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.  

Sunstar unveiled multiple new products at the recent Chicago Dental Society (CDS) Midwinter Meeting including its new GUM® Multi-Clean Toothbrush.

Designed to provide patients with a thorough brushing experience, the new toothbrush features bristles with a multi-level interdental cut to help access the hardest to reach areas, soft bristles that clean yet are gentle on gums, and a tongue cleaner to help prevent bad breath.

The GUM® Multi-Clean Toothbrush has an ergonomic handle designed to improve control and a medium head size between full and compact. The new toothbrushes are available in a variety of contemporary colors.

The company also launched its new GUM® Sonic Power Toothbrush at the CDS Midwinter Meeting. Designed to deliver a superior cleaning experience effectively and gently cleaning below the gum line and between the teeth, the battery-powered Sonic Power Toothbrush features deep clean bi-level tapered bristles proven to reach 19X deeper below the gum line than leading battery toothbrushes, according to Sunstar.

Articles

The new toothbrush’s bristles have a multi-level interdental cut for optimal access along with soft bristles to gently clean around the gums.

Sunstar’s New GUM Multi-Clean Toothbrush Provides Thorough, Soft Cleaning

Eric Kukucka, DD, vice president – clinical removable prosthetics & design technologies shares how Aspen Dental is working to make dental care more accessible.

CDS 2024: Breaking Down Barriers to Care with Eric Kukucka, DD

Hi, I'm Erica Kukucka, vice president of clinical removable prosthetics & design technologies at Aspen Dental. We're really excited for people at the Chicago Midwinter Dental Society meeting today to come by our booth at Aspen Dental and to really learn how we break down barriers and provide better access to care not only in our offices, but also through our oral care center and all the various initiatives we have going on. When the company started 25 years ago in 1988, our founder Bob Fontana believed dentistry could be better for patients and doctors alike. Now today with over 1100 locations, 300 Practice owners, and 1500 dentists, and over 1000 dental technicians serving over 30,000 patients each and every single day, we want you to come see our story and come see why we believe we are truly breaking down those barriers and are the place for dentistry for all of you.

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At the 2024 Chicago Dental Society Midwinter Meeting, Eric Kukucka, DD, vice president – clinical removable prosthetics & design technologies at Aspen Dental shares how Aspen is working to make dental care more accessible.

Lynne Slim is an award-winning dental author who has published extensively in dental/dental hygiene journals including 

Journal of the Western Society of Periodontology

. She was the periodontal columnist for RDH magazine for about 17 years and is now a columnist for 

 and is a member of their advisory board. In 2003, Lynne founded Perio C Dent, a dental practice management company that specializes in the incorporation of non-surgical periodontal therapy into the hygiene department of the general dental practice.

As a key opinion leader in the dental industry, Lynne is frequently asked to review new products and write product reviews. She participates in product development and is consulted about consumer/RDH product awareness. Lynne received the Philips Oral Healthcare “Mentor of Distinction” award at the 2012 ADHA Annual Session.

Ms. Newkirk received her dental hygiene degree from the University of Alaska, Anchorage, in 1981. A recognized key opinion leader in periodontal endoscopy, Suzanne has published numerous articles and co-authored several dental textbook chapters on minimally invasive non-surgical periodontal therapy with use of the dental endoscope.

Ms. Newkirk is the national and international dental endoscopy instructor for Zest Dental Solutions and is a professional speaker. Her website is: 

A Comparison of Nursing and Dental Hygiene | Image Credit: © Valerii Honcharuk - stock.adobe.com

Regarding the history of the dental hygiene profession, it does seem that, in many ways, it paralleled the development of general nursing in the sense that both began with a general concept that took many years to mature and become established practice. And yet the profession of nursing has expanded far and away beyond that of dental hygiene.

Although modern registered nurses (RN) and registered dental hygienists (RDH) share almost identical general education prerequisites and core curricula specific to their field, RNs are licensed and regulated through their own professional board, have more autonomy, a broader scope of practice, and less restrictive practice acts than licensed dental hygienists. It is reasonable to question this discrepancy and ask, can dental hygiene ever catch up?

Most people think the nursing profession began with the work of Florence Nightingale. However, the concept of formalized nursing began as early as the late 1700s when some physicians initiated courses for women interested in caring for patients. It wasn’t until 1854, when Nightingale led a group of women to the Crimea to deliver nursing services to British soldiers, that she confirmed that a corps of educated women informed about health and the ways to promote it, could improve the care of patients based on a set of particular principles.

By 1873, there were 3 educational nursing programs established in the U.S.based on Nightingale’s ideas.The success of the schools led to a proliferation of similar nursing programs and by 1900 there were somewhere between 400 to 800 nursing programs operating in the country.

 However, there were no consistent training standards in place and many of the programs varied from 6-week to 3-year programs. Most of the programs were located in hospitals, schools, private residences, or through correspondence schools.

In comparison, the concept of dental hygiene as a profession didn’t emerge until 1902, when Dr. C.M. Wright published the article, "A Plea for a Sub-Specialty in Dentistry.” Dr Wright stated “the time has arrived when I believe we should make it possible for, and encourage, a specialty within a specialty devoted to the polishing of teeth and caring of the gums.” The article called for dental colleges to provide the education and training and grant a certificate of competence to graduates. Dr Wright went on to emphasize that graduates of the program could be employed by dentists, practice at offices of their own, or at the homes of patients. In addition, he urged dentists to use their influence to recommend the new specialists, 

“just as physicians and surgeons recommend and insist upon the services of the trained nurse.”

 Dr Wright’s article was the first of many to advocate not only for the profession of dental hygiene, but also for the recognition of this as a specialty within the wider frame of oral health, with its own experts established as independent practitioners.

In 1906, Irene Newman became the first dental hygienist and began providing prophylactic work for the patients of Dr. Alfred Fones. By 1916, dental hygiene education was formalized by its establishment in institutions of higher education.

 Although nursing organized 2 major professional associations in the late 1890s, it wasn’t until 1923 that dental hygiene organized on a national level by founding the American Dental Hygienists' Association (ADHA). It took another 34 years for dental hygienists to receive the title of Registered Dental Hygienist in 1940.

When nursing organized in the late 1890s, the primary objectives were to establish some control over the profession and stem the growth of substandard nursing schools. State licensure seemed to be a reasonable mechanism to achieve these goals as physicians were already registered in all states and the Union. The United States Supreme Court had ruled that occupational licensure was a legitimate function of the police powers of the states.Thus the model was available and the way cleared for nurses to seek licensure.

To facilitate the registration campaign, nurses organized to set up constituent state groups with local memberships lobbying for registration acts. By 1923, all 48 states had passed some form of nursing licensure legislation.

 Although medicine was in a monopoly position, each state eventually had a nursing board composed of both nurses and physicians.

 In 1978, the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) was created to manage the nurse-licensing examination which consisted of a representative from each state board, an executive director, and the staff. The purpose of the change was to relieve the American Nurses Association (ANA) from management of the licensing examination and give state boards ‘‘autonomous control over the entire licensure process.’’

 Thus the profession of nursing became self-regulated.

In comparison, it wasn’t until 1951 that all 50 states required licensure and regulation of dental hygienists. However, unlike nursing, dental hygienists were licensed and regulated 

by state dental boards comprised only of dentists

California is the only state to have its own dental hygiene board.

Although dental hygiene has advanced since its inception in the early 1900s, nursing has far surpassed dental hygiene in practice acts and autonomy. Advanced practice nurses have achieved general supervision for most of the specialties they provide and are widely recognized as delivering more efficient, less costly and safer health care services. How about dental hygiene? Can we really say that dental hygiene mirrors nursing with similar advancements? Are we, like nurses, beginning to achieve the status of a full profession and does our educational level make a difference in the practice of dental hygiene?

In Part 2 of this series of articles, we will evaluate how nursing and dental hygiene have undergone a progression of academic and career ladders along with advancement in new types of healthcare providers who specialize in different settings and how grassroots advocation for one’s profession makes a difference.

1. American Nursing: An Introduction to the Past https://www.nursing.upenn.edu/nhhc/american-nursing-an-introduction-to-the-past/ Accessed March 8, 2024.

2. The Story of Nurse Licensure https://downloads.lww.com/wolterskluwer_vitalstream_com/journal_library/nne_03633624_2011_36_1_16.pdf Accessed March 8, 2024.

3. The Origin and History of the Dental Hygienists https://jdh.adha.org/content/jdenthyg/87/suppl_1/58.full.pdf Accessed March 8, 2024.

4. A Plea for a Sub-Specialty in Dentistry https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10156230/pdf/intdentjphil142911-0008.pdf Accessed March 8, 2024.

5. The Law and the Expanding Nursing Rolehttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1653228/pdf/amjph00490-0005.pd

6. The Evolution of Dental Hygiene Education https://dimensionsofdentalhygiene.com/article/the-evolution-of-dental-hygiene-education/ Accessed March 8, 2024.

In part 1 of this series the authors look at the early beginnings of dental hygiene and how the profession attempts to parallel the growth and autonomy of nursing.

A Comparison of Nursing and Dental Hygiene

The former SmileDirectClub production facility is up for sale. | Image Credit: Gordon Brothers

The dissolution of now shuttered direct-to-consumer clear aligner pioneer SmileDirectClub continues as the company’s former 3D printing and aligner production center in Antioch, Tennessee is currently up for sale.

 posted by asset liquidation company Gordon Brothers, bids are being accepted for SmileDirectClub’s former clear aligner production lines, 3D printers, and support assets. The sale notes that the intellectual property once owned by SmileDirectClub is available via other sellers.

Among the notable items listed in the sale were 7 Gen2 automated FlexLink clear aligner production lines, 1 Gen 2 automated FlexLink retainer production line, and 9 Gen 1 clear aligner production lines. These systems include thermoformers, robotic arms, laser etchers, milling machines, and more. The production center also used robotic parts sorting solutions.

Not all of the items in the sale are giant production systems. The listing also notes 675 iTero Element intraoral scanners “many of which are brand new in the box”, along with 18 3Shape R2000 scanners. Numerous 3D printers are noted in the listing including commercial-grade printers from Hewlett-Packard, and other printers from Formlabs, SprintRay, and EnvisionTEC.

The listing also mentions $10 million worth of dental supplies including putty, polishing brushes, whitening pens, and more.

The facility seems to include everything needed to operate, as it also includes $1.9 million in spare parts for the production equipment, a fully equipped machine shop, and office furniture and computer equipment.

The final notable part of the sales listing is the former SmileDirectClub research and development laboratory, which is fully equipped with 3D printers, scanners, microscopes, and other tools and testing devices.

The sale of the Tennessee production facility runs through April 1, and interested parties can scheduling a viewing of the equipment through the listing.

Asset liquidation firm Gordon Brothers recently posted a sale of the former SmileDirectClub production facility in Antioch, Tennessee, including the clear aligner production technology the now bankrupt company once used.

Buy a Clear Aligner Production Facility and Other Equipment in This Sale of SmileDirectClub’s Former Assets

Clinical Solutions Antiseptic Gum Health | Image Credit: © Kenvue, Inc

At the General Session & Exhibition of the International Association for Dental Research (IADR) this week in New Orleans, Louisiana, Kenvue, Inc is presenting new data indicating improved protection against plaque, a reduced prevalence of gingivitis, and/or fresher breath with the addition of the company’s Listerine® products to a daily routine that also includes brushing and flossing.

The IADR meeting is being held in conjunction with the annual meetings of the American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research (AADOCR) and the Canadian Association for Dental Research (CADR) from March 13-16 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans.

Kenvue states that in 2 oral presentations and 2 poster discussions, researchers are sharing data supporting the clinical effectiveness of several of the company’s popular products, including Listerine® Cool Mint and Cool Mint Zero Alcohol mouthwashes, Listerine® Clinical Solutions Antiseptic Gum Health Mouthwash, and Listerine® Clinical Solutions Breath Defense Mouthwash. The findings demonstrate better protection against plaque, less prevalence of gingivitis, and improved fresher breath with the use of these products in a daily oral hygiene regimen that includes brushing and flossing, according to Kenvue.

“For clinicians who routinely recommend oral health regimens to patients, it’s important to be aware of the latest evidence to support that recommendation,” Karina Ribeiro, global head of R&D, essential health at Kenvue, says in a press release this week. “IADR is a great platform to discuss our latest findings with thousands of the world’s leading scientists, industry professionals, academicians, and practicing healthcare providers. Our researchers look forward to convening with colleagues across the field of oral health to share our commitment to science-backed, care-forward solutions that deliver safe, effective, everyday care.”

Clinical Solutions Breath Defense: Offering 24-hour fresh breath when used twice daily, this mouthwash includes zinc chloride and cutting-edge technology that neutralizes and transforms odor molecules, along with 4 essential oils that effectively combat bacteria. | Image Credit: © Kenvue, Inc

Listerine is a brand of Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc., a subsidiary of Kenvue.

Kenvue experts, along with external research partners including Kimberly Milleman, RDH, PhD, are presenting findings this week from 4 studies including:

Plaque-Free Sites in a 12-Week Supervised Mouthrinse/Floss Trial 

(Milleman KR, et al), presented by lead author Kimberly Ruth Milleman, RDH, BSEd, MS, PhD, global clinical director of Salus Research, Inc., in Indiana.

In this randomized trial, the researchers tested the plaque-controlling efficacy of a flossing and/or brushing routine with an essential oil mouthwash. In evaluating the percentage of whole-mouth plaque-free sites at weeks 4 and 12, statistically significant differences favored groups whose regimens included mouthwash, the study states.

• Flossing Time/TechniqueCompetency in Supervised Plaque, Gingivitis Clinical Trial

(Bosma ML, et al). Authorand Kenvue R&D Manager Gabriella John is the presenter for this study, which is a 12-week, virtually supervised randomized trial. The research found that training in American Dental Association flossing techniques, coupled with virtual dental hygienist supervision, improved participants’ flossing skills. It also found that an essential oil mouth rinse helped offset for remaining flossing insufficiencies, ultimately improving gingival health, and reducing interproximal plaque, according to Kenvue.

• Efficacy of Essential Oil and Zinc-Containing Mouthrinse on Plaque Microbiome

presented by lead author Kyungrok Min, PhD, principal scientist at Kenvue. This study used quantitative microbiome analysis to determine that mouth rinses containing a fixed combination of 4 essential oils (EO) and zinc were effective in reducing plaque and gingivitis and creating a healthier plaque microbiota.

• Mouthrinse Effect on Oral Malodor Using Gas Chromatography/Organoleptic Judges

 (Milleman J, et al). Milleman is also the presenter for this study, a single-center randomized, placebo-controlled trial that confirmed the ability of an experimental mouth rinse to neutralize oral malodor by reducing volatile sulfur compounds, the primary source of bad breath. For this test, the mouth rinse contained essential oil, zinc, and an odor-neutralizing technology.

A trio of Listerine formulations made their debut at SmileCon 2023 

as Kenvue Inc., a global leader in consumer health, presented the expansion of its renowned Listerine brand known as Listerine® Clinical Solutions at the American Dental Association’s annual event in October 2023.

Consumer health company Kenvue, Inc shares research indicating the oral health benefits of its Listerine brand of products.

Clinical Evidence Presented at IADR This Week Shows Listerine Improves Protection Against Plaque and Gingivitis

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. 

5Ws* ArmiGard. Image credit: © Armis Biopharma

Compiled by Kellie Nock // Information provided by Armis Biopharma®

A non-toxic, non-corrosive solution that effectively removes bacteria on a variety of dental appliances.

Patients can purchase ArmiGard from offices via a revenue-generating in-office retail program.

Used to decontaminate oral appliances, including dentures, aligners, mouthguards, removable bridges, OSA appliances and CPAP masks.

ArmiGard is specifically formulated to remove odor-causing bacteria and sanitize the oral appliance between uses without causing damage, distortion or reduction to clarity to the appliance material. 

ArmiGard uses a proprietary peracid/hydrogen-peroxide-based non-systemic antimicrobial agent that is designed specifically to eliminate a variety of bacteria, viruses, and fungi. This formula has been independently verified, according to Armis Biopharma, and enables a new standard of efficacy in dental infection control for advanced oral appliance hygiene.

This flagship product from Armis Biopharma specifically designed for use on dental appliances, is said to eliminate 99.9999% of bacteria. 

5Ws* ArmiGard™

Carestream Dental’s latest addition to its Sensei practice management portfolio is Rx Manager, a cloud-based prescription management platform. This latest addition boasts a comprehensive array of features aimed at enhancing the prescribing process for dental practitioners. Among its highlights are instantaneous alerts regarding potential drug interactions, detailed medication histories, and other essential information crucial for prescribers' decision-making processes, as outlined in a press release from Carestream.

Key feature to this electronic prescription platform is its emphasis on cybersecurity––including built-in encryption, HIPAA compliance, and a partnership with iCoreConnect to ensure optimal privacy practices, per the press release. These measures underscore the company's dedication to safeguarding sensitive patient information and maintaining the trust of practitioners and patients alike. Rx Manager for Sensei is specifically designed to integrate into dental practice management software, providing practices with a straightforward solution for electronic prescribing. Monica Minore, chief revenue officer at Sensei, emphasized the platform's role in empowering dental practices with cutting-edge solutions while upholding the highest standards of security and reliability.

“At Sensei, Carestream Dental’s practice management business, our mission is to empower dental practices with cutting-edge solutions, all while guaranteeing the highest standards of security and reliability,” Minore said in the press release. “The introduction of Rx Manager epitomizes our dedication to meeting our clients’ evolving needs. We are proud to present a solution that reimagines the future of electronic prescription management.”

According to the press release, Rx Manager is currently compatible with Sensei Cloud, PracticeWorks, OrthoTrac, SoftDent, and WinOMS software platforms. Prospective users are encouraged to explore the 

 for further details and to discover how Rx Manager can elevate their prescribing processes.

This cloud-based prescription management platform from Carestream Dental features advanced features and robust cybersecurity measures.


Carestream Dental Launches Rx Manager for Sensei

Ivoclar has a long-standing collaboration with vhf camfacture AG and the partnership continues to strengthen following the announcement that vhf is now also an oﬃcial Ivoclar Authorized Milling Partner for the renowned lithium disilicate ceramic IPS e.max CAD.

The IPS e.max Authorized Milling Partner accolade represents a validated and well coordinated processing procedure between the dental material and the milling device. The 2 companies state this seal of quality guarantees high-precision, high-quality restorations and has now been oﬃcially awarded to vhf.

The latest announcement comes after vhf was one of the ﬁrst manufacturers to be certiﬁed as an Ivoclar Authorized Milling Partner for the Ivotion Denture System in February 2023. That

collaboration was designed to offer customers maximum flexibility in designing and producing digital prosthetic solutions.

As part of the newest collaboration, the vhf DENTALCAM 8.09 software update will be available in mid-March 2024, and the IPS e.max CAD for PrograMill in the vhf N4+ will be authorized for crowns, inlays, onlays, veneers and 3-unit dental bridges up to the second premolar, the companies say. vhf also plans to obtain authorization from Ivoclar for additional wet grinding machines soon.

“The collaboration between vhf and Ivoclar to achieve a successful validation reinforces the trust and certainty of users in the quality and precision of the vhf dental milling machines. The IPS e.max Authorized Milling Partner

accolade is the oﬃcial declaration that dental and practice laboratories can process IPS e.max CAD in an optimal procedure with vhf machines,” says Lucas Kehl, head of product at vhf camfacture AG, in a press release.

Vhf, a leading manufacturer of modern dental milling machines, high-precision milling tools and associated CAM software, is well known internationally for its high standards of quality and the innovative strength of its products; 2 characteristics shared by vhf and Ivoclar. The N4+ machine is the top seller from the company’s vhf PERFORMANCE CLASS. The 4-axis wet grinding machine has served many dental laboratories and practices since 2020.

Earlier this year, vhf updated the N4+ and the dental milling machine now has a new machine design and the company reports that even the most demanding users are happy with the wet processing capabilities of the device.

“We are delighted to further expand our already very successful partnership with vhf. We share the high standards that we want to oﬀer our customers at all times, along with the constant development of our products and workﬂows,” Stefan Schulz, director global business unit clinical prosthetics at Ivoclar, adds in the press release.

IPS e.max CAD has been a popular choice of dental technicians and clinicians for 2 decades. The clinically proven lithium disilicate glass ceramic material features a strength of 530 MPa,

 which Ivoclar states achieves impressive results with its natural color behavior and optimal light-optical properties. After the blocks are wet processed, the restorations are crystallized in a Programat furnace.

The vhf DENTALCAM 8.09 software update will be available in mid-March 2024, and the IPS e.max CAD for PrograMill in the vhf N4+ will be authorized for crowns, inlays, onlays,veneers and 3-unit dental bridges up to the second premolar. vhf is also planning to obtain authorization from Ivoclar for additional wet grinding machines soon.

The Ivoclar Group, headquartered in Schaan, Liechtenstein, is one of the world's leading manufacturers of integrated solutions for high-quality dental applications. vhf camfacture has its headquarters in Ammerbuch, Germany near Stuttgart.

With second Ivoclar certification in past year, vhf is now an oﬃcial Ivoclar Authorized Milling Partner for the renowned lithium disilicate ceramic IPS e.max CAD.

vhf camfacture AG and Ivoclar Further Strengthen Partnership

This year’s annual Organization for Safety, Asepsis, and Prevention (OSAP) Conference will be a celebration, recognizing the organization’s 40 years of service to the dental industry. It will take place in Tucson, Arizona from May 30 – June 1, 2024, and attendees can register now.

As part of the 40-year celebration, OSAP will be hosting a fun, 80s-themed welcome dinner, a live silent auction, and an Under the Stars reception on Saturday night, according to a press release from the organization. The event aims to be an opportunity to learn, grow, and connect in the infection control space, offering a variety of speakers and networking opportunities.

Speakers from the Centers for Disease Control, the United States Food and Drug Administration, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, and the Occupation Safety and Health Administration. Early bird registration is open until April 3, 2024, and a pre-conference workshop will take place on May 29, 2024. Attendees can take advantage of this workshop to learn new infection prevention standards and guidelines as well as the complicated landscape of standard operating procedures. This workshop is available for individual purchase or as part of the conference registration.

Registration is open now. To learn more, visit the 

The Organization for Safety, Asepsis, and Prevention’s annual conference is now open for registration, where attendees can expect to learn industry insight on infection prevention best practices. 

Registration for 2024 OSAP Annual Conference Open Now

At the 2024 Chicago Dental Society Midwinter Meeting, Director of Sales Chris Hadziev at Planet DDS, talks about the company's Denticon and Cloud 9 integration.

2024 Chicago Dental Society Midwinter Meeting – Interview with Chris Hadziev, Director of Sales at Planet DDS

My name is Chris Hadziev and I'm with Planet DDS. Thank you to 

 for having us here at Chicago Midwinter. We're really excited to be launching our integration, first ever between a GP [general practitioner] software and a specialist ortho software. So, we're launching our Denticon and Cloud 9 integration [Cloud 9 Ortho Practice Management], which allows offices to streamline their operations when it comes to patient management and demographics. What we're seeing out in the industry is that a lot of groups have to piece different softwares together, and their tech stack isn't integrated. So, we're out to change that. If you want to learn more visit us at Planetdds.com. Thanks so much.

At the 2024 Chicago Dental Society Midwinter Meeting, Director of Sales Chris Hadziev at Planet DDS, talks about the company's Denticon and Cloud 9 integration. [1 minute]