Search for Replacement Targets Internal and External Candidates

Great Lakes announced today that James R. Kunkemoeller, the company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, has announced his intentions to retire effective October 31, 2022. The search for Kunkemoeller’s replacement will be extensive and include the evaluation of candidates both from within and outside the company.

Kunkemoeller will continue in his role as chairman of Great Lakes’ Board of Directors. Kunkemoeller joined Great Lakes in 1986, and previously held positions as executive vice president, vice president of sales and marketing, and sales and marketing manager.

Great Lakes has undergone significant development and progress during Kunkemoeller’s tenure specifically the growth of the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), which saw an exponential increase in value since its inception over 30 years ago. Additionally, Great Lakes completed a five-million-dollar building expansion and capital improvement project in 2002, expanded digital technology and manufacturing beginning in 2007, enhanced automation and computer-aided design for digital appliance fabrication, developed a number of innovative products and services, and underwent a major brand transformation when the company changed its name from Great Lakes Orthodontics to Great Lakes Dental Technologies in 2018. Combined, these efforts helped establish Great Lakes as one of North America’s largest orthodontic laboratories known for its precision digital splints and custom appliances, provider of over 2,500 products, and the only distributor offering a full-line 3D solution for orthodontic practices and labs.

Kunkemoeller has always maintained that the company’s success stems from a simple strategy; remain steadfast to our stringent Quality Process and committed to maintaining the highest levels of ethical business conduct. Kunkemoeller explained further; “As Great Lakers, the respect we have for each other, and all our valued customers worldwide has always been and will continue to be integral to our ongoing success.”

Recent accolades, a testament to Kunkemoeller’s leadership and the company’s policies and strategies, include the 2016 Buffalo Niagara Business Ethics Association (BNBEA) Award, the 2016 ESOP Award by The ESOP Association for Great Lakes work in sustaining their ESOP Association memberships for 25-plus years, and the 2014 Buffalo News selection as one of the Top 40 Workplaces in Western New York.

Great Lakes, an employee-owned company, provides products, laboratory services, and both in-house and online appliance fabrication training to members of the orthodontic, prosthodontic, restorative, and general dental professions worldwide.

Great Lakes corporate headquarters is located at 200 Cooper Avenue in Tonawanda, New York.

Anyone inquiring about the position should contact Pete Petrella, Managing Director of TalentRise, at petrellap@talentrise.com or (716) 860-4485.

Directa Dental has announced a new addition to its ProphyCare Line: ProphyPaste HAp. ProphyPaste HAp has a unique composition which includes hydroxyapatite that effectively blocks the open dentin tubules on an exposed dentin surface. The resulting barrier provides the patient with instant relief from hypersensitivity. ProphyPaste HAp is a one-step paste for outstanding cleaning and polishing results.

For more information, visit www.directausa.com, Part Number: 7311 17

Leading Oral Care Company Has Teamed with Peloton Star Tunde Oyeneyin to Promote the Power of a Bright and Healthy Smile

SmileDirectClub, Inc. (Nasdaq: SDC), the next generation oral care company with the first medtech platform for teeth straightening, today announced the expansion of its award-winning whitening product line with its new Fast-Dissolving Whitening Strips.

The new convenient and easy to use Fast-Dissolving Whitening Strips are the ideal whitening treatment for those who want results fast, without the mess of traditional whitening strips. With a short wear time – just once a day for 15 minutes – the Fast-Dissolving Whitening Strips are perfect for those who suffer from painful sensitivity caused by other longer-wear whitening strips. In just seven days, the new Strips can whiten teeth up to nine shades* in half the wear time when compared to 30-minute-wear strips.

SmileDirectClub is pleased to partner with Peloton star trainer Tunde Oyeneyin to help promote this exciting new launch and highlight the convenience of this innovative and highly effective whitening product. Like SmileDirectClub, Oyeneyin believes that a great smile has a transformational power to boost your self-confidence, making her an ideal partner for this launch. Throughout the partnership, Tunde will share how she incorporates the new Fast-Dissolving Whitening Strips into her self-care routine and how they have positively impacted her confidence.

“With the introduction of the Fast-Dissolving Whitening Strips, SmileDirectClub is revolutionizing the way we look at whitening teeth,” said Amy Keith, General Manager of Global Oral Care at SmileDirectClub. “The new Strips allow customers to customize their teeth whitening journey by applying them anywhere, anytime, making teeth whitening convenient and accessible no matter where or when you choose to whiten.”

The SmileDirectClub Fast-Dissolving Whitening Strips are available as a one-week ($30) or two-week ($45) treatment, available now on Shop.SmileDirectClub.com and Amazon and will be launching in over 4,600 Walmart locations in late February as well as other major retailers across North America later in Q1. The Fast-Dissolving Whitening Strips complement SmileDirectClub’s existing best-in-class product offerings, including a portfolio of top-selling whitening products as well as the recently released Water Flossers.

According to recent research, a majority of those surveyed believe having a whiter smile would boost their self-confidence. Additionally, almost half (40%) of individuals want to focus on their oral care – teeth whitening, cleaning, straightening – as a means of improving their overall health in 2022.**

SmileDirectClub is the only clear aligner brand that offers customers an end-to-end solution to keep teeth straighter, brighter and cleaner. Since its launch, SmileDirectClub has become one of the fastest-growing health technology companies and continues to be the leading telehealth platform for orthodontia.

* Maximum results when used as directed. Results may vary.

** Source: Pollfish Survey, n=1,000 US Consumers, 16+ years old with representative market mix of gender, ethnicity, age group, HH income, and geographic location.   

Leixir Dental Group (Leixir), a leading operator of a network of full-service, state-of-the-art dental laboratories, today announced that the company’s Board of Directors has appointed Christian Le Brun as Chief Executive Officer, effective January 17, 2022. Mr. Le Brun succeeds Leixir founder and current CEO Harmeet Bindra, who will continue to serve the company as Executive Chairman.

Mr. Le Brun is a dental industry veteran with two decades of operational and product development leadership experience. He joins Leixir from Aspen Dental, one of the nation’s largest dental service organizations (DSOs), where he spent the last 15 years, managing internal and external lab operations as well as the development and implementation of digital dental technologies across the company.

“We are extremely excited to welcome Christian to lead Leixir in its next chapter of growth,” said Marshall Griffin, a member of Leixir’s Board of Directors and a Principal of Comvest Partners, a private investment firm. “A seasoned DSO executive who began his career as a trained dental technician, Christian brings a unique perspective and skill set. His wide-ranging abilities will help Leixir expand its relationships with dentists, both in private practice and in DSOs, drive continued excellence in lab operations, and further enhance its capabilities in digital dentistry.”

“On behalf of Leixir’s Board of Directors, management team, and employees, I want to thank Harmeet for his tremendous leadership and impact,” Mr. Griffin continued. “Leixir’s standing today is due to Harmeet’s ability to successfully execute his vision. We look forward to continuing to work with him in his new role as Executive Chairman.”

Since founding Leixir in 2013, Mr. Bindra has built the company into a leading provider of outsourced dental lab solutions in the United States, delivering best-in-class quality and service to independent dentists and DSOs through a complete range of dental products. Mr. Bindra led Leixir in multiple strategic acquisitions, the development of a world-class dental lab and design center as well as launches of multiple cutting-edge new products.

Said Mr. Bindra, who helped lead the CEO search, “I already have the good fortune of a strong, long-standing relationship with Christian through his work at Aspen Dental. Christian is a great fit for Leixir. He embraces the ethos of service, innovation and relationships on which this company was founded. His strong performance record, coupled with his keen understanding of lab operations and the needs and priorities of technicians and dentists, make him uniquely qualified to take this company successfully into the future. I am delighted to welcome him to Leixir.”

Mr. Le Brun will be based in Leixir’s Tampa location and will assume day-to-day leadership and serve on the company’s Board of Directors. At Aspen Dental, Mr. Le Brun held various leadership positions, most recently serving as Vice President of Prosthetics, Lab Infrastructure and New Technology, where he played a key role in the company’s rapid growth from 50 offices to its now 900-plus locations nationwide. Mr. Le Brun also led the strategic development for Aspen Dental’s latest new-product initiative: polymer-based, 3D printed dentures. Prior to joining Aspen Dental, Mr. Le Brun served in various roles within the dental lab industry, including as a manager of BonaDent Dental Laboratories.

“I am thrilled and honored to serve as the next CEO of Leixir,” said Mr. Le Brun. “With the dental world rapidly moving toward digital dentistry, Leixir is a technological leader well-positioned for strong continued growth. I look forward to building on the foundation of product innovation and service created by Harmeet and Leixir’s talented employees. We will continue to strive to be the laboratory of choice for independent dentists and DSOs by providing advanced technologies, superior products and exceptional service that help them deliver the best patient care and grow their practices.”

Vista Apex, a market leader in Endodontic and Restorative dental products, was the winner of two International Stevie® Awards at the 17th Annual International Business Awards show, held virtually in December of 2021. RE-GEN Bioactive Dental Adhesive by Vista Apex was awarded a Silver Stevie for “Achievement in Product innovation”, and the Bronze Stevie in the “Health and Pharmaceuticals Product” category. Vista Apex is honored to be recognized for the development of RE-GEN, the world’s first bioactive dental adhesive system.

“RE-GEN is changing patient outcomes for the better by overcoming recurrent decay, which is the #1 reason dental fillings fail, while providing ion exchange to promote the regeneration of lost tooth structure” said Vista Apex CEO Scott Lamerand. He went on to add, “This is an extremely exciting time for dentistry and Vista Apex is proud to be at the forefront of these advancements.”

Vista Apex has been focused on delivering exceptional products within the restorative and endodontic markets for over two decades. With a focus on innovation, Vista Apex works with Clinicians to achieve better patient outcomes.

“RE-GEN represents innovation developed by Vista Apex that utilizes Bioglass 45S5, which is proven to activate the body’s own healing mechanism of repair. RE-GEN encompasses Vista Apex’s full suite of bio-regenerative adhesives, including Flowable Composite Liner and Pit & Fissure Sealant, where it can be most effective at healing the tooth, preventing recurrent decay, and repairing the marginal integrity of our restorations. There is nothing else that works as well as the RE-GEN products, and my patients appreciate that we use a material that actively protects their teeth” said Dr. Michael Miyasaki, Chief Dental Officer at Vista Apex.

About Vista Apex. Founded in 1997 and headquartered in Racine, Wisconsin, Vista Apex designs, manufactures, packages, and distributes more than 500 cataloged dental products, many of which offer significant clinical advantages. The company is best known for its endodontic irrigating solutions and restorative dental materials that outperform traditional products, leading to better patient outcomes.

About The Stevie Awards. The Stevie® Awards are the world's premier business awards. They were created in 2002 to honor and generate public recognition of the achievements and positive contributions of organizations and working professionals worldwide. In short order the Stevie has become one of the world's most coveted prizes. Stevie Award judges include many of the world's most respected executives, entrepreneurs, innovators, and business educators. More than 1,000 professionals worldwide participate in the Stevie Award judging process each year.

Lyndon F. Cooper, D.D.S., Ph.D., has been named dean of the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry, effective April 18. Cooper currently serves as associate dean for research and head of the Department of Oral Biology at University of Illinois Chicago College of Dentistry.

“Dr. Cooper is an internationally renowned and innovative patient-oriented researcher and clinician, whose leadership will build on the VCU School of Dentistry’s existing robust research portfolio and its focus on forward-thinking practices around patient-centered education,” said Art Kellermann, M.D., senior vice president for VCU Health Sciences and CEO of VCU Health. “With Dr. Cooper at the helm, VCU School of Dentistry — Virginia’s only dental school, whose faculty have educated countless practitioners throughout the commonwealth — will reach new heights in dental research and service to the commonwealth through expert care and educating future dental professionals and oral health researchers on innovative approaches to improving our nation’s oral and general health.”

As associate dean for research at UIC, Cooper has expanded research in regenerative sciences, innovative biomedical devices and translational studies evaluating the roles of a variety of biomarkers linked to cancer. Under Cooper’s leadership, the Department of Oral Biology at UIC served as a foundation for many of the basic science topics taught to the school’s D.M.D., M.S. and Ph.D. students. He continued his clinical activities as a prosthodontist by leading clinical studies and establishing the school’s Clinical Research Center.

“I am excited and honored to be selected as the next dean of VCU School of Dentistry,” Cooper said. “VCU has a strong reputation in dental education and research, and I’m looking forward to building on this excellent foundation and securing VCU School of Dentistry’s rightful place as one of the top dental schools in the country serving the commonwealth of Virginia.”

Prior to UIC, Cooper served as program director of Advanced Prosthodontics and was the Stallings Distinguished Professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Adams School of Dentistry. He is a diplomate of the American Board of Prosthodontics and a former president of the American College of Prosthodontists, who received the ACP 2004 Clinician/Researcher Award. He was also named the recipient of the 2009 International Association for Dental Research Distinguished Scientist Award for Prosthodontics and Implantology.

After earning his D.D.S. from New York University, Cooper went on to earn a Ph.D. from the University of Rochester, New York, and a certificate in prosthodontics from the Eastman Dental Center in Rochester. Later, he completed a two-year research fellowship at the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research in Bethesda, Maryland.

Clara Spatafore, D.D.S., who has served as interim dean of VCU School of Dentistry since February 2021, will continue in the role until Cooper joins VCU.

Oral-B and Grin partner to increase access to professional care and health insights

Grin, a comprehensive digital platform that provides oral health solutions with trusted local dentists and orthodontists, is partnering with Oral-B; the industry leader in oral care innovation and #1 dentist recommended brand worldwide. Together, they are offering the latest dental technology, which creates new industry standards in assisting patients in understanding their oral health at the 2022 Consumer Electronics Show (CES). Grin’s Remote Monitoring and Consultation capabilities unite with leading products from Oral-B to ensure their loyal customers have access to the latest personalized oral health insights and at-home professional consultations. Now consumers can understand their brushing and flossing habits, select the right Oral-B products, improve behaviors for better smile results, and have more frequent, informed conversations with their local doctor—all in an easy-to-use application.

The Grin experience consists of the Grin App, the first-of-its-kind Grin Scope, and Grin Scope mini—FDA listed medical devices which attach to any smartphone camera and take scans to measure changes to patients’ teeth. Under the supervision of partner doctors, these technologies allow providers to transition patient check-ins from in-office to virtual by remotely monitoring teeth movement, gum health, and oral hygiene. Now, with the burden of office visits drastically reduced, oral health and teeth straightening under the care of a local doctor is more accessible.

“I created Grin to transform the entire dental health industry by using technology that connects professionals and patients to bring better oral care directly to everyone. Partnering with one of the most trusted consumer product brands like Oral-B clearly attests to our commitment,” said Grin CEO and co-founder Adam Schulhof, DMD. “Grin will continue its pledge to drive innovation, and by joining ranks with Oral-B, we will ensure more people can have better oral health.”

About Grin

Grin is a comprehensive digital platform that provides solutions for all types of teeth straightening and oral health needs. The Grin App and Grin Scope connect patients to real orthodontists in their community. Patients can access quality professional care from the convenience of their smart device. Doctors can remotely monitor patients via virtual check-ins for complete visibility—reducing chair time, increasing patient volume, and ensuring safety. To learn more about Grin, you can visit us at: www.get-grin.com/contact

About Oral-B

Oral-B® is the worldwide leader in the over $5 billion brushing market. Part of the Procter & Gamble Company, the brand includes manual and electric toothbrushes for children and adults, toothpastes and mouthwashes, whitening systems and interdental products, such as dental floss.

Building on its portfolio of advanced degree options, Penn Dental Medicine has launched a new hybrid master’s program, the Master of Advanced Dental Studies (MADS), where students will take courses through an interactive online platform and attend a six-week on-campus clinical rotation. The new program is designed for clinicians who wish to enhance their knowledge and skills as dental practitioners. Students will have the opportunity to choose from seven specialty programs: Endodontics, Orthodontics, Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Oral Medicine, Pediatric Dentistry, Periodontics and Prosthodontics.

“The MADS program is unique among U.S. dental schools, as it gives clinicians the opportunity to pursue professional enrichment to enhance their career while providing the flexibility to do so while continuing their dental practice or training,” says Dr. Esra Sahingur, Associate Dean of Graduate Studies and Student Research and the MADS Program Director. “This global program will bring together a diverse group of clinicians and we are all very excited to welcome our first cohort.”

The curriculum offers a broad range of relevant courses, from in-depth seminars to discussion-based lectures, which culminates in an on-campus clinical rotation. During the clinical rotations, students will review cases, develop diagnosis and treatment planning, and observe various clinical procedures. Additionally, students will be assigned a mentor within their specialty to empower their professional development.

“The program will expose participants to the latest innovations and technological advances in dentistry and deepen their knowledge in basic and clinical sciences,” adds Dr. Sahingur.

The MADS program will welcome the first cohort in July 2022.

Neoss Group today announces Jake Meadows has joined the company as President for Neoss USA. The appointment adds the strong business leadership required to ensure Neoss Groups’ continual growth and commercialization of the expanding product portfolio in the North American market.

Meadows brings more than 21 years of extensive experience in the dental market leading large commercial teams in North American for Henry Schein. Most recently, he served as Vice President Staff, Administration and Planning at Henry Schein, where he led multiple efforts for progressive improvement in all aspects of the US Dental Distribution business from enhanced customer engagement to improved functionality for the business.

“It is a pleasure to welcome Jake to our team," says Dr. Robert Gottlander, CEO and President of Neoss Group. "His leadership and background are a perfect match for Neoss. He has an impressive track record in the dental market leading large sales teams with a customer first mindset. Jake's addition represents a major step forward for Neoss and will for sure help us expand our footprint in North America."

Meadows holds a BA from the University of Maryland University College and served seven years in the U.S. Navy prior to joining Henry Schein.

“It is very exciting to be part of an organization with such a strong history and focus on clinical innovation," Meadows says. "I look forward to being part the Neoss team as we rapidly expand in the North American marketplace."

About Neoss^® 

Neoss offers intelligent solutions that are intuitively easy to use. Its products allow dental professionals to provide reliable and cost-effective treatments to their patients with predictable long-term results. Leading the market with ingenuity and integrity, Neoss strives to set new standards. In developing smart treatment solutions and working closely with each practice, Neoss makes the complex less complicated. The company calls that "Intelligent Simplicity." Headquartered in Harrogate, U.K., with research and development based in Gothenburg, Sweden, the company has established a global footprint with a long-standing presence in key markets. To find out more visit https://www.neoss.com.

Simple, effective, reliable

Leading oral healthcare specialist, Curaprox, is proud to announce the launch of the new Hydrosonic Easy – the latest addition to its innovative range of power toothbrushes. Oral health at the touch of a button - the "Hydrosonic Easy" makes it possible to improve oral health in a very simple way, Uncomplicated, yet technologically advanced.

Easy improves oral health using the most advanced technology and with total thoroughness. Up to 84,000 brush movements per/minute, single-button operation, intuitive to use and cleans right into the interdental space thanks to hydrodynamics. Also, has a timer, 2-week battery life and comes in a convenient travel case.

Curaden AG is a Swiss-owned company based in Kriens near Lucerne. Under the brand name CURAPROX and together with dental professionals in teaching, research and practice, we develop tools that serve one purpose only: to keep teeth healthy for a lifetime.

For more information, visit www.curaden.us – 800.919.0120