If you are part of the dental profession, no one needs to tell you that things change pretty quickly.  The progress in the industry and the profession is akin to a 'moving sidewalk' where, if you aren't continuously moving forward, you're moving backward.

However, good education can be difficult to obtain.  In person events can mean travel or at least closing the office while the team attends.  That means expenses continue while also paying for education.  One of the silver linings of the Covid debacle was that it forced tech developers to create efficient ways for people to hold virtual meetings.

Today's post is about a new learning platform for virtual education.  Read on for the details.

New partnership expands access to elite dental training nationwide, connecting thousands of dental professionals through innovative technology

The American Dental Institute has long been recognized for its state-of-the-art dental lab, which offers unparalleled hands-on training for dental professionals. However, until now, this world-class education has been limited to those able to attend in person. Through FanHero's innovative platform, ADI will now be able to offer:

• Nationwide Access: Bringing ADI’s elite training and customized programming to dental professionals anywhere in the U.S.
• Interactive Learning: Engaging content delivery through virtual workshops, live events, and on-demand courses.
• Community Building: A dedicated space for dentists to connect, share knowledge, and grow together.

"We are thrilled to partner with the American Dental Institute to bring their exceptional educational offerings to a broader audience," said Humberto Farias, CEO of FanHero. "Their commitment to excellence in dental education aligns perfectly with our mission to empower organizations with the tools they need to build stronger communities. This partnership enables ADI to connect with dentists across the country in new and innovative ways."

Professional development and continuous learning in dentistry is integral to moving the industry forward. This partnership with FanHero will enable ADI to expand these offerings to include online courses, virtual workshops, and live events that can be accessed by licensed dentists from anywhere in the country. The community of dentists within the platform will help ADI build customized content based on their day-to-day needs and fresh perspectives on best practices in the industry.

"This partnership with FanHero is a game-changer for us," said Guilherme Teles, CEO of the American Dental Institute. "We have always been passionate about providing the highest quality dental education, and now, with FanHero's support, we can extend our reach and impact to dentists across the nation. We're excited to see this collaboration transform how we engage with our community."

For more information about this partnership and how it will benefit dental professionals, visit www.fanhero.com and www.americandentalinstitute.com.

About American Dental Institute:

American Dental Institute is a premier dental education facility located in Orlando, Florida, dedicated to providing cutting-edge training and continuing education for dental professionals. Known for its state-of-the-art lab and commitment to excellence, ADI is at the forefront of dental education in the United States. 

About FanHero:

Established in 2016, FanHero has swiftly transitioned from app development for celebrities to a pioneering force in the video technology realm. Renowned for its innovative white-label live streaming and OTT solutions, the company has garnered accolades, including being named among the top 10 fastest-growing startups at SXSW in 2017. FanHero's intuitive platform, tailored for both on-demand and live content, empowers creators and businesses globally, ensuring seamless video experiences. With its expansion in 2020, it now offers a robust cloud-based video platform, trusted by clients worldwide for reliability and performance.

ADA highlights health policy issues in letter to RFK Jr.

 

Today's post is short, because the majority of what you need to know is available in the link at the bottom of this post.

Another post about the ADA here.  As I've said a lot on the blog over the years, dentistry needs a unified voice to speak for us.  That's especially true when public health in concerned.  There are several issues that are facing dentistry currently and many of them also impact the overall public health of the patients we serve.

On March 5th, the American Dental Association sent a letter to Robert Kennedy, Jr who is serving as the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services.  The March 5 letter states that oral health is a critical component of overall health and that addressing challenges in this area will lead to improvements in the well-beings of Americans.  

Rather than summarizing this pretty important letter, I'd prefer that all of you please read it in its entirety.  The letter is nine pages long, but covers many issues both doctors and patients need to be aware of.  The ADA has make the letter available via pdf format.  The letter can be read and/or downloaded at this link.  

I'd like to say a big thank you to the ADA.  We need a unified voice in dentistry.

Philips Zoom! Delivered Professional Whitening Solutions Delivered Straight to Patients’ Homes

 

Philips has recently announced a new whitening service that greatly simplifies the whole process of in-home whitening.  Since in-home whitening was created, it's always been a system that is fairly work intensive for the dental office.

The process involved:

1. Taking impressions
2. Pouring models
3. Separating models from the impressions
4. Trimming the models
5. Creating vacuum formed trays
6. Finishing and polishing the trays
7. Delivering the trays and educating patients on the whitening process

Now that intraoral scanning has made serious inroads into dental practices, many offices are no longer taking many impressions.  Many offices are also taking intraoral scans in hygiene as part of the new patient intake process and storing them as part of the patient record.

While scanning is much easier and less messy than traditional impressions wouldn't it be great to take that process and apply it into the home whitening process?

That's exactly what Philips has done with Philips Zoom! Delivered.  The office simply sends the full mouth scans to Philips and they do the rest.  Philips has set up a dental lab that will receive the scans and use them to create the custom trays.  They then send the patient their custom trays as part of a complete kit with everything needed as well as instructions.

Basically the dental office captures the scan, sends it to Philips, and everything else is taken care of.  The patient receives the kit at their home and they can get started right away.  Faster, easier, and fewer appointments.

If you'd like more details or to get your office setup for Philips Zoom Delivered!  Just follow this link.  

Inflatrix Revolutionizes Restorative Dentistry with Single-Use Inflatable Dental Matrix; Pre-Orders Now Open

 

Inflatrix, a disruptive innovation in dental restorative procedures, today announced the availability of pre-orders for its revolutionary single-use inflatable dental matrix. Developed by Dr. Mark Thoreson in Wyoming, Inflatrix promises to significantly increase patient comfort and streamline dental procedures.

Inflatrix addresses the long-standing challenge of gum trauma and post-operative soreness associated with traditional dental matrices. This innovative device utilizes air and water pressure to hold itself in place, providing a gentle and effective tooth separation for proximal contact creation. Crafted from soft, biocompatible materials, Inflatrix eliminates the need for multiple components like wedges, rings, bands, simplifying ordering, stocking, and chairside use.

"We are thrilled to introduce Inflatrix to the dental community," said Dr. Mark Thoreson, creator of Inflatrix. "Our goal was to create a solution that prioritizes patient comfort without compromising procedural efficiency. Inflatrix achieves just that, leading to increased patient satisfaction and trust."

Key benefits of Inflatrix include:

• Enhanced Patient Comfort:** Soft, one-piece design minimizes gum trauma and post-operative soreness.
• Increased Efficiency:** Simplified placement reduces procedure time.
• Streamlined Workflow:** Eliminates the need for multiple components, simplifying ordering, stocking, and chairside use.
• Improved Patient Trust:** Comfortable procedures build trust and confidence and lead to increased profitability.
• Cost-Effective:** Highly competitive price per use compared to traditional systems.

Clinical feedback has been overwhelmingly positive:

•  “Inflatrix is easy to use and delivers the same results I get with my current metal bands and wedges. I use a laser and don’t always give shots, and I know Inflatrix is comfortable for my patients.” – Dr. DS, Wyoming
• “Inflatrix is a great step forward for simplicity and patient comfort. My results are as good as with my current system, but more comfortable.” – Dr. LA, Ohio
• I think Inflatrix is a great alternative to the old-style metal bands, reducing trauma to the gums.” – Dr. CH, South Dakota
• See Dr John Fluke’s blog about Inflatrix:  https://blog.denticle.com posted on Feb 3, 2025.
• See Inflatrix featured in the drbicuspid.com report, “What’s New at the CDS 2025 Midwinter Meeting” 

Inflatrix is designed for Restorative Dentists and Pedodontists seeking to enhance patient experiences and improve practice profitability.

Pre-orders are now being accepted at www.inflatrix.com.

**About Inflatrix:**

Inflatrix, based in Gillette, Wyoming, is dedicated to developing innovative dental solutions that prioritize patient comfort and procedural efficiency. Created by Dr. Mark Thoreson, Inflatrix is committed to transforming restorative dentistry with its groundbreaking single-use inflatable dental matrix.

**Contact:**

Dr. Mark Thoreson

drmark@inflatrix.com

360.286.6114

www.inflatrix.com

ADA joins coalition opposing widespread tariffs on dental products

 

Dentistry needs an organized, unified voice that speaks for the profession.  That voice is the ADA.  Yesterday the association released the following statement about the proposed tariffs on goods coming into the United States.  Situations like this are why ADA membership is *so* critically important for the profession.  It's also why I have been a member my entire career. 

The ADA and other dental industry groups warned President Trump in a letter that tariffs on dental products could increase costs and limit the availability of essential supplies for dental care in the U.S. 

In the March 4 letter, the ADA, the Dental Trade Alliance and the National Association of Dental Laboratories urge the Trump administration to exclude medical devices and other critical supplies used in dentistry from additional duties and to roll back existing tariffs on these products. 

The letter highlights how the Dental Trade Alliance imports key dental products — such as raw materials, tools, instruments and equipment — that are now subject to additional tariffs. Many of these products are impacted by a 10% tariff on Chinese-origin goods, with potential 25% duties on imports from Mexico and Canada. 

President Donald Trump signed an executive order Feb. 13 issuing tariffs on goods coming into the U.S. from China, Canada and Mexico. According to a statement from the White House, the tariffs are to pressure the three countries into mitigating fentanyl and immigrants from entering the U.S. and will not cease until “the crisis is alleviated.”

The coalition warns that these tariffs will lead to increased costs for dental professionals, many of whom run small businesses. According to the letter, The financial burden could force dental practices to reduce staff, delay expansion, or discontinue certain products, ultimately raising the cost of patient care, according to the letter, which was signed by ADA Interim Executive Director Betsy Shapiro, D.D.S., J.D., Bennett Napier, executive director of the National Association of Dental Laboratories, and Greg Chavez, CEO of the Dental Trade Alliance. 

“These increased costs will negatively impact oral health in the U.S.,” the letter states. “Higher dental costs result in fewer patients seeking care. Patients, already facing rising healthcare costs for non-tariff reasons, will ultimately experience greater out-of-pocket expenses as additional duties drive up the cost of dental equipment and materials.” 

The letter further warns that delaying routine dental care due to rising costs could lead to more severe oral health issues going undiagnosed, increasing long-term health care costs. The coalition is urging policymakers to reconsider the impact of these tariffs on oral healthcare providers and their patients. 

123Dentist Expands AI Integration with VideaHealth to Elevate Patient Care and Empower Dental Professionals

 

Another announcement of AI making inroads into clinical dentistry.  We're rapidly approaching a tipping point where AI offices out number those without.

123Dentist, a leader in the Canadian dental industry, is expanding its adoption of AI in its clinical operations by implementing VideaHealth's AI solution across its network. This initiative enhances diagnostic accuracy, empowers clinicians, and improves patient engagement through cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI).

 "AI in dentistry is designed to enhance, not replace, doctor expertise. It's a clinical tool that will help our doctors support their clinical diagnosis and discussions with patients, said Dr. Naveen Verma, Senior Vice President of Clinical Growth at 123Dentist. "VideaAI by VideaHealth supports our clinical teams by fostering patient trust through case presentation."

 Empowering Dental Professionals Through AI

123Dentist's approach to AI integration focuses on enhancing both clinical excellence and patient trust. Rather than automating care, the company is investing in human-AI collaboration, where AI serves as a support system for dental professionals. By integrating VideaAI, 123Dentist provides:

• Enhanced clinical confidence: AI-assisted diagnostics help dentists refine their diagnoses and treatment plans, reducing uncertainty and ensuring precision.
• Seamless workflow support: AI-driven insights allow clinicians to streamline case reviews, ensuring efficient and patient-focused care.
• A second set of eyes: VideaHealth AI acts as an extra layer of diagnostic assurance, reinforcing decision-making while allowing clinicians to focus on patient relationships.

 Transforming the Patient Experience

Beyond enhancing clinical efficiency, VideaAI is reshaping patient interactions, fostering greater engagement and trust in dental care. By providing real-time insights directly on X-rays, AI empowers patients to take a more active role in their oral health.    

• Visual clarity for patients: AI-powered feedback highlights areas of concern in an easy-to-understand format, improving patient comprehension and reducing skepticism.
• Strengthened patient trust: The transparency of AI-assisted diagnostics fosters more collaborative discussions between patients and their providers.
• Informed decision-making: With AI-supported explanations, patients feel more confident about treatment plans, leading to higher case acceptance and long-term oral health benefits.

 "AI is a powerful tool, but it's the human connection that drives exceptional care," said Dr. Verma. " VideaHealth stood out as our AI partner of choice for its ability to drive technology adoption in doctor-led organizations and provide real results that improve patient satisfaction. By integrating VideaAI into our practices, we're ensuring that technology enhances—not replaces—the clinician-patient relationship."

 Strategic Collaboration with VideaHealth

123Dentist has partnered with VideaHealth to integrate AI into its workflow, ensuring that clinicians remain in control of decision-making while leveraging AI to enhance diagnostic accuracy and streamline patient communication.

 "123Dentist is setting new standards for AI-assisted dentistry," said Florian Hillen, Founder and CEO of VideaHealth. "Our mission is to transform dental care through AI, empowering dentists to advance diagnostics and enhance the patient experience. We're proud to support 123Dentist's commitment to innovation and patient-first care."

 About 123Dentist

123Dentist is one of Canada's largest dental support organizations, providing operational and administrative support to a network of 400+ clinics nationwide. Committed to patient-first care, clinical innovation, and empowering dental professionals, 123Dentist continues to integrate leading-edge solutions to elevate the standard of care.

 

Guardian Dentistry Partners Taps Planet DDS and Pearl to Power AI-Driven Dental Innovation

 

AI in dentistry keeps growing and growing.  It's become one of the hottest tech markets in the industry.  We're seeing new things are the near horizon, like AI evaluations of CBCT, but we're also seeing greater and greater market penetration of AI evaluation of standard 2D radiographs like bitewings and PAs.  The market has moved way beyond the early adopter phase as more and more practices adopt the tech.  We're also seeing more and more practice management systems integrating AI straight into their systems.

The latest example of this is Guardian Denistry bringing PlanetDDS and with its Pearl integration into their fold.  Read on the details of how Guardian is incorporating PlanetDDS and Pearl into their workflows.

Guardian Dentistry Partners (GDP), a leading dental partnership organization (DPO) has selected Denticon, the industry-leading cloud-based practice management solution by Planet DDS and Pearl, the global leader in dental AI solutions, for its rapidly expanding network of 160+ supported practices. Through this partnership, Guardian Dentistry Partners seeks to modernize and tech-enable their fast-growing network of practices.

Pearl’s AI-powered Second Opinion and Practice Intelligence solutions will be natively integrated within the Denticon practice management solution and Apteryx imaging solution—marking the first large-scale deployment of a fully integrated, end-to-end AI-powered practice management and imaging system.

“AI is transforming dentistry by providing clinicians with advanced tools that enhance accuracy and efficiency,” said Danny Kawas, Chief Executive Officer and Founding Partner of GDP. “With AI-powered insights, our teams can diagnose conditions earlier, improve treatment planning, and deliver superior patient outcomes. Our investment in Denticon and Pearl marks the beginning of our journey toward a fully AI-powered future in dental care.”

By integrating AI across its practice management and imaging systems, GDP is unifying operations on a single platform, gaining deeper insights, streamlining workflows, and enhancing the overall patient experience. The cloud-based Denticon platform eliminates traditional hardware constraints, allowing GDP’s supported practices to focus on delivering superior clinical care. With Pearl’s AI seamlessly embedded, GDP clinicians gain real-time, AI-driven insights for earlier diagnosis, optimized treatment planning, and enhanced patient outcomes.

“GDP is setting a new standard for technology-driven dental care, and we applaud their commitment to innovation,” said Eric Giesecke, CEO of Planet DDS. “We couldn’t agree more with GDP’s belief that great partners beget great partners. We’re committed to being that partner—delivering the integrations and solutions they need to scale and thrive.”

“Pearl is committed to advancing dentistry through AI, improving decision-making and efficiency at every level,” said Ophir Tanz, CEO and founder of Pearl. “This partnership with Planet DDS delivers the industry’s most comprehensive AI benefits to dental practices, empowering GDP to set a new benchmark for AI-driven patient care and operational excellence.”

This announcement follows the Planet DDS launch of AI Assist last month, which introduced Pearl’s AI-powered clinical insights directly into Denticon, further streamlining practice operations and decision-making.

“At GDP, we are committed to equipping our supported practices with the most advanced technology to drive efficiency, elevate patient care, and support our teams. Our investment in Denticon and Pearl AI is a game-changer, positioning us at the forefront of AI-driven dental innovation,” said Frank Fortino, Chief Technology Officer at GDP.

With AI-driven practice management and imaging, GDP is leading the next era of dental innovation—equipping providers with advanced tools to enhance diagnostics, improve efficiency, and elevate patient care in the communities they serve.

For more information, visit Pearl and Planet DDS.

About Guardian Dentistry Partners

Founded in 2018 by a group of passionate dentists and a family office, Guardian Dentistry Partners is a premier Dental Partnership Network dedicated to providing world-class support services and growth opportunities for its network of dentist partners. Guardian Dentistry Partners has expanded rapidly and now supports dental entrepreneurs in Alabama, D.C., Florida, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia. Guardian Dentistry Partners’ mission is to help its dental partners and teams build the practices of our collective dreams. For more information, visit Guardian Dentistry Partners.

About Planet DDS

Planet DDS is a leading provider of a platform of cloud-based solutions that empowers growth-minded dental businesses. Now serving over 13,000 practices and 118,000 customers in North America, Planet DDS delivers a comprehensive suite of solutions, including Denticon Practice Management, Cloud 9 Ortho Practice Management, Apteryx Cloud Imaging, and Planet DDS Practice Marketing. Planet DDS is dedicated to enabling dental support organizations (DSOs) and groups to grow and thrive with technology that delivers seamless integrations, improved workflows, and future-proof scalability.

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 www.hellopearl.com/getdemo.

Testing DEXIS IS 3800W Starting Soon

 

I've been working with intraoral scanners (IOS) for well over two decades.  I actually started way back when with the original CEREC 2.  As a small indication of how long ago that was, the unit actually booted with a *floppy disk*... remember those?... maybe not.  Anyway, I've been using this tech almost since its inception.  The great thing about that is simply I've seen it from almost the ground up.

IOS has made astounding advances over the years.  Scanners have gotten faster, more accurate, easy to use, and smaller.  In the last couple of years we've seen AI begin to enter into this area of clinical practice and now the devices aren't just incredible, they're smart.

In November I was contacted by DEXIS regarding testing and evaluating their IOS system.  I recently received their current top of the line scanner, the DEXIS IS 3800W.  This device is their flagship scanner and it is *wireless*.

One of the great things about working and using products from a company like DEXIS is their size and stability.  They have the teams in place for product development and can afford to take their time and not put anything on the market until they *know* it's going to work and work well.

Last week I spent about three hours with a trainer who brought me up to speed on the IS 3800W and its software.  A few years ago DEXIS created an imaging platform called DTX Studio.  The idea behind it was to streamline imaging and create a workflow that makes anything dealing with dental imaging seamless.  To be clear, it's not simply a cloud storage solution, but integrates digital treatment planning as well.  The idea is that DTX Studio is a single solution for anything you might want to do with a digital image or dataset.

Since IOS systems are, in their most basic sense, imaging devices, DEXIS not only uses DTX Studio as the place for photos, 2D radiographs, CBCT volumes, and intraoral photos but also stores the scans generated by their scanners.  They have designed DTX Studio to hold scanning data and then send that info to selected 3D printers or to a doctor's preferred lab(s).

In the coming weeks I'll be using the system both in testing and live with patients.  As always I'll report back here with my experiences and thoughts.

Stay tuned...