Caitlin Parsons is a RDH of 15 years and chronic pain survivor turned Certified Yoga Therapist and Ergonomic Consultant for dental professionals. Caitlin helps dental professionals prevent, reduce and overcome workplace pain, manage stress, and optimize their health so they can thrive in and out of the office. She is passionate about helping dental professionals and teams optimize their health to provide better patient care and become better clinicians through her in-person and online programs, speaking, writing team experiences, and her podcast, The Aligned Hygienist (

| Image Credit: © Лилия Захарчук 

Dental practices often overlook their impact on the environment when pursuing excellence in patient care. Consider the waste generated by a single office each year, then multiply that by the number of dental offices across the United States. Although there isn’t much research on dentistry, studies show that the health care industry contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, climate change, poor air quality, and food and water insecurity.¹⁻² Oral health is crucial for overall well-being, so how can we continue to provide excellent patient care without adding to our carbon footprint?

An increasing number of patients are interested in ecofriendly dentistry. Recent reports revealed that 62% of consumers often or always seek more sustainable options, and 55% of consumers will pay more for sustainable brands.³ Dentistry is not exempt from this trend. Still, the good news is that, besides environmental benefits, going ecofriendly can also reduce long-term costs, enhance patient experience, and increase profitability

There are numerous ways to improve sustainability in dental offices, including reducing plastic use, minimizing single-use waste, recycling, selecting ecofriendly materials, and conserving water, energy, and electricity. The American Dental Association shared a list of 80 ways to make your dental office green, and below are 7 strategic steps dental offices can take to become more ecofriendly while maintaining high standards of care and maximizing your bottom line.⁴

Breaking the Barriers to Sustainable Dentistry

Disposable barriers are crucial in infection control, but excessive use contributes significantly to waste. Lynda Sherman, an expanded function dental auxiliary of 25 years and the founder of EcoSmiles Dentistry, a company focused on helping dental offices become greener, emphasizes the importance of minimizing barriers in noncritical areas. Sherman suggests that using barriers on noncritical items such as the x-ray tube head and the overhead light wastes time, money, and energy.

Sherman discusses a common situation in dentistry: A handpiece goes missing after a procedure, and when no one finds it, multiple team members must go through the trash to find it. Think of how much time, money, and energy is wasted during that time—even if the handpiece is found. Fewer barriers mean fewer opportunities for throwing expensive equipment and instruments away.

Offices should consider implementing protocols to mandate using disposables, plastic, and paper barriers only in critical areas. By doing so, dental teams can reduce unnecessary waste without compromising patient safety.

It’s shocking how many dental materials we use in 1 procedure and how much we throw away afterward. Dental products often contain excessive packaging and plastic waste, from prophy paste to disposable prophy angles. Dental professionals can mitigate this by opting for products with minimal packaging or exploring ecofriendly alternatives. 

When using instrument cassettes, Zirc Dental Products’ color-coded instrument cassettes are a great low-cost option, as they are lightweight, easy to use, promote efficiency and safety in the practice, and reduce waste.

Waste Warriors: Recycling vs Trash Tossing

A critical aspect of sustainability is waste management. Many dental offices implement recycling programs with good intentions, but these systems break down over time. Dental practices can evaluate their waste disposal practices and prioritize recycling wherever feasible. One can start by recycling essential items such as glass, plastic, and paper. Offices can also recycle disinfectant tubs, laundry detergent containers, old brochures, boxes, etc. Minimizing single-use products, switching to reusable alternatives, and adopting ecofriendly solutions can further reduce environmental impact. Using recycled paper products for letterhead, stationary, envelopes, business cards, paper towels, and toilet paper is another way to minimize waste.

Transitioning a dental office to digital may seem daunting, but digitizing patient records, charting, billing, radiography, and consent forms can drastically reduce waste in the practice. Practices can also transition to digital for patient education and communication to minimize paper usage and reduce their carbon footprint.

Repurposing Resources for a Greener Practice

Although most instruments last a long time, they all have a life span. However, retired dental instruments often sit in a pile in the back of a closet. One way to increase the life span of dental instruments is through retipping and sharpening systems., which can maintain instruments for extended periods, promoting sustainability and responsible resource management. Dental professionals can recycle retired dental instruments through instrument recycling programs, such as HuFriedyGroup’s Environdent Instrument Recycling and ProDentUSA’s Instruments for Change programs.

Energy-Saving Strategies for Sustainable Dentistry

Turning off unused lights and computers is 1energy-saving measure dental offices can take. Practices can minimize their environmental footprint by optimizing power usage and transitioning to energy-efficient technologies. Here are 7 examples of ways to start saving energy in your practice:

Turn off the lights when leaving the room.

Turn off the computers when leaving the office for the day.

Replace high-energy office lights with energy-efficient lighting.

Sign up for your energy company’s energy savings program.

Sherman recommends that offices implement an energy audit to identify areas for improvement and prioritize tasks accordingly. They could also hire a consultant who can streamline and expedite the process.

Ever wonder where each tube of toothpaste goes after you throw it away? Think about how many empty toothpaste tubes, floss containers, toothbrushes, floss picks, and toothbrush packages are lying around. Dental professionals play a significant role in the products patients buy. Dental professionals can take simple steps to educate patients on ecofriendly oral care products and alternatives to single-use items. Encouraging patients to choose reusable floss options and promoting larger containers of toothpaste over single-use travel sizes can significantly reduce waste. Offices can stock ecofriendly and all-natural oral care products in their practice solely or to complement current products. Additionally, offices can look into recyclable or biodegradable patient care bags.

Sustainability in dental practices is not only possible but also essential for the well-being of our planet. Small, incremental steps move us toward a cleaner future. By implementing these 7 simple steps, dental professionals can demonstrate their commitment to the environment while delivering exceptional patient care. And remember: Going ecofriendly is not only good for the environment, but it can also support long-term growth and your bottom line.

[Editor's Note: This article has been updated to clarify CDC Guidelines for Infection in Dental Healthcare Settings. The original version stated:

"Another easy way to reduce waste is by using instrument cassettes in the office instead of plastic pouches for sterilization."

The CDC, however, recommends cleaned instruments and other dental supplies should be inspected, assembled into sets or trays, and wrapped, packaged, or placed into container systems for sterilization. The guidelines further state that: Packaging materials (e.g., wraps or container systems) allow penetration of the sterilization agent and maintain sterility of the processed item after sterilization. Materials for maintaining sterility of instruments during transport and storage include 

 perforated instrument cassettes, peel pouches of plastic or paper, and sterilization wraps (i.e., woven and nonwoven).

To avoid putting patient safety at risk by not protecting the sterility of instruments, it is advised to closely follow the CDC guidelines noted here.]

1. Climate change. World Health Organization. October 12, 2023. Accessed March 15, 2024. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/climate-change-and-health

2. Hackley DM. Climate change and oral health. 

. 2021;71(3):173-177. doi:10.1111/idj.12628

3. Ruiz A. 52 huge environmentally conscious consumer statistics. TheRoundup.org. Updated December 22, 2023. Accessed March 15, 2024. https://theroundup.org/environmentally-conscious-consumer-statistics/

4. 80 ways to make your dental practice green. American Dental Association. Accessed January 25, 2022. https://www.ada.org/resources/practice/practice-management/office-design/80-ways-to-make-your-dental-practice-green

Articles

 Paving the path to ecofriendly practices.

 7 Steps Toward a Sustainable Dentistry

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.  

Integration with BeamReaders Gives Carestream Users Instant Access to Dental Radiologists |

Carestream Dental is partnering with BeamReaders in a move designed to encourage clinicians’ confidence in the use of 3D imaging.

Carestream Dental users can now have greater confidence in 3D interpretations thanks to this new integration with BeamReaders directly within CS Imaging version 8 software, the companies announced this week. This seamless sharing of clinical images and treatment information is made possible through Click & Share, a new clinical services platform from Swissmeda.

BeamReaders is a provider of oral and maxillofacial radiology reporting services dedicated to improving patient care. When clinicians need a second opinion on 3D interpretation, the expert dental radiologists at BeamReaders are just a click away. This ensures quick support for clinicians when making critical diagnostic and treatment decisions.

“We are excited to be Carestream Dental’s premier integration partner for its Click & Share technology,” Cory Hatcher, CEO, BeamReaders, says in a press release. "The seamless integration creates one-click access to the imaging expertise of our team of oral and maxillofacial radiologists, saving time and ultimately enhancing patient care.”

Click & Share can be easily accessed in the latest version of CS Imaging—the imaging hub that centralizes and displays all users’ Carestream Dental imaging data. It’s a secure, HIPAA-compliant platform to easily share images and cuts back on the need to export images, zip files or log into a separate portal to upload, the company states. Another benefit is it helps users avoid mistakes on exports and save on back-and-forth time when it comes to submitting the correct files/formats. The service also allows for a larger variety of data sets to be shared, including CBCT volumes.

“Having quick and easy access to expert interpretations can increase doctors’ confidence in their use of 3D imaging,” Jeremy Thomas, vice president, growth initiatives, Carestream Dental, adds in the press release. “That could mean being more comfortable using larger FOVs [field of views] or exploring new clinical workflows they hadn’t considered before, but at the end of the day it means better care for patients.”

Click & Share is made possible by Carestream Dental’s clinical software and cloud sharing brand, Swissmeda. Existing users of CS Imaging can upgrade to the latest version at no cost by 

For additional information on Swissmeda and its suite of clinical software and cloud sharing capabilities, visit carestreamdental.com/swissmeda. For more information on BeamReaders, visit beamreaders.com.

Carestream Dental, a digital solutions leader built on more than 125 years of experience, offers 3 brand portfolios designed to enable practice optimization, efficiency, and growth: Carestream Dental, Swissmeda, and Sensei practice management software and services. The company features a comprehensive offering of imaging products including the CS 8200 3D Neo Edition,

described as a versatile 4-in-1 CBCT imaging system that enables a smoother workflow, delivers precision for every decision, and enables better patient outcomes.

With over 70 dental radiologists and the secure, HIPAA-compliant VoxDental platform, BeamReaders enables dentists to make informed treatment decisions and easily engage with treatment partners.

New partnership is designed to provide Carestream Dental users with greater confidence when interpreting 3D images, and a better understanding of CBCT imaging.

Integration with BeamReaders Gives Carestream Dental Users Instant Access to Dental Radiologists

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. 

Crest Toothpaste Honored as National Historic Chemical Landmark. Image credit: © American Chemical Society

The American Chemical Society (ACS) bestowed its National Historic Chemical Landmark designation upon Crest toothpaste, commemorating the advancement in home dental care at a ceremony held at Procter & Gamble (P&G) headquarters in Cincinnati, Ohio, on April 3, 2024. Crest was introduced in 1955, and was notable for incorporating fluoride chemistry to combat tooth decay.

Crest, developed through a collaborative effort between Indiana University (IU) and P&G, marked a pivotal moment in oral health, according to ACS President Mary K. Caroll in a press release from the ACS. "Following Crest’s introduction, fluoride toothpastes have improved the dental health of millions worldwide by putting powerful cavity-fighting chemistry in the hands of consumers. And that is a legacy to be proud of.”

The transformative power of toothpaste came in the mid-20th century when scientists realized the potential of fluoride in preventing tooth decay. Inspired by the natural fluoride in local water sources, researchers embarked on a mission to incorporate fluoride into toothpaste.

Led by IU researchers like Joseph Muhler, Harry Day, and William Nebergall, alongside support from P&G's Verling Votaw and team, years of research culminated in the discovery of a stannous fluoride formulation that effectively protected teeth without compromising its efficacy. Despite initial challenges with fluoride's reactivity, the team persevered, eventually achieving a breakthrough.

After rigorous testing to demonstrate its effectiveness, Crest toothpaste, enriched with stannous fluoride, received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 1955. By 1960, it became the first toothpaste endorsed by the American Dental Association for its proven ability to combat cavities.

The American Chemical Society has designated Crest toothpaste as a National Historic Chemical Landmark, recognizing its introduction in 1955 as a transformative moment in dental care through the incorporation of fluoride chemistry.

Crest Toothpaste Honored as National Historic Chemical Landmark

Glidewell Announces Rebranded Glidewell HT™ Implant System. Image credit: © Glidewell


Glidewell has announced the rebranding of its Hahn™ Tapered Implant System to the Glidewell HT™ Implant System. Developed in collaboration with implant pioneer Dr Jack Hahn, this rebranding aims to act as a significant milestone in the dental implant industry, according to a press release from Glidewell.

The original Hahn Tapered Implant System has gained widespread adoption among dentists worldwide for its simplified surgical protocol, reported 99.2% success rate, and affordability. Building upon this legacy, the Glidewell HT Implant System will retain the design features that have been said to make its predecessor a go-to solution for dental professionals.

Manufactured using high-strength titanium alloy, Glidewell HT Implants feature a machined collar for crestal bone and soft-tissue preservation, and an aggressive thread design for high primary stability across all bone types. Moreover, the comprehensive system includes a range of surgical instruments and prosthetic components, that are designed to enable placement and restoration across various indications.

One of the primary goals of this rebrand is to reinforce Glidewell's commitment to providing clinicians with enhanced restorative experience and clinical support. Jim Glidewell, founder and president of Glidewell, highlighted the philosophy behind the collaboration with Dr Hahn, stating in the press release, “A big reason Dr Hahn and I teamed up was our shared philosophy of making quality implant treatment available to more patients, as well as more profitable for implant practices.”

Affordability remains a key factor, according to Glidewell.

“The days in which dentists reasonably paid hundreds of dollars for an implant are over,” Glidewell emphasized in the press release. “With the Glidewell HT Implant System, we aim to free practices from the burden of overpriced implants through everyday surgical and restorative cost savings.”

Interested parties are encouraged to learn more by visiting Glidewell’s 

Glidewell has rebranded its flagship Hahn™ Tapered Implant System as the Glidewell HT™ Implant System, maintaining its enhanced features and affordability.

Glidewell Announces Rebranded Glidewell HT™ Implant System

New Deep Clean and Overnight Oral Rinses Now Available from TheraBreath | Image Credit: © TheraBreath

TheraBreath™ has expanded its brand of mouthwash products with a pair of new dentist-formulated, alcohol-free, and dye-free solutions for oral health.

The fast-growing mouthwash brand this week announced 2 new additions to its portfolio—the TheraBreath Deep Clean Oral Rinse and TheraBreath Overnight Oral Rinse. Both rinses are formulated to offer beneﬁts for consumer’s individual needs.

TheraBreath Deep Clean Oral Rinse signifies the company’s debut with antiseptic beneﬁts all while preserving the brand’s signature alcohol-free formula across their oral rinses. The new rinse effectively kills 99.9% of germs that cause bad breath, plaque, and gingivitis (in laboratory testing). To be offered in a new Fresh Mint ﬂavor, the rinse provides a minty fresh taste.

When used as directed, TheraBreath Overnight Oral Rinse is an anticavity ﬂuoride rinse that ﬁghts bad breath for up to 12 hours. Specially intended for nighttime use, it also helps to prevent cavities and strengthen enamel, according to the manufacturer. Coming in a Chamomile Mint ﬂavor, this new rinse is intended to align well with bedtime routines.

TheraBreath Deep Clean Oral Rinse is available in a new Fresh Mint ﬂavor. | Image Credit: © TheraBreath

“These new rinses reﬂect our deep commitment to oral care. They are crafted from research and understanding of what our consumers truly need–effectiveness and a product that ﬁts seamlessly into their daily lives,” Anthony Cirigliano, TheraBreath's lead product development engineer, says in a press release.

With the consumer’s individual needs in mind, the company says TheraBreath's products cater to a personalized approach to oral hygiene and therefore offer speciﬁc beneﬁts. TheraBreath Deep Clean Oral Rinse and TheraBreath Overnight Oral Rinse are now available at retailers nationwide including Walmart, Walgreens, and Target

The TheraBreath brand was acquired by Church & Dwight Co., Inc. in 2021, becoming the latest addition to its family of oral care products that include Waterpik®water ﬂossers, ARM & HAMMER™ toothpaste, and Spinbrush™ toothbrushes.

Latest dentist-formulated rinses continue to deliver alcohol-free oral care solutions to consumers.

New Deep Clean and Overnight Oral Rinses Now Available from TheraBreath

National Dental Hygienists Week Reminds Us to Appreciate All the Great Care Provided |

Image Credit: © Juandy - stock.adobe.com

There are many distractions in and around a busy dental practice, and even some rare things happening in the skies above us this week, but it’s important not to ever forget to appreciate the great work turned in by dental teams everywhere.

In March we had our share of national dental holidays, including Dental Assistants Recognition Week (the first full week each March), and National Dentist Day (March 6). This week it’s time to recognize the hard work and passionate dental care turned in by hygienists, as the second week of April marks National Dental Hygienists Week™, celebrated annually April 4-10. Appropriately, the celebration takes place in April which is Oral Health Month.

Last year, the American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) celebrated 100 years as the largest national organization representing the professional interests of dental hygienists. According to the association’s website, the ADHA community is made up of more than 226,000 registered dental hygienists (RDHs) from across the country.

National Dental Hygiene Month is in October, and the ADHA teamed with Colgate® Oral Pharmaceuticals, Inc to celebrate all month long in October of 2023. The month-long activities included the ADHA Institute for Oral Health Foundation, ADHA and Colgate’s 

While we may not be in October now, we are in the middle of National Dental Hygienists Week, so don’t forget that hygienists should always be valued and recognized for their critical roles in improving the public’s oral and overall health.

Hygienists should always be recognized for the critical roles they play in helping to improve oral and overall health.

National Dental Hygienists Week Reminds Us to Appreciate All the Great Care Provided

Medit to Unveil its Next Scanner, the i900, on April 29 | Image Credit: © Medit

3D scanner manufacturer Medit plans to unveil its latest intraoral scanner later this month, the ergonomic Medit i900, which promises to deliver increased precision and control. The company will reveal the Medit i900 during a global virtual event planned for April 29, 2024, the company announced today.

The company introduced its first intraoral scanner more than 5 years ago when the economical i500 model was well received by the industry as a quality device at a lower cost compared to other options.

"Our customer focus fuels our advancements," Medit CTO Michael Lee says in a press release announcing the upcoming launch. "The i900 is a testament to our pursuit of innovation, empowering dentists to redefine the standards of patient care and practice efficiency."

The Medit i900 features an innovative new control interface, faster, smoother scanning, improved ergonomics, and enhanced material capture technology, according to the company. It is designed to enhance user-friendliness while offering precision and control.

"Medit has maintained a unique clinician-driven approach to product development," Han Ryu, chief growth & strategy officer at Medit adds in the press release. "The i900 embodies everything Medit stands for: intuitive design, cutting-edge software, and industry-leading imaging technology. But most importantly, it represents a leap forward in how digital dentistry can transform patient care."

Medit’s first intraoral scanner, the i500, was released in 2018. It offered clinicians a high-precision, user-friendly option at a significantly lower cost than competitors, Medit states. Building on this success, the company introduced its top-selling i700 in 2021, followed by the lightweight Medit i700 Wireless, and i600 in 2022. These offerings provide a comprehensive range of scanners designed to accommodate all types of dental practices.

The Medit i900 will also include the company's Medit Link platform, which offers free dental apps to boost productivity and streamline workflows. Medit Link seamlessly integrates with other platforms, services, and hardware. In December 2023, the company announced substantial updates to its Medit Link software designed to provide new opportunities for digital dentistry in the practice. These enhancements aim to strengthen the collaboration between dental clinics and laboratories. The focal point of these updates is the release of Medit Link v3.2.0, which encompasses significant improvements and features. Included in this release were Medit Scan for Clinics v1.11.0 and Medit Scan for Labs v1.6.0, both equipped with innovative capabilities designed to create standards in the field and to produce improved patient outcomes.

Medit says the i900 represents the next evolution of intraoral scanners. For more information on the new product and how it can impact digital dentistry, visit 

https://www.medit.com/medit-i900-teaser/.

The company, which has been headquartered in Seoul, South Korea since its inception in 2000 and has locations in Long Beach, California, and in Europe, also develops innovative software for digital dentistry, supporting collaborative workflows between dental clinics and labs. Medit boasts a global network of distributors in over 100 countries.

Dental manufacturer to debut its latest intraoral scanner during a global virtual event later this month.

Medit to Unveil its Next Scanner, the i900, on April 29

International Summit Addresses Recommendations for Oral Antiseptics | Image Credit: © SEPA

During an online press conference from the SEPA (Spanish Society of Periodontology) Foundation’s headquarters in Madrid, Spain, on Friday, April 5, an international summit of experts presented practical recommendations and indications for the use of antiseptics, highlighting the solid scientific evidence currently available. The latest scientific and clinical evidence, systematic reviews of studies, and reference guides for dental professionals all support the efficacy and value of antiseptics as a complement to daily oral hygiene, and their use is considered a part of the prevention and treatment of periodontal diseases, the panelists stated.

Prioritizing the prevention and treatment of periodontal diseases and promoting periodontal health is key to improving overall health outcomes, preserving natural teeth, reducing healthcare costs, enhancing quality of life, and promoting public health. These benefits and findings were highlighted at the summit held at the Casa de las Encías in Madrid. Members of the media, including 

 were invited to attend the summit via Zoom. The event combined current knowledge and analyzed the scientific literature and prevailing international guidelines to clarify the role of certain mouthwashes in oral hygiene, gingivitis treatment, and periodontitis prevention

"Periodontal diseases are prevalent worldwide, affecting hundreds of millions of people," meeting coordinator, Dr. Paula Matesanz, vice president of SEPA, says. She acknowledges that "focusing on prevention and promoting periodontal treatment among the general public allows us to reduce the burden of this disease, improve equality in oral health, and promote overall public health. And to achieve this ambitious objective, there are effective and safe resources that are still currently underutilized."

 reported that The SEPA Foundation and Listerine® had united under the banner of “Principles for Oral Health,” a bold global initiative aimed at advancing periodontal health and ensuring that oral healthcare professionals worldwide have access to essential tools for primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention of periodontitis. SEPA is a global nonprofit scientific organization with over 65 years of experience that serves as a cornerstone in international periodontology, boasting strong ties to prestigious societies and federations worldwide.

Oral antiseptics, generally antimicrobial mouthwashes or rinses including Listerine products, can play a key role in preventing periodontal diseases and their recurrence, given their ability to reduce dental biofilm formation. Depending on their active ingredients, as revealed by an analysis of the scientific literature, these products can help reduce bacterial load, complement daily oral hygiene practices, reduce plaque and inflammation rates, or even be incorporated as additional resources in periodontal maintenance programs, the researchers state. These benefits can help preserve periodontal health and support the long-term success of periodontal treatment.

Backed by these findings, the panelists discussed the need to make clinical practice guidelines, developed by the European Federation of Periodontology (EFP) and adapted by SEPA for use in Spain, accessible to oral health professionals, physicians, pharmacists, patients, and the general population. With a focus on engaging, empowering and educating, the group agreed that it’s important for dental professionals to be aware of this research and to then be able to educate their patients. "So that scientific knowledge is more accessible and capable of improving health," Dr Matesanz adds.

One takeaway from the meeting of experts is the need for dental professionals to have practical, simple, and easy-to-follow recommendations on the use of oral antiseptics. SEPA did state, however, that these mouthwashes do not replace tooth brushing, but can be a valuable adjunct to support periodontal health.

The Clinical Practice Guidelines for the treatment of periodontitis in stages I–III and the conclusions of the XI Periodontology Workshop of the European Federation of Periodontology provide recommendations and indications for the use of these resources. However, the panelists add that these recommendations may sometimes be complex for the oral health team, and this in turn may limit their use. This, even though, scientific information supporting the impact of certain mouthwashes and toothpastes with antiseptic formulations has been available for decades and is part of dental education.

Dr. David Herrera, trustee of the SEPA Foundation and co-director of the Etiology and Therapeutics of Periodontal Diseases Research Group (ETEP) at the Complutense University of Madrid (UCM), points out, "scientific information is often mixed with less reliable sources, inducing confusion among oral health professionals."

The Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Treatment of Periodontitis in Stages I–III, developed by the European Federation of Periodontology, is one of the main sources of information and guidance on the prevention and management of periodontitis, and is in use in many countries. But, as detailed by Dr. Iain Chapple, professor of periodontology and head of research at the Institute of Clinical Sciences of the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom, several factors have prevented the use of oral antiseptics from getting the strong recommendations many believe they should.

The evidence from systematic reviews on the adjunctive use of oral antiseptics was strong, but due to cost implications, environmental factors, and the presence of alcohol in many mouthwashes, the consensus was to reduce the recommendation from strongly favorable to an“open” recommendation, an aspect that this meeting of experts has sought to clarify and overcome through a soon-to-be-released report that is expected to be widely disseminated and implemented globally, according to Dr Chapple.

Some antimicrobial mouthwashes have been shown to be effective in controlling dental biofilm and gingival inflammation in many studies, including numerous randomized clinical trials, according to a press release from SEPA. But it is important to understand their impact on the primary prevention of periodontal diseases (preventing their appearance) and on secondary prevention (reducing the risk of recurrence after treatment of periodontitis), the experts add.

The summit attendees state the need to focus attention on the prevention of periodontitis and, therefore, adequately treat gingivitis. "It is time for a paradigm shift: we must control gingivitis and not wait until periodontitis develops," Dr Chapple adds.

While dental professionals realize that proper tooth brushing is essential for good oral health, some situations may make this difficult—and this is where mouthwash can have a positive impact. The primary procedure for managing gingivitis and periodontitis is mechanical plaque removal, but this may not always successfully remove 100% of the biofilm. "Sometimes it is not realistic for high-risk individuals to remove enough plaque daily to remain periodontally healthy," Dr Chapple says.

To further this point, Dr. Filippo Graziani, professor of periodontology at the University of Pisa (Italy) and honorary professor at University College London (United Kingdom), says a lack of technique and even motivation in tooth brushing can limit its results, so he recommends the complementary use of mouthwash. According to Graziani, "mouthwash is easier to use than brushing and can reach even the most difficult-to-access areas."

Over the past 5 years, the EFP has endorsed systematic reviews (Serrano et al., 2015; Figuero et al., 2020) showing that while mechanical plaque control by patients remains fundamental to successful periodontal treatment, antiseptic agents, including certain mouthwashes, may be more effective than toothpaste in plaque removal and reducing gingival inflammation. Recently, Graziani's research group published the results of a large randomized clinical trial, revealing that the primary factor in resolving gingivitis is a high level of plaque control and the use of appropriate devices. Hence, according to him, "mouthwashes are not only effective for their antiplaque properties but also for their ability to modulate inflammation."

The summit is a result of the collaboration between Kenvue and SEPA. Listerine is a brand of Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc., a subsidiary of Kenvue.

"Bringing together this illustrious group of global experts to analyze the scientific literature, guidelines, and share their extensive clinical and research experiences is of vital importance to address the existing challenges in periodontal care," Soha Dattani, director and head of scientific engagement, Listerine Oral Care, EMEA, states in a press release. She adds the Principles for Oral Health initiative represents an important step to educate and train oral health professionals so that they receive optimal support to help their patients on their journey towards periodontal health.

SEPA Foundation meeting focuses on controlling gingivitis and on the value of antiseptics, and guidelines for their use.

International Summit Addresses Recommendations for Oral Antiseptics 

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ClearCorrect Digital Workflow

All the latest dental product launches from April 1 through April 5, 2024.

New Dental Products – April 1 - April 5, 2024

Dental professionals can now enjoy an enhanced ClearCorrect Digital Workflow as additional features and improvements were recently unveiled by ClearCorrect® designed to enable clinicians to expand their digital orthodontic practices.

These new products and features for elevating clinicians' practices include upgrades to the Virtuo Vivo workflow and the company’s Sync Mobile App. The enhancements deliver improved efficiency, and streamlined record collection, case submission, and case review management. ClearCorrect’s ClearPilot™ 8.0 is also part of the globally launched upgrades, now offering increased setup control and accuracy.

Available beginning in April 2024, the Virtuo Vivo expanded workflow supports all ClearCorrect workflows, including new aligner orders, new retainer orders and case revisions. This gives clinicians maximum flexibility and the ability to focus on doing their best work.

Fast scanning feature for ClearCorrect cases

The latest IOS integrations, including the expanded Virtuo Vivo workflow, allow clinicians to delegate operational steps in the intraoral scanning process to their staff (where allowed by law). These workflow upgrades are designed to benefit clinicians, the development of their staff, and the dental practices.

The latest version of the ClearCorrect Sync App allows clinicians to digitalize their operations for more efficient practice management.The app includes an expanded range of features to easily start, review and manage cases:

Receive notifications for cases that need attention

Access to case details, such as shipment tracking

Access the Doctor Portal and ClearPilot directly in-app (when an action is required)

The Sync Mobile App 2.0 is said to make collecting and submitting records, to reviewing and managing cases, more streamlined and providing clinicians a seamless digital end-to-end experience.

Upgrades to the Virtuo Vivo workflow and ClearCorrect’s Sync Mobile App are designed to deliver enhanced digital workflows for clinicians. | Image Credit: © ClearCorrect

Designed to deliver more control and better experiences, the new software features advanced editing tools, like Bite Jump Editing, Tilt/Cant positioning, Multiple IPR Editing, and user interface improvements         .

Bite Jump Editing allows the position of the jaw to be adjusted, to more accurately visualize potential treatment outcomes, when using advanced techniques   

Tilt/Cant allows the 3D model's position to be adjusted, to more accurately reflect the jaw position, to fit the patient's facial lines

Multiple IPR Editing applies and distributes IPR values, among several teeth at once

User interface improvements, such as a keyboard shortcut guide, improved visualization, and optimized utilities for a better user experience

Additionally, the company’s Practice Growth Offering provides a comprehensive suite of marketing, education, and business resources to assist clinicians and staff when it comes to growing their practices and offering ClearCorrect to patients with confidence.

The Round Rock, Texas-based company works to elevate dental and orthodontic practices, allowing clinicians to achieve their desired treatment results for an expanded group of treatable patients. ClearCorrect supports the treatment of malocclusion, and last fall announced key updates made to the Premier Aligner, Digital Workflow, and Practice Growth offerings.

ClearCorrect is backed by the Straumann Group, which includes brands that can look back on a long history of research and innovation. This helps enable the creation of cutting-edge products, with advanced technology, fully integrated digital workflows, combined with outstanding service, support and education, the company states.

Orthodontics company unveils new digital solutions designed to improve clinical efficiencies and produce better patient outcomes.