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.

A Response to Tragic News Story of Murder by Dentist. Image: © Mdisk - stock.adobe.com


On August 22nd, we learned the fate of Dr Larry Rudolph, a dentist in Denver, Colorado. 

He was convicted of killing his wife in Zambia and making it look like an accident she had.

I am speechless at this tragedy. My heart goes out to the family of Bianca Rudolph, the wife he murdered. Names are important. Please remember the victim. From a therapist’s position, my first thought is that some of us are not looking at this as domestic violence, which is what it is. Articles that focus on his wealth, his mail fraud, or his girlfriend overshadow the actual crime. We forget that Bianca Rudolph was a victim of domestic violence and that Larry Rudolph murdered her.

I know some of you might think what a salacious story this is. Money and greed can bring out the worst in people. I am a social worker thinking about what life might have been like living with a man who blew off his own finger for insurance money. That is a violent thing to do to one’s own body leaving us to wonder what else has he done that we don’t know?

This story violates the entire dental profession. Patients came in and trusted him to do dental work. Violating public trust isn’t just about his individual patients. Consider those who are anxious to see a dentist and now feel that their fears are reinforced. We forget that this causes damage to everyone involved. He was so driven by money that he harmed patients. They did not need root canals. He allegedly drilled holes in their teeth. Why? For money. How can someone who was supposed to help people violate those victims? I am stunned. This is humanity?

Every day, dental professionals are faced with a variety of issues inside and out of the operatory. In a changing and often-stressful world, it can be difficult to maintain the kind of professionalism that patients expect from their clinician. In the face of these changes, there are effective ways to navigate personal and professional trials–it’s just about finding them.

Master's level social worker supervisor and dental practice recruiter, Lisa Newburger, LISW-S, is offering key insights and advice for dental professionals ranging on a variety of topics. With a focus on reaching personal and professional goals, Lisa hopes to guide dental professionals on how to be the best version of themselves.

Have questions for Lisa? Reach out at diana2@discussdirectives.com and your question may be answered on dentalproductsreport.com.

It would be so easy to say he is evil and a degenerate. Did that make me feel good? No. It doesn’t take away the stain he made on all of us. We are supposed to help each other. Take care of each other. Trust each other. Yet, when a person like him violated his patients and his wife, he violated all of us.

I know you may think I am being judgmental. Yes, I didn’t know him, but I am reacting to this article. Think about that poor wife. Who expects their spouse to kill them? Unfortunately, there are many who are being abused and threatened repeatedly. This is not a surprise to some. It is horrific.

My guess is that there is more to this story. I don’t believe that things like this happen in vacuums, but the sad part is that people aren’t thinking about Bianca. They are thinking of the fascinating storyline. Remember, a woman is dead. That moment when she was shot––she was perhaps looking at her husband. Maybe she was surprised that he would aim a gun at her. We don’t know what the relationship was or what she was thinking, but she is no longer here and that is a tragedy no matter what.

If you live with someone who abuses you emotionally, financially, or physically, please tell someone. Call the 

National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233

. You are not alone. People are there for you and will help you figure out what you want to do. You are worth it.

Please email me at diana2@discussdrectives.com and share your thoughts about this story with me.

Articles

Licensed independent social work supervisor Lisa Newburger, LISW-S shares her thoughts on this tragic news story and a doctor’s violation of trust. 

A Response to Tragic News Story of Murder by Dentist

Product Bites from Dental Products Report provides updates on the latest dental products in just a few minutes a week.

Product Bites – August 25, 2023

Welcome to Product Bites, a weekly podcast from Dental Products Report providing you with a rundown of recently launched and updated dental technologies, materials, instruments, and everything else you might use with patients or while running your practice.

I'm your host for this week, DPR Editorial Director Noah Levine, and on this week's podcast we've got a pair of new products to go over. We'll be covering the new Two Striper BLACK diamond burs from Premier Dental and the DentaLaze Wireless Diode Laser from Shofu. So let's get to it and learn about these two new dental products.

The latest addition to Premier Dental's Two Striper line of diamond burs, Two Striper BLACK diamond burs are designed for quick cutting of a variety of materials. These burs feature natural diamonds that create a coarse sharpness that's unique for each bur. They're fabricated using the proprietary PBS braze process that Premier developed to evenly distribute the diamonds across the bur which is said to create longer lasting sharpness. The new Two Striper BLACK diamond burs are available in 22 popular shapes.

The DentaLaze wireless Diode Laser from Shofu, is a compact handheld diode laser that's suitable for soft tissue procedures, including gingivectomies and frenectomies. The laser operates at an 808 nm wavelength, and it can provide either 3 watts of constant power or 5 watts of pulsed power to help clinicians provide efficient soft tissue procedures. The DentaLaze Wireless Diode Laser features a durable metal body construction and a long lasting battery that can provide 45 minutes of use.

That does it for this week's Product Bites from Dental Products Report. As always, every Friday we present a quick rundown giving highlights of some of the latest dental innovations. To stay up to date on all the latest innovations. Be sure to go to dentalproductsreport.com and check out our New Products section at dentalproductsreport.com/newdentalproducts.

We'll see you next week on the next episode of Product Bites.

Podcasts

Product Bites from Dental Products Report provides updates on the latest dental products in just a few minutes a week. [2 Min]

New Study Indicates Teeth Can Preserve Antibodies Hundreds of Years Old | Image Credit: © Dario Lo Presti / stock.adobe.com

Researchers in England have determined teeth may be capable of preserving antibodies for hundreds of years, a finding that allows scientists to investigate the history of infectious human diseases.

The study was led by Professor Robert Layfield and research technician Barry Shaw from the School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, in collaboration with Professor Anisur Rahman and Dr Thomas McDonnell from the Division of Medicine at University College London. The research expands the study of ancient proteins, referred to as palaeoproteomics, potentially allowing experts to analyze how human antibody responses developed through history.

Antibodies are proteins produced by the immune system as a natural response to infectious organisms like viruses and bacteria. Their purpose is to recognize those microbes so that the immune system can attack them and clear them from the body.

, published by iScience , antibodies extracted from 800-year-old medieval human teeth were found to be stable and still able to recognize viral proteins. The paper summarizes that recovering functional proteins from skeletal tissues could uncover a molecular memory related to the life-history of the associated remains.

According to the researchers, palaeoproteomics can reach way back into time with ancient proteins already successfully recovered and identified after preservation in 1.7-million-year-old dental enamel from an ancient rhinoceros and an ostrich eggshell more than 6.5 million years old. The authors also found preliminary evidence that, like the medieval human teeth, mammoth bones nearly 40,000 years old appear to preserve stable antibodies.

previously been applied by the Nottingham team 

to the analysis of other disease-associated proteins recovered from archaeological human bones and teeth, from Norton Priory in Cheshire, to allow identification of an unusual ancient form of the skeletal disorder Paget’s disease. That study was deemed significant because it indicates that ancient Paget’s disease may have been far more common than the modern disease and developed much earlier in life, according to the University of Nottingham. 

In a press release from the University of Nottingham, a founding member of Russell Group of research-intensive universities, Layfield explains: “In discovery science we come to expect the unexpected, but the realization that intact, functional antibodies can be purified from skeletal remains in the archaeological record was quite astonishing. Some ancient proteins were known to be stable, but these tend to be ‘structural’ proteins such as collagens and keratins, that are pretty inert.”

These findings open the possibility of studying how antibodies from ancient specimens might react to diseases that were present long ago.

“Antibodies are different because we are able to test whether they can still do their job of recognizing viruses or bacteria even after hundreds of years. In this case we found that antibodies from medieval teeth were able to recognize Epstein-Barr virus, which causes glandular fever. In the future it could be possible to look at how antibodies from ancient specimens react to diseases present during those periods, such as the Black Death,” Rahman adds in the press release.

Paper published by iScience shows antibodies extracted from 800-year-old medieval human teeth were found to be stable and still able to recognize viral proteins.

New Study Indicates Teeth Can Preserve Antibodies Hundreds of Years Old

New Company Aeras Intel Looks to Expand IoT Solutions for Healthcare | Image Credit: © Aeras Intel

Known in dentistry for its role in bringing internet of things (IoT) solutions to DENTALEZ’s smart utility room products, Aeras Intel has officially launched as an independent company.

The MedTech company’s origins come from IoT innovations within dental manufacturer DENTALEZ, where Aera Intel change the way clinicians interact with their dental surroundings. Aeras Intel integrates with vital equipment including compressors and handpieces.

The smart technology is designed to protect the life of new compressors and vacuums with 24/7 cloud monitoring and is used to help dentists keep an eye on their Star Dental handpieces with a patented RFID tracking chip.

Aeras Intel is now operating as a privately held, independent Delaware-based corporation, Aeras, Inc. The company’s solutions are designed to simplify all aspects of managing critical equipment and redirecting the time and energy savings to improving the user and patient experiences.

After its successful development and commercial launch of the fully integrated IoT solution that enables DENTALEZ’s suite of smart utility room products—which includes Ramvac dental vacuums and Ramvac smart compressors—Aeras Intel was spun out into this new venture. The new company looks to accelerate IoT adoption in the dental industry as well as in the broader healthcare industries.

The company now offers a full-stack IoT offering that includes device sensoring, cloud data transmission and analytics, and a full feature IoT service platform with full user administration accessible from any web browser. IoT can unlock strong value-creation opportunities, according to Aeras Intel. 

Aeras Intel’s platform systems have been tested in real-time in dental practices and the company says the results have been strong the solutions are trusted in some of the most critical patient/doctor interactions in healthcare.

By leveraging IoT, artificial intelligence, and cloud computing, the company is developing platforms and applications designed to unlock tangible value for all stakeholders in the healthcare value chain

"At Aeras Intel, we are passionate in accelerating IoT technology implementations in both medical device innovations and group practice operations; the benefits of IoT and new economics are easier to understand and realize when everyone is able to interact with a standardized ecosystem," says Neil McCaffrey, Chief of Innovation, in a press release. "Our mission is to rapidly grow this ecosystem—starting today—to transform healthcare through faster adoption of streamlined procedures and reduced labor burden for maintaining critical equipment in a scaled practice."

By leveraging the knowledge of a diverse team and refining the process, Aeras Intel looks to deliver a seamless integration of IoT technology into the healthcare landscape. The MedTech consulting company works with product manufacturers and group practice organizations in the healthcare sector.

"We invite healthcare organizations and device manufacturers to join us in this transformative journey," adds Daniel Martin, Lead Systems Architect, in the press release. "With Aeras Intel as your partner, you can unlock the immense potential of connected healthcare, revolutionize your operations, and achieve unprecedented success."

MedTech company IoT innovation already being used in DENTALEZ smart equipment and handpieces.

New Company Aeras Intel Looks to Expand IoT Solutions for Healthcare

Shofu to Introduce DentaLaze Wireless Diode Laser. Image: © Shofu


Shofu has announced the release of its newest dental product offering––the DentaLaze wireless diode laser. Indicated for soft tissue procedures, this compact diode laser is said to be optimal for clinicians looking for a lightweight and effective tissue solution. DentaLaze is designed for efficiency, said to run for 45 minutes on a single charge, according to a press release from Shofu. Another notable feature may be its construction––comprised of durable metal with a green aiming beam.

DentaLaze has a 3W constant and 5w pulsed infrared power at 808nm, per the press release. These power capabilities combined with the scratch-resistant chassis of the diode laser provide clinicians with a powerful tool for soft tissue procedures including gingivectomies and frenectomies. Along with the laser itself, Shofu will also provide 5 single-use fiber optic tips, a slide-on shield, 2 goggles, and 50 barrier sleeves to allow clinicians to prevent cross-contamination and enable an optimal working environment.

DentaLaze will launch on September 1st, 2023. Dental professionals can purchase on 

This new durable, effective dental laser from Shofu is suited for soft tissue procedures. 

Shofu to Introduce DentaLaze Wireless Diode Laser

DCI and NSK worked together to introduce a seamlessly integrated electric motor system to be built into all DCI Edge delivery systems. Image Credit: © DCI

Dental handpiece manufacturer NSK has acquired DCI, a dental equipment and parts manufacturer started 40 years ago in Newberg, Oregon.

NSK is said to be the world’s largest manufacturer of rotary instruments for dental professionals, which includes air-driven and electric handpieces as well as specialty handpieces for endodontics, surgery, and hygiene. The company also produces electric motors and handpiece maintenance systems.

DCI and NSK are both family run businesses and have over 130 combined years of experience serving the industry.

A minority owner since October 2020, NSK looks to build on DCI’s growth momentum with investments in manufacturing and innovation, according to today’s press release, which adds the 2 companies share values, vision, and a strong commitment to improving the life of their customers.

“I started DCI 40 years ago with the core values of making our customer’s life easier, enhancing the life of our employees, and providing dental care to those in need. NSK has demonstrated these same principles and will be a good steward of these values, while investing in DCI’s continued growth. I’m excited about the future and what this means for our customers and employees,” says John Spencer, CEO of DCI, in the press release.

NSK and DCI will each retain their sales teams.

John Spencer, together with DCI President Jason Spencer and other key team members that have helped guide DCI’s success in recent years will continue in their roles, running daily operations for the company. DCI was founded by John and Janelle Spencer 40 years ago and includes additional family members today. The family actively manages DCI in both the business vision and everyday operations.

The DCI Edge line of operatory equipment includes th DCI Edge Series 5 delivery systems that integrate technology to improve operator efficiency and eliminate clutter in the workspace. The DCI Edge and NSK engineering teams from around the globe worked together to produce a best-in-class intuitive experience for clinicians when the 2 organizations 

. Streamlined and factory installed. Enhanced safety and treatment efficiency from the NSK NLZE electric motor system’s compact design and cutting-edge features is streamlined and factory installed in the delivery system.

NSK, founded in 1930 in Japan, has a similar strong family connection—Eiichi Nakanishi works closely with his brother and family within the Kanuma, Japan, company. With shared family values and work ethics, both organizations expect the acquisition to be a “win” for both companies as well as the dental community they serve, the press release adds.

NSK America Corp., with offices in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, offers a variety of air turbines for clinicians including the Ti-Max Z, the S-Max M, the Pana-Max2 and Pana-Max Plaus2, the S-Max pico, and the Ti-Max X450. The company also offers a comprehensive line of contra-angles, clinical micromotors, handpieces for dental labs and hygiene, and more.

Handpiece manufacturer and dental equipment and parts company will continue to collaborate on equipment and handpiece solutions with this strategic investment.

NSK Acquires Fellow Family-Run Company DCI

Join Dental Products Report for Technology Summit Virtual Learning Event


® is proud to host the 2023 Technology Summit––an accredited virtual event that aims to discuss all of the new technologies and product offerings that are impacting the future of dentistry. This event will take place Friday, August 25th, 2023, with courses beginning at 10 AM EST. It will be entirely virtual, enabling dentists on the go to watch and participate from their phones or laptops. Registration is open now.

Chief Dental Editor and Technology Editor, Dr John Flucke, the 2023 Technology Summit will feature 3 accredited courses led by industry leaders. These courses include:

The History and Revolution of Intraoral Radiography in Dentistry 

instructed by Lorne Lavine, DMD, president of The Digital Dentist. Dr Lavine will discuss the lengthy history of dental intraoral imaging alongside the best ways to optimize image quality. Other goals of the course are to understand the differences between "direct conversion" and "indirect conversion" as it pertains to digital radiography, and to discuss the variety of options available for clinicians to obtain radiographs.

instructed by Dr Bryan Kariya of Transcend Dental Clinic. In this course, Dr Kariya will be covering all the different ways dental professionals can bring tasks that were once limited to the dental lab, into the dental practice. Dr Kariya aims to also focus his course on how bringing the dental lab in-house will enable better care for more patient populations, including the underserved. Dr Kariya will educate on what you need to bring lab work in-house, the pros and cons of doing so, and how to train the team on these processes.

The Unspoken Challenges: Dental Supply Procurement 

led by Jordyn Levitas, head of strategic partnerships at Torch Technology. Levitas aims to provide clarity on dental procurement, clearing up some of the confusing aspects of it through her experience with it in the dental industry. Levitas will cover the importance of procurement, the complicated dental market (and how to decipher it), inventory challenges that dental staff may be confronted with, how to save money, and how to leverage technology to get the best value for your dental practice.

Dr Flucke will close out the Technology Summit with closing remarks and the continuing education credit delivery. This event is sponsored by Axsys Dental Solutions, FTG, and Torch Technology. 

Register now to earn 3 continuing education credits on Friday, August 25th, 2023, and learn all about the new technologies making dentistry more efficient and cutting-edge. 

Join Dental Products Report for Technology Summit Virtual Learning Event 

Two Striper from Premier Dental

New Prods 8/14-8/18

All the newest dental product releases from August 14th through August 18th. 

New Dental Products August 14 - August 18

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 Aspen Group University (TAG U) showed off its impressive new facilities and interactive learning capabilities at an exclusive preview Thursday afternoon at its headquarters in Chicago.

Located in Chicago’s West Loop, the TAG U building first opened just prior to the pandemic and is located just a couple blocks from the TAG Oral Care Center for Excellence, a new 25,000 sq. ft. clinic that provides cutting-edge comprehensive dental care at no cost to underserved Illinois residents.

At Thursday’s event, Bob Fontana, Founder/CEO, Aspen Dental and Chairman, The Aspen Group, kicked off the festivities in one of the learning rooms at TAG U and informed the attendees that Aspen Dental is celebrating its 25th anniversary and that the company’s headquarters will also eventually include Chapter, ClearChoice, and WellNow as TAG expands beyond dental.

“We are so excited about TAG U, the best facility in the industry,” Fontana says. “Here we will give folks the mentorship and leadership to succeed. When we bring people here we see connections with people throughout the country.”

Aspen Dental has more than 1000 locations in 45 states, and TAG U expects those numbers to continue to grow with the learning facility playing a key role in preparing new dentists for success. With the latest expansion into other areas of healthcare and veterinary services, the university will also now be used to teach clinical esthetics (Chapter Aesthetic Studio), ClearChoice dental implants, urgent care (WEllNow) and animal care (AZPetVet).

Bob Fontana, Founder/CEO, Aspen Dental and Chairman, The Aspen Group, speaks at Thursday's TAG U event in Chicago. | Image Credit: © Stan Goff

With more than 20 years of experience in the learning industry, Chrissie Leibman is the SVP of Leadership and Development and Dean of TAG U. She describes the university as a collection of world-class learning experiences and a destination for development across a diverse set of campuses. The facility features a mock Aspen Dental practice with 6 operatories, hands-on courses, on-demand learning platforms, a Harvard-inspired interactive learning studio, and courses designed for leadership and business prowess, in addition to developing great clinical skills. Additionally, clinicians learn great skills at the TAG Oral Care Center up the street while providing a tremendous service to the community.

“This is a community that enables and encourages growth,” Leibman says. “We learn about what will help us today and to dream about where we’ll go in the future.”

Arwinder Judge, DDS, Chief Clinical Officer, Aspen Dental Management, Inc (ADMI) was on hand Thursday and made it clear that TAG U’s faculty is what will lead the way to the organization’s success and to the success of many young clinicians. Sundeep Rawal, DMD, Senior Vice President of Implant Support Services at Aspen Dental, explained some of the restorative implants educational opportunities and a presentation indicated that Aspen Dental general practitioners typically place twice as many implants than other GPs each year.

Andrew De La Rosa, DMD, VP of Clinical Support at ADMI, explained how the comprehensive courses prepare young dentists with the business, leadership and clinical skills needed to become a great clinician. New dentists to Aspen take part in a 6-month experience designed to improve clinical confidence, build rapport and trust with patients, develop comprehensive treatment plans, and ensure new doctors’ engagement and retention, Dr De La Rosa says. Additionally, the learners get partnered with a mentor doctor.

“There’s a lot of foundational learning and lots of strategy behind it,” he says, adding that since the program launched last year 80% of the clinicians are still with Aspen.

Another key focus of education at TAG U is dentures, and Eric Kukucka plays a big role as the group’s Vice President of Clinical Removable Prosthetics & Design Technologies.

Kukucka left a successful private practice to teach the latest in denture technologies, including 3D-printed dentures. He is passionate about the advancements in digital technology with respect to removable prosthodontics today, and with the promising future of more clinicians learning how to rehabilitate edentulous patients and improve their quality of life.

He adds that TRIOS intraoral scanners are a big part of the learning at TAG U and that digital dentures are allowing more clinicians to efficiently deliver more predictable dentures to more patients.

Thursday’s sneak peek at TAG U closed out with a reception on the 15th floor—the tour included a stop at the interactive studio on the 10th floor—and will be followed by an official opening later this month.

Facility features a mock Aspen Dental practice, hands-on courses, on-demand learning platforms, interactive learning studio, and courses designed for leadership, business, and clinical skills.

The Aspen Group University Opens Impressive Learning Facility in Chicago

The weekly new products podcast from Dental Products Report, Product Bites is a quick dip into the latest dental innovations.

Product Bites – August 18, 2023

Welcome to Product Bites, a weekly podcast from Dental Products Report, providing you with a rundown of recently launched and updated dental technologies, materials, instruments, and everything else you might use with patients or while running your practice.

I'm your host for this week, DPR Editorial Director Noah Levine, and on this week's podcast we'll be covering rezSharp Scalars and Curettes from TBS Dental, the Sensonic electric toothbrush from Waterpik, and Henry Schein Thrive Service Plus. So let's jump right in and talk about these latest industry innovations.

The new reSharp line of scalers and curettes from TBS dental are designed to be sharp for a long time. They're made from aerospace-grade stainless steel, and they feature a unique hand grip with a twist that TBS Dental developed to reduce hand fatigue and provide an optimal grip for long scaling and root planing procedures. They feature silicone grips to make them comfortable for everyday use, and they're available in universal curettes, sickle scalers, anterior sickle scalers, posterior sickle scalers, area specific Gracie curettes, area specific AF Gracie curettes, and calculus explorers.

The Sensonic electric toothbrush from Waterpik features a new bristle pattern that's designed to hug the natural contour of tooth surfaces. The electric toothbrush apparently can do 4 times more plaque and bacteria removal than manual brushing alone in hard to reach areas. It provides three different brushing modes, and has a battery that is said to deliver up to four weeks of use on a single charge.

Henry Schein's latest addition to their Thrive subscription services is Henry Schein Thrive Service Plus. This equipment repair subscription service provides priority access to the company's ServiceFirst technicians to deliver in-office repair for large dental equipment. Part of the Henry Schein Thrive Rewards program, the service also provides technical advisors for remote support who can help eliminate the need for on-site service. Subscription members also get priority dispatch from ServiceFirst teams when they need critical equipment repairs.

That's it for this week's Product Bites from Dental Products Report. As always go to 

dentalproductsreport.com/newdentalproducts

 to find the latest dental product launches from throughout the industry.

We'll be back next week with another quick bite of the latest dental product information.

Videos

The weekly new products podcast from Dental Products Report, Product Bites is a quick dip into the latest dental innovations. [3 Min]