Podcast Progress!

 

I wanted to provide an update on where I am with the podcast.  We have one 'in the can'.  That one is with Sean Ryan who is the CEO of Medidenta.  We discuss Our journey of creating the podcast as well as talking about Sean's vision of education for dentists.  The profession changes constantly and trying to become well educated on topics that weren't on the market 5 years ago can be daunting.

Medidenta Digital is helping with the podcast and going all in on education for doctors *before* they invest in new technologies to help them see if they are a good fit for their offices.

Sean is an amazing story teller and I think you'll all really enjoy his story and his philosophies on the responsibilities of manufacturers to the profession.

The episode is in final editing and will be available shortly.  We've also got several other guests lined up will start doing more interviews soon.  Once it goes live, I'll make an announcement here.  Enjoy!

Smile Source and ACT Dental Announce Merger

 

As always, I'm working to get the latest and best info to my readers.  Sometimes the posts are on groundbreaking tech that I've found, used, and/or love.  Sometimes, like today, it's on a business change in the industry.  As most of you know, I'm a huge fan of the independent private practice.  There are a few groups devoted to helping private practices thrive as they go head to head against large corporations with multiple locations and the commensurate buying power that brings.

One of those groups is Smile Source.  Founded in 2006, Smile Source® is a private practice dental community empowering independent dentists by offering practice management, continuing education, marketing support, and unsurpassed buying power.  Today comes word of Smile Source merging with practice consulting comany ACT Dental.  Read on for the details.

 Smile Source, the nation's leading private practice dental network, is proud to announce its merger with ACT Dental, a premier provider of dental practice coaching and education. This merger represents a powerful step forward in supporting the vitality of independent dentistry nationwide.

Together, Smile Source and ACT Dental are proud to share a unified mission: to preserve, protect, and elevate independent dentistry. By combining forces, the two organizations are creating an integrated community that empowers private practice dentists with expanded resources, deeper peer networks, and industry-leading education and coaching.

"By joining forces, we're combining expertise, resources, and communities to better serve our mission." said Dr. Jeff Osborne, Chief Dental Officer of Smile Source. "Together, Smile Source and ACT Dental form a powerful alliance, uniquely positioned to help our members not just survive, but thrive."

A defining aspect of this merger is a shared dedication to cultivating a values-driven culture. Both organizations are built on the belief that strong relationships, meaningful collaboration and continuous growth are the cornerstones of long-term success. This partnership brings renewed focus on fostering a supportive and empowering environment for dentists and their teams.

"As a private practice owner for nearly 20 years, it's a privilege to be named the next CEO of Smile Source. I'm passionate about private practice and allowing it to thrive for decades to come." said Dr. Barrett Straub, Smile Source's new Chief Executive Officer. "Together, Smile Source and ACT Dental are creating the kind of community that empowers dentists to lead smarter, healthier, more independent practices." Kirk Behrendt, Founder & Visionary of ACT Dental, added.

As Smile Source and ACT Dental begin this new chapter together, we remain deeply committed to the members we serve. This merger is just the beginning of what's to come! By bringing together our strengths, we are building something powerful. A future where independent dentists have more support, more tools, and more opportunity than ever before. We look forward to sharing more exciting updates in the coming months as we work together to elevate the business and the heart of private practice dentistry.

Align Settles Consumer Lawsuit and is Sued by Smile Direct Club - One of These Things is Not Like the Other...

Photo by Wesley Tingey on Unsplash

 Some interesting news from the legal word recently.  On April 25th, Aligln Technology, the parent company of Invisalign, has agreed to a $31.7 million settlement in a class action lawsuit from consumers.  The settlement deal still requires approval by US District Court Judge Vince Chhabria.

The suit alleged that Align conspired with the now bankrupt Smile Direct Club.  The alleged deal was that Align would not enter the direct to consumer market.  The suit alleges that this allowed SDC to charge higher fees to consumers.  Basically if Align did not compete with SDC, then SDC could charge consumers more for their product.  SDC was not part of the lawsuit...  probably because the company declared bankruptcy and is out of business which means they couldn't pay a dime.

The suit is on behalf of 230,000 consumers which means that the amount received would be about $103 per consumer.  However, it's also noted that the class could potentially be 1.4 million consumers.  I have NO idea how they will determine the number.  If the suit is settled with the high number of consumers, that would mean each would receive about $17 each.  For those of you math minded readers who do the calculation, that doesn't seem to be correct.  The reason for that is the attorneys are requesting $8 million in fees for their work on the suit.  That would bring the amount down to $23.7 million.

Personally, I have no stake in this, but it seems like a lot to go through for roughly a payout of somewhere between $100 to $20 each for the consumers.

Never mind the fact that even without competition, SDC went bankrupt and they burned through cash like a lit match in a gasoline factory.  It was one of the most incredible flameouts in the history of the dental industry.

So now we move on to the twist in this story.  Last week I was made aware of a lawsuit filed by Smile Direct Club against Align.  According to what I've seen, "the history of this case is that SDC was an operating business that was driven to bankruptcy".

This is where it gets interesting.  I'm trying to wrap my head around how, if the agreement was that Align would not compete with SDC... how exactly was SDC "driven into bankruptcy"?  One of these lawsuits doesn't make sense.  Either Align drove them out of business or Align conspired with SDC to not compete and therefor made SDC potentially more profitable.

I'm not an attorney and I don't pretend to know how all of this works in the legal world.  However, it seems that only one of these claims is true.  So I'll be following all of this with a bit of interest.  As I learn more, I'll try and update the story.

AdDent MicroLux DW for Two Ways to Help with Diagnosis

 

Two of the diagnostic technologies that I've been excited about for years are transillumination and caries fluorescence.  Both of these allow the doctor to find decay at its earliest stages.  The great thing about finding things when they're tiny is that is gives the doctor a lot of options.

We all know that some patients suffer problems that quickly break down, while others progress slowly.  Ask any doctor and they will tell you that some patients seem to suffer decay much more easily than others.  Many times these patients can have meticulous home  and still see frequent problems.  The flip side is that some patients don't do nearly as much home care and seem to rarely if ever suffer problems... and if they do, they progress slowly. 

For patients who suffer from frequent and fast breakdown, early intervention is usually needed.  That means finding problems when they are small allows the doctor to remove small amounts of tooth structure and leave more, healthy structure in place.

Finding problems when they are small can also allow a doctor to try remineralization therapy to perhaps reverse tiny lesions in patients who break down slowly.  This can potentially eliminate the need to perform a restoration at all.

Usually by the time an area of caries in the interproximal area is detectable on a bitewing, the lesion is hard to reverse and difficult to monitor adequately.  This is when transillumination is a great thing to have.  Often areas in the interproximal area can be seen with transillumination before they are visible on a bitewing.

It's the same with with areas on the occlusal or smooth surfaces where an explorer is normally used.  Frequently when a lesion is detectable with an explorer, it has cavitated and undermined enough enamel that a restoration is needed.

These clinical problems can be handled with the MicroLux DW from AdDent.  The smart people at AdDent created the MicroLux unit several years ago.  However, they've recently upgraded the device with the new name of MicroLux DW and the DW stands for dual wavelength.  It has both a visible white light mode for transillumination as well as a violet (405nm) light that performs biofluorescence.  This allows the device to perform two important functions to increase diagnostic accuracy and to find areas of concern when they are tiny.

The device comes with a small autoclavable tip that is attached.  The tip is 3mm in diameter and allows the doctor to get it wherever needed in the mouth.  The tip allows for easy illumination of interproximal lesions with minimal light pollution to the doctors eyes, since the small tip directs the light easily below the height of contour of the area being examined.

The transillumination mode can be used for: 

•  Visualizing teeth for cracks, fractures, calculus, and caries
•  Visualize existing composites for marginal defects and microleakage 
•  Checking inlays and onlays for micro-cracks or crazes before cementation 
•  Evaluation of enamel discoloration, including white spot lesions 
•  Visualization of the root canal and root fractures

The fluorescence can be used for:

• Visualize Biofilm 
• Visualize caries Bacteria 
•  Evaluation of White Spot Lesions and Demineralization 
• Visualize Plaque for perio and implant maintenance 
• Differentiate between tooth fluorescent vs non-fluorescent restorative materials 

The unit has a rechargeable battery with a voltage regulator that maintains a uniform brightness no matter how low the battery is.  This helps ensure a consistent light source for accurate clinical determinations.

We have a unit in the office and reach for it frequently.  If you'd like more info, follow this link.  

Learn 3D Printing this June in Las Vegas with Medidenta and Flucke

 

 Many of us are now thinking about the fascinating subject of 3D Printing in dentistry.  The only thing that is the barrier is knowledge.  How do I get into this?  What do I need?  How much does it cost?  Most importantly, where can I learn?

Well, I'm excited to tell you that you can get the answers to *all* of those questions... and more directly from me this June 21-22 in Las Vegas.  This year I've partnered with Medidenta Digital to help bring my peers the necessary information to get into this super cool technology.

We are putting on a course in June that I'm really thrilled about.  You can come out to Las Vegas and spend two days learning and working with the technology.  The course is structured as 1/2 day of lecture and we'll spend the rest of the time actually working with the equipment.  You will get 1 and 1/2 days of actually using 3D Printing tech to see how it works, what it can do, and if it's right for you.

The best part?  You don't even need to OWN any equipment beforehand.  The idea is a pretty simple one.  Medidenta sells a full line of 3D printing equipment, but they would much rather you try before you buy.  So come out to Las Vegas, give the tech a try, and see what it can do in your own hands.

So often doctors buy expensive pieces of hardware with limited or no experience with it.  We all know that when we spend our hard earned dollars, we don't want it to quickly become a plant stand or a coat hanger.  This course will let you actually see how it performs  in your own hands.

We're going to have a lot of fun and you'll return home with the skills you need to start creating things in your office as soon as the equipment arrives.  I love the concept of letting doctors actually try the tech before committing to a purchase and I think you'll leave with a really good working knowledge.  Not only will I be there to help, but you will also be around experts from the companies involved to help you with all the little nuances you may need and to answer any questions you have.

To register for this course and to see all of the other courses Medidenta is offering, follow this link.  I hope a lot of you will be able to come out to Las Vegas and learn about 3D Printing!

26 USOSM Surgeon Partners to Participate Across Seven States

 

April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month and I'm proud to provide the following info courtesy of Dentistry Today.  My great friend Dr. Paul Feuerstein is Chief Editor of the publication and this info appeared on their LinkedIn page.  If you are practicing in any of the areas metioned or if you are a patient who would like a screening, please read on:

In honor of Oral, Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Month, 26 U.S. Oral Surgery Management surgeon partners in seven states will offer free oral cancer screenings during the week of April 14. The screenings are part of a joint partnership with the Head & Neck Cancer Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness of oral, head and neck cancer.

April is recognized as Oral, Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Month, a time to increase awareness of the condition, risk factors, statistics, and screenings. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated that in 2024 alone, 58,450 new cases of oral cancer were diagnosed, with 12,230 deaths attributed to it.

“The good news is that oral cancer has a survival rate of 80 to 90% when diagnosed early, according to the Head & Neck Cancer Foundation. That’s why events like this are so important,” said Vincent J. Perciaccante, DDS, FACS, USOSM chief clinical officer and a practicing oral and maxillofacial surgeon with South Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery. “Many oral cancer cases go undetected until they are categorized as late-stage cancers. If a pathology like oral cancer is present, it’s better to diagnose it as soon as possible. Early diagnosis can mean better treatment options and outcomes.”

The Head & Neck Cancer Foundation reports that the oral cancer diagnosis median age is 66, but the number of early-onset cases is rising. In particular, there are more patients being diagnosed under 50 who do not have traditional risk factors, like smoking or alcohol use. This shift is largely attributed to the human papillomavirus (HPV), which is now considered the number one cause.

“We recommend annual pathology screenings by a qualified health care professional, particularly since the number of early-onset cases is rising,” noted Dr. Perciaccante. “We also encourage you to do monthly self-exams to look for any changes – such as lumps, sores, or discolorations – which could be early signs of a pathology.”

Some additional, common symptoms of oral cancer identified by the CDC include sores or pain in the mouth or throat that will not go away; swelling or unusual bleeding; or difficulty performing daily functions like breathing, speaking, chewing, or swallowing food.

“If you’re experiencing any symptoms, have risk factors, or haven’t had a pathology screening yet this year, we urge you to take part in a free screening event in your area,” added Dr. Perciaccante. “If there isn’t one in your area, ask your insurance if they cover annual screenings such as this. Many cover it at no cost to the patient.”

Some risk factors to consider include smoking and alcohol use, genetic predisposition, poor nutrition, improperly fitted dental implants, mouth/face injuries, inadequate oral hygiene, and certain medical conditions/diseases.

USOSM surgeon partners providing free oral cancer screenings this month include 26 surgeons in 20 locations across seven states.

“We are proud and supportive of our partner surgeons to provide this valuable service free of charge to their communities,” said USOSM President and CEO Richard Hall. “This is another indication of our commitment to quality care and service to the community.”
In chronological order, categorized by free oral cancer screenings, USOSM participating partners include:

4/14

• • 7:30–9:30 am – Dr. Jeffrey Schultz, South Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Newnan, GA
• • 12–2 pm – Dr. Cassandra Stacy, Dakota Valley Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Burnsville, MN
• • 1:30–4 pm – Dr. Dana Brotherton, Fort Bend Oral Surgeons, Missouri City, TX
• • 2–4 pm – Dr. John Carey, North Metro Oral & Implant Surgery, Canton, GA
• • 2:30–4:30 pm – Dr. Benjamin Bush, Central Coast Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Paso Robles, CA
• • 3–4 pm – Dr. Sara Weinstein, Colorado Regional Oral Surgery, Arvada, CO

4/15

• • 11 am–1 pm – Dr. Carmine Colarusso, Central Mass Oral Surgery, Leominster, MA
• • 12–2 pm – Dr. Nancy McDermott, Dakota Valley Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Owatonna, MN
• • 1–3 pm – Dr. Sandeep Pathak, Oral & Facial Surgery Associates, Lawrenceville, GA
• • 2:30–4:30 pm – Dr. Lisa Tran, Ratner, Wilson & Tran DDS, Inc., Orange, CA
• • 3–5 pm – Dr. Brijesh Patel, Clark & Patel Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Oxnard, CA
• • 3–5 pm – Dr. Emily Frye, Oral and Maxillofacial Associates LLC, Oklahoma City, OK
• • 3–5 pm – Dr. Ross Martin, Oral and Maxillofacial Associates LLC, Oklahoma City, OK
• • 3–5 pm – Dr. Drew Wendelken, Oral and Maxillofacial Associates LLC, Oklahoma City, OK
• • 3–5 pm – Dr. Diane Pennington, Camden Oral Surgery PC, St. Marys, GA
• • 3:30–4:30 pm – Dr. Nicholas Politano, Colorado Regional Oral Surgery, Arvada, CO
• • 3:30–4:30 pm – Dr. Eric Reimer, Colorado Regional Oral Surgery, Arvada, CO
• • 3:30–5 pm – Dr. Howard Cooke, Metroplex Surgical Arts, Dallas, TX

4/16

• 1–2 pm – Dr. Travis Hamilton, Colorado Oral Surgery, Denver, CO

• 2–4 pm – Dr. Justin Weaver, Central Coast Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Paso Robles, CA

• 2–4 pm – Dr. Angie Rake, Dakota Valley Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Lakeville, MN

• 2:30–4 pm – Dr. Patrick Walker, Oral & Facial Surgery Associates, Braselton, GA

4/17

• • 11 am–1 pm – Dr. Vincent Perciaccante, South Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Peachtree City, GA
• • 2–4 pm – Dr. Jennifer Keyser, South Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Fayetteville, GA
• • 3–5 pm – Dr. William Clark, Clark & Patel Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Oxnard, CA

4/18

• 1:30–2:30 pm – Dr. Michael Hale, Colorado Oral Surgery, Parker, CO

The Head & Neck Cancer Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness of oral, head and neck cancer. The foundation strives to produce measurable, progressive change through education, awareness, research, outreach, and advocacy. For more information, visit https://www.mnofs.com/head-neck-cancer-foundation.

Headquartered in Irving, Texas, USOSM sets the standard for oral and maxillofacial surgery management. A management services organization spanning 29 states, USOSM has built a best-in-class network of premier oral and maxillofacial surgeon partners. USOSM provides operational, financial, and administrative support services to fuel clinical excellence, innovation, and wealth creation. For more information, visit https://www.usosm.com.

Dental Duets - An Interview by Michael Ventriello

 

A really short post today because the real info comes from the link below, but I want to provide a little backstory to this.  I've been friends with Micheal Ventriello for at least 20 years.  He's an amazing public relations mind.  When I met him he was working for an ad agency that specialized in a focus on dentistry.

We'd see each other at industry meetings and exchange emails in between those events.  We eventually graduated up to meeting for breakfast at those meetings and then we eventually began collaborating together on projects.  In fact, recently Mike started a PR collaboration with another great friend, Mark Ross.  They launched Personify Group in the fall of 2024 and I have joined as the Dental Technology Advisor to help with their services and deliverables.

Mike recently reached out to me about collaborating wiht him on his Dental Duets column for Dr. Bicuspid.  That column recently went live and I think (selfishly I'll admit) that it's a pretty good read.  You can find the column here.  Enjoy!