Aspen Dental Management, Inc. (ADMI) has launched a reimbursement program to support laboratory technicians in attaining their Certified Dental Technician (CDT) designation in Complete Dentures. The program is part of ADMI's continued dedication to providing employees with professional development opportunities and ensures that its laboratory technician professionals are given the necessary resources to meet top industry standards.

Through the program, ADMI will reimburse technicians 100% of the cost associated with the application process and exam fees once passed, and will continue its support by paying technicians for their annual renewal fees. ADMI employs more than 760 laboratory technicians throughout the United States.

"We are devoted to helping develop our dental lab technicians' abilities by providing them access to the tools and accreditations required to enhance their skills and careers," says Jess Mulyca, director of lab support for ADMI. "It is critical for the dentists supported by ADMI to have top-notch, highly qualified lab support in order to provide superior care and prosthetics to their patients, and this program helps make that happen."

The decision to sponsor a CDT program also complements ADMI's internal one-year Denture Technician Training Program. Since the program's inception in 2011, hundreds of technicians have been trained and placed in jobs across the country.

"We understand that cost is often the biggest barrier in achieving this designation, and in the spirit of taking care of the people who care for the patients, we want to remove this barrier," says Lori Bowling, talent acquisition manager – lab programs, ADMI.  "It is our goal to ensure that all current and prospective lab technicians employed by ADMI and working in an Aspen Dental practice are qualified for top positions in the industry."

The Teeth Tomorrow^® Network proudly announces a partnership with Einstein Medical, a division of Einstein Industries - the country’s preeminent online marketing company for elective healthcare professionals since 1995. Einstein will be providing Teeth Tomorrow^® Network members with optimized websites, social media outreach, and digital marketing solutions to promote each practice within its protected geographic territory. 

“Working with Einstein for the last 10 years has been a major part of our practice's growth.”, says Dr. Michael Tischler, the network’s founder and implant editor of Dentistry Today. “Our mission is support every aspect of our members’ implant practices, so they can spend less time managing the business, and devote more time to their patients,” Dr. Tischler continues, “The SEO strategy implemented by the team at Einstein has translated into a major presence on the web for our practice, and will be a driving force for business growth for network members.” 

Einstein Medical’s Dental Sales Director Michael Berman said: “Einstein Industries has been in the vanguard of online marketing since the early days of the Internet. Our formula for success is simple: an unwavering commitment to providing ethical and data-supported online strategies alongside innovative, proprietary technologies for the healthcare industry. We understand the challenges dentist face in today’s market and help them ethically take advantage of emerging opportunities when they arise, such as Dr. Tischler’s innovative Teeth Tomorrow program.” 

“Teeth Tomorrow^® provides our members with a proven process to grow practice revenue, while best serving patients,” states Richard Stone, Director of Network Services. “Our unique clinical solution, backed by comprehensive lab support, is driven by the promotion of our national brand through media platforms that deliver pre-qualified patients. Each franchise territory has been defined using state-of-the-art market intelligence from IntelleVue to confirm population demographics support the business model. Our global branding campaign from Ellenbogen Creative Media produces national reach with local results for Network Implant Dentists.” 

The Teeth Tomorrow^® Network is the only National US dental franchise dedicated to full arch zirconia as the final product. Network membership is only granted to carefully selected practices committed to providing advanced dental implant reconstruction services, and is limited to 250 exclusive market territories. 

Chicago, IL - July 29, 2016 - Now in its eighth year, the Cellerant “Best of Class” Technology Award (formerly the Pride “Best of Class” Technology Award) continues to lead the profession’s evolving conversation about dental technology through its recognition and education around excellence in dental innovation. In 2016, Ceramir Crown & Bridge from Doxa is one of those celebrated as “Best of Class.”

“To be honored as ‘Best of Class’ is a sign that a product has revolutionized, simplified or advancedits category in a distinctive way,” said Dr. Lou Shuman, “Best of Class” founder. “The manufacturersrepresented here are creating new norms for how dental practices should operate today and willin the future. Our foundation for success in bringing attention to these products remains a simple:technology leadership in dentistry, unbiased, a rigorous and transparent selection process, and notfor profit.”

“Best of Class” honorees are chosen by a panel comprised of leading voices in dental technology, who come together each year to discuss, debate and decide what products merit recognition. All technology categories are considered, but if there is no clear differentiator that sets a product apart in its category, then no winner is selected. Panelists who receive consulting compensation from dental companies are prevented from voting in that company’s category. Over the years, the panel has developed a rapport that makes space for important conversations about value of different innovations and how evolving categories become more or less valuable to the general dentist. The spirited debate that follows results in a variety of products — obscure and well-known, basic and aspirational — being honored.

“One of the things I appreciate most about being part of the ‘Best of Class’ process is that it represents more than just a thought exercise on what technology should do or what seems cool. We are all dentists still active in clinical practice,” said panelist Dr. Marty Jablow. “When we decide that a product should be honored, it is because we see the value it brings to dentists and patients in a real-world context, and that matters to the dental professionals who use lists such as this one in their research and purchasing decisions.”

The panel consists of five dentists with significant knowledge of and experience in dental technology, including Dr. Shuman; Dr. Flucke, writer, speaker, and Technology Editor for Dental Products Report; Paul Feuerstein, DMD, writer, speaker and Technology Editor for Dentistry Today; Marty Jablow, DMD, technology writer and consultant for Dr. BiCuspid; and Parag Kachalia, DDS, Vice-Chair of Preclinical Education, Research and Technology, University of Pacific School of Dentistry.

“In addition to receiving this honor four years in a row, we also see that the Pride/Cellerant award has very high news value in our discussions with potential partners even far outside of the US. As an international company, we acknowledge the history of this recognition and its reputation with stakeholders in many other geographical markets. Doxa AB has been a world leader in bioceramic materials technology for decades, and earning the “Best in Class” award is a great testament to the efforts of the researchers and team behind Doxa’s technology, ” says Torbjörn Larsson, Doxa CEO.

Digital Dental announced that its Board of Directors appointed Corey Tisthammer as President and Chief Executive Officer effective July 25, 2016.

Thirty-plus-year founders Scott Atkin and Kim Karpowitz will remain in their roles managing the materials and machines divisions of the company.

"Corey is an excellent addition to our management team," Atkin says. "His leadership and business development experience will help us to further accelerate growth, as we continue to provide exceptional product and service solutions to our dental laboratory customers."

Earlier this year, Digital Dental was created from the merger of four leading companies manufacturing dental mills, dental laboratory materials, and sintering ovens, plus a state-of-the-art training laboratory. Digital Dental is now the leading manufacturer of dental laboratory milling machines in the US, the company says, reporting the No. 1 market share among America's largest traditional dental laboratories.

As CEO, Corey Tisthammer will unify the companies to offer the only complete US solution for digital dentistry in the laboratory environment.

Before joining Digital Dental, Tisthammer served for 11 years as CEO of Crest Healthcare after holding strategic product and brand roles at Honeywell, Pillsbury, and Procter & Gamble. He also served as a Naval Aviator with flight duties in Operation Desert Storm.

"I am excited to work with the Board of Directors and veteran leadership team to help drive Digital Dental's sales," Tisthammer says. "Our successful strategy of offering new and unparalleled levels of US-based support and service to our customers will be supplemented with new and innovative solutions in our product pipeline to deliver even better sales performance."

Lansdale, PA - X-Nav Technologies, LLC announced that it has received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the X-Guide™ Dynamic 3D Navigation system. The X-Guide system is designed to elevate the surgeon’s control and precision over the entire implant process, including planning and placement. This results in the ability to deliver a more desirable functional and aesthetic outcome in dental implant surgeries.  

According to the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, 3 million Americanshave dental implants to replace missing teeth and that number is growing by 500,000 a year. 

The X-Guide™ system utilizes the surgeon’s plan to provide turn-by-turn guidance during live surgery, giving the ability to visualize precise movements of the handpiece during osteotomy and implant delivery for more exact placement – it’s like GPS for the drill.

“Just as cone beam 3D imaging has transformed dental implant procedures for surgeons and patients, this next advancement in technology will bring more precision and control in transferring 3D treatment plans to the patient, with ease”, said Ed Marandola, X-Nav Technologies President & CEO.

The X-Guide system makes it easy to be exact by providing robust treatment software plus new, patent-pending X-Point™ navigation technology – the first, single-view guidance of implant position, angle and depth.  Compatible with most Cone Beam 3D systems, surgeons do not have to stop at precise planning anymore – now they can place in remarkable detail as well. With the X-Guide system in the dental practice, same-day guided surgery can be a reality for more patients. This is a big advantage, as more patients want their implant results to be functional and aesthetic, while minimizing complications and optimizing their time.

Developed in close collaboration with leading Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, the X-Guide system promises to deliver what today’s implant clinicians want.  Dr. Robert W. Emery, Diplomate of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons states, “the X-Guide system fills the final gap of digital dentistry. Dynamic 3D navigation allows the dentist to use all the 3D digital information at their fingertips in real-time to immediately use their Cone Beam 3D scan to plan and place implants."

X-Nav Technologies has received clearance to market and sell the X-Guide Dynamic 3D Navigation system to dental clinicians in the United States, Canada and the European Community. For more information please visit www.X-NavTech.com

Chicago-August 15, 2016-In celebration of 45 years of industry leadership, dental equipment manufacturer Planmeca Oy is hitting the road this fall to demonstrate how Digital Dentistry can revolutionize a dental practice. 

Planmeca is embarking on a multi-city "Live 45" tech tour to present, involve and wow clinicians with the latest digital integrated technology. These interactive events are focused on making patient care better, safer, improving clinician workflow, and helping dentists take advantage of the latest technology advancements for their practice.

Planmeca Live 45 road shows (Sept. 23 and Oct. 14th) are scheduled to take place in Santa Monica, Calif., and Greensboro, N.C. Highlights of Live 45 include experiencing actual live clinical and restorative patient cases via interactive presentation and discussions. During Live 45, dentists can "roll up" their sleeves and get hands-on with Planmeca in a Tech Playground, and discover the many benefits of going digital.

"Dentists are busy professionals, so it's extremely difficult to get face time with them to show them something new," states Bob Pienkowski, president, Planmeca USA.  "So, we developed our interactive Planmeca Live 45 road shows to vividly bring the latest in Planmeca digital dentistry innovation to their front door."

Planmeca designed this special single-day program to inform and benefit all dentists with specific elements including: Digital Integration Overview, Same Day and Fixed Prosthodontics, Successful Reimbursement Strategies, and The Implant Restorative Cycle.

Leading presenters include Dr. Curtis Jansen, a highly regarded prosthodontist, who will speak on "Same-Day and Fixed Prosthodontics with Digital Dentistry." Later in the event, Dr. Eugene Antenucci will engage attendees with an interactive program on "Implant Restorative Cycle - Planmeca Romexis® Workflow," and the benefits Planmeca Romexis provides dentists to fully integrate their practice through this advanced open architecture software.

To learn more about Planmeca Live 45, or to register, please use the information link: https://www.planmecacadcam.com/45live/ for the latest program details.

Since the 1988 launch of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, the incidence of disease has been greatly reduced. Yet challenges remain to ensure a polio-free world. Two vaccines -- bivalent oral poliovirus vaccine (bOPV) and the inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV) -- are currently used. IPV is  safe, but is substantially more expensive than bOPV, and, as a shot, more difficult to administer than the bOPV oral drops. Also, it does not induce intestinal immunity, so vaccinated individuals can still shed the virus. A silent polio outbreak was reported in Israel recently after the use of IPV.

bOPV induces superior intestinal immunity compared with IPV and, thus, has the potential to better prevent transmission of polioviruses. However, due to the live attenuated virus in the oral polio vaccine, the virus can mutate and revert into a form of the virus that can cause paralysis. This risk led to the global withdrawal of tOPV, the trivalent OPV that targets all three serotypes of the virus, in April 2016. Eventually, all forms of the oral polio vaccine will be withdrawn globally. However, the importance of maintaining intestinal immunity against poliovirus remains a major concern.

To address the current vaccines' shortcomings, Daniell's group developed a booster vaccine that was free of any virus but would induce mucosal immunity to all three polio serotypes. In addition, their vaccine would be stable without refrigeration, making storage, transport, and administration easier.

Daniell's plant-based drug-development platform was suited to the task. Using it, his group modified the chloroplast genome to produce a universal polio virus protein.  Because the gene for this protein is permanently inserted into the plant genome, plants can then be grown, freeze dried, and encapsulated for oral administration.

To induce immunity against polio, the researchers targeted a protein present in all three serotypes of polio. They fused it to a carrier protein, enabling it to cross mucosal surfaces, then confirmed they could stably express the fused protein in tobacco and lettuce plants.

Next they fed the freeze-dried plant material expressing the fused protein to mice to see if it could induce an immune response in mice that had been given an IPV vaccination.

"When the CDC performed tests on several hundred samples of sera from immunized mice, they found it could neutralize all three serotypes of poliovirus," says Daniell.

The researchers hope to pursue FDA approval for clinical studies in humans. The work was supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and NIH.

ORLANDO, F.L. (Aug. 13, 2016) -Dentsply Sirona, The Dental Solutions Company ™, is widely known in the dental industry for hosting concerts by some of the biggest names in music during meetings, like the Train concert held during the CEREC 30^th Anniversary Celebration.

This year, Dentsply Sirona and SIROWORLD raised the stakes with a concert by popular American pop-rock band OneRepublic for attendees. The show was exclusive to SIROWORLD attendees.

“Last night’s concert was spectacular,” said Dr. Doug Schulz, DDS. “It was incredible to see such a powerhouse band in such an intimate setting; many people don’t get to be a part of something like that.”

Singing hits like I Lived, Good Life, Apologize and their new single Wherever I Go, OneRepublic put on an electrifying performance for concert-goers.

Ryan Tedder, the lead vocalist, announced the release of their new single Kids, which debuted that day on iTunes, and encouraged the crowd to help them make it into the top 20; this morning it was number 19.

Before the concert, attendees learned from industry-leading clinicians and gained valuable education during the myriad breakout sessions offered at the ultimate dental meeting.

More than 18 CE credits are up for grabs throughout the event, which are available through the breakouts as well as during general sessions. The two general sessions yesterday were led by founder of Spear Education Dr. Frank Spear and by award-winning author, therapist, comedienne and motivational speaker Connie Podesta.

The trade show was a hit yet again with masses of people exploring the services and technologies showcased. After 4:30 p.m., attendees enjoyed light fare, drinks and conversation at the SIROWORLD Tailgate Party leading up to the concert.

Today is the last day of SIROWORLD, but one of the most comprehensive educationally. With close to 100 breakout sessions scheduled today, many attendees have full agendas.

To conclude the Ultimate Dental Meeting, the Ultimate Glow Party lights up at 8 p.m. this evening at the Rosen Shingle Creek. Guests are encouraged to dress up in a vibrantly colored costume or wear their brightest neon colors to glow big before they go home. Various glow accessories will be available for attendees who forgot their glow wear!

For more details on the SIROWORLD agenda, speakers, locations, dates and times, please refer to the SIROWORLD Mobile App available for Apple and Android mobile devices. 

An international team of researchers and clinicians has charted the microbial ecology of the mouth at all stages of gingivitis to periodontitis in nearly 1,000 women in Malawi. This work is laying a foundation of knowledge that could lead to better oral health. The research is published August 12 in Applied and Environmental Microbiology, a journal of the American Society for Microbiology.

The investigators used high-throughput sequencing of the 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene to take the census of the oral microbiomes. Among much else, they found that a small number of species were associated with periodontitis, but not gingivitis, including members of the genera, Prevotella, Treponema, and Selemonas. "Our findings confirm that periodontitis cannot be considered simply an advanced stage of gingivitis, even when only considering supragingival plaque," said first author Liam Shaw, a PhD student at University College London, United Kingdom.

Periodontitis is diagnosed by measuring the depth of the pockets in the gums next to the teeth. "But diagnosing periodontitis visually is impossible and it doesn't usually give any symptoms until it has developed so far that teeth become mobile, which is very late for any treatment," said coauthor Ulla Harjunmaa, a dentist with a master's degree in international Health, who is a PhD student at the Center for Child Health Research, University of Tampere and Tampere University Hospital, Finland.

Diagnosis requires specially trained dental professionals and expensive equipment, which are seldom available in developing countries, said Harjunmaa. But among other things, in the future, this research may lead to an inexpensive and rapid point-of-care test, based on distinguishing the two conditions' microbiomes. "The research made it possible to tell which differences in bacteria were linked specifically to the deepening of dental pockets--which causes loss of teeth--rather than just to bleeding gums," explained Shaw,.

"We're not the first to do this sort of research into periodontal disease, but our study is the largest to be done in such a setting," said Shaw. "There is a great need to find new solutions to prevent these problems everywhere, but especially in this kind of setting." He added that oral infections are very common in Malawi, since there is little awareness about oral health and prevention, and little treatment available.

Some of the techniques used in the research may have wide applications, said Shaw. "Where diseases can have multiple severities and clinical features that are also found in non-disease (like bleeding gums in periodontitis), this kind of modeling will be increasingly important in microbiome research."

Periodontal disease is a major public health problem associated with oral bacteria. In developed nations, approximately half of adults are thought to have moderate periodontal disease, with another 7% to 15% having advanced disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Additionally, periodontal disease is thought to be a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and other chronic health conditions. Treating gum disease could reduce healthcare costs, as well as hospitalizations, according to a study published in the August 2014 American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

"The best way to prevent periodontal disesases is by proper tooth brushing twice a day combined with flossing once a day," said Harjunmaa. For smokers, quitting is also critically important to prevention, she said.

After venturing through the trade show floor, attending breakout sessions and interacting with thousands of other professionals yesterday evening, SIROWORLD attendees had the opportunity to learn from entrepreneurial tycoon Sir Richard Branson and see  renowned and hilarious comic Jerry Seinfeld perform live.

Just after 5:30 p.m. at the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort, Sir Richard Branson glided on stage with two Virgin stewardesses, sat down with Dr. Mike DiTolla and regaled every person in the audience with his presence and charismatic demeanor.

He shared stories of his childhood, expressed his love of extravagant April Fools’ jokes and shared insight into how each audience member can do his or her part to make the world a better place for future generations. 

Branson then used his platform at SIROWORLD to answer questions from the audience during a moderated Q & A, crafting an even more personal and interactive experience for the crowd.

“It was truly incredible to hear him [Branson], a globally-recognized businessman with his own multimillion dollar empire, be enthusiastically conversational with those in the audience,” said founder of 3D Dentists Dr. Tarun Agarwal.

Following Branson’s Q & A session, attendees strolled over to the Welcome Reception, which was held on the trade show floor, to mingle, eat, drink and relax before heading over to enjoy Seinfeld’s standup.

Seinfeld- who now produces and stars in Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee- delivered an hour of laugh-out-loud-funny material to the SIROWORLD audience.

“The laughter reverberating throughout the room and through the halls of the venue was sincerely impressive,” said Director of SIROWORLD Dr. Mike DiTolla. “You would’ve thought it was me on stage in there.”

Joking about marriage, “great” restaurants and today’s generation, Seinfeld delivered a hysterical ending to the first day of SIROWORLD.  

The comprehensive clinical and business education along with the CE offered at SIROWORLD are the main objectives of the ultimate dental meeting, but the entertainment made available for attendees is a cherished treat by many.   

The first day of SIROWORLD has wrapped and there are more educational sessions, entertainment, fitness activities and social events planned within the next two days.

Stay up to date on SIROWORLD celebrity entertainment, agenda, speakers, locations, dates and times by referencing the SIROWORLD Mobile App available for Apple and Android mobile devices.

Follow what’s happening throughout SIROWORLD on Facebook at CERECbySirona and on twitter at @CERECbySirona.