The "Technology Evangelist Podcast" is now L

It's with a huge surge of excitement that today I get to tell you that my new podcast, shockingly called "Technology Evangelist Podcast" is live! 

This one has been a true labor of love and we've worked hard behind the scenes to put this together.  The first episode is with Sean Ryan, the CEO of Medidenta and Medidenta Digital.  They are the folks who are sponsoring the podcast so I thought he would be a great first guest.

The first episode gives you an idea of why we partnered together to do this.  I thought, who better to explain about the emphasis on education, than they guy who runs the company that sponsors it?  Because this thing isn't about selling, it's not about Medidenta (although they're a *great* company) and it's not about anything other than the coolest and best ideas in dentistry.  Medidenta and I are committed to bringing information and insights to you about the best things in dentistry.

Over my career I've been lucky enough to meet a lot of really smart people.  Some of them are doctors, but many of those people are industry leaders on the supply and R&D side of the industry.  Those are the people I'm privileged to bring to you.  You'll hear great stories and learn insights that aren't easy to find.

If you're in the dental industry, I think you'll get a lot of amazing info from the guests I'm bringing on.  We currently have 2 episodes available with more 'in the can' and undergoing post production.

Also, this is a blatant plug, but hey at least I'm honest about it.  I've got a course coming up later this month at Medidenta covering 3D printing.  You can find info and register for it here.

Getting back to the podcast (after the blatant plug) You can find the episodes here along with a form you can submit to be notified whenever a new episode drops.  Please check it out and let me know what you think.  If you've got a suggestion for a guest, let me know.  My goal with this is to provide my friends and my peers with the best information available and to have fun doing it.  So if you know someone that you'd like me to interview, drop me a comment and I'll see what I can do.

I hope you enjoy this new endeavor of mine.  It's been a few months since we started working on it and I can't tell you how excited I am to have it finally ready to for all of you!

Navigating Rough Waters: iCoreConnect Files for Chapter 11

 

In recent news that has caught the attention of the healthcare technology sector, iCoreConnect Inc., a prominent provider of cloud-based software solutions for healthcare, including many dental practices, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The voluntary petitions were filed by iCoreConnect Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiary, iCore Midco Inc., in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida on June 2, 2025.

This move comes as the company aims to "retain control over their assets and operations, optimize their organizational structure, restructure their balance sheets, and strategically position themselves for long-term success,"1 as stated in their SEC filings. The filing reveals that iCoreConnect had over $10 million in outstanding note payables that were in default. The company also faced challenges including a weak financial health score and a concerning current ratio, as highlighted by financial analysts.

For many dental practices, iCoreConnect's suite of products – encompassing claims management, eligibility verification, practice analytics, secure email, and IT services – has become integral to their daily operations. The news of the company's Chapter 11 filing naturally raises questions and may cause concern among its users. However, Chapter 11 is a reorganization bankruptcy, not a liquidation. This means iCoreConnect intends to continue its operations while it works to restructure its debt and financial obligations.

The company has already requested that the Bankruptcy Court jointly administer the cases to enhance procedural efficiency and plans to submit additional "first-day motions" to ensure business continuity. These motions typically seek court approval for essential actions like paying employee wages, managing utilities, and using cash collateral to keep the business running during the reorganization process.

While the reasons for the filing appear to be financial restructuring and optimizing its internal balance sheet, iCoreConnect's commitment to its cloud-based software solutions for dental practices remains. For current users, the immediate impact should ideally be minimal as the company navigates this legal process with the stated goal of emerging stronger. However, it’s always prudent for practices relying on critical third-party software to stay informed about their vendors' stability and any communications regarding service continuity.

This development underscores the dynamic nature of the technology landscape, even for established providers. For iCoreConnect, it represents a strategic effort to recalibrate its financial footing and secure its future in the competitive healthcare software market.

ICD Global Oral Health Leadership Institute Holds Stakeholders’ Day Program

 

The International College of Dentists (ICD) hosted its second Stakeholders’ Day program in Boston, Massachusetts, USA, on April. 29, 2025. The program and celebratory dinner were held on the campus of Harvard School of Dental Medicine (HSDM), and were made possible by a donation from industry partner Henry Schein. The Stakeholder’s Day was a key event for ICD’s Global Oral Health Leadership (GOHL) Institute, that was launched in December 2024 in partnership with Henry Schein. GOHL is designed to support global leadership in oral health and to encourage meaningful discussions that foster collaboration and sustainable public-private solutions. 

Stakeholders Day provided an opportunity for the 2025 GOHL delegates to engage with thought leaders, innovators and activists in oral health and other sectors, as well as promote the GOHL Institute objectives to foster a global community of practice, lead system change through evidence and innovation, empower transformational leadership, bridge sectors, and catalyze cross-sectoral impact, to interested collaborators. The event kicked off with two panel discussions led by Dr. Marko Vujicic, Chief Economist and Vice President of the Health Policy Institute, American Dental Association, and Dr. Greg Chadwick, President of the FDI World Dental Federation and Dean of the East Carolina University School of Dental Medicine, where they addressed evidence-based advocacy and policy in the face of challenging contexts, interdisciplinary collaboration to achieve system-level change, and actionable steps through innovation and sustainability.

“I feel we’re at the beginning of a ‘Golden Era’ of oral health internationally. A decade ago, we did not have compelling evidence that investing in oral health, for example, saves money on pregnancy outcomes or reduces healthcare costs among people with diabetes. There is a very strong value proposition for oral health today that we didn’t have a decade ago. There’s significant momentum, and a lot of it has to do with economics. The fact that we can show there is a financial ROI to investing in oral health is really important in policy circles,” Dr. Vujicic said during his keynote. “This ‘Golden Era’ opportunity for oral health is inconsistent with the status quo financing and delivery models that exist. So that is the tension I feel the leaders of the profession need to address, a fundamental realignment in what oral health care focuses on.”

The program culminated with a dinner, enabling dialogue between changemakers in oral health. Keynote speaker Dr. Hugh Silk, family physician in the Dept. of Family Medicine and Community Health at the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, gave a powerful presentation about leading a pathway to change through curiosity, creativity and love, and his journey of incorporating oral health into overall health to reach more patients where they are at.

The Dean of the Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Dr. William Giannobile, also addressed guests on the pride of being part of an important collaborative initiative like this.

“As we all know, right now is such a challenging time in academia, in education and in research, so to see a program dedicated to global oral leadership is more important now than ever,” said Dr. Giannobile. “Part of the vision of the HSDM is to transform access to healthcare and advance science to prevent and find cures for oral diseases and conditions, and part of our mission is really to foster that community of diverse global leaders in research, education and clinical innovation to really integrate medicine and oral health.”

Stakeholders’ Day showcased the important interdisciplinary approach of GOHL, while challenging prevailing norms and inspiring actionable change in global oral health. Distinguished guests from across oral health participated, including the 2025 GOHL delegates representing 10 countries, ICD Fellows, and prominent industry and academic figures.

“What is truly extraordinary, and I believe we all feel it, is that this is ‘the’ time. There has never been a more critical time for forums like this. We need open, candid conversations between public and private stakeholders, educators and practitioners, policy makers and patients, because no single sector – not government, not big business, not academia – can tackle the enormous challenges of increasing access to care and positively evolving our healthcare systems alone,” said Mr. Andrea Albertini, Chief  Officer, Global Distribution and Technology, Henry Schein, Inc

About the Global Oral Health Leadership (GOHL) Institute

The International College of Dentists’ Global Oral Health Leadership Institute prepares selected leaders worldwide to address evolving oral health challenges through an interdisciplinary approach, emphasizing equity, innovation, sustainable solutions and systemic change on local, regional and global levels. The Institute conducts a one-year certification program designed to equip industry, dental and medical leaders with the skills, resources and connections needed to tackle the most pressing oral health issues, while expanding an alumni network focused on mentorship and engagement. www.icd.org/gohl-institute 

About the International College of Dentists (ICD)

The International College of Dentists has been Honoring the World's Leading Dentists Since 1920™. Over 12,000 dentists in 140+ countries have earned the prestigious title of FICD (Fellow International College of Dentists). Fellowship in the College is by invitation only and is granted in recognition of an individual dentist’s “outstanding professional achievement, meritorious service, and dedication to the continued progress of dentistry for the benefit of humankind." Information on ICD and the hundreds of global humanitarian, educational, and other oral health service-related projects may be viewed at ww.icd.org.

Join Me in Las Vegas June 21-22!!!

 I am all in on 3D printing!!!  In January 2024, I was approached by a couple of companies who wanted to get my opinion on their 3D printing system.  I had worked with the tech before, but I was interested to see how it had evolved.  As I began to tinker and experiment with those systems, I was blown away at what was possible.

Ever since then, I've worked on other projects, but I've always come back to 3D printing.   Why, you may ask?  Because what you can do is flat out amazing.  I remember when I first saw 3D printing at a dental meeting.  It was at the ADA meeting in Washington, DC.  That would have been probably 2016 or 2017.  It was amazing even then, but things have changed so dramatically since then.  Basically, if you haven't seem 3D printing for dentistry lately, you're missing a lot.

When CBCT first started to go mainstream in the profession around 2008 we saw the very beginning of what 3D could do.  Now with the amazing progress we've had with intraoral scanning and AI, we're perched on the edge of dentistry's next big thing.  We're going to see 3D patient info merge into all kinds of systems that will work together to give us better patient outcomes than we ever thought possible.

Up until recently the problem with 3D printing was the design, but AI has made incredible inroads into that aspect of things.  Designing is now easy!!!

Along those lines, I've partnered with the smart folks at Medidenta to do some hands-on programs at their state of the art facility in Las Vegas.  One of those programs is being held on June 21-22nd.  What is so exciting about these programs is the hands-on component.  This two day event (16 CEUs) is 1/2 day of listening to me talk about how amazing this tech is and the remaining 1 and 1/2 days is letting you use the equipment!!!  That's right.  The folks at Medidenta are going to turn you loose to use their equipment so that you can see exactly what it will do.  

When was the last time a company let you use state of the art equipment for FREE?  I'll bet it's been a while.  You don't need to be an owner to be there.  This is a great chance to see what this gear can do in your own hands.  They are so confident in what you'll experience that they are willing to give you hands-on time with the equipment simply because they know that you'll see exactly how impressive it is.

Attendees will have access to intraoral scanners, facial scanners, and complete 3D printing systems.  You'll be able to scan, design, and create during that hands-on session.  Plus we'll have experts there that know these systems inside and out.  You will walk away with the knowledge to let you begin implementing any or all of this amazing hardware in your own office.

Of course getting your team excited about this is critical.  That's why we're making a special offer.  You can bring a guest to the course for free!  That means you can bring a team member or a friend at no extra charge.  I have my team involved in 3D design and creation and they absolutely love it.  So bring your assistant or a friend and come see what all of this amazing gear can do for you... and in your own hands.

Registration is open and you can get registered with this link.  I hope to see a lot of you there!

Arrhythmia Culprit Could be Tied to Periodontal Disease

 

The mouth body connection is making more and more news.  Oral health is definitely connected to health of the overall human body.  Scientists are seeing more and more links to oral health, and especially periodontal health.

Today's post is all about the link below, but the good news is that the linked page is a short read.  Cardiac arrhythmias are a common medical problem.  Everyone reading this probably knows at least one person who suffers from it.  The potential to help eliminate this problem through dental means is a definite step in the right direction.

Here is the link from the ADA website.  

Prodia® Dental Introduces Z-Series™ -- Dental Instruments for Zirconia Crown Removal

 

One of the hardest things dentists do is removal of zirconia crowns.  Whether it's the actual removal or even cutting an endo access, zirconia is a difficult material to apply rotary instrumentation to.  That's great for long term viability of the crown, but it certainly makes other treatment more difficult.  Today's post is about a new system to help doctors deal with those situations.  Here is the info from Prodia® Dental...

Prodia® Dental, a brand of Abrasive Technology LLC - creator and manufacturer of Two Striper® - has introduced the Z--Series™, a specialized collection of instruments designed specifically for working on zirconia and other ultra-hard materials.The Z-Series instruments offer a high-tech solution to one of the most labor-intensive and time-consuming challenges faced by today’s practitioners – removing zirconia crowns. Additionally, they excel in finishing and endodontic access.   

Leading the Z-Series line up is ZXtreme™ – our most innovative bur, engineered for heavy cutting in gross reduction crown removal procedures. The crown removal procedure can be completed with just one single ZXtreme bur and up to four times faster than with competitive instruments.   

This superior performance is accomplished through a new, advanced manufacturing process that optimizes the arrangement of diamond crystals, ensuring faster and more consistent cutting performance. This innovative technique produces an instrument capable of withstanding the intense impact between the diamond crystals and the zirconia. It also significantly reduces noise and vibration, resulting in a smoother experience for both the dentist and patient.   

Rounding out the Z-Series collection are the ZF and ZM instruments for fine and medium adjustments, respectively. ZF is best for light cutting and final surface finishing, while ZM works best for moderate cutting and adjusting prior to a final ZF step.  

“We have created truly revolutionary burs designed to excel on zirconia, particularly for crown removal -- and the Z-Series delivers,” said Brandon Roby, Vice President and General Manager of Abrasive Technology Dental. “With just a single bur, dentists can efficiently remove a zirconia crown, saving valuable time and enhancing comfort for both the dentist and patient.”   

Dr. Daniel Ward, DDS, noted that removing a zirconia crown with competitor instruments may take multiple burs. In praising the outstanding performance of the ZXtreme bur, he said, “I cut off a Zirconia crown and only had to use one ZXtreme bur,” he said. “That’s a first!”  

All Prodia Dental instruments, including Z-Series, are manufactured and shipped direct from our USA-based operations.    

About Prodia® Dental  Prodia® Dental is Abrasive Technology’s latest brand of products, championed by five decades of engineering high-performance tools for industries demanding perfection—from aerospace to Silicon Valley to dentistry. From the creator and manufacturer of the Two Striper® diamond dental burs, Prodia Dental progresses diamond technology forward, redefining the standard for diamond construction and performance.  

Under the leadership of Abrasive Technology LLC, the Prodia Dental and Two Striper brands are manufactured in the Company’s North American locations. Abrasive Technology features a diversified portfolio of superabrasive grinding and tooling products in the dental, medical, aerospace, and material removal industries. The Company has grown significantly over its history to include locations in the USA and UK and has over 140 registered patents and trademarks. Our line of dental instrumentation brands also includes: Stainbuster® and Snowlight®.  

For more information about Z-Series, visit prodiadental.com.  

Dentistry.One Becomes First Dental Telehealth Provider to Earn DiMe Seal of Approval

 

Recognized by the Digital Medicine Society for setting a new benchmark in virtual-first oral healthcare.

Dentistry.One, a virtual-first dental care solution from MouthWatch, Inc., has earned the DiMe Seal of Approval, becoming the first and only dental telehealth company to receive this distinction from the Digital Medicine Society (DiMe).  The recognition reinforces Dentistry.One’s position as a trusted partner for employers, health plans, and benefits brokers seeking to improve dental care through increased access, patient engagement, and improved health outcomes through virtual care.

The DiMe Seal is awarded to digital health platforms that meet rigorous, independently validated standards in four core categories: clinical evidence, usability, privacy and security, and equity. Dentistry.One’s recognition highlights its commitment to delivering measurable value and safe, accessible oral healthcare through its virtual-first platform.

This recognition from DiMe reinforces the organization’s sustained investment in scalable, patient-first models of care.

“The DiMe Seal confirms what we’ve worked toward from the beginning: building a virtual dental care model that delivers real clinical value, protects patient data, and expands access for those who need it most,” said Brant Herman, Founder & CEO of Dentistry.One. “It reinforces to our partners that Dentistry.One offers more than convenience—it delivers credible, secure care that improves health outcomes.”

In addition to the DiMe Seal, Dentistry.One is HIPAA compliant, ensuring secure  
handling of protected health information, and SOC 2 Type 2 certified, with independently audited controls that validate the security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality and privacy of its systems.

“Our partners entrust us with more than just access to care. They rely on us to safeguard the health and sensitive data of every patient we serve,” said Sharity Ludwig, Senior Director of Clinical Operations at Dentistry.One. “Earning both HIPAA and SOC 2 Type 2 certifications is not just a checkbox; it’s a reflection of our commitment to trust, the protection of patient data, and clinical excellence.”

Dentistry.One offers a nationwide network of licensed dentists, along with AI-powered tools like SmileScan™, which lets users take a few photos with their smartphone and receive a personalized report on their oral health in minutes. The platform also includes oral health coaching, second opinions, multilingual support, and care coordination, making it easier than ever for patients to take control of their oral and overall health.

To learn more, visit dentistry.one/DiMe.

About Dentistry.One

Dentistry.One was created to break down the barriers that prevent millions of people from accessing the dental care they need. Our vision is to make dental health accessible to everyone, unlocking the significant health and cost-saving benefits that come with a healthy mouth. Through telehealth, Dentistry.One provides dental care to the 60% of the population who don’t regularly visit a dentist. Offering anxiety-free online consultations, AI-powered tools, and seamless care coordination, Dentistry.One empowers patients to take control of their oral and overall health. To learn more, visit https://dentistry.one/.