Another Reason Why Data Security is Less Costly than a Data Breach

I know I've preached endlessly here about the importance of data security.  In fact a while back I mentioned that some law firms are now actively looking for breaches and using them to file class action lawsuits against a practice that has suffered a breach.

To emphasize that point, here's a real word situation.  A practice experienced a cyber security breach.  As far as I understand they reported the incident as required by federal HIPAA laws.  However despite all of the other things that come along with this... which are expensive and stressful.  A law firm has now setup a website where patients can join in a class action lawsuit in hope of a payment.

As an interesting aside to this story, I went to check the HHS breach portal to find out more info, but currently the HHS website is offline and unavailable.  Hopefully the problem is solved quickly, otherwise the link above simply brings up a white page that states "The service is unavailable".  Ah your tax dollars at work.

Anyway, a doctor that suffers a breach will have tons of stress and tons of costs in trying to get their systems back.  This unfortunate office can add the potential for a class action lawsuit to that stress.  The attorney website is working just fine.  You can see it here.  https://www.claimdepot.com/investigations/welcome-dentistry-data-breach-2025  
 

I highly advise the use of a dedicated healthcare cybersecurity firm like Black Talon Security or Sililgent Intelligent Security.  Both are great companies and can help keep your office data as safe as possible.  Don't wait until you suffer a breach to contact the experts.  That is truly, as my grandfather used to say, "Closing the barn door after the horse has run off."  Be safe!

Nominations Now Open for the 2025 Teledentistry Innovation Awards

 

It's that time of year again folks!  That's right, it's time for nominations  for the 2025 Tellie Awards.  I happen to personally love the MouthWatch camera.  When it became available it rocked the industry.  For the first time that I was aware of, the price of a decent intraoral camera dropped from about $3500 to $300.  No longer was a camera a "nice to have" item.  It suddenly became an "easy to have" and that was followed quickly by a "must have".  We use them everyday and are thrilled with the images *and* the price.

What I also love about Mouthwatch as a company, is that they constantly innovate and encourage others to do so as well.  Competition is good.  It drives us to better.  Along those lines I've always admired that the company also created the "Tellie Awards" to drive industry innovation and reward those who truly impress people in the know.  Now it's time for the 2025 nominations.  Read all the details below...

MouthWatch, Inc., an industry leader in teledentistry solutions and intraoral cameras, has opened nominations for its 8th annual Teledentistry Innovation Awards. These unique awards, known as “The Tellies,” recognize a broad spectrum of individuals, programs, and organizations utilizing teledentistry and virtual dental care applications to expand access to care, improve oral health, and support better systemic health outcomes.

“Teledentistry is no longer just a trend. It is an essential part of how oral healthcare is delivered and integrated within the broader health system,” said Brant Herman, Founder and CEO of MouthWatch and Dentistry.One. “The Tellie Awards celebrate the individuals and organizations who are using technology to redefine how care is delivered, expand access, and make oral health a larger part of the healthcare conversation.”

The five Tellie nomination categories represent a wide range of teledentistry applications:

• Dentists & Specialists using teledentistry or virtual care to improve the patient journey and/or clinical workflows.
• Hygienists implementing teledentistry to expand access and deliver better patient care in both public and private settings.
• Oral Health Programs such as DSOs, public health initiatives, and other care delivery organizations that use virtual care to transform the patient experience.
• Educational Institutions including dental and hygiene schools or universities integrating teledentistry into curricula or services.
• Industry Innovators—individuals or organizations leading the way in dental innovation where virtual care plays a central role.

Each 2025 Tellie Award winner will receive:

• A $1,000 cash grant.
• An invitation to the 2025 Tellie Awards ceremony in New York City.
• National recognition through a press release, social media, and a featured profile on the Teledentistry Innovation Awards website.

“What we are seeing is a new level of creativity and commitment in how teledentistry is being used,” Herman added. “From connecting with underserved populations to improving care continuity, these efforts are driving meaningful change in both clinical care and public health. The Tellies are our way of honoring that progress every year.”

Nominations are open through October 1, 2025. Self-nominations are encouraged and can be submitted via teledentistryinnovationawards.com. Winners will be announced at the 2025 Greater New York Dental Meeting, taking place November 28 – December 3, 2025. The time and location of the invitation-only Tellie Awards event will be announced separately. View previous winners here.

About MouthWatch, Inc.

MouthWatch, Inc., is a leader in developing digital technology solutions that drive success for dental professionals, improve oral healthcare, and enhance the overall patient experience.

Headquartered in Metuchen, New Jersey, MouthWatch is widely known for its intraoral cameras and its TeleDent teledentistry software platform, which enables dental providers and organizations to engage patients remotely.

MouthWatch also launched Dentistry.One, a virtual-first dental care platform that meets modern healthcare expectations by providing on-demand dental c Dentistry.One is designed to support today’s consumers, address system inefficiencies, and reinforce the link between oral and total health.

MouthWatch technology is used in over 46,000 dental practices, by more than 30 DSOs, and in over 100 dental schools. The company has been recognized three times in the Inc. 5000.

For more information, visit mouthwatch.com or dentistry.one.

Michigan Splints Ready to Print in 24 Hours

 

I got an email from PlaniLink last week and I thought I'd pass the contents of it along to all of you.  If you've spent anytime at all reading my blog, then you've got to know that I'm a big fan of 3D printing.  If you're a new reader, let me tell you... I'm a big fan of 3D printing.

I've been working with this stuff for a while and it just keeps getting better.  We can now deliver high quality appliances with amazing accuracy of fit much, much faster by doing them in-office than by sending them out to be fabricated.

Of course, a lot of offices are busy and I've gotten feedback from people who say, "We're too busy to jump in and do something brand new.  We just don't have the time right now to learn."  I want to say that I understand that.  Even though I'm a tinkerer by nature, sometimes I don't have a lot of time either.  But that's where PlaniLink comes in.

There has been tremendous market expansion of digital laboratories in the last few years.  If you search Google for "digital dental lab", the results will amaze you.  The basic idea is that all the dental office has to do is scan the patient.  When a digital lab receives that intraoral scan, they will design the case and send the completed design file back to the office.  Once the file is back to the office it can be printed in-house.  It's a great idea because it removes the burden of design from the office.

Here's what I recommend for busy offices getting into 3D printing.  If you have a busy schedule, partner with a digital lab like PlaniLink.  Let them do the design work for you.  That gives a busy office a chance to easily work 3D printing into your workflow.  All you have to do is print the project and polish it.

As you move forward, you can tinker with the design software and learn how to do it yourself.  That way you don't have the burden of having to do it all yourself and do it perfectly.  It lets you ease into the design process while getting to learn how to use the printer.  You can even send a case to the lab, design the same case yourself, and then compare the two results to see if there are ways to improve.  It's a win-win since you don't have the pressure of doing it all yourself.

Disclaimer:  I have not personally used PlaniLink as of the date of this post.

Here's the text of the short email from PlaniLink:

At PlaniLink, we deliver your Michigan splint STL files in under 24 hours—ready to print at your practice. With our end-to-end digital workflow, you won’t wait on external labs or spend time on chairside corrections: the splints seat accurately on the first try. No shipping and no traditional impressions—real savings and full control of your schedule.

• STL delivered in under 24 hours
• Up to 70% savings per case
• Less dependence on external labs
• Expert clinical planning, hassle-free

Medidenta Acquires Ferguson Mini 8KS Accessories Business

 

Dr.  Rick Ferguson is a well known name in the realm of 3D printing in dentistry.  In the early 2010s, Dr. Ferguson discovered he had a real knack for digital dentistry.  He jumped into the proverbial deep end of the pool.  This embracing of 3D printing and his knack for tinkering led him to not only become an industry leader, but also an inventor.  He wanted to give other doctors a chance to explore 3D printing and get their feet wet without doing the same dive in the deep end that he did.

That lead to his work on developing some products to help doctors get better results with inexpensive printers as they learned so that when they took the next step and invested in higher end, dental specific printers they'd have some experience and be better because of it.

Now comes the announcement that Medidenta will take over the manufacturing and distribution of his products.  Here are all the details...

Medidenta, a trusted name in dental innovation for over 30 years, is proud to announce the acquisition of the Ferguson Mini 8KS accessories business from renowned educator and digital dentistry pioneer, Dr. Rick Ferguson.

This strategic acquisition strengthens Medidenta’s position in the growing 3D printing market and expands access to high-quality, budget-friendly digital dentistry solutions for clinicians worldwide.

“Having both followed and worked with Dr. Ferguson, we were thrilled at the opportunity to further partner with his innovations in the 3D printing arena,” said Sean Ryan of Medidenta. “His products and passion align perfectly with our push into education and digital dentistry at Medidenta.”

Advancing Digital Dentistry Together

Since founding the Dental 3D Printing Group in 2018, Dr. Ferguson has partnered with top-tier printer and resin manufacturers to make cutting-edge 3D printing accessible to the broader dental community. His custom-designed accessories for the Phrozen Mini 8KS have empowered thousands of practices to adopt advanced printing workflows without high upfront costs.

With demand for these accessories exceeding production capacity, Medidenta will now take over manufacturing and fulfillment, while continuing to provide support in collaboration with Dr. Ferguson—ensuring improved availability and a more streamlined experience for dental professionals. 

“Medidenta’s long-standing reputation, robust infrastructure, and commitment to dental innovation make them the ideal partner to carry this business forward,” said Dr. Ferguson. “This transition will improve ship times, enhance support, and ensure dentists have the tools they need to succeed in digital dentistry. I will continue to provide technical support to all accessory users to ensure a smooth transition.”

What Dentists Can Expect

• Improved Fulfillment: Medidenta will take approximately 6–8 weeks to ramp up full-scale manufacturing.
• No Service Gaps: All orders placed before the acquisition will be fulfilled directly by Dr. Ferguson.
• Ongoing Support: Dr. Ferguson will remain involved to provide technical support throughout the transition.
• Educational Opportunities: Medidenta’s Las Vegas facility offers continuing education courses to help clinicians implement and refine digital workflows.

About Medidenta & How To Order: 

To learn more about Medidenta and what it has to offer and to explore the full range of accessories and learn more about upcoming educational offerings by visiting:
https://medidenta.com/product-category/3d-printing/ 

Fluoride Facts from the American Dental Association

 

With all the news flying around about fluoride recently, I thought it pertinent to get this information to you.  The ADA recently put out a press release titled "You Ask, We Answer:  Fluoridation Facts".  In this debate facts matter and so does science.  So give this a read and if you want even more good and scientific information on this subject the ADA offers a *free* E-Book that members can download.

Here's the recent release:

With the release of the ADA’s new edition of Fluoridation Facts, readers can learn the answers to hundreds of frequently asked questions about community water fluoridation and the latest scientific research. Fluoridation Facts — the Association’s free resource on fluoridation that examines the mineral’s effectiveness, safety, practice and cost-effectiveness — works to assist policymakers and the general public in making informed decisions about fluoridation. The new edition contains more than 400 references and 10 new Q&A’s for a total of 69 covered over 114 pages. 

 

In a new series, the ADA News is delving into many questions explored in the book through conversations with experts about fluoridation information and misinformation — from overall effectiveness to whether ingesting fluoride impacts IQ, health and reproduction. 

 

This week, Susan Fisher-Owens, M.D., a pediatrician and professor at the University of California San Francisco, discussed the question of whether ingesting fluoride at recommended levels affects the intelligence in children or has a neurological impact – question #41 in Fluoridation Facts.  

 

While researching disparities with asthma years ago, Dr. Fisher-Owens learned that tooth decay is the most common chronic disease in children.  

 

“I like to say that pediatricians are preventionists. We try to prevent obesity by giving breast milk, we try to prevent disease by giving vaccines, how are we not preventing the most common chronic condition of childhood? That’s when I got involved in applying fluoride varnish and working on referral systems and training others to do so as well.”

But is fluoride safe? 

 

The Fluoridation Facts book states that several systematic reviews and individual studies provide evidence that consumption of optimally fluoridated water at levels recommended the U.S. (0.7 mg/L) is safe and effective. 

 

“High-quality evidence does not establish a casual relationship between consumption of water fluoridated at recommended levels and lowered intelligence or behavioral disorders in children,” the book said. 

 

According to Dr. Fisher-Owens, the myth that fluoride poses safety concerns stems from a small kernel of truth. In many countries with higher levels of naturally occurring fluoride like China, people drink more water per day than the U.S. and use different forms of coal that can add to fluoride levels. In these countries, there appears preliminarily to be a risk.

Looking at such places without taking into consideration other excessive exposures to fluoride might make it look like IQ and fluoridation are connected. However, Dr. Fisher-Owens emphasized that all these studies are observational, meaning that they show correlation but not any causation. Plus, studies performed in countries with similar backgrounds to the U.S. — including Spain, New Zealand, Canada and Australia — found no impact on IQ.  

 

In 2017, for instance, the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council’s systematic review information paper concluded that there is no association between water fluoridation at current Australian levels — which range from 0.6 to 1.1 mg/L depending on climate — and the cognitive function of children or adults. 

 

A systematic review and meta-analysis published in JAMA Pediatrics for the National Toxicology Program in January examined 74 international studies published from 1989 to 2023 on the relationship between fluoride and IQ in children. While the review suggested that more exposure to fluoride may be linked to lower IQ scores in children, Dr. Fisher-Owens noted, 52 of the 74 studies were considered “low quality,” with a high risk of bias.

“It’s another reason why we shouldn’t rely on that to make us concerned about an appropriate preventive tool at the right levels,” she said. 

 

Some of these studies were published in non-peer-reviewed journals and relied on IQ’s in 3- and 4-year-olds, which Dr. Fisher-Owens said is a “very unreliable age to be doing IQ testing” since performance at this age can vary depending on whether they’ve had a nap or snack. She added that there is cultural bias with IQ testing that doesn’t level out until kids are older and in school. 

 

“It’s not a good way to test for true differences in IQ, whereas the [study] in Australia looked at exposures in younger kids but then also tested them at higher ages to see their differences in IQ,” Dr. Fisher-Owens said. 

 

She said she completely understands whenever a parent is worried about their child and raises concerns surrounding fluoridation. But she also reminds them that dentists and public health experts know the recommended levels are safe and effectively treat dental caries. 

“As a pediatrician I care about the whole child. So, this was an issue that was a concern to me when I first heard it. But after looking at the research, looking at the locations, looking at the levels and looking at what’s going on in the United States and other countries that fluoridate like the United States does, I was very relieved to realize that this is still a safe way for us to protect children and adults,” Dr. Fisher-Owens said. 

The Toothpaste Market may get a Little Wooly...

 

I hope the title of this post grabbed you.  Even though I'll admit that it was a blatant attempt at 'click-bait', I honestly thinking reading this post is worth your time.  Here's some interesting science info that *might* have the possibility of changing toothpastes and/or remineralization protocols for the better.  

Ever since tooth decay was discovered, people have tried to reverse engineer the process and make teeth whole again.  In the industry we call that "remineralization".  The basic concept (for those non-dental folks reading this) is to apply some type of substance to the tooth and have the tooth absorb those minerals into tiny weakened areas of decay.  The thought process is that if those small areas can soak up the minerals, new crystalline tooth structure can form.  In theory, this would allow the decay to 'reverse' itself and make the weakened areas like new.  Remineralization can only work on tiny areas of decay that are just starting, but small areas can become large areas, so reversing the process at the earliest stages is smart, and that's the goal.

There are several products that attempt to do this that are currently available, but not every product works all the time.  Because of that, scientists are constantly looking for better and more effective substances and ways to apply them.  Usually remineralization products contain Calcium and Phosphate ions.  These tiny particles are attracted to the weakened tooth structure and then bind there creating a matrix for new structure.  If that sounds complicated... that's because it is.  And, like I said,  not every product works every time.

So I took notice when I saw a recent article that talked about using a different chemical to attempt remineralization.  That substance is keratin.  Here's what Wikipedia has to say about the substance:

Keratin (/ˈkɛrətɪn/[1][2]) is one of a family of structural fibrous proteins also known as scleroproteins. It is the key structural material making up scales, hair, nails, feathers, horns, claws, hooves, and the outer layer of skin in vertebrates. Keratin also protects epithelial cells from damage or stress. Keratin is extremely insoluble in water and organic solvents. Keratin monomers assemble into bundles to form intermediate filaments, which are tough and form strong unmineralized epidermal appendages found in reptiles, birds, amphibians, and mammals

Scientists at King's College London, recently published the findings of a study in the journal Advanced Healthcare Materials that discusses using  keratin as the basis of a regenerative alternative for repairing damaged teeth.  The article title is "Biomimetic Mineralization of Keratin Scaffolds for Enamel Regeneration".

They used keratin extracted from wool and applied it to tooth surfaces in the lab.  What they discovered was that when their keratin contacted saliva, a crystallin lattice formed that appears very similar to natural enamel. This lattice appeared to then lead to tooth repair.  The study states:

Collectively, these results demonstrate that keratin treatment not only modulates secondary protein structures to promote mineral nucleation but also restores enamel mechanical properties both at the surface and within the lesion depth, supporting its potential as a functional biomimetic strategy for WAL repair.

So, the good news is that in the lab, this appears to be a truly promising way to reverse small areas of decay through remineralization.  However, despite these promising results, much more science and testing  is needed before we'll see anything like this available  in any products.  Science is a slow process, but that's a good thing.  Meticulous research can lead to incredible advances in knowledge and this could very well be one of them.

If I hear more about this, you can count on me letting you know.

Medicaid Telehealth Flexibilities Set to Expire September 30th - Congressional Extension Needed

 

One of the silver linings of the Covid-19 pandemic (yes, there were a few of those) was the expansion and acceptance of telehealth.  Trying to keep people isolated to help control the spread of the disease probably helped, but it also meant people in need of healthcare didn't have an easy way to seek contact with a medical professional.

Fortunately the proliferation of broadband Internet connections and smart software engineers came in as a big plus.  Remote healthcare became a well known reality.  Congress quickly passed legislation that allowed medical professionals to treat patients without physical contact.  Many patients now rely on telehealth for all kinds of appointments.  This is especially helpful to US citizens on Medicaid.  

However, that emergency legislation came with some limitations and one of those was that its use was only legally allowed for a limited amount of time.  At the time, no one knew if there would be problems that would occur from this new service and no one wanted to vote it into permanent status without the system getting a chance to take it for a test drive first.

Obviously we all know the benefits that come from telehealth.  Unfortunately, until recently not many people knew or remembered that the service for Medicaid patients was on a limited trial basis.  That legislation is set to expire on September 30th.  That has brought with it a full court press from the healthcare industry to get US legislators to quickly pass another extension that will allow it to continue.

The good news is that, in addition to professionals voicing support, many health insurance companies are also on board for an extension.  Recently 48 health systems signed a letter sent to the Senate Majority Leader (John Thune), the Senate Minority Leader (Chuck Schumer, the Speaker of the House (Mike Johnson), and the House Minority Leader (Hakeem Jeffries) encouraging the legislation to continue.

There don't seem to be many times that doctors and insurance companies are on the same side of an issue, but this is certainly one of them.

If you'd like to read the letter sent to the legislative leaders, you can access it with this link.