Cover Your Bases Campaign Kicks Off Oral Health Month with ARESTIN (minocycline HCI) Patient Ambassador Alex Rodriguez

Bausch Health Companies Inc. (NYSE/TSX: BHC) and its oral health care business, OraPharma, today announced its collaboration with World Series Champion, Alex Rodriguez, to launch a national awareness campaign about the prevalence and impact of gum disease. The Cover Your Bases campaign includes educational content about the disease and encourages patients to talk to their dentist about comprehensive treatment options. The campaign launch is timed to Oral Health Month recognized throughout June and features Alex as a patient ambassador.

According to the American Dental Association, gum disease affects nearly 65 million Americans nationwide. More specifically, nearly half of Americans aged 30 and older and 70% of those aged 75 and older have some form of gum disease. The most common symptoms of gum disease include bleeding during or after brushing and red or swollen gums. Some studies suggest that gum disease may be associated with an increased risk for other chronic conditions throughout the body, such as diabetes and heart disease.

"Throughout my life and career, I've always put a great deal of energy into prioritizing my health, which is why I was shocked when my dentist told me I had early-stage gum disease," said Rodriguez. "My dentist also informed me that gum disease is more common in men and in Latino communities, which is why I felt it was really important for me to share my story. I was lucky to catch it early, and if it can happen to me, it can happen to anyone."

While there is no cure for gum disease, it is important to consider comprehensive treatment plans that may include ARESTIN – an antibiotic used in combination with scaling and root planing (SRP) to treat adult periodontitis, also known as gum disease. ARESTIN is applied at the site of infection, helping to fight the bacteria that cause gum disease. ARESTIN may be used as part of an overall health program that includes good brushing and flossing habits and SRP.

ARESTIN should not be taken if you are allergic to minocycline or tetracyclines. Ask your dentist or pharmacist for a list of these drugs if you are not sure. The use of tetracycline class drugs, including ARESTIN, during tooth development may cause permanent discoloration of the teeth, and therefore should not be used in children or in pregnant or nursing women. Please see below for Additional Important Safety Information regarding ARESTIN.

"This campaign is the first of its kind for OraPharma, and we couldn't be more excited to have Alex onboard to share his experience not only to help educate patients about this often misunderstood and underdiagnosed disease, but also to encourage them to talk to their dentist," said Tom Stern, Vice President and General Manager at OraPharma. "We hope that this campaign will help bring awareness to gum disease and empower others to take charge of their dental health by seeking out appropriate treatment options that may help manage this serious disease."

To learn more about a treatment option and to hear Alex's story, visit www.Arestin.com.

As World Environment Day approaches on June 5, Dentsply Sirona wants to emphasize their commitment to promoting sustainability and protecting the environment. To better support dental professionals in their journey towards more sustainable dental practices, Dentsply Sirona has put together a Sustainability in Dentistry Resource Kit - available free of charge – that contains resources to guide dental professionals towards a better understanding of sustainability in dentistry, giving them the chance to commit to sustainable dentistry and information on specific actions they can take in their practices and labs.

Sustainability is one of the biggest challenges facing society, and every industry – including dentistry. Last year, Dentsply Sirona conducted a global study¹ amongst more than 1,300 dentists from the US, Europe, Asia and Latin America which revealed that three-quarters of the participants believe there is a knowledge gap regarding sustainability in dentistry. To help answer that need and help support dental professionals on their journey to become more sustainable in their practice or lab, Dentsply Sirona has put together a Sustainability in Dentistry Resource Kit - available free of charge on their webpage - and invites everyone to join in the sustainability challenge by taking1 step today to understand, commit or take action for more sustainable dentistry.

Resources offered

The Sustainability in Dentistry Resource Kit, aimed at helping facilitate dental professionals’ journey toward developing a more sustainable practice, consists of three parts:

● Understanding what sustainability means for dentistry, including why and how dental professionals can have an impact.

Acting more ecologically and socially responsible in everyday life does not seem so difficult, but where does one start in the dental industry? To clarify this question, Dentsply Sirona has developed a Sustainability Educational Curriculum, as part of our Clinical Educational program, called DS Academy. Continuing Education (CE) credits² are available for each completed course. The courses are led by experienced dentists and sustainability experts who are passionate about making a difference in the dental industry.

● Taking action – Interactive Toolkit for more environmentally friendly dental practices

Dentsply Sirona is a proud co-founder of FDI World Dental Federation’s “Sustainability in Dentistry” initiative. As a result, an interactive toolkit has been designed to give concrete examples of actions dental professionals can take to reduce the environmental footprint in dental practices. Once registered, dental professionals will discover various sustainability challenges and earn recognition awards for their practice by taking on an active role in making dentistry more sustainable.

● Committing to a more sustainable dentistry – The Pledge

As another result of the partnership with FDI, a Pledge for Sustainable Dentistry has been published to invite dental professionals to show their support for environmental sustainability within oral healthcare. By signing, dental professionals express their commitment to reducing negative environmental impacts of their practice or lab.

Join the Sustainability Movement with FDI's Virtual Summit

In addition, the FDI World Dental Federation's virtual Summit on Sustainability in Dentistry will take place on the World Environment Day, June 5. Following the success of the Sustainability in Dentistry initiative, the Summit delivers captivating case studies, innovative ideas, and research projects dedicated to reducing the environmental impact of dentistry. Attendees can also look forward to a virtual display of poster abstracts and a bursary fund for participants from low-income countries. Register for the Summit here.

Taking action for a brighter world and a more sustainable dentistry

The launch of Dentsply Sirona’s Sustainability in Dentistry Resource Kit marks another milestone in the company’s commitment towards leading the advancement of sustainability in the dental industry.

This initiative is part of its sustainability strategy, BEYOND: Taking Action for a Brighter World. At the heart of BEYOND is the ambition to improve quality of and access to oral health around the world, protect the environment, being a trustworthy corporate citizen and foster a diverse and inclusive environment within the workplace and society. To achieve this, Dentsply Sirona has set itself ambitious sustainability goals, supports industry-wide co-operations and brings to the table the willingness to go above and beyond to achieve real changes for a more sustainable future across the entire dentistry.

1 Global Sustainability in Dentistry Study organized in 2022, Link to Study Report

2 Continuing Education (CE) credits valid only for US and Canada

Last week, Ivoclar senior technical consultant Bill Barton, MBA, BS, CDT, TE, presented a lecture and two hands-on courses for the Air Force ADL symposium in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The workshop, "Prime Time" Esthetics, featured IPS e.max Prime and Prime Esthetic, and the lecture, "Zirconia Deep Dive," discussed material science, physical properties, and zirconia tips and tricks.

Direct Diagnostics is thrilled to announce its membership with the Center for Research & Education in Technology (CRET). By joining this esteemed non-profit organization, Direct Diagnostics is taking a major step in furthering its mission to improve oral health and promote the latest advancements in dental education.

CRET is a leading provider of technology-based education for dental students and healthcare professionals. Their innovative programs are designed to connect education and technology, fostering the next generation of healthcare professionals. As a member of CRET, Direct Diagnostics is able to contribute to the organization's commitment to excellence by providing access to its HR5® test, which tests for the top 5 high-risk oral pathogens. This allows students to learn about the latest advancements in salivary diagnostics and helps to prepare them for the future of periodontal healthcare.

"We are thrilled to join CRET and to be able to contribute to their mission of enhancing dental education and bringing new technology to dental schools," said Dr. Thomas W. Nabors, DDS, FACD, founder of salivary diagnostic testing using DNA PCR, and Chief of Oral Systemic Medicine for Direct Diagnostics. "We share their passion for advancing the future of healthcare and look forward to collaborating with them to continue advancing dental education."

Direct Diagnostics' HR5® test is an innovative, non-invasive diagnostic tool that enables healthcare professionals to detect and personalize treatment of high-risk oral pathogens. By providing this cutting-edge technology to dental schools, Direct Diagnostics is helping to prepare the next generation of healthcare professionals for the future of oral healthcare.

"We are excited to welcome Direct Diagnostics to our organization," said Edward F. Rossomando, DDS, PhD, MS, Founder and President of CRET, "and we look forward to working together to promote excellence in dental education."

"We are proud to support CRET's commitment to excellence and to continue making salivary diagnostics more accessible," said Jeffrey Sopko, President and CEO of Direct Diagnostics. "By collaborating with CRET, we are excited to help foster the next generation of healthcare professionals and advance dental education for a better tomorrow."

From Julia Roberts to Kim Kardashian, which celebrity smile do we find most attractive?

To help solve this question, dental experts from Badge Clinic scouted out 75 famous faces and extracted global Google search volume data, discovering the top 10 celebrities with the sexiest smiles and set of pearly whites!

Key points of interest

● Tom Cruise is the only male to feature in the top 10, whilst taking the top spot with more than 100k combined searches for his smile!

● Julia Roberts has the sexiest smile among all female celebrities.

● Kate Middleton takes seventh place with her iconic royal smile with nearly 5k searches having visited world-renowned French dentist Dr Didier Fillion who created her perfectly imperfect smile. 

Out of 75 celebrities, there are 22 males and 53 females claiming the title for the most attractive smile. See full data for all 75 celebrities here.

Burak Ersoy, the Founder of Badge Clinic with medical credentials including Associate Professor of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, FACS, FEBOPRAS comments:

“Humans are inherently drawn to smiles, and when those smiles belong to celebrities, the fascination is amplified. Celebrity smiles hold a unique allure because they often embody the ideals of beauty, confidence, and joy that we aspire to. From the celebrities in this list, we can see that not only are people searching for the most attractive smiles but there is a wide selection of different smiles, showing that each and every individual smile is loved and wanted.

From the data, we can see that Tom Cruise has the ‘sexiest’ smile, and whilst his teeth haven’t always been perfect, his smile is clearly famous enough to leave a lasting impression on audiences worldwide, whilst playing an iconic part in his on-screen presence.

The same can be said for Julia Roberts, whose smile is considered the most attractive among all other celebrity women. Her dazzling, mega-watt grin can light up many rooms and has featured in several (if not all) of her films. They are perfectly white, symmetrical and well proportioned, giving her that perfectly flawless smile we’ve come to love.”  

EASE CLASS and AIRTOOL convince top-class jury

The globally recognized German Design Council has honored vhf with the German Innovation Award 2023 in the category Medical Technologies in Gold. The jury awarded the innovative dental milling machines E5 and E4 of the new EASE CLASS by vhf in combination with the patent pending AIR-TOOL. The official award ceremony took place on May 23, 2023 in Berlin and was celebrated in the presence of numerous representatives from politics, business and society.

The EASE CLASS was presented to the world public by vhf only a few weeks ago and can already boast a highly esteemed and widely known award with the German Innovation Award 2023 in Gold. Looking at 650 entries from 22 countries, vhf succeeds in making an excellent start for the new E5 and E4 dental milling machines. “We were aware that the new product line in combination with the novel AIRTOOL would be a groundbreaking innovation for the dental industry,” says Lucas Kehl, Head of Product at vhf camfacture AG. “We are all the more pleased that this was also assessed by the independent expert jury of the German Innovation Awards and honored accordingly. For vhf and the EASE CLASS, this is a huge success and a great recognition for the development work of several years. We are all really proud of this. Furthermore, the award is another proof for the innovative strength of vhf and at the same time incentive and motivation for us to develop many more innovations made in Germany, true to our motto Creating Perfection”.

The EASE CLASS from vhf stands for high-quality dental restorations in combination with simplicity. The special feature of the five-axis circular milling machine E5 and the four-axis wet grinding machine E4 is that the two dental milling machines do not require any compressed air at all. This is made possible by the innovative AIRTOOL, for which vhf has applied for a patent: a dental milling tool equipped with turbine blades that generates a strong air flow due to the high speeds of the high-frequency spindle. In this way, the workpiece remains free of chips and dust. The absence of an external compressed air connection or built-in compressor gives the E5 and E4 dental milling machines several advantages at once: they are comparatively light and compact. They offer maximum freedom in the choice of installation location. And they prove cost-efficient to purchase and operate without compromising on quality. In combination with the intuitively operated DENTALCAM software, the vhf E5 and E4, together with the ingenious AIRTOOL, represent an all-round successful entry for dental technicians, practice labs and laboratories and enable an easy digital workflow.

LMU-CDM and Direct Diagnostics Advance Dental Education Through Salivary Diagnostics

Direct Diagnostics (Direct Dx) is proud to announce their partnership with Lincoln Memorial University-College of Dental Medicine (LMU-CDM), a renowned educational institution dedicated to preparing future healthcare professionals for success in their fields. As a leader in salivary diagnostics, Direct Dx is thrilled to join forces with LMU-CDM to enhance their curriculum and provide students with cutting-edge tools and technology.

"The primary goal of this partnership is to integrate the science of salivary diagnostics into the educational curriculum of Lincoln Memorial University-College of Dental Medicine, allowing students to gain first-hand experience in utilizing the HR5® tests in their university clinics. By merging medicine and dentistry, students will learn how to implement oral systemic care into practice, ensuring that they graduate ready to practice at the highest level of care," said Jeffrey Sopko, President and CEO of Direct Diagnostics.

"We are excited to collaborate with Direct Diagnostics to provide our students with access to cutting-edge salivary diagnostic testing technology," said Denise Terese-Koch, DDS, BS, MBA, EdD, Dean and Chief Academic Officer at Lincoln Memorial University-College of Dental Medicine. "This partnership aligns with our mission to produce competent oral health care providers who are committed to delivering the highest level of care to their patients. We look forward to working together to advance dental education and improve the future of healthcare."

As part of their commitment to serving the underserved Appalachian population, this collaboration will enable the university to provide salivary diagnostic care to those in need through their clinics.

Direct Diagnostics will contribute to the university's commitment to facilitating the growth and development of dental and medical education by providing access to its HR5® test, which tests for the top 5 high-risk oral pathogens. This will allow students to learn about the latest advancements in salivary diagnostics and help prepare them for the future of preventative healthcare.

"We are thrilled to partner with Lincoln Memorial University-College of Dental Medicine and to be able to contribute to their mission of growth and development of graduate dental education," said Dr. Thomas W. Nabors, DDS, FACD, founder of salivary diagnostic testing using DNA PCR, and Chief of Oral Systemic Medicine for Direct Diagnostics. "We are excited to collaborate with a team that shares our passion for advancing the future of healthcare through diagnostic science and evidence."

This partnership represents an exciting opportunity for Direct Diagnostics and Lincoln Memorial University-College of Dental Medicine to work together to advance the field of healthcare and improve the lives of patients. Through this partnership, Direct Dx and LMU-CDM will be able to nurture the next generation of healthcare professionals and promote the advancement of dental education for a brighter future.

The United States Patent & Trademark Office has granted Balanced Pharma, Inc. (BPI) a second patent for its cartridge technology, which enables the long-sought ability to deliver acid-free local anesthetics in a standard dental cartridge. The company believes its new cartridge will enable dentists to administer numbing injections that are less painful, fast-acting, and more reliable.

Balanced Pharma is a pharmaceutical company headquartered near Charlotte, North Carolina, developing technology to make local anesthetic injections more comfortable for patients and more efficient for healthcare providers. BPI-001, the company’s flagship new drug candidate, is a local anesthetic intended specifically for the dental market and will be supplied in a standard dental cartridge to provide a seamless replacement for existing products, with no new training, equipment, or protocols required. The proposed investigational product’s buffered lidocaine/epinephrine formulation is free from the acid normally present in local anesthetics.

A large body of research shows that removing the acid from local anesthetics produces faster onset, less injection pain, and increased reliability, including an April 2023 study¹ published in the British Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery that is especially notable because of the large number of patients and statistical power of the results.

Balanced Pharma’s new drug candidate comes at a time when market research suggests that 9 out of 10 dentists would prefer a better anesthetic, and more than half of patients surveyed said the injection is the worst part of the dental experience.² “We commissioned Olson Research Group to survey 181 dentists and 140 dental patients across the U.S., and it was hard to tell who is more excited about this product—patients or dentists,” notes Dr. Scott Keadle, BPI’s CEO.

More than 150 dentists and other providers participated in early funding rounds to help capitalize Balanced Pharma. “We’re proud to be a company founded by practicing clinicians, working to deliver a product to provide patients more comfort,” adds Dr. Keadle. “We knew if we could provide acid-free anesthetic in a standard cartridge, that would be a huge win for providers and patients, and we’re well-poised to deliver on that promise. Stay tuned.”

About Balanced Pharma, Inc.

Balanced Pharma, Inc. (BPI) is a pharmaceutical company based in Cornelius, North Carolina. BPI intends to reduce injection pain, speed the onset of anesthesia, and increase the success rate of local anesthetic injections by developing and seeking FDA drug approval for a pH-balanced formulation of lidocaine with epinephrine, the most common local anesthetic in dental and medical procedures.

BPI’s products are currently in development. They have not been approved by FDA, and are not available for marketing and sale in the United States.

References

1 “Effectiveness of buffered and non-buffered local anaesthetic in inferior alveolar nerve block: A randomised study”, M. Bala, A.O. Taiwo, A.A. Ibikunle, H.O. Olasoji, A.O. Sulaiman, B.C. Chukwuma, R.O. Braimah, B.O. Ile-Ogedengbe; Published in the British Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, April 21, 2023; https://www.bjoms.com/article/S0266-4356(23)00108-0/fulltext

2 “58% of patients believe the injection is the worst part of the dental experience,” Olson Research Group, “Patient Dental Care Study Quantitative Report, Conducted for Balanced Pharma, May 7, 2021,” Fielding: March 30–April 23, 2021, total sample size: n=140 (includes 40 parents/caregivers);

 “Over 90% of dentists report a desire for current anesthetics to be more reliable, less painful, or faster acting,” Olson Research Group, “Dentist Quantitative Report, Conducted for Balanced Pharma, August 13, 2021,” Fielding: June 18–July 19, 2021, total sample size: n=181;

Premier® Dental Products Company is pleased to introduce Two Striper® Pro Packs. These exciting new procedural diamond bur packs will be available June 1, 2023. For 110 years, dental professionals have turned to Premier Dental as a leader in bringing innovative products to market that improve their daily procedures, practices, and patient outcomes.

Choose from four diamond bur procedure packs. Each pack contains five of the most popular diamond bur shapes for crown & bridge, inlay/onlay, veneers, and operative procedures. Pro Packs are attractively priced – take this opportunity to experience the superior performance and feel of a Two Striper diamond while offering the benefit of procedural efficiency.

Two Striper, distributed by Premier Dental, is preferred by dentists because it stays sharp longer and delivers faster cutting than electroplated brands. Which means a more efficient workflow and happier patients. Two Striper diamond burs are made from a select grade of natural diamonds with the proprietary P.B.S.® brazing process—the best bonding system in the industry.

Two Striper® and P.B.S® are registered trademarks of the manufacturer, Abrasive Technology, LLC. 

Leading dental laboratory to incorporate revolutionary performance-and-wellness tracking technology from U.K. startup into its patient-specific appliances.

California-based Glidewell, a global leader in custom dental solutions, has announced the acquisition of ORB Innovations Limited, a U.K. company that has developed patented technology to measure a wearer's physiological and biomechanical activities within an oral appliance.

Glidewell has a formidable record of technological innovation over its 53-year history, with 94 U.S. patents awarded and 68 more pending. This acquisition marks the company's first investment in smart dental products.

"We see the platform the ORB team has developed as an exciting evolution for the sports market," said Glidewell CEO Stephenie Goddard. "And it's easy to envision application in other wellness-related areas, in line with Glidewell's mission to bring innovative solutions to dentists and their patients throughout the world."

In 2010, Robert Paterson, CEO and cofounder of ORB Innovations, suffered a severe head injury (subdural hematoma) during a rugby game. The injury was misdiagnosed, and Robert's health deteriorated, leaving him bed-bound for weeks. Wanting to prevent others from experiencing the same fate, Paterson teamed with Thomas Quinn, CTO, to found ORB Innovations in 2017. Based in London, England, ORB's value offering later expanded to enable both performance and wellness monitoring with its patented technology.

"We are thrilled to join the Glidewell family," said Paterson. "As one of the largest dental companies in the world, with a 50-year track record of pioneering new technology, we feel we have found a natural home. The acquisition will allow us to accelerate the launch of our unique platform in the U.S. and to increase the pace of our research and development in other areas. Together, ORB Innovations and Glidewell will bring to market a whole range of smart oral products that will provide flexible new options for health-conscious consumers."

Specific products and timelines have yet to be announced, but athletes and their dental providers can join a waitlist and learn more about the ORB technology platform at www.orbinnovations.com.