Natalie Hasselbacher

BiteDownDeals.com is the industry's first daily deal website. Read the full press release below. 

	BiteDownDeals.com is the first daily deal website dedicated exclusively to dental professionals.  BiteDownDeals offers unparalleled pricing for everyday products dentists consistently use and replenish.  The concept is simple: each day BiteDownDeals will offer one product at an incredible price!  

	Without overhead or inventory, BiteDownDeals is able to offer dentists products at prices 30% to 60% below competitors’ prices. In addition, the site offers $5 flat rate shipping nationwide, regardless of your purchase.  To make it easy on consumers, subscribers to the site can opt to receive an email each time a new deal is offered.  Each deal has its own defined expiration time and maximum quantity to purchase, ensuring that more people can enjoy the deal.

	For more information or to sign up to receive the newest deal, visit 

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 BiteDownDeals.com is the industry's first daily deal website. Read the full press release below. 

BiteDownDeals.com offers dental products at discounted prices

Dentists and their lab technicians now have a new innovation at their fingertips that will allow them to communicate better and maximize patient results. Dentists can use Styledent's Dental Rx mobile app to email prescriptions and images to the lab in one step. The new mobile dental application means labs will receive the photos and all the necessary information with no delay. For more information, read the full press release below. Look for a more in-depth article on this technology on our website soon. 

 to read a recent article about the FDA's plans for regulations on dental applications. 

	August 18, 2011, Laval, Quebec, Canada – Building on its journey to become a leader in developing mobile dental applications, Styledent Technologies, in partnership with Bold Technologies, today announced the introduction of Dental Rx, the first crown and bridge dental lab prescription on iTunes App Store.  
	
	The development of Dental Rx represents an important realization for Styledent Technologies and a major innovation in the mobile dental application sector, since the company succeeded in finding a way of combining a more and more predominant use of mobile technology in the dental office with the dentist’s daily challenges by creating a simple and easy to use universal mobile dental lab prescription.
	
	Dental Rx allows the practitioner to send by email to the laboratory of its choice his prescription and photos for a patient’s case in just one step. More and more dentists are taking pictures of their patients face and smile in the office, given that these photos are necessary for the success of their lab cases, especially when aesthetics are considered. The occlusal plane, the midline, dentin colour, final shade and any other information is often forgotten in the prescription, or pictures are not sent immediately which can delay or compromise the success of lab cases. Dental Rx assures dentists and labs that all the necessary information for their cases will be transmitted with the auto-fill form that also acts as a reminder.
	

	Dentists and technicians from all around the world are looking for tools that will allow them to better communicate and maximize the final results of their aesthetic cases. Styledent Technologies is committed to satisfy them with this world class innovation.
	
	Styledent Technologies and Bold Technologies are already working on new modules for removable cases and orthodontics. The application will soon include a series of tools destined to help and facilitate the dentist’s daily work such as various guides, memory cards and online product purchasing.
	
	 With this announcement, Styledent Technologies reiterates its unconditional engagement to improve communication between dentists and technicians in a team work perspective, with the ultimate goal of satisfying patients from all around the world.
	
	


	 Styledent Technologies is a Canadian, Quebec based company committed in creating and developing tools, using new technologies, for the purpose of improving communication between dentists and technicians with the ultimate goal of satisfying patients from all around the world.

 Dentists and their lab technicians now have a new innovation at their fingertips that will allow them to communicate better and maximize patient results. Dentists can use Styledent's Dental Rx mobile app to email prescriptions and images to the lab in one step. The new mobile dental application means labs will receive the photos and all the necessary information with no delay. For more information, read the full press release below. Look for a more in-depth article on this technology on our website soon.

Styledent Technologies introduces universal mobile dental lab prescription app for dentists

 this topic and received a lot of feedback from those who expressed a need for dental therapy education standards and also those who are strongly opposed to this mid-level practitioner concept. Now that CODA has voted to establish accreditation standards for dental therapy education programs what do you think? Read the full press release below. 

	The Commission on Dental Accreditation voted Aug. 5 to grant the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry’s request to establish accreditation standards for dental therapy education programs.

	However, it’s only a first step in the complex process of accreditation, said Dr. Donald R. Joondeph, chair of the commission.

	“This does not mean that CODA is evaluating any existing dental therapy program,” said Dr. Joondeph. Instead, he is appointing a task force to develop new standards for dental therapy education programs. The task force will report its progress at the August 2012 CODA meeting.

	“The commission is committed to an open and transparent dialogue as the dental therapy standards are developed,” said Dr. Joondeph. “The process of developing standards will take two years, at a minimum, and the communities of interest will be able to review and comment on the draft standards through written comment at any time during the process or at open hearings.”

	Dental therapy education programs are not eligible for accreditation by the commission until the standards are finalized and implemented. Dr. Joondeph said that CODA carefully considered U of M’s documentation and evidence for each criterion under the commission’s “Policy on Eligibility of New Allied Dental Programs for Accreditation by the Commission on Dental Accreditation” in reaching its decision.

	Several points were made during discussion:

		The establishment of standards for dental therapy education is reflective of the commission’s mission, which is to serve the public by establishing, maintaining and applying standards regarding the quality and continuous improvement of dental and dental-related education.

		The commission is the only entity that has expertise in accreditation of dental education programs and can set standards on a national basis. There is the potential for fragmentation of the accreditation process if the state dental boards or other accrediting agencies accredit programs.

		Patient welfare and patient care could be adversely affected if there are no educational standards for dental therapy. The commission has the ability and the obligation to set educational standards to help ensure patient safety.

	The American Dental Association in a statement Aug. 9 said, “The commission sets the national scope of practice when it develops accreditation standards in a discipline of dentistry. Although CODA is a long way from defining the scope of practice for dental therapists, the American Dental Association is already on record as firmly opposing anyone other than a dentist diagnosing oral disease or performing surgical/irreversible procedures. While CODA is an agency of the ADA, accreditation decisions, standard setting and accreditation policy is solely under the Commission's purview, as outlined in the ADA Bylaws. CODA is recognized by the United States Department of Education to accredit dental and dental-related education programs conducted at the post-secondary level. USDE criteria for recognition require the Commission to have a stringent conflict of interest policy.

	“Ultimately, the goal of CODA and the ADA are the same-the provision of safe, effective dental care to patients. The ADA remains very clear in its position that only a dentist, by virtue of education, training and clinical experience, should diagnose oral disease and perform surgical/irreversible procedures.”

 We wrote an article back in March covering this topic and received a lot of feedback from those who expressed a need for dental therapy education standards and also those who are strongly opposed to this mid-level practitioner concept. Now that CODA has voted to establish accreditation standards for dental therapy education programs what do you think? Read the full press release below. 

CODA grants dental school's request for dental therapy education programs

Crest Oral-B is accepting nominations for its second annual Pros in the Profession awards program. Pros in the Profession recognizes six dental hygienists who have demonstrated a true passion for making a difference in the lives of their patients. Do you work with an inspiring dental hygienist? 

	CINCINNATI, August 01, 2011 /PRNewswire/ - Crest

 continues to recognize Registered Dental Hygienists who go above and beyond the call of duty every day with the second annual ‘Pros in the Profession’ awards program. The awards distributed through this program acknowledge the essential role of dental hygienists and the important part they play in their patients’ lives. In fact, many of the practicing dental hygienists in the United States serve on the front line of oral care at the dental office, providing patients with recommendations and advice that promote good oral health.

	“With the success last year when we launched Pros in the Profession, we recognized the need not only to extend, but to expand our commitment to honor dental hygienists for their dedication to improving oral healthcare for the public,” said Wendy Bebey, RDH, BS, P&G Dental Hygienist Relations Manager. “In year two of the program, we will continue to honor distinguished professionals whose passion and commitment to making a difference in patients’ lives inspire us all.”

	Throughout the year, Crest Oral-B will reward six deserving professionals, as nominated by their peers, who truly make an impact on patients and for the oral health cause. Winners will receive a $1,000 monetary prize, a plaque, recognition at a special award cocktail reception at 

 in Las Vegas, tribute in dental trade media news announcements, and an exclusive trip to P&G headquarters. So those who know a worthy Pro should help give them the recognition they deserve by nominating them today!

	From July 2011 to April 2012, nominations can be submitted via 

 or at the Crest Oral-B booth at upcoming dental conventions. Nominations should be submitted by dentists, fellow hygienists, dental assistants, professional colleagues and collegiate colleagues, conveying why their nominee is a true Pro. In order to be considered for the program, nominees must meet the following criteria:

		Registered Dental Hygienists with 2+ years of practice experience after graduation from dental hygiene school.

		Registered Dental Hygienists with community service involvement.

		General volunteer/non-oral health-specific examples are welcome, but oral health-related volunteer experience is preferred.

		Registered Dental Hygienists with examples of work that go above and beyond the call of duty.

		Examples include: excellent patient relations/special care/retainment; involvement in research and/or clinical experience; published work(s); and the ability to generate additional business for their practice.

	“The awards are a testament to the contributions of dental hygienists across the country, and bring much-needed visibility to our profession,” said Sharon C. Stull, BSDH, MS, one of five award winners during last year’s inaugural program. “Having been chosen as one of the ‘Pros in the Profession,’ I am thrilled that Crest Oral-B understands that dental hygienists are an integral part of the dental healthcare team and the positive health outcomes for each patient we treat.”

, including how to nominate a Pro for consideration and for rules and regulations, please visit 

. For information about Crest Oral-B products and resources, visit the newly revised and updated dentalcare.com website.

 Crest Oral-B is accepting nominations for its second annual Pros in the Profession awards program. Pros in the Profession recognizes six dental hygienists who have demonstrated a true passion for making a difference in the lives of their patients. Do you work with an inspiring dental hygienist? Nominate him or her! Read the full press release below...