ADA 2012: Closing Thoughts

The ADA Annual Session has come and gone. Now that the dental community has had some time to recover from the major industry event that gathered more than 33,000 attendees, we'd like to take a step back and focus on the most substantial take-aways.

With an editorial staff so committed to seeking out new ways to make you not just a better dentist, but a happier and more efficient dentist, it comes as no surprise that we are staying true to form by ending the ADA coverage with a little something for everyone. Our tireless contributions produced around-the-clock information on new dental products launched during the show, ranging from new 3D imaging software, to retraction pastes, to practice management systems. We'd of course be remiss to overlook some of the major enhancements and upgrades to the products that have been around for a while.

Causing quite a stir and for good reason is the new DEXIS Imaging Suite. Celebrating its 15th anniversary, DEXIS held an event at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art where dental professionals got a chance to see the brand new technology in action for the first time.

Photo: (Left) A demo of Dexis Go.

We were able to catch up with Patterson Dental's Technology Marketing Manager and Top 25 Women in Dentistry finalist Jana Berghoff on the ADA show floor, where Dental Products Report Director of Content Thais Carter and Berghoff chatted up the new relationship that has formed between Patterson and Liptak Dental. The exciting partnership means that practice management software now has a multi-stage back up to protect the dental office's data and programs. Watch our full interview with Berghoff to learn more.

Making waves already is 3Shape and its announcement to bring its TRIOS intraoral scanner to the U.S. market.

As of October 18, the company is "all systems go" with the sales of the complete digital impression system in the U.S. and Canada.

The ADA's "Stop Zombie Mouth" campaign was in full force during the show. Launched by the American Dental Association and PopCap Games, the creator of the video game Plants vs. Zombies, the campaign aims to encourage good oral health among children through the distribution of Plants vs. Zombies-themed trading cards that feature tips for keeping teeth healthy as an alternative to candy.

Dental Products Report New Products Editor Ken Schnepf was in attendance when Dr. Jonathan B. Levine, a usual guest on the Dr. Oz show, handed over a check for $5,000 to the San Francisco Dental Hygiene Society, which works with underserved populations to get them oral care.

Photo: (Left) Dr. Jonathan B. Levine talks about the Glo Foundation and the $5,000 donation.

Dr. Levine and Maurice Coffey, Director of Oral Care with Proctor and Gamble, presented the check on the show floor, while Oral-B also introduced its new Deep Sweep Power Brush.

Dr. Peter Milgrom was honored with Norton Ross Award for Excellence in Clinical Research. The ADA honored Milgrom with $5,000 and a commemorative plaque. Dr. Milgrom was recognized for his research in the field of dental phobia and for nearly four decades of accomplishment in several other aspects of dentistry.

Dr. John Weston, Scripps Center for Dental Care Owner and Director, discusses the new 3M True Definition Scanner and the benefits his team has experienced while beta testing the digital impression system for the last 5 months.

Photo: (Right) Dr. Weston says the main benefit of the new True Definition Scanner is the wand.

J. Morita launched new TorqTech handpiece attachments that reportedly reduce operational noise and provide excellent bur stability. Learn more about the benefits of TorqTech.

Photo: (Left) New TorqTech attachments from J. Morita

We've got video interviews with the makers of some of the most game-changing dental products available on the market. Here are some of those videos.

Parkell launches Dryz gingival retraction paste [VIDEO]

DentiMax launches DentiMax 2013 [VIDEO]

Garrison talks Composi-Tight 3D XR Sectional Matrix Ring [VIDEO]

Imaging Sciences Int'l on the i-CAT [VIDEO]

Bosworth on Aegis Liner and Aegis V [VIDEO]

Isolite Systems on the Isolite [VIDEO]

Bisco talks DUO-LINK Universal [VIDEO]

Air Techniques on Spectra [VIDEO]

Essential Dental Systems on Endo-Express [VIDEO]

Ivoclar Vivadent on the Tetric Evo Ceram Bulk Fill [VIDEO]

Biolase on the new Epic [VIDEO]

Tokuyama on the Estelite Flow Quick [VIDEO]

Gendex on GXDP-700 [VIDEO]

Kerr Corp. on SonicFill [VIDEO]

Sunstar America on the Technique Deep Clean [VIDEO]

Zirc on Mr. Thirsty