DGSHAPE Announces new DWX-53D Mill

 

Yesterday, October 1st, DGSHAPE announced that their newest dry mill, the DWX-53D is now available.  As you can see from the photo above, this is a beautiful piece of equipment.

DGSHAPE has been in the milling space of the dental industry for decades now.  However, in the early 2020s the company made the entrance into in-office milling space, bringing their decades of milling experience into dental offices.

We installed a DWX-42W wet mill into our office in April of 2022 and have seen tremendous results.  I'm writing about that part of my experience just so you know that I have experience with DGSHAPE and have been incredibly impressed with the hardware as well as the company.

Now the company has released a new dry mill that general dentists can purchase.  The DGSHAPE DWX-53D is a *dry* mill that mills 'pucks'.  For those of you not familiar with the term, dental mills use one of 2 different shapes in the milling process.  The first is the traditional 'block' which is used to create a single restoration.  The second type is the 'puck'.  They are circular in shape and derive their name because the tend to look like a hockey puck.  They are normally 98mm in diameter with different thicknesses depending on the need.

The advantage of pucks is that they can be used to create longer span dental prostheses such as long span bridges.  However they can also be milled into multiple single units prostheses as well.  The image below shows the VOCO Grandio Disc.

Using a mill that handles pucks allows for all kinds of advanced applications like All-On-X, traditional and implant supported dentures and other removable and fixed prosthetics.

The advantage of the new DWX-53D is that now dental offices can create these longer span projects in-office.  This allows the doctor greater control over the anatomy, fit, contour, and occlusion of their projects.  There is also the obvious advantage of speed.  Longer span prosthetics can be created in much less time than sending the case to a traditional dental lab.  Cost is also a factor as custom milled restorations save the office significantly on lab fees.

One of the things I like about DGSHAPE is the fact that their system is 'open architecture' which simply means that you can use any intraoral scanner and any dental design software.  This means that DGSHAPE mills don't require the user to purchase any specific pieces of software.  I'm a big fan of having choices and 'open architecture' means that the doctor can use the systems they prefer and still have a seamless integration with the mill.

To find out more, you can go to the DWX-53D webpage.

GlideWell Labs ORB Sports Mouthguard a High Tech Way to Protect Your Smile

 

Introduction

Almost my entire career I have worked with athletes to help protect not only their teeth, but their overall brain health through the use of mouthguards.  Whether you're a seasoned athlete or a casual player, protecting your teeth during sports activities is essential. Traditional sports mouthguards can be uncomfortable and bulky, often hindering performance and not offering adequate protection. Enter the ORB Sports Mouthguard from GlideWell Lab, a custom-fitted, comfortable, and effective solution for athletes of all ages.  But wait... there's more.  Much, much more...

Now the entire science of sports mouthguards has taken a tech leap forward with the introduction of the ORB Sports Mouthguard from Glidewell lab.

What is the ORB Sports Mouthguard?

The ORB Sports Mouthguard is a custom-made oral appliance designed to protect your teeth, gums, and jaw from injuries during sports activities. Unlike generic boil-and-bite mouthguards, the ORB is made from high-quality materials and is tailored to fit your unique dental anatomy. This ensures optimal protection and comfort.

However, the truly amazing thing about it is the technology that is embedded in it.  The ORB has a sensor that tracks more than 20 key metrics.

Key Benefits of the ORB Sports Mouthguard 

• Custom Fit: Each ORB Sports Mouthguard is custom-made to fit your specific dental structure. This provides a secure and comfortable fit, preventing the mouthguard from shifting or interfering with your performance.
• Comfort and Breathability: The ORB is designed to be comfortable and breathable. It doesn't impede your speech or breathing, allowing you to focus on your game.
• Tech: An embedded chip monitors heart rate, body movement, head impacts, and more.
• Protection: The ORB effectively protects your teeth, gums, and jaw from injuries caused by impacts, falls, and collisions.

How Does the ORB Sports Mouthguard Work?

The ORB Sports Mouthguard acts as a protective barrier between your teeth and the impact of a blow. It helps to distribute the force of a hit, reducing the risk of dental injuries.  In addition to protecting your teeth and related structures, it also provides valuable data.  The ability to track head impacts will give trainers and medical professionals critical data to help diagnose and evaluate the potential of concussions from those impacts.

Is the ORB Sports Mouthguard Right for You?

If you participate in sports activities, the ORB Sports Mouthguard is an excellent investment in your oral health. Whether you play contact sports like football or non-contact sports like basketball, a custom-made mouthguard can provide essential protection.  It's difficult in many sports to wear some type of device that can monitor your performance, but having these features built into a mouthguard makes recording that data as easy as slipping the device over your teeth.  It even comes with a case with a protective sleeve and built-in wireless charging.

The data recorded can be viewed on a smartphone via Bluetooth and the ORB Sport mobile app.

Wrapping Up

The ORB Sports Mouthguard from GlideWell Lab is a good choice for athletes seeking a comfortable, effective, and custom-fitted mouthguard.   However, by including the ability to monitor multiple fitness data points, especially head impacts, I feel this is a true revolution in sports dentistry.

For more info about the ORB Sports Mouthguard, check out the product page from Glidewell Lab.  

A Big Thank You to the Southeast Kanas Dental Society

 

Yesterday, September 30, I was honored to spend the day lecturing to the Southeast Dental Kansas Dental Society.  I always really enjoy getting to share with my peers, but it's always especially amazing to have the privilege to do that in front of people who are 'in your own neighborhood'.

There's an old joke that says an expert 'is anyone from more than 50 miles away with a laptop and Powerpoint'.  Basically people want new perspectives and new information and sometimes that hard to get in your same area.

Fortunately I was more than 50 miles away from the SEK and I have my laptop.  Seriously though, it was a tremendous honor to speak at a meeting for doctors from my home state.  It was a nice event and the location at the Downstream Casino Resort was a great location.

I want to publicly thank everyone who attended.  I had a great time and I appreciate the attention and questions.

Illinois Announces "Fake Dentist Real Harm Campaign" - A Call for Action

 

It's all too common these days for me to find a story online from a local news organization about someone posing as a dental professional.  There was a recent story in Chicago about a lady who impersonated a dentist in Las Vegas.  She then bailed herself out of jail and then a couple of weeks later had started the same scam in Chicago.

Often these 'offices' post a lot on social media showing incredible results for stunningly low fees.  You know the old adage of "if it sounds too good to be true"?  It definitely applies here.

So I was happy to hear about the state of Illinois taking a stand on this...

Illinois is taking a proactive stance against the growing problem of individuals posing as dentists. The state's Fake Dentist Real Harm campaign aims to raise awareness about the dangers of seeking dental care from unqualified individuals and to educate the public on how to identify legitimate dental professionals.

Why is this campaign important?

• Public Safety: Unqualified individuals practicing dentistry can pose serious health risks to patients, including infections, pain, and permanent damage to teeth and gums.
• Consumer Protection: The campaign helps consumers make informed decisions about their dental care and avoid falling victim to scams.
• Enforcement: By raising awareness, the campaign supports law enforcement efforts to identify and prosecute individuals who are illegally practicing dentistry.

Key Messages of the Campaign:

• Verify Credentials: Always verify the credentials of your dentist by checking with the Illinois State Board of Dentistry.
• Beware of Red Flags: Be cautious of individuals who offer suspiciously low prices, operate out of unconventional locations, or avoid providing proof of licensing.
• Report Suspicious Activity: If you suspect someone is practicing dentistry without a license, report it to the Illinois State Board of Dentistry.

How Can You Get Involved?

• Share Information: Spread awareness about the campaign by sharing information with your friends, family, and social media networks.
• Educate Yourself: Learn more about the signs of a fake dentist and how to verify credentials.
• Support Local Dentists: Choose licensed and reputable dentists in your community.

By working together, we can help protect the public from the dangers of fake dentists and ensure that everyone has access to quality dental care.

For more information and resources, please visit the Illinois State Board of Dentistry website.

Keywords: Illinois, fake dentist, dental fraud, public safety, consumer protection, dental care

Data Security is a *Real* Threat - Learn How To Protect Yourself

 

As regular readers know, I'm a huge proponent of data security.  In fact, in March of this year (2024) I covered why security should be looked at as 'insurance' and not as a 'nice to have' in my Technology Evangelist column in Dental Products Report.  

Data security can mean financial security when one evaluates all the potential costs that can arise out of a data breach... especially in healthcare.  Fines issued by the federal government can be severe and considering that even with strong, reliable backups, your office could be closed for several days as IT professionals restore your network to function.

Doctors need to pay attention to these attack vectors and do everything possible to prevent this from happening.  Unfortunately, because most doctors don't understand IT, they simply ask their local technician if they are "OK", receive assurances, and then move on.  As doctors we *need* solid education on the 'best practices' for our data... and that can be hard to come by.

That is the reason I'll be co-presenting a webinar soon on the topic.  The webinar will be a tag team effort by myself and Gary Salman who is the CEO of Black Talon Security.  As the CEO of a data security firm, Gary knows this subject forwards and backwards.

We'll go over ways to protect your practice as well as educate you on *why* these best practices need to be put into place.

Mark your calendars now for Friday November 8th at 9:00 am Eastern Time to learn how to keep your data safe and how to protect your practice from the unexpected.  I love talking tech and helping my peers so I'm *super excited* to be able to bring this kind of info to other doctors.  Plan on being there!  You can register by following this link.  

SmileDirectClub Loses Appeal in Court Battle Against NBC News

The bad news just doesn't stop for defunct direct to consumer orthodontic company SmileDirectClub.  The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on September 29, 2023 after rocketing into mainstream news as it grew, before crashing back to the ground and disappearing.

Without going into all the details of the company's rise and spectacular fall, I'll keep this post about the most recent news item.  However, most doctors had concerns over a company that provided treatment to individuals without exams or monitoring by a licensed professional.

In February 2020 NBC News released a story about SDC.  NBC had placed hidden cameras in 3 different SDC locations and recorded employees interactions with customers.  The videos obtained were used in the news piece and were less than complimentary.

In the lawsuit SDC filed against NBC Universal Media the company stated that over 40 "false and misleading" claims were made.  They were seeking $2.85 billion in damages.

Fortunately NBC is a large company and refused to be intimidated by a lawsuit that attempted to keep these types of reporting from being done.  

In 2021 the lawsuit was dismissed by a judge in Tennessee (where the case was filed).  In 2023 SDC appealed that decision and the question went before the Tennessee Court of Appeals.  Now in September 2024, the Tennessee Court of Appeals upheld the lower court's decision.  They stated:

“Considering the evidence in a light most favorable to the plaintiffs and disregarding all countervailing evidence, we have determined that the plaintiffs presented prima facie evidence of falsity to support some of their claims but failed to produce clear and convincing evidence of actual malice,” the decision stated. “Accordingly, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.”

Of course the end result doesn't really hurt SDC since they are bankrupt.  The company is required to pay for NBC's attorney's fees, but one wonders where that money will come from.  Odds are that those fees are never recouped by NBC. 

HuFriedy Group Safe-Flo™ Saliva Ejectors Help Deal with Backflow

 

HuFriedy Group has created a line of suction devices with back-flow valves.  They are simple in design and I really like the effort to help decrease the possibility of cross-contamination.

The product line is called Safe-Flo and is available in both flavored and unflavored models.

The video above does a great job of describing the product as well as having some good animations that give you a real understanding for what it does and how it works.

Another great thing for this product is that HuFriedy Group is offering *free* sample packs if you'd like to try it out.  The offer is:

"4-piece sample pack includes the new Safe-Flo™ Plus Saliva Ejector, along with our Safe-Flo™ Saliva Ejector, Safe-Flo™ SE Valve, and Safe-Flo™ HV Valve. Whether you’re looking to replace your current saliva ejector or add a Safe-Flo™ Valve to your existing ejector, we have a solution to help."

The offer is available from this link.  Simply fill out the form found on the right side of the page.