Futudent proCam is Worthy of the Investment

 

Behold the Futudent proCam.  This *tiny* camera can be mounted on the doctor's glasses or the track light (if the doctor is using one), or even on a pole mount in the ceiling.  It shoots in 4K resolution and can provide a constant "eye in the sky" POV for procedures.  It allows the patient to see the doctor's perspective which helps the patient better understand their problems along with the actual clinical situation.

One thing I have found as a doctor who believes whole heartedly in communication, is that the visual aspect of communication is incredibly important.  Having good documentation can give support of treatment recommendations and outcomes.  

Human beings are incredibly visual creatures and because of that, having visual records can help prove a point.   Whether it is for record keeping purposes or to provide amazing "over the shoulder POV" communication with your patients, Futudent cameras are an amazing high tech way of doing just that.

I have been  a big believer in  their cameras for several years now.  I love to be able to use the images or video to show other doctors clinical things I am teaching, but some patients really get a charge out of being able to see exactly what I am seeing on a monitor... while we treat them.  Futudent cameras do a terrific job of allowing us to do that!

Submit Your Questions for DEXIS Days!

 

Next Thursday evening, I'll be doing a Question and Answer Session as part of "DEXIS Days".

I'd like to take this opportunity to request that if you have any questions on imaging, please send them in and I will make sure to get to them.

This particular web broadcast is going to be really free form and conversational.  It's your opportunity to get the answers to any burning questions you may have.  As an attendee at a meeting I would sometimes go to learn one or 2 particular points and sometimes. the speaker could only cover one of them

This event is an attempt to eliminate that aspect of things because all I'll be doing is having a conversation about imaging and answering YOUR questions!

If you have something you would like covered, please send it to jflucke@yahoo.com  I will do my best to cover every question that is submitted to either myself or the good people at DEXIS.

Thank you!!!

The End is Near! Chief of WHO States End of Pandemic is 'in sight'

 Well that took long enough, didn't it?  Seriously, we have been battling Covid-19 since the later weeks of 2019 and we will continue to battle for a bit longer it appears.  The SARS-CoV-2 virus is responsible for the deaths of almost 6.5 million people.  Those folks are parents, children, wives, husbands, fathers, mothers, you name it.  This has been an incredibly frightening and sorrowful time in human history.  Personally I am glad to see the optimism that perhaps we can begin to put this behind us.

According to the WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus,"We are not there yet, but the end is in sight."  However, he also added in the same statement, "Now is the time to run harder and make sure we cross the line and reap the rewards of all our hard work."

This virus has been affecting our lives for almost 3 years straight and we will continue to deal with it for the foreseeable future, perhaps forever as it mutates and occasionally changes to elude vaccines.  In fact some professionals, myself included, are seeing a world where a yearly vaccine is simply part of our lives... just like the yearly flu shot.

In the early days, there was massive fear as the virulent virus spread like wild fire and caused massive amounts of death.  The virus caused a worldwide lockdown and isolation of almost everyone on the planet.  That triggered  problems in the supply chain that were unthinkable before.  It's been a very difficult 3 years and we aren't over it yet.

However, *maybe* we are seeing a glimpse of the light at the end of the tunnel.  That would be a Godsend for all of us.

Head over to Reuters.com to read the full article.  It definitely feels uplifting to me. 

dntl bar Introduces AI to New York Dentistry with Pearl Partnership

 

Patients visiting any of the rapidly growing DSO’s New York City locations will now receive AI-augmented care, including supplemental x-ray review from Pearl’s FDA-cleared comprehensive disease detection AI software

Pearl, the leader in dental AI solutions, and dntl bar, an NYC-based dental service organization (DSO) committed to offering the convenient and quality dental care that patients want, today announced a partnership to offer Pearl’s Second Opinion® and Practice Intelligence® AI solutions in dntl bar’s locations across New York City. The partnership will enable dntl bar’s offices to achieve the highest level of clinical performance while elevating the patient experience with AI-backed care from the chairside dental software cleared by the FDA to read radiographs and assist in the detection of numerous forms of disease and other dental conditions.

“For our patients, consistency in diagnoses and clinical care is expected, just the same as they expect high-quality, white glove service at each of our dntl bar locations,” said dntl bar co-founder and chief dental officer, Dr. Ben Chami. “Our partnership with Pearl to offer the company’s FDA-cleared AI platform takes us one large step closer to being able to provide more clinical consistency between our dentists and less variability, which is a huge win for our patients.”

“We can never get all dentists to the 50-yard line in terms of diagnoses and care, but Pearl will help us get diagnoses between the 40-yard lines,” added dntl bar president and CEO, Dr. Roshan Parikh. “Pearl’s AI ensures a more standardized clinical experience for our patients.”

Pearl brings transparency and objectivity to dentistry by applying computer vision to read dental x-rays with expert accuracy, improving consistency in radiologic interpretation and streamlining practice management through practitioner performance and patient health insights.

“In partnership with dntl bar, we are furthering our commitment to helping dentists deliver a higher standard of patient care,” said Ophir Tanz, founder and CEO of Pearl. “Our work with an innovative, patient-focused DSO is yet another step toward broadening the reach of AI in dentistry and introducing patients and providers to its benefits and capabilities. We look forward to our ongoing collaboration with dntl bar as they continue to grow.”

About Pearl

Pearl is shaping the future of dental care by delivering dental AI and computer vision solutions that advance efficiency, accuracy, transparency, and patient care. Founded in 2019 by Ophir Tanz, Pearl is backed by Craft Ventures and other leading venture capital firms. For more information or to request a demonstration, please visit https://www.hellopearl.com.

 

About dntl bar

Founded in 2019, dntl bar is an emerging New York-based DSO that offers patients a tech-enabled dental experience that emphasizes convenience and hospitality, being open 7 days a week, in 5 different neighborhoods across Manhattan.

dntl bar has a team of New York City’s finest clinicians to provide their patients with a full range of dental services including teeth cleanings, clear aligners, cosmetic dentistry, dental implants, root canals, emergency services, and more.

With most insurances accepted, transparent pricing, patient-first settings, and being open 7 days a week, dntl bar aims to provide convenient & quality dental care in a luxurious, contemporary atmosphere.

Leading Dental Industry Consultants Dr. Margaret Scarlett and Michael Ventriello Form Dental Transformation Partners

 

I've known Mike Ventriello for close to two decades now.  When we met he was working for an advertising agency that had quite a few dental clients.  Eventually he decided to start his own agency and founded Ventriello Communications, LLC.  Mike is a terrific individual who always seems to have a smile on his face as well as be intensely interested in music... as am I.  So, over the years our relationship has grown from working on projects together into a great personal friendship.

So it is with great happiness that I give you today's post about Michael's latest endeavor, Dental Transformation Partners.  One of my many hats in the industry is serving as one of the Chief Development Officers for Cellerant Consulting and that means just maybe Michael and I will have even more projects to discuss or work together on.

Way to go my friend!  Here is the press release:

Atlanta, GA  – September 13, 2022 – Two of dentistry’s leading advocates for driving disruption from approval to adoption, Dr. Margaret Scarlett, president of Scarlett Consulting International, and Michael Ventriello, owner, and founder of Ventriello Communications LLC, have forged a strategic working alliance named Dental Transformation Partners (DTP). Within the framework of this alliance, Dr. Scarlett will serve as the Chief Science and Technology Officer and Michael will be the Chief Marketing and Communications Officer.

The mission of DTP is to help launch the next generation of innovations that will transform dentistry and to ensure that oral health is recognized as a critical component of overall health by healthcare systems, providers, and patients. 

According to Dr. Scarlett, “This is the most exciting time for significant change in dentistry since the late 1980s. DTP’s ideal clients will be companies launching new digital and biotech technologies that can be implemented at scale to prevent, diagnose, and treat a wide range of oral diseases.  

 DTP’s scope of services can range from assisting with prelaunch FDA approval to creating integrated strategic sales and marketing programs to accelerate adoption and drive revenue. This is made possible by the complimentary skill sets of Scarlett and Ventriello which enable Dental Transformation Partners to deliver an unparalleled combination of clinical, research, communications, and marketing prowess.

Dr. Scarlett and Michael Ventriello have worked in just about every dental product and technology category that has either changed the practice of dentistry or is currently transforming the dental industry. “Dr. Scarlett and I have been collaborating off and on for almost 20 years,” explained Ventriello. “Since the COVID outbreak, we found ourselves working together more frequently within relevant product categories such as teledentistry, air purification and  periodontal therapy. We agreed that with all the innovation occurring in dentistry, such as diagnostics and artificial intelligence, we should combine our skills on a more consistent basis to help emerging companies and systems go to market. The result is Dental Transformation Partners.”

For more details about Dental Transformation Partners, visit www.DentalTransformationPartners.com, send an email to Info@DentalTransformationPartners.com and follow DTP on LinkedIn  https://www.linkedin.com/company/dental-transformation-partners/. 

 About Margaret Scarlett, DDS:

Dr. Scarlett is a practicing dentist and an infectious and chronic disease expert. Author of CDC's first infection control guidance in 1986, Dr. Scarlett leads Scarlett Consulting International which specializes in helping companies and organizations improve overall health and oral health outcomes through data. She is the former editor of the Woman’s Dental Journal, started Medscape Dentistry and Oral Health, and is also the author of countless industry journal articles and scientific whitepapers. In addition, Dr. Scarlett is a sought-after speaker and webinar presenter. Among her many areas of expertise are dental technology (hardware & software), infection control, digital workflows, regulatory, oral-systemic links, dental education, materials, and more.

About Michael Ventriello: 

Michael is an award-winning copywriter, former journalist, and accomplished public relations and marketing strategist. For more than twenty years, Michael has been focused on dental industry marketing and public relations, working to advance product adoption by the profession for many leading dental technology companies. In 2012, Michael founded a virtual marketing, advertising and public relations agency, Ventriello Communications, launching innovative products into the dental industry. Michael is also an author and industry pundit whose articles and guest columns about public relations, dental technology and marketing have appeared in many of the leading print and online dental trade journals.

CDHA Response to Today’s PM Announcement on the Canada Dental Benefit

Wendy Stewart, CDHA’s President has issued the following statement in a response to today’s announcement by Prime Minister Trudeau, that the government is moving forward on dental care by providing direct, tax-free payments to qualifying families who earn $90,000 or less, to pay for dental visits for children under 12, starting December, for a 2-year period, retroactive to October 1, 2022.

 This latest announcement validates many issues and concerns faced by people in Canada when it comes to affordability and access to oral health care. In CDHA’s engagement with practising dental hygienists across Canada, we have heard clearly that delivering direct supports to vulnerable Canadians within a national model will make a meaningful difference as development of a comprehensive program continues with full implementation in the coming years.

 CDHA notes that specific details about the dental expenses that will be covered for eligible families with kids under 12 were not addressed in today’s announcement, such as the specific services and the specific oral health care providers who will be eligible to provide and be paid for services in connection with the benefit.

 As an interim measure, CDHA supports timely help for people who need it. “It’s important that the ultimate impact improves access to preventive dental hygiene services and professional oral care to help maintain good oral and overall health,” added Stewart. While the government continues to work out the eventual permanent details of the program, CDHA remains committed to working in partnership with government and experts to ensure access to a range of oral health services and supports.

CDHA is the collective national voice of more than 30,000 dental hygienists in Canada, directly representing 21,000 individual members, including students. Since 1963, CDHA has worked to advance the profession and promote the importance of oral health. Dental hygiene is the sixth-largest regulated health profession in Canada, with professionals working in a variety of settings, including independent dental hygiene practice, with people of all ages, addressing issues related to oral health. For more information on oral health, visit dentalhygienecanada.ca. 

Candid reloads leadership team with industry giants, significantly enhances its clinical capabilities

 This fall, high-growth clear aligner challenger Candid is stacking its leadership team, with dental giants Dr. Lou Shuman coming on as Executive Consultant and Chief Development Officer and Dr. Brian Gray as Chief Dental Officer. They join Dr. Ben Miraglia DDS, VP of GP Clinical Education at Candid Academy as major leadership additions. Under the guidance of the new leadership team, Candid will be releasing a host of new features and enhancements vaulting the Orthodontics as a Service company ahead of many of its competitors.

After shuttering its direct-to-consumer clear aligner business in December 2021 and pivoting into a full provider-based model, Candid has grown its provider base over 500% in 2022.

New Executive Consultant and Chief Development Officer Lou Shuman DMD, CAGS is the CEO and founder of Cellerant Consulting and an expert in growing dental technology companies. He was immediately attracted to Candid’s tech-first Orthodontics as a Service model of partnership and support.

“Candid’s innovations, technology partnerships, and delivery of a total support model is exactly what general practitioners need right now and orthodontists will benefit by in the near future,” says Shuman. “Candid’s commitment to state-of-the-art technology as witnessed by their new massive fabrication facility, superb management team, and focus on aligner quality, already make Candid a great choice for dentists, and our planned clinical upgrades will soon make that choice even easier.”

Known for having trained nearly 30,000 dentists in clear aligner therapy over the last two decades, new Chief Dental Officer Dr. Brian Gray thinks Candid is uniquely positioned to meet the general practitioner where they are.

“I’m joining Candid because it feels like a new era in clear aligners,” says Gray. “As a clinical evaluator, I’ve tried nearly every clear aligner product out there. Candid has unlocked the convenience and predictability that clinicians have been after for years by empowering dentists with the deep clinical knowledge to protect their reputations while giving patients the safe, effective treatment they need.”

Candid rounds out its leadership upgrade with a host of new Candid Academy Faculty members, with Drs. Tom Shannon and Geoffrey Skinner joining visionaries like Drs. Ben Miraglia, Kalli Hale, and Craig Spodak. Dr. Miraglia has played a pivotal role in upgrading Candid’s Rx and through his teaching and advocacy continues to attract top clinicians to Candid Academy.

For CEO Nick Greenfield, Candid is on the road to becoming the practitioner’s choice for clear aligners.

“We’re on a similar trajectory to a company like Tesla,” says Greenfield. “Amazing product, top-flight tech, and outstanding design, but early Teslas could only go 100 miles on a charge. This massive tech enhancement means Candid can now take partner practices so much farther—with even more exciting developments on the horizon.”

Dr. Gray concurs that Candid’s expert-led Orthodontics as a Service model is poised to grab significant market share.

“I see so much in the works that I can’t wait to share with my patients and colleagues,” says Gray. “Candid has developed a number of game-changing product enhancements and techniques that lead the clear aligner segment into a new era. I see it as Ortho 3.0, and am excited to be part of this transformational change in dental health care.”

Dr. Shuman sees even more growth for Candid on the horizon.

“Sitting in a room with Candid leadership reminded me of my work with clear aligners 20 years ago,” he says, “young, brilliant visionaries coming together to create a technique poised to transform the market.”