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.  

Vyne Dental’s New Vyne Trellis Platform Simplifies Insurance Claims Process | Image Credit: © Vyne Dental

Vyne Dental® has expanded its services with the Vyne Trellis® platform to offer innovative tools and strategies to enhance revenue management and streamline financial operations for dental practices.

The revenue cycle acceleration solutions company says Vyne Trellis is engineered to streamline the dental billing process, offering an integrated approach to financial management within dental practices. Accurate and timely billing, coupled with effective revenue cycle management, is said to allow the platform to enable practices to maximize their financial performance while maintaining focus on patient care.

Key features and benefits of the new Vyne Trellis include:

Automated Billing Processes—the platform simplifies billing operations by automating routine tasks, reducing manual input, and minimizing errors.

Enhanced Revenue Cycle Management—offers tools for efficient tracking, management, and follow-up on outstanding payments and claims, ensuring quicker reimbursement cycles.

Integrated Payment Solutions—Vyne Trellis is designed to facilitate seamless patient payment processes, from in- office payments to online billing options; this improves convenience for patients and reduces outstanding receivables for practices, the company says.

Comprehensive Reporting—provides detailed financial reporting and analytics, enabling practices to make informed decisions based on their financial data.

Streamlined Communication—by delivering enhanced communication between dental practices and insurance companies, it ensures clear and prompt resolution of billing inquiries and disputes.

"Vyne Dental's expansion into dental billing with Vyne Trellis signifies our commitment to providing comprehensive solutions that address the diverse needs of dental practices," Steve Roberts, CEO of Vyne, says in a press release. "Our innovative platform not only simplifies insurance claims processing but also offers a holistic approach to managing all financial aspects of dental practice operations."

By implementing Vyne Trellis for their billing needs, practices can expect to see significant improvements in financial workflows, reduced administrative burdens, and enhanced patient satisfaction through more transparent and efficient billing practices, according to Vyne Dental.

"We are thrilled to introduce the capabilities of Vyne Trellis for dental billing to the dental community," adds Mike Storrs, VP of product management at Vyne Dental." This advancement underscores our dedication to delivering solutions that empower dental professionals to achieve excellence in both patient care and practice management."

The company provides end-to-end revenue acceleration by engaging practices, payers and patients via vendor-neutral connectivity, claims and attachment management, and the facilitation of secure communications solutions.

Earlier this year, Vyne Dental—which is part of the Vyne® family that provides healthcare information exchange, revenue cycle management and communications—launched its latest payments platform, the new Vyne Trellis® Payments solution. That platform is designed to simplify the patient payment process by offering a seamless experience via text, email, or at the point of care. The next-generation platform is said to empower dental practices to meet their patients where they are and to ensure quicker payments through online and point-of-care innovations.

Vyne Dental serves more than 800 hospitals and health systems, 84,000 dental offices, and 800 plans and payers across the United States.

Articles

The company expands its offering in comprehensive dental billing with new solution designed to enhance practice profitability and patient satisfaction.

Vyne Dental’s New Vyne Trellis Platform Simplifies Insurance Claims Process

New clear aligners from National Dentex Labs.

NDX Aligners from National Dentex Labs

VITA AMBRIA MO from VITA North America

Overjet's artificial intelligence specifically designed for dental educators. 

Overjet for Educators from Overjet

The new RAYMILL C chairside milling machine from Ray America.

RAYMILL C from Ray America

AlignerWorks from Buffalo Dental Manufacturing

A new patient portal from Practice by Numbers.

Patient Portal from Practice by Numbers

New Dental Products – June 17 - June 21, 2024

All the latest dental product launches from the week of June 17 through June 21, 2024.

AcceptCare Case Acceptance Platform Reports Strong Case Acceptance and Productivity Results | Image Credit: © AcceptCare 

AcceptCare’s digital case acceptance platform, which has been updated to include a new tool to increase high-value treatment provided by dental practices, is delivering record results from practices across the country, according to data just released by the company.

The first all-in-one fee and treatment presentation software for dental offices, developed by Denver-based software company OrthoFi, released a report indicating an up to 76% case acceptance rate using AcceptCare, and 43% higher treatment acceptance than the average practice not using AcceptCare. Other highlights, according to the report, include: 24% of patients accept or pay for treatment from home, within 30 days post-consult; and a 15% increase in elective treatment production.

Clarksburg Dental in Maryland has experienced a substantial growth in case acceptance, jumping from 22% to 53% within 2 months. "We didn't need to see the numbers to know our case acceptance has increased significantly since implementing AcceptCare—our schedule is filling up faster than ever!" Ed Lui, DDS, states in a press release.

AcceptCare provides a patient-centric financial experience that integrates custom open-choice payment options, a multi-lender network, automated follow-ups, and comprehensive analytics.

For those practices looking to increase high-value treatments like orthodontics, the platform has integrated a new Payment Slider tool where patients move around the slider to enter a down payment and monthly payment that fits within their budget. This slider then shows pre-qualified payment or loan offers, AcceptCare explains.

“Our goal with AcceptCare is to empower both patients and dentists,” AcceptCare CEO Dave Ternan adds in the press release. “By providing the Payment Slider, along with an open choice platform, we are removing awkward conversations about money and paving the way for more comprehensive, timely, and necessary treatments. This improves the patient’s health and well-being and presents untapped revenue opportunities for practices.”

The acceptance platform is designed to benefit busy practices, busy patients, and patients who may need some financial assistance to follow through on suggested treatments.

The platform is loaded with features and is said to simplify the financial process and foster stronger communication and trust between patients and dental professionals. | Image Credit: © AcceptCare

In today’s fast-paced world, dental practices face many challenges. Not only are clinicians focused on providing top-notch care, but they must ensure that patients can access the essential treatment they need without financial barriers. AcceptCare is designed to meet these challenges.

"We think the greatest value-adds that AcceptCare has brought to our practice are the time that we save not having to review unscheduled treatment, the simplicity of presenting complex treatment plans and being able to quickly triage the barrier to treatment acceptance,” says Stephanie Walton, patient coordinator and dental assistant with Walton Family Dentistry in Bardstown, Kentucky.

AcceptCare directly tackles the challenge that as many as 65% of proposed dental treatments go unaccepted by patients, the company says. With easy integration with existing dental software and automatic tracking and follow-up reminders, the platform is said to simplify the financial process and foster stronger communication and trust between patients and dental professionals.

 that most Americans can't cover an unplanned expense of $500.

AcceptCare reports that over 30% of patients choose a monthly option for treatments less than $1,000. Additionally, with AcceptCare, 50% of treatment is accepted vs. 35% in offices without AcceptCare.

“Our solution is redefining the dental industry. We significantly increase patient case acceptance while improving the overall financial experience for patients and dental practices,” continues Ternan.

for additional information on the digital case acceptance platform visit: 

The fee and treatment presentation software for dental offices has added a new tool to increase high-value treatments like orthodontics.


AcceptCare Case Acceptance Platform Reports Strong Case Acceptance and Productivity Results

Kellie Nock is the assistant editor for Dental Products Report. She graduated from Kent State University in 2018 with a Bachelor's in Journalism. Kellie enjoys multimedia content creation with a focus on audio and video storytelling. 

A bite-sized look at dental product launches.

Product Bites – June 21, 2024

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 Editor Kellie Nock, and on this week’s podcast we’ve got 7 new products with launches from Aseptico, 3Shape, SilverPlug USA, Clinician’s Choice, Maeva Dental Advisors, and Y-Brush.

So let’s get to it and learn about these newly launched dental products.

First up, let's talk about the latest from Aseptico – the GO Ultra Portable Dental System. This new system features a fully integrated piezoelectric ultrasonic scaler, making it perfect for on-the-go settings such as nursing homes and in-home care. Weighing just 32 pounds, it's designed for easy transport, even meeting air travel specifications. The GO Ultra Portable comes with a brushless motor and fiber-optic illumination for precision work, and its advanced pathogen filtration system ensures safety and hygiene. The vacuum system activates only when needed, minimizing noise. Additionally, it operates on both universal AC power and external 24V batteries, offering flexibility in various settings.

Next, we have the TRIOS Core scanner from 3Shape. This scanner integrates TRIOS artificial intelligence technology and connects with the 3Shape Unite platform for a seamless scan-and-send workflow. With its USB-C connection and lightweight wand, the TRIOS Core is easy to use and highly efficient. Digital impressions captured chairside can be sent to dental labs or other partners with just 1 click, and the scan data is securely saved in the cloud for access from anywhere.

For those using the TRIOS 5 intraoral scanner, 3Shape now offers TRIOS Ready Tips. These single-use scanning tips come in sealed packages for immediate use, enhancing efficiency and hygiene. Practices can easily switch between autoclavable TRIOS 5 tips and the new ready tips as needed, ensuring flexibility and convenience.

Now, let's talk about SilverPlug® – the world's only certified dental material specifically designed for closing the screw access hole on implant abutments or crowns. Developed in Switzerland, SilverPlug uses silver zeolite in a pliable polymer material to adapt perfectly to the space over the fixation screw. This antibacterial material prevents biofilm and bacteria formation, reducing the risk of periodontal disease around implants. Clinical reports over the past decade have shown significant benefits, including the elimination of bacterial odor and reduced incidences of mucositis and peri-implantitis.

Clinician’s Choice has introduced MPa Universal™, a new adhesive in their MPa family. This single-component, light-cure adhesive is versatile, suitable for all etching techniques and designed for both direct and indirect bonding applications. Key features include high bond strengths with 10-MDP, HEMA, and ethanol as solvents, a low film thickness for ease-of-use, and precision dispensing to ensure efficiency and affordability.

Next, for dental practices looking to enhance their performance, Pronto! Dentistry's Practice Performance System offers a comprehensive solution. This system evaluates clinical, financial, operational, and cultural metrics, comparing them to industry benchmarks and practice goals. It identifies top opportunities for improvement with a single click, helping practice owners and managers address operational issues effectively. Pronto!'s AI-driven platform integrates data from various systems, providing real-time insights and actionable recommendations to optimize performance and achieve better outcomes.

Lastly, Y-Brush has launched the new “20 Second Toothbrush” line, promising a complete clean in just 20 seconds. This innovative product features a unique design that cleans the entire mouth in a fraction of the time required by traditional toothbrushes. Available for both adults and children, the Y-Brush line includes models for different needs and preferences, making oral hygiene more effective and efficient.

That does it for this week's Product Bites from Dental Products Report. Stay up to date on all the latest dental product news by visiting dentalproductsreport.com/newdentalproducts.

I'm Kellie Nock saying thanks for listening. And we'll be back next week with all the latest new dental products on Product Bites from Dental Products Report.

Podcasts

A bite-sized look at all the latest dental product launches. This week's episode features products from Aspetico, 3Shape, SilverPlug USA, Clinician's Choice, Maeva Dental Advisors, and Y-Brush.

Zhang Meng is the director of the oral care brand Oclean’s Digital Oral Health Research Institute. Zhang is a certified health manager and oral health ambassador for China’s Oral Health Foundation. 

Revolutionizing Dentistry: The Role of Artificial Intelligence | Image Credit: © Gefo - stock.adobe.com / Generated with AI

Artificial intelligence (AI), the latest technological advancement to alter today’s society, has transformed in recent years from an incomprehensible concept to a widely used tool. AI has been integrated into the technology most of us use daily. AI is more commonly used than you might realize, from search engines and social media algorithms to GPS navigation and streaming recommendations.

Through AI integration, standard dental tools and practices are evolving to provide better care and advance diagnosis and treatment plans. For the industry, it is essential to continue developing the technology so that patients receive the highest, most efficient level of care possible. Implementing new technology may improve treatment plans and oral health, increase patient retention, and improve brand reputation.

AI has become common in dental offices through office management platforms that assist in patient billing and scheduling, as well as software services that allow clinicians and hygienists to view and better understand images, analyze patient data, and develop treatment plans.

Front office management is crucial in running a practice, so tools that can offer administrative staff assistance should not be ignored or neglected. An efficient, easy-to-use scheduling and billing system can improve patient satisfaction and increase retention. The platforms can assist with online payment options, payment plans, scheduling assistance, chat features, and more. They can also help to improve the quality of work of the front office management staff. Equipping your practice with state-of-the-art technology may make people in your community more apt to visit your practice.

Recently, new technology has developed to assist providers in recognizing and treating poor oral health through AI. After capturing images of a patient’s teeth, AI can help detect early signs of gum disease, tooth decay, and more by analyzing images and comparing them to other patient profiles and diagnoses. According to the American Dental Association, detecting these precursors to potential oral health problems can aid treatment plans and motivate patients to seek action sooner. 

Imaging with the integration of AI can also show patients how their teeth and smile will look after a procedure. Through AI, dentists can generate images of how a patient may look after surgery, a new crown or veneer, or braces. These images can help patients decide when choosing a dentist or determining whether they want to receive a specific treatment.

Lastly, AI can assist dentists and hygienists with data analysis. By analyzing patient data, care records, and medical histories, AI can offer treatment plans for certain oral health diseases. Although AI did not attend dental school, and it is always best to refer to a dentist’s knowledge when treating patients, AI can offer a new idea or perspective that may improve a treatment plan and provide better care for the patient.

AI should be used in dental practices to help offer patients the best level of care. Whether through administration tasks or treatment plans, AI can assist your office and, when used correctly, improve practices. AI in dental practices should be seen as a tool to supplement and improve work.

Although AI in the dentist's office is beneficial, how can patients use it to improve overall oral health practices? Beyond dental offices, AI is reshaping patients’ daily oral health through innovative products and technology. Leading oral care brands have recently integrated AI technology into their toothbrushes to track brushing patterns and recommend better oral health practices. Typically, these recommendations are supplied to users through an app that connects with their brush and shares results.

These brushes use sensors equipped with Bluetooth and AI to recognize where in the mouth the user is brushing, alerting them when the area is fully clean or recommending they return to a spot they may have missed or not brushed well enough. One brush, announced at the 2024 CES, even uses AI voice-guided assistance to tell users when they are brushing too hard, when to move to a different area, or when they can stop brushing.

Oral health does not come quickly to everyone, so a brush that guides brushing patterns can be beneficial in catalyzing behavior change and promoting preventive care for patients at home. Many of these brushes also provide an analysis or data report on the user’s brushing habits to educate the user further. These reports track the user’s brushing history and can offer personalized recommendations on practices that can further improve oral care. The patient can easily share the report with a dentist because these data are usually accessed through the user’s smartphone or device. The clinician can better understand patient habits and provide a more personalized oral care plan that may better align with patients’ daily lives.

As AI continues influencing technology, consumer products, and society, its impact on dentistry should be acknowledged and appreciated. Future advancements in AI-driven diagnostics, treatment plans, and patient engagement hold promise for revolutionizing oral health and health care. By harnessing AI’s analytic capabilities, dentists and hygienists can deliver more precise diagnoses, personalize treatment plans, and enhance patient experience and satisfaction. Patients can benefit from introducing AI into their oral health routines because it can empower them to manage their oral health proactively. Integrating AI into society offers a new era of innovation and optimization in the dental industry. As AI evolves, it can revolutionize health care and improve patient treatment and experience.

As AI evolves, there is an opportunity to revolutionize oral health care and improve patient treatments and experiences. 

Revolutionizing Dentistry: The Role of Artificial Intelligence

Proclaim’s New Study Reveals Critical Link Between Oral Health and Systemic Well-Being, and the Need For Improved At-Home Healthy Habits | Image Credit: © Proclaim

” was released today and it reveals crucial data pertaining to the oral health habits of American adults and what they do and do not know about its far-reaching implications on systemic health as well as their worries over unforeseen medical costs.

The comprehensive report from Proclaim, a company known for pioneering preventative health breakthroughs, underscores the urgent need for more education and a stronger preventative approach in healthcare to mitigate future financial and health crises down the line.

Robert Eber, DDS, MS, warns in a press release announcing the release of the study, “Sadly, many people aren’t aware that poor oral health can cause inflammation that allows untreated bacteria in the mouth to enter the bloodstream and travel throughout the body. Research shows correlation between this bacteria and serious, debilitating systemic diseases and chronic illnesses impacting the heart, brain, and digestive system. A direct causal relationship has not yet been established, but it makes sense to eliminate bacterial induced inflammation anywhere in the body, starting with the mouth, the gateway to the rest of the body”

Overall, an alarming number of people say their primary care physician does not talk to them about oral health (61%) nor preventative health (32%) on a regular basis, according to the new report. Consequently, many surveyed were not aware of the connection between poor oral health and heart disease (50%) and cognitive disorders like dementia and Alzheimer’s (77%).

Dental professionals have long been aware of the oral-systemic link, but Proclaim’s findings indicate more overall awareness is needed.

“This lack of communication and education between healthcare providers and patients creates a huge knowledge gap that can lead to serious repercussions, potentially resulting in a large number of the population being diagnosed with preventable diseases,” Heberto Calves, Proclaim CEO, adds in the press release. “Right now, our healthcare system focuses so much effort on reactive treatment to medical issues rather than preventing them in the first place, and something has to change.”

Without a strong preventative lens on healthcare in America, how are adults in this country to deal with hardships down the road? Well, according to the study, many are worried about just that—74% agree/strongly agree that an unexpected health problem could wipe out their savings, while 61% say they worry about these unforeseen health issues on a regular basis because of the financial implications.

Maybe more patients just need to heed the advice given to them by clinicians and hygienists.

“Getting to the root cause of these problems by eliminating harmful bacteria at the entry point of the body, the mouth, is one way adults can take more preventative control of their health and wellness outcomes. But, even with nearly half of adults over 30 struggling with some form of gum disease, getting people to floss daily—and to do it effectively—is still a struggle,” Dr Eber admits.

The “Proclaim Oral Health Insights Report” indicates there’s a significant gap between people’s beliefs about their flossing habits and their actual practices. While 88% say flossing is important [this is somewhat good news], only 43% floss every day [not so good news]. Some respondents (7%) admit they never floss, or they only do so when they have something stuck in their teeth (10%).

Nearly a quarter (24%) of respondents even admit to lying to their dentist about how often they floss, with men being 5% more likely to do so. The primary reason for this, according to the report, is embarrassment (52%). It turns out, 41% also lie to avoid receiving a lecture from the oral health provider, Proclaim says.

Dental professionals know how important flossing is, but they also know too many people still find the task too much of a hassle to perform as often as they should

According to the study, common reasons for skipping flossing include: not enough time or too busy (27%), too much effort or lack of motivation (25%), and painful or bleeding gums (17%). Alarmingly, 11% believe flossing altogether just isn’t important.

Knowing all this, Dr Eber urges, “There’s a good reason your dentist is hard-pressed to get you to commit to flossing. It’s a daily habit that, when not maintained, can have negative, irreversible impacts on the health of your mouth and potentially your overall health.”

Finding a solution that gets everyone on board with regular, healthy oral habits is not easy. The “Proclaim Oral Health Insights Report” shows that forming sustainable healthy habits at home can be challenging. In fact, 73% of people agree that even habits that are good for them can be hard to maintain, and 53% agree they find it hard to build new habits.

That said, most respondents (81%) also say that starting off their day with a quick habit, whether brushing their teeth or making their bed, makes them feel more productive the rest of the day.

Not surprisingly, most respondents (68%) agree that habits that take less than 10 seconds a day are more attainable than ones that take longer. Additionally, 37%, for example, even said they would be motivated to floss daily if it was easier and took less time.

“It’s clear people want easy, time-saving solutions that actually work—and Proclaim provides exactly that, helping people live healthier, longer lives in just 7 seconds a day at the push of a button,” says Calves. “This done-for-you cleaning tool removes the stress, time and frustration that comes from your age-old, typical manual oral care routine. We urge other start-ups in the health and wellness space to continue to challenge the status quo through the power of prevention.”

Proclaim’s Custom-Jet Oral Irrigator is designed to deliver a fully customized and automated approach to achieve a comprehensive at-home dental clean. With the simple push of a button, the device has been clinically validated to reduce the signs of gingivitis in as little as 7 seconds a day, the company states. (Seven seconds at effective pressure. Total treatment time less than 9 seconds).

Employing cutting-edge digital intraoral scanning technology, facilitated through Proclaim's network of dental partners, and advanced 3D-printing techniques, Proclaim crafts personalized mouthpieces for each patient. These mouthpieces feature up to 60 strategically positioned, pressurized jets on both the facial and lingual interproximal sites.

Unlike conventional manual solutions, this innovation empowers patients to maintain their oral health effortlessly and sustainably in the comfort of their homes, thereby promoting superior preventative care.

Third-party online market research company Pollfish conducted a May 2024 survey of 2,000 U.S. adults. Additional data sources include independent secondary research, states Proclaim.

New consumer data also shows primary care physicians aren’t discussing oral care or preventative health enough, despite proven links between gum disease and larger systemic diseases.

Proclaim’s New Study Reveals Critical Link Between Oral Health and Systemic Well-Being, and the Need For Improved At-Home Healthy Habits

Practice by Numbers Announces Patient Portal. Image credit: © Practice by Numbers


Software solution Practice by Numbers has announced the launch of its latest offering, the Practice by Numbers Patient Portal. The patient portal is designed with features that aim to make patient communications easier and more streamlined, according to a press release from Practice by Numbers. Patients are able to access forms, payments and balances, appointments, and other relevant information. This keeps them in the loop, creating an improved relationship with the dental practice, according to Practice by Numbers CEO Rohit Garg.

“Not only does our patient portal keep patients in the loop with a modern and user-friendly experience, it gives patients instant access to their account information on any device, while at the same time helping practices reduce staff phone time and minimize paperwork and missed appointments,” Garg said in the press release. “By automating many routine tasks and providing a centralized platform for patient information, practices can focus more on delivering exceptional care and less on paperwork.”

For those interested in integrating the Practice by Numbers Patient Portal into their dental practice can visit the 

A new patient portal by Practice by Numbers promises a variety of communications-streamlining features. 

Practice by Numbers Announces Patient Portal

Bruce Bryen is a certified public accountant with over 45 years of experience and is a part of Baratz & Associates CPAs. He specializes in deferred compensation, such as retirement planning design; income and estate tax planning; determination of the proper organizational business structure; asset protection and structuring loan packages for presentation to financial institutions. He is experienced in providing litigation support services to dentists with Valuation and Expert Witness testimony in matrimonial and partnership dispute cases. He is also a financial writer for several dental journals. You may contact him at 609-502-0691 or at 

How Dental Practice Valuations Can Assist with Financial Disputes During Divorce Proceedings | Image Credit: © PikePicture - stock.adobe.com / AI Generated

Earlier this year, I wrote about the importance of selecting the best practice evaluator and addressed the costs of the dental practice valuation, along with what dental practice owners need to be aware of when involved in divorce proceedings.

With this column, we’ll look at dental practice valuations to be used for assistance in settling financial disputes during divorce proceedings.

During divorce proceedings, there is a common thread in the initial stages of the battle where one spouse thinks the value of the dental practice is very high while the other spouse thinks the value of the practice is very low. There is often a lot of fighting between the spouses while they are trying to resolve their case before retaining attorneys and other high price experts in trying to convince the other spouse that they are correct and that their adversary is wrong.

These conflicts almost always reach a certain point where no resolution has occurred and each spouse feels as if they are back at the beginning of their fight. Usually this is the time when one of the spouses or both suggest that an independent dental practice evaluator is hired to prepare an evaluation of the dental practice that they can rely upon to settle their case. If the spouses choose one person to prepare the valuation, they can split the cost of the report in some way and have the evaluator work for them both.

Choosing an evaluator that each spouse agrees upon may take some time but the end result will be a much less expensive charge than if each side had their own evaluator to argue their position. It will also prevent a lack of a rebuttal from another evaluator that will add significantly to the cost and take much more time and angst. Since a dental practice evaluator is by definition independent, he or she may represent both litigants. The dental practice evaluator abides by professional standards where he or she attests to swearing independence to himself or herself as well as to the results of the dental practice valuation. The independent evaluator is not an advocate for his or her client like an attorney is supposed to be.

To read the earlier article, “What to Know About Dental Practice Valuations During Divorce Proceedings,” 

Will 1 dental practice evaluator work for each aggrieved party to the divorce and be an independent fact provider?

An attorney is an advocate for whomever he or she is representing in the transaction and will swear that the client is right even if he or she is wrong and the attorney knows that the client is incorrect. The independent dental practice evaluator is not an advocate and is supposed to be able to present a dental practice valuation that is similar in the material aspects of the valuation whether it was being prepared for one spouse or the other.

An attorney may represent only one of the parties to a litigation matter. That is an ethical consideration of the attorney’s practical and ethical standards. Sometimes an attorney will have both clients in a dispute sign a waiver that allows him or her to represent both parties. In this scenario, that attorney is playing with fire and can look for a lawsuit from one or both litigants. A dental practice evaluator may represent both sides to a litigation matter as long as it is disclosed to each participant and they each agree. The independent dental practice evaluator is a finder of fact and then a presenter of those facts in an independent dental practice valuation report that is fair and accurate for each side of the dispute in the material aspects of the dispute. To attempt to save the parties money, the attorney may end up costing the client more money in legal costs as well as time away from the dental practice and much more in the way of time and aggravation while advocating for his or her client’s position in the case.

The search for records and other supporting documents needed by the experts will cause a lot of time away from the practice for the dentist. This of course prolongs the time, cost and aggravation that each client, attorney and dental practice evaluator must take to prepare their client’s case and to strengthen his or her position.

Suppose the parties to the dispute do not agree on one dental practice evaluator?

If 2 dental practice evaluators are retained, the cost will be more than double. There are many reasons for this occurrence. One of the most important reasons is that there will be 2 valuations. Another is that each valuation will have a rebuttal as to points the other evaluator finds objectionable. After the rebuttal, there will probably be a rebuttal of the first rebuttal which will most likely be more expensive than the first rebuttal. This can sometimes create opportunities for additional attorneys, experts of various strengths and weaknesses in their particular field of expertise and eventually will lead to a trial and not to a settlement of the parties.

While a settlement usually has parts to it that are not likeable to either party in the case, these arrangements are typically much cheaper in terms of time and money than proceeding with a trial. In a typical trial before a judge or jury, the attorneys and other experts usually have a more expensive rate of fee structure since the work is more demanding and the skill level of expertise is more of a higher level with the need for specific citations and the presentation of precedents for the court to consider. These take time to find and to present in an acceptable format to the court. Many times, a court orders the presentation of motions and additional evidence to support what was presented in the court room during that day of trial. This will probably create additional services at night and weekends in order to comply with the court’s time table so the experts’ time continues to mount and to be counted. Unless the litigants are miles away from a reasonable common ground, a settlement while not satisfying everyone’s specific needs, will be cheaper and provide less emotional trauma than a full blown trial and an opinion of the court where the only winners are the lawyers and other experts.

When both parties agree on 1 independent evaluator, time, money and angst can be limited during the proceedings.

 How Dental Practice Valuations Can Assist with Financial Disputes During Divorce Proceedings

Buffalo Dental Manufacturing’s new AlignerWorks is an integrated 3-tool bench system specifically designed to enable the precise fabrication of a wide range of custom-made oral appliances for dental labs as well as dental practices that produce oral appliances in-house.

The ThermaKife, ThermaPlier and V-35 Electric Handpiece make up the new system from

Buffalo Dental Manufacturing, a company that boasts a wide range of handpieces, lab equipment, vacuum forming materials, dental accessories.

“AlignerWorks is an efficient solution for putting the finishing touches on just about any custom oral appliance. It will not only simplify oral appliance fabrication workflow; it will also save time and money while improving the satisfaction of prescribing clinicians and their patients,” Buffalo Dental Manufacturing CEO Don Nevin says in a press release.

 (pen) that can be used for fast and easy trimming of 3D digital prosthetics and trays, as well as soft thermoplastic dental whitening trays, soft mouthguards, custom soft nightguards, implant surgical guides, and most commonly, clear aligners. 

 which is used to dimple aligners to control compressive pressure. The device can also be used for making retentive undercuts on orthodontic appliances and mouthguards.

delivers 35,000 rpm high-torque performance to easily cut and grind appliance materials to enable precision oral appliance fabrication.

The bench system includes the following features and benefits:

Lightweight pen features an ergonomic design and sharp, permanent tip for improved comfort and control.

Fully adjustable temperature control for precise cutting action. The cutting tip is designed to heat ultra-fast to save time and eliminate waiting.

High-torque motor provides smooth operation and powerful performance with less operator fatigue.

Four multi-speed options (14k, 22k, 27k, 35k rpm) enable ideal speed selection for most cutting needs.

Buffalo Dental Manufacturing, with headquarters in Syosset, New York, supplies a wide range of handpieces, lab products, lab equipment and vacuum forming materials and accessories designed for the dental industry. Visit the company website for more information, 

Company’s latest offering designed for the precision fabrication of custom oral appliances.

Buffalo Dental Manufacturing Unveils New AlignerWorks 3-Tool Bench System

Dental artificial intelligence (AI) company Overjet has launched Overjet for Educators, an AI tool designed to train future dental professionals, according to a press release from Overjet. This FDA-cleared technology, which is already used in practice by clinicians, helps analyze x-rays to bolster decision-making in the dental practice.

Overjet’s AI annotates dental x-rays with precise, colorful details, and stands as the only FDA-cleared AI technology for detecting, outlining, and quantifying oral diseases in x-rays. Developed by experts and advanced machine learning models trained on existing x-ray data, Overjet reportedly allows educators to demonstrate the size and shape of pathologies and restorations.

"Dental AI is already improving oral health for millions of patients, since it gives providers and insurers the first objective standard for dental care," Wardah Inam, Overjet's CEO said in the press release. "Our team is very excited to see top universities now embracing this technology to shape the next generation of oral health leaders. This is a massive step forward for the science of dentistry."

Several dental schools, including Western University College of Dental Medicine and the University of Florida College of Dentistry, are already using Overjet for Educators. An independent study by the University of Florida found that students using Overjet's AI improved their cavity detection skills in x-rays by over 40%.

Dr Isabel Garcia, Dean of the UF College of Dentistry, stated in the press release, "We are proud to be the first dental school in the country to implement Overjet's AI into our curriculum…Our collaboration with Overjet presents a very unique and valuable advantage for our predoctoral students and residents to be on the leading edge of technology.”

Students have responded positively to Overjet for Educators. Dr Teresa Dolan, Chief Dental Officer at Overjet, noted in the press release, "Students and residents are excited to use this technology to accelerate their education and provide incredible care for their patients–today and into the future."

To learn more about Overjet for Educators, visit the 

Dental students can now take advantage of Overjet artificial intelligence to detect, outline, and quantify oral pathologies in x-rays. 