According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), tooth decay affects 90% of adults, and gum disease impacts almost half of adults. Gum disease is a risk factor for nearly 60 health conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, and heart disease.

Determined to address gaps in dental health care, two California high schoolers, Divij Motwani (17) and Ayush Garg (16), created the OralAI device which locates where cavities will form weeks before they actually do.

The device:

• Captures pictures of your teeth using a camera and mobile app, where an AI model can identify potential areas of cavity growth.

• Helps bridge the gap for individuals who are unable to access a dentist regularly in rural areas or developing countries.

• Recently won a first-place award ($5,000) in the biomedical engineering category at the world’s largest pre-college STEM competition, Regeneron International Science & Engineering Fair (ISEF) 2024.

KaVo, a leading innovator in dental technology, proudly announces the launch of the MASTERmatic LUX M45 L High-Speed Handpiece. This latest addition to the MASTER series collection marks a significant breakthrough in access, visibility, and patient care within the dental industry.

Designed with a commitment to ergonomics and patient safety, the MASTERmatic LUX M45 L sets new benchmarks for precision and efficiency in dental procedures. Key features include:

1. Unique Head/Knee Angle Combination: Combining a 42 degree head angle with 100 degree knee angle facilitates superior access to the posterior region. This unique design differs from other 45 degree attachments where access can be affected by the anterior teeth.

2. CoolHead Technology: KaVo CoolHead technology ensures optimal temperature control, preventing the handpiece from excessive heating even if the push-button is pressed accidentally during treatment. This advancement prioritizes patient safety and enhances clinical outcomes.

3. Optimal Illumination: Leveraging KaVo's glass fiber optic technology, the MASTERmatic LUX M45 L provides exceptional illumination, enabling practitioners to see even the smallest details during treatment. This heightened visibility enhances diagnostic accuracy and treatment efficacy.

4. Optimized 3-Port Spray: With an optimized 3-port spray, the handpiece wets the entire length of the bur, ensuring an overall cooling effect. This feature enhances operator comfort and prolongs bur life, contributing to cost-effective and sustainable practice.

5. Superior Cutting Performance: Capable of reaching 168,000 rpm, the MASTERmatic LUX M45 L delivers superior cutting performance, making it ideal for the most demanding dental procedures. This speed and efficiency empower practitioners to achieve exceptional results with precision and confidence.

6. Flexible Treatment Options: Engineered to accommodate bur lengths up to 25mm, the handpiece offers flexibility and adaptability for a wide variety of applications. This versatility enhances procedural efficiency and enables practitioners to tailor treatments to individual patient needs.

“The launch of the MASTERmatic LUX M45 L represents a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to innovation and excellence in dental technology,” said Brian Sommerhauser, VP of Sales & Marketing at KaVo North America. "We are thrilled to introduce this unique solution that rounds out our MASTER series high- speed collection and provides clinicians with a premium instrument for every indication.”

For more information about the MASTERmatic LUX M45 L High-Speed Handpiece and other innovative products from KaVo, please visit kavo.com or contact KaVo at 800-KAVO-USA.

About KaVo Dental

For over 100 years, KaVo employees have been developing, manufacturing and selling high-quality products that set new market standards in the dental industry. KaVo has built its reputation driving quality, precision, and innovation in a continuous endeavor to achieve “Dental Excellence”. KaVo is one of the world’s leading creators of equipment for dental professionals, including skillfully designed dental instruments. It is passion for excellence that enables KaVo to deliver the premium dental solutions worldwide. 

PDS Health®, a leading dental and medical support organization, proudly marked its 30th anniversary this month, celebrating three decades of driving innovative advancements in health care and an unwavering commitment to patient-centered care. This milestone is further distinguished by the opening of its 1,000th supported practice, a testament to the organization’s expansive growth and influence in the healthcare sector.

Founded as Pacific Dental Services® by Stephen E. Thorne IV on June 9, 1994, PDS Health has grown from its origins in dental support services into a comprehensive healthcare organization, supporting general dentistry, specialized dentistry, and primary care practices nationwide. In addition to remaining focused on clinical excellence, PDS Health has championed the scientifically supported Mouth-Body Connection®, highlighting the critical relationship between oral health and overall health.

Reflecting on this dual milestone, Stephen E. Thorne IV, Founder and CEO of PDS Health, said, “Our 30-year journey and the opening of our 1,000th practice symbolize our relentless pursuit of excellence and innovation in health care. We are committed to providing integrated care that enhances patient outcomes and promotes the importance of oral health to overall health.”

Notable Achievements in its 30-Year History:

• Inc. 5000 Recognition: PDS Health has been named on the Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing private companies in America 14 times, showcasing its consistent growth and impact in the industry.

• Advanced, Proven Technologies: PDS Health was the first dental support organization to implement Epic®, the most widely used electronic health records system, into its supported practices. This bold strategic move was a significant step in revolutionizing health care by integrating dental and medical data for a unified health record and holistic patient care. In addition, PDS Health is a leading provider of dental restorations using CEREC® CAD/CAM technology.

• Innovative Care Models: PDS Health has developed integrated dental-medical practices, both independently and through strategic partnerships. Its collaboration with MemorialCare Health System established the first-of-its-kind partnership between a national dental support organization and a regional health system. This partnership uses shared electronic health records on the Epic system, enhancing patient outcomes through coordinated care and comprehensive services.

• Community Impact: PDS Health team members have provided over 650,000 hours of volunteer time and donated over $117 million in dental care to underserved patients in local communities and around the world. Recognized as one of the 50 most community-minded companies in America in 2024 by Points of Light, PDS Health annually supports three national non-profits: the Pacific Dental Services Foundation, charity: water, and Special Olympics.

• Educational Initiatives: PDS Health launched lifelong learning through the PDS University – Institute of Dentistry, offering advanced training facilities and over 1,000 free continuing education courses to oral health professionals. The company was also the first in the dental industry to offer full tuition coverage for undergraduate degrees through the PDS College Advancement Program.

PDS Health’s 1,000th practice, Dentists of West Ashley in Charleston, South Carolina, represents another significant achievement in the company’s history. This milestone underscores the effectiveness of PDS Health’s world-class platform, proven technologies and comprehensive services, which support oral health and medical professionals in delivering extraordinary patient care.

Mr. Thorne added, “Our success over the past 30 years is a reflection of the hard work and dedication of our clinicians, team members, and partners. We remain committed to driving innovation in dental-medical integration and continuing to elevate the standard of care for patients. I look forward to our sustained growth as we continue helping clinicians thrive and create healthier, happier patients across the nation.”

About PDS Health

PDS Health® continues the journey started by Pacific Dental Services® in 1994, with a vision to redefine health care through the integration of dental and medical services. Its approach, centered on the connection between oral health and overall health, aims to create healthier, happier patients and set new benchmarks in the healthcare industry. As a leading provider of integrated healthcare support, the company delivers a broad spectrum of services to dental, dental specialties, and medical providers, enhancing operations and care delivery for clinicians across the U.S. For more information about PDS Health, visit pdshealth.com.

Pictured: The team at Dentists of West Ashley celebrate their grand opening and becoming the 1,000th practice supported by PDS Health.

By Daniel Alter MSc, MDT, CDT

exocad’s Insights 2024 was held for the second time in beautiful Palma de Mallorca, Spain and this year’s festivities certainly did not disappoint with over 50 partners exhibiting and educating to a sold-out audience of 850 dental professionals traveling from over 25 countries in order to assemble in one location to elevate their knowledge and dental practice. The overall motto to exocad’s recent innovation, as stated by exocad’s Chief Commercial Officer Novica Savic, was, “you need to be innovative to lead!”

The energy of innovation was certainly front and center, as new software product releases were announced and celebrated by all in attendance highlighting exocad’s software sessions focused on state-of-the-art workflows with exocad’s DentalCAD, ChairsideCAD and exoplan. Lectures from renowned international Key Opinion Leaders included a presentation on the power of avatars in dentistry by Dr. Miguel Stanley, smile design insights from Dr. Guilherme Saavedra and Dr. Elaine Halley, and an exciting look at occlusion with Master Dental Technician (MDT) Edris Rasta. Dr. August de Oliveira also lectured on 3D printing and exocad for the general dentist.

The new Elefsina 3.2 release series took center stage, offering bone reduction guides as well as the anticipated and desired stackable guides to perform all-on x guided surgery. Furthermore, collaboration with iTero intraoral scanners was demonstrated to integrate the two capabilities in a singular platform for capturing data through scanning with iTero and enjoying the robust CAD solutions and workflows of exocad with what was termed the iTero-exocad Connector. Ashley Byrne and Dr. Marcos White of the UK presented on communication and the benefits of using the iTero-exocad Connector in their daily practices.

At the close of the event, the UK lab and dentist duo Kristina Vaitelytė and Dr. Eimear O’Connell displayed an innovative team approach to bringing the worlds of restorative and orthodontics closer together: exocad’s A.R.T., Advanced Restorative Treatment. And, as part of exocad’s vision of the future, Artificial Intelligence (AI) was announced as coming soon, with remarkable sneak peeks shared. exocad CEO Tillman Steinbrecher said that for him, “AI is all about efficiency, particularly as the profession grapples with the challenges of skilled talent; as well as increasing patient acceptance with the power of visualization in 3D based approach of photorealistic way to connect with patients emotionally.”

Patients connecting emotionally was profound with the use of realistic video preview, where patients are able to see side by side their current smile side by side with the AI incorporated Smile Creator, all in an organic and fluid motion of video while they speak and interact naturally. Understanding the power of AI was evident and Steinbrecher reinforced their position of AI within the exocad ecosystem that the users will always stay in control, “as AI is automation with full users’ control.”

“This is the most amazing opportunity for global collaboration,” said Beth Collington, President of exocad North America. “The opportunity to educate in tandem about Align Technology’s other innovations while offering tremendous benefits for the dental community, to access best in class CAD software and scanning technologies together. I am looking forward to the future as we continue to support and expand this seamlessly integrated solution that can truly benefit everyone, from clinician to patient.” Similarly, Dr. August de Oliveria, DDS and Director of MOD West in Los Angeles, California shared his excitement for what has been shared at the Insights event. His excitement was based around the concept of the digital human or the digital patient, “where incorporating smile creator, face scans, cone beam and intraoral in one digital dental avatar”, something de Oliveria considers “the holy grail for cosmetic dentistry, whereby ultimately the dental patient is the benefactor.”

exocad Insights 2024 also provided its vision of the future previewing AI-based crown design and advanced visualization within exocad’s Smile Creator. The future is very promising for dentistry with tremendous, continued innovation and something for all members of the dental restorative team to continue to stay abreast of in the coming months, and certainly for the next exocad’s Insights 2026.

In honor of its 100-year anniversary, VITA is celebrating with the VITA EXCELLENCE AWARD 2025. The focus of the 2025 award is outstanding patient cases using the leucite-enhanced, glass-ceramic veneering ceramic VITA LUMEX® AC, a reliable and highly esthetic solution for all. To be considered, patient cases and all required documentation must be submitted by November 15, 2024, to excellenceaward@vita-zahnfabrik.com. A jury will evaluate the patient cases using the following criteria: esthetics, function, documentation and preparation work. The winner will receive an invitation to IDS 2025 in Cologne, Germany, including travel costs, hotel accommodation and breakfast, plus a brand new 12.9-inch Apple iPad Pro. The winner will also have the opportunity to present their patient case live at IDS 2025 to a professional audience. Additional information, along with the eligibility requirements are available online at www.vita-excellence-award.com.

VITA is a leading provider of innovative dental products. The company pioneered the field of tooth shade determination with the development of the world-renowned VITA classical® A1-D4 shade guide and its proprietary VITA SYSTEM 3D-MASTER®, the first and only system of its kind that covers the complete range of natural tooth shades. From premium denture teeth and veneering materials, to digital shade measurement, furnaces and CAD/CAM restorations, VITA helps laboratory technicians and clinicians deliver high quality and esthetic results to patients quickly and efficiently.

For more information, visit www.vitanorthamerica.com or call 800-828-3839.

Renamel® OPALITE™ is a new enamel microfill shade with subtle opalescent effects that brighten the tooth and give it optical depth and vitality. This particular microfill will have a color adaptive effect as well as maintaining the value of your restorations. Use as a final layer on your anterior restorations to emulate a bright natural enamel.

Renamel® OPAL™ is a flowable translucent microfill with opalescent optical properties that is unique to anything on the market. This material recreates the subtle dichroism found in natural enamel. Due to the transmission of light, when illuminated, opals and enamels will appear at times a delicate orange or blue. Use beneath the final enamel layer to create a natural incisal opalescence that is built into the restoration.

For information, please contact us toll-free at 800-621-6729 or visit www.cosmedent.com.

Smile Generation® and its nationwide network of trusted dental practices recently completed a two-month fundraising campaign in support of charity: water, a non-profit organization that brings clean, safe drinking water to people around the world. The campaign ran throughout April and May 2024 and raised a total of $1,456,414―more than doubling the initial goal of $700,000. All funds raised from this year’s campaign will go toward providing clean drinking water to people in Ethiopia by constructing community-owned, sustainable, and safe water sources built to last for generations.

Millions of people worldwide do not have basic access to safe drinking water. Since 2006, charity: water has funded water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) programs for rural communities, serving over 18.6 million people in 29 countries in Africa, Asia, Central America, and South America. Smile Generation has proudly partnered with charity: water since 2009, contributing a total of over $10 million in donated support over 16 years. These efforts have successfully supported the completion of over 500 water projects that now provide clean drinking water to over 290,000 people across six different countries.

Smile Generation-trusted dental practices are supported by PDS Health®, one of the country’s leading integrated dental and medical support organizations. Smile Generation connects patients with the best local dentists in their communities and provides financing options so that care is always within reach. In addition, it provides tools and resources to learn about the link between oral health and overall health, or the Mouth-Body Connection®, while also working to be a force for good in each community it serves.

“We are so proud of the entire Smile Generation community for their incredible efforts in this year’s campaign to provide clean water to people in Ethiopia,” said Stephen E. Thorne IV, Founder and CEO of PDS Health. “At PDS Health, we know that clean water is essential for overall health and integral to strong communities. Our long-standing partnership with charity: water exemplifies our commitment to making a positive impact, not only in the communities we serve here in the United States, but globally. Together, we are ensuring that future generations can thrive doing our part to help people around the world live healthier, happier lives.”

“We are profoundly grateful for the unwavering support of the Smile Generation community,” said Scott Harrison, CEO of charity: water. “Their tremendous generosity and commitment help us continue to provide clean water to communities in Ethiopia. Together, we are meeting a fundamental need and transforming lives through access to safe, clean water.”

For more information about how Smile Generation makes an impact in the communities it serves, visit smilegeneration.com/community-service.

About Smile Generation

Smile Generation® connects patients to Smile Generation-trusted dentists who are dedicated to providing an exceptional patient experience and advanced clinical care. Smile Generation also provides financial choices for patients and education about the connection between oral health and overall health (The Mouth-Body Connection®). The Smile Generation network spans nearly 1,000 dental offices in 24 states. Smile Generation-trusted offices are supported by PDS Health®. For more information, visit smilegeneration.com.

About charity: water

charity: water is a nonprofit organization bringing clean and safe drinking water to people around the world. With powerful storytelling and a radically transparent model that ensures 100% of every public donation funds clean water, charity: water has mobilized supporters from more than 150 countries to help end the water crisis. They work exclusively with experienced local partners to build sustainable, community-owned water projects and prove each one with innovative technology. Since 2006 in New York and 2017 in London, charity: water has funded over 154,000 water projects in 29 countries to help more than 18.6 million people get access to clean water, hygiene, and improved sanitation. For more information, visit charitywater.org.

About PDS Health

PDS Health® continues the journey started by Pacific Dental Services® in 1994, with a vision to redefine health care through the integration of dental and medical services. Its approach, centered on the connection between oral health and overall health, aims to create healthier, happier patients and set new benchmarks in the healthcare industry. As a leading provider of integrated healthcare support, the company delivers a broad spectrum of services to dental, dental specialties, and medical providers, enhancing operations and care delivery for clinicians across the U.S. For more information about PDS Health and its vision, visit pdshealth.com. The Mouth-Body Connection® is a registered trademark of PDS Health.

San Marcos, California—June 20, 2024—Shofu Dental Corporation introduces BeautiBond Xtreme, a universal bonding agent with proprietary Quad-Adhesive Technology.

BeautiBond Xtreme is a powerful all-in-one universal bonding agent featuring Quad-Adhesive Technology. This technology facilitates bonding to enamel, dentin, zirconia, precious metal alloys, composite resins, and glass ceramics. Due to BeautiBond Xtreme’s unique proprietary chemistry, a single layer gives a fast, strong, and reliable bond.

Ideal for direct and indirect restorations using any light-cure, dual-cure, or self-cure material without the need for additional primers, BeautiBond Xtreme is a truly universal adhesive that offers flexibility with self-etch, selective-etch, or total-etch technique. BeautiBond Xtreme provides an optimal seal to wet or dry dentin, penetrating deep into the tubules to create resin tags for secure adhesion and dramatic reduction of postoperative sensitivity.

BeautiBond Xtreme's HEMA-free formula improves the stability of the adhesive, providing a thin and uniform layer with reduced technique sensitivity. With an extremely low film thickness of 5µm, BeautiBond Xtreme prevents marginal stain lines caused by brands with thicker bonding layers. It’s easy, one-step application makes the bonding process consistently reliable and clinically efficient.

BeautiBond Xtreme is available in a 50-unit 0.1ml dose set with microbrushes, MSRP $169.99, and a 5ml ergonomic-designed, one-hand-controlled dispensing bottle, MSRP $164.99.

BioHorizons today released Tapered Pro Conical, its first dental implant with a deep conical connection. This new implant reflects BioHorizons’ dedication to developing innovative products that enhance clinical performance and workflow efficiency, part of a broader strategy by parent company Henry Schein, Inc., to invest in technological advances for the benefit of the practice and patient.

Tapered Pro Conical leverages the successful macro design of Tapered Pro with the proven and patented CONELOG® connection to provide clinicians with a predictable solution for immediate treatment, from single tooth to full arch. It is designed for surgical efficiency with a best-in-class conical connection.

“Backed by more than 30 years of research, Tapered Pro Conical’s unique Laser-Lok microchannels create a connective tissue attachment and retain crestal bone, thus allowing better control of clinical and esthetic outcomes,” said Steve Boggan, President & CEO, BioHorizons. “We recognize the importance of immediate and predictable solutions for implant therapy, and are pleased to deliver enhanced functionality with this new implant.”

The new implant’s tapered body and aesthetic thread design provide primary stability, while its self-tapping helical cutting flutes are designed to help control implant placement. A new surgical kit combining free hand and keyless guided surgical approaches results in surgical efficiency. Clinicians benefit from restorative efficiency with only two prosthetic platforms.

The CONELOG® Implant System was introduced in 2011 by Camlog to enlarge its offerings with conical implant to abutment connections. CONELOG Implants have a 7.5-degree self-locking inner taper and three internal grooves.

Visit www.biohorizons.com for more information on the new Tapered Pro Conical and guided surgery options.

About BioHorizons

Headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, BioHorizons is one of the largest dental implant companies in the world . It has been committed to developing evidence-based and scientifically proven products since 1994.

The focus of BioHorizons on science, innovation and service enables customers to confidently use its comprehensive portfolio of dental implants, prosthetics, biologics products and digital solutions, making BioHorizons one of the fastest growing companies in the dental industry.

BioHorizons helps customers restore smiles in 90 countries throughout North America, Europe, South America, Asia, Africa and Australia.

Pictured: Available from BioHorizons, the new Tapered Pro Conical Implant with a deep conical connection helps enhance surgical ffficiency to deliver immediate implant procedures.

PDS Health®, a leading U.S. provider of integrated healthcare support services, is proud to announce that its Founder and CEO, Stephen E. Thorne IV, has been honored with the 2024 Presidential Award from the Association of Dental Support Organizations (ADSO). The award was presented to Thorne during the 13th Annual ADSO Summit in Denver, Colo., recognizing his exemplary leadership and extraordinary service within the association.

The annual ADSO Awards recognize individuals and companies that contribute significantly to the association and dental support organization industry through innovation, leadership and service. This marks the second consecutive year Thorne has been recognized by the ADSO, following his 2023 induction into the ADSO Hall of Leaders. Additionally, last year, PDS Health (formerly known as Pacific Dental Services) received the ADSO Service Award for its meritorious service, corporate social responsibility, and contributions to greater society.

“Receiving the Presidential Award from the ADSO is a true honor. It reflects our dedicated efforts at PDS Health to drive change within the health care industry,” Thorne stated. “This year is particularly significant as we are celebrating not just the 30th anniversary of our founding, but also our evolution into PDS Health, reflecting our commitment to integrating dental and medical care to advance patient outcomes. I am thankful for the ADSO’s support as we continue to innovate and lead in improving care for patients everywhere.”

About PDS Health

PDS Health® continues the journey started by Pacific Dental Services® in 1994, with a vision to redefine health care through the integration of dental and medical services. Its approach, centered on the connection between oral health and overall health, aims to create healthier, happier patients and set new benchmarks in the healthcare industry. As a leading provider of integrated healthcare support, the company delivers a broad spectrum of services to dental, dental specialties, and medical providers, enhancing operations and care delivery for clinicians across the U.S. For more information about PDS Health and its vision, visit pdshealth.com.