Michael Quirk

 recently released a video illustrating how 

 adapt to all tooth surfaces, plus gives step-by-step instructions on how to best prepare and polish teeth.

Said to be a two-step, single use finishing and polishing system, Sof-Lex spiral wheels are ideal for a wide range of direct and indirect restorations, including composites, bisacrylic temporary materials and resin-modified glass ionomers.

As illustrated in the video below, the flexible “fingers” of the wheels conform to the convex and concave surfaces of both anterior and posterior teeth, while abrasive particles embedded in the wheels provide effective dental finishing.

For more information about Sof-Lex finishing and polishing wheels, or to make a purchase, head to 3M ESPE’s website at 

Articles

3M ESPE recently released a video illustrating how Sof-Lex spiral wheels adapt to all tooth surfaces, plus gives step-by-step instructions on how to best prepare and polish teeth.

How 3M ESPE’s Sof-Lex™ spiral wheels adapt to all tooth surfaces [VIDEO]

DPR previewed DEXIS Mac with DEXIS Product Manager Poornima Gopalakrishnan at the Greater New York Dental Meeting in New York City.

Said to offer dentists a unified experience across Mac and iOS products, the nearly completed imaging software will provide clinicians with a highly efficient digital imaging workflow, as well as seamless integration with Mac-based practice management platforms 

Reportedly, a tight integration between the new software and the 

 patient communication app – as well as the just-released 

 – adds even greater effectiveness for Mac-based dentists.  DEXIS Mac and its companion apps collectively operate on iPad, iPhone and iPod touch technology, plus it supports both Mac OS X full screen and AirPlay mode for larger displays.

While DEXIS Mac is still currently under development, dental practitioners should look for it to be formally introduced in the second quarter of 2014.  In the meantime, head to 

 for news and updates about the software, or to get more information about 

GNYDM 2013: DEXIS Mac™ expands Imaging Suite of products to natively support Apple® and OS X® [VIDEO]

At the Greater New York Dental Meeting, DPR talked with 

The instruments, which are manufactured from German-forged stainless steel, are reportedly designed specially to serve the American dental market.

“Our new instruments are lighter and better balanced than ever before,” said Ritter CEO Fred Battah. “They are specially designed to appeal to America’s ergonomically conscious dental clinicians.”

The instrument line includes tools for a wide range of specialties, such as 

For more information about Ritter Dental’s new instrument line, or to place an order, call 1-855-807-8111 or head to 

At the Greater New York Dental Meeting, DPR talked with Ritter Dental’s Paola Gemignani about the company’s new instrument line.

GNYDM 2013: Ritter Dental’s new dental instruments are ergonomically designed to meet the needs of American dentists [VIDEO]

 Product Manager Crissy Treon at the Greater New York Dental Meeting in New York City to preview the new Artizan dental cabinetry, which combines advanced functionality and a sleek, modern look for a more upscale dental space.

According to Midmark, each element in the Artizan redesign was based on extensive market research and customer feedback.

The treatment station features a slender midsection, floating glass shelf and cantilever forward upper profile, providing shape while freeing up countertop space.  The central station features a mirrored vanity front, LED lighting, a touch/proximity faucet, and a cantilevered sink.  The units also incorporate many familiar elements in a 

, such as stainless steel and Ultraleather™ accents.

In addition, dental clinicians can combine several cabinet and resin panels, countertop materials, and upholstery colors for design flexibility and individuality.  To help dentists choose color combinations and styles, Midmark has teamed with designers to create specific palettes for individual tastes.

The Artizan line is expected to be ready for production in the spring of 2014, but sales representatives are already offering quotes to interested dental clinicians at the Greater New York Dental Meeting.

For more information about the new or existing Artizan line, or other Midmark products, call 1-800-MIDMARK or visit 

DPR caught up with Midmark Product Manager Crissy Treon at the Greater New York Dental Meeting in New York City to preview the new Artizan dental cabinetry, which combines advanced functionality and a sleek, modern look for a more upscale dental space.

GNYDM 2013: Midmark’s new Artizan® dental cabinetry provides a sleek, modern look to the dental space [VIDEO]

Announced at the Greater New York Dental Meeting in New York City, 

 is said to offer a fast, easy way to add photos to 

The app gives practitioners an automatic, wireless way to capture photos directly into the patient record, without cards, readers or manual file transfers.  Offering two functions, DEXIS photo lets practitioners capture patient ID photos that are viewable from any imaging screen through DEXIS, as well as capture and send images for the software’s extra-oral photo screen. By using DEXIS photo with an applicable mobile device, practitioners can reportedly perform these tasks while in proximity to DEXIS Imaging Suite software.

“After the release of our last app, DEXIS go®, we were praised for our use of contemporary technology that was adapted to a valuable dental application,” states Adam Palermo, Product Manager for DEXIS. “We know from research that mobile devices are widely used in dental practices, and we are embracing this technology to improve clinical workflow.”

Also, DEXIS photo helps clinicians stay HIPAA compliant since images are securely stored within DEXIS, and not on the mobile device used for capture.

DEXIS photo will be available in the iTunes app store at the end of December.  To find out more information, head to 

Announced at the Greater New York Dental Meeting in New York City, DEXIS photo is said to offer a fast, easy way to add photos to DEXIS Imaging Suite with an iPhone or iPod Touch.

GNYDM 2013: DEXIS photo™ offers flexible, fast image capture with an iPhone or iPod Touch [VIDEO]

American Association of Dental Office Managers

 (AADOM) event in Orlando, DPR Group Editorial Director 

 about the effect of the ACA on dental practices.

According to Duncan, fear is the overwhelming response from dentists in regard to the new law.  And as she explains, staying informed is the best way to dispel anxieties and ensure full compliancy.

Watch the video below for Teresa Duncan’s other tips on how to face the effects of Obamacare – both as an employer and a business owner - with certainty.

The impact of the ACA decision on dental care

ADA article series addresses the Affordable Care Act's impact on dentistry

OBAMACARE: 5 things every dentist needs to know about the Affordable Care Act

At the recent American Association of Dental Office Managers (AADOM) event in Orlando, DPR Group Editorial Director Kevin Henry chatted with insurance consultant Teresa Duncan about the effect of the ACA on dental practices.

Obamacare: The effect of the Affordable Care Act on dental practices [VIDEO]

Section 179's impact on dental practices is huge.  Designed to offer tax relief to small businesses and encourage economic growth, the legislation allows dentists to make money-saving deductions on important purchases for their practice. Nevertheless, that could all change very soon.

To learn more about Section 179, DPR talked to Mike Unthank of 

 about how the deduction benefits dentists, its uncertain future in an erratic political climate, and why dentists need to act now, before it's too late.
 

Want more information? Download this free e-book: Dentist's Guide to Small Business Tax Deductions 2013

Section 179: Why dentists need to act NOW [VIDEO]

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

 (CDC) includes a vanguard discussion about health inequalities within periodontal disease prevalence in the United States.

The second in a series that highlights disparities across a variety of demographics and social characteristics, the “CDC Health Disparities and Inequalities Report – United States, 2013” finds that although there is a prevalence of periodontal disease in nearly half of adults aged 30 or older, the occurrence is much higher in non-Hispanic blacks and Mexican Americans.  The report also asserts that periodontitis is higher in men than in women; those without a high school education; lower income individuals; as well as current and former smokers.

Since 2003, the CDC has been working in partnership with the 

 (AAP) to assess the extent, severity and pervasiveness of periodontal disease in the U.S.  The AAP recommends patients receive a comprehensive periodontal evaluation annually, with dental professionals stressing the importance of the screenings on a larger scale, especially since many who suffer from periodontal disease do so without symptoms.

“The extent of all that encompasses a complete periodontal screening has been illusive in many practices for years regardless of our patient’s age, race or education,” said 

, RDH, an author, speaker, and leading advocate for greater public awareness around periodontal disease. “As a dental hygienist, I am encouraged by the CDC's latest effort in supporting a consistent method to perform a thorough periodontal screening once a year.”

There are plenty of tools available to dental practitioners to help them screen patients more effectively, including 

, a PST genetic risk test for periodontal disease.  PerioPredict measures genetic variations for Interleukin-1 (IL-1), a key mediator of inflammation, and identifies patients who are at a higher risk of developing severe periodontal disease.  Said to be fast, easy and painless, the test is performed in approximately 1 minute during a routine exam or cleaning, after which the sample is sent to 

. for analysis.  Test results are then returned to the dentist in approximately two weeks.

For more information and resources about how to expand your patients’ awareness of periodontal disease, head to the AAP’s website at 

A report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) includes a vanguard discussion about health inequalities within periodontal disease prevalence in the United States.

New CDC report highlights greater instances of periodontal disease in minorities, lower-income individuals and more

 is a GIOMER bulk fill restorative material for base and liner placement in class 1 and 2 posterior restorations.

A surface pre-reacted glass filler, Shofu’s 

 reportedly offers high fluoride release and recharge benefits with light diffusion properties that allow for a 4 mm cure depth without problematic translucency issues.  Also, the material’s varied particle sizes act in concert with GIOMER’s hydrophobic nature to offer a dense distribution within the resin, as well as a high filler load that reduces polymerization shrinkage stress.

Watch the video below to see Shofu's proprietary GIOMER technology in action

The material reportedly delivers excellent strength and radiopaque surface hardness to permit identification.  Plus, BEAUTIFIL offers a self-leveling feature that is said to increase cavity adaption and ease of use while reducing material manipulation time.

BEAUTIFIL is available in a 2.4 gm syringe in universal and dentin shades.

 for more information about BEAUTIFIL Bulk Flowable.

BEAUTIFIL Bulk Flowable from Shofu is a GIOMER bulk fill restorative material for base and liner placement in class 1 and 2 posterior restorations.

BEAUTIFIL® Bulk Flowable uses GIOMER technology to offer high fluoride release, excellent strength and more [VIDEO]

The Physician Payments Sunshine Act (Open Payments) requires medical device manufacturers, suppliers and others to begin recording data about gifts, payments and transfers of value to healthcare providers starting this last August. As the first annual reporting deadline to the 

Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

 approaches on March 31 of next year, many physicians and dental practitioners may still be pondering exactly how the Sunshine Act will affects their practice and bottom line.  Read on for answers to pressing questions many dentists have about the new rule.

In a nutshell, the rule states that if a dentist has a financial relationship or ownership or investment interest in an applicable manufacturer, then that manufacturer is required to gather and report data about that dentist and the nature of the relationship. Even ownership interest held by a dentist’s immediate family members (parent, child, spouse, sibling, stepparent, stepchild, stepsibling, brother or sister-in-law, grandparent, or grandchild) is required to be reported. 

, the rule is intended to create greater transparency around financial relationships, prevent inappropriate influence on research and education, and reduce the risk of increased health care costs.

Who is required to collect and report data?

” are responsible for collecting and reporting data.  Included in this category are medical device manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies and medical suppliers. Basically, companies are required to report if their products require premarket approval or clearance from the Food and Drug Administration, and if payment for those products can be made through Medicaid, Medicare or the Children’s Health Insurance Program.

Applicable manufacturers must organize and report all payments or transfers of value within the following categories:

Payment or compensation to speakers at events not considered continuing education programs

Current or prospective ownership or investment interest

Compensation or payment to faculty members of and speakers for unaccredited, accredited, certified, or non-certified continuing education programs

What kind of data will be reported about me?

Your name, business address, state of license and license number, national provider identifier (NPI), and specialty

The date, amount and form of payments or transfers of value you’ve received from applicable manufacturers

The nature of payment as defined by the categories listed above.

The names of devices, pharmaceuticals, biologicals, or medical supplies associated with the payment.

To who the payment was made dentist or immediate family member

On top of the information above, manufacturers must also report information related to your (or your family member’s) ownership interests in the company, including the amount invested, the value of the ownership interest, as well as any other direct or indirect payments made as a result of the ownership interest.

Who has access to the information about me that has been reported?

Most importantly, you do.  You are required to register with the CMS to be notified of supposed payments reported and are allowed to review or dispute payments before they are posted on the CMS website.  Once that information has been posted, however, it becomes available to the general public.

Are there any penalties if I don’t comply with the rule in some way?

Although there are monetary penalties for applicable manufacturers that don’t report on a timely basis, or that knowingly omit required data, you don’t face penalties of any kind because you aren’t required to report anything.

 to receive notifications, if you haven’t already.

Second, perform a cost/benefit analysis to decide if the financial relationships you currently have with applicable manufacturers if they fall under the reporting requirements are worth it to you to be made public.

Third, come up with a plan on how to decide whether or not to create financial relationships with applicable manufacturers in the future, keeping in mind how they might be perceived by your patients, employees and potential investors in your practice.

Open Payments Mobile for Physicians mobile app (iOS)

Open Payments Mobile for Physicians mobile app (Android)

Sunshine Act coverage on Medical Economics