Weave Delivers Enhanced Patient Communication With Addition of Bulk Texting to Product Suite

 

Most-requested feature from customers will increase patient engagement, driving new revenue opportunities for small businesses

LEHI, Utah (March 29, 2023) — Weave (NYSE: WEAV), the all-in-one customer communication and engagement platform for small- and medium-sized businesses, today announced the addition of Bulk Texting to its product suite. The latest addition to Weave’s platform gives businesses the ability to send a single text to hundreds of their customers at once, while curating recipient lists and dynamic fields to deliver customized content. 

Weave’s Bulk Texting will allow small businesses to send these messages directly from their 10-digit business phone number instead of the five-digit short code numbers often ignored by consumers. In a recent survey of 1,000 U.S. consumers, 53% said they wouldn’t open a text from a five-digit short code number.

Bulk Texting will allow Weave’s 27,000+ customers to efficiently engage and re-engage patients beyond automated recall reminders by scheduling targeted messages to hundreds of customers at once based on filters like age, appointment type, time since last appointment and more. Patient communications can take up coveted staff time at small- and medium-sized healthcare offices, reducing time that could be spent interacting with patients one-on-one and negatively impacting patient experiences. 

“Bulk Texting can help boost revenue for practices by engaging more patients with personalized and targeted text messages, all from the business’s phone number,” said Brett White, CEO of Weave. “We are constantly listening to our customers’ feedback, and are proud to launch our most-requested feature to the thousands of offices who rely on Weave to provide exceptional patient experiences.”

Full benefits and features include:

• Bulk Messaging Dashboard - Access all bulk text messages from a single page. View, edit or monitor all messages at once. 

• Engagement Metrics - Easily monitor messaging activity, including delivered messages, failed messages, and how many messages were replied to in a given campaign. 

• Bulk Text Summary - Stay informed with an overview of how many texts will be sent and how many texts remain for the current month. 

• Filter Recipient List - Use filters to refine lists of recipients based on specific criteria such as appointment type, schedule, insurance, age, and last seen. 

• Dynamic Fields - Personalize messages by including dynamic fields that automatically populate with essential information like patient name, practice name, service provider, and office phone number. 

• Schedule Send - Choose when to send bulk texts, either send immediately, at a future date or customize how many messages to send per day to reach customers at their convenience. 

This latest feature comes on the heels of several new product and integration launches in recent months, including Online Scheduling & Text Connect, Insurance Verification and more. To learn more about Weave’s platform and its impact on 27,000+ customers, visit: https://www.getweave.com/weave-works/ 

About Weave

Weave is the all-in-one customer communication and engagement platform for small- and medium-sized businesses. From the first phone call to the final invoice and every touchpoint in between, Weave connects the entire customer journey. Weave’s software solutions transform how local businesses attract, communicate with and engage customers to grow their business. Weave has set the bar for Utah startup achievement & work culture. In the past year, Weave has been named a G2 leader in Patient Engagement, Optometry, Dental Practice Management and Patient Relationship Management software. To learn more, visit getweave.com/newsroom/  

Contact:

Kali Geldis

Sr. Director of Communications, Weave

pr@getweave.com

The Academy of Laser Dentistry’s Annual Conference is Featuring Expanded Sponsor and Exhibitor Diversity

 

In Addition to Showcasing Laser Companies, ALD 2023 is Including a Variety of Complementary Products and Services That Can Enhance Today’s Laser Practice

The Academy of Laser Dentistry (ALD), an international, professional membership association, recently announced that its upcoming annual conference is showcasing a diverse group of sponsors and exhibitors during its 30th anniversary meeting. ALD 2023 is taking place from April 21st to April 22nd in Dallas.

According to ALD Executive Director Gail Siminovsky, CAE, “ALD 2023 not only marks our exciting return to a live event, it also has the distinction of having more  sponsor and exhibitor diversity compared to previous years.  That’s because dental lasers play well with other modalities, which is part of what keeps them at the forefront of advanced patient care.”

Diode and CO2 Lasers

Of course, ALD 2023 will be highlighting the dental industry’s leading diode and CO2 laser manufacturers such as Biolase, Convergent Dental (Solea), Ultradent, DEKA Dental Lasers and CAO Group, but other types of lasers will also be included.

Photobiomodulation (PBM) and Cosmetic Lasers 

For example, low-level laser devices with healing, pain-relieving properties are also well-represented thanks to sponsors and exhibitors such as Thor Photomedicine, Oral IQ, and Summus Medical Laser. Another laser application being featured for the first time, is cosmetic skin treatment, which is the specialty of Zero Gravity Skin. 

“We’re very excited to welcome several innovative non-laser companies to ALD 2023,” added Siminovsky. “All of them can add value to practice and patients alike, which is in full-alignment with this year’s conference theme Lasers for Practice Success.”  

Oral Health Products and Technology

For example, ALD2023 will include homeopathic oral care products from StellaLife, periodontal disease treatment trays from PerioProtect, Guided Biofilm Therapy technology from EMS and voice-activated perio-charting from Florida Probe’s Voiceworks.

Eyewear: Protection Magnification & Illumination

The importance of proper eyewear for laser practitioners cannot be overstated. While you are on the exhibit floor, you’ll be able to try laser safety glasses from Innovative Optics and loupes and headlights from DentLight.

Practice Management 

ALD 2023 attendees who want to achieve laser practice success by becoming more productive and profitable, can meet with representatives from Fortune Management. 

“Thanks to all of our sponsors and exhibitors,” said Siminovsky. “The diverse list continues to grow and reflects the progressive mindset and dedication to optimal patient care shared by ALD members across the globe.”

For full conference program details and registration information, visit https://bit.ly/ALD2023.

Manufacturers and DSOs interested in becoming an ALD exhibitor or sponsor should contact Margaret Angarolo at margaret@LaserDentistry.org. 

About the Academy of Laser Dentistry:  

The Academy of Laser Dentistry (ALD) is the only independent and unbiased non-profit association devoted to laser dentistry and includes clinicians, academicians, and researchers in all laser wavelengths. The Academy is devoted to clinical education, research, and the development of standards and guidelines for the safe and effective use of dental laser technology. The ALD was founded in 1993, with the merging of the International Academy of Laser Dentistry, the North American Academy of Laser Dentistry, and the American Academy of Laser Dentistry. For more information, visit www.LaserDentistry.org.

For updated news and information, follow the Academy on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram. 

This Friday March 31 - Join Me for the DPR AI Applications in Dentistry Event

 

Hi Everyone!

We're excited to invite you to our upcoming online event on AI!  In this event, we'll be discussing the latest developments in AI, including: 

• The latest research on AI

• The applications of AI in dentistry

• The ethical implications of AI

We'll also be featuring a discussion with leading experts in AI.

This event is a great opportunity to learn more about AI and its potential impact on our world and our profession.

We hope you can join us!  Click this link to register for the event!  

--------------------------------------------------

And just for full disclosure... The text above the dotted line was generated by Bard.  The Bard platform is Google's new AI text composition platform.  I actually asked Bard to "Describe what Bard can do" and this was the response:

Bard is a large language model, also known as a conversational AI or chatbot trained to be informative and comprehensive. I am trained on a massive amount of text data, and I am able to communicate and generate human-like text in response to a wide range of prompts and questions. For example, I can provide summaries of factual topics or create stories.

Needless to say, AI is coming and, while it has already changed our world, it is about to do a whole lot more.  To learn what it is poised to do for the profession of dentistry, be sure to register for this "don't want to miss" event!!!   

Walmart and Quip Announce Partnership

 

In the continuing growth of the telehealth and/or teledentistry sector, the industry is seeing increasing growth and acceptance in this slice of the market.

In the early stages of growth, it looked like this aspect of healthcare was going to be pretty limited.  Both acceptance and adoption seemed slow.  Don't get me wrong, there was definite interest, but the prospect of this become a serious growth potential and profit center was not readily apparent.  

Covid changed a lot of those perceptions.  When the actual process of being seen physically wasn't possible, industry developers turned to remote access to help with the problem.  I think it is safe to say the from an economic and/or profit standpoint, when you see Walmart enter a particular aspect of the market, then that market is primed for profit and expansion.

This week, Walmart announced that they are partnering with Quip, the manufacturers of a low end powered toothbrush, to bring virtual dental exams to the Walmart customer base.  

Here is the announcement:

Today, quip, the modern oral health company, announced a first of its kind collaboration to offer its comprehensive virtual dental care services to Walmart customers.

Following the lasting impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on missed dentist appointments and screenings, quip is aiming to increase focus on preventative oral care and provide better access to professional care when in need. CareQuest Institute for Oral Health conducted a survey in 2022 revealing that despite improvements in oral health since the beginning of the pandemic, major disparities still exist.      

"At quip, we are excited to be expanding our offerings to millions more Americans in need of professional dental care," said Simon Enever, Co-Founder and CEO of quip. "We recognize the impact of telehealth over the past few years and see the need for teledentistry solutions that can improve access to care for Americans who may have trouble regularly accessing a dentist, whether due to geographical limitations or medical restrictions. By collaborating with Walmart, we hope to simplify and improve oral care nationwide through our unique dental products and services platform."

To utilize quip's virtual care services, all you need is five minutes and a phone. Users simply respond to a few multiple-choice questions regarding their general and oral health, and then choose between a photo consult, great for a preventative check-up to assess specific issues visible in the mouth, or a live video consult, ideal to triage emergencies and prescribe solutions to pain.  

Photo consults involve taking 1-6 pictures of your mouth that are assessed by a dentist in your area who sends back a detailed digital report that highlights areas of concern such as potential cavities or gum issues, within 24 hours. This report includes treatment suggestions and options to find in-person care in your area.

Virtual care checkups are covered by most dental insurance providers or cost from $35 out of pocket. These services are not meant as a replacement for in person dental treatment, but rather a convenient and affordable way to have a preventative check-up, receive guidance between visits to the dentist, or to help assess and better triage problems.

"Walmart is committed to increasing the accessibility of health and wellness products and services for customers," said Staci Cochran, Vice President of Health & Wellness Merchandising. "The new teledentistry offering from quip allows us to build upon this commitment by providing customers with an easy, affordable way to access virtual dental services."

Users that access quip's virtual care in the quip app can also earn rewards for tracking oral care habits- such as brushing their teeth, flossing, and rinsing regularly, with whatever quip products they use. Users of quip products, such as the quip smart brush, can automatically track their habits and get tailored coaching.

Visit Walmart.com to learn more or download the free quip app today to track and improve your oral care routine, get a virtual checkup, and earn rewards for good oral health habits.

The actual announcement (if you want to see the full copy) is here.   

 

DEA Reports Widespread Threat of Fentanyl Mixed with Xylazine

 

While today's post is not technically of a tech nature, I know that doctors as well as many of you lay readers like me to keep you up to date with things dealing with drugs and public safety.  Along those lines, I happened to come across today's info courtesy of the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).  

As the number of prescriptions for legitimate pain medications drops, criminals have stepped in to fill the void.  One of the things I've advocated for a long time now is that if you simply cut the supply without offering citizens access to treatment, those who are addicted (whether through abuse or simply taking them as directed) will begin to look for a new source.  Unfortunately not enough money (at least yet) has a been applied to the treatment side of the equation.  I've seen several statistical evaluations that have shown that as prescriptions have decreased illegal purchases have increased to balance or even exceed previous usage rates.

Opiate withdrawal is a horrible experience.  It has both physical as well as psychological effects on the sufferer that are described as "hell on Earth", the worst illness ever, or "so terrible that there are no words to describe it".  Sufferers report chills, fever, sweating, horrible body aches, diarrhea, vomiting to the point of convulsions, insomnia, etc.  I have read accounts of people remaining awake for days at a time writhing in pain while vomiting and soiling themselves because they are not even capable of getting to the restroom.

I think it is easy to imagine for many of us that if you were going through something so hellish and you knew that just doing the drug "one more time" would make all of this go away, you'd take that next dose.

Leaving people to try and figure this out on their own without treatment and medical help is simply inhumane.

Now, I'll get off of my soap box and continue with today's post...

Fentanyl is the crème de la crème of narcotics.  It is exponentially stronger than morphine and heroin, yet just as addictive (or perhaps more).  Also, the withdrawals are just as bad, if not worse.

What drug dealers love about fentanyl is that it is SO powerful that it only takes tiny amounts to provide the euphoria all addicts crave.  Tiny amounts of a powder like fentanyl are easy to conceal and shipments can be much smaller.  Also, any drug dealer knows that the money is made in repeat business.  Fentanyl is highly addictive and it doesn't take much to create a dependent individual.  To avoid withdrawal, those people will return again and again as "repeat business".

Many illicit drug supplies are now laced with fentanyl to provide a better buzz as well as to ensure repeat business.  However, because it is so powerful, the margin of safety is slim.  It is easy to overdose on this drug simply because the difference between a dose that creates a buzz and a dose that causes fatality is very, very slim.

In fact, in November 2022 the DEA put out an alert that 6 out of 10 fentanyl-laced fake prescription pills contain a potentially lethal dose of fentanyl.  You read that right... 60% of counter fit pills containing fentanyl can kill you simply by taking ONE.

Now comes word that street drugs have taken another step up by mixing a drug called Xylazine with Fentanyl.  Here is the update from DEA:

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration is warning the American public of a sharp increase in the trafficking of fentanyl mixed with xylazine. Xylazine, also known as “Tranq,” is a powerful sedative that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved for veterinary use.  

Xylazine and fentanyl drug mixtures place users at a higher risk of suffering a fatal drug poisoning. Because xylazine is not an opioid, naloxone (Narcan) does not reverse its effects. Still, experts always recommend administering naloxone if someone might be suffering a drug poisoning. People who inject drug mixtures containing xylazine also can develop severe wounds, including necrosis—the rotting of human tissue—that may lead to amputation.

According to the CDC, 107,735 Americans died between August 2021 and August 2022 from drug poisonings, with 66 percent of those deaths involving synthetic opioids like fentanyl. The Sinaloa Cartel and Jalisco Cartel in Mexico, using chemicals largely sourced from China, are primarily responsible for the vast majority of the fentanyl that is being trafficked in communities across the United States.

FDA recently communicated to health care providers about the risks to patients exposed to xylazine in illicit drugs. A copy of that communication can be found here: FDA alerts healthcare professionals of risks to patients exposed to xylazine in illicit drugs.

White Paper Reveals Striking Data on Health Disparities in American Indian and Alaska Native Communities

 

Today, CareQuest Institute for Oral Health®, the Society of American Indian Dentists (SAID), and the National Indian Health Board’s (NIHB) Tribal Oral Health Initiative released a white paper on oral health disparities in American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities. 

The white paper, “American Indian and Alaska Native Communities Face a ‘Disproportionate Burden of Oral Disease’: Reversing Inequities Involves Challenges and Opportunities,” includes striking new data from CareQuest Institute’s State of Oral Health Equity in America survey and offers strategic recommendations on how to address disparities and inequities facing AI/AN communities. 

Filled with graphics, quotes, and frameworks, the paper details how historical and intergenerational trauma including genocide, exposure to infectious diseases, forced boarding school attendance, lack of access to nutritional and affordable food, and lack of access to routine preventive care place AI/AN communities at high risk of poor overall and oral health outcomes.

“The data and research in this white paper affirm the serious health disparities that AI/AN communities have faced for generations due to structural racism and historical trauma,” said CareQuest Institute CEO and President Myechia Minter-Jordan, MD, MBA. “We need broad distributive justice to break this cycle. Our hope is that the data and recommendations in this white paper help address the deep health inequities facing this population. We are grateful to SAID and NIHB for their partnership on this important project and look forward to continuing to work with all stakeholders toward solutions.”

"SAID is committed to achieving equal representation for AI/ANs in the field of dentistry and we are grateful for the opportunity to partner with CareQuest Institute to contribute to the understanding of oral disease as it impacts our communities and people,” said Cristin Haase, DMD, MPH, president of Society of American Indian Dentists. “Partnerships such as these are important for opening the door to critical conversations and driving change towards inclusive oral health care for AI/AN communities. It is common for our population to be excluded or erased from data collection regarding dentistry workforce and oral health, and it is vital that we continue to remain visible and raise awareness of the issues."

Findings from the white paper include: 

·      The prevalence of early childhood caries (tooth decay) in AI/AN communities is three times higher than it is for white children.

·      AI/AN adults are twice as likely to have untreated decay as the overall US population, and 83% of AI/AN adults report tooth loss compared to 66% of the overall US population.

·      Three and a half times as many people who identified as AI/AN reported going to the emergency department for dental care or mouth pain in the last year (13.5%) compared with those who do not identify as AI/AN (3.9%).

·      More than half of AI/AN adults (54.1%) reported being denied health care or oral health care at some point due to discrimination, compared to 40% of non-AI/AN respondents.

·      The number of AI/AN students applying to dental school has decreased dramatically over the past decade, with a record high of 92 in 2006 to record lows within the past 20 years of 16 AI/AN applicants in 2019 and only eight in 2021.

The authors also make several strategic recommendations on how to reduce oral health disparities in AI/AN communities, including: 

·      Developing partnerships with AI/AN communities and organizations to better understand their priorities. 

·      Collecting more accurate data, including the inclusion of AI/AN as an individual category to avoid misclassification.

·      Increasing representation of AI/AN individuals in dental education settings. 

·      Developing career pathway programs for AI/AN individuals to enter all dental workforce positions.

·      Ensuring state and federal oral health care policies are made in collaboration and consultation with tribal leaders and the Indian Health Service.

If you'd like to read the entire White Paper, you can do so here.

SoftSmile and CandidPro™ begin strategic multi-year partnership

 

First of all, I'm back!  Last week I had a wicked bug grab me.  Never tested positive, but I felt terrible.  Hence, there weren't many posts last week.  Hey, now I'm back!  So let's start the week with info from Candid.

Candid has announced several enhancements to their CandidPro orthodontic platform that will give providers more control over their clear aligner cases. One of these upgrades stems from a multi-year strategic partnership Candid has forged with SoftSmile Inc. that will bring their state-of-the-art VISION treatment planning software to every CandidPro provider. 

VISION was created to expand access to high-quality oral healthcare tools for doctors while making treatment more accessible for patients. VISION, an FDA-cleared, AI-powered orthodontic treatment planning solution, is regarded as having some of the most intuitive and comprehensive functionality available, providing dental professionals with an unprecedented level of confidence.

“We founded SoftSmile to give doctors more treatment planning power and flexibility,” says Khamzat Asabaev, CEO & Founder at SoftSmile. “Working with Candid means furthering that goal with a partner that also puts doctors first.”

SoftSmile’s VISION software is user-friendly and includes some of the most advanced treatment planning features available, including automated segmentation and staging optimization that may reduce treatment planning time by up to 95%. These features will complement the planned clinical enhancements CandidPro has recently announced, and will empower CandidPro doctors with the precision, control, and efficiency they need to confidently treat clear aligner patients.

“VISION is a true differentiator for CandidPro and is a great example of our commitment to offering the best possible clear aligner treatment options to dental professionals,” says Candid’s Chief Dental Officer, Dr. Brian Gray. “The renderings are precise, the experience is fluid, and the automations should save our doctors even more clinical time.”

In parallel with the launch of VISION, CandidPro will enhance the clinical capabilities of its products to include most of VISIONS’s current clinical features including bite ramps shift, automated attachments placement, AI-powered staging optimization, multiple attachments types, 3D controls, robust treatment planning, CBCT integration, matching, and more.

Candid and SoftSmile also have ambitious long-term partnership goals, including planned strategic research and development initiatives that will bring Candid’s precise manufacturing technology into play for SoftSmile users seeking the latest aligner technology. 

“CandidPro and SoftSmile are both riding the same wave of innovation,” says Candid’s CEO, Nick Greenfield. “More importantly, both are focused on listening to doctors’ needs and generating products they love to use. We’re thrilled to see what we can accomplish together.”

About SoftSmile, Inc.

SoftSmile is a New York-based technology company that helps orthodontists to deliver custom, high-quality, and affordable treatment to their patients. Established in 2020, SoftSmile designs and develops an advanced, AI-driven orthodontic software package that applies innovative algorithms with sound biomechanical and mathematical principles in a user-friendly interface. These products give orthodontists unparalleled control and precision of the treatment they deliver to their patients. SoftSmile was created by doctors, for doctors. Learn more at https://softsmile.com/.

About CandidPro

CandidPro believes that dentists deserve more when it comes to clear aligners. That’s why their orthodontic platform leverages best-in-class technology, a game-changing approach to partnership, and clinical expertise to give doctors more control, more convenience, and more happy clear aligner patients. Learn more at: https://www.candidpro.com.

SOURCE Candid

Silicon Valley Bank and the Fears it Brings...

 This blog is by no means a source of information on financial markets.  There are many much more knowledgeable and enlightened bloggers out there who can provide you the info you need to make financial decisions.  I only get involved when the money intersects with tech.  This is one of those times.

The headlines of major news sites have been full of info in the last few days about Silicon Valley Bank or SVB.  So what happened and why is this news?

Basically SVB was/is a "go to" bank for companies classified as "tech startups"  Basically the bank, which was started in 1983, was well know inside Silicon Valley as a well known source of financing for these tech startups who were relying on US venture backed funding.

It's interesting to note that while practically no one outside of the Silicon Valley tech sector had ever even *heard* of SVB, the bank was one of the top US commercial banks.  It was estimated to be one of the top 20 US commercial banks with total assets around $209 billion (yes, billion with a "B").

Because of SVB's involvement with a lot of Silicon Valley startups, it was seen as *the* place to get funding as part of a startup.  However, like anything in the world of finance, it can be easy to get over extended if you are not careful.  That seems to be exactly what happened here.

As inflation seemed to loom just over the horizon for the last year or so, we have seen interest rates controlled by the Fed go up.  Of course, those increasing interest rates were an attempt to slow things down.  Rising interest rates made money harder to come by and the customers of SVB began to take money out to cover expenses and when you suddenly have more money going out than coming in... well that's not good.

Then word gets out that more money is going out than coming in and suddenly *everyone* wants their money NOW.  That creates a good old fashioned "run" on a bank.  When that started, the feds stepped in.

Where this all ends up is anyone's guess.  Someone once told me (and it's pretty much true) that money is sort of like water.  It tends to flow from one point to another and sometimes when you try to dam it up, once a crack develops in a dam, there is a huge rush downstream that can take a lot of things with it...

UAB Announces First Ever Registry of Dental Implants

I'm a fan of the University of Alabama Birmingham School of Dentistry for a lot of reasons.  Probably the biggest is because I'm also a fan of Dr. Nate Lawson, who is one of the brightest young minds in dentistry.  Nate is definitely someone to keep an eye on as far as dental research is concerned.  

The other reason is because the school is a big proponent of research.  Along those lines,  the school has recently announced that they are now the home of the first dental implant registry in the United States.  Read on for why this is such a big deal...

The National Dental Practice-Based Research Network, founded and hosted at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Dentistry, is now home to the nation’s first dental implant registry. The registry, funded by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, will drive a three-year study of dental implant outcomes and aims to investigate the parameters associated with the success of implant therapy, as well as the rate of prosthetic and biologic implant complications.  

Nicolaas Geurs, DDS, Weatherford/Palcanis Endowed Professor and chair at the UAB Department of Periodontology, is the principal investigator of the study. The total funding for this study is $2,354,358.

“Registries in medicine are commonly conducted to gather data on large numbers of patients by many different clinicians throughout the country,” Geurs said. “This registry will help us better understand dental implants and their impact on patients’ health, function and quality of life with the aim of improving treatment outcomes of future therapy.”   

Geurs says the study will enroll 2,000 patients nationwide and help dental practitioners across the country learn how to improve dental implant therapy outcomes. The data will be used to understand how often patients develop disease around their dental implants and how often patients experience issues with their implant crowns or dentures.

Dental implants are commonly used to replace missing teeth. Participants in the study will receive their implant crown, and their progress will be followed over the next three years.  

The full article from UAB News can be accessed here...  

The American Association of Dental Office Management (AADOM) Recognizes Synchrony’s CareCredit as the Organization’s Exclusively Recommended Patient Financing Solution

Continuation of Decades-Long Partnership Connects AADOM Members with CareCredit’s Payment Solutions, Streamlining Financial Processes for Dental Practices and Patients

 The American Association of Dental Office Management (AADOM) and Synchrony (NYSE: SYF), a leading consumer financial services company, today announced an extension of their 20-year partnership and an endorsement of Synchrony’s CareCredit credit card as the organization’s exclusively recommended patient financing solution. Synchrony will continue to offer AADOM’s more than 10,000 members – and their patients – CareCredit’s special financing options, digital payment features, and financial education support.

“Dental office managers play a crucial role in connecting their practice’s patients with financial solutions, making it possible for them to access and afford the care they want and need,” said Bete Johnson, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Dental, Synchrony. “The tenure of our partnership with AADOM is a testament to its success. We will continue to connect dental practice teams with CareCredit’s financing solution, enabling a simplified financial experience for patients, and in turn, efficient and streamlined payment processes.”  

With its CareCredit credit card, Synchrony is a founding member of AADOM and has been the organization’s preferred and trusted financing solution since 2003. CareCredit is one of the industry’s first health and wellness credit cards and is accepted by 80% of dental practices in the United States. Through the renewal of the partnership, Synchrony will continue to equip members with education, resources and solutions to have conversations with patients to optimize their payment experience – building patient loyalty and saving time for dental practice teams.

Patients can scan a QR code on any smart device to see if they prequalify for the CareCredit credit card with no impact to their credit bureau score. If patients prequalify for CareCredit, they can accept the offer and complete the application. Within minutes, they’ll receive a credit decision and once approved can use their CareCredit credit card account to complete payment. In addition, CareCredit is integrated into the leading practice management platforms, and each step in the application and payment process is designed to be as seamless as possible for patients and dental practice teams. 
 
“As consumerism in healthcare continues to increase, delivering an exceptional patient experience is critical to dental practice’s success,” said Heather Colicchio, President and Founder of AADOM.  “Part of that is giving patients a way to pay for care that reduces stress and concerns connected to payment at the time of treatment – which is why we’ve offered CareCredit to our members for two decades and will continue to do so. Digital-friendly financing solutions make the financial part of the experience smooth for our office managers and administrators, their teams and, most importantly, their patients.”

As part of their ongoing partnership, AADOM and Synchrony joined together to have each September recognized by the American Dental Association as Office Manager Appreciation Month (OMAM). On an annual basis, the two organizations raise awareness for the hard work of dental practice managers. In 2022 they launched https://omam.carecreditvirtual.com, where dental practice teams could tap into tools to celebrate their office managers, and access an offer from AADOM to help enhance their professional and personal skills. To learn more about AADOM membership visit www.dentalmanagers.com.

Today, CareCredit is accepted at more than 260,000 healthcare provider and retail locations, including more than 118,000 dental care locations. For more information, please visit www.carecredit.com. 

About the Association of Dental Office Management

The American Association of Dental Office Management (AADOM) is an organization of professional office managers, practice administrators, patient coordinators, insurance and financial coordinators, and treatment coordinators of general and specialized dental practices. AADOM is the nation's largest educational and networking association dedicated to serving dental practice management professionals. For more information, please call 732-842-9977 or visit www.dentalmanagers.com.

About Synchrony

Synchrony (NYSE: SYF) is a premier consumer financial services company delivering one of the industry’s most complete digitally enabled product suites. Our experience, expertise and scale encompass a broad spectrum of industries including digital, health and wellness, retail, telecommunications, home, auto, outdoor, pet and more. We have an established and diverse group of national and regional retailers, local merchants, manufacturers, buying groups, industry associations and healthcare service providers, which we refer to as our “partners.”  We connect our partners and consumers through our dynamic financial ecosystem and provide them with a diverse set of financing solutions and innovative digital capabilities to address their specific needs and deliver seamless, omnichannel experiences. We offer the right financing products to customers in their channel of choice. For more information, visit www.synchrony.com and Twitter: @Synchrony.

 

Learn Composite Dentistry at the Center for Esthetic Excellence in Chicago

 Announcing the 2023 Continuing Education Lectures and Hands-on Workshops

Cosmedent’s Center for Esthetic Excellence (CEE) has scheduled a lecture and hands-on workshop entitled, “The Art of Resin: Creating Beauty by Recreating Nature”, presented by Dr. Rhodri Thomas, Thursday — Friday, May 18 - 19, 2023, 8:00 a.m. — 5:00 p.m. Learn how to create direct resin veneers with different effects and the easy process for mastering finishing and polishing. Learn how to accomplish a Class IV with halos, translucency, incisal intricacies, and lifelike results using tints to create depth and detail. Learn how to plan larger cases and all about long term resin maintenance.

For more information regarding this course, please contact Erika Heier at 800-837-2321 or cee@cosmedent.com.

Cloud Dentistry Partners with Keeper to Simplify Tax Filing for Dental Temp Workers

 

One of the biggest hassles of being a "temp" worker is trying to keep track of all the numbers and other things you need to keep the IRS happy and file your taxes correctly.  To the rescue comes cloud Dentistry and their brand new partner Keeper.  If you are a worker in the new gig economy (and I know many of you are), be sure to read today's post because it could save you some time, effort, money, and stress.

Cloud Dentistry, the company that is perfecting the process of hiring full-time and temporary dental professionals, recently partnered with Keeper, the first tax filing app designed for gig economy workers.

Cloud Dentistry will not earn a commission from this partnership. Instead, all Cloud Dentistry professionals will receive a 53% discount on Keeper’s $168.00 retail price, which means that a tax deductible $79.00 is all that Cloud Dentistry professionals have to pay to file their taxes and gain full access to the app’s features, which include:

• Connecting bank accounts for instant personalization and tax breaks.

• Automatically discovering tax write-off among past transactions.

• Supporting multiple streams of income – W2, 1099, investments, etc.

• Filing taxes directly through the Keeper app with the IRS and all 50 states.

• Supporting 300+ types of credits and deductions.

• Providing Smart audit protection and accuracy guarantee.

• Offering an in-app tax assistant to answer questions and provide educational resources

• Promising no upsells ever.

 “I am incredibly excited about this partnership,” said Cloud Dentistry CEO Trey Tepichin. “Today’s rapidly evolving economy has generated countless opportunities for people to make more money on their own time and terms through apps like Uber, DoorDash, Wag, and now, Cloud Dentistry. With over $50M of income earned to date by professionals on our site, there’s 

been a persistent need to streamline and demystify their taxes, particularly for hybrid workers who have a combination of W-2 and 1099 income sources. Thanks to coupling free access to Cloud Dentistry’s job marketplace with Keeper’s generously discounted tax filing app, dental professionals now have the sophisticated tools needed to seamlessly file taxes on their enhanced earnings."

According to Keeper CEO Paul Koullick, “Partnering with Cloud Dentistry is a perfect match. They are leading the way in helping dental professionals enter and navigate the gig economy, while Keeper is helping these professionals simplify the tax filing process – which can be quite daunting for those who have spent many years working as full-time W-2 employees.”  

Cloud Dentistry users can take advantage of the Keeper discount immediately by visiting https://www.keepertax.com/partner/cloud-dentistry. For more information, on Cloud Dentistry, visit www.CloudDentistry.com, email to Service@CloudDentistry.com, or call (844) 643-3128.

About Cloud Dentistry:

Headquartered in Boston and founded in 2014, Cloud Dentistry’s namesake product is a digital employment app that connects dental offices with dental professionals via its on-demand booking and messaging features. Cloud Dentistry is free for dental professionals seeking either temporary or permanent full-time employment. Dental offices looking to fill temporary or permanent full-time positions pay a nominal subscription fee comparable to a gym membership. Cloud Dentistry is the ultimate hiring solution for private practice offices and DSOs alike because it is a fraction of the cost, quicker, and more reliable than traditional recruitment methods such as job sites, staffing agencies or recruiters. For more information, visit www.CloudDentistry.com or call (844) 643-3128.

About Keeper
San Francisco-based startup Keeper is an app that helps gig and creator economy workers identify and maximize tax deductions and write-offs to help plan out finances. The platform automatically connects to a user's financial accounts to monitor their purchases and identify write-offs with the help of AI and machine learning. On average, Keeper customers report $6,076.00 in tax deductions per year. During tax season, users can even file directly with the app or they can export their savings. Visit www.keepertax.com to learn more or download the app from the Apple App Store.

Amber Mill Direct Continues to Impress

 

As regular readers will remember, we've been working with a new CAD/CAM material called Amber Mill Direct.  It is a lithium disilicate that does not require a porcelain oven.

Lithium disilicate has been around for a few years now and is incredibly aesthetic.  It is frequently the "go to" material  for many doctors when working toward maximum aesthetics.

Unfortunately, the one drawback to the material has been that it is very light violet color until it is fired in a porcelain oven.  That is not a problem for a case done traditionally in a dental lab, but for doctors working toward same day restorations, that was a problem.  The oven part of the process added steps and time to delivery.  That often meant that same day was difficult or not achievable.

Amber Mill Direct has changed that game!  The material is the correct shade in the block stage.  It is also easily polished using standard polishing techniques.  It can certainly be fired in an oven if the operator prefers, but for same day cases a simple polish is all that is required.

Our clinical experience with Amber Mill Direct has been very good so far.  The material is very hard which means our DGShape DWX-42W mill needs to have special burs to mill the material.  That isn't a problem, but it is something you should be aware of.

Also, milling time seems to be a bit longer.  These have been clocking in at perhaps 5 minutes more milling time.  However, the aesthetics of the cases have been outstanding and well worth the investment.  If you have an in-office CAD/CAM system and are looking for maximum aesthetics along with ease of use, definitely explore this material.  You can find out more about Amber Mill Direct by following this link.  

SmileDirectClub Drops Revenue by 19% in the Fourth Quarter of 2022... Yikes!

When you are not turning a profit and your revenue drops by 19% in three months, you gotta really, really try to put a positive spin on it.  I suppose that what professional spin doctors do because SmileDirectClub is really taking some financial hits.  The company, whose original plan was to let patients DIY their orthodontic treatment, has tried several different ways to turn things around, but are still struggling.

Their total revenue in 2022 was listed at $471 million, which is a big number, but that was a 26.2% drop for the previous year.  Then when you consider they also had a net loss of $69 million in the last 3 months of 2022, things just do not look rosy.

Yet, the professional spin doctors who wrote their recent press release on their financial results stated "Disciplined Cost Management Continues Driving Improved Cash Flow".  Here is part of the press release from GlobeNewswire:

Disciplined Cost Management Continues Driving Improved Cash Flow

 SmileDirectClub, Inc. (Nasdaq: SDC), the next generation oral care company with the first medtech platform for teeth straightening, today announced its financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2022.

For the full year 2022, our disciplined cost management allowed us to deliver a $58 million improvement in Net Loss and comparable Adjusted EBITDA even though we saw a decline in full year revenue, and despite a $17 million increase in Net Cash used in operating activities, we were able to deliver a $38 million improvement in free cash flow over 2021. The leverage that we have built in our operating model reflects a much more efficient organization that is better positioned to achieve profitability and execute at a high level on our mission to democratize access to a smile each and every person loves by making it affordable and convenient for everyone.

Fourth Quarter 2022 Financial Highlights

• Total revenue of $87 million, a 19.0% decrease from the third quarter of 2022 and a decrease of 31.5% over the prior year period.

• Net loss of $(69) million, consistent with the third quarter of 2022 and an improvement of $26 million over the prior year period.

• Adjusted EBITDA of $(47) million, an $18 million decrease over the third quarter of 2022, and an improvement of $14 million over the prior year period.

• Diluted EPS of $(0.18), consistent with the third quarter of 2022, and an improvement of $0.07 over the prior year period.

• Net cash used in operating activities was $(51) million, an increase of $27 million over the third quarter of 2022 and an increase of $8 million over the prior year period.

• Free Cash Flow defined as net cash used in operating activities less net cash used in investing activities of $(63) million, a decrease of $28 million from the third quarter of 2022 and an improvement of $16 million over the prior year period.

2022 Financial Highlights

• Total revenue of $471 million, a 26.2% decrease from the prior year.

• Net loss of $(278) million, an improvement of $58 million over the prior year.

• Adjusted EBITDA of $(135) million, a $1 million decrease from the prior year.

• Diluted EPS of $(0.71), an improvement of $0.16 over the prior year.

• Net cash used in operating activities was $(158) million, an increase of $17 million over the prior year.

• Free Cash Flow of $(210) million, an improvement of $38 million over the prior year.