Amann Girrbach’s Ceramill Sintron Celebrates 10 Years of Solid Results | Image Credit: © Amann Girrbach

After a decade of great results, Amann Girrbach has plans to celebrate the success of its CoCr sintering metal Ceramill Sintron with promotions tied into CyberWeek, set to take place this year, November 13 to 17.

In 2013, Amann Girrbach launched the CoCr sintering metal Ceramill Sintron, which has since enjoyed strong support from the industry worldwide. The soft wax-like, millable CrCo was unveiled at IDS 10 years ago. Sintron CrCo can be milled on the same mill laboratories use for zirconia. With the high costs of noble metal, Ceramill Sintron has become an attractive material option for many markets, according to the company.

To mark its 10th anniversary, the dental manufacturer—with multiple facilities around the globe including Amann Girrbach AG in Koblach, Austria, and Amann Girrbach North America, LP in Charlotte, North Carolina—is now announcing its own promotional campaign to coincide with this year’s CyberWeek.

The Ceramill Sintron CoCr sintering metal innovation helped the product gain popularity from early on in its inception. The non-precious metal was designed to revolutionize the manufacturing process, as Ceramill Sintron blanks reportedly can be dry milled effortlessly on in-house desktop machines such as the Ceramill Motion 3 due to their wax-like nature.

For dental labs committed to maintaining PFM work, Ceramill Sintron chrome cobalt alloy is said to demonstrate strength and esthetics in a variety of restorative solutions. Sintron’s wax-like qualities in its presintered stage ensure that milling is quick and easy, providing an ideal result that is said to be perfect for porcelain layering and bonding.

During the subsequent sintering process under inert gas flooding, the frames achieve their final state—a non-precious metal unit with a very homogeneous material structure, precise, without cavities, and machinable with any common metal veneer ceramic within the CTE range, according to Amann Girrbach. The product brought a change in the fabrication of CoCr restorations, with a manufacturing process that involves only few steps.

According to the data available now after 10 years of market surveillance, the company says Ceramill Sintron has proven itself to be an established and clinically proven material. Developed together with the Fraunhofer IFAM Dresden and validated by independent universities and accredited test laboratories, the material and the matched workflow assure maximum safety for the user and the patient.

Visit the Amann Girrbach webshop during CyberWeek for promotional offers on Ceramill Sintron and other Amann Girrbach products, and visit here for more information: 

Amann Girrbach is a pioneer in dental CAD/CAM technology and a leading innovator and preferred full-service provider in digital dental prosthetics. With its high degree of expertise in development and commitment to customer orientation, the company offers sophisticated workflow solutions in which software systems and the AG.Live cloud platform play a central role. High-quality dental materials, a dedicated technical service with a global helpdesk, as well as educational offers and training courses round off the portfolio. Its customers in around 100 countries are made up of dental practices, practice laboratories, and dental laboratories.

Articles

Company’s revolutionary processing of CoCr was designed to allow milling metal to be as easy as wax.

Amann Girrbach’s Ceramill Sintron Celebrates 10 Years of Solid Results

Artificial Intelligence Deepfake Tom Hanks Used Without Permission for Dental Advertisement. Image credit: © Tom Hanks

Actor Tom Hanks took to Instagram on October 1st, 2023, to warn his followers on what appears to be a version of him advertising a dental plan. This version, per Hanks’s post, is not real and was generated using the power of artificial intelligence (AI).

“Beware!! There’s a video out there promoting some dental plan with an AI version of me. I have nothing to do with it.” Hanks wrote in the post. At the time of posting, Hanks did not reveal the company that stole his likeness for the advertisement.

At the time of the social media post, Hanks refrained from disclosing the identity of the company responsible for employing his likeness in the dental advertisement. This incident sheds light on the evolving landscape where AI intersects with the entertainment industry, raising questions about the legal and ethical implications of such technological advancements. The unauthorized use of Tom Hanks's image prompts a broader discussion about the potential ramifications of AI deepfake technology, which is not limited to the dental world but extends into Hollywood and beyond. As AI becomes increasingly sophisticated, instances of celebrities having their identities exploited without consent may become more commonplace.

In oral health care, AI serves a different purpose, for example it can be a tool for treatment planning and diagnostics. While there may not be concerns of a Hollywood actor’s face and voice being used, regulatory AI worries are not foreign in the dental profession.

One primary concern revolves around patient privacy and data security. AI systems often rely on vast datasets for training, and the sensitive nature of dental records raises questions about how patient information is handled, stored, and protected. Striking a balance between harnessing the power of AI for improved diagnostics and treatment planning while safeguarding patient confidentiality is a regulatory tightrope that requires meticulous oversight.

Another pressing issue is the standardization of AI algorithms and their validation for clinical use. Ensuring that these algorithms meet rigorous criteria for accuracy and reliability is paramount to prevent misdiagnoses or inadequate treatment recommendations. Regulatory frameworks must evolve to establish benchmarks for the validation of AI applications, fostering trust among dental practitioners and patients alike.

The ethical considerations surrounding AI in dentistry extend to issues such as informed consent and transparency. Patients must be made aware of the use of AI in their dental care, understanding the implications and potential outcomes. Regulatory guidelines should mandate clear communication practices, ensuring that patients have a comprehensive understanding of how AI augments their oral healthcare.

Back in the realm of Hollywood, it’s unclear whether Hanks will pursue any kind of legal action against the company that used his likeness without his express consent, though this may be a sure sign of future foibles with celebrities and AI. 

Hollywood actor Tom Hanks had his likeness stolen by a company that utilized artificial technology, aiming to promote a dental plan. 

Artificial Intelligence Deepfake Tom Hanks Used Without Permission for Dental Advertisement

New DentXcel.ai Software Uses AI-driven Tools | Image Credit: © DentXcel.ai 

Featuring a suite of 26 artificial intelligence- (AI-) driven tools, DentXcel.ai dental software is described as a comprehensive ecosystem tailored for modern dental professionals.

Whether clinicians are dealing with complex procedures, seeking diagnostic assistance, aiming for effective treatments, or diving deep into further education–this new platform is designed to deliver. DentXcel.ai also extends its utilities into realms like dental equipment management, marketing strategies, and much more, truly assisting in every facet of contemporary dentistry.

DentXcel.ai is a cutting-edge platform that integrates AI to provide dentists and dental students with a myriad of tools designed to enhance their practice and learning.

The software is said to offer a seamless entry—new users are welcomed with a free membership that allows them to test the solution with up to 10 uses with no credit card information required.

Recognizing that the field of dentistry and its technology is ever-evolving, the platform is designed to stay ahead of the curve, according to its developers. Because of DentXcel.ai’s dynamic nature, whenever a member has a unique idea or faces a specific challenge, they can request the creation of a bespoke AI tool, the company states. This customization process is said to be swift—with the ability for the new tool to be integrated into the platform within 72 hours. This feature allows for constant updates and customization to provide optimal benefits to the clinicians using the platform.

Users can choose between 2 membership tiers with costs associated with the number of uses—for $49 per month, members receive 50 uses; an upgraded membership for DentXcel.ai at $99 per month offers 200 uses. According to the company, this pricing is subject to change and may occasionally vary, sometimes being lower or higher based on ongoing upgrades and promotional offers.

The company has plans to expand the software’s clinical capabilities. By 2024, the platform is expected to incorporate intraoral images and x-ray interpretation capabilities, bridging the gap between traditional practices and tech-driven diagnostics.

A significant number of dentists worldwide are already taking advantage of the benefits of this AI-powered platform, and the company adds that at its core, DentXcel.ai is fueled by a mission to uplift the global dental community and help clinicians perform at their very best.

Recognizing the varied economic landscapes across different countries, DentXcel.ai is committed to ensuring that its tools remain accessible to all. This commitment includes affordable pricing tiers, and additionally, the team behind DentXcel.ai is prepared to work with professionals on an individual basis, ensuring no one is left behind, according to the company.

DentXcel.ai is about more than just leveraging technology. It promises not only efficiency and precision but also fosters an environment of continuous learning and adaptability. For dental professionals and students alike, this platform is more than just a tool–it's designed to be a window into the future of dental care.

For further information or to sign up, visit 

Comprehensive suite of 26 AI-powered tools designed to help with clinical treatments and education.

New DentXcel.ai Software Uses AI-driven Tools

Laura Dorr is the former executive editor of DPR's Modern Dental Network and a regular contributing author.

Focusing on the Details: Blind Spots to Avoid When Buying a Dental Practice | 

Buying a dental practice can be a complicated, daunting process. With so many things to consider, it can be easy to overlook critical numbers or find yourself floundering as you slog through metrics. Plus, what about all the things you haven’t even considered?

Factors like financials, patient attrition rates, and accounts receivables are all critical to examine during the practice acquisition process, but the considerations when buying a practice go beyond the numbers. There are other blind spots that buyers often overlook that can cause big problems in the long run.

“It’s probably the biggest investment of your life,” says Bruce Bryen, CPA, CVA, a dental practice valuation analyst at Baratz & Associates, P.A.“You want to be sure you do it right, and are thorough in your process. The decisions that you make in the acquisition period could affect your practice for years to come.”

What blind spots should buyers avoid to prevent making the wrong decisions? There are a few things to keep in mind.

Before the sale even gets off the ground, there are pitfalls for buyers to fall in to. A big one is not assembling the correct support cast to assist with the process. This includes a broker or practice-transition consultant, dental CPA, experienced dental evaluator, and a good attorney. A dental-experienced lender can also streamline the process, as they will have a better understanding of goodwill than a general lending.

While you may think you know what you’re doing, having a team of experts like this behind you can ensure you get the most for your money.

“Get the best dental evaluator you can get,” Bryen recommends. “Get the best dental CPA you can get. And get the best attorney who knows something about dental. It's rare to find an attorney who has experience with dental, but it can make a big difference. You don’t want to use someone who is not informed on dental. Maybe you use an attorney who might be a good divorce attorney, or a personal injury attorney, but they don’t have experience with dental practices. This is a mistake. Why wouldn’t you use the person who has the expertise?”

There are of course upfront costs that come with recruiting legal or valuation assistance, but it’s worth the money. While the numbers may seem daunting at first, it is important to remember that over the course of your practice tenure, these costs will be insignificant—and could end up paying dividends in the future.

“I think a mistake people make is that they don't want to spend the money,” Bryen says. “They want to get an evaluator that charges the lowest amount, which is less than what a good dental practice evaluator would charge. While the upfront cost can be intimidating, it you amortize it over the time you have the practice, it’s nothing. And it could save you a lot of money in the future if you have it done correctly at the beginning.”

Collaborating with a dental CPA also has benefits. They will know which red flags to look for before a buyer signs an agreement, and may even know more about what to look for in said agreement than the attorney.

“One example is work in progress,” Bryen says. “That is such a big deal and it is often overlooked, especially by an attorney that doesn’t have dental orientation. It is one of the biggest problems. Work in progress, the accounts receivable, how slow they are coming in, existing staff, infrastructure, etc. Is anyone going to leave due to the change? These are all important things that need to be examined.”

Hiring a consultant to evaluate the practice processes, staff, and systems, and perform audits can also be beneficial. Consultants like these can also be helpful after the due diligence period and through the post-sale transition. They can give advice on where changes can be made to make the practice run more efficiently, suggest staffing adjustments, and help adjust protocols to meet your preferences.

Even if you take steps to assemble a team, not choosing the right evaluator—or not doing your own valuation at all—can be a blind spot that can really backfire. The buyer should always get their own valuation of the practice. After all, if you purchase a house, you don’t solely rely on the seller’s valuation.

“Everyone is going to think their house or their business is worth more than an appraiser will say it is,” Bryen says. “If you are buying a house, you’re not going to listen to the seller; you are going to get your own appraisal. The same thing goes for buying a dental practice. The person that is paying gets the advantage, so you want to bring in an independent party.”

Once you bring in an evaluator, you need to ensure you’re getting the information you need. A quick look at the books is not a sufficient evaluation of a practice.

“A good valuation should be 25, maybe 30 pages,” Bryen says. “It shouldn’t be a 1-page valuation. You want it to be thorough. You should have an evaluator that is detail-oriented and has a realistic amount that the dental practice is worth—not just what the seller or a general business evaluator says. Then you’re off to a good start.”

Finding an evaluator that can give you these things means taking the time to do some research, so that you know you are getting one that will be effective. After all, this is the person that will put a number on the business.

“Picking the right evaluator is really important,” Bryen says.“If you choose a general business evaluator, you’re making a terrible mistake. That person is not going to understand that a dental practice is primarily goodwill.”

Bryen recommends interviewing 2 or 3 evaluators to learn about their experience, such as how many dental practice valuations they have prepared, how many years they’ve been doing it, and how many critiques of other valuations they’ve completed. It’s also important to determine if an evaluator is willing to go to court if it comes to it, and how many times they’ve had to do that.

“You want an evaluator that is going to support you if something happens,” Bryen says. “You want someone that will go all the way. If the answer is no, they won’t go to court, then you want to pick someone else. You may not think you will end up in court, but these situations happen, and you want the evaluator to support you.”

In these situations, having an evaluator becomes even more important. Even experienced buyers should not go at it alone. For example, say a second-time buyer that used an evaluator for their first purchase decides not to use a practice evaluator for the second practice acquisition. They go through the first valuation and try to follow it step by step. But then an issue arises and it goes to court. The judge may not accept the valuation or opinion of value, because the buyer is not independent.

“You know more as a dentist about the practice, but you have a problem,” Bryen says. “Your word is not going to be accepted by a court because you’re not independent or impartial. They want someone who is independent, and will probably be more conservative than you. So, you need to have someone that will go all the way with you, just in case.”

While combing through the financials and understanding the numbers is important, it’s also critical to evaluate the value and state of the physical building, equipment and inventory. If something goes wrong in these areas after a sale, it can end up costing the dentist a lot of time and money, which hurts the investment.

One example Bryen gives is that of a buyer who purchased a practice, and discovered after taking over that the air conditioning didn’t work. They then learned that it hadn’t worked for a long time, and nobody was made aware. They ended up going to court over the nondisclosure, which was time consuming and costly for everyone involved.

“It’s like buying a house in that you want to get a physical inspection,” Bryen says. “You don’t want to get stuck with problems that should have come up before the purchase, because it’s going to cause a lot of issues on the other side.”

Inspections should also go beyond the physical structure. Inventory should be evaluated (including small tools and instruments), and equipment and software carefully examined. Inheriting outdated or malfunctioning tools means hefty investments right out of the gate.

“Evaluate the condition of the equipment,” Bryen says. “What sort of shape is it in? How old is it? It can be older if it’s in good shape and there is a contract or warranty covering it and someone comes out to keep it updated. But if you don’t know the state of the equipment, the buyer might have to sink $100,000 to $200,000 into new equipment after closing. That’s going to add many more years before you start seeing any payback on purchasing the practice.”

Buyers will also want to consider if the technology in the practice is compatible with their preferred practice-management software. If you will be transitioning the practice’s current software to another platform, ensure that existing hardware such as digital imaging tools will integrate with the new software. Digital sensors alone can cost up to $10,000 (before hidden fees), and CBCT price tags reach into six digits, so replacing this equipment would be expensive. Some platforms and hardware don’t play nice together, and investing in software that isn’t compatible will result in additional necessary purchases.

If significant technology purchases are necessary immediately, the financial projections established during the purchase will no longer apply, leading to cash flow issues for the dentist.

“The income generated is going to be enough to amortize what was borrowed to buy the practice, but now you have to borrow a second time for the equipment,” Bryen says. “Your projection of the amount needed to amortize the debt changes when you take out a second loan. That money to pay that loan is going to come out of what the dentist planned to live on. Having someone that can give you a clean bill of health on equipment is an important thing that cannot be overlooked.”

You may have found what seems like the perfect practice to purchase, but the seller needs to be the right fit as well. While ideally every seller would be honest, upfront, and agreeable, that isn’t always the case.

Be wary of sellers that rush you to close quickly, or go without your own valuation. This scenario is often indicative that they are trying to hide something, or wrap up the contract before a dealbreaker comes to light. Don’t allow yourself to be rushed by a seller, no matter how eager and persuasive they may be. If the seller seems pushy, you may want to look even closer at their records and finances.

The seller should also be open to providing you whatever documents you request, such as financial records. While they may be hesitant to reveal confidential information, it is your right to know what you’re getting into. They may ask that you sign a non-disclosure agreement, but they should be forthcoming with the information. If you are provided with projections, remember that they are not guarantees. Likewise, a patient count might include all patients, including inactive ones, so be sure you are getting counts of only active patients, rather than ones that are just padding the statistics.

In addition to being forthcoming, the seller should also be supportive of the process. A responsible seller should introduce you to the staff, and give you access to employment histories and payroll. If there has been high staff turnover in recent years, explore why that has happened. Is it a culture clash with the departing dentist? Is the team being paid competitively enough? Determining the problems that are causing people to leave can help establish if there are adjustments that can be made to retain staff, or if the practice is a sinking ship.

The seller should also be willing to inform patients of upcoming changes, to help smooth the transition to the new owner. Patients build relationships with their dentist, and will trust the seller’s recommendations, if they are given enthusiastically. If there is a sudden switch to a new dentist with no endorsement or explanation from the prior clinician, the chances of patient attrition are high.

“You want to work with a seller that is collaborative and supportive,” Bryen says. “An introduction from the seller is a critical thing. A letter should go out about the sale, introducing the buyer. If it's not enthusiastic, it can cost you a lot of patients. You want the acknowledgement and blessing of the seller to go out to the patients, to build trust with them. The seller should be hyping the buyer.”

Ultimately, there are lots of factors to consider when deciding to purchase a practice, and it’s important to be sure you cover your bases. Assembling a strong advisory team, being thorough in your evaluations, performing the proper inspections, and entering into a positive relationship with a seller can make the process a success.

There are several factors to consider when deciding to purchase a practice, and it’s important to be sure you cover your bases with the help of a strong advisory team.


Focusing on the Details: Blind Spots to Avoid When Buying a Dental Practice

Henry Schein announced it will be dedicating the month of October 2023 to celebrate National Dental Hygiene Month. This month-long initiative aims to raise awareness about the vital role dental hygienists play in the dental community and their significant impact on patients' oral and overall health.

As one part of their efforts to recognize and support dental hygienists, Henry Schein created a video tribute that shines a spotlight on hygienists who go the extra mile in their roles as oral health professionals. You can view this heartwarming tribute video here:

In addition to the video tribute, Henry Schein launched a web-based hub packed with educational resources. These resources, including e-books and webinars, cover a wide range of topics, such as patient relationship building, infection control, and clinical techniques. This valuable content is designed to empower hygienists and enhance the oral health of their patients.

“At Henry Schein, we're happy to celebrate Dental Hygiene Month and recognize the invaluable role that dental hygienists play in building healthy smiles and fostering patient relationships,” Henry Schein Vice President, U.S. Supplier Initiatives, Maureen Knott says in a press release. “Their commitment to enhancing oral health is admirable, and we are committed to providing hygienists with the education and resources they need to advance patient care.”

Throughout National Dental Hygiene Month, Henry Schein is using its signature social media series, #ScheinChats, to shine a light on hygienists. This series brings together Team Schein Members and key opinion leaders to engage in discussions on pertinent topics and share valuable insights. This month's #ScheinChats will feature a conversation with Kelsey Dalke, RDH, a Clinical Products Consultant at Henry Schein's North America Distribution Group, and Corina Monroe, RDH, a popular social media content creator. They will explore ways to enhance patient care through self-empowerment.

To delve deeper into Henry Schein's celebration of National Dental Hygiene Month and access these educational resources, 

October is National Dental Hygiene Month, and Henry Schein plans to use the time to promote the amazing work of dental hygienists.

Henry Schein Honors Dental Hygienists and Celebrates National Dental Hygiene Month 2023

TorqTech Ultra Mini from J. Morita

Ormco™ Digital Bonding from Ormco Corporation

A smile digital smile mockup app from Presto Smile.

Smile Mockups from Presto Smile

Eaglesoft Version 22.0 from Patterson Dental

A new root canal procedure instrument upgrade from Sonendo. 

Second Generation CleanFlow™ Procedure Instrument from Sonendo

theFlipMirror Dental Mirror   

New Dental Products – September 25 - 29, 2023

Check out the latest dental products, platforms, technologies, and more with this roundup of all the new products announced in the past week.

Stan Goff is a Managing Editor with MJH Life Sciences, which includes Dental Products Report, Dental Practice Management, Dental Lab Products, Modern Hygienist, and Dentist's Money Digest. He has covered the dental industry since 1999 and can be reached at sgoff@mjhlifesciences.com.  

The SmileFast system has been produced by dentists to deliver esthetic smiles at an affordable price. | Image Credit: © SmileFast

Everyone wants a beautiful smile. But not everyone can afford one and not every clinician can deliver one confidently.

That is why United Kingdom dentists Olumide Ojo, BDS, MFDS RCS, and Thomas Sealey, BChD, MMedEd, MSc Endo, worked together to develop SmileFast, a groundbreaking development in the delivery of customized and beautiful smile makeovers using either composite resin or dental ceramics (porcelain veneers).

The company cofounders came up with the idea for SmileFast after years of practicing dentistry and dealing with obstacles such as inconsistencies with predictable results and high costs that prevented many patients from getting the smiles they desired.

“We met on a dental skiing course and had talked,” says Dr Ojo, who practices out of central London. “We had pretty much the same problem but different approaches, or different concepts to it, and we had to find a solution. That’s really how SmileFast came about.”

Dr Sealey said the 2 clinicians started to swap stories about smile makeovers and issues that often prevented either successful results or patient acceptance for the treatments.

“We started, you know, confessing our sins to each other,” explains Dr Sealey, who had been performing several stent-based composite makeovers using traditional wax-ups and the every-other-tooth technique. “I must have done 5 or 6 cases like this and I found it incredibly difficult, and I also didn’t find it very predictable. The reality of it was it was so technique sensitive that the end results were not as accurate as I was hoping for.”

Dr Sealey had shared some of his smile makeover cases online and Dr Ojo started to think it might not be a bad idea if they worked together to develop a procedure that could package the stents and composites together to come away with improved outcomes in less time. The men departed the ski conference in France and headed back to England determined to master the process, which has now taken off in England and is starting to make inroads into the United States.

“I thought, wouldn’t it be amazing if we could package this all together?” Dr Ojo says. “So it would be like a smile in a box very similar to how someone would go to a dentist for an Invisalign smile. They follow the entire pathway and they leave with the perfect smile. But imagine if we could do this with composite and have it not be too technique sensitive or too time-consuming.”

The pair returned to the UK and started researching digital techniques, model making, and how this might all come together to deliver an affordable, predictable smile makeover that could produce long-lasting results.

What came about was a process to create an accurate stent with separators, allowing clinicians to do up to 10 teeth all at the same time with 1 stent. This is possible because all the compartments are preseparated.

“You load the whole thing with composite, place it onto the teeth, cure it, take it off, and it’s done,” Dr Ojo explains. “That was the revolutionary step and that’s what we developed SmileFast on once we realized how good it was.”

SmileFast is now fully patent protected. This stent-delivered composite technique has gone to the next level and is now very accurate, very time efficient, and therefore very accessible to every dentist and to every patient who previously might not have been able to afford alternative treatments like ceramic veneers, the 2 clinicians say.

“That’s where SmileFast becomes so successful because it’s not just helping the dentist, but it’s also delivering a solution to patients and there is such a need for this solution out there,” Dr Sealey says. “That’s why the business has grown so fast in the last few years.”

SmileFast is designed for patients as well as dentists and takes advantage of digital dentistry, something both clinicians have long advocated for.

“The big cornerstone of SmileFast is that everything that we plan is digitized, designed on the patient’s face then transferred into the patient’s mouth in the form of a trial smile, so that it’s perfected in the mouth. It takes away the element of guesswork,” Dr Ojo says.

Using digital wax-ups for digital design to the perfect parameters, then transferring and perfecting that smile means the dentist can deliver the final composite restorations and not just guess the thicknesses of the teeth or the axial inclinations.

“All of this is designed digitally perfect and corrected and then placed into the mouth,” Dr Ojo says. “So what we’re really able to deliver, as Tom says, is not just a solution, but a workflow. And the workflow takes the patient along with us. The patient knows what they’re getting. They know what they’re buying.”

If a SmileFast patient doesn’t like the look of something, if they want something longer or shorter, or they want a different shape of teeth, they have that choice. The cofounders add that while most dentists are brilliant technicians, they don’t often explain the procedure well enough for the patients to know exactly what to expect. With SmileFast’s workflow, this is not an issue.

“Once we deliver this trial smile into a patient’s mouth, the next thing the patient says is, ‘How soon can I book in?’ They’ve got the solution that they’re looking for and that for us has been one of the biggest things that patients are now coming in practices asking for SmileFast because it’s a process rather than just a solution,” Dr Ojo says.

Drs Ojo and Sealey came up with the SmileFast idea around late 2017, spent 6 months developing it, and worked to refine it so it would become a time-efficient process for dentists. They trialed the educational course—which includes a hands-on component teaching the SmileFast technique—on more than 15 dentists and close friends.

“It was incredible. The feedback was amazing,” says Dr Sealey, who has a private cosmetic practice out of Essex and who is an accredited member of The British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. “So we knew we had a good product.”

From there the developers tweaked the course, made a few refinements, and went fully live with SmileFast in late 2018. The company held 25 consecutive course days in 2020 to meet demand from clinicians looking to get started. Some days they had 2 courses on the same day, one in London and one in Manchester.

“It was insane,” Dr Sealey says. “I believe it’s something like 1 out of every 5 dentists in the UK has been trained on SmileFast. That’s how exciting this process is.”

He adds that many clinicians and patients are quick to share their satisfaction since going with this new smile makeover solution.

“It’s minimally invasive, very predictable, very cost-effective, time-efficient dentistry that completely transforms patients’ lives,” Dr Sealey says. “It’s amazing for us to see how SmileFast has helped these people and helped dentists to develop their careers. I think something like 10,000 smiles have been done over the last 5 years for patients so it’s a pretty incredible thing to be a part of.”

Dr Ojo says the courses and the workflows have evolved to make the SmileFast process even better for patients and clinicians alike. They’ve been able to refine and improve both the teaching and the solution, improving efficiencies along the way.

“A significant number of UK dentists are now trying SmileFast,” Dr Ojo says. “And it has given them the confidence to have a treatment plan. One of the things that is pretty unique with our system is yes, we talked about the solution, but we have a teaching element to our cases.”

For every case that is submitted, the dentist uploads the pictures and the stereolithography file or models to SmileFast, which then get uploaded onto a portal where at least 1 clinical dental mentor assesses the case along with a master technician. The cases are assessed both esthetically and functionally, and Dr Ojo says they actually deem about 10% of cases to be unsuitable for the process, which means they don’t take on cases unlikely to deliver great results.

“What we’re not doing, like some other systems might do, is just saying, ‘Yep, perfect. Bring it,’ ” Dr Ojo says. “We’re not trying to monetize it. What we’re trying to do is give a valued service.”

Initially the 2 founders assessed all the cases and oversaw the workflows. Now there’s a team of about 15 clinical mentors who assess the cases from across the UK and the US and provide treatment plans or a treatment proposal.

“We’ll identify the weaknesses or the things to consider because, again, not every case is a slam-dunk case,” says Dr Ojo. “We do have something called the traffic light system. We call it green for predictable cases, amber for those cases that require some augmentation before proceeding, and then, as I said, 10% of cases are deemed to be red cases, which we believe are outside the scope of traditional composite dentistry.”

With this system, the dentist is fully in control of the end outcome, with the ability to verify and make amendments to the digital setup. When that stage is complete, SmileFast digitally prints the models and sends them to the clinician, who takes the model to the office and transfers it into the patient’s mouth, where the second verification is done. When everyone is happy, it is transferred into the final step.

“That’s kind of how the process has allowed some dentists who weren’t confident but now it gives them a predictable platform beyond which they can say, ‘Let me submit the case. Let me get started.’ It has transformed the lives of a significant number of dentists as a result,” Dr Ojo says.

One thing that makes SmileFast unique is that it starts out with teaching how to assess a smile and how to deliver a classic veneer smile makeover to improve the esthetics. It teaches the process and the courses include hands-on training skills with composite bonding and smile design.

SmileFast has started to conduct courses in the US and clinicians are now using it and lecturing outside the UK. Information on courses can be found online at smilefastusa.com.

“We don’t think of SmileFast as just a solution-based system,” Dr Ojo says. “We’re offering it as an educational platform and an ecosystem where you can dip in and dip out where you need to, and really we’re thinking about just a holistic approach to make that patient journey a complete one. We’re sure that the patient can come in at any point and need a solution and we really believe that SmileFast can help the patient and the dentist on that journey.”

Cofounding dentists have developed a stent-based composite smile solution designed to be quick and affordable.

SmileFast Makeovers Are in Position to  Bring UK Success to America


Join the Sanders Sisters and Dr Anna Kay Thompson as they learn about the burning questions the medical community is not asking about oral health. Learn about all of the ways they are celebrating the good work of dental hygienists in their quest for whole-body health.

Dr Anna-Kay Thompson, DPM is a third year surgical resident in Limb Preservation and Reconstructive Surgery of the Boston University Medical Center Foot & Ankle Residency Program in Boston, MA, training under Dr. Sanders. She obtained a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in Amherst, MA and Masters Degree in Interdisciplinary Science from Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine in New York, NY followed by her Doctorate in Podiatric Medicine from the Barry University School of Podiatric Medicine in Miami Shores, FL. Her professional interests include lower extremity trauma, reconstructive surgery, Sports medicine, wound care, and limb salvage. She has a passion for Medical mission trips, traveling, photography, and hiking.

Floss and Flip-Flops with the Sanders sisters features hosts dental hygienist and speaker Katrina M. Sanders, RDH, and podiatrist Dr Elizabeth Sanders, DPM. Together, the sisters discuss the oral-systemic link and its impact—from your teeth down to your toes. The podcast is produced monthly by Dental Products Report® and Modern Hygienist®, in partnership with The Sanders sisters.

For additional content for dental professionals visit DPR and MH at dentalproductsreport.com.


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Join the Sanders Sisters and Dr Anna Kay Thompson as they learn about the burning questions the medical community is not asking about oral health. Learn about all of the ways they are celebrating the good work of dental hygienists in their quest for whole-body health.

Floss & Flip Flops Episode 22: National Dental Hygiene Month

Lorne Lavine, DMD, founder and president of The Digital Dentist, has more than 30 years invested in the dental and dental technology fields. A graduate of USC, he earned his DMD from Boston University and completed his residency at the Eastman Dental Center in Rochester, N.Y. He received his specialty training at the University of Washington and went into private practice in Vermont until moving to California in 2002 to establish TDD, a company that focuses on the specialized technological and HIPAA needs of the dental community. He can be reached at drlavine@thedigitaldentists.com or 866-204-3398.

Over the past 6 years, I have examined all the individual components of the information technology (IT) needs of dental offices. We’ve explored topics such as digital radiography, computers and networks, business analytics software, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), and a host of other topics. However, of all the topics I’ve written about, in my opinion, none is more critical than cybersecurity.

There is nothing more valuable to a dental practice than their patient information, and every office should make it their highest priority to protect and secure that data.

If you’ve read the recent articles I’ve written, then you know that I feel strongly that ransomware is far and away the biggest threat I’ve seen in my 35-plus years in dentistry, more than HIPAA, more than Occupational Safety and Health Administration issues, more than COVID-19. Even a cursory scan of the daily news would show the hundreds if not thousands of dental practices that have been attacked either by their own lack of adequate security or a lack of best practices from their IT company.

If you are committed to protecting your patient information, there are 3 general approaches that I recommend. You have to do everything in your power to keep the malware from reaching your network, deal with any malware that does get through, and, finally, be prepared to recover from an attack if all else fails.

There are literally dozens of ways to deal with ransomware, but as the old saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. The first line of defense is making sure you have a good firewall in place. By good, I mean business-class like Sophos or SonicWall, not the consumer-level firewalls like Linksys or D-Link or Netgear. A firewall will scan all incoming and outgoing traffic and will often stop malware before it can get into your network. I also recommend what’s called patch management, which is required by HIPAA. Because all software has security holes in it, you must, by law, keep those software programs up-to-date with the latest security patches. Any good managed service IT provider can assist you with this.

There are many viruses that we call zero-day, meaning they attack vulnerabilities that aren’t even known to exist. In those cases, a firewall and patched software won’t necessarily help. In those cases, you have to have systems in place to deal with the viruses. In the past, a good general-purpose antivirus application was adequate; that’s not really true anymore. However, there’s an even newer and more exciting approach called application whitelisting and ring-fencing, where only those programs that you preapprove are allowed to run and unapproved programs (like viruses) are stopped in their tracks. I’ve been installing application whitelisting for my clients for 2½ years and have not seen a single virus hit any of those systems with that protection in place.

If you have followed the first 2 steps above, the chances of being hit with a virus are very, very low—but low doesn’t mean impossible, so you should be prepared. Having a solid and tested backup and disaster recovery system is critical. However, we’ve seen more and more attacks called double and triple extortion. Double extortion is when they download a copy of your data and threaten to put it online and triple extortion is when they are able to access the patient files and threaten to contact your patients directly.

For these reasons, I highly recommend a minimum of $250,000 of cyberliability/breach insurance. Between legal costs and HIPAA fines and penalties, you’re going to need it if you ever suffer a breach.

In the modern era, there is no longer a single approach to protecting and securing your data. You must have a layered or stacked approach to doing everything you can to make sure the bad actors out there don’t put your entire livelihood at risk.

Providing your dental practice with adequate cybersecurity measures requires blocking malware from systems, addressing any malware that does get through, and preparing to recover from a data breach. 

The 3 Critical Components of Effective Cybersecurity

Care From Afar | Image Credit: DC Studio - stock.adobe.com

Access to care has long been a challenge for dentists and patients alike. While preventive care could prevent numerous oral health issues, it’s not accessible for a large percentage of patients—a percentage that has increased year over year.

According to the National Center for Health Statistics, the percentage of adults aged 18 to 64 years who saw a dentist fell from 65.5% to 62.7% between 2019 and 2020.

 Some of the decline may be attributed to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the numbers are still moving in the wrong direction.

“There are plenty of challenges in treating hard-to-reach patients: Funding, the number of caregivers willing to do the work, proper financial incentive to provide the care, and the amount of equipment required to perform dentistry are the main challenges I see,” says Stuart Kazen, director of domestic sales for Aseptico Inc. “On the positive side, there is more recognition about the lack of access to care and more effort to fund dental care. There is better equipment and technology.”

This technology may be key to bridging the gap. By utilizing technology-supported remote services and mobile technology, dentists can better connect with hard-to-reach patients and add the convenience to treatment that will keep patients coming back.

“Emerging technology holds tremendous promise in overcoming oral health challenges, reducing disparities, and enhancing access to care through various avenues,” says Maria Kunstadter, DDS, CEO of The TeleDentists.

These avenues encompass many areas, including precision dentistry using cutting-edge technologies that enable personalized treatment plans designed to improve outcomes for diverse patient populations; telehealth and remote monitoring that can bridge the gap between underserved communities and dental care providers; digital health records and analytics; mobile applications that encourage self-monitoring; and artificial intelligence (AI), computer vision, and machine learning.

“Technology has brought about transformative changes in how dental health professionals interact with and reach underserved populations, including improved care coordination,” says Tina Saw, DDS, founder and CEO of Oral Genome. “In the past, underserved communities faced challenges due to limited access to dental care and outdated communication methods like paper charts and phone calls. However, with the advancement of technology, dental practices have been able to bridge the gap and better serve these populations through enhanced care coordination.”

Bridging the gap to serve these populations isn’t easy. In 2022, there were 7192 dental care health professional shortage areas (HPSAs) in the United States—meaning the 69 million people living in those areas had limited or no access to dental care. To remove the HPSA designations across the United States, 11,896 practitioners would need to join the workforce.

This shortage of dental professionals and lack of access to care are particularly prevalent in rural communities, where 43% of people don’t have access to care.

 A 2019 study confirmed that people in rural areas were less likely to have seen a dentist in the prior year than patients in urban settings; 57.6% vs 66.7%, respectively.

“One significant hurdle is the lack of access to dental care in these communities, often due to limited facilities and a shortage of skilled dental professionals who are willing to work in such areas,” Dr Saw says. “Geographical barriers further compound the problem, making it difficult for patients in remote or medically underserved regions to access dental services.”

Even within urban populations, many people face challenges in accessing care. Language barriers, limited health literacy, and disabilities create unique obstacles to providing necessary oral healthcare. Disparities are also closely tied to other social determinants of health, which affect several racial groups disproportionately. Between 2019 and 2020, 66.6% of White adults aged 18 to 64 years reported going to the dentist compared with 56.8% of Black adults and 55.3% of Hispanic adults.

Financial differences also play into these disparities. Only 50.4% of adults in urban areas in homes with family income less than 139% of the poverty level received oral health care in the prior 12 months, while 79.3% of adults with income over 400% over the poverty level saw a dentist.

“Financial constraints and inadequate dental insurance coverage prevent many individuals from seeking regular preventive care or timely treatment, leading to the exacerbation of dental issues,” Dr Saw says. “Overcoming these obstacles requires targeted efforts to improve access, increase provider availability, implement outreach programs, and develop culturally sensitive approaches to ensure that all individuals, regardless of their circumstances, have access to quality dental care.”

In addition to income barriers, insurance deficits also negatively impact access to care. One study found that only half the children enrolled in Medicaid saw a dentist in 2019.

Medicaid is not required to provide dental benefits for adults.

“The biggest challenge is our profession,” Dr Kunstadter says. “Who is reaching out to those populations? When you look at the number of medical doctors who accept Medicaid, it’s in the high 80%. Dentists in my state who accept Medicaid is 29%. We need to engage our profession to provide services to those who need our help.”

Traveling to the dentist or even making room in a work schedule to go across town for an appointment can deter people from seeking treatment. To combat this, dentists are finding a way to bring treatment to people, instead of the other way around. Teledentistry is one way this is being accomplished.

“Why take half a day off from work or school to go into an office when the virtual consultation can be the solution?” Dr Kunstadter says. “For offices, why drag people in, use PPE [personal protective equipment], staff time, and chair time when a virtual consultation can solve the problem. It’s a learning curve for all new technology, but when implemented, will add innovation and improve workflow.”

With teledentistry, all it takes is an internet connection to have access to a dental specialist. Dentists can triage a problem, educate patients on home care, prescribe any necessary medications, and make assessments about whether the patient needs to come into the brick-and-mortar facility for hands-on care—all without the patient ever setting foot in the office.

“Virtual care helps patients be connected to that initial component of understanding the need for treatment and really eliminating the frustrations that are going to come up if you’re traveling an hour and a half to go see a doctor,” says Brant Herman, CEO and founder of MouthWatch and Dentistry.One. “If you have inflammation and need an antibiotic before your appointment, let’s get that done virtually. If you need to come in for treatment, let’s get the right stakeholders or family members on the call. If you have a follow-up appointment done virtually instead of in office, you’re more likely to attend it.”

In summary, Herman says, teledentistry gives clinicians the opportunity to educate the patient on why they should come in. They can address issues that might prevent a patient from going through with treatment before the appointment, allowing for a productive office visit when the patient does come in. The practitioner gets the opportunity to educate, reassure, and communicate all the things that might prevent treatment from happening, saving time and money for both the patient and the practice.

Care From Afar | Image Credit: Fotomomento01 - stock.adobe.com

“Virtual care is a game changer in providing care to more patients,” Dr Kunstadter says. “All offices should offer teledental services. It not only increases chair time by eliminating unnecessary trips to the dentist but also can reach new patients who want the convenience of teledental visits.”

Platforms such as TeleDent from MouthWatch are designed to improve patient outcomes with remote monitoring while improving chair time efficiency. Clinicians can message patients or have live video chats to discuss issues or treatments. TeleDent allows practitioners to store notes, visual treatment plans, tooth numbers, images, videos, and more in a patient record and share intraoral images with other specialists or providers.

For dentists who are hesitant to add teledentistry to their offerings, there are other solutions. Dentistry.One is a network of providers across the country. Working with an insurance company or rural health authorities, Dentistry.One connects patients with a dentist to do an evaluation, talk to the patient to get an understanding of their needs, and make initial treatment decisions such as calling in a prescription. If necessary, Dentistry.One can coordinate in-office care for the patient.

“Dentistry.One can then find a dentist who accepts their insurance that has an open time slot,” Herman explains. “We send an oral health report based on the virtual consult to the doctor, and they, without doing anything, have a new referral. They have a new patient coming in and they understand the need for treatment for that patient. We felt we needed to start bringing actual care delivery into the model.”

The TeleDentists is another digital teledentistry platform that provides teledentistry services to patients 24 hours a day. Patients can go online and get a virtual consult from a board-licensed dentist at any time, reducing the need for an emergency room visit. When follow-up visits are needed, appointments can be booked for the next day.

Teledentistry isn’t just a convenient tool to reach underserved populations; for many who go to the dentist regularly, it’s becoming an expectation. With the medical industry increasing digital offerings, patients are beginning to expect and want the same level of remote care from their dentists.

“The health care consumer is way more tech savvy and way more expectant of having visits virtually, when possible,” Herman says.

Technology can also help identify potential health issues before they start. Through early detection, potentially severe problems can be avoided before they become critical. Remote monitoring applications make early detection and preventive care more accessible to hard-to-reach populations.

One such remote monitoring service is Oral Genome, whose saliva testing uses machine learning and computer vision to identify often-undetected oral health conditions. The patient takes the saliva test and scans it with their phone to get a wellness report that details their results and any high-risk factors. Patients can then consult with their dentist about any concerning areas.

“Oral Genome’s point-of-care dental saliva test allows for remote screening and early detection of oral health issues,” Dr Saw says. “Patients in dental deserts can use this screening tool to assess their oral health status and receive personalized prevention plans without the need to physically visit a dental office.”

Saw says technologies like Oral Genome, in conjunction with Harmony Health Foundation, offer promising opportunities for increased access to care in areas known as dental deserts.

“Harmony Health Foundation’s collaborative approach can integrate telehealth solutions, enabling virtual consultations between patients in dental deserts and dental professionals from other locations,” she says. “This real-time communication empowers patients to discuss their oral health concerns, receive advice, and access specialized care without the barriers of distance.”

And advances in technology are the foundation that is making this possible.

“The integration of AI, computer vision, and machine learning greatly facilitates early diagnosis and risk assessment of oral health conditions,” Dr Saw says. “By analyzing patient data and identifying patterns, these intelligent tools support dental professionals in making more accurate and timely diagnoses, especially in areas where access to specialized care is limited.”

Technology is also supporting boots-on-the-ground efforts to bring care delivery to the patient. In March 2023, Congress passed the MOBILE Health Care Act, which expands the ability of community health centers to establish mobile clinics in underserved areas. Since 2019, there has been 40% growth in health center mobile units that bring care and treatment to patients outside the traditional office.

“Oral disease is the most prevalent disease in the world and is almost 100% preventable,” Dr Kunstadter says. “With teledentistry, a dentist and a hygienist can educate auxiliary staff at schools, medical offices, and community health centers to provide the hands-on care to apply fluoride varnish, silver diamine fluoride, and more. Teledentistry is the tool to improve oral health and health equity for millions.”

Through teledentistry the midlevel provider can bring a dentist into the appointment virtually, and they can work as a dental team for more complex dental treatments. This is happening, for example, in remote areas of Alaska, where there are few dentists. In these settings, travel logistics and distances can be arduous. With technology, the dentist can be in more locations virtually while hygienists and dental therapists (depending on state-by-state regulations) can travel to the patients to provide care.

“A virtual dentist can be anywhere there is internet,” Dr Kunstadter says. “Access to the right specialist from a community health center can be key to improving oral health for that community.”

Providing care to remote areas is important but the benefits of mobile health clinics are far-reaching and can help other populations as well. Schoolchildren, geriatric or homebound patients or those with special needs, patients who are incarcerated, and underserved urban communities are all target populations for mobile dentistry.

To reach some of these populations, The TeleDentists is working with the National Minority Health Association (NMHA) to increase access to care. The NMHA’s goal is to help close the disparity gap in minor health and health care. The organization’s Operation Healthy You program identifies areas of health care disparities and works with health care providers—such as The TeleDentists—to address those needs.

“We are working together to improve health equity by increasing access to teledentistry and offering a training course for application of silver diamine fluoride when recommended by a virtual dentist,” Dr Kunstadter says. “This is a game changer for children as it could prevent small cavities from being emergency room visits in a few years and reduce the burden of poor oral health.”

In addition to teledentistry capabilities, advances in mobile technology allow for greater onsite treatment that might not have been possible in the past.

“Portable dentistry equipment continues to advance to be even lighter, better, and more capable than in years past,” Kazen says. “One of the biggest breakthroughs is the use of vacuum blower technology vs traditional air compression. In the past, portable dental delivery systems all used air compression to run the vacuum and handpieces. Today, new vacuum blower technology is preferred because it is just as powerful, quieter, and significantly lighter than traditional air systems.”

Technologies help dentists connect with hard-to-reach patients and add convenience to treatment.  