Kristen Mott is the associate editor for Dental Products Report and Digital Esthetics.

Kristen Mott

	The Chicago Midwinter Meeting is an event dental professionals look forward to year after year. Hundreds of exhibitors and companies gather in the Windy City to showcase dozens of new products, technologies and innovations. As always, this year’s meeting didn’t disappoint.

From new materials to updated software, the show was brimming with new product launches and announcements.

Check out DPR's coverage of the 2019 Chicago Midwinter Meeting

	The following pages are filled with some of the latest products coming out of the 2019 Midwinter Meeting that you don’t want to miss.

	Click through the slides to see the new products.

• 3M™ Chairside Zirconia is a new CAD/CAM zirconia block that’s optimized for the fast-sintering CEREC

 SpeedFire Furnace.
	• The block is said to offer an optimal blend of high strength and esthetics to go along with a fast sintering time of approximately 20 minutes for a thin-walled crown.
	• For easy shade matching, the material is available in eight different shades and two block sizes designed for crowns and three-unit bridges to match the VITA

 classical shades.
	• Product will be available for sale in the U.S. on May 1, 2019.

	• The ProVecta 3D Prime, a new 3D/2D system from Air Techniques, is designed to generate a unique 130 mm x 85 mm jaw-shaped volume that encompasses all treatment areas without imaging nonrelevant anatomy.  
	• A high-resolution CsI flat panel sensor is engineered to create brilliant high-quality 3D and 2D images.
	• Anatomically adapted jaw-shaped 3D image includes all dentition, including third molars, with lower dose than smaller 80 x 80 mm volumes.

 C&B is a temporary crown and bridge material that’s said to quickly and easily create very durable and natural-looking restorations.
	• Developed using a multifunctional acrylic composite, Pro-V C&B is engineered to create a temporary restoration that’s a superb mixture of strength, durability, flexibility and esthetics that emulates a natural tooth.
	• It’s a self-curing material available in four essential shades.

• Doctors now have a complete HD chairside workflow with the new CS 3100 milling system.
	• Dentists can capture digital impressions directly using the CS 3600 intraoral scanner or create conventional impressions and digitize them with a CBCT system.
	• Users can proceed with state-of-the-art intuitive restorative design via exocad ChairsideCAD software before sending to the CS 3100 to mill accurate and durable full-contour crowns, full-contour bridges, inlays, onlays and veneers - in as little as one hour.

	• AbsoLute™ Universal Resin Cement is a self-etching, self-adhesive, dual-cure material for all daily cementation needs.
	• It’s designed to make final cementation of today’s restorations easier, faster and longer lived, providing superior physical properties while eliminating all the extra steps of traditional luting cements.
	• AbsoLute is available in three shades (translucent, opaque and universal) to match your patients’ needs.

 contains a stannous fluoride formula stabilized with zinc phosphate that reportedly fights plaque-causing bacteria on 100 percent of mouth surfaces, including the teeth, tongue, cheeks and gums.
	• Colgate Total

 is said to effectively fight harmful bacteria while protecting against bacterial repopulation, significantly reducing the overall bacterial load while creating a protective barrier that helps to shield against attachment and regrowth.

• Equipped with a multilingual, user-friendly touchscreen, the BioSonic® UC150 is a quiet, compact, 1.5-gallon ultrasonic cleaner that can be placed on a countertop or recessed.
	• It’s said to offer customizable settings, a degas function, optional heating, quick/easy draining and an exclusive USB interface for easy downloading of cleaning data.

	• BRILLIANT Crios is a reinforced composite bloc for permanent restorations.
	• The material reportedly combines all the advantages of an innovative submicron hybrid composite material with those of a CAD/CAM fabrication process for reliable, esthetic and fast restorations without a separate firing process.
	• Consistently controlled fabrication with constant thermal curing is said to give the reinforced composite excellent mechanical properties.

• The RapidHeat™ Pro11 Sterilizer reportedly provides complete (12-log kill) sterilization of instruments in as little as six minutes.
	• Since there’s no steam or drying cycle with HVHA sterilization, the potential for instrument pitting and corrosion is said to be eliminated.
	• Using four large trays - compared to the maximum of two large trays used by comparable steam units - and with “start-to-finish” 20-minute cycles for wrapped instruments, the Pro11 Sterilizer is designed to have a greater effective capacity. 

• Crest Gum and Sensitivity toothpaste is said to provide clinically proven healthier gums and sensitivity relief, allowing you to enjoy the foods and drinks you love.
	• It’s formulated with stannous fluoride to start working immediately and to reportedly relieve sensitivity pain within days.
	• The toothpaste is designed to occlude exposed tubules to provide relief from sensitivity and create a layer of protection to shield exposed dentin.

	• This new and improved shade matching light is a handheld, rechargeable LED light that’s engineered to bring the perfect light to the patient’s mouth.
	• The 9-inch Shade Wand uses a 5500 kelvin LED light source that generates the proper amount of light at the patient’s mouth.
	• It’s designed to offer three different light settings and is constructed with quality components to ensure a long life.

	Dental Creations, Ltd.
	254-772-4661  |  

 master water control valve from DentalEZ® Integrated Solutions is designed to filter and control the water supply line into the office, making it easy to shut off the water supply to the suite and safeguard against leaks.
	• For use on new or existing installations, with a reduced footprint and easy shut-off valve.
	• The valve uses an integrated LED filter timer with reset functionality.

 Integrated Solutions
	866-DTE-INFO  |  

• DryShield is an all-in-one, fully autoclavable isolation system, designed by a dentist for dentists, to simplify dental procedures while increasing patient comfort and experience.
	• DryShield is said to combine the tasks of a high-suction evacuator, saliva ejector, bite block, tongue shield and oral pathway protector - all in one easy-to-use system.
	• The DryShield mouthpieces come in five sizes, with interchangeable bite blocks that are designed to enable a perfect fit for mouths of all sizes.

	• The Perfactory P4K Series is said to be the only DLP-based 3D printer utilizing a true 4K projector with UV optics tuned to 385 nm wavelength.
	• As the next generation of EnvisionTEC’s best-selling flagship Perfactory line, the P4K Series reportedly delivers the highest accuracy coupled with the highest finished product functionality.
	• Utilizing artificial intelligence in pixel tuning to deliver extremely high-quality surface finish, the P4K is engineered to deliver next-generation advanced DLP technology in 3D printing the highest accuracy parts.

• The Envision One cDLM Dental is a 3D printing solution designed to take you from beginner to expert in a single machine.
	• A build envelope of 180 x 101 x 85 mm is said to provide room for high-volume production at amazing speeds.
	• EnvisionTEC’s patented cDLM (Continuous Digital Light Manufacturing) technology eliminates separation forces, reportedly allowing the Envision One to print six average orthodontic full-arch models flat on the build plate, with no supports needed, in just 15 minutes.

• Tested with dental technicians, Denture Base Resin and Denture Teeth Resin, printed on the Form 2 3D printer, are said to allow dental labs and practices to produce fully 3D printed dentures, providing a more consistent workflow with fewer steps and less variability.
	• Material costs are reportedly around $10 per part for a complete denture, compared to $50 using traditional denture cards and acrylic.

G-ænial™ Universal Injectable and G-ænial™ BULK Injectable

	• G-ænial™ Universal Injectable and G-ænial™ BULK Injectable are high-strength, ultra-fine particle composites with ideal viscosity, handling and adaptation characteristics.
	• The homogeneously dispersed, ultra-fine particle formulas reportedly provide high flexural strength and wear resistance for durable, long-lasting restorations that retain their gloss for many years after placement.

 Automix LC is a radiopaque resin-reinforced glass ionomer available in automix delivery.
	• This delivery system is said to make GC Fuji Automix LC the perfect glass ionomer for dentists who either don’t keep capsule mixers in their office, don’t use glass ionomers because of capsule delivery, or prefer injectable restoratives.
	• It’s a bioactive material with high, rechargeable fluoride release.

Articles

From new materials to updated software, this year's show was brimming with new product launches and announcements.

What you missed at the 2019 Chicago Midwinter Meeting

Compiling some of the top impression materials, trays and dispensers on the market.

Taking precise impressions in your dental office

	Did your patients used to dread having impressions taken? With a tray filled to the brim with goopy material being placed in their mouth, who can blame them! But thanks to the advent of intraoral scanners, taking impressions is now a breeze for both patients and clinicians.

The scanners on the market today are the perfect entryway into digital dentistry. Small, ergonomic handpieces provide patient comfort, while advanced software allows dental professionals to easily capture scans from multiple angles. What’s more, these 3D scans are available in real-time to immediately send to a lab or show a patient during treatment planning.

Trending article: 7 horrifying procedures dentists used to do

	Is it time for your practice to go digital?

	Click through the slides to check out the products.

• Heron™ IOS is said to be an accurate, lightweight and ergonomic intraoral scanner, weighing only 150 grams.
	• The scanner is designed to easily fit into the modern dental practice and workflow with a sleek and compact design and a solution that reportedly delivers great depth measurement, color recognition and speed.
	• Heron IOS is said to be a turnkey solution for dentists who want to go digital and utilize the benefits of digital dentistry.

	• The Medit i500 is engineered to use a high-speed dual camera system for fast, precise photogrammetry.
	• With its open CAD/Cam system, operators can export STL files and instantly share with a dental lab, and its smart technology means colored scans can distinguish between soft tissue, plaque and tooth enamel with razor-sharp precision across the full arch.
	• If a scan is interrupted, the Medit i500 is designed to easily pick up where it left off, making for a smoother scanning experience.

	Axsys Dental Solutions
	855-687-7941  |  

• 3Shape TRIOS is reportedly the industry’s first and only wireless intraoral scanner.
	• The six-time winner for best intraoral scanner by the Cellerant industry-panel, TRIOS was recently named “Innovation of the Year” by the British Dental Industry Association.
	• 3Shape TRIOS is designed to openly connect professionals with the widest range of integrated orthodontic treatment providers, implant manufacturers, bracket libraries, printers and mills. It comes with its own patient-excitement apps for advancing patient dialogue and treatment acceptance.
	• Now with “AI scan,” 3Shape TRIOS makes scanning smarter, faster and easier than ever.

• The latest updates to the CS 3600 scanner’s acquisition software include user-requested features that address the evolving needs of doctors and patients.
	• Known for its speed of acquisition, the scanner is now reportedly 22 percent faster depending on the computer used.
	• A new Multiple Bite Capture option is designed to allow users to capture and view three different bite registrations, making it ideal for dentists practicing sleep dentistry.

	• Condor is said to be the world’s first software-driven intraoral scanner and reportedly the smallest handpiece on the market.
	• Hyper-realistic colored PLY files are designed to improve patient communication, monitoring, documentation and case acceptance.
	• The open STL is engineered to facilitate a smooth collaboration with the lab.
	
	Condor Technologies
	+32 (0)9 241 58 80  |  

• The MIA3d™ is a small and lightweight intraoral scanner that’s designed to provide super accurate, real-time immediate results.
	• The intuitive scanning process is designed to be easy to use, and it includes pause and resume features.
	• The plug-and-play system connects to a laptop via USB, and clinicians can easily export open STL files.

	• CEREC’s Omnicam digital impression solution is said to feature unrivaled handling, precise 3D images in natural color and fast, accurate full-arch scans.
	• The secure data transmission to your lab of choice, including Invisalign, is designed to be easy with STL export and the Sirona Connect Portal.  
	• CEREC’s easy-to-learn software and detailed instructions guide the user step by step through the scanning and design process.

• MyCrown Scan is a scanner on a mobile cart, including a computing unit, touchscreen and embedded design software, MyCrown Design.
	• The software is engineered to generate a model and automatically propose a precise restoration design, according to patient teeth morphology.
	• The real-time 3D scan is reportedly precise and immediately available to view.

	• Aadva™ IOS 100 is an efficient, economical and powder-free device that’s said to offer the perfect synergy between digital technology and materials without complication or confusion.
	• The open architecture device features a small, lightweight handpiece that’s designed to be user-friendly.
	• It’s engineered to easily capture and produce STL and PYL files to create accurate restorations.

• Planmeca Emerald™ is a next-gen digital intraoral scanner that’s reportedly ideal for full-arch scanning, advanced dentistry or complex cases.
	• The compact, ultra-lightweight scanner is said to offer unparalleled patient comfort while quickly delivering superior accuracy through advanced optics and enhanced algorithms.

 Intraoral Scanner, clinicians can reportedly easily capture digital impression data to design and produce prosthodontic solutions.
	• The scanner is said to replace conventional tray impressions with highly accurate digital data capture and a remarkably small handpiece.
	• Multi-scan imaging scanning technology is engineered to capture data from all angles simultaneously.

	Straumann North America
	978-747-2500  |  

Rounding up some of the most advanced intraoral scanners on the market.

Taking impressions to the next level

Rounding up some of the most advanced intraoral scanners on the market.


	About 10 years ago, only 28 states allowed direct access. Compare that with today where 42 states allow it – and the support for direct access is continuing to grow.

American Dental Hygienists’ Association

 defines direct access as “the ability of a dental hygienist to initiate treatment based on their assessment of a patient’s needs without the specific authorization of a dentist, treat the patient without the presence of a dentist and maintain a provider-patient relationship.”

	“As the hygiene association, we really promote that dental hygienists are integrated into the healthcare delivery system, and so through that direct access system that provides for that,” says Ann Lynch, director of education and professional advocacy for the American Dental Hygienists’ Association.

	While rules and regulations for direct access vary per state, most allow for “general supervision” duties on patients of record, according to the 

. These duties include such procedures as scaling and root planing, sealant application and oral prophylaxis, among others. 

Trending article: 4 movement strategies for a pain-free dental career

	Other states are trailblazers, allowing hygienists to perform a full scope of care. Take Colorado, for example, which has been allowing dental hygienists to practice without the direct supervision of a dentist since the early 1980s. According to the state practice act, hygienists can perform unsupervised procedures such as taking X-rays, doing periodontal charting and even providing dental hygiene diagnosis. Indirect supervision, which means that a dentist doesn’t need to be present but must have prior knowledge and consent of the procedure, covers things like local anesthesia, silver diamine fluoride, interim therapeutic restoration and lasers.

	“Not everybody is able to come to a brick-and-mortar practice in a metropolitan area,” says 

, a registered dental hygienist practicing in Colorado and executive administrator of the Colorado Dental Hygienists’ Association. “I think when hygienists are able to practice either unsupervised or under general supervision and provide direct access, you really open up the options for patients of how and where they can get care.”

	Hygienists who are interested in performing general supervision duties must be aware of specific continuing education requirements, which vary from state to state. In Colorado, for instance, hygienists must perform 30 hours of continuing education every two years. Some procedures, such as local anesthesia and silver diamine fluoride, require their own separate permit, Aberle says.

	In other states, like Oregon, hygienists can obtain an expanded practice permit and enter into a collaborative agreement with a dentist to provide such services as administering local anesthesia, administering temporary restorations without excavation, and prescribing prophylactic antibiotics and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

	“Clinicians who desire this additional responsibility have a few requirements,” says

, a registered dental hygienist practicing in Oregon and a previous president of the Oregon Dental Hygienists’ Association. “They must provide documentation for a certain number of hours (about 2,500) of patient care and have very specific continuing education courses. In Oregon, the normal CE requirements are 24 hours every two years. For EPP hygienists, they need to have 40 hours every two years. EPPs must also carry professional liability insurance as well as have a current BLS (basic life support) for the healthcare provider card.”

	For hygienists looking to be their own boss, Colorado allows dental hygienist to open up their own dental hygiene practice, which can be either a mobile clinic or a brick-and-mortar office.

	Aberle says allowing hygienists to practice unsupervised is especially helpful for school-based settings and rural areas.

“Colorado is one of the states where we definitely don’t have a shortage of dentists. We have an abundance of dentists, but they’re all in the metro areas. So we have the other three-quarters of the state that’s rural and no dentists are moving there, but there are hygienists who live there and are willing to provide care. That really opens up options for them,” she says.

	Another path to provide direct access is through dental therapists. In 2009, 

 became the first state government to authorize the licensing of dental therapists and required that these providers primarily serve underserved patients. Other states such as Alaska, Maine and Vermont have since followed suit.

More from the author: Can opioids prescribed for wisdom tooth extraction lead to long-term drug use?

	“Dental therapy is another way that dental hygienists can take their education and experience and provide further services with additional education,” Lynch says.

	In terms of providing greater access to care, dental therapy seems to be making a difference. Lynch notes a study done by the Minnesota state department and the Minnesota Board of Dentistry that showed the total number of new patients served by dental therapists at study clinics over an almost two-year period was 6,338.

	“I think it’s reasonable to correlate that many of those patients perhaps would not have received care without having the dental therapists as a part of that team,” Lynch says.

	Up next: What direct access means for patients...

	The cost of healthcare continues to be a hot topic in the country. The cost of dental care is one of the reasons Aberle says dental hygiene offices are doing well in Colorado, especially those in rural parts of the state.

	“Some of the patients that they see just don’t have a lot of dental needs; they really just need 

,” she says. “So why go to the dentist if you don’t need restorative work? It might be faster, easier and cheaper to just see a hygienist.

	“To me, the idea of our economy is people have choices and they have choices of when and how they can get their care. Sometimes that’s a more affordable cost, especially if you have a mobile practice because you don’t have as much overhead, so sometimes you can offer the services at a more affordable price for certain populations.”

Read more: 5 ways for hygienists to deal with parents of patients

Hygienists also serve an important function for the elderly. As the Baby Boomer generation continues to age, many are finding it difficult to travel to a physical dental office. Having hygienists visit nursing homes or set up mobile clinics in the community - or even visit a patient’s house - can be a game-changer.

	“Some of our patients who aren’t elderly but still have either mobility issues or transportation issues, they’re not able to travel an hour to go to a dental clinic,” Aberle says. “So if you have hygienists who can come to them or closer to them, then that definitely helps.”

	Clarke says she’s had the opportunity to provide care without a dentist being present in the office, and she’s seen the benefits first-hand.

	“Patients were extremely happy they could still continue on with care while the doctor was out. If needed, I could also provide triage care for the patient until the doctor could be in either later in the day of the next day. Not only were the patients happy but other staff members were too since they weren’t forced to take a day off as well,” Clarke says.

	Tooth decay is one of the most common chronic childhood conditions in the U.S., according to the 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

, with about one in five children ages 5-11 having at least one untreated decayed tooth. As such, hygienists are focusing efforts on working within school settings to treat children. According to a 

, a school-based program in South Carolina brings hygienists directly to low-income students in 467 schools in 46 districts. And a program in Michigan called Smiles on Wheels, which is run by three dental hygienists, applied more than 1,360 sealants to children in schools in a one-year period.

	“The fact of the matter is most children in the United States are eligible for coverage, either through private pay or through a state-funded program, but just because they’re eligible doesn’t mean that they necessarily get the care,” Lynch says. “So by enabling and permitting dental hygienists to directly access patients, that can often be helpful in helping to ensure that that access is in fact available.”

	While direct access has a come a long way in the last decade, there’s still work to be done. Several of the states that don’t allow direct access, including Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, are in the Deep South.

	“The holdup is largely antiquated state laws that need to be changed,” Lynch says.

	Safety, in particular, has been a long-time concern about direct access, Aberle says.

	“For a long time the fear was that it’s not as safe since dentists go to school for four years post-college and some hygienists have programs that are two or three years out of high school, so people’s concern was that hygienists may not know all of the medical complications,” Aberle says.

More from the author: The states with the best and worst oral health in 2018

	“But we use Colorado a lot as an example. We have hygienists who have owned their own practices since the early ‘80s and our board doesn’t see an overwhelming number of hygienists who are having malpractice cases, and the ones who have had malpractices cases, a lot of them worked in traditional dental offices. The ones who are practicing by themselves are usually very up to date on standards and taking a lot of extra CE courses. This is their business, their livelihood, like just a dentist, so they’re investing a lot into their education and their practice.”

	Lynch agrees that lack of education or certification is a common misconception.

	“Regardless of where you to go dental hygiene school at, there are national standards in this country, just like there are national standards for dentistry,” she says. “So regardless of which state a hygienist graduates from and ultimately is licensed to practice in, hygienists are educated to deliver all of the services that they’re educated for. If I’m in a state that doesn’t provide for direct access or limits my scope, essentially I’m not being able to practice to the full extent of my education.”

	Aberle says she has heard dentists argue that if hygienists open up their own dental hygiene practices, they won’t be able to afford 

. But in a state like Colorado, all hygienists who practice - regardless if it’s in their own practice or in a traditional dental practice - have to have liability insurance, which is roughly $77 per year.

	“That shows you that we’re obviously not a super high risk because if we were a super high risk, then insurance companies would be charging us a lot more,” Aberle says. “And if they were getting an overwhelming number of malpractice claims against hygienists, they would either not insure us or they would charge us a lot more.”

	A changing business model can also be a source of concern for dentists. If hygienists are able to open up their own dental hygiene practices down the street from dental offices, then what happens if patients decide to go there instead?

	“If you have a good relationship between a hygiene practice and a dental practice, it can be a really great referral back and forth,” Aberle explains. “Obviously the hygienists will find problems that need restorative care and they can refer to the dental practices. Likewise, in Colorado a lot of dental practices are having a tough time finding hygienists right now, and so if they could just utilize the hygiene practices that are near them, they wouldn’t have the overhead and additional salary for staff and they could create those good 

	Clarke shares a similar sentiment and says the argument regarding dental offices losing patients is actually the opposite.

	“EPP hygienists are required to refer patients to a dental office for annual exams and care,” she says. “If an EPP hygienist has already triaged the patient, other dental care can be expedited. Just as general dentists refer to specialists for endo, perio or oral surgery, hygienists must refer to a general dentist for their specialized care.”

	It seems that the dental industry is often playing catch up to the medical industry, and direct access is no exception. The medical industry has diversified its workforce with nurse practitioners and midwives, and Aberle hopes the dental industry will soon follow suit.

	“I think dentistry eventually will catch up and say these people are educated and licensed to provide care and it’s within their scope of practice, so they should be able to practice to the fullest extent of their education. I think eventually all the states will have to step into 2018 or 2020 or whenever it happens and just catch up with what’s going on in the medical industry in general,” she says.

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, is shifting patients’ perceptions of dental care and how they receive treatment. And with more people requesting after-hours or weekend appointments and affordable care, dental hygienists are filling that void.

	“I think medicine is kind of opening patients’ eyes to their options with medical care, and so patients will also start asking for those options with dental care,” Aberle says. “The traditional 8-to-5 doesn’t really work for a lot of people anymore, and so you have virtual doctors where you can do a video call. There’s also an app called 

 where you can take a photo of your tooth and send it to a dentist and get some advice.

	“Obviously there’s part of dentistry that’s still surgical, so you’ll still have to go somewhere and get that taken care of, but I just feel like because technology and the medical industry are evolving, patients will start asking us for those same options in the dental clinics. Eventually we’ll just have to adapt to the changing world.”

With more patients requesting after-hours appointments or mobile dental care, hygienists in direct access states are making a difference. 

How direct access is expanding treatment options for patients

	We’re all familiar with couples costumes, but if you’re determined to win the best costume award this Halloween, then you need to take things up a notch.

Are your kids feeling toothy this fall season? Do you want to prove to your neighbors that you’re the toothiest (and perhaps, kookiest) family on the block? Then get those creative juices flowing and dream up some dental-themed costumes for the whole family!

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	Whether you’ve always dreamed of being the tooth fairy or you want to show off your pearly whites by dressing up your little ones like shiny teeth, we’ve complied some of the best 

 ideas for the family. In a sea of pirate and witch costumes, you and your family are sure to be the talk of the town. (And hey, maybe you’ll even remind those trick-or-treaters to brush and floss after devouring all that candy!)

	Click through the slides to check out the costume ideas.

	1. Darla Sherman, Dr. P. Sherman and Nemo

	Who can forget Dara Sherman, the brace-faced, terrifyingly rambunctious child from Finding Nemo? Channel her spirited energy into this year’s family Halloween costume! (Just please don’t shout “WAKE UP FISHY!” when baby Nemo falls asleep.)

	Image via Pinterest/@elizabethparrett on Instagram.

	Let’s be honest - the legend of the tooth fairy sort of fits in perfectly with Halloween. A mythical creature who sneaks into your bedroom at night while you’re asleep to steal your teeth? Yikes!

	Fortunately, these tooth fairy costumes are much more tame. And with the amount of candy your kids are sure to get as a result of these adorable costumes, you may be getting a visit from the actual tooth fairy very soon!

	Babies dressed up in any sort of costume are pretty adorable. But dressing up your baby as a loose baby tooth is quite clever! Just be careful - this much sweetness could cause a toothache.

	We know that many people are afraid to visit the dentist, and dental professionals try their best to minimize those fears - that is, except for when it’s Halloween. Play off of that fear by dressing up your kids like maniacal, crazed dentists. This may not encourage your neighbors to visit your office, but it will score your kids some cool costume points. 

	If we’re talking about dental-themed Halloween costumes for the whole family, then we can’t leave out our furry friends! If you’re guilty of treating your dog like royalty, then you’ll love this tooth fairy costume complete with crown and scepter. Just don’t be surprised when your pup starts barking orders at you.

	Growing up with parents who are dentists or hygienists, your kids know “the drill” when it comes to teeth. (We couldn’t help ourselves). If your kids are showing an interest in dentistry, or if they just want to dress up like mom and dad, then this dentist costume is the perfect fit.

	Can’t decide on which of your favorite oral hygiene products to dress up as this year? Now you don’t have to! Have your entire family join in on the dental fun. 

	If your kids decide to go the tooth fairy costume route, then they’ll need a tooth to complete the ensemble. And who better to dress up as a giant tooth than the family dog? (Your dog may think otherwise, but that’s okay!) Stick some fake dollar bills into the tooth costume for an added touch.

	Are your kids constantly complaining about having to brush their teeth? Have you tried to instill the value of good oral hygiene in them to no avail? Really hammer home the point this Halloween by dressing them up as a toothbrush and giant tooth.

	As dental professionals, you’ve probably worked on some pretty bad teeth but surely nothing as gnarly as these bloody werewolf fangs. Let your dog show off his inner wolf this Halloween with this training muzzle.

Want to step up your costume game this year? Check out these toothy options! 

10 dental-themed Halloween costumes for the whole family

Dental lasers are no longer a thing of science fiction. These powerful tools can perform highly demanded procedures from soft-tissue surgeries like frenectomies and gingivectomies to hard-tissue procedures such as caries removal.

Lasers also aid in treatment acceptance. Rather than deal with the shrill sound of a drill or the stick of a needle, many lasers on the market are said to offer patients anesthesia-free, no-cut procedures.

Not sure if laser technology is the right fit for your practice? Check out some of the top options we’ve compiled on the next few pages.

• Due to an innovative wavelength of 445 nm with high absorbance in haemoglobin, Aquamarine is designed to cut soft tissues with less power, which is said to lead to lesser carbonization and thermal damage to tissues.
	• The laser has four built-in treatment presets and 12 definable programs for each of the two possible users.
	• Sterile EndoTips and UniTips and autoclavable ActivTips reportedly provide solutions for a faster and safer workflow.

	• The wavelength of this Er:YAG laser is said to be excellent for dental treatment because it’s readily absorbed by water and efficiently vaporizes human tissue that his high water content, reportedly affecting only the surface of that tissue.
	• The laser is designed to produce very little heat, which keeps discomfort to a minimum.
	• An array of tip options enables the laser to perform both hard and soft tissue procedures.

• The Fotona Lightwalker is said to be a cutting-edge, next-generation, modern laser system that combines the two most researched and beneficial laser wavelengths in dentistry - Nd:YAG and Er:YAG.
	• Dentists can reportedly use the laser to perform highly demanded and lucrative procedures such as Nightlase snoring treatment and Smoothlase intraoral facial rejuvenation treatments.
	• Endo and perio patients are said to experience less pain and faster healing.

 Laser is said to be the ideal tool to perform soft-tissue surgeries, including frenectomy, gingivectomy, operculectomy, fibroma removal, aphthous ulcer treatment and more.
	• The laser reportedly offers the most advanced and ergonomic delivery system for dental CO

 lasers -  a hollow waveguide (flexible fiber).
	• The LightScalpel is held only 1-3 mm away from the tissue, which is said to allow for greater accuracy.

• This latest evolution in soft-tissue lasers reportedly enables clinicians to deliver the benefits of laser dentistry to each patient while increasing practice production across all departments.
• The pocket-size laser is designed to be completely portable yet just as powerful as conventional soft-tissue lasers.
	• The plug-and-play system is engineered with 12 preset procedural settings optimized for periodontal, restorative, and specialized treatment needs.

	• The compact design, long-lasting lithium battery and wireless foot pedal are said to make the Pioneer Elite conveniently portable between operatories and a valuable tool for both hygienists and dentists.
	• The 810 nm wavelength is reportedly ideally suited for numerous soft tissue procedures as well as hygienic, surgical and therapeutic treatments.
	• The sleek pen-style standard handpiece is designed to be comfortable and convenient, even for posterior applications.

• Designed for both the dentist and hygienist in mind, Picasso dental lasers reportedly provide the ultimate tool for treating soft tissue procedures.
	• From laser gingivectomies to safe implant recovery to laser periodontal treatment, Picasso soft tissue lasers are said to provide the most effective and affordable solution for every dental office.
	• The laser is engineered to be simple to use.

 protocol using the PerioLase® MVP-7™ reportedly has the first and only scientifically proven FDA clearance for full-mouth True Periodontal Regeneration™ - new cementum, new PDL and new alveolar bone without foreign biologics.
	• The laser is designed specifically to perform the LANAP and LAPIP™ treatment protocols.
	• PerioLase MVP-7 is said to increase treatment acceptance with the no-cut, no-sew perio procedures patients want.

	Millennium Dental Technologies
	888-638-5262  |  

• Spectralase 980 is reportedly the only diode laser developed to treat peri-implantitis.
	• Spectrum Lasers utilize a 980 nm wavelength that’s said to be 30 times more attracted to water than an 810 nm wavelength.
	• The advanced pulse mode is designed to allow for more comfortable cutting, which is said to be especially important in order to keep the temperature of an implant and the surrounding bone under the critical threshold when treating peri-implantitis.

 is said to be a breakthrough technology that delivers a completely different experience than any laser before.
	• Solea is reportedly the first all-tissue laser that can cut hard tissue, including all classes of cavity preps, quickly, smoothly and reliably anesthesia-free.
	• Clinicians can reportedly cut soft tissue without any bleeding, sutures or discomfort.

• SiroLaser Blue is reportedly the first dental laser in the U.S. that emits a blue light at a wavelength of 445 nm.
	• The blue light energy is said to be absorbed nearly 100 times better by soft tissue than infrared light, enabling fast, precise and virtually painless cutting with impressive results.
	• The laser is also engineered to be used at a wavelength of 970 nm (infrared light) for traditional indications in periodontics and hygiene and 660 nm (visible red light) for soft laser applications.

	• Waterlase Express™ is the fifth-generation all-tissue dental laser from BIOLASE that’s designed to be easy to learn and use.
	• It features a tablet-based interface and HD quality clinical animations for every procedure, along with step-by-step protocols that are said to help guide less invasive, patient-friendly procedures for restorative, perio, peri-implantitis and more.
	• Waterlase Express reportedly makes minimally-invasive laser dentistry accessible for clinicians.

• The Photon Series of dental diode lasers is said to offer a high-quality product equipped with unique and unmatched features at a dramatically lower price point than any competitive product.
	• Zolar Photon Series lasers are reportedly on their way to becoming the benchmark within the dental laser industry.
	• Zolar products are specifically designed, developed and assembled by a team of dedicated dental professionals based in Ontario.

	Zolar Technology & Mfg
	888-410-2310  |  

Rounding up some of the top products on the market. 

Harnessing the power of dental lasers

Harnessing the Power of Dental Lasers

	While a lot of attention is paid to dental offices when it comes to infection control, dental laboratories also are subject to strict standards which they must adhere to. While some OSHA violations are obvious, others involve small details that can be easy for lab technicians to overlook.

	Lab owners play a crucial role in setting an example for their workers when it comes to following safety policies.

“Dental lab owners must be committed to providing a safe workplace and follow their own safety policies,” says Mary A. Borg-Bartlett, president of 

, a provider of OSHA and FDA compliance services. “For instance, if safety eyewear is required in production areas, then the owner and managers must also wear safety eyewear. It’s unreasonable to expect the general employee population to adhere to safety policies if top management doesn’t set the example.”

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 can not only have a negative impact on a lab’s reputation but also its bottom line. As of Jan. 2, 2018, OSHA penalty amounts are $12,934 per violation for a serious, other-than-serious, or posting requirements violation. A willful or repeated violation will cost lab owners $129,336 per violation.

	Despite lab owners’ best efforts, complaints may still be reported to OSHA. That’s why it’s critical to stay up to date on best practices and to frequently evaluate processes and systems within the lab environment.

	Click through the slides to find out how to avoid an OSHA inspection.

	There are many chemicals and hazardous materials used within the lab, and as such, proper 

 must be used to minimize the risk of injuries.

	Borg-Bartlett says that as a first step, employers should assess their workplace for hazards and then implement controls to either minimize or eliminate those hazards. If it’s not possible to fully protect workers, then personal protective equipment, including eye protection, must be required.

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	“In a dental lab there are exposures to many different types of hazards that would require the use of eye protection,” she says. “Some of those hazards are the splash of a chemical or biological hazard, flying debris creating during grinding, or a laser or casting hazard,” she says.

	The type of eyewear used is also important. While regular prescription eyewear is often worn by lab technicians, Borg-Bartlett points out that if the eyewear isn’t rated by an agency such as the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), then it won’t meet OSHA’s requirements.

	In order to adhere to OSHA standards, lab technicians and staff members must have an understanding of the various rules and procedures in place. Borg-Bartlett recommends that new employees be trained upon hire and prior to entering areas with recognized hazards.

	“This usually includes Hazard Communication training on chemical exposures, Bloodborne Pathogen Standard training on biological hazards, emergency action plans, personal protective equipment requirements, which can include respiratory protection, use of guards and shields on machinery and equipment, and lockout/tagout if de-energizing of equipment during repairs and maintenance is performed by workers,” she explains.

Related reading: The benefits of proper OSHA and infection control training

	If there’s a risk of occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens, then OSHA 

 occur upon hire, annually and when there are changes in the standards, says Karen Daw of Karen Daw Consulting and former clinic health and safety director for The Ohio State University College of Dentistry.

	“A good employer will make sure their team receives the information they need to be safe and will conduct assessments that demonstrate understanding of the educational content,” Daw says. “They will also provide an ‘open-door’ policy so that employees know they can report unsafe practices and can suggest safety improvement measures.”

	According to Daw, complacency is one of the biggest mistakes lab owners make when it comes to following OSHA standards.

	“I’ve been fortunate enough to assist dental labs that recognized, though they felt they were in good shape, they wanted third-party verification,” she says. “Many things can turn up when you partner with someone whose job it is to find discrepancies. There are so many resources available to assist business owners with identifying what OSHA standards apply and how to meet them.”

	3. Non-compliance with the Hazard Communication Standard

 is sometimes called the “employee right-to-know” standard. It requires all employees have access to hazard information, including Safety Data Sheets for hazardous chemicals.

	“Employees must review the SDS for the chemicals that they work with so that they are familiar with any hazards associated with the chemical and how to protect themselves from the hazard,” Borg-Bartlett says.

	Labeling is another aspect of the standard.

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	“When chemicals are removed from the original container that has the appropriate warnings from the manufacturer, then the secondary container must be labeled with the same warnings,” Borg-Bartlett explains.

	Lab technicians come into contact with a variety of 

 and materials from flammables to carcinogens. As such, Daw says that dental lab workers must be familiar with the SDSs for all chemicals they’re exposed to.

	“One of the biggest mistakes I’ve observed in the lab is that people are not sure of the proper way to use, store and handle chemicals and are not wearing (or wearing properly) appropriate personal protective equipment, are not familiar with cleanup and containment procedures in the event of a chemical spill, or are not being mindful of the hazards in general associated with a particular product,” Daw says.

	The storage of chemicals, especially acids, corrosives and flammable materials, also presents a hazard in the dental lab.

	“Acids must be handled carefully and stored for disposal according to the state’s hazardous waste laws,” Borg-Bartlett says. “Flammables should be stored away from heat sources. The quantities of these chemicals within the dental lab will determine whether or not specific corrosive or flammable cabinets are required.”

	Electric wiring is an aspect that may often be overlooked, but it still plays an important role in the dental lab. In particular, temporary wiring and splicing, such as flexible cords and cables, should be inspected and paid attention to by lab owners.

	“The employer must ensure that extension cords, for instance, are only used for temporary purposes. Multi-plug adapters should not be used since they could overload a circuit and cause a fire,” Borg-Bartlett says.

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	OSHA’s Electrical Standards address electrical safety requirements to safeguard employees. According to OSHA, the standards apply to electrical equipment and wiring in hazardous locations. For instance, OSHA notes that if lab workers use flammable gases, they may need special wiring and equipment installation.

, OSHA recommends consulting with the lab’s insurance company or local fire department.

	5. Failing to have a Respiratory Protection Program

Want to avoid a visit from OSHA at your lab? Here's what you need to know.