OraQ has announces the official commencement of commercial operations in North America. The innovative venture introduces a cutting-edge clinical decision support system empowered by the analytical prowess of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning.

Distinguishing itself from other AI platforms, OraQ is a comprehensive treatment planning technology with FDA and Health Canada approvals. The platform scrutinizes the complete patient profile to unearth treatment opportunities that might otherwise elude detection.

In a press release OraQ's CEO and co-founder Amreesh Khanna, DDS, expresses the company's elation at introducing their technology to dentists across the continent. Driven by the commitment to bolster precision patient care, OraQ's software has demonstrated its potential by increasing treatment acceptance rates by up to 30%, according to a press release.

Years of painstaking work with the fragmented data used in the typical dental practice led to the development of OraQ’s platform which provides AI-powered insights for clinicians and patients.

One of OraQ's standout features is its interactive patient portal, fostering heightened patient engagement rooted in trust and transparency. This not only results in an enriched experience for both patients and clinicians but also augments the clinician-patient relationship in a meaningful and lasting manner.

“Our impact and vision are about helping Dentists every day and anywhere deliver a patient experience that will be fulfilling and create lasting and meaningful relationships with their patients!" says Dr. Khanna.

OraQ leverages AI and machine learning to assist dentists in developing ideal treatment plans, reducing the time required for comprehensive strategies. It calculates the success probabilities of different treatments, identifies correlated conditions often overlooked, and improves alignment between dental practitioners. This is designed to increase acceptance of high-value treatments, providing dentists with data-backed recommendations and expanding their knowledge of effective treatment strategies.

For patients OraQ supports treatment recommendations with data and facts, enhancing transparency and trust between patients and dentists. It reveals potential consequences if treatment is delayed, engaging patients and providing a clearer understanding of their oral health. ‘

The cloud-based platform is accessible from any device, anywhere, is HIPAA compliant, and it is scalable for solo practitioners or groups. Treatment recommendations are evidence-based and OraQ assists in diagnosing and treating conditions such as obstructive sleep apnea, bite concerns, TMD, tooth wear, and more to help improve patient buy-in, and continual monitoring enables progress tracking, outcome measurement, and follow-up scheduling.

Articles

This new software platform employs artificial intelligence to connect clinicians and patients.

OraQ Launches Commercial Operations of Artificial Intelligence Decision Support Solution

A new partnership will bring Scorpion’s digital marketing technology to clients of the DentalXChange payments platform. With this partnership, dentists using DentalXChange will be able to use Scorpion’s marketing platform and Ranking.AI technology to find more patients, fill schedules, and help grow their practices.

“We’re laser-focused on helping our clients run their best business and through this mission we’re bringing dental practices the same AI technology that has revolutionized marketing for enterprise organizations,” Scorpion Chief Strategy Officer Azim Nagree says in a press release. “80% of Scorpion clients using our solution outrank their competitors on Google. By partnering with a leader like DentalXChange, we aim to bring this success to even more dental practices.”

Scorpion’s marketing platform delivers a complete digital marketing solution including practice websites, digital advertising, and Scorpion’s Ranking.AI technology. Ranking.AI brings the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to dentists by improving their website’s search engine ranking, generating patient leads, and ultimately driving more practice revenue. As it analyzes, Ranking.AI learns from Google’s more than 200 ranking factors, adapting in real-time to drive consistent results.

“Our data shows that DentalXChange customers who also use Scorpion have increased their claim volume and associated revenue by 29% over the last two years,” says Paul Kaiser, CEO of DentalXChange. “Our clients are waking up every day to articles and news stories about technologies like artificial intelligence, but they don’t always know how to take advantage of these opportunities for themselves. Partnering with Scorpion will help our clients utilize AI to drive practice growth and revenue.”

With more than 2 decades of experience providing dental practices with payment and claims solutions, DentalXChange remains focused on helping practices streamline administrative tasks. Adding Scorpion as a partner will provide current and future clients with access to cutting-edge marketing and AI technologies to help optimize not only the financial but also the operational success of dental practices.

Scorpion, an innovator in the digital marketing technology space, specializes in helping dental practices and businesses that serve a local clientele thrive in the digital age. With a wealth of experience in driving online visibility, lead generation, and customer engagement, Scorpion continues to help clients succeed in an ever-evolving digital landscape.

Advanced technology helps uncover opportunities for dentists and dental practices to improve organic rankings on Google.

Scorpion Partnernership Brings AI-driven Patient Acquisition and Practice Growth Technologies to DentalXChange Clients

Image Credit: © asamizu / stock.adobe.com

When you present your restorative treatment plan to patients, you only have a 34% chance of patients accepting it, per findings by Jarvis Analytics, a data analysis platform by Henry Schein One.1 However, leveraging the Framing Effect may boost your percentage rating.

Per the American Psychological Association (APA), the 

 means the way you present the information affects how people respond. In other words, by defining the context of the treatment you present to a patient, you also influence how patients receive that information.2

For example, the statistic by Jarvis Analytics is 34% of people accept treatment plans. That also means that 66% do not. But while this might just be a single statistic, there are a plethora of ways to share this metric. For example:

Clinicians only have a 34% chance patients will accept their treatment plan

Only 1/3 of patients accept restorative treatment plans

Two-thirds of patients will reject your restorative treatment plans

Clinicians will present their restorative treatment plans to patients, and two-thirds of patients, 66 percent, will reject them

. Presenting the information from a different angle can alter the perception of the problem.2 If you read each of these out loud, it is easier to see the way a statistic is presented changes how it sounds, and even how it makes you feel.

The Framing Effect Influences Many Buying Decisions

The Framing Effect is a standard tool in many decision-making scenarios. In general, we choose the more positive presentation.

For example, financial advisors might use it to talk to you about your portfolio. They might say, "Diversification has a 70 percent chance of positive growth," or "Diversification has a 30 percent chance of losing money." Even though these are the same information, how the financial advisor states it could change how confident you feel about diversifying your investments.3

In addition to the Framing Effect, there are two other cognitive biases at work in this scenario. One is our fear of loss, which behavioral science calls Loss Aversion. 

 refers to the concept that many of us hate losing more than we enjoy gaining. Put another way, we try harder to keep what we have than we do to get what we want.4 Loss Aversion is why we favor the financial proposition that doesn't discuss the potential for loss.3

The other psychological principle influencing our reaction to the information is that we like the idea of more significant numbers over smaller numbers when discussing things like gains or savings. Not surprisingly, we think the 70 percent chance of making more money sounds pretty good. Suppose we were talking about savings. Which sounds better: "Get 70 percent off regular prices!" or "Pay only 30% of the sticker price!"? They are the same thing, but we like the idea of the larger-sounding savings.3

Therefore, when presenting your treatment options, consider how you can offer the treatment plan to benefit from patients' cognitive biases as humans.

Financial Framing Is Crucial in the Patient Experience

Craig Haynor, Founder and CEO of FeatherPay, a dental payments and billing platform, says framing the financial conversation starts by understanding the patient's financial situation. These conversations help the clinician or treatment coordinator better understand the patient's decision-making regarding going forward with treatment.

For example, if the reluctance to move forward is because the out-of-pocket expense associated with treatment feels like an unexpected expense at this point in their life. The conversation could be about how the practice can facilitate payment optionality moving forward. Haynor says services such as FeatherPay enable flexibility on the practice's part regarding how to make the cost of care more affordable for patients.

"Some examples of using FeatherPay include allowing the practice to access multiple payment methods in one simple transaction. The most common use case we see in this type of scenario is the patient has some amount on his FSA or HSA card and the rest on the credit or debit card. That's two transactions that happen seamlessly on our platform," Haynor explains. "We connect practices to the many different pockets of liquidity that all patients have, and we make it easy to stitch them together if necessary."

Another common scenario that could follow this conversation is positioning the payment as a custom payment plan where the practice handles in-house financing by charging an agreed-upon amount to the patient's credit card or bank account on a recurring basis until the balance is fully paid off. Services such as FeatherPay automate recurring payments over time for the practice, Haynor says, describing the service as a "set it and forget it" payment system.

"We allow a treatment coordinator to say, 'We know this is an unexpected expense. Insurance is only going to carry us so far. But don't worry, we have ways to help you think through the affordability side, and we're very flexible on how we get you into the chair for the care you deserve,'" Haynor says.

Haynor founded FeatherPay to provide a payment platform that supported these conversations and provided an empathetic means to close care. Moreover, the present economic situation has put consumers in a position where traditional financing is more challenging and expensive.

"It's more important than ever for dental practices, especially those that are fee-for-service, to have ways to finance patients in-house," Haynor says, adding that third-party financing companies and in-house options are available in the FeatherPay platform. "Over the last 12 months, we have seen a significant increase in the adoption of our in-house payment plans. While traditional payment financing approvals are down, the demand for patient care remains constant. Practices are taking measures into their own hands to maintain and grow revenues."

When working with a financing service such as FeatherPay where patients have access to mobile payments, the decision process can change dynamically. A simple text message and link allow patients to use their phone to make payments, and because this can be done from anywhere, the patient can continue to consider the options while still in the practice and after they go home. Having the option to consider payment and weigh options away from the presence of the treatment coordinator removes some of the friction from this moment in the patient experience, Haynor says.

"Our technology offers a flexible payment solution that patients can use at their leisure, whether in the chair or later on. This not only streamlines the process but also eases payment-related anxiety, ultimately boosting patient satisfaction,” Haynor says.

Haynor also thinks these types of conversations should happen sooner rather than later. For example, if the patient is in for a cleaning and you know they need a root canal, having their insurance and out-of-pocket costs estimated beforehand is helpful. Then, you can present your payment optionality and flexibility early in the patient journey.

How you present this news affects how patients perceive it. Haynor suggests using language surrounding that conversation that includes phrases like:

“We've already done some quick math with your insurance.”

“Some of the treatment is covered, and some is not. But don't worry. We have flexibility that can help ease the out-of-pocket component of care.”

"That's a simple way to say there's going to be some out-of-pocket," Haynor says. "Just be sure also to say, 'When it comes to out-of-pocket expense, there are several ways that we can help you.'"

Applying the Framing Effect in Your Operatory

On the medical side, researchers published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine that how clinicians present treatment effects to patients makes a difference in treatment decisions. The researchers suggest that when a clinician describes treatment effects, communicating these effects in more than one way can help patients have a balanced view of the options and make informed decisions.5

Using this cognitive bias to communicate your restorative treatment plan has a few practical applications in the operatory. The 

 learning community has a few suggestions for strategies that include:

 When presenting your treatment plans, how are you currently framing them? Do they emphasize the favorable outcome or the negative? Once you know the current frame, you can make a deliberate change to match the circumstances and the patient's personality in your treatment center.

Reading about the Framing Effect is one thing. It's another to use it in real life. Like everything, practice makes perfect. Try reversing your current frame and see how it changes the message. For example, if the treatment plan has a 90 percent success rate, practice both presentations as the 90 percent success rate or the 10 percent failure rate. Once you get the feel for the change, it's easier to recognize and manage deliberately.

Consider the potential frames for all treatment options. 

When you practice framing, don't forget to practice it with the other treatment options, too. Some of these options might have substantial gains, while others prevent more losses or buy the patient time to determine what to do long-term. Each of these benefits has the potential for influence using Framing Effects, so be sure to consider how you are presenting each of them to communicate that.6

In addition, you can frame your presentation to speak to the patient’s personality type.

a communication management platform recently acquired by Vyne Dental

, suggests framing to communicate to each type in terms they value.7

For example, a "Type-A" patient appreciates efficiency and direct communication. So, presenting your treatment plan without flowery language and modifiers is a more practical tack. With a "Friendly, Outgoing" patient, you might want to take the opposite approach, using the presentation to show the patient they have your attention and empathy. "Quiet or Shy" patients need reassurance and a gentle tone to help them move forward. "Detail-Oriented" patients value expertise and competency and want as much information as you can give them. In these cases, answer their questions and provide the information they need to feel comfortable with treatment.7

In addition, focusing on the benefits of fixing teeth rather than the need to restore teeth. If you frame your message to present how moving forward with your treatment plan will improve how they feel when they smile or see themselves in a video meeting or how treatment might mean they can eat their favorite foods again, you might have more success getting into that 34% of patients who say yes.7

At 34%, treatment acceptance rates across the industry have an opportunity for improvement. How you present information, AKA Framing, affects what patients do with that information. Reframing the treatment plan from your usual delivery might make a difference. Moreover, ensuring you have flexible financing options like in-house financing and frictionless payments also reframe the financial conversation, which can help move patients forward with care. Haynor thinks that this will not only be good for patients but also for dentists.

“Practices are just trying to deliver care to patients that need it. It’s deeply concerning to think that financial limitations could prevent patients from receiving essential treatments,” Haynor says. “There are viable solutions to make care more accessible for patients, while also minimizing financial risk for practices.”

3 Important Tips to Increase the Case Acceptance Rate (2021). Available at: https://www.jarvisanalytics.com/blog/how-to-improve-the-case-acceptance-rate-of-your-dental-group/ (Accessed: 1 September 2023).

APA Dictionary of Psychology. Available at: https://dictionary.apa.org/framing (Accessed: 1 September 2023).

Framing Effect: What It Is and Examples (2023). Available at: https://www.investopedia.com/framing-effect-7371439 (Accessed: 1 September 2023).

What Is Loss Aversion? (2018). Available at: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/science-choice/201803/what-is-loss-aversion (Accessed: 1 September 2023).

Moxey, A., O'Connell, D., McGettigan, P. 

 Describing treatment effects to patients. 

, 948–959 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1525-1497.2003.20928.x

Cunff, A. (2021) Framing effect: how the way information is framed impacts our decisions, Ness Labs. Available at: https://nesslabs.com/framing-effect (Accessed: 1 September 2023).

7 Effective Ways to Increase Dental Case Acceptance - Simplifeye (2023). Available at: https://simplifeye.co/increase-dental-case-acceptance (Accessed: 1 September 2023).

We explore how you can present information that can boost your treatment acceptance percentage. 

Framing It: Different Ways to Present Treatment Plans to Patients

Lisa Newburger talks with recent dental grads Melanie Adelstein, DMD, Cara Murthy DMD, Brad Weprin DMD, Tom Rodriguez, DMD, and Casey Chanatry, DMD. 

Mastermind - Episode 32 - Navigating the Dental World Post-Graduation

In this insightful entry in our Mastermind series, recently graduated dental students share their experiences and challenges as they transition from dental school to the professional world. The video captures insights with the graduates, highlighting their journey, emotions, and reflections on the demanding yet rewarding path to becoming dental professionals. This episode of Mastermind provides a glimpse into the diverse paths these new dentists are taking. Viewers gain valuable insights into the realities of post-graduation life, as the graduates offer advice, lessons learned, and a glimpse into the evolving landscape of modern dentistry. Whether you're a dental student preparing for graduation or a dental professional reflecting on your own journey, here is a compelling look at the challenges and triumphs of entering the world of dentistry.

Videos

Join Mastermind host Lisa Newburger, LISW-S, as she and recent dental grads Melanie Adelstein, DMD, Cara Murthy DMD, Brad Weprin DMD, Tom Rodriguez Periodontics Resident, and Casey Chanatry, DMD, discuss post-grad dental life.  [37 minutes]

Mastermind - Episode 32 -  Navigating the Dental World Post-Graduation

IBT Flex Resin Dental Material Part of Formlabs’ Latest 3D Printing Materials Expansion | Image Credit: © Formlabs

Leading 3D printing company Formlabs remains at the forefront of healthcare and dental innovation after the introduction of 3 cutting-edge materials to its repertoire, including the addition of IBT Flex Resin to its dental materials library.

Like IBT Flex Resin, the other 2 materials—BioMed Elastic 50A Resin and BioMed Flex 80A Resin—are designed to revolutionize 3D printing applications in healthcare and dental industries, providing cost-effective and time-efficient alternatives to traditional production methods such as molding.

In response to the growing demand for personalized patient care and the challenges posed by supply chain disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic, Formlabs has emerged as a key player. The company's 3D-printed nasal swabs, produced in the millions, represent one of the most prolific 3D printing applications in history. Acknowledging the advantages of patient-specific care made possible through 3D printing, Formlabs is poised to drive progress with materials that reduce production costs and time. This expansion of access to 3D printed dental guides, surgical models, medical components, and devices marks a pivotal moment in personalized healthcare and digital dentistry, the company says.

“Adoption of 3D printing is accelerating in healthcare and dentistry, bringing patients the benefit of personalized care that improves comfort and outcomes,” says Formlabs President of Healthcare Guillaume Bailliard in today’s press release. “Formlabs’ materials development team is dedicated to delivering new materials and solutions that will advance 3D printing in healthcare and dental workflows and expand the possibilities for patient-specific care. By adding these new flexible and elastomeric materials to our extensive biocompatible and dental materials library, we are ushering in a new wave of personalized healthcare and digital dentistry that will bring the benefits directly to patients.”

IBT Flex Resin: Elevating Flexibility for Dental and Orthodontic Applications

IBT Flex Resin, a Class I FDA-registered, biocompatible material, guarantees consistent and predictable outcomes in the printing of highly accurate indirect bonding trays and direct composite restoration guides, according to Formlabs. With enhanced flexibility, tear resistance, and translucency, this material empowers dental labs and clinics to save time and costs while maintaining the precision required for the seamless application of orthodontic brackets and restorative composite materials.

New Flexible BioMed Materials for Devices, Models, and More

BioMed Elastic 50A Resin and BioMed Flex 80A Resin are biocompatible materials boasting ISO 10993 and USP Class VI certifications. They open up new horizons for personalized healthcare, offering versatility for long-term skin contact and short-term mucosal membrane contact in the creation of flexible, patient-specific medical device components, comfortable medical devices, and tissue medical models for surgical reference. Each material provides distinct flexibility characteristics:

—A soft and elastic material tailored for applications requiring comfort, biocompatibility, and transparency. It's ideal for mass-personalized medical devices requiring long-term skin contact, soft-tissue models, gastrointestinal models, or complex neurovascular models used by surgeons in the operating room.

—A firm, flexible, medical-grade material designed for durability, biocompatibility, and transparency. The ability to directly print this medical-grade resin eliminates the need for molding, streamlining the production of flexible, patient-specific medical devices and firm tissue medical models for surgical use.

IBT Flex Resin and the flexible BioMed materials are available now for Form 3B/+, and Form 3BL printers.

Formlabs is a global leader in digital fabrication, democratizing access to 3D printing for engineers, designers, manufacturers, and decision-makers worldwide. With headquarters in Somerville, Massachusetts, and a global presence in Germany, Japan, China, Singapore, Hungary, and Milwaukee, the company offers a range of professional 3D printers, post-processing solutions, and industrial options. Their suite of high-performance materials and cutting-edge 3D printing software continue to push the boundaries of what is possible in additive manufacturing.

New biocompatible material delivers consistent and predictable outcomes in the printing of highly accurate indirect bonding trays and direct composite restoration guides.

IBT Flex Resin Dental Material Part of Formlabs’ Latest 3D Printing Materials Expansion

SprintRay to Launch OnX Tough 2 FDA-Cleared 3D Printing Resin for Implant-Supported Dentures. Image credit: © SprintRay, Inc

Digital dentistry and 3D printing solutions company SprintRay Inc has introduced OnX Tough 2, a new 3D printing resin granted US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 510(k) clearance for fixed, implant-supported denture prosthetics, according to a press release from the company.

OnX Tough 2 is designed to be a game-changer in the world of digital dentistry, featuring best-in-class fracture toughness and what is said to be lifelike esthetics, made possible by SprintRay's proprietary NanoFusion™ technology. This proprietary process suspends the optimal amount of ceramic in the formulation, minimizing mixing and enhancing structural integrity, according to SprintRay. The result is a resin suitable for demanding dental applications, particularly implant-supported dentures.

Dentists can now utilize an integrated, streamlined 3D printing chairside workflow with OnX Tough 2, allowing them to produce full arch, fixed denture restorations with desired toughness and optimal translucency for high-quality, same-day smiles, per the press release. This innovation enables dental professionals to 3D print up to 10 fixed dentures in just 30 minutes, providing a significant leap in efficiency compared to traditional methods.

Amir Mansouri, PhD, CEO, and Co-Founder of SprintRay, emphasized the transformative impact of this achievement, stating in the press release, "Traditional processes for fixed, implant-supported dentures involve up to 6 patient visits and extensive fabrication time. We were convinced there had to be a chairside approach. This achievement, marked by the first-ever FDA clearance for a 3D printing material for fixed hybrid dentures, ushers in a new era of same-day restorations while upholding the highest clinical standards, allowing patients to enjoy the benefits of their new smile immediately."

The demand for fixed, implant-supported dentures is driven by their ability to substantially improve stability, function, and patient satisfaction compared to conventional removable dentures.

Keith Klaus, DMD, a leader in restorative, cosmetic, and implant dentistry, hailed the FDA-cleared OnX Tough 2 as a "watershed moment in the dental industry" that simplifies the process and ushers in a new era of accessibility and convenience for all parties, making it a boon for any dental practice or lab. “Implant-supported dentures can be life-changing for patients, improving their speech, chewing facial balance, and esthetics, but the fabrication process is time-, resource-, and labor-intensive, deterring many from them. [OnX Tough 2] simplifies the process and ushers in a new era of accessibility and convenience for providers and patients alike.”

OnX Tough 2 introduces a new chemistry for dentistry, with formulations available in shades Bleach, A1, and A2. These shades, combined with NanoFusion technology, enhance structural integrity and deliver high-precision shade matching and improved color stability. The fixed dentures printed with OnX Tough 2 offer optimal radiopacity for imaging diagnostics, treatment planning, and monitoring healing and progress.

SprintRay is set to unveil the details of this new technology at the American Academy of Implant Dentistry Conference from November 1-4, 2023 at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada. For more information about OnX Tough 2, visit SprintRay's 

This new 3D printing resin from SprintRay is cleared by the United States Food and Drug Administration for use in implant-supported dentures, lending its esthetics and toughness for these difficult dental applications. 

SprintRay to Launch OnX Tough 2 FDA-Cleared 3D Printing Resin for Implant-Supported Dentures

The SmileCon 2023 exhibit hall was never quite full throughout the recent event.

It is hard to cover the recent American Dental Association (ADA) SmileCon event without noting the light attendance in the exhibit hall throughout the event. There was plenty of action in the exhibit hall with multiple educational stages and self-guided continuing education opportunities, but unfortunately, the space never felt full, busy, or energetic.

But, even if there were not large numbers of excited dental professionals on hand, there was still new products worth checking out, and speakers and key opinion leaders on hand to and answer questions and connect with colleagues.

When it comes to discovering innovative new dental products, the SmileCon 2023 exhibit hall was a worthwhile visit. There were companies showing off new solutions for every part of a dental practice. Here are some of the highlights we saw at the show in Orlando.

The Ti-Max Z990L highspeed handpiece can produce up to 44 W of power. | Image Credit: © NSK Dental

NSK Dental was showing off their powerful new Ti-Max Z990L highspeed handpiece which can produce up to 44 W of cutting power. The air-driven handpiece is designed for efficient removal of zirconia and other materials, adding efficiency to procedures and reducing discomfort for patients.

While developing the “Dynamic Power System” for this new handpiece through fluid simulation software, NSK was able to dramatically increase the power, but this also required a re-engineered chuck to hold the burs stable at higher torque. For this the Ti-Max Z990L is equipped with the new, proprietary Durapower Chuck.

Along with these features the new handpiece includes a range of features designed to make operations safer for clinicians and patients, and to make maintenance and repair easier and faster.

Listerine's new Clinical Solutions line of mouthwash is available in Gum Health, Breath Defense, and Teeth Strength formulations. | Image Credit: © Kenvue

A trio of new Listerine formulations also made their debut at SmileCon 2023. The new Listerine Clinical Solutions mouthwash line features three distinct formulations designed to meet specific patient needs.

Featuring 67% more zinc than other Listerine zinc product, the Listerine Clinical Solutions Gum Health mouthwash is designed to promote a healthy oral microbiome. Michael Lynch, DMD, PhD, Global Director, Oral Care Scientific Engagement at Kenvue, says he’s most excited about the potential of this mouthwash formula, especially for patients who are not able to properly floss.

The Listerine Clinical Solutions Teeth Strength mouthwash is formulated to provide up to 7 times the fluoride uptake of other mouthwashes. The mouthwash features Rapid Fusion Technology® which binds calcium ions with fluoride to create reservoirs that can help increase tooth strength by three times compared with brushing alone.

Finally, the new Listerine Clinical Solutions Breath Defense mouthwash can neutralize the causes of bad breath for as long as 24 hours when used twice daily. The formulation features zinc, essential oils, and additional odor reducing technology designed to kill bacteria responsible for the production of bad odors. All 3 formulations are designed to be a part of a targeted homecare routine for patients, and Dr Lynch says they can be used as tools to help patients prevent potential oral health issues through improved care between dental treatments.

The Reva dispenser from MedTekk provides wet and dry towels on demand reducing a practice's reliance on non-biodegradable wipes. | Image Credit: © MedTekk

A forthcoming innovation on display at SmileCon, the Reva system from MedTekk is a new, sustainable approach to wipes that is expected to launch before the end of the year. Reva appears to be a common touch-free paper towel dispenser, but the system is designed to dispense either dry towels or wet wipes filled with a disinfectant or cleaning liquid.

Reva makes infection control more sustainable because standard wipes contain plastics and do not biodegrade. Using the Reva system allows practices to use paper wipes for all purposes, reducing the amount of non-biodegradable material a practice produces. The wipes are LEED compliant sustainable towels made of organic cellulose fibers.

The system uses a refillable reservoir for the fluid used to provide wet wipes. This allows practices to continuing using the infection control materials they are comfortable with while reducing the amount of plastic waste being produced.

The event might not have always been bustling, but that also meant people had more time for substantive conversations. Dental Products Report was able to catch up with Eric Kukucka who is pushing digital dentures forward in his role as vice president of clinical removable & design technologies for Aspen Dental.

While providing an update on the technology transforming how Aspen is creating dentures, Kukucka notes that while Aspen Dental produces more than 500,000 dentures a year, most young dentists graduate from dental school having only produced a handful of dentures while earning their degree. This gap between patient demand and clinical experience is where technology is critical, and Kukucka says Aspen is employing digital production workflows, while simultaneously providing dentists with hands-on training.

By using the efficiencies of digital production, Aspen is able to meet patient needs, and can even replace a patient’s dentures from any Aspen Dental location. However, these benefits cannot be fully realized without combining them with training for the clinicians in both producing high quality dentures, and explaining the benefits their patients.

For Kukucka, success in this area is a moving target. Both the technology available to dental professionals and the expectations patients bring to a dental appointment are changing, and practices of all sizes must be able to adapt and continue to find new and better ways of providing the care patients want and need.

One area he is excited about is artificial intelligence (AI). Kukucka says this technology can save time and automate processes across a range of clinical and business operations, but it will only be useful as long as it is a tool. AI systems should never be working on their own, as a skilled professional should evaluate AI outcomes before making a final call on whether or not to use the AI-generated suggestion.

The American Dental Association’s 2023 SmileCon event did not draw large crowds, but there were still plenty of exciting things happening during the event in Orlando.

Finding Things to Smile About From a Slow SmileCon

In a move toward shaping the future of dentistry, Ivoclar has successfully expanded its education activities for dental students worldwide. Recognized for its comprehensive product and system portfolio catering to dentists, dental technicians, and dental hygienists, Ivoclar has reaffirmed its commitment to nurturing the next generation of dental professionals.

This summer, Ivoclar extended a warm invitation to budding dental practitioners across the globe, hosting its Summer School program at 8 Ivoclar Academy centers. The educational initiative aimed to provide supplementary learning opportunities, ensuring that dental students gain a holistic understanding of their field, according to a press release from Ivoclar.

Ivoclar's Summer School program spanned 5 days and covered a spectrum of learning opportunities, including product training, expert-led lectures, and professional advice on patient interaction and career kickstarting. The program's diverse offerings included workshops, open dialogues, and webinars, providing a rich learning experience for participants.

The Summer School not only focused on academic enrichment but also facilitated networking among students from various corners of the world. The interactive environment allowed students to connect with experienced industry professionals, fostering a sense of community within the dental fraternity.

Building on the success of its inaugural program in 2022, Ivoclar expanded the Summer School initiative in 2023, going global with locations in North America, Asia, and Europe. The flexibility in choosing locations and times is meant to help accommodate the preferences of students, which is said to foster an inclusive and collaborative learning environment.

With participation from over 117 students representing 28 countries, this year's Summer School marked a resounding success, according to Dr George Tysowsky, Head of Global Training and Education at Ivoclar Group. "We are delighted and happy that the program was well received by students across the world. Ivoclar values the relationships with all dental professionals, no matter where they are on their career path. We strive to offer a diverse and fitting Academy program for everybody."

Looking ahead, Ivoclar has announced the continuation of the Summer School program in 2024, promising new locations and valuable insights. The program aims to connect dental professionals globally, facilitating collaborative learning between students and seasoned practitioners. The year 2024 is anticipated to bring additional educational content, further supporting the career growth of future dental professionals.

To stay updated on the Summer School program and register for a spot on the waitlist for 2024, interested individuals can visit 

Leading dental solutions provider, Ivoclar, continues its commitment to education and professional development.

Ivoclar Expands Summer School Program for Dental Students

Benco Dental, the nation's foremost independent distributor of oral healthcare technology and supplies, has announced its strategic acquisition of PPO Profits, a leading dental practice solutions firm specializing in fee optimization and revenue cycle management. The terms of the deal have not been disclosed.

This acquisition is set to bolster Benco Dental's ability to provide unparalleled value to its customers through top-tier fee negotiations, credentialing services, and other revenue cycle management solutions.

Benco Dental will maintain PPO Profits as an independent entity, ensuring uninterrupted service for existing clients. Anna DuHamel, formerly the VP of Sales for Strategic Markets at Benco Dental, has taken on the role of Chief Business Officer at PPO Profits.

“In today’s healthcare business climate, it’s essential for dental practices committed to succeeding long-term to strike a spot-on balance between generating enhanced revenue and delivering remarkable value to patients,” says DuHamel in a press release. “Adding PPO Proﬁts to our portfolio allows us to immediately offer Benco Dental customers a proven solution for optimizing revenue from both insurance and cash patients.”

While Benco Dental has long provided a comprehensive suite of practice growth and development services, PPO Profits will remain a separate entity with its distinct mission. DuHamel explains. “PPO Profits has a very distinct mission that will compliment, but live separately from, services under umbrellas within Benco Dental like practice transitions, dental office design and IT,” she adds in the press release.

Founded by Vivek Kinra, PPO Profits emerged from Kinra's 2-decade corporate background and his desire to play a more active role in his wife's startup dental practice. This led to the establishment of PPO Profits, with a mission to enhance the profitability of dental offices contracted with PPOs. Initially concentrating on fee negotiations and credentialing, the company quickly expanded into billing and claims processing, as well as in-office membership plans. In just 5 years, PPO Profits grew into a national service provider, serving thousands of dentists nationwide with a workforce of 70 full-time professionals and achieving an impressive 50% year-over-year revenue growth.

Customers interested in learning more about PPO Profits can register for free weekly webinars or reach out via email.

“I connected with Benco Dental immediately and saw firsthand how they value their employees and customers. As a family-owned and customer-focused company rooted in the dental industry for decades, Benco Dental is the ideal organization to seamlessly assume the mission of PPO Profits,” Kinra states in the press release. “With Benco’s considerable resources, support, and leadership, I am confident that PPO Profits will be better equipped to serve dentists and assist them with all things dental insurance. I am psyched about the future and this next phase of the company and am super excited to support the growth in a consulting capacity.”

Benco Dental is dedicated to Driving Dentistry Forward® through innovative solutions and a caring family culture. Pioneering industry firsts include Painless® electronic ordering, automated supply management, BluChip® customer loyalty rewards, CenterPoint design/equipment superstores, and OneVisitTM open architecture CAD/CAM technology. As an independent company since 1930, Benco Dental boasts over 1,400 dedicated associates serving customers nationwide, including 400+ sales representatives and 300+ factory-trained service technicians.

Acquisition aims to bolster distributor’s ability to provide unparalleled value to its customers by delivering a proven solution for optimizing revenue from both insurance and cash patients.

Benco Dental Enhances Service Offering with Acquisition of PPO Profits

Lisa Newburger, a master's level social worker supervisor, helps audiences find humor in talking about tough topics. Her "in-your-face" style of presentations and writing will make you smile or just shock you into taking some action. Either way, she is very effective at empowering others to reach their goals and feel better about themselves. Her entertaining workshops are available for national and international audiences. Writing for the dental industry since 2010, she uses an alterego (Diana Directive) to illustrate her points in a sarcastic but effective way. Presentations can be scheduled by contacting Lisa at www.discussdirectives.com/dental.html.

Protect Your Dental License at All Costs | Image Credit: Buritora – stock.adobe.com

I heard a sobering story recently. A dental hygienist shared that she had been fired for protecting her license. It made me think about how we need to trust our instincts. Sometimes that has ugly consequences. But sometimes you must do the right thing. Unfortunately, this time it cost the hygienist her job.

Serena, who asked that her name be changed, has been a dental hygienist for 5 years. She lives in a small town and likes the work she does. This is a 1-dentist operation. The problem is that this dentist, whom we’ll call Dr Smith, DDS, is terrible at communicating with his staff. He decided to go on a trip to Hawaii, prior to the tragic fires, and did not tell his staff that he was taking time off.

His staff count on their hours to pay their bills. If the doctor were paying everyone to take some time off, that would be one thing. But to take vacation time without realizing the financial impact it had on his staff was disturbing. Confused, Serena approached Dr Smith and was told not to worry about it. He would take care of everything.

Serena knew she needed to protect her license at all costs. She knew she could not see a patient without the doctor in the office if they had not been there in the past year for a complete and thorough examination or if they were a complex patient. She just wanted to know someone would there be covering for Dr Smith.

Dr Smith did have a plan. He had a retired dentist come in to cover his 2-week vacation. Unfortunately, the retired dentist was recuperating from a broken arm, which was still in the cast. He also brought his Great Dane, who roamed freely throughout the office. Serena was concerned that not everyone enjoyed dogs coming up to them and sniffing them. Some patients complained that they did not feel it was sanitary because the dog was not on a leash or near his owner.

Serena was concerned that this was not a safe plan. She looked at the patients scheduled and felt that they should be moved to a time when the dentist was back. When she voiced this to the office manager, she was told to “do whatever you want.” She decided this was not safe, finished her patients for the day, and left. On the way out, the office manager told her, “Don’t bother coming back.” Serena was not sure but thought she had been fired.

She emailed the dentist while he was on vacation, and he stated, that no one fires in his practice but him, and he would investigate when he returns. He told her not to return to the office until he got back and said he would pay for the next couple of days for her to be off.

Upon his return, she was notified that she was being fired. There was no phone call and no attempt to address or resolve this issue. She was in shock and felt that her license would have been at risk if something had happened to a patient.

When I spoke with Serena, she was feeling a whole multitude of emotions. Confusion and anger were the strongest. She did the right thing and protected her license. But here she was applying for jobs on Indeed and worried she would not make rent this month. There are consequences to everything. The key is to do what is right. Do not jeopardize your license for anyone, even the boss. This was excruciatingly painful, and she wanted to share this nightmare with her peers.

What do you think? What would you have done? Email me at diana2@discussdirectives.com and share your thoughts.

One hygienist paid the price but still feels she did the right thing in her situation.