New collaboration brings enhanced simplicity and safety to the dental operatory

Midmark Corp., a leading dental solutions provider focused on the design of the clinical environment to improve the delivery of care, today announced a new strategic partnership with Bien-Air Dental SA that combines the two companies’ renowned dental technology into a simple, easy to use delivery care solution.

With a shared commitment to enhancing the point-of-care experience and a combined 170 years of design and manufacturing experience, Midmark and Bien-Air are partnering to integrate Bien-Air’s latest electric handpiece solutions into Midmark’s dental delivery equipment for a more complete operatory ecosystem.

Dental clinicians are exposed to health and safety risks on the job every day. Midmark and Bien-Air are working together to enhance safety, optimize ergonomics and improve both clinician and patient experiences. Now, dental clinicians can select Midmark’s leading Procenter and Elevance delivery units with Bien-Air’s newest micromotor and contra-angle handpieces for an operatory-ready solution designed to:

— Simplify workflow with the versatility of the newest micromotor and two new contra-angle handpieces to perform a broad range of clinical procedures compared to the limitations of other solutions that require up to seven attachments.

— Provide proper ergonomic balance, lighter weight and smaller size for less strain on the clinician’s hand, arm and shoulder.

— Enable remarkable access to the oral cavity with smaller handpiece heads for a better workflow and patient experience.

— Reduce the risk of patient burn with CoolTouch+, the world’s first heat-arresting system proven not to exceed human body temperature.

— Reduce cross-contamination with the only autoclavable anti-retraction valve.

“Midmark is constantly looking for ways to help design better care in the clinical environment, which is what makes this partnership so exciting,” says Jon Wells, president, and CEO for Midmark. “We are thrilled to be joining forces with another industry-leading company like ours that shares our strategic vision. Our collaboration reflects the emphasis both of our companies place on improving the lives and livelihoods of each dental team we serve and improving the experience at the point of care.”

“For more than 60 years, Bien-Air has been leading the way in electric motor systems for dental and surgical applications,” says Edgar Schönbächler, CEO, Bien-Air Dental. “Reliability and efficiency, typical Swiss values, have always guided our company. We are excited about this new step in our long-term partnership with Midmark. The seamless integration of our products is the result of a common understanding of the practitioner’s needs, helping to improve clinical efficiency and the patient’s journey.”

As part of this new partnership, Midmark is also offering Bien-Air’s Lubricare 2 handpiece care and maintenance system for automatically cleaning and lubricating handpieces. This maintenance system integrates easily into the instrument processing workflow and is compatible with handpieces from a variety of manufacturers.

Bringing together the key elements of the operatory into a single offering is the next evolution in better care. To learn more about Midmark and Bien-Air electric handpiece solutions, visit www.midmark.com/bienair. 

Register Now for the International Symposium 2022: May 12-14, 2022 | Orlando, Florida

The Oral Reconstruction Foundation invites oral health professionals to register for the International Symposium, "2022 RECHARGED: STRENGTHENING ADVANCED IMPLANT THERAPY SKILLS," which will take place at the JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes. With a world-renowned lineup of speakers from all disciplines, the Symposium will cover a wide range of contemporary issues in implant dentistry and tissue regeneration.

Highlights:

● Emphasis on immediate implant placement, digital workflow, tissue regeneration, esthetics, and full-arch solutions in implant dentistry

● Customize your learning experience by choosing from multiple breakout sessions and hands-on workshops

● Over 40 opinion leaders from around the world

● Up to 24 CE Credit Hours available

The International Symposium offers the perfect opportunity to learn the latest treatment options from world-renowned experts while enjoying time to collaborate with colleagues.

For more information and to register, please visit www.orfoundationus.org.

Main Sponsors:

MODERATORS AND PRESENTERS*

Dr. Kristine Aadland

Dr. Andrew Ferrier

Dr. Guido Sarnachiaro

Dr. Jumoke Adedoyin

Dr. Matthew Fien

Dr. Arshiya Sharafi

Dr. Tarun Agarwal

Dr. Gabriela García

Dr. Bart Silverman

Dr. Tara Aghaloo

Dr. Pedro Gazzotti

Dr. Daniel Spagnoli

Dr. Edward P. Allen

Dr. Mia Geisinger

Dr. Bobbi Stanley

Dr. Álvaro Blasi

Dr. Ramón Gómez Meda

Dr. Robert Stanley

Dr. Gonzalo Blasi

Dr. Fazeela Khan-Osborne

Dr. Marius Steigmann

Dr. Ignacio Blasi

Dr. Bach Le

Dr. Jason Stoner

Dr. Julian Conejo

Dr. Curry Leavitt

Dr. David Troncoso

Dr. Martha Domínguez

Dr. Craig Misch

Dr. Tiziano Testori

Dr. Jennifer Doobrow

Dr. Justin Moody

Dr. Hom-Lay Wang

Dr. Abdelsalam Elaskary

Dr. Martijn Moolenaar

Dr. David Wong

Dr. Nick Fahey

Dr. Myron Nevins

Mr. Mark Ferguson

Dr. Michael A. Pikos

Dr. Marcelo Ferrer

Dr. Francisco Salvador García

*Faculty and presenters may be subject to change.

Funds Raised Will Help Enhance Access to Nutrition for Communities Facing Food Insecurity, with a Focus on Senior Citizens

Zahn Dental, the U.S. dental laboratory business of Henry Schein, Inc. (Nasdaq: HSIC), today announced a commitment of $150,000 to Feeding America®, the largest hunger relief organization in the United States. Zahn’s support will help Feeding America continue to ensure communities facing food insecurity have access to nutrition so they can enjoy healthier lives.

Recognizing senior citizens may have chronic conditions that put them at risk for malnutrition, Zahn’s support will specifically help food banks serve seniors. In addition to Zahn’s contribution, its supplier partners – 3Shape, DESS, Dentsply Sirona, Desktop Health, Keystone Industries, Kulzer, Myerson, Roland DG, and Sierra Dental – have contributed to further advance Feeding America’s hunger relief activities. For suppliers, dental laboratory technicians, practitioners, and communities at large, who would like to make a donation to Feeding America, click here. For every dollar raised, the Henry Schein Cares Foundation will match up to $10,000.

“Thank you, Feeding America, for giving us an opportunity to align our purpose-driven mission of ‘helping health happen’ with yours, and supporting the needs of society,” said Rita Acquafredda, President, Global Laboratory Business, Zahn Dental. “In addition to helping improve access to nutrition among seniors, we are committed to helping this vulnerable population understand the link between good oral health and overall health. We are grateful to our supplier partners for their continued partnership, and look forward to working with the dental community to help give seniors a smile with enhanced access to oral health care.”

According to Feeding America, more than 38 million people, including 12 million children and more than five million seniors, face food insecurity. Due to the pandemic, the number of people at risk of hunger has increased, leaving more people challenged to put food on the table. In addition, more seniors are suffering from chewing and nutritional deficiencies due to lack of access to routine dental care.

“Feeding America is grateful to Zahn for harnessing its network to help raise critical funds and supporting the fight to end hunger,” said Lauren Biedron, Vice President of Corporate Partnerships at Feeding America. “With Zahn’s support, we can continue to help make a meaningful impact for underserved communities across the country, and more specifically, help seniors who often suffer from dental issues, impairing their ability to eat, and hindering their ability to meet nutritional needs.”

In addition to supporting Feeding America and helping seniors maintain proper nutrition, Zahn plans to continue the Company’s commitment to enhance access to oral health by identifying communities where seniors are most in need of oral health, and collaborating with the dental industry to provide dentures. In response to the White House's call to action to help vulnerable Holocaust survivors age with dignity and support, Henry Schein launched The Alpha Omega-Henry Schein Cares Holocaust Survivors Oral Health Program in 2014. Since then, the program has served more than 1,600 Holocaust survivors and provided donated care valued at $4.2 million. By increasing Holocaust survivors' access to oral care, the program seeks to significantly enhance their overall quality of life.

For more information about Zahn’s support of Feeding America and how to donate to Feeding America, visit www.zahndental.com/feedingamerica. Zahn customers are also encouraged to contact their local sales consultant for more information.

Industry Speakers Address the Complex Oral Health Needs of Patients With Diverse Health Conditions and Disabilities

Henry Schein Dental, the dental business of Henry Schein, Inc. (Nasdaq: HSIC), today announced its 2022 webinar series, ‘Breaking Down Barriers to Care,’ which is designed to help enhance access to oral care among vulnerable patient populations, including pediatric and older adult patients, and those with diverse health conditions and disabilities.

The program, which kicked off earlier this year, features speakers from a variety of clinical backgrounds, who address treatment for patients with HIV, cancer, cardiac issues, and more.

“At Henry Schein, we remain committed to improving health equity for all populations, and offering education that customers can rely on to deliver oral care for better patient outcomes,” said Dr. Gary Severance, Executive Leader of Professional Services, Henry Schein Dental.

“We are pleased to provide a program that will help customers tackle areas of dentistry that are often overlooked and the complexities of diverse patient needs. By breaking down barriers to care, we can help health happen.”

The 2022 series includes the following upcoming webinars:

• March 2 at 8:00 p.m. EDT – “The Dental Provider's Role in the Journey of Cancer Treatment”

• May 26 at 6:00 p.m. EDT – “A Lifetime of Optimum Oral Health Begins with Pediatric Preventive Care”

• June 27 at 8:00 p.m. EDT – “Treating Patients Living With HIV+”

Additional webinars are in development for September, October and November, and will address breaking down barriers to care for patients with disabilities, diabetes and cardiac conditions.

Henry Schein Dental first launched the series in November 2020, featuring two webinars that addressed the current state, and barriers, in special care dentistry, as well as the social and historical context of developmental disabilities in America.

To view more details about the 2022 series, please visit https://go.henryschein.com/bdbtc.html.

Zest Dental Solutions is pleased to announce its newest partnership with the Dental Whale Membership. Effective immediately, the 3-year agreement with Dental Whale supports over 19,000 Dental Whale offices across the U.S.

As part of this agreement, Zest will be part of Dental Whale’s “Preferred Network” for LOCATOR®, LOCATOR R-Tx®, and LOCATOR Overdenture Implant Solutions. In addition to local office support, Zest will also be partnering with the clinical support team to launch Dental Whale’s ORCA platform supporting Removable Overdenture surgical, prosthetic, and hands-on training programs being hosted in-person and remotely across North America.

Zest Dental LOCATOR family products are now part of Dental Whale’s network and are available to Dental Whale members with unique preferred pricing. Dental Whale offices will have the ability to buy LOCATOR and LOCATOR R-Tx abutments directly from Zest to support all implant systems used in each member’s office. Additionally, Dental Whale will be utilizing the LOCATOR and LOCATOR R-Tx Scan Bodies to support digital initiatives.

“Zest Dental is excited to have Dental Whale as part of our DSO member family,” said Tom Stratton, Zest Dental Solutions CEO. “We are committed to supporting Dental Whale member offices with preferred access to the LOCATOR product family, the leading and most versatile overdenture attachment system on the market, and helping their clinicians grow their practices and create stellar smiles.”

“Dental Whale looks forward to continuing its rapid growth with the addition of Zest Dental Solutions in the preferred supplier network. As part of Dental Whale’s mission to provide solutions that simplify dentistry, we see the partnership with Zest Dental Solutions as a key manufacturer in the implant locator and overdenture fields. We are excited to collaborate with bringing quality offerings and education to the Dental Whale membership,” Phil Cruz, Dental Whale VP of Procurement.

To learn more about how Zest Dental Solutions and the LOCATOR family of overdenture products can help you exceed patient expectations and grow your practice, call 855-868-LODI (5634) or visit www.zestdent.com.

Ultradent Products, Inc., a leading developer and manufacturer of high-tech dental materials and equipment, is thrilled to announce the launch of its new endodontic product, MTApex™ bioceramic root canal sealer.

For clinicians performing root canal treatments requirement obturation, MTApex bioceramic root canal sealer provides a sealer that is bioceramic and can be used with any endodontic obturation method. It features an extra smooth consistency that when mixed is designed to be delivered through Ultradent’s 29 ga Single Sideport NaviTip™ tip. The proprietary gel and tricalcium silicate powder mixture releases calcium ions, stimulating bone repair and increasing the pH of the canal. This helps avoid post-procedure bacterial growth and root resorption. Each kit of MTApex bioceramic root canal sealer contains enough powder and gel to seal approximately twenty canals.

Click here purchase or learn more about Ultradent’s new MTApex bioceramic root canal sealer.

Six-month program is designed to train a select group of women to become key influencers in the field.

The Guiding Leaders program at Glidewell offers practicing women dentists an opportunity to be a part of a six-month, in-person training initiative that will strengthen their leadership skills and guide them to spark change for other women in dentistry. Women with five or more years of clinical experience who reside in the United States are encouraged to apply at guidingleaders.com.

"Guiding Leaders is focused on empowering women in the industry and helping them expand their leadership goals," said Stephenie Goddard, chief executive officer at Glidewell and Guiding Leaders visionary. "We are honored to elevate women and their potential through immersive studies on our Newport Beach, California, campus. This dynamic environment is dedicated to advancing their knowledge of business, communication and team building. Participants will also be able to earn up to 70 continuing education credits."

With a nonclinical curriculum, the program emphasizes themes that will directly influence the participants' practices and their surrounding networks, including courses on practice management, leadership development, financial planning, case photography and brand enhancement. Each selected participant will also be assigned a personal mentor for the program who is dedicated to improving their specific practice.

"Our 2019 Guiding Leaders event was widely praised by the participants, and we are thrilled to be offering the program again this year," said Bobbie Norton, managing editor of Chairside® magazine and co-sponsor of Guiding Leaders. "These women will be given the chance to cultivate not only their leadership skills but also their relationships with fellow women dentists and subject matter experts."

The second annual Guiding Leaders program launches this April and concludes in October. Apply online before the March 25, 2022, deadline at guidingleaders.com. 

MouthWatch, LLC recently announced the integration of its award-winning, market leading TeleDent teledentistry platform with Open Dental Software’s open-source practice management system.

TeleDent users now have the ability to utilize Open Dental’s powerful, flexible, and affordable practice management software that delivers a host of benefits to small and large practices alike.

According to MouthWatch LLC founder and CEO Brant Herman. “This integration between TeleDent and Open Dental is the starting point to add teledentistry to one of the leading, innovative practice management solutions. The result will be a comprehensive, convenient and scalable virtual care platform for digital dental practices.”

TeleDent/Open Dental integration is now available for new and current TeleDent users. For more information, please contact Jay Martorelli, MouthWatch Director of Sales at sales@mouthwatch.com.

An industry survey of more than 100 healthcare professionals emphasizes the importance of efficiency, revenue, and cost-savings as major practice pain points

MyAdvice, the leading provider of software-based marketing solutions for medical, dental, and law practices, today released the results of its 2022 Healthcare Marketing Trends Report. The company analyzed survey data from more than 100 healthcare professionals across medical, dental, and cardiology practices in the United States, gathering statistics on operational goals, patient acquisition strategies, marketing efforts and more.

“As we head into the third year of the pandemic, we wanted to assess what pain points physician practices and other organizations are most wanting to address,” said Shawn Miele, CEO of MyAdvice, previously Advice Media. “It’s more critical than ever for providers to have the right support and tools for successful future positioning, both in the short- and long-term.”

MyAdvice’s 2022 Healthcare Marketing Trends Report finds that practices across industries are most concerned with increasing efficiency (81%), increasing revenue (79%) and saving money and reducing costs (78%). Equally important were their goals of increasing patient base and/or volume and increasing patients for specific procedures or services (76%).

“The Great Resignation has impacted every industry including healthcare, and staff shortages are a foundational issue that our practice partners face,” continued Miele. “We want to unburden them and offer a streamlined solution that prioritizes their concerns, while offering strategies that help support the growth of their businesses.”

Additional findings from the survey include:

· Strategies for acquiring new patients are critical. Most respondents believe referrals from other patients is the most effective strategy for acquiring new patients (89%), but other strategies are critical to maintain as well, such as referrals from other providers (77%) and online marketing through websites, social media, etc.(59%).

· No matter how a patient finds a provider, however, first impressions are everything. Patients must easily access accurate contact information — of particular importance during the industry’s shift over the last few years to address a more savvy, consumer-minded patient population.

· Only a small percentage of practices feel fully prepared to achieve their marketing goals. Of the 100+ survey respondents, only 4% felt confident in their ability to achieve their marketing goals, followed by 46% feeling somewhat confident. Many respondents felt neutral in their ability to achieve their marketing goals (40%), followed by those who were unconfident (8%) and not confident at all (2%).

“With so many new strategies and platforms for practices to choose from, it’s easy to understand and empathize with the majority of practices lacking confidence in their marketing plans for 2022,” said Miele. “We hope to be able to support these practices by filling the digital marketing gap that’s so critical for both short- and long-term success.”

To download the full report, click here.

SaaS Dental Membership platform to add personnel, expand sales & marketing, accelerate development

DentalHQ, a startup simplifying dental membership plans for dentists and patients, has raised $1.5 million in equity funding. With its latest round of funding, the company plans to expand its impact by adding jobs while furthering its efforts to make dental care more accessible to those that may not have dental insurance.

DentalHQ was founded by dentist and entrepreneur Dr. Brett Wells. “As a practicing dentist, I saw the opportunity to provide patients, particularly those who are under-insured, with the highest quality of care through dental membership plans. That’s why I founded DentalHQ.”

Since 2017, DentalHQ has worked hard to develop tools to help dental practice owners implement and manage in-house membership plans. Dental membership plans enable practices to offer patients a wide array of options to receive regular preventive care as well as other necessary procedures at a transparent price, while providing predictable revenue for the practice. Over the past four years, the company has helped thousands of dentists implement membership plans in nearly all 50 states (come on, West Virginia!). The residual benefit of DentalHQ reaches tens of thousands of patients nationwide.

“[Because of DentalHQ] we're better at attracting new patients and we're doing a better job of keeping our existing [patients], expressed longtime DentalHQ client Kimber Holmes, DDS of Pasadena Family Dentistry in Pasadena, TX.

“Our team loves caring for our patients,” said Dr. Michael Riccobene, of Riccobene Associates, an early adopter of DentalHQ, “and DentalHQ allows them more opportunities to provide that care – before, many of our uninsured patients weren’t coming in regularly and would refuse treatment plans, and now we’re seeing increased compliance and increased case acceptance. Our team loves that. And so do our patients.”

Prior to this round of funding, the company had grown organically, taking little outside investment. “We saw an opportunity to make an even greater impact by working with strategic investors to continue to grow and further the mission of the company,” shares Dr. Wells. “We have prided ourselves on providing outstanding support to all of our clients by always being available and quick to respond to any needs. This funding allows us to continue to widen our influence while maintaining that level of service.”

With this new round of funding, the company is continuing to push the envelope of membership plan platforms through aggressive feature development, as well as actively hiring key personnel across the organization including marketing, sales, product, client success, and operations.