery through technological innovation and specialized services.

Introduction of UptimeServices: These initiatives are integral to the launch of UptimeServices, a subsidiary designed to focus on specialized healthcare equipment service solutions, reinforcing our mission to streamline operations, enhance efficiency, and improve patient outcomes.

Statements from Leadership:

Jinesh Patel, Founder & CEO of UptimeHealth, says, “The acquisition of Dental Whale represents significant advancements towards our vision of enhanced healthcare management. These additions, and the announcement of UptimeServices, demonstrate our commitment to improving our offerings, deepening our industry expertise, and allowing us to deliver unparalleled value to our clients.”

Russ Baker, previously Equipment, Service & Supplies Leader at Dental Whale, states, “This new chapter under UptimeHealth and UptimeServices is an exciting development for us at Dental Whale and Dental Fix. We look forward to a deeper integration with UptimeHealth’s innovative ecosystem and continuing to deliver exceptional services to the dental community.”

For more information on this acquisition, the new partnerships, the upcoming rebranding, or to learn more about UptimeServices and its new subsidiaries, visit uptimehealth.com.

About UptimeHealth

UptimeHealth, headquartered in Boston, specializes in providing user-friendly software solutions for healthcare administrators and operators. Our technologies focus on compliance management, operational efficiencies, and access to a vast network of qualified biomed technicians. UptimeHealth is dedicated to supporting the shift of healthcare to in-home and outpatient settings, thereby enhancing patient care. To learn more, visit uptimehealth.com.

About Dental Whale

With offices in Atlanta, San Antonio, and Ft. Lauderdale, Dental Whale® aims to Simplify the Business of Dentistry. Through its suite of subsidiary companies, Dental Whale helps dentists - in private and group dentistry - operate dental practices more efficiently by saving money on purchases, marketing to new patients, expanding through acquisitions, improving patient experience, and increasing office efficiency. The company aims to improve dental health for everyone by creating breakthroughs in dental practice management through insight and innovation. Delivering solutions developed by dentists and technology experts combined with a leadership team of industry veterans, Dental Whale delivers its members proven cost-effective practice solutions and time-saving results that meet the expectations of even the most demanding patient. Dental Whale employs a diverse team of more than 850 team members, has supported more than 20,000 dentists, and helped serve more than 4 million patients. For more information on Dental Whale, call 855-339-3740 or visit https://www.dentalwhale.com/.

Henry Schein One announced today two new offerings designed to enhance dental practice performance—an integration with Reserve with Google for healthcare and the launch of its Appointment Capacity Report, powered by Jarvis Analytics. Together, these offerings enable practices to attract patients and gain invaluable insights for refining patient management strategies and driving growth.

These enhancements are part of Henry Schein’s overarching strategy to deliver differentiated solutions that make practices more successful and improve patient outcomes.

Enhancing the Patient’s Online Booking Experience

Henry Schein One customers can now enhance the patient online booking experience through Reserve with Google. Patients using Google search, maps, or assistant will be able to easily access practice websites and information, including driving directions, contact details, and available appointment types, simplifying their search and helping to ensure they are choosing a dentist that best fits their needs.

This integration helps patients using Google to more easily find and book appointments with local practitioners based on geography, personalization, appointment types offered and categorical queries such as:

• “Dentist near me”

• “Teeth whitening near me”

• “Emergency dentist near me”

“Patients today expect health care to be as convenient as anything else in their lives,” says Steven Maroulis, VP & GM, Analytics and Patient Experience, Henry Schein One. “We’re committed to driving digital transformation, which means meeting these expectations head-on. Imagine booking a dental appointment with the same ease as reserving a table at a restaurant online. Practices that prioritize online scheduling and a seamless patient experience will be poised to thrive in this digitally-driven era.”

“Since our inception in 2008, our commitment to facilitating access to care has remained unwavering. The introduction of online scheduling powered by Henry Schein One’s Jarvis Analytics marks yet another milestone in our relentless pursuit of innovation to enhance the guest experience,” said Mike Murphy, Chief Marketing Officer, DECA Dental Group, and current Reserve with Google Henry Schein One beta customer. “Offering seamless 24/7 access for appointment booking in real-time has been a game-changer. Now, with Reserve with Google, the process is further streamlined, making it effortlessly convenient for individuals seeking care to secure appointments, even on Saturdays, across our expansive coast-to-coast network of dental offices.”

Refining Patient Management Strategies for Peak Performance

Henry Schein One is also introducing a way for dental practices to measure results, including appointment scheduling, provider utilization, and average lead times, via the new Appointment Capacity Report powered by Jarvis Analytics. Available to all practices currently using Jarvis, this report helps practices refine their patient management strategies for peak efficiency. Designed to give dental practices a clear snapshot of their operational health, practices can use the report to:

• Track the total count of all scheduled appointments, offering insights into patient flow and practice capacity. This helps with forecasting and resource allocation.

• Monitor the number of healthcare providers available, which is critical for balancing workloads and ensuring that patient care is not compromised.

• Review booked hours to assess how effectively appointment slots are being filled and utilized, which is essential for maximizing practice revenue and patient satisfaction.

“Marketers are always looking to optimize their marketing spend while meeting patient demand. Operators want to maximize their resource allocation and practice revenue. The key to both of those objectives is getting ongoing insights into schedule utilization and capacity,” said Diane Vaccaro, Chief Marketing Officer, 42 North Dental, a dental support organization based outside of Boston that actively uses Jarvis Analytics. “Having this reporting available will get us to decisions faster to accommodate more patients and add value to any practice.”

Visit www.henryscheinone.com or contact your Henry Schein One representative to learn more about these innovative offerings. Henry Schein One will be demonstrating Reserve with Google at the annual THRIVELIVE Conference in Las Vegas, May 2-4, 2024, booth #A500.

About Henry Schein One

Henry Schein One empowers dentists to focus on patient care, ensuring practice success.

With its simple and integrated software, practices are finally more seamless, more efficient, and more profitable—meaning patients and practitioners are happier. With comprehensive solutions: demand generation, patient experience, practice management, revenue management, dental analytics, and clinical workflow, dental practices will be running smoother than ever before.

Henry Schein One, LLC, is a joint venture between Henry Schein, Inc. (Nasdaq: HSIC) and Internet Brands. The company’s portfolio of leading brands includes Dentrix®, Dentrix Ascend®, Jarvis Analytics®, TechCentral™, Lighthouse360+, and DentalPlans.com®, along with solutions offered through international companies, including Dentally and Software of Excellence, among others. For a full list of our brands, please visit our website or connect with us on LinkedIn.

Concorde Career Colleges today announced the launch of two dental hygiene associate degree programs at its campuses in Miramar, Fla., and Portland, Ore., bringing the number of dental hygiene programs offered to 14 nationwide. Concorde is the healthcare education division of Universal Technical Institute, Inc., a leading workforce solutions education provider that prepares and supports workers for in-demand jobs.

“Miramar and Portland are markets where we’re seeing growing demand for skilled dental hygienists, so it made sense to diversify and grow our programming at our existing campuses,” said Kevin Prehn, division president of Concorde Career Colleges. “We have successful, long-standing dental assistant programs at these campuses, and expanding our program offerings allow us to deepen our partnerships with dental providers in the area.”

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of dental hygienists is projected to grow 7% from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations. Locally, the demand is even higher. In Broward County, where the Miramar campus is located, dental hygienists are among the 25 fastest-growing occupations, with a 12.4% projected employment growth between 2023 and 2031.¹ Likewise, in the Portland tri-county area, dental hygienists have a 13.7% projected job growth between 2022 and 2032.²

Concorde’s dental hygiene curriculum blends online and on ground coursework with in-person lab instruction and clinical experience to prepare students to enter the dental industry in as few as 17 months.³

The Dental Hygiene programs in Miramar and Portland received initial programmatic accreditation by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).⁴ The first cohort of classes began on April 22.

Once the first cohort of students complete their foundational coursework and are ready to apply their knowledge in a real-world setting, each campus will open their dental hygiene clinic. Under the supervision of faculty and licensed dentists, students will provide a variety of services including health screenings, x-rays, dental cleanings, bite guards, and dental sealants. The clinics are open to the community, offering lost-cost preventive dental care to everyone, including uninsured or underinsured individuals.

“Concorde is deeply invested in the communities where our campuses are located. Our community dental hygiene clinics provide a wonderful opportunity for our students to give back to the community, while earning the clinical competencies they need to graduate,” added Prehn.

The Miramar and Portland clinics were retrofitted into the existing campus footprints. Each location has sixteen fully equipped treatment bays that can support the training of 32 students per cohort.

Each campus plans to host an open house in the fall, which will include tours of the facility and clinic.

Concorde offers a full suite of dental programs, from the on-campus Dental Assistant diploma and Dental Hygiene associate degree programs through an online Dental Hygiene bachelor’s degree completion program.

For more information on Concorde and its healthcare programming, visit concorde.edu.

1. Source: Florida Department of Commerce, Employment Projections for Dental Hygienists in Broward County 2023- 2031, viewed April 23, 2023.

4. The programs in dental hygiene at Miramar and Portland are accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation and have been granted the accreditation status of “initial accreditation.” The Commission is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education. The Commission on Dental Accreditation can be contacted at (312) 440-4653 or at 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611. The Commission's web address is www.coda.ada.org.

About Universal Technical Institute, Inc.

Universal Technical Institute, Inc. (NYSE: UTI) (the “Company”) was founded in 1965 and is a leading workforce solutions provider of transportation, skilled trades, and healthcare education programs whose mission is to serve students, partners, and communities by providing quality education and support services for in-demand careers across a number of highly skilled fields. The Company is comprised of two divisions: Universal Technical Institute and Concorde Career Colleges. Universal Technical Institute operates 15 campuses located in nine states and offers a wide range of transportation and skilled trades technical training programs under brands such as UTI, MIAT College of Technology, Motorcycle Mechanics Institute, Marine Mechanics Institute and NASCAR Technical Institute. Concorde operates across 17 campuses in eight states and online, offering programs in the allied health, dental, nursing, patient care, and diagnostic fields. For more information, visit www.uti.edu or www.concorde.edu, or visit us on LinkedIn at @UniversalTechnicalInstitute and @Concorde Career Colleges or on X (formerly Twitter) @news_UTI or @ConcordeCareer.

Mark Ross and Michael Ventriello, the veteran dental marketing experts who joined forces in 2023 to launch dentistry’s first virtual focus group platform, The Virtual Dental Team (VDT), recently teamed up again to introduce PitchIt DDS - an investor presentation creation service specifically for dental start-up companies as well as existing healthcare and technology companies planning to enter the oral-care market.

Designed to be a complimentary or combined service with VDT, PitchIt DDS is fueled by the combined 50 years dental product and company launch experience and insights that Ross and Ventriello will apply to each pitch deck they create on behalf of dental industry founders and start-ups.

“Dentistry is entering an exciting era of innovation and investment,” said Ross. “However, because there are so many new companies vying for investor funding, it’s more critical than ever for a dental start-up to make a compelling pitch that will stand out from a crowded field and in turn, persuade angel investors, private equity firms and venture capital firms alike to provide the funding needed to propel next level growth.”

The PitchIt DDS presentation creation service can also be used for the following applications:

• Investor Pitch Decks

• Sales Presentations

• Strategic Partner Pitch Decks

• KOL Lecture Slides

• Training Presentations

“Mark and I have seen many investor presentations during private fundraising dinners and public ‘Shark Tank’ events where the fund-seeking company’s technology may have had a tremendous potential for improving workflows and patient care, but the pitch fell flat due to a variety of weaknesses in research, branding, messaging, design, and delivery,” commented Ventriello. “Although heavily invested in R&D, many dental start-ups fumble when it comes to making the clear, concise, and compelling pitch needed achieve their fundraising goals. A dynamic investor presentation from PitchIt DDS can help avoid that scenario.”

For more information about PitchIt DDS visit https://v-d-t.com/new-pitch-deck-services or contact Mark Ross at Mark@RossCommGrp.com.

About Mark Ross:

Mark is the owner and founder of Ross Communications, a leading brand development and marketing agency with more than 30+ years of experience in developing successful branding and marketing campaigns for some of the dental industry’s most innovative companies. For more information, visit www.RossCommGrp.Com.

About Michael Ventriello:

Widely regarded as the “Dental Product Launch Expert,” Michael is the owner and founder of the PR-forward dental marketing agency Ventriello Communications. He is an award-winning copywriter who specializes in developing strategic marketing communications and public relations programs for game-changing dental products, services, and companies. Michael is also a published author and dental industry pundit. For more information, visit www.Ventriello.com.

Three BroadcastMed publications—Inside Dentistry, Inside Dental Hygiene, and Inside Dental Technology—have received awards for graphic design. Inside Dentistry and Inside Dental Hygiene magazines were recognized in the 2024 Azbee Awards of Excellence, regional level. The Azbees are conducted annually by the American Society of Business Publication Editors (ASBPE), an association for B2B editorial professionals. Inside Dental Technology was honored in the 2024 Hermes Creative Awards, a competition administered by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals.

Inside Dentistry received a Regional Bronze Award in the Design - Opening Page/Spread - Photo Illustration category, Mid Atlantic Region, for the article “Joining the Flock: Medical-dental integration shepherds dentistry into healthcare to improve outcomes,” published in the November 2023 issue. To view the opening spread and read the article, click here.

Inside Dentistry is the primary information resource for dental practitioners, providing an editorial mix of relevant, evidence-based, and practice-building content. “One of the most critical topics in healthcare today is the connection between oral and systemic health, but the structure of our healthcare system has made acting on that connection challenging, to say the least,” said the creative team behind Inside Dentistry, led by Jennifer Barlow, Manager, Print Design. “While it would be ideal for the medical community to embrace dentistry, the reality is that the responsibility for initiating change lies almost entirely with the dental community, so our article explored how this is being accomplished. For the imagery, we wanted to make a strong statement about the situation.”

Also honored in the Azbees was Inside Dental Hygiene, which received a Regional Gold Award in the Design - Opening Page/Spread - Photo Illustration category, Mid Atlantic Region, for the article “Shining a Light on Saliva Testing: How biomarkers for oral and systemic disease can be identified from an easy-to-collect sample.” The article was published in the May/June 2023 issue of Inside Dental Hygiene. To view the opening spread and to read the article, click here.

To illustrate the article, the creative team at Inside Dental Hygiene, also led by Barlow, used an image of an open mouth with effects and bold colors. “We received more positive feedback about this cover and this article than any in recent memory,” the creative team said, “and we attributed that in large part to the decision to balance being eye-catching without being disgusting—for a topic that easily could have been the latter.”

The Inside Dental Hygiene entry advances to the national finalists for the Azbees, to be announced in May.

In the 2024 Hermes Awards, Inside Dental Technology was recognized with a Gold Award in the Print Media, Publication Interior category, for the article “Balancing the Scales: Triumphs, opportunities, and inspirations for the future of women in the dental laboratory,” published in the June 2023 issue. To view this artwork and to read the article, click here.

The Ivoclar Group, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of integrated solutions for high-quality dental applications with an extensive product and systems portfolio for dentists, dental technicians, and dental hygienists, announces its partnership with the US-American technology company SprintRay. As one of the leading manufacturers in the dental industry worldwide, the Liechtenstein-based Ivoclar Group is now setting new standards in the field of 3D printing with this cooperation.

Digital technologies and processes are constantly driving changes in the dental industry and are having a major impact on the way dental professionals work. To enhance our customer support, the Ivoclar Group has entered into a partnership with SprintRay. The US-American technology company develops end-to-end 3D printing solutions for dental practices and laboratories. During SprintRay’s 3DNext event in Miami, USA, this past weekend, Ivoclar’s CEO Markus Heinz and SprintRay’s CEO Dr Amir Mansouri shared their joint vision with the dental sector.

Synergies smartly used

Ivoclar is one of the world’s leading material manufacturers in the dental industry and has been providing solutions for high-quality fixed and removable prosthetics for more than a century. For about 20 years, Ivoclar has been inspiring with efficient and esthetic solutions that set new standards for CAD/CAM workflows in dental practices and laboratories. SprintRay stands for a coordinated and thought-through product portfolio that meets the needs of customers purposefully and in the long term. With this partnership, the synergies and expertise of both companies will be aligned allowing their customers to ideally combine state-of-the-art solutions for 3D printing with high-quality materials.

Together for the next generation

With the announcement of their partnership, Ivoclar and SprintRay also reveal that further innovations can be expected as early as this fall.

“We are very pleased to partner with SprintRay—an equal partner with whom we want to set new standards together. The philosophies of our companies complement each other perfectly and we are striving to provide our customers with the best possible support in their daily work,” says Markus Heinz, CEO of Ivoclar Group.

Dr Amir Mansouri adds, “Ivoclar and SprintRay both have extensive internal dental expertise. Our aim is to really understand the problems and needs of our customers in order to provide optimally coordinated solutions. With Ivoclar, we are delighted to have one of the dental industry’s leading material manufacturers at our side.”

About the Ivoclar Group

The Ivoclar Group, headquartered in Schaan, Liechtenstein, is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of integrated solutions for high-quality dental applications. For over a century, the company has been shaping the dental industry, enabling people to achieve the best oral health and enjoy a beautiful smile. The company’s success is based on a comprehensive portfolio of products, systems and services, strong research and development capabilities and a clear commitment to training and further education. The group of companies, which sells its products to around 130 countries, has 56 subsidiaries and branch offices and employs roughly 3,700 people worldwide. More information about the Ivoclar Group is available at ivoclar.com.

SprintRay, the leader in dental 3D printing, unveiled the Company's most significant innovation to-date to over 250 dental professionals at 3DNext, their summit in Miami. The Midas Digital Press 3D Printer is poised to not only transform dental restoration practices but also inspires an entirely new understanding of the future of 3D printing capabilities.

With Midas, SprintRay revealed the first and only Digital Press Stereolithography (DPS) technology and patent-pending Resin Capsule System, enabling the use of previously unworkable and highly viscous resins with 3D printing. The combined product and technology process sets an entirely new standard for what has been previously possible in 3D printing.

"Materials, more than anything, have dictated what is possible in the dental restoration field," said Amir Mansouri, Ph.D., co-founder and CEO of SprintRay. "The introduction of Midas revolutionizes both the manner in which material is transformed and reveals an entirely new paradigm of what can actually be printed. Until now, materials like ceramics were too thick for traditional 3D printers to handle. Midas changes everything. Not only does this innovation handle today's ceramic-based materials but sets the stage for future advances in composites and ceramics. We are on the brink of a new era in biomaterial innovation, and we're thrilled to be leading the charge."

When Midas becomes available to dental professionals later this year, it will be the first truly new 3D printing methodology to be commercialized in four decades. Combined with SprintRay's all-new AI Studio design software, chairside design and delivery of restorations will be a faster and more seamless experience than ever before.

Dr. Wally Renne, DMD, a global leader in digital dentistry and co-founder of MOD Institute, said, "SprintRay's Midas, in my opinion, is the biggest breakthrough in dentistry since September 1985, when the first CEREC inlay was milled. SprintRay has invented a new way to 3D print called 'digital press stereolithography,' easily enabling the chairside fabrication of crowns, inlays, onlays and veneers. Their first Midas resin will have over 70% ceramic filler and can be printed in under eight minutes. And that's just the beginning. Their announced partnership with Ivoclar for material development sets a tone for a very exciting future. Digital dentistry was just upended."

Digital Press Stereolithography, No Training, Zero Maintenance:

Midas and DPS eliminates viscosity limitations and creates a new platform for material innovation. The patented process removes the boundaries chemists have previously faced to change the mechanical properties and aesthetics of resin. Midas is the first 3D printer ever to use Digital Press Stereolithography (DPS), eliminating the need for large resin vats and other reusable parts. Utilizing a vacuum-sealed Midas Resin Capsule that can print up to three units in less than eight minutes, Midas delivers an incredibly clean, simple workflow without viscosity limitations.

The AI Design Studio:

Complementing the printer, SprintRay introduces AI Studio, a cloud-based design software that automates the creation of dental restorations. AI Studio integrates today with 3Shape, Dexis, and Medit scanners to give doctors the ability to edit and change the design including margin editing, positioning and adaptation adjustments, and edits to anatomy - all without requiring any CAD experience. A single click sends designs to Midas, including any STL design file from any dental design software or lab for maximum convenience.

Future of Biomaterial Innovation:

"Midas has changed what we view as possible in 3D printed materials. This new open platform allows an entire industry of material science innovators to explore a new galaxy of solutions. Biomaterial has a very exciting future that is going to result in monumental benefits for our customers and patients alike," said Ehsan Barjasteh, Ph.D., head of the SprintRay Biomaterial Innovation Lab.

Midas and AI Studio, combined with NanoCure, signify a monumental advancement in dental restoration manufacturing, characterized by speed, simplicity, and groundbreaking innovation in restorative materials. The waitlist for Midas is now open, with deliveries set to begin in Q4 2024. For more information visit sprintray.com

About SprintRay

SprintRay is a dental technology company that builds end-to-end 3D printing ecosystems for dental professionals. SprintRay designs and manufactures user-friendly and cutting-edge dental solutions including 3D printers and post-processing ecosystems, 3D printing software featuring AI technology, and innovative 3D resins. Dental care providers can deliver best-in-class service by leveraging SprintRay's highly-specialized, affordable technologies. For more information, visit www.sprintray.com.

Heartland Dental, the nation's leading dental support organization (DSO), proudly announces the successful implementation of VideaAI, VideaHealth's dental AI platform, offering supported doctors and their teams an advanced tool to help elevate patient care while maintaining clinical autonomy. This marks a significant achievement for Heartland Dental and its supported practices, demonstrating their unwavering commitment to world class tools, technologies, and clinical innovations that enable efficiency and excellence. This is the largest rollout of dental AI in industry history, completed in just under 10 weeks.

"Years of due diligence, strong partnerships, and collaboration across our team of industry experts were crucial components to a successful implementation. The speed of the implementation was ultimately the result of that due diligence and underscores Heartland Dental's dedication to providing our supported doctors and their teams with access to advanced solutions that align with our proven systems," shared Timothy Quirt, DDS, MBA, Senior Vice President of Clinical Operations.

VideaAI has empowered Heartland Dental and its supported practices to streamline operations, enhance collaboration, and unlock new opportunities for growth. By leveraging the advanced features and capabilities of this innovative solution, Heartland Dental supported practices have experienced a multitude of benefits, including:

**Increased Patient Engagement: VideaAI's personalized patient communication tools build on Heartland Dental's supported practices' commitment to further improve patient engagement and satisfaction, leading to better treatment outcomes.

**Improved Operational Efficiency: VideaAI's analytics and insights have enabled Heartland Dental to identify areas for operational improvement for supported practices, leading to increased efficiency and cost savings.

**Enhanced Training and Education: VideaHealth's video-based training modules have facilitated better training and education for dental staff, helping to promote consistent delivery of high-quality care across practices.

VideaHealth has a hybrid, virtual-first approach to engaging dental practices to deliver support at scale. VideaHealth's support structure and strong collaboration with the Heartland Dental team contributed to Heartland's successful implementation and continues to facilitate adoption efforts for supported offices. "My sincerest hope is that the successful rollout of AI across the vast Heartland Dental supported footprint will help other DSOs recognize what is possible. With many DSOs whose scale is smaller, rollout is possible in a matter of weeks, not months," said Florian Hillen, Founder and CEO of VideaHealth.

"Our supported doctors, hygiene providers, and dental office team members are highly engaged with the VideaAI platform. Heartland supported providers and team members are learning from one another and sharing best practices, a living example of the community aspect of our supported network and their commitment to continuous improvement and collaboration," reflected Seth Gibree, DMD, FAGD, Senior Director of Clinical AI and Innovation.

Heartland Dental's unique doctor-led culture and support model ensures that initiatives, such as the implementation of VideaAI, are those that are best positioned to help supported doctors enhance patient care. With the successful implementation of VideaAI technology, Heartland Dental reaffirms its position as a leader in dentistry and looks forward to achieving even greater milestones in the future.

About Heartland Dental

Heartland Dental is the nation's largest dental support organization providing non-clinical, administrative support services. What started from the entrepreneurial spirit of Rick Workman, DMD, with his single dental practice, has evolved into affiliating with over 2,800 doctors in over 1,700 locations across 39 states and the District of Columbia. The company is majority owned by KKR, a leading global investment firm. For additional information, please visit heartland.com.