Happy Thanksgiving!!!

 

The first thing I want to say is "Why are you reading this?"  If you're reading this on Thursday November 26, 2025, it's Thanksgiving day and you should be watching football and hanging with your family.  That's what I'm doing as you read this.

Seriously though, I'm thankful for *so* many things.  I've had an amazing career.  I've gotten to see and do a lot of things I'd have never dreamed of.  If the John Flucke from 2025 had a conversation with John Flucke back in the 80s, I would call the 2025 version a liar or at least delusional.  So many great things have come my way that sometimes I sit back and am dumbfounded by how lucky I've been.  I hope many of you feel the same way.

I also want to tell you how thankful I am for all of *you* who read my posts, who read my articles,  watch my podcast, or help support me in any way.  I really love what I do.  I get a chance to tinker and explore things that I'm passionate about and then tell you all about it.  Someone that does the kinds of things I do needs to have interested followers to give my work any value.  All of *you* provide that value and I am more grateful for that than I can tell you.  Thanks for your interest, support, and for reaching out to me.  It's what you do that allows me to do what I do.

So today, I want to tell all of you how thankful I am for you.  Thanks for helping make my dreams come true.  A lot of my pretty incredible life is a direct result of your support.  Have a great Thanksgiving filled with faith and family!  And if you are planning on attending the Greater New York Dental Meeting, I'll be in the Medidenta booth.  Please stop by and say hi!

Personify Group Joins Dental Trade Alliance

Big news today from my good friends at Personify Group.  If you are in the industry and need help with your marketing plan, these are the folks you want to contact!

Read all about in the press release below:

New Membership Expands the Reach and Impact of Dentistry’s 

Fastest-Growing Branding, Marketing and Communications Agency

Personify Group, dentistry’s brand growth partner, today announced it has joined the Dental Trade Alliance (DTA), the national association representing suppliers, manufacturers and service companies dedicated to advancing oral health.

“We’re pleased to welcome Personify Group, as the newest member of the association," said Dental Trade Alliance CEO Greg Chavez. "Their DTA membership will enable them to connect with more manufacturing partners who may benefit from their dental knowledge base"  

DTA membership aligns Personify Group with a consortium of like-minded organizations committed to elevating the dental-care landscape through collaboration, innovation and industry-wide advocacy.

“Joining the Dental Trade Alliance reflects our commitment to advancing the future of dentistry and supporting the innovators who are shaping it,” said Michael Ventriello, Co-Founder and Chief Communications Officer of Personify Group. “The DTA brings together the most influential companies in oral health, and we’re honored to contribute our branding, marketing and communications expertise to such an important community.” 

Personify Group is redefining best practices in storytelling, creative development, marketing technology, public relations, digital media, influencer relations and investor marketing to accelerate growth for dentistry’s next generation of innovators.

“As dental technology rapidly evolves, from AI-enabled diagnostics to new biomimetic therapies, companies need strong, credible partners who can help them stand out, scale and drive adoption,” said Mark Ross, Co-Founder and Chief Branding Officer of Personify Group. “DTA membership strengthens our ability to support dental innovators by providing deeper industry access and new opportunities for strategic partnerships.”

About Personify Group

Personify Group is redefining dental branding, marketing and communications with an integrated mix of disruptive and dynamic solutions designed to accelerate growth for dentistry’s innovators. Founded by dental marketing thought leaders Michael Ventriello and Mark Ross, the agency blends bold creative with advanced technology and strategic insight to help clients rise above the noise and achieve measurable success. For more information, visit www.personifygroup.com.  Connect on LinkedIn: Personify Group: Overview | LinkedIn

About the Dental Trade Alliance

The Dental Trade Alliance (DTA) is a member supported trade association of suppliers and service providers of the oral health profession and industry with the common goal of improving the state of oral care. The organization provides resources, knowledge-sharing opportunities and advocacy supporting businesses throughout North America, with ties to the rest of the globe. With a dedication to oral health that reaches back to the 1800’s, the modern day DTA is committed to the success of its members and the industry at large. www.dentaltradealliance.org

Delta Dental of Virginia Notifies Individuals of Data Security Incident

I know that I make a lot of posts here about how critical data security is.  However, it's not just dental practices that need to stay focused on security.  Today's post is a press release from Delta Dental of Virginia.

Delta Dental of Virginia ("DDVA") is providing notice of a recent data security incident that may have involved personal and/or protected health information. DDVA takes the privacy and security of all information within their possession very seriously. DDVA has sent notice of this incident to potentially affected individuals and provided resources to assist them.

On or around April 23, 2025, DDVA discovered suspicious activity associated with one email account and immediately initiated an investigation of the matter. DDVA engaged independent cybersecurity experts to assist with the process. As a result of the investigation, DDVA determined that certain emails and attachments may have been accessed and acquired without authorization between March 21, 2025 and April 23, 2025. DDVA undertook a comprehensive review of those files and upon completion of that review, learned that some of your family member's personal information was contained within the potentially affected data. That is the reason for this notification. Please note that DDVA has no evidence of the misuse, or attempted misuse, of any potentially impacted information.

Notice of this event was mailed directly to potentially affected individuals with an available mailing address on November 21, 2025.

Based on our review of the potentially affected data, the following information for individuals may have been involved in the incident: names, Social Security numbers, state or federal government issued ID numbers, and Protected Health information. Please note that DDVA has no evidence of misuse, or attempted misuse of any potentially impacted information.

As soon as we discovered this incident, DDVA took the steps described above and implemented measures to enhance security and minimize the risk of a similar incident occurring in the future. We have established a toll-free call center to answer questions about the incident and address related concerns. Call center representatives are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm Eastern Time and can be reached at 1-833-303-6496.

The privacy and protection of personal and protected health information is a top priority for DDVA. DDVA deeply regrets any inconvenience or concern this incident may cause.

Untreated Apical Periodontitis Related to Multiple Systemic Complications

 

First of all, I want to give props to the folks at the ADA who put together ADA News.  Their Weekend Huddle e-newsletter has been the source of some great information as of late.  If you haven't subscribed to it , might I recommend you click here and do so.  

Today's post touches again on the oral systemic connection.  While this one isn't a big reach for most of us in dentistry, to the general public who don't understand the intricacies of the oral systemic connection it's an important piece of information.  A recently published study in the Journal of Transitional Medicine followed 65 patients over two years to draw some conclusions.  That study is titled Successful endodontic treatment improves glucose and lipid metabolism: a longitudinal metabolomic study and that title says a lot about the improvements that can be realized by curing a dental problem.

For those readers here who don't have dental backgrounds, I'll give you some basic information to provide a bit of context.

Apical periodontitis is a situation where the internal aspect of the tooth, the nerve and blood vessels that are inside the tooth, become infected and that infection spreads to the apex, which is the tip of the root.  As the infection progresses, it destroys bone at the apex and a chronic (long term) infection sets in.  In the most basic sense, this is a 'pool' of bacteria and infection in the bone of the jaw.  If nothing is done to eliminate this infection, the bacteria present have an easy path to the rest of the body.  The bacteria get into the blood vessels and are carried throughout the body.

This allows the bacteria to settle anywhere it can find an area that is susceptible.  Some of the more common problems that can develop are:

• Infections of the heart, possibly even leading to a potentially fatal infection called endocarditis
• Respiratory infections, including pneumonia
• Pregnancy complications, including  preterm birth and low birth weight

This subject is especially important because statistically around 50% of adults develop apical periodontitis in at least one tooth during their life.

The good news is that this condition is treatable through either: extraction of the infected tooth, root canal therapy, and/or periapical surgery.

The study determined that after getting the infection healed, patients showed improvement in multiple cardiometabolic markers, including:

• Chloesterol
• Glycemic control
• Fatty acid profiles
• Inflammatory markers

These improvements were assocated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes.

To read the ADA News article, follow this link.  If you're interested in reading the full study, you can find that here.  

Dental VIP Summit Returns to Chicago With A-List Keynotes and The “Top 20 Dental Innovators” Awards

Last February, my buddy Dr. Marty Jablow launched the inaugural Dental VIP Summit.  I was blown away by the first time event.  The idea was a great one.  Put smart inventors with incredibly good ideas together with people looking to invest in dentistry's 'next big thing'.  The result was amazing.  If you want to see the future of the dental industry, the place to be is the Dental VIP Summit.

In my 'other job' working in the dental industry, I've always been amazed at the amount of brain power that goes on behind the scenes.  Many of the things we now use clinically everyday, things like intraoral scanners and CBCT, were once just sketches on a cocktail napkin.  Yet those ideas changed our world.  This event gives you a chance to see products that are in development... some in their infancy, and will allow you a sneak peek at what will one day be a product dental professionals reach for or depend on every day.  In my opinion, this is a must attend event!  I hope to see a lot of you there.  Here's the first public information about the event:

Limited-Attendance Event Takes Place February 18, 2026, 

Prior to the Chicago Midwinter Meeting

Building upon the strong momentum of last year’s inaugural program, the 2026 Dental VIP (Venture, Innovation & Partnering) Summit will once again precede the Chicago Dental Society Midwinter Meeting February 18, 2026, at the Intercontinental Chicago Magnificent Mile.

“The Dental VIP Summit was created to give innovators, investors, and industry executives a centralized platform to spark collaboration, fuel positive oral health impact and drive meaningful commercial outcomes,” said Marty Jablow, DMD, Co-Chair of the Summit, “This year we’re taking our boutique conference concept to the next level with new co-chairs, keynote speakers and the first annual “Top 20 Dental Innovator Awards.”

A-List Co-Chairs and Keynotes:

Joining Dr. Jablow in organizing the Dental VIP Summit will be Jeremy Krell, DMD, MBA - General Manager of Revere Partners and Travis Rodgers - President of Dental Venture Capital.

This year’s keynote speakers will be Brian Colao – Director, Dykema Dental Service Organizations Industry Group, and Stephen E. Thorne IV, BA, MHA – Founder and CEO of Pacific Dental Services.

Prominent Speakers:

This year’s Dental VIP Summit will once again feature an impressive list of speakers  to provide forward thinking perspectives, insightful observations and color commentary. Among them will be:

• Arash Hakhamian, DDS, CEO of Dentulu
• Shervin Molayem, DDS, Co-Founder of Trust AI
• Ali Shazib, DMD, Dean of Highpoint University Workman School of Dental Medicine
• Kathryn Alderman, DDS – Founder & CEO of Intelligent Care Alliance
• Mariya Filipova, Managing Director of The 4100 Group
• Johnny Chang de Gruiter, Strategic Partnerships Lead for CareQuest Innovation Partners
• Andrew Smith, CEO at The Association of Dental Support Organizations
• Eva Allan, Innovation Strategist & Fund Advisor

Exciting Agenda

This year’s agenda features a full-day packed with keynotes, presentations from the most innovative start-ups & emerging growth companies, along with expert panel discussions. This is a premier opportunity to connect, collaborate, and shape the future of dental innovation. 

• Keynote: Convergence of Care: Medical & Dental Integration 
• The Digital Dentist of 2026
• Emerging Tech Showcase Shark Tank
• AI and Predictive Dentistry 2.0
• Innovation Showcase 1: The Smart Operatory
• Funding the Future: Dental Venture Capital in 2026
• Dental Disruptors Panel: New Models of Care
• Innovation Showcase 2: Bio + Tech Convergence
• Voices of Influence: Deans vs DSOs 
• Industry Perspectives on Scaling  Innovation and Strategic Partnerships
• Networking and Relationship-Building

There will also be multiple networking opportunities throughout the day for innovators, investors, entrepreneurs, industry executives, journalists and clinical visionaries to discuss the next frontier of dental technology and care delivery. 

The First Annual Top 20 Dental Innovation Awards

Making its debut at the 2026 Dental VIP Summit will be the Top 20 Dental Innovation Awards, designed to spotlight those who have made significant contributions to the advancement of the dental sector. Nominations can be submitted online. Summit co-chairs and advisory board will make final selections. The recipients will be invited to the summit where they will be announced and broadly publicized following the event.

Visit the Dental VIP Summit Landing Page

Full details are now available online, including attendee registration, sponsor information, and an open invitation for speaker submissions and company presentation at Get Involved - Dental Venture, Innovation & Partnering Summit.  All opportunities are limited and prompt action is recommended.

Deeply discounted hotel rooms are available for The Intercontinental Magnificent Mile through the Chicago Dental Society. https://book.passkey.com/event/51037825/owner/9214/home

About the Dental VIP Summit

The Dental VIP (Venture, Innovation & Partnering) Summit was created to showcase transformative dental technologies and accelerate innovation across the global oral-health community. The program unites entrepreneurs, investors, KOLs, clinical innovators, and industry executives to foster collaboration, evaluate emerging solutions, and advance technologies that elevate patient care and business performance.

Big News from Trust AI - iOS App is finally here & you can Download Isaac NOW

Today's post is a big announcement from Trust AI.  The company has been hard at work creating a completely dental system to bring AI to the profession.  I'm following them with a great deal of interest as I truly believe this is a critical piece of bringing a revolution to dentistry.  Their website went live this past summer and it is *impressive*.   Since then, the company has continued to innovate and what they've accomplished continues their incredible progress.

One of the things their users have been asking is "when will this be available in an app?".  I'm excited to tell you the answer to that question is NOW.  Go to the Apple Store, search on "Trust AI", and you will now find this app.  Download it and give it a try.  I think you'll be as impressed as I am.  Below is the announcement from the company's founder.

 Isaac OneHealth just dropped in the Apple App Store, and it's unlike anything you've used before.

Let me fill you in on a little secret: Our AI just scored a perfect 100% on USMLE - the hardest medical licensing exam in existence. ChatGPT? Didn't come close. We're only the second AI in history to achieve this score. Press release dropping soon, but you get to experience it first.

What this means for you: You now have the world's most advanced medical+dental AI in your pocket. Chairside. Anytime. Instant answers to clinical questions that would normally take hours of research.

Critical: If you're using Isaac on WhatsApp, that's the old version. The app is exponentially more powerful. Make the switch today.

Android drops before Christmas.

This is the tool you've been asking for. It's finally ready.

Get it. Use it. Then tell us what you think.

Bernard Casse, PhD

CEO, Trust AI

Dandy Launches AI Scan Review, the First Chairside AI Assistant for Crown Preparation

This announcement was just made today... a few minutes before this post went live.

A *big* announcement today from Dandy.  The company is making tremendous strides in the world of digital dentistry and this is another amazing leap forward for them.  One of the things I like about AI in situations like this is that it becomes like a colleague who suggests "did you notice..." and works to make you even better at what you do.  Details below.

AI Scan Review catches crown preparation issues instantly, reducing remakes, chairside adjustments, and rescan appointments. 

Dandy’s AI Scan Review detects crown preparation issues with, like undercuts, margin obstructions, and occlusal clearance, while the patient is still in the chair. 

If issues are detected, it alerts dentists right away, providing step-by-step visual guidance on how to refine the preparation.

It’s the first AI that confirms a crown preparation’s quality and lab-readiness, leading to better-fitting restorations and fewer chairside adjustments.

Dandy, the fully digital dental lab, today announced the launch of AI Scan Review, dentistry’s first chairside AI assistant for real-time crown preparation analysis. Built into Dandy’s Chairside scanning software, AI Scan Review provides instant feedback and visual guidance, helping eliminate costly remakes and improving the fit of dental restorations.

“Every clinician knows the sinking feeling: the lab calls days after you’ve submitted an impression, saying it has issues and needs to be redone,” said Kenn Butler, Head of Research and Development at Dandy. “But what if your technician reviewed impressions chairside, before your patient even left? That’s exactly what Dandy’s AI Scan Review does — within seconds.”

In practice, AI Scan Review acts as a quiet, always-on assistant, reviewing every crown prep and scan in the background and surfacing only what needs attention.

Quickly Identifies Issues

Unlike AI built into other scanning software, which flags general scan errors like overall completeness, Dandy’s AI goes deeper. It examines every tooth surface, angle, and path-of-insertion of the scanned preparation, processing millions of data points to identify undercuts, margin obstructions, and occlusal clearance issues that would lead to lengthy adjustments or a remake.

Dr. Glenn Appleton, DDS, said, “It’s like having your lab technician assist over your shoulder. The AI is quiet, accurate, and effective — a welcome helping hand.”

Eliminates Remakes and Lengthy Adjustments

When it detects a preparation issue, AI Scan Review gently alerts the dentist and displays real-time visual guidance where to refine their prep. After the detected issues are fixed, the preparation is re-analyzed for lab readiness. What could have led to a remake or several chairside adjustments is caught and corrected while the patient is still in the chair.

“The launch of AI Scan Review marks a major milestone in our mission to eliminate remakes,” said Daniel Hanover, cofounder of Dandy. “We’re out to improve the dental lab workflow from beginning to end, from scans to case reviews to automated production to rapid delivery on timelines no other lab can match. We’re with our customers every step of the way, helping them grow their practices and achieve better patient care.”

Availability

This new tool is now available to all Dandy Chairside users at no additional cost. To learn more about AI Scan Review, visit https://www.meetdandy.com/ai-scan-review/.  

About Dandy

Dandy is building the modern operating system for dentistry, powering the world’s most advanced dental labs. Dandy partners with dental practices to transform their business with state-of-the-art intraoral scanners, always-on expert guidance, and precision manufacturing accelerated by AI, 3D printing, and other state-of-the-art technologies seamlessly orchestrated by Dandy's proprietary software. Dandy empowers dentists with technology, innovation, and world-class support to achieve more for their practice, their people, and their patients. With unparalleled quality, efficiency, and experience, Dandy makes the business of dentistry pain-free. To learn more, visit meetdandy.com or our LinkedIn page, www.linkedin.com/company/dandyofficial/.