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 (

Beat the Clock: A Hygienist's Guide to Stress-Free Time Management. Image credit: © Kaspars Grinvalds - stock.adobe.com

As dental hygienists, the demands of patient care, navigating ever-changing schedules, and administrative tasks can often create overwhelming stress. In addition to high levels of pain, dental professionals also face a staggering amount of work-related stress and burnout. One survey conducted by the American Dental Association showed that 80% of dental professionals report experiencing high levels of stress in their daily practice.¹

Heightened stress levels among clinicians can affect energy, focus, and vitality. Stress can affect patient care, job satisfaction and fulfillment, and career longevity.²⁻⁶ In the fast-paced environment of a dental office, mastering our time becomes crucial not only for efficiency but also for delivering optimal patient care and maintaining our well-being. In this article, we’ll explore practical strategies to help hygienists navigate stress through effective time management techniques.

As dental hygienists, one of the most empowering things we can do is to take control where we can, and one way to do that is by being prepared. Before each day, review your schedule thoroughly, going through each patient one at a time. Create a checklist that incorporates all the essential details you need to know ahead of time to support the patient and appointment flow. As you review your schedule for the day, run through the checklist for each patient, making any necessary notes along the way. You may include things like:

The patient’s last hygiene visit and recall schedule

Review medical history (medications, blood pressure, etc)

Review dental history and proposed treatment

Evaluate radiographs, probe readings, and any relevant intraoral photos

Familiarizing yourself with this information beforehand makes you feel more prepared for the day and for each patient. This also helps create smoother transitions between patients because you don’t have to scramble to gather all the information quickly. As you bounce from one appointment to the next, you’ll feel more at ease and confident in addressing each patient’s unique needs. Plus, this reduces time spent during the appointment reviewing the patients’ chart and, in turn, supports better time management and personalized patient care.

Establishing a structured flow for the entire hygiene appointment is instrumental in optimizing your time and minimizing stress as a hygienist. Break down each step of a routine hygiene visit from start to finish and create a systematic approach that makes sense for you and your patients to flow through the appointment with ease and efficiency. Some things you may want to think about include but aren’t limited to the following:

Seat patient, review medical/dental history, and note any concerns

Perform oral cancer screening, initial screening, and capture intraoral photos

Probe, review, and begin initial patient education

Sit the patient up for oral hygiene instruction and patient education

Doctor exam, review concerns, create treatment plan as needed

Final patient education, product recommendations, answer questions

Schedule the next hygiene visit, and bring the patient to the front for a handoff

Although it’s essential to remain flexible and adaptable to unforeseen circumstances, which inevitably arise in dentistry, having a predefined flow provides a road map for navigating appointments with more ease and confidence. You’ll spend less time worrying about what’s next and what you haven’t done, and more time focused on your patient. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of what you want to do throughout the appointment at any given time, supporting better time management. By streamlining your workflow, you’ll find yourself better equipped to handle any challenges that may arise during the day.

Prophylaxis Flow: Optimizing Patient Care

So many hygienists say that they change the way they perform a prophylaxis regularly. Meaning, sometimes they start on the lower left, sometimes the upper right, or sometimes the lower front. But here’s the thing: Creating a well-defined prophylaxis flow is key to delivering comprehensive and efficient patient care. When you’re performing a traditional prophylaxis, establishing a systematic approach within the oral cavity supports more ease, efficiency, and productivity for the practitioner. Develop a sequential process of going through the mouth that allows you to maintain proper positioning with as few movements as possible and incorporate the patient as minimally as necessary. By incorporating a structured flow into your hygiene visit, you’ll not only improve your clinical efficiency but also elevate the overall patient experience.

In addition to mastering time management techniques, incorporating wellness practices into your daily routine can significantly alleviate stress, support efficiency, and promote overall well-being.

Consider integrating gentle chairside stretches before each patient. Taking a few long, slow deep breaths with a simple stretch can help reduce tension through tight, overworked muscles, improve circulation, and relax the nervous system. Chairside stretches throughout the workday also help to reduce recovery time after work, and practitioners can easily schedule them into their day.

 Prioritize proper ergonomics throughout your workday, ensuring both practitioner and patient comfort during treatments. Invest your time into learning and incorporating new ergonomic practices, tools, and tips to reduce the risk of pain or a musculoskeletal disorder. Proper ergonomics reduces abnormal wear and tear, fatigue, and stress while improving efficiency and productivity.

 Find a way outside of work to strengthen and stretch. It’s important to find exercises that promote muscular balance and support optimal posture, fostering long-term physical health and resilience against occupational risks.

There is a direct connection between pain and stress. When we’re in pain, stress often affects us more easily and frequently. Additionally, when we’re in pain and under stress, we have less focus and energy for our work and our patients. However, when we focus on pain prevention and stress management, stressors affect us less, things run more smoothly, and we have more to give to our patients. By implementing healthier routines both in and out of work, we reduce stress levels and improve efficiency and productivity.

Effective time management for dental hygienists is crucial. Even though it may take time to create new systems, it will save you time and energy in the long run. By prioritizing tasks, optimizing workflows, and integrating wellness practices into your daily routines, you empower yourself to navigate stress in the dental office with more ease and efficiency while creating a more positive impact for your patients and community.

American Dental Association. 2021 Dentist Well-Being Survey Report. American Dental Association. Updated February 1, 2022. Accessed October 2023. https://ebusiness.ada.org/Assets/docs/101863.pdf

Gorter RC. Work stress and burnout among dental hygienists. 

. 2005;3(2):88-92. doi:10.1111/j.1601-5037.2005.00130.x

Rada RE, Johnson-Leong C. Stress, burnout, anxiety and depression among dentists. 

. 2004;135(6):788-794. doi:10.14219/jada.archive.2004.0279

Kulkarni S, Dagli N, Duraiswamy P, Desai H, Vyas H, Baroudi K. Stress and professional burnout among newly graduated dentists. 

. 2016;6(6):535-541. doi:10.4103/2231-0762.195509

Bercasio LV, Rowe DJ, Yansane AI. Factors associated with burnout among dental hygienists in California. 

Hallett G, Witton R, Mills I. A survey of mental wellbeing and stress among dental therapists and hygienists in South West England. 

. Published online December 13, 2022. doi:10.1038/s41415-022-5357-5

Articles

Cultivating good time management skills mitigates stress in the dental office. So, how do we harness these skills while also providing effective dental care for patients?

Beat the Clock: A Hygienist’s Guide to Stress-Free Time Management

, a dental technology company specializing in cloud-based practice management systems, digital imaging, and dental marketing services. Previously, Gaddis was the marketing director for two large dental service organizations. Prior to entering the dental industry, Gaddis was a journalist for 16 years in a variety of roles, including as a TV news producer at the CBS affiliate in Boston. You can connect with Beth Gaddis on 

Image Credit: © freshidea / stock.adobe.com

Mergers, acquisitions, and the consolidation of dental practices were the hot topics at the 2023 Yankee Dental Multi-Site Summit in Boston, with the biggest jaw-dropping prediction coming from Brian Colao, the Director of the DSO Industry Group for Dykema.

He predicts consolidation in dentistry will jump from 31% now to at least 75% within 15 years.

“There’s a great evolution in consolidation going on, from private dentists to small groups to DSOs, and it’s been accelerating since 2015,” Colao explains.

“The economic landscape of 2022 and 2023 presented significant challenges for many groups, largely attributable to macroeconomic variables,” says Steve Saukaitis, CEO of Select Dental Management, a group that has partnered with 37 practices across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions.

“Organizations that dedicated their efforts to sustainable same-store growth and the enhancement of both patient and employee experiences have strategically positioned themselves for success,” Saukaitis continues. “These focal points are instrumental in fostering a resilient organization and driving performance in today's competitive environment.”

Operational Excellence Cited as a Must-Have for DSO Growth

“In today’s climate of rising personnel costs, shrinking margins, and costly capital, the era of growth without operational excellence is ending,” says Scott Leune, DDS, founder of Breakaway Seminars, a dental business consulting firm.

Throughout his career, Dr. Leune has opened, built, and sold numerous dental practices, and currently supports more than 20,000 dentists with purchasing, marketing, consulting, and additional services.

“Whether it be a new dentist in a single location, or an established DSO, it is vital that the owner understands how to create accountability within the team to follow best practices that maximize patient experience and healthy profits. The end result will be a practice that can easily afford today’s higher salaries while delivering a new modern level of patient care, and an owner that has excess time and financial gains without the heavy weight of staff and practice implosions,” Leune explains.

A key focus of these DSO leaders is modernizing the dental experience. This can include enhancements such as making it easier for patients to schedule and complete new patient forms online, adding artificial intelligence (AI) analysis of x-rays, implementing cloud-based dental practice management systems such as Denticon, and automating revenue cycle management through tools that streamline eligibility verification, claims processing, and auto-posting payments.

“With the economic situation we’re in now, it’s essential that we’re making it easier for people to do their jobs,” says Dee Fischer, CEO of Fischers Professional Group and a partner in two DSOs, each with three practices. “It used to be that you can hire quickly and fire quickly, but no more. Now, you have to retain people. You have to train them well. You have to create a culture where they want to stay. Companies are integrating artificial intelligence to automate what used to be very time-consuming tasks, and that’s making it easier for the dentists and team members to focus on patient care. Do that, and you’ll see the difference on your P&L [profit and loss statement].”

DSOs Investing in their Dentists and Staff

While the term DSO stands for dental support organization, it has become an umbrella term that is used for everything from small group practices owned by a single dentist, to large groups with hundreds of locations. Typically, what elevates a group of individual practices into a DSO is the consolidation of shared non-clinical services, such as human resources, marketing, credentialing, billing, IT, and real estate.

The culture and structure of each DSO can vary widely.

“A lot of dentists think that joining a DSO means they become an employee and lack the ability to invest in the business as a retirement strategy. This is sometimes the case, but more and more frequently is no longer such. Many groups are developing options such as equity incentives, equity ownership, joint ventures, profit sharing, and other models that allow for associate dentists to have ‘skin in the game.’ These structures could be individual practice-based, regionally based or even top level, company-wide. There is a variety of options out there for doctors wishing to enlist management support but still retain some form of long term financial investment and reward,” says Lorri Detrick, president and COO of Riccobene Associates Family Dentistry, a doctor-founded rapidly growing group with more than 70 locations in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia.

“It’s obvious that we in DSO leadership need to create value not just for our patients, but also for our providers and our teams if we hope to be successful,” says Adam Richichi, CEO of Archway Dental Partners, which has 28 practices in Connecticut and is expanding to other states in 2024.

As more private dentists and small group owners consider partnering with a larger organization, it’s important for providers to ask how the DSO will help them better care for patients.

“Scaling within the 4 walls of your practice requires the ability of your leadership team to prioritize, measure, create individual accountability, and incentivize alignment around the most impactful opportunities to improve patient care and practice growth,” says Elliot Zibel, founder of Optimus Healthcare Management and previously co-founder and CEO of Select Dental Management.

Healthy DSOs have short-term and long-term goals for implementing technology, training, and tools that will help their affiliated practices succeed.

“Understand the levers available to you to scale your dental practice, create KPIs to measure your success as you work towards your goals and create a high-performance culture by aligning the values of your team with those of your practice to ensure an environment of accountability,” says John Geary, chief strategy officer at Independence Dental Services, a partnership organization with 49 practices across 14 states.

DSOs Leveraging Specialty Care and Hygiene Programs to Propel Growth

Several of the panels at the Yankee Dental Multi-Site Summit focused on clinical quality oversight, scaling up hygiene operations, and sharing the challenges and successes different groups have had.

“There has been a strong emphasis and focus on specialty dental practices over the last few years. It was very interesting to hear from two specialty-only DSO leaders that their specialists including oral surgeons and endodontists appreciate being part of a larger community of their own specialists. A couple of the larger DSOs mentioned they are partnering with specialists who prefer to be part of a bigger team of general dentists for referrals. A big question for the future is how can we achieve more integrated dental care for patients and which model will be more successful?” asks Rashed Din, CEO of Maya Dental and a partner at Din Ventures, a private equity firm that is also an investor in Archway Dental Partners.

Many groups have leadership positions including Chief Clinical Officer, Vice President of Specialty Dentistry, and C-Suite or Director-level representation of hygienists.

“Our panel discussed the structure of hygiene leadership within our respective DSOs and the importance of implementing and maintaining hygiene representation within DSO leadership,” says Erin Kierce, RDH, MS, MPH, chief compliance/hygiene officer at Passion Dental, a group of 54 practices in New England. “We reviewed the manner in which we measure success and our respective approaches to recruiting hygienists, as well as onboarding, training, mentoring, salary and benefit considerations, and retention. Underlining it all is how we approach measuring the standard of care through quality assurance procedures.”

The Big Take-Aways from the 2024 Yankee Dental Multi-Site Summit

“The discussions on 'Same-Store Growth Through Innovation', 'Scaling Your Practice in 2024', and 'Best-in-Class Operations' directly aligned with my focus on driving operational efficiency, growth, and scalability across our footprint,” says Karla-Marie Santiago, senior director of practice optimization and growth at Oakpoint, a group with 44 locations in the Southeast region of the US.

The networking was just as important as the sessions, Santiago said. “The intimate setting enhanced my ability to forge strategic partnerships with industry leaders and vendors, crucial for our continued expansion and operational excellence.”

Whether they choose to stay in private practice, join a group purchasing organization (GPO), or explore partnering with an established DSO, dentists have more information than ever before to make an informed decision.

Group dentistry experts share strategies and predictions at the recent Yankee Dental Multi-Site Summit.

DSO Discussions: Consolidation, Operational Efficiency, and the Future of 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.  

New Research Suggests Periodontitis Worsens COPD |

Image Credit: © RFBSIP - stock.adobe.com.

A new study published earlier this year adds to the overwhelming evidence showing the correlation between oral health—specifically, periodontal disease—and overall health, this time focusing on the ties between chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and periodontitis.

Researchers from Sichuan University, in China, report that bacteria associated with gum disease promote COPD progression through the activation of 2 types of cells that are important to the immune system. These findings suggest that periodontitis worsens COPD, and point to the criticalness of gum disease management.

mSystems, a journal from the American Society of Microbiology, 

and focuses on the relationship between periodontitis and COPD, which according to the World Health Organization, is the third-leading cause of death worldwide.

Gillian Barclay, senior vice president, global public health and scientific affairs at Colgate-Palmolive. 

Gillian Barclay, senior vice president, global public health and scientific affairs at Colgate-Palmolive, spoke with 

about the importance of the study, what companies like Colgate-Palmolive are doing to educate people on the need for good oral health, and why it is essential that the dental industry fosters good oral health habits in children.

: There has been plenty of research in recent years about the oral systemic link and associations that have been established between oral health and cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer disease, diabetes, and several other diseases. Why is this study focused on the relationship between periodontitis and COPD so significant?

Periodontitis is the world’s most common chronic oral inflammatory disease, and COPD is a chronic systemic inflammatory disease with a mortality rate of 4.1 million global deaths per year. There is overwhelming evidence showing a correlation between periodontal disease and overall health, particularly showing periodontitis as a leading risk factor for noncommunicable diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and serious respiratory infections, and impacting mental health.

These findings are significant as they help us better understand, for the first time, how periodontitis affects COPD progression so we can identify preventable solutions within oral care.

: How does having this type of research help the dental industry and companies like Colgate-Palmolive stress the importance of good oral health to the general public?

Colgate-Palmolive is a caring, innovative growth company that is reimagining a healthier future for all. As we work to fulfill our purpose, improving people’s oral health literacy around the world is crucial. We aim to help people understand the broader impacts of poor oral health on their overall health and well-being and the value of preventative approaches. As demonstrated, the scope can go beyond oral conditions ([such as] cavities, gingivitis, and periodontal diseases) to respiratory conditions like COPD.

Consider, also, the economic impacts. Globally in 2015 alone, oral diseases accounted for an estimated $357 billion in direct costs, [eg, treatment], and $188 billion in in-direct costs, [eg, loss of productivity]. At Colgate-Palmolive, we are committed to a whole-body health approach—breaking down silos to integrate oral health [care] into public health systems, including via primary health care. It is our hope that as we build on our commitment and work together with partners and health professionals, we can address the need for comprehensive, systemic public health action, closing the oral health gap around the link between oral and overall health.

to carry this momentum for this topic and to advance the global oral-systemic health agenda?

As the worldwide leader in oral care, and with the Colgate brand in more homes than any other [brand], Colgate-Palmolive is contributing to and deepening its support to address the global health crisis that has far-reaching and significant impacts. Specifically, we aim to blend our expertise, innovative products, and passion to reimagine a healthier future for all. A few initiatives that speak to this include:

 (BSBF) oral health education program, a more than 30-year program centered on improving the oral health and well-being of children and families that are vulnerable. To date the program has reached 1.7 billion children—and counting.

which offers a range of important information on different oral health topics, from cavities and dental sealants to gum disease and pregnancy oral care.

 a free interactive assessment that teaches people about their oral health quotient and provides resources so people can improve their understanding of how oral health is linked to physical health and mental well-being, as well as [learn how positive] daily habits can be incorporated into any oral health routine. We know through our research that when people take the assessment and read the content, their oral health literacy improves.

: Please elaborate on Colgate-Palmolive’s partnership with Verily to conduct an innovative oral health study. What are the goals for this study, and why is this important?

In August 2021, Colgate-Palmolive announced a strategic collaboration with Verily, an Alphabet precision health company, to research oral health through its [Project] Baseline Health Study. The study (

) aims to see how oral health practices, including intensive nonsurgical periodontal therapy, coupled with a robust Colgate-Palmolive home oral hygiene regimen, monitored through its hum smart–toothbrush—connected technologies, affect health more broadly.

The study has enrolled adult participants with periodontal disease and diabetes and/or cardiovascular disease…aged 18 years and older, with prediabetes, type 2 diabetes and/or cardiovascular disease for up to 18 months, to expand the understanding of the interrelationship between oral health, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. As this is an ongoing clinical trial, we cannot speculate on any findings at this time. We look forward to comprehensively assessing the data and sharing additional information closer to the completion date in February 2025.

: As we continue to learn about all these oral system links, can we expect to see a closer relationship and/or better communication between dentists and physicians? What can Colgate do to help?

For oral health to be seen as a critical element to overall health and well-being, stronger communication is needed from a peer-to-peer health care provider perspective. Colgate-Palmolive is working with health care professionals—particularly nurses—to expand training on the importance of whole-body care and initiate global and local partnerships to improve diversity in the health care workforce, inform health policy guidelines, and address the socio-economic impacts of poor oral health. We are also leveraging next-generation technology and research to address the significant impacts of poor oral health on [certain] communities, such as people with disabilities, to ensure a healthier future for all.

: Explain why Colgate is so invested in educating families about the importance of good oral health habits at an early age. What are some of the success stories behind

the company’s Bright Smiles, Bright Futures

Like [with] most healthy habits, it’s important for children to develop a good oral health routine early on because research shows that nearly 50% of the world’s population suffers from oral diseases, including cavities, gingivitis, and periodontal diseases—with cavities being the No. 1 chronic disease among children.1 Without proper preventive oral care, cavities in children can develop and, left untreated, cause pain and infections that may lead to problems with eating, speaking, playing, and learning.

 And cavities and oral pain can negatively impact mental well-being, leading to significant physical, emotional, social and even economic distress.

 We take proactive measures to address other health conditions, and ensuring good oral health shouldn’t be any different. It’s all about taking a comprehensive preventative approach to maintaining good oral care from an early age—so we can support healthier, brighter futures [for our children].

The BSBF oral health education program was established in 1991 to improve the health, education, and well-being of children and their families around the world. To date, we are proud that this programming has reached more than 1.7 billion children and continues to educate about oral health habits, like brushing twice a day, and sharing informative resources for establishing a strong oral health routine. 

Our goals continue to expand for this program as we see the benefits it has on overall health outcomes

 We aim to continue to promote lifelong learning opportunities and create a world of bright smiles and even brighter futures. You can discover stories of our global impact 

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). World Health Organization. March 16, 2023. Accessed February 27, 2024. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease-(copd)

Children’s oral health. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. April 6, 2022. 

Accessed February 27, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/basics/childrens-oral-health/index.html

Childhood cavities, the most common disease among children, lead to significant physical, emotional, social and economic distress. News release. Colgate-Palmolive. October 26, 2021. Accessed February 27, 2024. https://investor.colgatepalmolive.com/news-releases/news-release-details/childhood-cavities-most-common-disease-among-children-lead

A Colgate-Palmolive senior executive shares thoughts on the study from Sichuan University, in China, as well as the need to understand the broader impacts of poor oral health on overall health and well-being.

New Research Suggests Periodontitis Worsens COPD

Kulzer North America’s new Venus Pearl Pure Shades is a 4-shade dental restorative line formulated to make it easier for clinicians to face the daily challenge of balancing effective patient care and efficient practice management.

Kulzer—aware that every minute counts in the dental chair—has made it possible for dentists to efficiently cover 90% of their everyday direct restoration needs with only 4 shades with the launch of this new product line.

“Simplification and time saving are at the heart of the new Venus Pearl Pure Shades. Their creation is our response to a clear desire from dentists to simplify their daily restorative routine without compromising on esthetics,” Kai Lautenschlaeger, team leader global product management at Kulzer, says in a press release.


The newly developed Venus Pearl Pure Shades are designed for everyday use for monochromatic layering in anterior and posterior restorations. They are said to deliver ease of use by fitting seamlessly into the daily restorative routine of clinicians. The optimized, streamlined selection of only 4 shades – LIGHT, MEDIUM, DARK and BLEACH – covers a wide shade range of applications and simplifies the restorative process.

The 4 Venus Pearl Pure Shades are said to save additional time by delivering optimal results with monochromatic layering without the need for an opaquer. | Image Credit: © Kulzer North America

These benefits are made possible by the proven shade-matching properties of Kulzer’s Venus Pearl, which ensure seamless adaptation and integration with the natural tooth shade in both anterior and posterior applications, according to the manufacturer. The 4 Venus Pearl Pure Shades save additional time by delivering optimal results with monochromatic layering without the need for an opaquer. This is possible in approximately 90% of cases in the anterior and posterior regions and significantly reduces stress and potential errors in shade selection, Kulzer states.

Following an alpha test with key opinion leaders, the new Venus Pearl Pure Shades were tested by dentists in private practice. Kulzer’s main objective of the test was to determine user satisfaction with monochromatic solutions in the challenging field of anterior restorations. More than 240 dentists from Western Europe, the USA and Australia participated in the extensive test. In just 3 months involving more than 6,700 restorations, the shades achieved a 92% recommendation rate, according to Kulzer.

The launch of the new Venus Pearl Pure Shades is the result of the company’s commitment to scientific research and innovation. Featuring the unique TCD matrix, the product line is formulated to ensure optimal physical properties and durability of the materials while minimizing the risk of chipping or fracturing. Additionally, the shades have a low shrinkage stress, which reduces the risk of marginal gaps and secondary caries.

Kulzer adds that the Venus Pearl Pure Shades have been developed to harmonize with the corresponding VITA® shade range through a balance of translucency, hue and shade intensity. The new composite is available in syringes and PLT single doses. In addition, as a component in an exclusive kit that also contains the universal adhesive iBOND® Universal and the innovative flowable bulk composite Venus Bulk Flow ONE, the new material optimizes restorative workflows for the clinician.

For more information on the Venus Pearl Pure shades, 

A division of Hanau, Germany-based Kulzer GmbH, Kulzer NorthAmerica is based in South Bend, Indiana. As one of the world's leading dental companies, Kulzer has been a reliable partner for all dental professionals for over 80 years. In esthetic dentistry, digital dentistry, tooth preservation, prosthetics and periodontology, the company is synonymous with trusted and innovative dental products.

Kulzer launches time-saving line designed to cover 90% of restoration needs with just 4 shades.

New Venus Pearl Pure Shades Formulated to Simplify Dental Restorations

Designed to provide dental lab technicians with a benchtop lamp that can meet the needs of any task or workflow, Harvest Dental's LightBar was developed in collaboration with Netherlands-based Broadwing, and features SAMSUNG LED Technology.

The LightBar features 3 light programs with dimming options for a total of 9 available lighting variations. With a color temperature of 5000K, the Daylight white mode is ideal for shade matching. The Natural white setting features a color temperature of 4000K and is designed for standard, everyday lab work. Set at a color temperature of 3000K, the Warm white setting is designed for use when working with light-curing composite materials.

Additionally, the light settings are also designed to help improve the working environment by reducing headaches and eye fatigue, while creating the proper environment for effective work.

With 31.5 in wingspan, the lamp is designed to cover the entire benchtop area with an evenly distributed light. LightBar also features a flexible gooseneck design allowing the light to be moved and adjusted to eliminate shadows or meet other needs.

The lamp features easy-to-use touch controls to make it easy to switch between settings as needed. The LED is designed to last for 40,000 hours of use, and emits minimal heat, making it ideal for use with dental materials.

Designed to provide dental technicians with optimal lighting for a variety of tasks, this desktop lamp is also said to enhance ergonomics.

Harvest Dental Introduces LightBar Benchtop Lamp

At the 2024 Chicago Dental Society Midwinter Meeting, Senior Technical Manager at Kuraray Noritake Dinesh Sinha, talks about Kuraray's newest innovations.

At the 2024 Chicago Dental Society Midwinter Meeting, Senior Technical Manager at Kuraray Noritake Dinesh Sinha, talks about Kuraray's newest innovations. [3 minutes]

Videos

2024 Chicago Dental Society Midwinter Meeting – Interview with Dinesh Sinha, Senior Technical and Marketing Manager at Kuraray Noritake

The winners and hosts of the 2024 Denobi Awards at the conclusion of the March 2, 2024 red-carpet awards gala in Dallas, Texas. | Image Credit: © The Denobi Awards

With a red-carpet gala celebration in Dallas, Texas, the 2024 Denobi Awards honored 10 individuals and and 2 dental teams for their contributions to dentistry.

Hosted by newlyweds Katrina Sanders, RDH, and Dale Stewart, the event ceremony featured short presentations about their accomplishments before the winners heard their names announced, and as they did not know if they were going to be honored before the event, the responses from the winners were genuine and heartfelt.

"Denobi Shortlisters and Winners have gone on to do amazing things around the world! For some, it's been instrumental in advancing their careers. For others, it's helped them launch organizations, kickstart initiatives, receive funding, and work toward legislative and industry change,” says Denobi Awards co-founder Melissa Turner, BASDH, RDHEP, EFDA.

In what he describes as an absolute surprise, the event culminated with 

) Editorial Director Noah Levine, receiving the program's highest honor, the Dr. Lou Shuman Denobi Pinnacle Achievement Award.

DPR Editorial Director Noah Levine is presented with the Dr. Lou Shuman Pinnacle Achievement Award at the 2024 Denobi Awards. 

(Pictured left to right Katrina Sanders, Melissa Turner, Noah Levine, Sonya Dunbar, Dale Stewart)

"It's truly humbling to be recognized with an award such as this," says Levine. "I work with so many talented clinicians, experts, and team members at 

 and our parent company MJH Life Sciences, and they deserve as much of the credit for anything I'm being honored for as I do.

"I consider myself lucky to be in a position where I can help highlight innovations and efforts to expand access to and quality of dental care for patients everywhere. It's equally meaningful that I'm able to work at helping dental professionals make their careers more fulfilling and rewarding. 

"I want to thank The Denobi Awards for this truly amazing honor, and I hope to live up to the spirit behind this award throughout my career."

Allison Norris, Founder & CEO of Dentele Group received the inaugural Speaking Consulting Network Rising Star Award during the ceremony and the 2 team awards were presented to Children’s Volunteer Health Network based in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, and Smile America Partners based in Farmington Hills, Michigan.

The other individual recipients of the 2024 Denobi Awards are Amy Wood, HCISPP, CEO of Copper Penny Consulting; Brian Colao, Member & director of the Dental Service Organizations Industry Group at Dykema; Christy Jo Fogarty, BSDH, MSOHP, LHD, ADT, Founder of Fogarty Dental Services; Dana Watson, BSE, FAADOM, practice manager at Midtown Smiles in Nashville, Tennessee; Jonathan Bonanno, PhD Candidate, Founder of Chief Psycho and CTO of Clinical Excel Computech; Noel Paschke MS, RDH, founder and president, of Ultrasonics Plus; Shavonne R. Healy, MSDH, RDH, founder and CEO of A Higher Learning; and Whitney Dietz, DDS, and Julie Bostwick, CDT who practice at Aspen Dental in Owensboro, Kentucky.

The award recipients were selected from among a shortlist of 75 nominees selected from the hundreds of nominations the Denobi Awards received from October through December 2023. The gala event was sponsored by John Stamper Media.

"Winning a Denobi Award is unlike anything else in dentistry as winners join an elite group of leaders at the forefront of change and innovation. We're proud this is not a popularity contest, “ says Denobi Awards co-founder Sonya Dunbar, RDH, MPH, in a press release. “Instead, the program is focused on giving honor where honor is due and bringing awareness to the outstanding initiatives the nominees are taking part in."

Now in its 4th year, and dedicated to highlighting "unsung heroes" from throughout the dental industry, The 2024 Denobi Award winners include clinicians, executives, practice managers, teams, and Dental Products Report Editorial Director Noah Levine.

The 2024 Denobi Awards Honor Outstanding Contributors to the Dental Industry

The new GUM® Sonic Power Toothbrush from Sunstar is designed to deliver a superior cleaning experience effectively and gently cleaning below the gum line and between the teeth. Launched at the recent Chicago Dental Society Midwinter Meeting
with a sleek design, this convenient toothbrush is described as stylish, slim, and portable.

The 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. It takes up minimal space on the bathroom counter and is easy to slip into luggage for work trips or vacations.

The brush’s sonic motion breaks up plaque—with 12,000 sonic vibrations, the Sonic Power Toothbrush is 50% more effective in removing plaque and reaching between teeth, according to data the company has on file.

Numerous research shows that there’s a connection between oral care and overall wellness, so healthy gums can impact whole body health.

The toothbrush is battery-powered and cord-free (1) AAA battery (included) to eliminate the hassle of needing to recharge the brush often. Other product highlights include 3 color rings included to personalize your brush; a stay clean cap included to help protect bristles between brushing; and a handle with a replaceable head that uses less plastic than many other brushes.

The GUM® Sonic Power Toothbrush is designed to deliver superior cleaning for at-home or on-the-go.

Sunstar Unveils New Battery-powered Toothbrush at Chicago Midwinter

Dr. Wolff to Present Latest Research on Hydroxyapatite Toothpaste at IADR Event in New Orleans | Image Credit: © Dr. Wolff

At the upcoming International Association for Dental Research (IADR) General Session & Exhibition 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana, German company Dr. Wolff will present several scientific contributions focusing on hydroxyapatite as an active ingredient in oral care products.

The IADR meeting will run from March 13-16, 2024, in New Orleans—the

symposia, workshops, scientific sessions, and the exhibition are scheduled to be held at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.

The International Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research will host its 102nd General Session & Exhibition in conjunction with the 53rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research, and the 48th Annual Meeting of the Canadian Association for Dental Research. The General Session will feature oral and poster presentations, hands-on workshops, lunch & learning sessions, keynote addresses, and symposia presented by experts from all over the world. 

For Dr. Wolff Research, which has 2 companies—a medical division and a cosmetics division—a focus at next week’s events is the scientific symposium titled "Emerging Technologies for Caries Management: the Case for Hydroxyapatite," which will be conducted in collaboration with the internationally recognized dentist and cariologist Prof. Bennett T. Amaechi (Department of Comprehensive Dentistry, University of Texas Health, San Antonio, USA). The symposium will focus on the properties and applications of hydroxyapatite (HAP) in caries prevention.

The presentation will feature speakers Prof. Dr. Elżbieta Paszynska (Department of Integrated Dentistry, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poland), Dr. Joachim Enax, Dr. Frederic Meyer (both Senior Scientists at Dr. Wolff Group, Germany) and Amaechi. They will present and discuss the chemical and biological properties of HAP and focus on the results of various studies demonstrating the effectiveness and safety of HAP compared to traditional active ingredients in dental care, such as fluoride.

These topics will be further presented at the IADR sessions in the following agenda items:

by Dr. Frederic Meyer: Study on the remineralization of molar incisor hypomineralization (MIH) with HAP

by Dr. Joachim Enax: Calcium phosphates in dental care products with a focus on HAP

by Dr. Pascal Fandrich: Research findings of Dr. Wolff regarding the abrasiveness of toothpastes and methods for roughness measurement

Anyone attending the event and seeking personal expert discussions with these speakers at the IADR annual meeting in New Orleans can make arrangements and check availability by emailing Dr. Wolff at 

The company will discuss the chemical and biological properties of hydroxyapatite (HAP), and focus on the results of various studies demonstrating the effectiveness and safety of HAP compared to traditional active ingredients in oral care, such as fluoride.

 Dr. Wolff to Present Latest Research on Hydroxyapatite Toothpaste at IADR Event in New Orleans

Vyne Dental and Patterson Dental are working together to deliver quick support to Eaglesoft customer dental practices that were affected by a security incident that has slowed insurance claim processing.

The collaboration between Vyne Dental, a leading provider of dental revenue technologies, claims processing, and electronic health information exchange for all-sized dental practices, and Patterson Dental comes at a critical time. The main objective of the announced joining of the 2 companies’ efforts is to ensure uninterrupted operations and continued high-quality patient care for dental practices nationwide. A recent cyber incident impacting Change Healthcare resulted in many dental practices being unable to process insurance claims, which has had a big impact on customers, according to Patterson Dental.

"As market leaders in revenue cycle management solutions, we recognize the urgent need to address the challenges our industry faces," says Steve Roberts, chief executive officer, Vyne, in a press release. "Through our collaboration with Patterson Dental, we are committed to delivering expedited solutions and unparalleled support to dental professionals navigating through this difficult period."

Tim Rogan, president of Patterson Dental, adds in the press release, "We are fully committed to providing a fast resolution to our customers experiencing this challenge. Patterson has always strived to put the needs of our customers first and we have worked diligently with Vyne Dental to provide a rapid solution. We are confident in Vyne Dental's ability to support our software customers."

To restore business continuity for its customers, Patterson has expanded its Eaglesoft claims processing and insurance services to include Vyne Dental. The move is designed to ensure rapid resolution of insurance claims and attachments, real-time eligibility checks and electronic remittance advice (ERA).

Key benefits from the partnership include:

Rapid resolution of insurance claim processing delays

Tailored support services to meet the specific needs of affected practices

Access to cutting-edge technology and innovative solutions to optimize practice efficiency

Vyne Dental shared from immediate user feedback in a press release.

"Seamless and self-explanatory."—Anna, Office Manager at Matta Family Dentistry. "It was super easy to get started, just follow the instructions and you'll be golden."—True Smiles Dental. "Pretty easy!"—Tina, Main Street Dental at Weatherford, Texas.

For further information and assistance, dental professionals are encouraged to call 317-647-3302 or visit 

Vyne Dental offers innovative technology and strong support to dental professionals nationwide. Vyne Dental is part of the Vyne family of industry-leading information exchange, revenue acceleration and communication solutions for healthcare. Vyne Dental solutions are strategically developed for dental practices, healthcare providers, and insurance plans and payers, to facilitate the secure exchange of health information in a digital, end-to-end revenue accelerator that optimizes cashflow while helping to reduce associative costs.

Patterson Companies, Inc connects dental and animal health customers in North America and the U.K. to the latest products, technologies, services, and innovative business solutions that enable operational and professional success. The company has a comprehensive portfolio, distribution network and supply chain, as well as a dedicated, knowledgeable team that delivers unrivaled expertise and unmatched customer service and support, Patterson states.


Vyne Dental and Patterson Dental announced a collaboration aimed at providing swift support to affected dental practices.
