Rome provided the attractive backdrop for this year’s International Expert Symposium organized by Ivoclar Vivadent. The fourth event of the series “The Quality of Esthetics” took place from June 15th to 16th, 2018, at the trendy cultural palace Parco della Musica in one of Rome’s new architectural highlights. Eighteen world-class speakers shared and discussed concepts in dentistry and dental technology that were aimed to help provide high-quality patient care in the modern age of digital change.

The symposium was held under the topic “Advanced Digital and Esthetic Dentistry” and attracted 1,000 participants from all continents to Italy’s capital. In view of the pressing questions related to the digital developments currently taking place, the symposium was extended to two days. In addition, breakout sessions provided deeper insight into specific topics. In his welcome address, Robert Ganley, CEO of Ivoclar Vivadent AG, said: “The international symposium is a platform where researchers, opinion leaders, and users in the clinical and technical field of dentistry can exchange views and learn from each other.”

From analog to digital

How can users who learned the ins and outs of their trade in the analog world make smart use of digital technology in the workplace? This question was central to many speakers at the symposium. Representing the views of many of his colleagues, Dominique Vinci, dental technician from Switzerland, maintained that digital technology offers advantages at many stages in restorative dentistry, starting from optical impression-taking. Oliver Brix (Germany) stated that in spite of all the advantages offered by digital technology, the knowledge and expertise of the dentist-technician team, a clear vision of the treatment goal, competent planning, skilful and patient-oriented finishing, and above all, dedication and passion would remain decisive for the success of dental restorations. To demonstrate his views, he showcased several patient cases in which a blend of conventional and digital techniques were skilfully used to achieve astonishing results. Similarly outstanding results were also shown by Dr. Andreas Kurbad (Germany) and Professor Dr. Stefan Koubi (France), together with Hilal Kuday (Turkey). A comparison of analog and digital protocols in removable prosthodontics was provided by an Italian team of four, consisting of Dr. Pietro Venezia, Dr. Alessio Casucci, and dental technicians Pasquale Lacasella and Alessandro Ielasi. Their views were consonant with those of their colleagues and they were echoed by dental technician Stefan Strigl (Italy), who stated: “Neither dentists nor technicians are handing over the reins to technology; it is only the tools that change.”

Strategies for daily work

If you want to apply new materials and strategies, you want to be confident that you can rely on them.  Using the example of an implant reconstruction in the esthetic anterior zone, Priv. Doz. Dr. Arndt Happe (Germany) and master dental technician Vincent Fehmer (Switzerland) tested the waters of the latest dental technology. Their findings were elaborated by Dr. Mirela Feraru and Prof. Dr. Nitzan Bichacho (Israel) who presented the concept of “Cervical Contouring” to achieve natural soft tissue integration, drawing from several clinical cases.

Guided by nature

Irrespective of whether conventional or digital processes are used, the result is what matters in the end. This was shown particularly clearly in a case involving bone augmentation planning, presented by Dr. Francesco Mintrone (Italy). His advice was to look carefully at new software, hardware, and materials before starting to use them, as they vary in performance capabilities. The importance of an informed decision-making process was also emphasized by Dr. Victor Clavijo and dental technician Murilo Calgaro (Brazil): preparation, shade matching, and ingot selection need to be considered when choosing a material to be sure that the natural tooth structure can be rebuilt as closely to nature as possible.

The maxim that nature should be the guide—rather than a zest for e.g. maxing out limits—was also central to the presentation of Dr. Gianfranco Politano (Italy). He advocated using a simplified protocol involving restorations in only two increments (Class II) and an efficient cusp build-up to recreate the occlusal morphology in the posterior region.

In dialogue with attendees

The attendees were encouraged to participate in the presentations. To facilitate audience participation, Ivoclar Vivadent designed an event-specific app where questions could be posted. The questions were answered by Professor Francesco Mangani, event moderator, and the speakers in live Q&A sessions at the auditorium. The dialogue was continued in a relaxed atmosphere at the “Ivoclar Vivadent and Friends” gala dinner on the hill of Monte Mario. The guests enjoyed resplendent views of Rome and the nearby Vatican in the sunset.

The dialogue with dentists and dental technicians will be continued. At the end of the event, Paolo Castoldi, Managing Director of the Ivoclar Vivadent subsidiary in Italy, announced the next edition of the International Expert Symposium, which will be held in Paris in two years.

From standing ovations and inspirational messages, to opportunities for education and giving back, The Lucy Hobbs Project® 6th annual Celebration will create an uplifting experience for its attendees. The three-day event, inspired by the first woman to earn a degree in dentistry in the U.S., heralds the extraordinary accomplishments of women in this ever-changing profession.

Benco Dental will host The Lucy Hobbs Project 6th Annual Celebration, sponsored by Midmark, from September 13 through 15 at The Westin St. Francis on Union Square, 332 Powell Street, San Francisco. For the first time, Benco Dental partners with Straumann, global leader in implant, restorative and regenerative dentistry, to deliver the Digital Dentistry Symposium: The Time is Now. Keynote speaker Erin Gruwell, founder of the Freedom Writers Foundation, will introduce the ultimate educational experience, which will feature more than 15 experts in the world of dentistry. Visit The Lucy Hobbs Celebration website for details on guest panelists, educational topics and CE credits. This year’s celebration beneficiary is the Center for Oral Health. Register today .

As a highpoint of the opening day, The Project will honor six women selected as award recipients for setting new benchmarks in the dental profession: 

• Sabiha S. Bunek, DDS, recipient of the Clinical Expertise Award, bridges the gap between research and clinical practice in a unique role as both a dentist/owner at Bunek Dental Studio in Ann Arbor, Michigan and CEO/Editor of Dental Advisor (DA). She collaborates with scientists at DA’s biomaterials research laboratory and with manufacturers to advocate for testing pertinent to real-life dentistry. Most recently, the Journal of Esthetic and Restorative Dentistry invited Dr. Bunek to serve on its editorial board. Previously, Dr. Bunek earned recognition from the Seattle Study Club as one of the Top 10 Young Educators in the U.S. and from Incisal Edge among its 40 Under 40, America’s Best Young Dentists.

• Sharon K. Parsons, DDS, recipient of the Humanitarian award, dedicates her practice, Dental Associates, in Columbus, Ohio to the needs of patients of all ages. An advocate for opiate awareness, she educates dental professionals and has been interviewed by CBS Sunday Morning on the topic. After her elder son died of an opiate overdose in 2015, Dr. Parsons began addressing the scourge of addiction, speaking at the sentencing hearing for the man who sold her son the drug that killed him. As Chairperson of the East Main Street SID, she leads the non-profit corporation in its efforts to improve the neighborhood and business district east of Bexley. In October, 2019, Dr. Parsons will be inducted as President of the Ohio Dental Association, only the third woman elected to the position.

• Athena S. Papas, DMD, PhD, recipient of the Industry Icon award, dedicates her inspirational level of knowledge as Head of the Division of Oral Medicine at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in Boston, Massachusetts. There, Dr. Papas is a Distinguished Professor of Diagnostic Sciences and the Erling Johansen Professor of Dental Research. With expertise in the oral healthcare of the elderly, medically compromised, Sjögrens, cancer and bone marrow transplant patients, Dr. Papas has been the principal investigator of over 100 clinical trials. Dr. Papas was selected as the 2009 recipient of the International Association of Dental Research PTT Distinguished Scientist Award and has been the President of PTT and has chaired the distinguished scientist awards committee. She also has received the Gavel and Pierre Fauchard awards and is a life fellow of the American College of Dentists. 

• Diane Johnson Krueger, CEO, recipient of the Innovator award, founded NuSmile, Ltd. with a goal of improving the clinical practice of pediatric dentistry. Under her leadership since 1991, the company has become the world’s leading manufacturer of esthetic pediatric crowns. Diane is deeply involved in ongoing research of esthetic materials for crowns, luting cements, bioceramics and other related pediatric dental products at both the academic and clinical level, and in interacting with her customers. For more than 20 years, the Certified Dental Technician has been active with the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and its Foundation -- Healthy Smiles Healthy Children, the American Dental Association, and other national and international pediatric dentistry organizations.

• Jeanette Sabir-Holloway, DDS, recipient of the Mentor award, founded and directs a nonprofit organization, Increasing Diversity In Dentistry (IDID), which supports an increasingly significant number of successful applicants underrepresented in dentistry. In her role as Director of Outreach, Recruitment, and Admissions at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in Boston, Massachusetts, she initiated a pre-matriculation program for students, primarily from economically and educationally disadvantaged environments, to ease the transition into dental school. Active in organized dentistry since her career as a private practice clinician in Indianapolis, Indiana, Dr. Sabir-Holloway received a presidential citation from the National Dental Association and the Groundbreaker Award for Service and Leadership from the Indianapolis District Dental Society.

• Rita Y. Chuang, BA, DDS, ABO, recipient of the Woman to Watch award, drives dentistry forward with her commitment in the field of novel Orthodontic techniques. Patients at her private practice, Breeze Orthodontics in Torrance, California, benefit from her vast experience gained serving as Clinical Director at the University of Pennsylvania Department of Orthodontics. Trained at Ivy-league universities, Dr. Chuang has published in several peer-reviewed journals and presented her award-winning research both nationally and internationally. The author of dental bestseller, Million Dollar Smiles, serves on the boards of the American Association of Orthodontics and North American Taiwanese Medical Association.

The Lucy Hobbs Project, a national, long-term program powered by Benco Dental and 10,000 members strong, helps women in dentistry use their voices as a force for change. Named for Dr. Lucy Hobbs Taylor, the woman who, in 1866, became the first American female to earn a degree in dentistry, this project aims to bring women together from all facets of the dental profession – dentists, dental assistants, hygienists, receptionists, sales representatives and others. Free to join, it supports the following pillars: innovation, networking, and giving back. To learn more about previous winners of The Lucy Hobbs Project® Award, or to sign up for The Lucy Hobbs Project®, visit: www.lucyhobbscelebration.com

Whip Mix Corporation held a one-day zirconia shading course entitled "How to Get the Most out of Monolithic Zirconia" on Friday, June 15. The course was taught by Al Fillastre, CDT. Whip Mix manufactures the Vericore family of zirconia products, which can be accurately and easily shaded with several coloring systems, but an understanding of the handling requirements of the materials is necessary to achieve consistency. The hands-on course offered an almost paint-by-numbers approach to shading zirconia and practical tips to shorten the learning curve with a simplified custom coloring technique that is easy, effective, and predictable.

For information regarding future programs visit www.whipmix.com.

Young Innovations, a leading global manufacturer and distributor of dental products, today announced the acquisition of Promident, LLC (“Johnson-Promident”). Johnson-Promident is a leading manufacturer and supplier of dental handpieces, preventive consumables, infection control products and rotary instruments, and is also a leading service provider for repairs and maintenance of dental handpieces.

“We are excited to welcome Johnson-Promident into our growing global platform,” said Dave Sproat, CEO of Young Innovations. “The Johnson-Promident products and services allow us to better support our dealer and institutional partners, and align with our goal of delivering a high-quality experience to dental professionals around the world.”

“Johnson-Promident is our tenth acquisition in the last four years and solidifies our position as the partner of choice for owners of dental products companies,” added Andrew Jones, Vice President of Corporate Development at Young Innovations. “This also demonstrates our continued commitment to growth through acquisition in focused categories of preventive, restorative and infection control.”

"I am proud to partner with Young Innovations as stewards of the next chapter for Johnson-Promident”, said Gary Kris, CEO of Johnson-Promident. “I am confident that Young is best positioned to continue Johnson-Promident’s growth by working closely with our customers, affiliates and valued employees."

Gary Kris will continue in an advisory role for Young Innovations. Primary operations will continue to be based in Valley Cottage, NY. There will be no immediate changes to ordering and service procedures for customers or vendors.

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.

Ivoclar Vivadent has announced a partnership with Seattle Study Club (SSC), an international network of doctors focused on continuing professional development in the dental industry. Through this synergistic partnership, Ivoclar Vivadent and SSC will collaborate to foster peer relationships, promote continuing dental education, and provide an enriching experience for customers and members.

“At Ivoclar Vivadent, our passion and vision for improving dentistry and oral care—as well as enhancing our customers’ success and satisfaction—inspires us to explore, develop, and engage in innovative opportunities throughout the industry,” explains George Tysowsky, DDS, Senior Vice President, Technology, for Ivoclar Vivadent. “By partnering with SSC, we will continue our demonstrated commitment to helping dental professionals maximize their potential.”

Through this partnership, Ivoclar Vivadent and SSC will not only enhance learning opportunities for members and customers, but also bring high-quality materials and processes into club members’ and customers’ everyday practices to meet oral health needs. For 2018/19, Ivoclar Vivadent will support numerous national level SSC meetings and local chapters by providing industry-leading lecturers and educational opportunities.

“In forging this partnership with Ivoclar Vivadent, I was impressed with the passion, vision, and innovation demonstrated by their people and products,” said Michael Cohen, founder of Seattle Study Club. “Their passion for better dentistry is reflected in the personalized approach they take with every customer and their collaborative professional relationships. The core value of educating dental professionals through their International Centers of Dental Excellence aligns perfectly with Seattle Study Club's 'University without Walls' philosophy.”

Student and professional researchers have until October 5, 2018 to submit their abstracts of original research and clinical cases of interest in the field of implant dentistry for the Academy of Osseointegration’s (AO) 2019 Annual Meeting.

As the premier global multi-disciplinary nexus for implant dentistry, AO’s 2019 Annual Meeting will be held Mar. 13 – 16, 2019 in Washington, D.C. Abstracts are being accepted for Clinical Innovations, Oral Research (Scientific and Clinical), and E-posters (Scientific, Clinical and Case Studies) via: https://osseo.org/2019-research-abstract-submissions/.

As part of the call for abstracts, the Osseointegration Foundation (OF) will be awarding twenty, $1,000 Student Travel Grants via its Student Travel Grant Program. These grants will be awarded to recipients of the top scoring oral research and e-poster abstracts submitted for the 2019 AO Annual Meeting. This award is open to both AO student members and student non-members who submit an abstract for the 2019 meeting and are currently enrolled in a dental school program. Student abstracts must be submitted via https://osseo.org/student-travel-grant-program/. Only authors indicating their interest via the abstract submission site will be considered for a Student Travel Grant.

The grants will be allocated toward travel expenses related to attending the AO Annual Meeting, including airfare, hotel and ground transportation. All recipients must be present at AO’s 2019 Annual Meeting to receive their grant. Those receiving a Student Travel Grant may still be considered for the Best Abstract and Best E-poster awards.

Members of the AO Research Submissions and E-Poster committees will review and score the submitted abstracts to determine the best student and professional presentations based on the quality of the research and relevance to the field of Osseointegration.

For any additional questions, please contact Kim Scroggs, AO Manager of Education at kimscroggs@osseo.org or at 847-725-2288.

About Academy of Osseointegration

With nearly 6,000 members in more than 60 countries around the world, AO is recognized as the premier international association for scientists and professionals interested in osseointegration and implant dentistry. AO serves as a nexus where specialists, generalists and scientists can come together to evaluate emerging research, technology, and techniques; share best practices; and define optimal patient care using timely science and evidence-based methods. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and Instagram @AcademyOsseo, and subscribe to us on YouTube.

About Osseointegration Foundation

Incorporated in 1987 as the philanthropic arm of AO, Osseointegration Foundation (OF) fosters the highest standards of research and education of practitioners, who in turn, use this research and education to enrich their patients’ lives and enhance their students’ knowledge and skills. Support of the Osseointegration Foundation is essential for the continuation of existing research grant programs and to enable new programs to be launched.

In February 2018, Dentsply Sirona’s new strategic business unit (SBU) Lab came into operation as a partner for lab customers. Just four months later, Dentsply Sirona can look back on a successful start for the new Lab SBU. The company presented comprehensive solutions for all workflow preferences of Lab customers at two recent conferences in Germany and the United States. The conferences also offered the possibility for networking and exchange between peers.

Tom Leonardi, Group Vice President Dentsply Sirona Lab, points out: “Dentsply Sirona has always worked closely with dental labs. Having all of our lab-relevant experts combined in one unit, Dentsply Sirona Lab can now fully realize its explicit dedication to labs and dental technicians. Since its start on February 1, 2018, Dentsply Sirona Lab has strengthened its position as a strong partner with passion for dental labs even more.”

The successful start of the new Lab SBU, with its dedicated focus on dental technology, emphasizes how Dentsply has increased its commitment to dental labs. Over the past four months Dentsply Sirona Lab has successfully presented its product offering and lab expertise to customers at selected events in Germany and the United States.

Premiere: The First “Dental Technician Congress”

At Dentsply Sirona’s first “Dental Technician Congress” in April 2018 in Frankfurt, Germany, the Lab SBU celebrated its premiere in Germany. “We organized this conference in perfect teamwork with our colleagues from the Implants SBU, thereby covering all important areas for labs. Participants could feel the spirit and experience first-hand Dentsply Sirona’s passion for dental labs and dental technicians”, explains Marc Weber, Director Global Fixed Platform at Dentsply Sirona Lab in Hanau.

More than 600 dental technicians participated at the congress with the motto “Customized – digital and handcraft.” Approximately 20 experts showcased the latest developments in dental technology at various lectures. Digitization was one of the conference’s major topics. Beyond the latest digital trends, Dentsply Sirona Lab showed its solutions portfolio and products for every work preference in dental labs – either traditional or digital. Another main focus was the importance of successful teamwork between dental technicians and dentists. Various mixed teams of dental technicians and dentists held joint lectures on how both professions can work together for maximum success.

With Passion for Dental Labs at the Dentsply Sirona Lab Summit

The Dentsply Sirona Lab Summit in May 2018 was also the first event held at the brand new Dentsply Sirona Academy in Charlotte, North Carolina. Nearly 300 dental technicians and dentists were part of 36 breakout sessions with 3 keynote speakers. Participants could choose from 4 main educational tracks: CAD/CAM & DI, Ceramics, Removables and Implants. Dental technicians and dentists shared experiences with their peers to educate them on how to create successful workflows and esthetic cases.

“At the DS Lab summit we showed convincing solutions for future perspectives of dental labs and digital dentistry. We are not only morally obliged to deliver to labs in order for them to be successful, but we are also connected to them. If the lab is not successful, we are not successful,” summarizes Norbert Ulmer, Director of Marketing US CCO at Dentsply Sirona Lab in Charlotte.

Continued Dedication for Dental Labs

As a strong partner for dental labs and technicians, Dentsply Sirona Lab continues its commitment to make their daily work simple and flexible – strictly oriented to the needs and requirements of its lab customers. By working closely together with labs and dental technicians, the Lab SBU drives forward its focused development of innovative products for better, safer and faster lab workflows.

Furthermore, Dentsply Sirona is committed to offering its customers the opportunity to establish a network with experts across all lab-related areas and enable the exchange between peers in every field of expertise. For this purpose the Global Lab Experts Network (GLEN) has been initiated. To kick off this program, Lab experts from all over the world will come to Germany to discuss current topics as well as future trends of dental technology and dentistry in workshops and interactive sessions. One main focus will be the importance of successful teamwork between dental technician and dentist.

With a dedicated lab track, the upcoming Dentsply Sirona World in Florida in September 2018 will be another essential event demonstrating the company’s vision of modern dental technology. Customers will be able to experience the Lab SBU’s latest innovations as well as get the chance to exchange with peers and grow their network.

KaVo Kerr is pleased to announce that it is making the benefits of the award-winning DEXIS Platinum sensor and DEXcam 4 HD intraoral camera available to a broad array of dental imaging software programs. Utilizing an industry-recognized driver package, dentists are now able to maintain their existing imaging software program while integrating these highly regarded DEXIS products.

The DEXIS Platinum sensor features:

-PureImage™ Technology using proprietary hardware enhancements to deliver sharp, highly detailed, and extremely clear images across the widest range of exposure settings

-TrueComfort™ Design using beveled corners, a smooth, rounded casing and a small, angled dome to maximize patient comfort and make precise placement easy

-PerfectSize™ single-sensor solution enabling comfortable use for both children and adults and allowing faster procedures without the need to switch between multiple-sized sensors-The DEXcam 4 HD intraoral camera features:

Remarkable clear and focused high-definition images using the latest in CMOS sensor technology and a precision 7-element glass optical lens

5 field-of-view levels to enable clearly focused images from full face to magnified tooth

High-intensity LEDs to enable well-illuminated images even in the posterior regions

The driver package enabling the expanded DEXIS Platinum and DEXcam 4 HD integration options are available now by contacting DEXIS technical support at 888-883-3947, option 1.

To learn more about DEXIS products and KaVo Kerr imaging solutions and the full array of integration options, please contact KaVo Kerr Inside Sales at 888-883-3947, option 4.

About KaVo Kerr

KaVo Kerr is a cohesive organization comprised of two global leaders, united to provide dental excellence and serve as a single premier partner for the dental community. KaVo Kerr operates with a common vision inspiring and helping our customers, their patients, and our own associates realize their potential. KaVo Kerr offers solutions for endodontics, restoratives, treatment units, infection prevention, imaging, rotary, and instruments.