OraCare Unveils OraPro – The Game-Changing Toothpaste Dentists Have Been Waiting For

OraCare is proud to introduce OraPro, the most advanced toothpaste ever created—engineered with next-level technology and exclusively available through dental professionals.  This unique toothpaste is powered by Micro Netting Technology (MNT)—a revolutionary innovation that acts like a microscopic net, sweeping away plaque from places other toothpastes can’t even reach. 

Clinical statistics show its incredible results:

• OraPro reduces plaque 359% more effectively than over-the-counter toothpaste..
• OraPro delivers 209% increased fluoride absorption when compared to regular OTC toothpaste, helping to enhance enamel strength.
• OraPro whitens just as effectively as leading whitening toothpastes with far less abrasion (RDA 88) leading to a brighter smile

“OraPro isn’t just another toothpaste—it’s a leap forward in oral care,” said Dr.Robert Martino,

CEO at OraCare. “We’ve had offices who love our OraCare rinse ask us when we are going to

have a toothpaste, and we took our time because we wanted it to be different. We’re proud to

finally offer a product that truly transforms the daily brushing experience.”

OraPro joins OraCare’s other products, which have already gained the attention of dentistry’s

most knowledgeable professionals. OraCare Health Rinse, a professional chlorhexidine

alternative, won the coveted Cellerant Best of Class Hygiene Award for 2021, 2022, 2023, and

2024! These awards highlight the most innovative and practice-changing technologies available

to dentists. Now, OraPro, exclusively dispensed by dental professionals, also is poised to set a

new standard in oral hygiene and whitening performance. 

Don’t settle for ordinary. Feel the science of a superior clean. Learn more at www.OraProPaste.com

Aspen Dental Agrees to $18.7 Million Class Action Lawsuit over Data Privacy

 

I try and keep an eye out for industry news to tell you all about.  Some regular readers will know that I often mention security and why that is so important in healthcare.  Today's post definitely deals with that subject, but that's not the main reason for this post.  No, instead I want to focus a bit on something about this subject in particular that all offices need to pay attention to.

It seems that Aspen Dental offers online scheduling for patients and I know lots of other offices offer that as well.  The problem arose when it was learned that Aspen Dental installed some tracking info (probably cookies, although I'm not sure) and that allowed for patient information to be sent to Google, Facebook, Bing, Salesforce, and other marketing data brokers.

The lawsuit claims that in order to schedule and search for information on specific dental conditions, patients had to provide PII and PHI.  By acquiring this information and then sending it on to third parties, the plaintiffs claim that Aspen Dental violated its own privacy policy as well as the laws of various states.

The lawsuit states “This disclosed private information allows third parties like Facebook and other third parties to know that a specific patient is seeking confidential medical care and the type of medical care being sought.  Third parties then use this information — without patient consent — to target them with advertisements.”

So here is the lesson to be learned from this.  If you offer online scheduling, be sure that any data entered is *not* being passed on to third parties.  I haven't done enough research to know if this type of thing is common in online scheduling platforms, but if it is, there's a lawsuit waiting to happen.  I'd hate for anyone to face a similar situation if it can be avoided.  An ounce of prevention and all...

RipeGlobal Launches AI-Powered Dental Training Platform in U.S. Market

 

RipeGlobal, the internationally recognized leader in cloud-based, hands-on dental education, today announced its official market launch in the United States. Building on its proven success across 35 countries and with over 10,000 dental professionals committed to skill development and clinical growth, RipeGlobal brings immersive, simulation-based clinical training to U.S. dentists throughout Dental Support Organizations (DSOs), group practices, and private practices, with a core mission to elevate skills, confidence, and patient outcomes. 

As part of its U.S. expansion, RipeGlobal has appointed Dr. Roshan Parikh, a respected dental clinician and executive, as Chief Revenue Officer. Dr. Parikh brings extensive experience in dental practice operations and will help spearhead growth and strategic partnerships across North America. He has also established a new Global Advisory Committee composed of respected industry leaders. U.S. DSO legal expert Brian Colao will serve as the Head of the Committee, and Dr. Farzeela Rupani, Chief Medical Officer for Colosseum Dental, Europe’s largest DSO, will serve as its inaugural member. 

"After five years of transforming thousands of dental careers worldwide, the time is right to bring RipeGlobal’s model to the U.S.,” said Dr. Lincoln Harris, Founder and CEO of RipeGlobal. “Our platform doesn’t just teach skills—it fosters a community of excellence, growth, and lifelong learning. We are excited to help American dentists unlock new levels of clinical mastery.” 

 A Platform Built for Real-World Impact  

Unlike traditional destination-based or online continuing education, RipeGlobal provides real-world repetitions and training via hands-on simulation kits shipped directly to participants, allowing them to learn and practice in their own operatories. The organization maintains a network of 80+ global educators, fostering a true 24/7 online educational community.  This highly engaging, flexible, and infinitely scalable model has cultivated a global network of over 10,000 active learners and has driven measurable improvements in clinical performance and confidence. 

 Guided by Global Dental Leaders 

The newly formed Global Advisory Committee will help shape RipeGlobal’s future curriculums, strategic direction, and global partnerships. 

 Brian Colao, Director of Dykema’s Dental Service Organizations Group and a widely respected global DSO expert, brings over 30 years of legal and business expertise to the Committee. “RipeGlobal is precisely what the industry needs right now—high-quality, accessible, and practical education at scale,” Colao said. “I’m honored to support their mission to transform dental associate training in the U.S. and beyond.” 

 Dr. Farzeela Rupani, a distinguished clinical executive and Chief Medical Officer at Colosseum Dental, will bring a valuable international perspective. “RipeGlobal’s ability to deliver standardized, high-caliber training globally is a game-changer,” she said. “I look forward to helping elevate care standards and professional development across borders.” 

 Targeted Programs, Big Vision 

RipeGlobal’s U.S. launch will center on its acclaimed Fellowship in Restorative Dentistry, Fellowship in Modern Implantology, Fellowship in Modern Aligners, and DAPPr, the Dental Associate PowerUp Program – a solution specifically curated for groups and DSOs that boasts proven and guaranteed ROI. Additional programs and career-enhancing tools tailored to the American market are soon to follow. The company is actively forming partnerships with DSOs, group practices, and individual dentists to deliver scalable, outcome-driven continuing education. 

 Proven Track Record of Success  

RipeGlobal's entry into the U.S. market is backed by an impressive foundation of global success: 

• Network of 80+ expert educators from around the world 
• Active community of 10,000+ learners across 35 countries 
• 24/7 online educational platform supporting continuous learning 
• Proven ROI demonstrated across diverse practice types and sizes 
• Measurable improvements in clinical performance and confidence 

About RipeGlobal  

RipeGlobal is the world's leading cloud-based dental education platform, combining innovative simulation technology with expert instruction to deliver measurable practice transformation. Since 2020, RipeGlobal has built an international community of dental professionals committed to clinical excellence and continuous learning. The platform's unique methodology has been proven across diverse markets and practice types, consistently delivering improved clinical outcomes and enhanced professional satisfaction. For more information about RipeGlobal's U.S. programs and partnership opportunities, visit www.ripeglobal.com. 

 

vVARDIS’ Drill-Free Solution Curodont™ Has Treated Over One Million Teeth in 18 Months and Is the Fastest Growing Dental Care Product in Its Category

 

Tooth decay is one of the most prevalent diseases in the world.  Bacteria cause a breakdown in the hard tooth structure and as these weakened areas spread it weakens the tooth structure, creating what we know as a 'cavity'.  The most common way to restore teeth is to remove the diseased area and replace it.  However, what if there was a way to strengthen and restore cavities when they are tiny areas that are just starting out before rotary instrumentation (a drill) is needed?

That's the idea behind Curodont™ from vVardis.  The company recently announced that it has been used to treat over 1,000,000 teeth and more than 420,000 patients in the United States since 2024.  There is quite a bit of info below.  If you are looking to provide the best in minimally invasive treatment, I highly recommend you give it a read.

Clinical adoption of Curodont™ is helping to elevate the standard of care in caries management

Leading clinical experts herald Curodont™ as a true step forward in the treatment of early decay 

 vVARDIS, a Swiss high-growth healthcare company, active in the development of innovative dental products, recently announced that more than one million teeth and more than 420,000 patients have been treated in the United States since January 2024 with Curodont™, its drill-free solution for early stage tooth decay, making it the fastest growing dental care product in its category .

Nearly 80 percent of all dental patients have early tooth decay. Oral health is an important aspect of overall health, and poor oral health, including untreated decay, can become life-threatening. With Curodont™, dental teams have a drill-free solution to treat tooth decay at an early stage.

Curodont™ represents a true win-win proposition: patients benefit from a quick, needle- and drill-free treatment, while dental professionals can treat early decay within minutes—eliminating the need for a follow-up appointment and freeing up chair time for more complex procedures.

“Now that Curodont™ is available in nearly 10 percent of U.S. dental offices, an increasing number of dental professionals – or “Curodontists” – are embracing our treatment and giving patients access to this revolutionary solution,” said Dr. Haley Abivardi, DMD, co-CE, and co-founder of vVARDIS. “Such high-speed adoption shows how dental professionals have been waiting for decades for a solution that enables them to treat tooth decay at an early stage.”

Dr. Goly Abivardi, DMD, co-CEO and co-founder of vVARDIS, said, “We are thrilled to witness a ground-breaking transformation in dentistry similar to the advancements that medicine embraced years ago toward non-invasive, early intervention approaches. In the same way, Curodont™ is helping to elevate the standard of care for the early treatment of cavities.” 

With more than 25 years of science, vVARDIS’ Curodont™ is backed by universities internationally and has earned the endorsement of renowned thought leaders, clinical experts, and innovators across the dental profession:

• Dr. German O. Gallucci, Chair of the Department of Restorative Dentistry and Biomaterials Sciences at Harvard School of Dental Medicine, said, “Curodont™ is highly effective for treatment of early decays. This new non-invasive therapeutic option is a game changer in the battle against tooth decay.” 
• Prof. Amid I. Ismail, Laura H. Carnell Professor and Dean of the Kornberg School of Dentistry, Temple University, said, “As an epidemiologist and cariologist who has studied dental caries for over four decades and developed guidelines for its diagnosis and management, I can state without hesitation that the advent of Curodont™ represents a significant breakthrough in caries management.”
• Dr. Timothy Quirt, DDS, MBA, Senior Vice President, Clinical Operations at Heartland Dental, said, “Curodont™ represents a transformative step forward in dentistry. At Heartland Dental, we’ve seen firsthand how this innovation empowers clinicians to treat early-stage caries non-invasively, improving outcomes and deepening patient trust. It’s not just a product – it's a shift in how we think about the future of oral health.”
• Dr. Shan K. Bagby, DMD, MHA, FACHE, Brigadier General, USA (Ret.) has recognized Curodont’s™ potential to improve the health of children from lower-income homes, saying, “What makes Curodont™ especially impactful is its potential to reduce tooth decay among vulnerable populations—particularly children and those covered by Medicaid. Curodont™ isn’t just a new tool; it’s a meaningful, science-driven advancement that is reshaping healthcare and setting a higher standard for dentistry where it’s needed most." 
• Prof. Avijit Banerjee, Professor of Cariology & Operative Dentistry; Hon Consultant in Restorative Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences, King's College London, said, “The scientific research into Curodont™ Repair technology has been well documented in reputable scientific peer-reviewed journals since the late 1990s. Multiple published clinical studies, including systematic meta-analyses, have provided evidence that, unlike conventional topical re-mineralizing agents which primarily act on the surface of the tooth, Curodont™ Repair can treat early decay throughout the depth of the lesion.” 
• Prof. Ivo Krejci, University of Geneva, said: “Curodont™ is no longer the future. It’s the present and it should be part of the treatment spectrum in every modern dental practice.”

vVARDIS’s Curodont™ products are currently available in the U.S. and Europe and will continue to roll out globally. 

About Curodont™

Using a proprietary biomimetic formulation, Curodont™ is a groundbreaking clinically proven drill-free treatment for early tooth decay. It replicates and builds on the body’s natural defenses, working together with minerals in the saliva to repair the damage done to the tooth in the early stages of tooth decay. Curodont™ is a non-invasive, drill-free solution: once the formula is applied, it diffuses through the enamel and repairs the missing parts of the tooth (lesions) with minerals from saliva by mimicking the way nature created teeth (biomimetic). The beauty of this product is that Curodont™ helps patients save the natural tooth structure without artificial filling materials.

About vVARDIS AG

vVARDIS is a Swiss high-growth healthcare company located in Zug, Switzerland that offers groundbreaking biomimetic, non-invasive solutions for dental professionals under the Curodont™ brand. Founded by Drs. Haley and Goly Abivardi, sisters, Swiss dentists, innovators, and awarded entrepreneurs, vVARDIS is the result of more than 25 years of research, paired with the commitment of its founders to make an impact on people's lives, especially the underserved.

vVARDIS' mission is to expand access to novel approaches to the standard of care in dentistry with the purpose of improving oral health – the foundation for overall health. vVARDIS is backed by more than 25 years of science, 230 scientific publications, including meta-analysis, peer-reviewed clinical studies and a long-term peer-reviewed real-world evidence study demonstrating a success rate above 90 percent. It has been used in clinical practice for more than 10 years. Curodont™ is already mentioned in lectures at renowned universities as a standard of care for the treatment of early decay. 

For more information, visit vVARDIS at www.vVARDIS.com and www.linkedin.com/company/vvardis.

ADA debuts new informatics standards webpage for easy access, adoption

 

It amazes me how fast time flies by.  When I installed my first office computer, I was way ahead of everyone else I knew.  In the years since the early 90s, digital information has made remarkable inroads into the profession and into our lives. 

As most dentists know, the ADA develops standards for all kinds of things in the profession.  Recently they've created a website to help make those standards easier to access and review.

In a recent announcement about making the standards easier to find, the ADA stated:

The ADA’s main dental standards webpage now links to a new landing page on informatics standards, where visitors can find the standards divided into 10 categories: terminology and nomenclature, clinical data exchange, administrative data exchange, augmented and artificial intelligence, imaging, specialty-specific data exchange, forensics, electronic prescriptions, architecture and security, and medical devices.

“In today's digital health care environment, seamless communication between systems is essential, not only for efficiency but also for the quality of care we provide. The ADA’s dental informatics standards ensure that both clinical and administrative technologies work together securely and accurately,” said Jennifer Thompson, D.D.S., vice chair of the ADA Council on Dental Practice. “Equally important is the accessibility of these standards. A centralized, user-friendly website allows software developers and industry partners to align their products with the needs of modern dental practices. This alignment supports better interoperability and data consistency and ultimately leads to improved patient care.”

The full page with more info can be found on the ADA website.

Filling the Void and Why 'Stuff' Doesn't Do It

 

Hats off to The Athletic.  This sports site from the New Your Times has begun to put together a series of articles they are referring to as "Peak".  The series focuses on lessons learned from people who have reached the pinnacle of their sports careers and how it affects them.  I have a paid subscription to The Athletic and yesterday I happened to come across this article about professional golfer Scottie Scheffler.

What really fascinated me about the article was what Scheffler had to say about reaching the spot of being the number one ranked golfer in the world.  Here's what he had to say about it...  

“There’s a lot of people that make it to what they thought was going to fulfill them in life, and you get there, you get to No. 1 in the world, and they’re like, what’s the point?” Scheffler said. “I really do believe that. Because what is the point? Why do I want to win this tournament so bad? That’s something that I wrestle with on a daily basis.”

He added: “(Golf) is one of the greatest joys of my life, but does it fill the deepest wants and desires of my heart? Absolutely not.”

 Of course, this begs the question of "what is he talking about?  Why wouldn't being the best in the world at something not fill your deepest wants and desires?"  I bring this up because it's something I've seen a lot of in my life.  I'd like to bring this into the focus of what we do in dentistry because that's my best perspective.  

I've had an incredible career and I'm lucky to have 'a voice' in the industry.  That's a gift that I don't take lightly.  You all have given me that voice and I'm grateful for that.  I've been a dentist for over thirty years and as I look at the future and the changes that will bring as I wind down my career, I want to occasionally pass along some of my perspectives to all of you who are kind enough to read the things I write.

One of the great things about my work both in clinical dentistry as well as speaking and consulting, is that I've gotten to know a lot of dentists throughout my career.  That includes people in every aspect of the profession and from all over the world.

As professionals we are forced into a pretty tight space.  We have to be smart, we have to have incredibly great hand skills, we have to perform at an incredibly high level constantly, and we have to be successful.  We also have to be perfect.  Close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.  Dentists are expected to provide perfect outcomes in imperfect situations and we are expected to do it every time.  Now don't get me wrong.  Dentistry is incredibly rewarding and I love what I do.  However every dentist reading this can relate to the stresses and pressures that come with what we do.

When I was in college I joined a fraternity.  By the time I graduated college, I had lots of close friends who were a couple of years behind me.  I graduated and went to dental school while these guys finished up with their bachelor's degrees and got jobs.  I went to a local college so we all kept in touch and got together on a regular basis.

I graduated from dental school and began work as an independent contractor in a small office.  After a year of that, I decided to jump into the deep end and started a new practice from basically scratch.  I struggled.  I went WAY into debt.  There were many months where expenses exceeded income by a large amount.  Meanwhile my friends were getting married, buying new cars, and buying houses.

I kept thinking "What is *wrong* with me?  I'm smart, I worked hard, I got four more years of education than all of my friends and yet I am a *failure*.  What happened to me?"

All I wanted was to be successful.  I had the thought "if I can just pay all of the bills and have a little left over, I'll be happy."  Over time, that finally happened.  I began to have some money left over at the end of the month, but I wasn't happy.

Then I thought "now that I have some money, I'll buy stuff.  THAT will make me happy."  There were lots of gadgets and toys that I'd been wanting for a long time, so I started to buy them.  But what I found was the wanting of those gadgets was a much bigger buzz than actually owning them.  I'd get some toy on my radar and think "that's the one" and then when I got it that same buzz went away.  Again, don't get me wrong.  Buying things was fun and I enjoyed them, but owning things didn't really fulfill me the way I wanted or the way I expected.  I'm willing to bet that those of you reading this have had similar experiences.

This also loops back into being a doctor.  Many patients expect doctors to be successful and have money to burn.  Those expectations pour fuel on the fire of the desire to be successful.  We buy expensive cars, wear expensive clothes, and take nice vacations.  The bad part is most still don't feel the feeling of filling the void like we expect them to.  That also takes a toll on savings.  According to the ADA approximately 40-50% of dentists cannot maintain their pre-retirement standard of living after retiring.

Think about that for a moment.  If you are hoping to purchase your way to happiness... and it's not working now... how will you feel when that purchasing power is gone?  Stepping away from your career is hard enough, but adding in depression and cutting spending will only make it worse.  Many doctors end up practicing much longer than they want to simply because they cannot afford to retire.  It makes me sad to even type that.  We all work so hard doing what we do and dealing with the stresses, that at some point we should be able to step back, look at our accomplishments, and fondly enjoy the incredible ride we had.

So getting back to Scottie Scheffler... when I read that article it just reinforced what I've known for a long time now.  We ALL have a certain void inside us.  It's like a bathtub without a stopper in the drain.  

We pour buckets of stuff into it and sometimes we think it's starting to get full... and then the stuff goes down the drain and we are right back to an empty tub.

My realization is this.  You cannot fill the tub with stuff.  That just doesn't work.  Whether it's possessions or the rank of number one in the world, eventually it will drain out of the tub.  What you need to do is to look inside yourself and find that thing that matters to you most.  Chances are it's probably faith in a higher power or maybe family or maybe both.  One thing is for sure.  You cannot fill a metaphysical void with physical things.  However you also can't fill it with a number one ranking.

So to wrap this up my advice to you is to not get bogged down in the 'stuff'.  Whether you're trying to impress friends, your patients, or society with your stuff, it all drains out of that bathtub.  The stopper is created by something you earn, but not by something you spend.  That's my philosophical take on it... for what it's worth.

Filling the Void and Why 'Stuff' Doesn't Do It...

 

Hats off to The Athletic.  This sports site from the New Your Times has begun to put together a series of articles they are referring to as "Peak".  The series focuses on lessons learned from people who have reached the pinnacle of their sports careers and how it affects them.  I have a paid subscription to The Athletic and yesterday I happened to come across this article about professional golfer Scottie Scheffler.

What really fascinated me about the article was what Scheffler had to say about reaching the spot of being the number one ranked golfer in the world.  Here's what he had to say about it...  

“There’s a lot of people that make it to what they thought was going to fulfill them in life, and you get there, you get to No. 1 in the world, and they’re like, what’s the point?” Scheffler said. “I really do believe that. Because what is the point? Why do I want to win this tournament so bad? That’s something that I wrestle with on a daily basis.”

He added: “(Golf) is one of the greatest joys of my life, but does it fill the deepest wants and desires of my heart? Absolutely not.”

 Of course, this begs the question of "what is he talking about?  Why wouldn't being the best in the world at something not fill your deepest wants and desires?"  I bring this up because it's something I've seen a lot of in my life.  I'd like to bring this into the focus of what we do in dentistry because that's my best perspective.  

I've had an incredible career and I'm lucky to have 'a voice' in the industry.  That's a gift that I don't take lightly.  You all have given me that voice and I'm grateful for that.  I've been a dentist for over thirty years and as I look at the future and the changes that will bring as I wind down my career, I want to occasionally pass along some of my perspectives to all of you who are kind enough to read the things I write.

One of the great things about my work both in clinical dentistry as well as speaking and consulting, is that I've gotten to know a lot of dentists throughout my career. That includes people in every aspect of the profession and from all over the world.

As professionals we are forced into a pretty tight space.  We have to be smart, we have to have incredibly great hand skills, we have to perform at an incredibly high level constantly, and we have to be successful.  We also have to be perfect.  Close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.  Dentists are expected to provide perfect outcomes in imperfect situations and we are expected to do it every time.  Now don't get me wrong.  Dentistry is incredibly rewarding and I love what I do.  However every dentist reading this can relate to the stresses and pressures that come with what we do.

When I was in college I joined a fraternity.  By the time I graduated college, I had lots of close friends who were a couple of years behind me.  I graduated and went to dental school while these guys finished up with their bachelor's degrees and got jobs.  I went to a local college so we all kept in touch and got together on a regular basis.

I graduated from dental school and began work as an independent contractor in a small office.  After a year of that, I decided to jump into the deep end and started a new practice from basically scratch.  I struggled.  I went WAY into debt.  There were many months where expenses exceeded income by a large amount.  Meanwhile my friends were getting married, buying new cars, and buying houses.

I kept thinking "What is *wrong* with me?  I'm smart, I worked hard, I got four more years of education than all of my friends and yet I am a *failure*.  What happened to me?"

All I wanted was to be successful.  I had the thought "if I can just pay all of the bills and have a little left over, I'll be happy."  Over time, that finally happened.  I began to have some money left over at the end of the month, but I wasn't happy.

Then I thought "now that I have some money, I'll buy stuff.  THAT will make me happy."  There were lots of gadgets and toys that I'd been wanting for a long time, so I started to buy them.  But what I found was the wanting of those gadgets was a much bigger buzz than actually owning them.  I'd get some toy on my radar and think "that's the one" and then when I got it that same buzz went away.  Again, don't get me wrong.  Buying things was fun and I enjoyed them, but owning things didn't really fulfill me the way I wanted or the way I expected.  I'm willing to bet that those of you reading this have had similar experiences.

This also loops back into being a doctor.  Many patients expect doctors to be successful and have money to burn.  Those expectations pour fuel on the fire of the desire to be successful.  We buy expensive cars, wear expensive clothes, and take nice vacations.  The bad part is most still don't feel the feeling of filling the void like we expect them to.  That also takes a toll on savings.  According to the ADA approximately 40-50% of dentists cannot maintain their pre-retirement standard of living after retiring.

Think about that for a moment.  If you are hoping to purchase your way to happiness... and it's not working now... how will you feel when that purchasing power is gone?  Stepping away from your career is hard enough, but adding in depression and cutting spending will only make it worse.  Many doctors end up practicing much longer than they want to simply because they cannot afford to retire.  It makes me sad to even type that.  We all work so hard doing what we do and dealing with the stresses, that at some point we should be able to step back, look at our accomplishments, and fondly enjoy the incredible ride we had.

So getting back to Scottie Scheffler... when I read that article it just reinforced what I've known for a long time now.  We ALL have a certain void inside us.  It's like a bathtub without a stopper in the drain.  We try and fill it with 'stuff'.  It may be possessions, it may be prestige, it may be alcohol, it may be extreme sports, but we try and fill it with something.  We pour buckets of stuff into it and sometimes we think it's starting to get full... and then the stuff slowly leaks out and goes down the drain and we are right back to an empty tub.

My realization is this.  You cannot fill the tub with stuff.  That just doesn't work.  Whether it's possessions or the rank of number one in the world, eventually it will drain out of the tub.  What you need to do is to look inside yourself and find that thing that matters to you most.  Chances are it's probably faith in a higher power or maybe family or maybe both.  One thing is for sure.  You cannot fill a metaphysical void with physical things.  However you also can't fill it with a number one ranking.

So to wrap this up my advice to you is to not get bogged down in the 'stuff'.  Whether you're trying to impress friends, your patients, or society with your stuff, it all drains out of that bathtub.  The stopper is created by something you earn, but not by something you spend.  That's my philosophical take on it... for what it's worth.

Pearl and MiPACS by Apryse Announce Global Partnership to Bring AI-Powered Radiologic Analysis to MiPACS Dental Imaging Software

 

One of the things that is critically important is training the next generation of providers.  Dentistry requires exceptional minds and exceptional hand skills.  One of the hardest things for young dentists to do is to graduate and then be faced with new technologies that are integrated into many practices with which they have limited or no experience.  That's why I'm excited about this announcement from Pearl.  Giving students exposure to what AI is capable of will help them as they transition from training to clinical practice.  AI radiographic analysis makes dentists better at what they do.  However, if you've never used it before it can be intimidating.  By bringing the technology into schools as well as other large doctor settings, Pearl is paving the way for the next generation of dentists to be *better* at what they do.

MiPACS’ wide range of dental and medical customers will now benefit from natively integrated AI solutions

-Pearl, the global leader in dental AI solutions, and Apryse, the company behind MiPACS, one of the leading dental imaging software platforms used by educational institutions, FQHCs, government agencies, and private practices, today announced a global partnership to natively integrate Pearl’s AI-powered solutions into the MiPACS imaging platform. The collaboration enables seamless access to Pearl’s cutting-edge AI technology directly within MiPACS’ widely used imaging system, enhancing diagnostic accuracy and streamlining clinical workflows.

MiPACS is trusted by dental schools, public health clinics, government programs, and community health centers worldwide to deliver reliable, flexible, and scalable imaging software. Through this integration, dental institutions and public health organizations can now access Pearl’s Second Opinion® AI directly within MiPACS, helping providers more efficiently detect disease and better serve patients.

For dental schools, MiPACS and Pearl will help serve as an AI-assisted clinical training tool for students and faculty, enhancing diagnostic education and ensuring that future dentists are trained with the most advanced dental technology available.

“For academic institutions training the next generation of dentists, this partnership brings a valuable layer of clinical support that elevates education and clinical confidence,” said Ophir Tanz, founder and CEO of Pearl. “At the same time, by delivering seamless access to our AI technology across FQHCs and government programs, we’re helping overburdened providers work more efficiently, catch more disease earlier, and ultimately serve more patients.”

Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and public health organizations often face the dual challenges of high patient volumes, limited staffing, and lower reimbursement rates. By integrating Pearl’s AI-powered detection capabilities directly into MiPACS, these facilities can increase diagnostic precision, streamline clinical workflows, and improve care delivery for underserved populations.

“MiPACS has always been focused on empowering dental professionals with flexible and scalable imaging solutions tailored to the unique needs of our customers,” said C.J. Hedinger, Head of Strategic Partnerships at MiPACS by Apryse. “By partnering with Pearl, we’re able to give our users access to best-in-class AI technology that not only enhances diagnostic quality but also helps providers better manage time and resources while delivering excellent care to the communities they serve.”

With this global partnership, Pearl and MiPACS are advancing their shared mission to bring AI-powered dentistry to more providers, educators, and patients around the world.

About Pearl
Pearl is an AI-driven company committed to enhancing patient care in dentistry. Founded in 2019 by a team with decades of experience developing successful, enterprise-grade computer vision solutions, Pearl introduced the first-ever FDA-cleared AI capable of reading and instantly identifying diseases in dental x-rays. With regulatory clearance in 120 countries, Pearl's AI assists dentists in making precise clinical decisions and effectively communicating with patients, thereby transforming the dental care experience worldwide. As dentistry’s global AI leader, Pearl is committed to the ongoing innovation of robust, accessible AI tools that improve patient health outcomes and build greater trust in dental medicine. To request a demo, please visit hellopearl.com/getdemo

About Apryse
Apryse, previously known as PDFTron, is a global leader in document processing technology that makes work better and life simpler. Apryse gives developers, enterprise customers, and small businesses the tools to reach their document goals faster and more easily. Apryse technology works with all major platforms and a wide variety of unique file types. For more information, visit Apryse.com.

New Poll: Majority of Americans Support Water Fluoridation and Trust Dental and Medical Providers on the Issue

 

As the fluoride debate continues to rage... or at least smolder, researchers are hard at work trying to determine what the feelings of the general public are about this topic.  Today's post is from some recent public opinion data gathered from the CareQuest Institute for Oral Health.

Amid a federal push to end the use of fluoride in the country’s drinking water, a new survey from CareQuest Institute for Oral Health finds that the vast majority of Americans — 81% — either support (52%) or are not opposed (29%) to the practice. Only 6% of respondents supported banning water fluoridation for all communities.

With more than 7,000 scientific studies, the overwhelming weight of scientific evidence shows fluoridating water at levels approved in the US is safe and effective.

Nearly all respondents, 96%, trust their family doctor or pediatrician to educate them about fluoride in drinking water. Major US health organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Mayo Clinic, and the American Dental Association, support community water fluoridation. 

“This survey confirms that the campaign against water fluoridation is out of step with not only the vast majority of the scientific and medical communities, but with the American people, too,” said Melissa Burroughs, Senior Director of Public Policy at CareQuest Institute. “The government should protect oral health, not cut off access to basic preventive care like fluoride.”

The national survey results show the attitudes surrounding fluoride, including:

• 86% of Americans use some form of fluoride.
• 79% believe the government should do what it can to protect and improve oral health.
• Most people who oppose fluoridation still feel that each community should decide whether it wants to fluoridate.

A recent study in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that ending water fluoridation in the US could result in more than 25 million additional decayed teeth among children and an estimated $9.8 billion in added health care costs — with the greatest impact on low-income and uninsured families. 

The CareQuest Institute poll was conducted online by Marketing for Change Co. between July 7 and July 9, 2025, among a sample of 1,114 US adults. The margin of error due to sampling is +/- 2.94%.

The full report is available here.

UnitedHealth is Under Federal Investigation

 

While this may not make many providers unhappy, UnitedHealth has announced it is under a federal investigation.  The company also states it is cooperating with authorities.

Apparently the recent news stories that have shown up lately discussing possible investigations caused the business to reach out to the Department of Justice.

It seems that the Wall Street Journal (among others) wrote that a civil fraud investigation was underway.  It was reported the DOJ was investigating how the company records diagnoses that lead to extra payments for its Medicare Advantage plans.

The Associated Press has a nice short article detailing what is going on.  Give it a read for an explanation of the situation.  You can also find information on the Wall Street Journal, however their stories are normally for subscribers only.

There is also a fairly deep and detailed article about UHG on the New York Times website.  I have a subscription to NYT, so I'm not sure if it is generally available to anyone, however if you can get to it I highly recommend reading it as well.  The article discusses how UHG has created a campaign to help quiet their critics since the murder of the CEO of their health insurance division  in New York last year.

Sunstar GUM® Partners with Dentistry.One to Bring AI Oral Health Scans to Consumers and Patients Nationwide

 

The power of holding a mobile phone is that you have the entire sum of human knowledge in the palm of your hand.  We're beginning to see more and more ways to integrate the things seen by the camera in that phone and turning them into fast accessible solutions.  Here's a pretty impressive one...

New partnership offers AI-powered dental scans and 24/7 access to virtual care.

Sunstar Americas, Inc., a global oral health leader behind the GUM® brand, and Dentistry.One, a virtual-first dental care solution introduced by MouthWatch, Inc., have announced a new partnership called GUM™ Virtual Care. This new offering provides consumers across the United States with a platform to access AI-powered oral health scans and 24/7 virtual dental care.

Through this partnership, patients and consumers can use their smartphone to access SmileScan™, Dentistry.One’s AI-powered dental screening tool. Access is available by scanning a QR code received during a dental visit or included with the purchase of select GUM® products. In less than a minute, SmileScan™ analyzes user-submitted photos and delivers a report flagging potential signs of common dental concerns, such as plaque, inflammation, and crowding. Users are then guided to personalized next steps—including the option to schedule a live or asynchronous consultation with a licensed dentist or get connected to a local dentist.

“This partnership reflects our commitment to advancing whole body health through healthy oral care routines,” said Matt Maurer, General Manager, Sunstar Americas, Inc. “By connecting GUM® products with virtual oral care options, we’re empowering patients to take control of their oral health between dental visits, supporting prevention, early action, and better overall wellness. It’s one more way we’re fulfilling our mission to help people everywhere lead healthier, better lives.”

In addition to SmileScan™, GUM® customers will have access to Dentistry.One’s full suite of virtual dental care services, including live video consultations, asynchronous photo reviews, personalized oral health coaching, and care coordination for in-person care. These services are designed to complement – not replace – routine preventive care dental visits.

“Our partnership with Sunstar enhances what’s possible in at-home oral care by pairing trusted GUM® products with seamless access to a nationwide network of dentists and services that make getting dental care easier than ever before,” said Brant Herman, Founder and CEO of MouthWatch and Dentistry.One. “Together, we’re expanding access, driving innovation, and helping more people build habits that lead to better oral and overall health.”

This collaboration reflects a shared belief that oral care should be proactive, accessible, and connected to overall wellness. By turning daily routines into opportunities for early detection and expert guidance, the partnership empowers people to take meaningful steps toward better health starting right at home.

To learn more about the partnership and try SmileScan™ for free, visit: https://page.sunstargum.com/gum-virtual-care.html

SmileScan™, solely provided by Dentistry.One®, is not a medical or diagnostic tool and does not diagnose specific conditions. SmileScan™ does not provide any medical advice and the results are not evaluated by a dental provider.

About Sunstar Americas, Inc.
Sunstar Americas, Inc. is a leader in developing high-quality, research-based oral care solutions for better overall patient health. By partnering with dental and medical clinicians, academics and researchers, Sunstar continues to innovate and provide daily oral care, advanced gum care and chairside products under the GUM® brand. Sunstar Americas is a member of the Sunstar Group of companies, a global organization headquartered in Switzerland that serves oral healthcare professionals, patients and consumers in 90 countries around the world. To learn more visit https://www.sunstar.com/

About Dentistry.One
Dentistry.One was created to break down the barriers that prevent millions of people from accessing the dental care they need. Our vision is to make dental health accessible to everyone, unlocking the significant health and cost-saving benefits that come with a healthy mouth. Through telehealth, Dentistry.One provides dental care to the 60% of the population who don’t regularly visit a dentist. Offering anxiety-free online consultations, personalized care coordination, and seamless care coordination, Dentistry.One empowers patients to take control of their oral and overall health. To learn more, visit https://dentistry.one/.

Five GuruNanda Advanced Oral Care Formulas to Make Debut in 300 Ulta Beauty Stores

GuruNanda is a company that is making a pretty big splash in the oral healthcare market.  I've seen them in some major retailers.  I've tried some of their products and I like them.  Today, GuruNanda is announcing a major new retailer for their products...

Ayurvedic-Inspired Oral Care Meets Modern Beauty Retail

GuruNanda, the wellness-forward brand revolutionizing oral care with Ayurvedic wisdom and clean ingredients, is proud to announce its launch into The Wellness Shop within select Ulta Beauty stores nationwide this July.

This milestone partnership brings five of GuruNanda’s best-selling oral care innovations—rooted in natural ingredients, essential oils, and science-backed formulas—into one of the country’s most influential beauty retail destinations.

Ulta Beauty guests browsing on ulta.com and in select stores will now have access to:

• GuruNanda Whitening Strips – 7 Day Treatment: Dry-strip technology powered by hydrogen peroxide and coconut oil for gentle yet effective whitening—even for sensitive teeth.
•  Dual Barrel Whitening Mouthwash: A fluoride- and alcohol-free brightening rinse featuring a unique dual-chamber system with hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and essential oils.
•  Fluoride-Free Hydroxyapatite Whitening Toothpaste: Remineralizes and brightens with the power of hydroxyapatite, a clean, enamel-safe fluoride alternative.
• ·CocoMint Oil Pulling: A TikTok-favorite blend of coconut oil and essential oils, inspired by Ayurvedic rituals, designed to cleanse, detoxify, and support whole-mouth health.
•  GuruNanda Whitening Gel Pens (2ct): Convenient and easy-to-use whitening gel pens that offer up to 20 uses per pen, featuring a soft application brush and a fresh mint flavor for a gentle, on-the-go whitening experience.

“As a brand rooted in holistic wellness, partnering with Ulta Beauty is a natural next step,” said Puneet Nanda, CEO and Founder of GuruNanda. “Our mission has always been to bridge ancient wisdom with modern science, and we’re excited to introduce a new kind of oral care to Ulta’s community—where beauty begins with a healthy smile.”

“At Ulta Beauty, we’re committed to expanding what wellness means for our guests—inside and out,” said Laura Beres, VP of Wellness Merchandising at Ulta Beauty. “Oral care is an important part of that journey, and we’re thrilled to welcome GuruNanda’s innovative, Ayurvedic-rooted formulas into our growing wellness assortment. Their oil pulling blend has seen incredible viral success on social media, and we’re excited to meet our guests where their curiosity and self-care rituals are trending. With this launch, we’re proud to offer even more effective and feel-good solutions that align with how beauty and wellness continue to evolve.”

For more information, visit www.GuruNanda.com or www.ulta.com/brand/gurunanda.

vVARDIS Secures $50 Million in New Funding - Totaling $85 Million in Financing from Global Healthcare Investor OrbiMed – to Expand Rollout of Curodont™

 

I've been following vVARDIS for a while now and I'm intrigued by their Curodont product.  I think it holds pretty significant chance of becoming one of the best tools in he conservative dentistry toolbox.  Today's post shows that some other folks are similarly excited about it.  Funding is important for any company as they come up to speed.  This is really good news for dentistry. Read on for the details...

Its Drill-Free Early Tooth Decay Treatment

vVARDIS, a Swiss high growth dental company, and OrbiMed, a leading healthcare investment firm, announced the closing of a $50 million funding round, building on OrbiMed's initial $35 million investment, which closed in February. The total capital of $85 million will be used to refinance existing facilities and support the company's growth initiatives and continued global commercial expansion of innovative dental products under the Curodont™ brand, vVARDIS' groundbreaking drill-free treatment for early tooth decay.

vVARDIS currently is the fastest-growing dental manufacturer in its category , with more than one million teeth treated in the United States since January 2024 . Last year's rapid expansion of sales in the U.S. has already driven nearly 10 percent of dental practices to purchase the product and treat more than 400,000 patients since 2024.

Today, tooth decay remains the number one non-communicable disease in the world, according to the World Health Organization. The partnership between OrbiMed and vVARDIS is based on the shared vision of addressing the global tooth decay epidemic by building a U.S. and global leader in innovative dental products. With the market shifting from invasive to non-invasive care combined with the accelerated adoption of AI-detection of early tooth decay, vVARDIS products are well-timed to meet market demand while addressing the global tooth decay crisis. These innovative products allow dental practices to treat early tooth decay within minutes, drill-free and needle-free, saving dental professionals and patients chair time.

"After our initial investment, we've seen firsthand the momentum vVARDIS is building in the dental market with its Curodont™ products," said Matthew Rizzo, General Partner, OrbiMed. "We came in at a pivotal moment-just as the product began gaining real traction-and the company's rapid progress and the market's response have since reinforced our belief in the significant opportunities ahead. That's why we're excited to deepen our commitment and expand our investment to support vVARDIS in its next phase of growth."

Drs. Haley and Goly Abivardi, founders and co-CEOs of vVARDIS, said: "We are thrilled to expand our partnership with OrbiMed as we enter this next phase of growth. With Curodont™ now offered in nearly 10 percent of U.S. dental offices 4 , it's clear dental professionals are embracing our solution for early decay. This additional funding, combined with OrbiMed's strategic expertise, will accelerate our ability to serve dental professionals and patients globally. As dentists, we are delighted to bring forward a drill-free treatment for early decay that promises to elevate the standard of care for patients around the world."

William Blair & Company acted as the exclusive financial advisor to vVARDIS and McGuireWoods LLP and Rüd Winkler Partner AG acted as legal counsel.

AboutCurodont™

Using a proprietary biomimetic formulation, Curodont™ is a groundbreaking treatment for early tooth decay that is clinically proven to help arrest the progression of and repair early tooth decay without the need of a drill. It replicates and builds on the body's natural defences, working together with minerals in the saliva to repair the damage done to the tooth in the early stages of tooth decay. Curodont™ is a non-invasive, drill-free solution: once the formula is applied, it diffuses through the enamel and repairs the missing parts of the tooth (lesions), working with minerals from saliva and mimicking the way nature created teeth (biomimetic). The beauty of this product is that Curodont™ helps patients save the natural tooth structure without artificial filling materials.

About vVARDIS AG

vVARDIS is a disruptive Swiss healthcare company located in Zug, Switzerland that offers groundbreaking biomimetic, non-invasive solutions for dental professionals under the Curodont™ brand. Founded by Drs. Haley and Goly Abivardi, DMDs, sisters, Swiss dentists, innovators and awarded entrepreneurs, vVARDIS is the result of more than 25 years of research, paired with the commitment of its founders to make an impact on people's lives, especially the underserved.

vVARDIS' mission is to expand access to novel approaches to the standard of care in dentistry with the purpose of improving oral health - the foundation for overall health. vVARDIS science is backed by 25 years of research and more than 230 scientific publications, including meta-analysis, peer-reviewed clinical studies and a long-term peer-reviewed real-world evidence study, demonstrating a success rate above 90%. It has been in clinical practice for more than 10 years. Curodont™ is already in the lectures of renowned universities as standard of care for the treatment of early decay.

For more information, visit vVARDIS at www.vVARDIS.com and www.linkedin.com/company/vvardis .

About OrbiMed

OrbiMed is a leading healthcare investment firm, with approximately $17 billion in assets under management. OrbiMed invests globally across the healthcare industry, from start-ups to large multinational corporations, through private equity funds, public equity funds, and royalty/credit funds. OrbiMed seeks to be a capital provider of choice, providing tailored financing solutions and extensive global team resources to help build world-class healthcare companies. OrbiMed's team of over 100 professionals is based in New York City, London, San Francisco, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Mumbai, Herzliya, and other key global markets.

For more information, visit OrbiMed at www.OrbiMed.com .

Oral Biolife Assembles World-Class Scientific Advisory Board to Accelerate Development of Ambrilux Dental Gel

 

Oral Biolife (OBL), a pioneering biotechnology company advancing innovative dental treatments for both humans and companion animals, finalized the formation of its Scientific Advisory Board (SAB). The board brings together nationally recognized leaders in periodontology, dental innovation, regenerative medicine, and veterinary medicine.

The SAB will provide strategic scientific guidance to support the development and clinical advancement of Ambrilux Dental Gel® – a novel, light-activated, gel-based device designed to promote bone regeneration and transform the management of periodontal disease in both humans and animals.

Oral Biolife’s SAB includes:

• Dr. Ronaldo Santana, DMD, Chair of the Department of Periodontology and Oral Implantology at Temple University Kornberg School of Dentistry; expert in regenerative medicine and grant development
• Dr. Ed Zuckerberg, DDS, FAGD, Digital dentistry pioneer and advocate for the oral-systemic health connection with a patient-centered approach to innovation.
• Dr. Pascal Kunz, MD, DMD, Entrepreneur and global leader in digital dental technologies, diagnostics, and guided robotic surgery, with dual expertise in medicine and dentistry.
• Dr. Lisa Stehno-Bittel, PhD, Founder and President of Likarda; authority in hydrogel-based cell therapies and therapeutic delivery.
• Dr. Shervin Molayem, DDS, Periodontist, implant surgeon, and researcher specialized in the intersection of oral health and systemic disease.
• Dr. Tanya Kameneva, DVM, Veterinary Key Opinion Leader (KOL) instrumental in shaping Oral Biolife’s companion animal strategy and preclinical development.

“This marks a major milestone for Oral Biolife,” said Dr. Stella Vnook, Founder & President of Oral Biolife. “We are honored to have the support of such a distinguished group of experts. Their insights and experience will be essential as we advance Ambrilux Dental Gel® toward clinical use and commercialization. Our SAB reflects Oral Biolife’s commitment to scientific rigor and real-world impact.”

About Oral Biolife Inc.

Oral Biolife is an innovative biotechnology company headquartered in Bethlehem, PA that utilizes the unique properties of biotechnology materials to develop groundbreaking, first-to-market products. Their lead asset, Ambrilux Dental Gel, via its unique ability to regenerate bone lost due to periodontal disease and represents a potential breakthrough for treating periodontal disease.

For more information, please visit https://www.oralbiolife.com and on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/oralbiolife-inc.

Measles Outbreak is at a 33 Year High Point

 

Someone has to yell, 'The emperor has no clothes!" and I think nothing screams that louder than cold hard statistics.  For years now the anti-vax movement has made all kinds of debunked claims about the dangers of vaccines.  Everyone of them has been proven statistically inaccurate or flat out wrong.  However many well meaning folks have been lead astray by these claims.

When I was a young child, the measles vaccine was introduced.  Over my time since then, I've never known a person to come down with the disease.  It had become so rare in the U.S. that many began to say it was irradicated.

Then along came the anti-vax claims.  Many of those terrified parents of young children who thought they were doing the right thing for their children by refusing the vaccine.  Due to that, there's a fair amount of people who no longer have immunity to measles.  That leads us to where we are today.  Fear is a powerful motivator.  When I was young it was the fear of their child catching measles that drove parents to get their kids vaccinated.  Today the debunked buy loudly shouted fears of problems caused by vaccines has, in some areas, driven fear in the other direction.

Measles (also called rubeola) is caused by the morbillivirus virus and is highly infectious.  It spreads through the air when an infected person sneezes, coughs, or even speaks.  Statistics say that if a person is not immune, 90% of those exposed to the virus will contract it.  That's 9 out of 10.  The odds are not in an unvaccinated person's favor.

The benefit of vaccines is that even if a person should contract a disease by some strange twist of fate, the odds of passing it to others is greatly reduced due to herd immunity.  However, in an area where few people are immune, the disease spreads like wildfire.  Measles is especially an example of this.  The other unfortunate thing is that symptoms don't start to show immediately.  It takes somewhere between one to three weeks before symptoms develop and that entire time, the person is spreading the virus to everyone they come in contact with.  90% of the people they come in contact with will then develop the disease... if they are unvaccinated.

Measles can lead to pneumonia, encephalitis, and even death.  Those are grave consequences.  Hopefully this puts things into perspective.  From a dental perspective, measles can also affect the mouth.  The oral symptoms are an early diagnostic tool as they normally present before the characteristic skin rash appears on other parts of the body.  Due to these early oral lesions, dentists can become key in helping fight the spread of the disease by identifying it and advising the patient to see a physician  and avoid contact with others.

The CDC keeps statistics on these types of things and they update them regularly.  The current "Measles Cases and Outbreaks" page on the CDC website is updated every Wednesday and contains some fascinating information.  Since 2015 more and more infections, cases and outbreaks have been reported in the U.S.  The outbreaks this year are large.  Since 2010, the largest number of cases was in 2019.  In that year there were 1,274 cases reported.  Through July 1 of 2025 there are 1,267 confirmed cases.  That means we've already surpassed the largest reported number of cases in the last 10 years... and the year is only a bit more than half over.

Simply put, the numbers don't lie.  If you'd like more info, I highly recommend visiting the CDC Measles Cases and Outbreaks page.  It not only gives you numbers, but there also links to resources you can use.

Louisiana Joins Interstate Dental & Dental Hygiene Licensure Compact

 

Here is some great news for dental professionals.  For decades physicians have been able to easily obtain licensure in other states and practice in those areas.  The concept of 'licensure by credentials' has been in that profession for a long time.  However, dentistry has lagged behind our colleagues in medicine.  Most states require a dental professional, sometimes with decades of experience, to go through a lengthy licensing process, including clinical competency exams.

I remember when I was taking my clinical boards there was a gentleman in an operatory near mine who was probably in his late 40s.  When I asked him why he was taking the exam he explained that he was an oral surgeon who wanted to practice in Colorado.  He hadn't cut a prep (a daily process for general dentists) in decades, but he was required to take a dental hands-on competency exam in order to get that license.  Even then I thought that was draconian and incredibly impractical.  Over the years I've only become more a fan of credentials.

So the info below marks a new era for dental licensure.  Congratulations to Louisiana for their legislators being so forward thinking.

First state adopts dental licensure reform, enshrining high standards for patient care

Louisiana has become the first state to join the Interstate Dental & Dental Hygiene Licensure (IDDHL) Compact. HB543, sponsored by Representative Wayne McMahen, is now law after it passed the legislature with no opposition. The IDDHL Compact, developed by the American Association of Dental Boards, aims to streamline the licensing process for dentists and dental hygienists who want to practice in multiple states. This compact offers a voluntary, expedited pathway to licensure for qualified dental professionals while maintaining high standards of patient safety and care.

 “The Compact facilitates a more efficient licensure process allowing practitioners to begin working in new states more quickly after meeting eligibility requirements,” said Representative Wayne McMahen during the House Committee on House and Governmental Affairs hearing on May 7, 2025. “Joining the Compact could significantly benefit Louisiana by expanding the dental workforce, improving access to care, and streamlining licensure process for dental professionals.”

The IDDHL Compact, modeled after the medical licensure compact, preserves state authority over dental licensing while simplifying the process for qualified professionals to practice across state lines. It requires graduates from Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA)-approved schools to pass the American Board of Dental Examiners (ADEX) licensure exam or have five years of practice after passing a regional licensing examination.

"This is a great step forward for dental care in Louisiana and the U.S., marking a significant milestone in dental care accessibility and professional mobility," said Dr. Art Jee, President of the AADB's Board of Directors. "Louisiana's adoption of the compact creates new opportunities for dental professionals to serve communities across state lines."
 

Key benefits of the compact include: 

• Expedited licensure process for qualified dental professionals

• Enhanced professional mobility for dentists and dental hygienists

• Maintained high standards of patient safety through uniform competency requirements

• Cost-effective implementation for participating states

The compact will also provide access to an AADB Licensure Repository, a centralized portal for verifying licensure documents and sharing disciplinary information among member states.

"By joining the IDDHL Compact, Louisiana demonstrates its commitment to meeting the needs of providers while protecting public health," added Dr. Jee. "We anticipate other states will follow Louisiana's lead, creating a nationwide network that benefits both dental professionals and patients."

The IDDHL Compact has been introduced in a total of nine states so far. It is actively being considered by legislatures in Massachusetts and Pennsylvania. The IDDHL Compact was also passed by the Oklahoma House of Representatives and both chambers of the Mississippi Legislature while making progress in other states where it has been introduced.

For more information about the Interstate Dental & Dental Hygiene Licensure Compact, visit aadbcompact.org.

 About the American Association of Dental Boards (AADB)

The American Association of Dental Boards, founded in 1883, is a national organization that promotes high standards in dental education, licensure, and regulation. AADB membership includes state dental boards, specialty boards, and dental educators from across the United States and its territories.

ADA Raises Concerns over Dental Insurer’s Acquisition of Dental Practices

 

Here's another post about why ADA membership is so critically important to private practice dentistry. I realize this is the second post this week about the ADA, but this one is really critical for you to read.  As I've stated here many times, dentistry needs a unified voice.  A single voice is easy to ignore or to not be heard, but a large number of voices bring the message and make it much  more clear.  

This can be not only with issues of standards and/or safety, but also when it comes to speaking a clear position to legislative bodies.  An agile group that can respond and convey a message is important.

Sometimes a voice is needed for something that has never even crossed the radar before.  Something that you may not have even considered and certainly not planned for.  That's one of those times where you really need that unified voice plus the resources to provide an immediate response.  I recently received an email from the organization to bring to my attention something I hadn't heard about...

What could a situation like that look like?  It looks like this... last week the ADA learned that Delta Dental of Wisconsin purchased a group of dental practices in the state.  You read that right.  An insurance company has purchased a group dental practice in Wisconsin.

Personally, I didn't even know this was legal.  I happen to practice in Missouri and the last time I checked only a licensed dentist could own a practice in the state. I've always figured that the rule was made to help prevent undue pressures being exerted on doctors.

And that brings me to my concern with this news.  Ask anyone is dentistry and they'll tell you that insurance companies focus on profits not patients.  I could go on and on about that point, but I'll save everyone the rant.  If you're a dentist, you know what I'm talking about.  The most important takeaway is that insurance companies push for the least expensive option practically every time... and sometimes the  least expensive option is to deny paying anything at all.

So what will happen when a business that doesn't want to spend money begins to make the total decision from start to finish?  By owning the practices the decision won't just be about treatment.  It will also affect things like the quality of products that the office uses.  Why purchase expensive supplies from reputable companies when the cheapest products available will mean greater profits?  Why order lab cases from well known and reputable labs when money can be saved by sending cases to foreign countries with no oversight from US authorities on things like infection control?  Those are just a couple of things I thought about, the list of questions could be much, much longer.

To wrap up today's post, this is why I'm glad the ADA exists.  If the ADA wasn't there keeping an eye out for the profession, this probably wouldn't have been much of a story.  This probably wouldn't make it onto people's news feeds.  However the ADA keeps track of happenings in the industry and when they see something they let members know.  We need a unified voice!