Dentistry.One Named NJBIZ 2025 For-Profit Business of the Year (1–49 Employees)

 

Virtual-first Dental Care Company Recognized for Innovation, Growth, and Impact in New Jersey

Dentistry.One, a virtual-first dental care solution headquartered in Metuchen, NJ, announced it has been named the NJBIZ 2025 For-Profit Business of the Year (1–49 employees). The honor was revealed during the NJBIZ Business of the Year awards celebration held Dec. 11, 2025 at The DoubleTree by Hilton Somerset.

The NJBIZ Business of the Year program recognizes standout New Jersey organizations for their commitment to professional excellence, business growth, and community impact. Dentistry.One was selected as the winner in its category by an independent panel of judges as part of the program’s 20th year. 

Dentistry.One helps people take the next step in their oral health journey by offering convenient access to virtual dental care, connecting patients to a nationwide network of dentists, providing personalized support, and helping coordinate in-person care when needed.

“We’re honored to be recognized by NJBIZ as a 2025 Business of the Year winner,” said Brant Herman, Founder and CEO of Dentistry.One and MouthWatch. “This award reflects our team’s commitment to making dental care easier to access and easier to navigate—not only here in New Jersey, but for people around the country, especially for those who face barriers like time, cost, anxiety, or limited provider availability.”

To learn more about Dentistry.One, visit https://dentistry.one/. 

Photo Caption: NJBIZ Managing Editor Jessica Perry presents Dentistry.One and MouthWatch Founder and CEO Brant Herman with the NJBIZ For Profit Business of the Year Award. 

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. Offering online consultations, AI-powered tools, and seamless care coordination, Dentistry.One empowers patients to take control of their oral and overall health. To learn more, visit https://dentistry.one/. 

ADA Urges HHS to Withdraw Proposed HIPAA Cybersecurity Rule

I've been making a fair number of posts lately about the ADA.  Simply put, it's because the ADA has made a concerted effort in the last year to provide better communication with its members.  Combined with the fact that the ADA has also been providing better information in the last year, I've been making more posts about them because I feel it's information that's important to get on your radar.

The ADA is a large organization and like most large organizations, they can move at a snail's pace in making changes.  They also do somethings that I disagree with.  I bring this up because I don't want my readers to think I'm an ADA cheerleader and simply putting out whatever they send.

Now, with that being said, I do like the ADA.  I think they do some incredibly good things for the profession.  But the biggest reason I'm a member is because our profession needs a voice that speaks for us.  One of the best things the ADA does is lobby for us, especially on the federal level.  If we don't have that recognized and unified front with our congress,, laws will be passed that can change our profession in ways that drive up our costs or force dentistry to take on onerous tasks.

I know it's common for dentists to say "What does the ADA do for me?" when discussing why they are not a member.  My answer to that is first and foremost, because they lobby for us.  The work that goes on behind the scenes in this effort is often not publicized, but it happens a lot.  Today's post is about the ADA standing up with others to oppose changes to the HIPPA laws that every office deals with.

The ADA is part of a broad coalition of national health care organizations that recently sent a letter to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. , calling on the department to withdraw a proposed update to the HIPAA Security Rule and restart the process with greater collaboration from provider groups.

Here's a snippet of the story:

The Dec. 8 coalition letter was in response to the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking issued by the Health and Human Services’ Office for Civil Rights, titled “HIPAA Security Rule To Strengthen the Cybersecurity of Electronic Protected Health Information.” Originally advanced during the previous administration, the proposal would establish new cybersecurity requirements for regulated health care entities. The coalition said the rule should be immediately withdrawn “without further consideration.”

If you'd like to read the entire story from the ADA News, here's the link.

If you'd like to read the letter that was sent to Secretary Kennedy, you can find it here.  

 

 

Early Data Shows that Coverage of Saliva-Based Screenings Drives Improved Patient Engagement and Treatment Plan Acceptance

 

Just to be clear... I'm no fan of Delta Dental and I haven't been a fan for a very long time.  However, credit where credit is due.  Delta Dental of Massachusetts recently announced a pretty interesting saliva-based screening to help detect periodontal disease.  Their announcement says it's available "for a limited time" and I'm curious to see if they continue the program, close it, or want doctors to continue to use it and pay them pennies on the dollar for it. 

Read on for the details...

 A new enhanced benefit program by Delta Dental of Massachusetts (DDMA), the largest dental insurance carrier in Massachusetts, focused on performance of chairside saliva-based screenings during oral exams or evaluations for periodontal (gum) disease is seeing an improvement in scores by over 33% on average for returning DDMA patients. Additionally, over 50% of DDMA members who received saliva-based assessments with their regular exam accepted treatment plans for periodontal disease when recommended by their provider.

Over the past 14 months, DDMA has collaborated with Smile Generation® to offer, for limited time, chairside, saliva-based assessments at no additional out-of-pocket cost to DDMA members at participating dental practices in Massachusetts.

 “The early results of this innovative program show that a greater focus on patient-centered care has the potential to change the trajectory of oral health improvement and engagement for millions of DDMA members. You can manage what you can measure,” said Dr. Linda Vidone, DMD, VP Clinical Management at Delta Dental of Massachusetts. “Through novel partnerships like this, we are committed to collaborating with our participating dentists to adopt innovative solutions that improve oral health and overall wellness in Massachusetts.”

With a goal of improving early screening for periodontal disease, this groundbreaking program was designed to increased awareness, deliver timely education, and enable personalized interventions to help prevent disease progression. This is important for patients, as untreated periodontal disease has been associated with worse outcomes in systemic conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

The saliva assessment measures levels of active-matrix metalloproteinase-8 (aMMP-8), a biomarker that indicates active collagen breakdown in the gums. Elevated levels of aMMP-8 may indicate gum disease progression before visible symptoms appear. A reduction in aMMP-8 level (i.e., an improvement in ‘score’) indicates less collagen breakdown, which occurs as oral inflammation decreases.  

More than 1,600 DDMA members received saliva-based assessments, with over 400 receiving scores more than once. Nearly all accepted the assessment when offered and received their score, along with an educational flyer explaining its relevance to their health.

 “Metrics drive engagement, and engagement drives outcomes,” said Shawn Fuller, DDS, general dentist and practice owner of Shrewsbury Dentistry. “Consistently measuring key wellness indicators and providing patients with a score engages patients, builds trust and catalyzes action. This objective metric also reinforces the dental team’s role as a partner in overall health and increases treatment plan acceptance by the patient.”

The program will continue through the end of 2026 with select participating practices. DDMA continues to monitor data and evaluate the impact of the saliva-based assessments on higher-risk cohorts, including people with diabetes and individuals who smoke.

 

Henry Schein Expands Partnership with vVARDIS

 

Company to Serve As Exclusive Distributor of Curodont™ Repair Fluoride Plus Across All U.S. Dental Segments

Henry Schein, Inc. (Nasdaq: HSIC) today announced the expansion of its agreement with vVARDIS, which grants the Company exclusive U.S. distribution rights for the drill-free Curodont™ Repair Fluoride Plus (“Curodont”) product across all dental market segments, effective January 1, 2026.

The strategic expansion broadens Henry Schein’s previous exclusivity with the Swiss company, which was announced in 2024 for the Dental Service Organizations. Starting next year, the agreement will cover various areas of dental care, including general dentistry, orthodontics, and pediatric dentistry nationwide.

“We are pleased to build upon our existing relationship with vVARDIS, the company behind one of the fastest growing products in dental history,” said Stanley M. Bergman, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Henry Schein, the world’s largest provider of health care solutions to office-based dental and medical practitioners. “We see the potential for Curodont to be one of our top consumable products. This expansion is a testament to our shared commitment of helping dental professionals operate more efficient practices, all while advancing the oral and overall health of their communities.”

Curodont™ is a proprietary solution that treats patients with early-stage cavities with a drill- and needle-free application.  It is widely recognized that poor oral health can impact overall health, and untreated cavities can become life-threatening.  According to a study published in the International Journal of Epidemiology, it was concluded that people with fewer permanent teeth and untreated cavities were associated with all-cause and heart disease mortality¹.  Up to 80%² of all patients have early-stage cavities and prior to today the majority have left the dental office without treatment, risking more serious diseases. Curodont™ will empower dental practices to address this untapped opportunity, expanding patient care with a drill- and needle-free approach.

“Our decision to broaden the relationship with Henry Schein was driven by the exceptional success we have already achieved together, having accessed over 10% of U.S. dental offices and having treated more than 500,000 patients,” said Drs. Haley and Goly Abivardi, DMDs, visionary Founders and Co-CEOs of vVARDIS. “The foundation of trust, shared goals, and delivered growth made it clear that Henry Schein is the right partner to make Curodont accessible to the entire U.S. dental community.”

Henry Schein is currently the market leader in selling Curodont™ to general practitioners and DSOs. 

About Henry Schein, Inc.
Henry Schein, Inc. (Nasdaq: HSIC) is a solutions company for health care professionals powered by a network of people and technology. With more than 25,000 Team Schein Members worldwide, the Company’s network of trusted advisors provides more than 1 million customers globally with more than 300 valued solutions that help improve operational success and clinical outcomes. Our Business, Clinical, Technology, and Supply Chain solutions help office-based dental and medical practitioners work more efficiently so they can provide quality care more effectively. These solutions also support dental laboratories, government and institutional health care clinics, as well as other alternate care sites.

Henry Schein operates through a centralized and automated distribution network, with a selection of more than 300,000 branded products and Henry Schein corporate brand products in our distribution centers.

A FORTUNE 500 Company and a member of the S&P 500® index, Henry Schein is headquartered in Melville, N.Y., and has operations or affiliates in 33 countries and territories. The Company's sales reached $12.7 billion in 2024 and have grown at a compound annual rate of approximately 11.2 percent since Henry Schein became a public company in 1995.

For more information: www.henryschein.com, Facebook.com/HenrySchein, Instagram.com/HenrySchein, LinkedIn.com/Company/HenrySchein, and @HenrySchein on X.

About vVARDIS

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 decades 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. 

www.vVARDIS.com and www.linkedin.com/company/vvardis.

Dandy Acquires Neem to Accelerate Digital Innovation in Dentistry

Here's some more news from Dandy.  The digital lab provider is making a strong push into the market with their services.  In May, Dandy announced their realtime video collaboration system, and now they have acquired the practice management software company Neem.  Read on to find out all about it...

Neem’s product, UX, and engineering talent will accelerate Dandy’s transformation of the chair-to-lab experience

 

Dandy, the dental technology company, today announced the acquisition of Neem, a Dental Practice Management Software company dedicated to helping dental practices simplify operations and grow. Neem brings Dandy deep expertise in product development, user experience, and engineering, all grounded in a rich understanding of how dental practices operate.

Together, Dandy and Neem will advance the digital transformation of restorative dentistry, combining Dandy’s end-to-end lab and software ecosystem with the Neem team’s proven capabilities in emerging technologies, UX design, and engineering. Employees will be working on exciting new technology, such as Dandy’s Vision intraoral scanner, putting the power of the lab in the dentist’s hand.

“We founded Neem to help dental practices simplify, save, and grow,” said Neem CEO and Cofounder John Hammond. “In Dandy, we’ve found a partner whose mission perfectly aligns with ours. Its vision, resources, and world-class team make this the ideal home for our expertise and passion.”

Neem CTO and Cofounder Tarun Eldho Alias added, “We’re eager to join Dandy in transforming the relationship between the practice and the lab. This is an opportunity to be part of the next wave of AI, machine learning, and advanced manufacturing to help deliver best-in-class dental prosthetics.”

“John, Tarun, and their talented team will play a pivotal part in Dandy’s future innovations,” said Dandy Head of Engineering Cong Yu. “Their deep technical talent and commitment to customers will help us push the boundaries of digital dentistry.”

With the integration of Neem, Dandy strengthens its position as a leader in creating the world’s most advanced dental labs, empowering practices to deliver exceptional care with less friction and greater growth potential. To learn more, visit meetdandy.com.

About Dandy

Dandy is building the modern operating system for dentistry, powering the world’s most advanced dental labs. Dandy partners with dental practices to transform their business with state-of-the-art intraoral scanners, always-on expert guidance, and precision manufacturing accelerated by Generative AI, 3D printing, and other state-of-the-art technologies seamlessly orchestrated by Dandy's proprietary software. Dandy empowers dentists with technology, innovation, and world-class support to achieve more for their practice, their people, and their patients. With unparalleled quality, efficiency, and experience, Dandy makes the business of dentistry pain-free. To learn more, visit meetdandy.com or our LinkedIn page, www.linkedin.com/company/dandyofficial/.

VOCO Announces Availability of New Composite - GrandioSO 4U

I've been using VOCO products for years, too many to count, and I continue to be impressed with them.  Today I'm excited to tell you about a new material the company has recently announced in the U.S. called GrandioSO 4U.  

I was lucky enough to get some to try and test before it came to market  and I can tell you this material is really impressive.  The two things I'm most impressed with are the 4mm depth of cure (which I tested) and the shade matching.  The 4mm depth of cure is a *true* claim and that depth of cure is achieved with a 10 second cure with a high powered light (>1100mw/cm2).  That is paired with a 91% fill ratio and a 1.41% shrinkage.  That means they polish extremely well and should hold up well over time.  Many of the composites on the market that are deeper curing also have higher percentages of volumetric shrinkage.  That can lead to microscopic breaks in the bond at the margin which contributes to marginal breakdown and recurrent decay.  Also, most of the "bulk fill" materials available don't have the best aesthetics.  GrandioSO 4U matches extremely well in the cases I've done and that low volumetric shrinkage is something I'm excited about.

We've seen some composites come to market in the last few years that have a "one shade works for everything" claim.  Those systems are pretty good and I like them.  However, everyone I've talked to has said that there are times that those materials don't blend as well as expected.  That's been my experience as I've used them.  Usually there is a decent match, but not always.

GrandioSO 4U makes shade matching more predictable with a  "Cluster-Shade" system.  This shade system covers all 16 of the Vita shades with just five shades.  For those special cosmetic cases there are two extra shades of Bleach and Opaque.

VOCO makes amazing high quality products and I think you're really going to like GrandioSO 4U.  Here is what the smart folks at VOCO have to say about it:

The most tooth-like universal composite in 5 shades with a 10 second 4 mm depth-of-cure

After 10 years of research and development, VOCO sets the bar higher by introducing GrandioSO® 4U, a 91% filled universal nanohybrid composite. It has tooth-like physical properties when it comes to elasticity, flexural strength, and thermal expansion behavior. Combined with a very low shrinkage of only 1.41% and a high wear resistance it raises the bar for longevity.  Utilizing Visual-Transformation-Technology (VTT), GrandioSO 4U delivers a perfect balance of natural opacity for optimal esthetics and fast working speed with a depth of cure of 4 mm in 10 sec.  Its Cluster-Shade system covers all 16 VITA® classical shades using just 5 shades, significantly streamlining inventory and shade selection.  30-50% less resin compared to classic composites gives GrandioSO 4U a superior non-stick consistency and makes the material extremely color-stable. 900% Al radiopacity sets a new standard for x-ray identification.

Unlike traditional layering composites or less aesthetic bulk fills, GrandioSO 4U delivers both simplified workflows and superior outcomes in a single material.

Available Shades

Standard: A1, A2, A3, A3.5, A4

Specialty: Bleach, Opaque

AdDent Bio/Screen to Improve Oral Cancer Screening

 

The Bio/Screen by AdDent is a practical tool for everyday oral-cancer screening

Early detection saves lives. That’s the simple, clinically important idea behind AdDent’s Bio/Screen — a handheld fluorescence-aided oral-exam light designed to help dentists spot suspicious mucosal changes quickly during routine visits. 

What the Bio/Screen is and how it works

The Bio/Screen is a cordless, rechargeable, handheld oral-exam light that uses violet LED biofluorescence to increase contrast between healthy and abnormal oral tissue without requiring the operatory lights to be turned off. The device houses five high-output violet LEDs, includes an eyepiece with an optical viewing filter to improve contrast, and runs on an internal lithium-ion battery (rechargeable). It’s sold as a kit with disposable lens covers, patient eyewear, and a charger. 

Practically, this means clinicians can perform a quick, non-invasive adjunctive screen (usually a 1–2 minute check) at chairside as part of a routine exam: conventional visual/tactile exam first, then a fluorescence check to highlight areas that merit closer inspection or referral.  Suspicious areas appear dark and that contrast in appearance makes them easier to spot.

Why fluorescence helps (and what it doesn’t replace)

Fluorescence visualization devices like Bio/Screen do not diagnose cancer on their own — they highlight differences in tissue autofluorescence that can indicate inflammation, dysplasia, or neoplasia. That optical contrast can help clinicians detect subtle lesions they might otherwise miss during a regular exam, or give greater confidence when reassuring patients that tissue looks normal.

In short: Bio/Screen is an adjunct — a screening aid that helps triage patients for further diagnostic workup (biopsy, specialist referral), not a substitute for clinical judgment or histopathology. The workflow most clinicians adopt is: routine oral mucosal exam → fluorescence check → document/findings → act (monitor, image, biopsy/referral).

Clinical relevance — why dentists should care

Oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancers remain a meaningful part of daily practice concerns. Early detection dramatically improves outcomes: when oral cancers are found at a localized stage, 5-year survival is substantially higher than for later stages. The American Cancer Society reports lifetime risk differences by sex and underscores the ongoing burden of these cancers in the U.S. (for example, lifetime risk is about 1 in 59 for men and 1 in 139 for women). 

Epidemiologic data also show oral cavity and pharynx cancers have an incidence on the order of ~11–12 new cases per 100,000 persons per year in recent U.S. surveillance datasets — a signal that these malignancies are not rare and warrant routine vigilance in primary dental care. 

Because early detection is so impactful, a practice that incorporates a quick fluorescence screen can both improve patient care and document a higher standard of preventive services. That’s clinically meaningful — and sometimes financially sensible if it builds patient confidence and appropriate referrals.

Workflow & practice integration

Make the fluorescence check a standard part of periodic oral exams (for new patients and recall patients), especially for higher-risk groups (tobacco or heavy alcohol users, older adults, and patients with persistent lesions).  Another contributing factor is HPV-16 and due to that virus younger people can be affected as well.

Train hygienists and assistants to perform the Bio/Screen check so screening is efficient (the device is designed to be simple to operate and doesn’t require overhead lights to be turned off). 

Document findings (photos if possible, location, size, and follow-up plan). If fluorescence highlights a suspicious area, proceed to image/monitor at short interval or refer for biopsy.

Practical specs & procurement

Bio/Screen is lightweight and handheld and is sold as a kit with accessories; many dental suppliers and AdDent’s store list it as an off-the-shelf purchase option. The kit contents include the unit, charger, disposable lens covers, and patient eyewear. 

Bottom line for busy clinicians

Oral cancer screening should be fast and routine — fluorescence tools like Bio/Screen give an inexpensive, simple adjunct to help catch suspicious lesions earlier. addent.com

Given the real burden of oral and oropharyngeal cancers (noted incidence and meaningful survival gains with early detection), adding a 1–2 minute fluorescence check to the periodic exam is a low-cost, high-value preventive step. American Cancer Society+1

New study finds US fluoride exposure linked to better adolescent cognitive performance

A very short post today as all of the info is in the links below.

A new study from the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) states "We find that children exposed to recommended levels of fluoride in drinking water exhibit modestly better cognition in secondary school, an advantage that is smaller and no longer statistically significant at age ~60."

There is a summary of the study in the ADA News.  

The full study can be read at the AAAS website science.org  

The Changing of US Health Policies and the Dangers of Those Decisions

 

This post isn't about fluoride in the drinking water.  I've covered that subject in posts before and if you read any of those (just enter fluoride in the search box at the top of this page) you know my stance on the subject.

Today I want to briefly discuss other things that are changing in US health policy.  About six months ago the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F Kennedy, Jr, fired all 17 members of the panel of vaccine advisers at the CDC (Centers for Disease Control).  The committee was then 'stacked' with his handpicked replacements.

Hepatitis B

Last week those new committee members voted to end the recommendation that all newborns be vaccinated against hepatitis B.  That recommendation had existed for decades.  As a healthcare professional, this worries me.

Hepatitis is an incredibly infectious virus.  It is considered one of the most highly infectious blood-born  diseases and is between 50-100 times more infectious than HIV.  Basically it doesn't take much exposure to the virus in order to become infected.  It is transmitted via blood or body fluids containing blood.  It can survive for at least seven days on environmental surfaces outside the body, which contributes to its high transmission rate.  The higher the viral load in an infected person, the greater the likelihood of transmission to others.

It is especially dangerous for babies.  95% of adults who become infected will stage a full recovery.  However, with newborns who are infected by their mother only 5% infected at birth will clear the infection.  Think about that for a moment, if a baby is infected by their mother there's a 95% chance they will suffer with hepatitis B for their entire life.  

Infection with hepatitis B can result in liver cirrhosis and liver cancer in around 25% of those who have chronic hepatitis B infection.  90% of babies infected develop chronic hepatitis which is what causes those diseases.

Simply put, not vaccinating babies against the disease sentences some of them to potentially fatal diseases.

Measles

I won't go into depth on this one, but measles was practically eradicated in the US until there was a non-scientific push by some well known non-experts.  The information that was spread was not validated by science.  It created a massive wave of fear.  Parents want what's best for their children and many parents elected not have their children vaccinated out of fear.

As of December 2, 2025, a total of 1,828 confirmed measles cases were report in the US.  There have been 46 outbreaks reported in 2025 and 87% of reported cases are outbreak-associated.  For comparison, 16 outbreaks were reported during 2024 with 69% of cases being outbreak-associated.

Wrapping Up

This change of US public health policy is endangering lives.  Decisions regarding the health of children are being made by believing pseudoscience, rumors, innuendo and then publicizing it as the truth.  This creates a population of misinformed and frightened parents that are being fed pseudoscience as fact and they are deciding that there are dangers from vaccines.  The science that proves vaccines to be safe and effective is ignored.  I don't know how this ends.  I don't know how this gets better.  

Unfortunately in a couple of decades innocent people will pay the price for this and it saddens me.  As a healthcare provider I feel compelled to speak up.  Often bad decisions happen when people that know better keep silent.  This isn't a political subject.  I don't like politics.  

We've all seen situations where an individual takes a position and then 'cherry picks' some facts (often even taken out of context) to support their point of view.  This is similar, but taking it to the extreme.  Not only are the facts 'cherry picked', but the decision makers who opposed this line of thought were removed and replaced with 'cherry picked' individuals who are well known supporters of bad science.  By doing this, it gives their decisions the appearance of objective and scientific based research.  Unfortunately it's anything *but* science.

If I could see objective, well done science that would prove these changes are beneficial, I'd be happy to take a look at it.  If my stand can be proven wrong, I'm willing to change my stance.  However, until that happens my concerns are going to continue.  I want what's best for the health of children and I don't think these changes will bring that about.

Archeologists Find Knight with Elongated Skull in Medieval Cemetary

 

A quick explanation of the image above.  I couldn't use the actual image that is available due to copyright concerns, so the one above is AI generated.  However, when you follow the link below you can see the photos that were taken by the archeological team.

Archeologists were excavating and studying a medieval cemetery in Spain that seemed to hold the bodies of several knights.  What they found in one of the graves amazed them.  It was the body of a knight who, due to the wounds noted on the skeleton, died in battle.  However the thing that was really amazing to them was the genetically distorted skull from the body.

The sutures in the skull fused prematurely causing the skull to distort as the person grew.  They think the knight probably suffered from Crouzon syndrome, but they won't know until genetic testing is done on the skeleton.

The condition is often fatal without surgical intervention, which wasn't available in medieval times, and that makes this a rare find for archeologists.

The article is a short, but interesting read.  Head on over to Live Science to read about it and see the images of the skeleton.  It's pretty fascinating.

New Study finds U.S. Fluoride Exposure linked to Better Adolescent Cognitive Performance

Today's post is another great one courtesy of ADA News.  As we all know, the fluoride issue has been a huge newsmaker this year.  One of the big issues that the anti-fluoridation lobby has pushed hard is that fluoride causes lower IQ.

Let me first state that it's been shown through multiple studies that fluoride is safe at the recommended dosages to prevent dental decay.   There is no question in my mind on that fact.  Like any substance, fluoride is dangerous at *high* levels.  Heck, even drinking too much water can be fatal.   However, when fluoride is consumed at the recommended dosage, it is most likely the greatest public health initiative in the history of the human race.  

Now, we have a new study titled "Childhood fluoride exposure and cognition across the life course" that again shows the safety of fluoride.

The ADA News has a nice summary of the study.  That article has a link to the actual study, but if you're curious and want to jump right to it, click here for the full study in Science Advances.  

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

 

The first thing I want to say is "Why are you reading this?"  If you're reading this on Thursday November 26, 2025, it's Thanksgiving day and you should be watching football and hanging with your family.  That's what I'm doing as you read this.

Seriously though, I'm thankful for *so* many things.  I've had an amazing career.  I've gotten to see and do a lot of things I'd have never dreamed of.  If the John Flucke from 2025 had a conversation with John Flucke back in the 80s, I would call the 2025 version a liar or at least delusional.  So many great things have come my way that sometimes I sit back and am dumbfounded by how lucky I've been.  I hope many of you feel the same way.

I also want to tell you how thankful I am for all of *you* who read my posts, who read my articles,  watch my podcast, or help support me in any way.  I really love what I do.  I get a chance to tinker and explore things that I'm passionate about and then tell you all about it.  Someone that does the kinds of things I do needs to have interested followers to give my work any value.  All of *you* provide that value and I am more grateful for that than I can tell you.  Thanks for your interest, support, and for reaching out to me.  It's what you do that allows me to do what I do.

So today, I want to tell all of you how thankful I am for you.  Thanks for helping make my dreams come true.  A lot of my pretty incredible life is a direct result of your support.  Have a great Thanksgiving filled with faith and family!  And if you are planning on attending the Greater New York Dental Meeting, I'll be in the Medidenta booth.  Please stop by and say hi!

Personify Group Joins Dental Trade Alliance

Big news today from my good friends at Personify Group.  If you are in the industry and need help with your marketing plan, these are the folks you want to contact!

Read all about in the press release below:

New Membership Expands the Reach and Impact of Dentistry’s 

Fastest-Growing Branding, Marketing and Communications Agency

Personify Group, dentistry’s brand growth partner, today announced it has joined the Dental Trade Alliance (DTA), the national association representing suppliers, manufacturers and service companies dedicated to advancing oral health.

“We’re pleased to welcome Personify Group, as the newest member of the association," said Dental Trade Alliance CEO Greg Chavez. "Their DTA membership will enable them to connect with more manufacturing partners who may benefit from their dental knowledge base"  

DTA membership aligns Personify Group with a consortium of like-minded organizations committed to elevating the dental-care landscape through collaboration, innovation and industry-wide advocacy.

“Joining the Dental Trade Alliance reflects our commitment to advancing the future of dentistry and supporting the innovators who are shaping it,” said Michael Ventriello, Co-Founder and Chief Communications Officer of Personify Group. “The DTA brings together the most influential companies in oral health, and we’re honored to contribute our branding, marketing and communications expertise to such an important community.” 

Personify Group is redefining best practices in storytelling, creative development, marketing technology, public relations, digital media, influencer relations and investor marketing to accelerate growth for dentistry’s next generation of innovators.

“As dental technology rapidly evolves, from AI-enabled diagnostics to new biomimetic therapies, companies need strong, credible partners who can help them stand out, scale and drive adoption,” said Mark Ross, Co-Founder and Chief Branding Officer of Personify Group. “DTA membership strengthens our ability to support dental innovators by providing deeper industry access and new opportunities for strategic partnerships.”

About Personify Group

Personify Group is redefining dental branding, marketing and communications with an integrated mix of disruptive and dynamic solutions designed to accelerate growth for dentistry’s innovators. Founded by dental marketing thought leaders Michael Ventriello and Mark Ross, the agency blends bold creative with advanced technology and strategic insight to help clients rise above the noise and achieve measurable success. For more information, visit www.personifygroup.com.  Connect on LinkedIn: Personify Group: Overview | LinkedIn

About the Dental Trade Alliance

The Dental Trade Alliance (DTA) is a member supported trade association of suppliers and service providers of the oral health profession and industry with the common goal of improving the state of oral care. The organization provides resources, knowledge-sharing opportunities and advocacy supporting businesses throughout North America, with ties to the rest of the globe. With a dedication to oral health that reaches back to the 1800’s, the modern day DTA is committed to the success of its members and the industry at large. www.dentaltradealliance.org

Delta Dental of Virginia Notifies Individuals of Data Security Incident

I know that I make a lot of posts here about how critical data security is.  However, it's not just dental practices that need to stay focused on security.  Today's post is a press release from Delta Dental of Virginia.

Delta Dental of Virginia ("DDVA") is providing notice of a recent data security incident that may have involved personal and/or protected health information. DDVA takes the privacy and security of all information within their possession very seriously. DDVA has sent notice of this incident to potentially affected individuals and provided resources to assist them.

On or around April 23, 2025, DDVA discovered suspicious activity associated with one email account and immediately initiated an investigation of the matter. DDVA engaged independent cybersecurity experts to assist with the process. As a result of the investigation, DDVA determined that certain emails and attachments may have been accessed and acquired without authorization between March 21, 2025 and April 23, 2025. DDVA undertook a comprehensive review of those files and upon completion of that review, learned that some of your family member's personal information was contained within the potentially affected data. That is the reason for this notification. Please note that DDVA has no evidence of the misuse, or attempted misuse, of any potentially impacted information.

Notice of this event was mailed directly to potentially affected individuals with an available mailing address on November 21, 2025.

Based on our review of the potentially affected data, the following information for individuals may have been involved in the incident: names, Social Security numbers, state or federal government issued ID numbers, and Protected Health information. Please note that DDVA has no evidence of misuse, or attempted misuse of any potentially impacted information.

As soon as we discovered this incident, DDVA took the steps described above and implemented measures to enhance security and minimize the risk of a similar incident occurring in the future. We have established a toll-free call center to answer questions about the incident and address related concerns. Call center representatives are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm Eastern Time and can be reached at 1-833-303-6496.

The privacy and protection of personal and protected health information is a top priority for DDVA. DDVA deeply regrets any inconvenience or concern this incident may cause.

Untreated Apical Periodontitis Related to Multiple Systemic Complications

 

First of all, I want to give props to the folks at the ADA who put together ADA News.  Their Weekend Huddle e-newsletter has been the source of some great information as of late.  If you haven't subscribed to it , might I recommend you click here and do so.  

Today's post touches again on the oral systemic connection.  While this one isn't a big reach for most of us in dentistry, to the general public who don't understand the intricacies of the oral systemic connection it's an important piece of information.  A recently published study in the Journal of Transitional Medicine followed 65 patients over two years to draw some conclusions.  That study is titled Successful endodontic treatment improves glucose and lipid metabolism: a longitudinal metabolomic study and that title says a lot about the improvements that can be realized by curing a dental problem.

For those readers here who don't have dental backgrounds, I'll give you some basic information to provide a bit of context.

Apical periodontitis is a situation where the internal aspect of the tooth, the nerve and blood vessels that are inside the tooth, become infected and that infection spreads to the apex, which is the tip of the root.  As the infection progresses, it destroys bone at the apex and a chronic (long term) infection sets in.  In the most basic sense, this is a 'pool' of bacteria and infection in the bone of the jaw.  If nothing is done to eliminate this infection, the bacteria present have an easy path to the rest of the body.  The bacteria get into the blood vessels and are carried throughout the body.

This allows the bacteria to settle anywhere it can find an area that is susceptible.  Some of the more common problems that can develop are:

• Infections of the heart, possibly even leading to a potentially fatal infection called endocarditis
• Respiratory infections, including pneumonia
• Pregnancy complications, including  preterm birth and low birth weight

This subject is especially important because statistically around 50% of adults develop apical periodontitis in at least one tooth during their life.

The good news is that this condition is treatable through either: extraction of the infected tooth, root canal therapy, and/or periapical surgery.

The study determined that after getting the infection healed, patients showed improvement in multiple cardiometabolic markers, including:

• Chloesterol
• Glycemic control
• Fatty acid profiles
• Inflammatory markers

These improvements were assocated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes.

To read the ADA News article, follow this link.  If you're interested in reading the full study, you can find that here.  

Dental VIP Summit Returns to Chicago With A-List Keynotes and The “Top 20 Dental Innovators” Awards

Last February, my buddy Dr. Marty Jablow launched the inaugural Dental VIP Summit.  I was blown away by the first time event.  The idea was a great one.  Put smart inventors with incredibly good ideas together with people looking to invest in dentistry's 'next big thing'.  The result was amazing.  If you want to see the future of the dental industry, the place to be is the Dental VIP Summit.

In my 'other job' working in the dental industry, I've always been amazed at the amount of brain power that goes on behind the scenes.  Many of the things we now use clinically everyday, things like intraoral scanners and CBCT, were once just sketches on a cocktail napkin.  Yet those ideas changed our world.  This event gives you a chance to see products that are in development... some in their infancy, and will allow you a sneak peek at what will one day be a product dental professionals reach for or depend on every day.  In my opinion, this is a must attend event!  I hope to see a lot of you there.  Here's the first public information about the event:

Limited-Attendance Event Takes Place February 18, 2026, 

Prior to the Chicago Midwinter Meeting

Building upon the strong momentum of last year’s inaugural program, the 2026 Dental VIP (Venture, Innovation & Partnering) Summit will once again precede the Chicago Dental Society Midwinter Meeting February 18, 2026, at the Intercontinental Chicago Magnificent Mile.

“The Dental VIP Summit was created to give innovators, investors, and industry executives a centralized platform to spark collaboration, fuel positive oral health impact and drive meaningful commercial outcomes,” said Marty Jablow, DMD, Co-Chair of the Summit, “This year we’re taking our boutique conference concept to the next level with new co-chairs, keynote speakers and the first annual “Top 20 Dental Innovator Awards.”

A-List Co-Chairs and Keynotes:

Joining Dr. Jablow in organizing the Dental VIP Summit will be Jeremy Krell, DMD, MBA - General Manager of Revere Partners and Travis Rodgers - President of Dental Venture Capital.

This year’s keynote speakers will be Brian Colao – Director, Dykema Dental Service Organizations Industry Group, and Stephen E. Thorne IV, BA, MHA – Founder and CEO of Pacific Dental Services.

Prominent Speakers:

This year’s Dental VIP Summit will once again feature an impressive list of speakers  to provide forward thinking perspectives, insightful observations and color commentary. Among them will be:

• Arash Hakhamian, DDS, CEO of Dentulu
• Shervin Molayem, DDS, Co-Founder of Trust AI
• Ali Shazib, DMD, Dean of Highpoint University Workman School of Dental Medicine
• Kathryn Alderman, DDS – Founder & CEO of Intelligent Care Alliance
• Mariya Filipova, Managing Director of The 4100 Group
• Johnny Chang de Gruiter, Strategic Partnerships Lead for CareQuest Innovation Partners
• Andrew Smith, CEO at The Association of Dental Support Organizations
• Eva Allan, Innovation Strategist & Fund Advisor

Exciting Agenda

This year’s agenda features a full-day packed with keynotes, presentations from the most innovative start-ups & emerging growth companies, along with expert panel discussions. This is a premier opportunity to connect, collaborate, and shape the future of dental innovation. 

• Keynote: Convergence of Care: Medical & Dental Integration 
• The Digital Dentist of 2026
• Emerging Tech Showcase Shark Tank
• AI and Predictive Dentistry 2.0
• Innovation Showcase 1: The Smart Operatory
• Funding the Future: Dental Venture Capital in 2026
• Dental Disruptors Panel: New Models of Care
• Innovation Showcase 2: Bio + Tech Convergence
• Voices of Influence: Deans vs DSOs 
• Industry Perspectives on Scaling  Innovation and Strategic Partnerships
• Networking and Relationship-Building

There will also be multiple networking opportunities throughout the day for innovators, investors, entrepreneurs, industry executives, journalists and clinical visionaries to discuss the next frontier of dental technology and care delivery. 

The First Annual Top 20 Dental Innovation Awards

Making its debut at the 2026 Dental VIP Summit will be the Top 20 Dental Innovation Awards, designed to spotlight those who have made significant contributions to the advancement of the dental sector. Nominations can be submitted online. Summit co-chairs and advisory board will make final selections. The recipients will be invited to the summit where they will be announced and broadly publicized following the event.

Visit the Dental VIP Summit Landing Page

Full details are now available online, including attendee registration, sponsor information, and an open invitation for speaker submissions and company presentation at Get Involved - Dental Venture, Innovation & Partnering Summit.  All opportunities are limited and prompt action is recommended.

Deeply discounted hotel rooms are available for The Intercontinental Magnificent Mile through the Chicago Dental Society. https://book.passkey.com/event/51037825/owner/9214/home

About the Dental VIP Summit

The Dental VIP (Venture, Innovation & Partnering) Summit was created to showcase transformative dental technologies and accelerate innovation across the global oral-health community. The program unites entrepreneurs, investors, KOLs, clinical innovators, and industry executives to foster collaboration, evaluate emerging solutions, and advance technologies that elevate patient care and business performance.

Big News from Trust AI - iOS App is finally here & you can Download Isaac NOW

Today's post is a big announcement from Trust AI.  The company has been hard at work creating a completely dental system to bring AI to the profession.  I'm following them with a great deal of interest as I truly believe this is a critical piece of bringing a revolution to dentistry.  Their website went live this past summer and it is *impressive*.   Since then, the company has continued to innovate and what they've accomplished continues their incredible progress.

One of the things their users have been asking is "when will this be available in an app?".  I'm excited to tell you the answer to that question is NOW.  Go to the Apple Store, search on "Trust AI", and you will now find this app.  Download it and give it a try.  I think you'll be as impressed as I am.  Below is the announcement from the company's founder.

 Isaac OneHealth just dropped in the Apple App Store, and it's unlike anything you've used before.

Let me fill you in on a little secret: Our AI just scored a perfect 100% on USMLE - the hardest medical licensing exam in existence. ChatGPT? Didn't come close. We're only the second AI in history to achieve this score. Press release dropping soon, but you get to experience it first.

What this means for you: You now have the world's most advanced medical+dental AI in your pocket. Chairside. Anytime. Instant answers to clinical questions that would normally take hours of research.

Critical: If you're using Isaac on WhatsApp, that's the old version. The app is exponentially more powerful. Make the switch today.

Android drops before Christmas.

This is the tool you've been asking for. It's finally ready.

Get it. Use it. Then tell us what you think.

Bernard Casse, PhD

CEO, Trust AI

Dandy Launches AI Scan Review, the First Chairside AI Assistant for Crown Preparation

This announcement was just made today... a few minutes before this post went live.

A *big* announcement today from Dandy.  The company is making tremendous strides in the world of digital dentistry and this is another amazing leap forward for them.  One of the things I like about AI in situations like this is that it becomes like a colleague who suggests "did you notice..." and works to make you even better at what you do.  Details below.

AI Scan Review catches crown preparation issues instantly, reducing remakes, chairside adjustments, and rescan appointments. 

Dandy’s AI Scan Review detects crown preparation issues with, like undercuts, margin obstructions, and occlusal clearance, while the patient is still in the chair. 

If issues are detected, it alerts dentists right away, providing step-by-step visual guidance on how to refine the preparation.

It’s the first AI that confirms a crown preparation’s quality and lab-readiness, leading to better-fitting restorations and fewer chairside adjustments.

Dandy, the fully digital dental lab, today announced the launch of AI Scan Review, dentistry’s first chairside AI assistant for real-time crown preparation analysis. Built into Dandy’s Chairside scanning software, AI Scan Review provides instant feedback and visual guidance, helping eliminate costly remakes and improving the fit of dental restorations.

“Every clinician knows the sinking feeling: the lab calls days after you’ve submitted an impression, saying it has issues and needs to be redone,” said Kenn Butler, Head of Research and Development at Dandy. “But what if your technician reviewed impressions chairside, before your patient even left? That’s exactly what Dandy’s AI Scan Review does — within seconds.”

In practice, AI Scan Review acts as a quiet, always-on assistant, reviewing every crown prep and scan in the background and surfacing only what needs attention.

Quickly Identifies Issues

Unlike AI built into other scanning software, which flags general scan errors like overall completeness, Dandy’s AI goes deeper. It examines every tooth surface, angle, and path-of-insertion of the scanned preparation, processing millions of data points to identify undercuts, margin obstructions, and occlusal clearance issues that would lead to lengthy adjustments or a remake.

Dr. Glenn Appleton, DDS, said, “It’s like having your lab technician assist over your shoulder. The AI is quiet, accurate, and effective — a welcome helping hand.”

Eliminates Remakes and Lengthy Adjustments

When it detects a preparation issue, AI Scan Review gently alerts the dentist and displays real-time visual guidance where to refine their prep. After the detected issues are fixed, the preparation is re-analyzed for lab readiness. What could have led to a remake or several chairside adjustments is caught and corrected while the patient is still in the chair.

“The launch of AI Scan Review marks a major milestone in our mission to eliminate remakes,” said Daniel Hanover, cofounder of Dandy. “We’re out to improve the dental lab workflow from beginning to end, from scans to case reviews to automated production to rapid delivery on timelines no other lab can match. We’re with our customers every step of the way, helping them grow their practices and achieve better patient care.”

Availability

This new tool is now available to all Dandy Chairside users at no additional cost. To learn more about AI Scan Review, visit https://www.meetdandy.com/ai-scan-review/.  

About Dandy

Dandy is building the modern operating system for dentistry, powering the world’s most advanced dental labs. Dandy partners with dental practices to transform their business with state-of-the-art intraoral scanners, always-on expert guidance, and precision manufacturing accelerated by AI, 3D printing, and other state-of-the-art technologies seamlessly orchestrated by Dandy's proprietary software. Dandy empowers dentists with technology, innovation, and world-class support to achieve more for their practice, their people, and their patients. With unparalleled quality, efficiency, and experience, Dandy makes the business of dentistry pain-free. To learn more, visit meetdandy.com or our LinkedIn page, www.linkedin.com/company/dandyofficial/.

BlueSkyBio Teamed Up With Medidenta Digital for a Webinar Tonight!

A short post today as I've been on the road and still playing catchup with all that travel entails... especially a mountain of emails to get through.  The other thing is, I've just rolled off a plane and tonight I'm helping on a webinar about how BlueSkyBio can make implant treatment planning easier.  Medidenta Digital has partnered with BlueSkyBio on this event.  These two companies can provide you with everything you need.  BlueSky provides the design software and Medidenta Digital provides the hardware and resins.

If you're not familiar with BlueSkyBio, you need to check it out.   It's an amazing design software that will allow you to do some incredible things.  One of the best parts about it, is the company's business model.  You can tinker and design to your heart's content, but the only time you pay is when you download a completed design file.  The company provides their software *free of charge* so you can decide if it's right for you.

Dr. Cory Glenn and Dr. Gene Peterson are both genius level users of BlueSky and tonight they are going to show you how to do some amazing implant treatment planning.  It's a two hour event that will give you the knowledge you need to treatment plan implants, create surgical guides, and create transitional partials all in your office with a 3D printer.  You can register here.  

Finding Bacteria and Caries Where it Hides with the AdDent MicoLux DW

 

For years I've been a fan of AdDent and for most of those years, I've been saying it's because the company makes "better mousetraps"... and that is so true.  One of their products that needs to be in every doctor's tool belt is the MicroLux DW.  This nifty little device serves two functions.  It can be used as an incredible transilluminator and it can be used as a fluorescence device.  

Let's discuss fluorescence first.  The high powered LED in this mode emits a light of 405nm.  That makes it in the part of the spectrum that looks purple.  When exposed to this color of light, biofilm and caries forming bacteria glow red.  This provides several diagnostic indicators for dentistry.  The most talked about is to find small areas of caries.  Fluorescence allows the clinician to see areas of enamel breakdown before the lesion has cavitated enough to allow for an explorer stick.  Those areas can either be restored very easily, normally without anesthetic, or treated with remineralization therapy.  Of course which treatment to provide requires a doctor's skill and expertise.

The second way to use the fluorescence mode is during hygiene care.  The MicroLux DW can help hygienists to see where biofilm and plaque hide and can help show patients areas of concern.  We are seeing more and more literature published that demonstrate the oral/systemic connection and proper plaque removal during home care is an important step in helping reduce systemic bacterial counts of oral pathogens.  Being able to SHOW the patients the areas they miss at home can help give them better overall health.  

It can also be a great way to monitor the health of implants.  Since identifying problems around implants can sometimes be difficult, being able to visually examine them using fluorescence can be a tremendous help in evaluating them and detecting the very beginning stages of periimplantitis.

The tip or "light guide" of the MicroLux DW is 3mm in diameter, which allows it to be placed into narrow interproximal areas.  AdDent also makes attachments for the device that have a tip of 1mm in diameter.  These super small tips come in lengths of 3, 5, and 7mm.  This allows the light to go into even smaller and tighter spaces.  I highly recommend this tip for implant evaluation as it allows the operator to see incredibly well into the small areas of soft tissue surrounding implants.  Most clinicians are also working under magnification and viewing these areas under magnification improves diagnostic ability even more.  All tips can be autoclaved to avoid cross contamination and the device itself can be wrapped.

The purple wavelength is also handy for identifying small composites or sealants.  Bonded materials appear different under this wavelength.  Occasionally during an initial new patient exam it can be difficult to tell if an area is natural tooth structure or some type of bonded material.  This wavelength makes identifying them simple! 

Now I'll go into the second function of the MicroLux DW.  The device also has a very bright white LED that, when paired with the same 3mm diameter tip, can be used for transillumination.  Placing the tip into the interproximal area can provide an amazing amount of detail and can easily help the doctor find caries in those areas.  As all clinicians know, bitewing radiographs don't always reveal everything going on in the interproximal areas.  Using the MicroLux DW with the white LED in those areas can help provide needed information.  It can help confirm a questionable area, but it can also help the doctor decide with greater confidence that an area should be monitored and not restored.  It can also be a great help when monitoring remineralization therapy in interproximal areas.  I normally explain to patients that the device helps me make decisions and it doesn't require any radiation.  Patients appreciate that we are doing all we can to keep x-ray exposure low.

The MicroLux DW is also a terrific way to check the interproximal areas of anteriors as well.  Keeping with the ALARA principle when it comes to radiographs, PA's to check those areas aren't taken routinely and the white light of the MicroLux DW lets me evaluate those areas any time I need to, without the need for x-ray exposure.

The last great thing I want to tell you about this device is that it is affordable.  Overhead in a dental practice is high and often the things that we need to provide great care come with a significant price tag.  There aren't many devices a dentist can reach for routinely that can be purchased for under $500... but the MicroLux DW is one of them.  That price tag makes it easy to put several in your office.  I routinely reach for this device and it is *highly recommended*!