VistaApex Solutions Names Eric Shirley as New Chief Executive Officer

 

I'm a huge fan of VistaApex Solutions.  The company makes amazing products, but I think that just as important is their people.  They've got an amazing group of people working there.  I work quite a bit with their engineering team and I truly think they are one of the best in the dental industry.  Recently the company announced a pretty significant change and I wanted to make everyone aware of it.

If you haven't ever tried products from VistaApex Solutions, I highly recommend you give them a try.  Personally, I love their stuff.

Here's the big announcement:

VistaApex Solutions, a leader in clinician-first dental innovation, proudly announces the appointment of Eric Shirley as its new Chief Executive Officer. This planned leadership transition aligns with the company’s long-term strategy for sustainable growth and continued market leadership. Scott Lamerand will remain with the company in a strategic advisory role to ensure continuity and ongoing guidance during this pivotal chapter.

Eric Shirley brings more than 30 years of leadership experience in the dental and medical device sectors, having held executive roles across top-performing companies known for innovation and operational excellence. Most recently, he served as President of Keystone Industries’ Dental Group, where he led strategic initiatives to expand product innovation and global market reach.

Prior to that, Eric held several leadership positions at Patterson Dental, including President and Senior Vice President of Business Development. He was instrumental in driving customer engagement strategies and expanding market share across the U.S. dental landscape.

Eric also had several leadership positions during his 15-year tenure at Midmark Corporation, including serving as Chief Commercial Officer and as General Manager of the Dental and Animal Health business units. His roles included P&L management, strategic planning, and acquisition activities for Midmark. Earlier in his career, he held sales and marketing leadership roles at Dentsply International and Sybron Dental Specialties.

Eric holds an MBA in International Business from UCLA Anderson School of Management and a BA in Journalism from California State University, Long Beach.

“I am honored to join VistaApex Solutions at such an exciting time,” said Shirley. “This is a company known for its clinical excellence and commitment to improving dental outcomes. I look forward to working alongside our talented team to continue delivering value to our partners and the practitioners we serve.”

Scott Lamerand expressed full confidence in the transition, stating, “Eric’s leadership experience and deep understanding of the dental and healthcare industries make him the ideal person to lead VistaApex Solutions into its next phase. I’m excited to support the team in my new role as a strategic advisor.”

This transition underscores VistaApex Solutions’ dedication to strong, forward-looking leadership and a continued focus on clinician-driven innovation and organizational integrity. Recent acquisitions of PerioProtect, the only FDA-cleared, dentist-prescribed home care system for managing gum disease, and PerioSciences, an antioxidant-based oral care line designed to complement professional dental treatment, reflect the company’s strategic growth and commitment to expanding its role in preventive and adjunctive care.

Join my Friend Dr. Dale Miles on October 9th

 

I met my good friend Dr. Dale Miles at my first ever ADA Meeting back in the late 90s.  We happened to have been lecturing on the same program and were in the same room, one of us following the other.  I can't remember who lead off, but I remember watching Dale and being blown away by his knowledge.

Years later, in the early 2000s, the AAOMFR meeting was in my hometown of Kansas City.  Dale emailed me and invited to come down to watch a panel he was on.  They were discussing a pretty new technology called CBCT.  He told me, "you've got to come and see this."  He was right.

Since that time Dale has been my tutor in all things radiology.  It pays to have a board certified radiologist in your contacts.  I like to tell people that Dale has forgotten more about CBCT that most of us will ever know.  He has his own CBCT reading service where he provides radiology reports for doctors, so he sees a multitude of scans every day.  His skills are incredible.  He's also a fascinating person to listen to at a course.

He also has CBCT reporting software called EasyRiter that will generate a radiology report that doctors can use right in their office.  You can find more about EasyRiter here.  

Dale is giving a webinar on October 9th that will provide you with lots of information about CBCT.  If you own a CBCT device, you owe it to yourself and your patients to spend a couple of hours with him.  You can register for his course with this link.  

ADA Launches AI-powered Credentialing Solution, Urges Plan Administrators to Join Effort

 

Here's another good example of where AI is working in dentistry in a non-clinical application.  I'm not ready to turn my life over to our robot overlords yet, but there are definitely non-clinical ways that AI can help us manage our data.

One of those things is coming to dentistry from the ADA.  I know I've mentioned the ADA a lot in posts recently, but one of the reasons for that is their increasing communication with members.  In the past 6-12 months the ADA has done a much better job of keeping members informed, not only about internal matters, but about the profession in general and how they are working to make it better.  This post deals with one of those areas where AI can be a huge benefit to doctors.  No one wants *more* paperwork in their office and this should help eliminate some.

For those that are unaware of this, for the past seven years, the ADA has been offering a service called CAQH the works with third party payers in credentialing.  Almost every dental insurance company wants to make sure that the doctors they work with are licensed and capable of providing standard of care treatment.  To ensure that, doctors are required to go through a credentialing process that involves submitting things like their state license, NPI, DEA registration, and more.

Of course things change so re-credentialing is required on a regular basis.  Going through that process for several companies can be arduous and tedious.  To help cut the redundancy of going through the process with every company, the ADA set up the CAQH Provider Data Portal.  Instead of every dentist sending the same info to every insurance company they deal with, dentists can store their data in the portal and companies can pull it from there.  That means a doctor only needs to update their info as required by CAQH (every 120 days) and not go through the same process for every company.

Now the ADA has partnered with LightSpun to bring AI into the process.  According to the ADA:

“By integrating advanced AI technology through our collaboration with LightSpun, the ADA can now deliver a solution that builds on the strong dentist utilization of CAQH while introducing AI-powered automation to complete primary source verification and onboarding, significantly reducing administrative burden, duplicative work, and credentialing delays.”

 The ADA has reached out to dental insurance plan administrators urging they accept credentialing through the new service.  To read the full article from ADA News, you can follow this link.

 To learn more about the ADA Delecgated Credentialing Service and the ADA-CAQH Provideer Data portal, you can find all of that info here.  

 

HuFriedy Group Announces New Chief Executive Officer

 

Here's an announcement from HuFriedy Group to kick off your week.

HuFriedyGroup, a global leader in dental instrument innovation, infection prevention, and practice optimization solutions, today announced a leadership transition:  Chief Executive Officer Andy Xilas will be stepping down, and veteran MedTech executive Robert Woolley has been appointed as his successor.

With over 35 years of experience at HuFriedyGroup, Xilas has served as CEO since January 2021. As CEO, Xilas guided the organization through a pivotal period of transformation, innovation, and growth.  Most notably, he led the company through its divestiture from STERIS plc to become a standalone global dental products company. Under Andy’s leadership, the company expanded its global footprint, acquired and integrated new dental brands, and strengthened its position as a trusted partner to dental professionals. Xilas will remain involved with the organization and serve as a Senior Advisor to the board.

Incoming CEO Robert Woolley brings two decades of global medical device and dental experience.  He brings deep industry knowledge, global expertise, and a track record of growth to lead HuFriedyGroup in its next phase of accelerated growth and innovation. He joins HuFriedyGroup from Sonova Group, where he most recently served as Group Vice President of Hearing Instruments. Previously, he held key executive roles at Straumann Group, including Executive Vice President fo North America and Western Europe.

Woolley also held senior positions at Medtronic, Trivascular, and Stryker, earning recognition for driving commercial excellence, portfolio innovation, and operational performance across U.S. and European markets. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Brigham Young University and an MBA from Harvard University.

About HuFriedyGroup

HuFriedyGroup is a global Dental Solutions Company and trusted partner to dental professionals worldwide. As a leader in dental instruments, infection prevention, instrument management, and practice efficiency, HuFriedyGroup delivers high-quality products and beyond-the-chair services designed to help clinicians be The Best in Practice.

With a legacy of innovation, a comprehensive portfolio, and deep clinical expertise, HuFriedyGroup plays a vital role in advancing modern dentistry. Founded in 1908 and headquartered in Chicago, the company distributes products in over 100 countries and is supported by over 1,500 employees across more than 20 global manufacturing facilities and offices.

Learn more at www.hufriedygroup.com.  

Dentlytec Rebrands as LuminX™

 

Dentlytec Rebrands as LuminX™  and Prepares for FDA Clearance and US Launch

Dentlytec, a developer of advanced diagnostic solutions for gum disease and periodontal care, recently announced that it has rebranded as LuminX™ (www.LuminXsmile.com).

According to company CEO, Wayne Craig, “LuminX embodies our mission to bring light, clarity, and innovation to dental diagnostics while expanding our global reach.”

What’s New at LuminX

• A refreshed brand identity and global positioning.
• A new website, luminxsmile.com, as the company’s digital hub.
• Expanded focus on international markets and partnerships.

What Remains the Same

• Leadership: The founding team of clinical experts and innovators continues to guide the company.
• Technology: The LuminX Probe™  remains at the core of the company’s offerings.
• Mission: To empower dentists and hygienists with accurate, efficient, and trustworthy diagnostics.
• Commitment: All existing contracts, partnerships, and customer relationships remain unchanged.

The company’s flagship product,  the DIGIprobe™, will be renamed the LuminX Probe™. This periodontal charting platform integrates AI, 3D imaging, and computational optical imaging technologies to help clinicians detect, monitor and document periodontal disease with greater accuracy and efficiency. 

Currently at pre-FDA approval stage, the LuminX Probe is targeting an early 2026 Launch in the US. "As a periodontist, the LuminX Probe will be a game changer,” explained Dr. Vivek Solanki, Periodontist and senior clinical advisor to LuminX. “This is the first time we have a platform that enables us to communicate disease severity to patients so clearly.”

“As we ramp up toward commercial readiness in the U.S., we are excited to unveil our rebranding—an important step in building our infrastructure, which includes strengthening our U.S. leadership team, establishing our headquarters in Arizona, and deepening relationships with leading DSOs across the country ” added CEO Wayne Craig.

The LuminX logo and corporate identity materials were developed by Personify Group. According to Mark Ross, the agency’s Co-Founder and Chief Branding Officer, “LuminX is the perfect partner for the Personify Group. They are a dental technology disruptor and understand the importance of getting their corporate identity right. Through open collaboration, we helped them develop an authentic brand story, which led to the development of their name and corporate identity.”

About LuminX™ 

Fromerly known and Dentlytec, LuminX™ harnesses proprietary AI, miniaturized 3D cameras, and advanced subgingival diagnostics technology to create clinical devices that enhance the accuracy of oral disease diagnosis and empower patients to embrace treatment plans. The LuminX™  innovative platform delivers an automated, and efficient workflow that saves time for dental teams, elevates the patient experience with real-time insights, and supports improved oral and systemic health outcomes.  For more information, visit www.luminxsmile.com.

Isaac OneHealth is Here — and It Changes Everything

 

As I've said here multiple times before, Artificial Intelligence is rapidly changing the world we live in.  ChatGPT caused a seismic shift when it went live in February 2023.  Suddenly AI was the subject that everyone was talking about... and with good reason.  Since that time we've seen AI do some amazing things.  In the last 2-3 months one of the things I've had my eye (and my keyboard) on has been Trust AI.  This is a LLM (Large Language Model) that is designed exclusively for dentistry.  The company has had some amazing investment dollars put into it and I've been tinkering with it since around early summer 2025.  I've been impressed... and I don't say that lightly.

Last night I got an email from Trust AI and I wanted to pass it along for couple of reasons.  The first is because that email starts with an apology.  I think that shows how customer focused they are.  These folks really want a system that dental professionals can rely on and they know that is based partly on always being available.  During an update over the weekend the system was unavailable for a while.  Most companies would not have told the world "our mistake", but the people at Trust AI owned that and apologized for it.

The second reason I wanted to get this out to you fast is because of the reason for that brief downtime.  It was due to Trust AI rolling out an incredible update.  I'll let you read about it below.  If you haven't had a chance to try this yet, now is the time.  Take a look  at this system and get a glimpse of the AI future of dentistry.  There is a link in that email which will take you to a LinkedIn post about a question a hygienist asked the system and I recommend reading that post.  

This is a system that I think is about to make an incredible change in dentistry.  If you'd like to experience that change for yourself, follow this link.  

Below is the email I received as a current user...

First, our apologies to those who experienced disruptions this weekend. We were quietly rolling out something extraordinary, and some of you caught us mid-transformation.

Today, we're officially introducing Isaac OneHealth – the most powerful clinical LLM ever built for healthcare.

If you loved Isaac 1.0, you're about to be blown away.

If you were on the fence before, this is your moment to experience what clinical AI truly can be.

What's different? Everything.

Isaac OneHealth reasons like a 25-year veteran specialist. Every response now carries the depth and nuance that comes from extensive specialist feedback integrated directly into our 100+ billion parameter model.

The difference is immediate and unmistakable:

• Richer clinical insights that go beyond textbook answers to real-world practice wisdom
• Three powerful modes: Clinical (quick expert answers), Deep Dive (comprehensive analysis), and Education (teaching from basics to mastery)
• Expanded scope: While built for dentistry, Isaac now confidently handles broader medical queries when you need them

A REAL EXAMPLE FROM THIS WEEKEND:

A hygienist asked Isaac to analyze symptoms that had stumped specialists for 4 years. Isaac identified the correct diagnosis in 5 seconds – the same rare condition doctors had finally diagnosed just recently.

This is more than an upgrade. It's a revolution in clinical intelligence.

Try it now. Ask Isaac your most challenging case. Test it with that complex medical question. Push it hard – it's ready.

Performance benchmarks coming in the next few weeks will validate what you'll feel immediately: this is different.

Thank you for trusting us with your practice. Isaac OneHealth is our commitment to ensuring you always have the world's best clinical intelligence at your fingertips.

Four Major Dental Organizations Unite For 2025 Summit and Donation Campaign

 

In keeping with yesterday's post on the merger of several bodies into a single unit that cohesively combines licensing for dentists, comes another announcement from that group, the American Board of Dental Examiners.  However, although it's from the same group, this one is a of a completely different nature.  They have scheduled a meeting in combination with the Texas Mission of Mercy.  For those unaware of what a MOM (Mission of Mercy) is, these events are held in several states as a way for dentistry to give back to their communities by providing free care to patients, regardless of their ability to pay.  These events are a combinatoin of dentists and manufacturers.  The doctors provide free care and the companies provide free equipment and supplies.  It's a great way to take care of patients who suffer with dental problems and cannot seek care due to finances.

This meeting will be held at the same time and location as the MOM in hopes to provide greater awareness of both organizations.  Read below for all the pertinent details...

Mission of Mercy Texas named beneficiary of annual dental testing event

CDCA-WREB-CITA selected Mission of Mercy Texas as the charitable partner for the second annual Dental Testing & Regulatory Summit and Educators Conference. The five-day event brings together four major dental organizations, CDCA-WREB-CITA, the American Association of Dental Administrators (AADA), The American Board of Dental Administrators (ADEX), and the American Association of Dental Boards (AADB) to advance licensure standards and education in the dental profession.

Mission of Mercy provides free, high-quality healthcare to uninsured individuals across South Texas. Their Dental Clinic offers preventive and restorative treatments to patients who would otherwise go without care. Since 2007, Mission of Mercy has provided over 80,000 free patient visits, with over 9,200 established patients, and dispensed more than 52,000 free prescriptions.

"The charitable component of this summit directly connects our professional work to our service mission," said Sherry Bowers, Executive Director of Mission of Mercy. "The dental profession has always been committed to expanding access to care, and this partnership allows attendees to directly support patients who might otherwise go without essential dental services. Every donation helps us provide critical preventive and restorative treatments to uninsured individuals across South Texas."

Attendees will gather from October 15-19, 2025, at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Conference Center in Grapevine, Texas.  Examiners, administrators, and State Dental Board representatives from across the United States attend alongside Dental and Dental Hygiene program directors and faculty leadership. Each will participate in specialized sessions focused on education and examination preparation while working together to improve licensure processes.

"By bringing together these organizations, we are creating a platform for meaningful dialogue that will shape the future of dental regulation and benefit the professions." said Stephanie Beeler, Director of Communications, Board Affairs and Events for CDCA-WREB-CITA and Summit spokesperson.

Participants can make donations to Mission of Mercy Medical Center during registration, which began on August 1. Last year, Summit attendees raised more than $20,000 for Kosair for Kids, a Louisville-based charity.

For information about supporting Mission of Mercy, visit www.Amissionofmercy.org/texas.

About CDCA-WREB-CITA

CDCA-WREB-CITA provides ADEX examinations for initial licensure in jurisdictions across the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, and Jamaica. Earlier this summer, the organization announced plans to merge with ADEX. The merger is expected to be finalized this summer. Learn more at https://adextesting.org/.

CDCA-WREB-CITA and ADEX Finalize Merger to Form the American Board of Dental Examiners

The organizations behind the most widely accepted dental licensure exam in the United States have officially merged. CDCA-WREB-CITA, the nation’s leading dental exam administrator, and the American Board of Dental Examiners (ADEX), developer of the national ADEX licensure exams, are now combined under a single entity: the American Board of Dental Examiners.

Merger plans announced earlier this summer were overwhelmingly approved by the governing bodies of both non-profit organizations this month.

Together, these two organizations currently serve 98% of dental licensure candidates and 85% of dental hygiene licensure candidates in the U.S. through the ADEX examination, administered at every dental school in the country. The merger reflects a shared commitment to a comprehensive, modern, reliable clinical exam process while preserving the essential role of state dental boards in establishing the national licensure exam standards. The American Board of Dental Examiners will both develop and administer national examinations for initial licensure in dentistry in the same way that its counterparts in medicine and nursing have for decades. 

A Proven Partnership

The organizations share a rich history of innovation and collaboration.

ADEX was formed in 2004 to create a nationally recognized exam deliverable by all testing agencies. ADEX works closely with dental boards and educators to align content with evolving professional standards. Recognizing the need to make the initial licensure examination process uniform for the dental professions through a single psychomotor performance exam, CDCA-WREB-CITA was established in the merger of three regional testing agencies in 2021 and 2022. Today, CDCA-WREB-CITA is the only provider of the ADEX Examination.

Together, CDCA-WREB-CITA and ADEX pioneered the manikin-based CompeDont™ examination in 2020 and 2021, setting a new standard in patient safety, fidelity, and examination reliability.

“Through the unification of ADEX with CDCA-WREB-CITA, licensing jurisdictions can now confidently protect their citizens with a comprehensive, respected exam that is psychometrically sound and administered consistently across the United States and internationally. It has been my honor to help realize this achievement which marks a transformative milestone for dental professionals everywhere, ensuring excellence, mobility, and public trust,” noted Dr. Conrad McVea, Chair of the new ADEX Council on Examinations.

ADEX is now required or recognized by law for licensure in nearly every U.S. jurisdiction, including the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, and it is growing internationally, with exam locations in Mexico, Canada, Jamaica, and new expansion into Saudi Arabia.

Meeting New Challenges 

“The new American Board of Dental Examiners is uniquely positioned to bring the dental community the uniform competency standards it has sought for decades. With exceptionally strong relationships with dental boards and educational programs nationwide, we will continue to do the hard work that allows these dedicated professionals to protect the public while offering broad geographic licensure portability and additional access to care,” explained Dr. Mark Armstrong, Chair of the new organization.

The change brings expanded opportunities for state board participation in test development. Each member dental board will appoint a dentist and a dental hygienist, significantly increasing representation, particularly for dental hygiene professionals.

The merger will also be reflected in a new organizational logo and updated branding. The unified organization will use www.adextesting.org for its website and email addresses—platforms already familiar to most stakeholders.

The new organization will focus on further streamlining exam development and delivery, strengthening national and international relationships, and ensuring that every component of the dental licensure process, from scoring to candidate experience, reflects the highest standards of fairness, competence, and public protection.

The American Board of Dental Examiners will hold its Annual Meeting and Educators Conference in October as part of the Dental Testing and Regulatory Summit in Grapevine, Texas, marking the beginning of this next chapter in advancing national licensure standards.

Philips Sonicare Unveils Next-Generation Sonicare Technology Designed for a Gentle, yet Effective Clean to Ease the Switch from Manual Brushing

 

Recently Philips Sonicare was kind enough to send me one of their new Sonicare 7400 brushing systems.  I've been using the Sonicare Prestige 9900 for a while and I really enjoy that system, however I wanted to give the 7400 system a spin and see how I liked it.  I also wanted to evaluate a couple of things.  The first was, how does the 6800 system perform?  I can now say from personal experience, I really like it.  It performed well, was easy to use, and left my teeth feeling great.

The second thing I wanted to check was how easy it would be to pair with my phone.  When I started using the Prestige 9900 I began using the Sonicare app on my phone to monitor my brushing habits.  I was curious how easy it would be to change the app to recognize the 7400.  I'm happy to say the process was simple.  All I had to do in the app was tap "My Products" and tap "Connect a new toothbrush".  The app recognized the 7400 and connected to it immediately.  Being a die hard tech-head, I've become really devoted to the Sonicare app and was glad that I could use it with the 7400 System.

Today I've got news that the new Philips Sonicare 6300 and 7400 models are available for purchase.  You can read below for all the details.

Delivering a thorough yet gentle clean, the new Philips Sonicare 6300 and 7400 electric toothbrushes empower patients to feel the care, supporting healthier smiles with every use.

Royal Philips, a global leader in health technology, today unveils the Philips Sonicare 6300 and Philips Sonicare 7400 electric toothbrushes, ushering in a new era of oral care with Next-Generation Sonicare technology. Designed with dental patients in mind, these innovations go beyond standard cleaning. They’re engineered to help patients feel the care with every brush, delivering a powerful yet gentle clean, real-time guidance and personalized brushing tips, ultimately helping patients achieve healthier teeth and gums with confidence.

As the newest breakthroughs in oral care innovation, Philips Sonicare 6300 and Philips Sonicare 7400 gently power the bristle tips to deliver a consistently deep clean, reaching every corner of the mouth with precision and care.

Key shared features include:

• Philips Sonicare All-in-One brush head: Removes up to 30x more plaque in hard-to-reach areas in Clean Mode versus a manual toothbrush
• Visual pressure sensor: Helps protect gums by lighting up when users apply too much pressure
• 2-minute SmarTimer and Brush Pacer: Provide guided brushing sessions to help build better
• brushing habits
• Brush head replacement reminder: Signals to users when it’s time to replace their brush heads
• for optimal hygiene and effectiveness
• Three brushing intensities: Adjust intensities to Low, Medium or High depending on comfort
• level
• 21-day battery life: Delivers 21 days of regular brushing on a single charge
• Travel cases: Protects the toothbrushes so users can carry with them everywhere

Philips Sonicare 6300 and Philips Sonicare 7400 are also individually tailored to patients with different needs, providing innovative oral care solutions for everyone.

Philips Sonicare 6300 features:

• Tailored for sensitive teeth and gums with gentle cleaning
• 2 Cleaning Modes: Clean, Sensitive

Philips Sonicare 7400 features:

• Designed for gum health and advanced personalization
• 4 Cleaning Modes: Clean, Sensitive, White, Gum Health
• App Connectivity: Connects to the Philips Sonicare app, which has technology that interprets
• sensor-based data from the toothbrush to offer patients personalized brushing
• recommendations – such as feedback on missed areas, brushing pressure and duration – based
• on their brushing habits

“Many patients worry that power toothbrushes might be too harsh for their teeth and gums, leading them to stick with manual toothbrushes they believe are ‘good enough.’ However, manual brushing can often miss plaque in hard-to-reach areas or fail to deliver consistent pressure,” said Matina Vidalis, Senior Marketing Director, Consumer & Professional Oral Healthcare, Philips Personal Health North America. “Thoughtfully designed to ease the transition from manual to power brushing, Philips Sonicare 6300 and 7400 offer gentle yet effective care for sensitive teeth and gums. These innovations empower dental professionals not only to elevate their standard of care, but also to confidently guide patients in making the switch, helping them achieve a superior clean and healthier gums with ease.”

Contact your local sales representative or visit PhilipsOralHealthcare.com for information on how you can offer Philips Sonicare 6300 and Philips Sonicare 7400 to patients in your practice.

About Royal Philips

Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) is a leading health technology company focused on improving people's health and well-being through meaningful innovation. Philips' patient- and people-centric innovation leverages advanced technology and deep clinical and consumer insights to deliver personal health solutions for consumers and professional health solutions for healthcare providers and their patients in the hospital and the home. Headquartered in the Netherlands, the company is a leader in diagnostic imaging, ultrasound, image-guided therapy, monitoring and enterprise informatics, as well as in personal health. Philips generated 2024 sales of EUR 18.0 billion and employs approximately 67,300 employees with sales and services in more than 100 countries. News about Philips can be found at www.philips.com/newscenter.  

Oral Cancer Screening with AdDent Bio/Screen

 

Oral cancer screening is important.  Current statistics state the somewhere around 50% of oral cancers are found late.  Some of that is due to many patients not getting regular dental exams, but it also relates to how difficult these areas can be to see.  Many early lesions aren't easy to spot and that makes the dental professionals job more difficult.  That's especially true when using a standard white light for exams.

That's where AdDents Bio/Screen device comes into play.  The device uses five powerful violet LEDs to illuminate the tissues of the mouth.  Biofluorescence of normal tissue under this light means that any tissues that appear dark or black under the violet light indicate some type of damage to that tissue.  This difference in appearance makes it easier to spot any areas that might need followup.  I tell my patients that the Bio/Screen is not a diagnostic device... it is a screening device.  Something dark doesn't necessarily mean it is cancer, but it means the tissue has been injured somehow and that we should do a followup exam to make sure the area is no longer there.

The device is cordless and uses a rechargeable battery so it is easy to move and use in any treatment area.  It has an eyepiece and an optical viewing filter that helps increase contrast between healthy tissue and tissues that have been injured somewhat.

Most doctors are routinely providing oral cancer screenings at hygiene appointments, but do your patients *know* you are providing this service?  To help doctors get the word out about why they are performing exams using the Bio/Screen, the good people at AdDent have created a 'tent card' that can be printed and  put in the reception area or even given to patients.  You can find that file here.  Or you can click on the file below and download it from here.

Pac-Dent, Inc. Acquires Ackuretta Technologies

 

As everyone that reads the blog knows, I'm a big fan of 3D printing.  So when I hear of industry news dealing with that slice of dentistry, I want to make sure that all of you know about it as well.

The folks at PacDent are a big player in the world of 3D printing resins.  At my last count they make sixteen different types for different applications.  They are amazing resins and are used by many in the field who have been at this longer and are better at it than I am.  As I've worked on my podcast this year, I've been lucky enough to interview some of the premier 3D printing dentists and many of them are using PacDent resins.

However, up to this point PacDent has only been in the resin side of things, now comes the news that PacDent has acquired the 3D printer hardware company Ackuretta.  This will mean that PacDent now will have a full line of turnkey systems for doctors that are moving into 3D printing.  One of the best things about a situation like this is that a company which sells both the printer and the resins that it uses works carefully to completely validate the resins.  What that means to the customer is that they are assured the resin and the printer are validated to work together to provide the best results.  For doctors who don't like to tinker, a situation like this is what I recommend.

Here's the news from PacDent:

Pac-Dent, Inc., a global manufacturing leader in preventive care, infection control, Rodin® dental 3D printing resins along with 3D printing–oriented restorative materials, today announced the acquisition of Ackuretta Technologies (established in 2013), a Taiwan-based pioneer in dental laboratory and chairside 3D printing hardware. This strategic move unites two innovation leaders and accelerates Pac-Dent’s vision of delivering an open, interoperable ecosystem that connects world-class materials, intelligent software, and a full range of ecosystem hardware—including printers, companion devices, and workflow enablers—to make 3D printing seamless, user-friendly, and accessible for clinicians and labs worldwide.

Pac-Dent has made significant investments in R&D, partnering with universities and institutions worldwide on AI-powered dental solutions. With Ackuretta’s printer platform and ALPHA AI CAM software, Pac-Dent will deliver cutting-edge solutions for both chairside and dental laboratories, integrating workflow intelligence and advanced automation. While full design automation is still under development, Pac-Dent’s strong progress in data acquisition and workflow intelligence positions the company to set new standards in digital dentistry.

“The most important aspect of this acquisition is how it amplifies our open-system vision,” said Daniel Wang, CEO of Pac-Dent. “By combining best-in-class materials, intelligent software, and versatile hardware, we are building the most accessible and adaptable digital dentistry platform on the market. Just as important, we are thrilled to welcome Ackuretta’s outstanding international team—spanning Taiwan, France, Germany, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, South America, and the Middle East. Their expertise strengthens our innovation pipeline, enhances product reliability, and expands global customer support.”

Open-System Commitment: 

Pac-Dent emphasized that its ecosystem will remain open-system by design. The addition of Ackuretta provides customers with a validated in-house hardware option, but Pac-Dent will continue to support and collaborate with other open-system hardware manufacturers, with many leading dental 3D printer brands already validated and an ongoing program to expand supported platforms. Dealers and distributors can rely on Pac-Dent’s materials and workflows being validated across multiple platforms—ensuring freedom of choice, optimal clinical outcomes, and a sustainable, partner-friendly approach to digital dentistry.

Customer Support & Service Readiness: 

As part of the integration, Pac-Dent is preparing front-line technical support in North America for Ackuretta printers with clear escalation paths to engineering, readily available spare parts through U.S. distribution, and a quick-start knowledge base covering setup, calibration, validated resins, and common fixes. Training resources will help clinicians and labs move quickly from installation to validated production. Pac-Dent’s support organization is also being briefed to guide customers toward Rodin-validated workflows and recommended accessories, ensuring each interaction improves outcomes and efficiency.

With Ackuretta joining Pac-Dent, clinicians and labs can expect expanded service, training, and technical support, along with a faster cadence of integrated end-to-end solutions—from data acquisition, processing, and CAM, to printing, post-processing, and 3D-oriented restorative materials—all delivered through a globally scalable, partner-friendly model.

Beyond this acquisition, Pac-Dent is advancing several complementary initiatives, including the launch of new digital workflow platforms, partnerships to strengthen design and some metal printing capabilities, and ongoing efforts in AI-driven data acquisition and chairside treatment solutions. Together, these initiatives reinforce Pac-Dent’s role as a long-term partner for both labs and clinicians in the open-system digital era.

Global Presence & Manufacturing Footprint:

Pac-Dent maintains its U.S. headquarters in Brea, California, across two campuses supporting corporate, R&D, and manufacturing activities. The company also operates an FDA-registered, ISO 13485–certified, MDSAP-audited manufacturing facility in Camarillo, California (supporting regulatory pathways for FDA and EU MDR (CE)), maintains education and lab research facilities in Fullerton and Las Vegas, is building a brand new R&D center in Temecula scheduled for completion in October 2025, and maintains large-scale manufacturing capabilities in China and Taiwan. This foundation ensures Pac-Dent can deliver innovation, compliance, education, and reliable supply at scale to partners and clinicians worldwide.

About Pac-Dent, Inc.

For over thirty-three years, Pac-Dent has served the dental community with uncompromising quality and innovation. The company’s portfolio spans preventive and infection-control solutions, restorative materials, and the award-winning Rodin™ line of dental 3D printing resins—recipient of the 2024 Cellerant Best of Class Technology Award. Pac-Dent’s investments in advanced materials, AI-enabled workflows, and open-system interoperability are redefining restorative and preventive dentistry worldwide. Learn more at pac-dent.com.

About Ackuretta Technologies

Ackuretta is a pioneer in dental 3D printing, known for chairside-ready printers, validated materials, and ALPHA AI CAM software that streamlines digital workflows for clinics and labs. Its ecosystem includes SOL and SOL Plus printers, CLEANI washers, and CURIE/CURIE Plus curing units. Headquartered in Taipei, Ackuretta supports customers through a global distribution network.

ADA Treasurer Offers Deeper Dive into Finances

 

If you are an ADA member (as I am), you may be aware that in the last six months or so, the ADA has been communicating about the organizations finances in a way they never have before (at least to my knowledge).

The influx of venture capital into the industry, followed by the rapid expansion of corporate owned dental offices, has created some ripples.  Firms with large bank accounts have been gobbling up private practices at an alarming rate.  Combining that fact with the increasing debt load of graduating dental students has made many young doctors choose a career in corporate dentistry.

My take:  Many of those corporate dentists do not join the ADA.  They fail to see the benefits of paying dues to the organization.  I think they look at the organization as a group for private practice owners.  However that is far from the truth.

Since membership dollars are down, the ADA faces decreasing revenues paired with increasing costs.  That has created a situation with their finances that has to be addressed.  In the past, people have been critical of the ADA's lack of transparency about things... I was one of them.  However, this year they have made a concerted effort to be much more upfront about things.  I salute them for that.

In the last couple of months the ADA scaled back their expenditures for 2025 and they have been very upfront about the budgetary items they have cut.

The ADA serves a critical role in the career of every dentist, whether those non-member doctors realize that or not.  Our profession is better because the ADA exists.  Their lobbying efforts alone are worth the dues money I pay.  To wrap this up I want to state that I think *every* doctor should be a member.  We need a cohesive voice that speaks for all of us.  If you are not a member, go the ADA website and take a look around.  Especially take a look at what the member benefits are.  I think you will come away from that impressed.  I *highly encourage* you to join.

Getting back to the real subject of today's post... in the continuing effort to provide financial transparency the ADA treasurer has released a much deeper look into the organization's finances.  You can find that deep dive here.  

Sycamore Partners Completes Acquisition of Walgreens Boots Alliance

Since a lot of readers here are practicing dentists, I figure that this is sort of a public service announcement.  We all write prescriptions... or we click and send them to a pharmacy.  Either way, it's good to be up to date on changes in the pharmaceutical industry, especially when it can impact our patients.  So with that out of the way, here's a press release I came across about the recent sale of Walgreens to Sycamore partners.  This may have zero impact on practicing dentists, but just in case...

Sycamore Partners (“Sycamore”) announced today that it has completed its acquisition of Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (the “Company” or “WBA”).

Sycamore is acquiring the business in partnership with Stefano Pessina and his family, who have reinvested 100% of their interests in WBA, demonstrating their ongoing support and confidence in the Company’s future.

Stefan Kaluzny, Managing Director of Sycamore, said, “Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc., its companies and its dedicated team members play an essential role in the communities they serve around the world. We look forward to partnering with the management teams at each company, including Walgreens, The Boots Group, Shields Health Solutions, CareCentrix and VillageMD. As standalone companies under private ownership, they will build on their proud legacies to enhance the customer experience and deepen the trusted relationships they have earned with millions of customers around the world.”

Stefano Pessina said, “This milestone begins a new chapter for Walgreens, The Boots Group and the other portfolio businesses. Our family has proudly supported these companies for decades, and we are pleased to continue that commitment alongside Sycamore. Together, we are united in our belief in the future of these organizations and the essential role they play in millions of lives each day.”

Following the closing of the transaction, Walgreens, The Boots Group, Shields Health Solutions, CareCentrix and VillageMD will operate as separate standalone companies.

With the completion of the acquisition, WBA's common stock has ceased trading and will no longer be listed on the Nasdaq. In addition to their cash consideration of $11.45 per WBA share, WBA shareholders will receive one non-transferable right to receive up to an additional $3.00 in cash per WBA share from the net proceeds of the future monetization of WBA’s debt and equity interests in VillageMD, which includes the Village Medical, Summit Health and CityMD businesses.

Advisors

UBS Investment Bank is acting as lead financial advisor, Goldman Sachs and J.P. Morgan are acting as co-lead financial advisors, Citi and Wells Fargo are acting as financial advisors, Davis, Polk & Wardwell LLP is acting as legal counsel and Bass Berry & Sims PLC is acting as healthcare regulatory counsel to Sycamore.

Centerview Partners is acting as financial advisor, Kirkland & Ellis LLP is acting as legal advisor and Ropes & Gray LLP is acting as healthcare regulatory counsel to WBA. Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC was also a financial advisor, and provided a fairness opinion to the WBA Board of Directors.

Debevoise & Plimpton LLP is acting as legal advisor to Stefano Pessina.