Nate Lawson On The Technology Evangelist Podcast

 

I recently got a chance to sit down and talk about the profession and dental materials with the one and only Dr. Nate Lawson.  If you'd like to watch the episode, you can find all the links to your favorite podcast locations here.

In the ever-evolving world of dentistry, the stories of professionals and their journeys can be just as fascinating as the advancements in technology and materials. One such captivating tale is that of my friend, Dr. Nate Lawson, a distinguished faculty member at the University of Alabama Birmingham School of Dentistry. This post delves into Dr. Lawson's unique path from aspiring engineer to dentist and educator, shedding light on his passion for material science and the lessons he learned along the way.

Understanding the Origins: From Childhood Aspirations to Professional Realities

Dr. Lawson’s journey began at a surprisingly young age (which I love). Influenced by a family of dental professionals, he knew as early as six years old that he wanted to become a dentist. His aunt, a pediatric dentist, played a pivotal role in shaping his childhood dreams, providing him a glimpse into the dental world that many children never see. 

Despite his early determination, Dr. Lawson faced challenges along the way. He initially pursued engineering in college, motivated by a desire to avoid college foreign language requirements and inspired by his father, an engineer. However, after working as a dental assistant in his aunt’s office, he realized that his true calling lay within dentistry, particularly in the realm of material science. 

The Path to Dentistry: Overcoming Obstacles and Embracing Opportunities

Dr. Lawson’s academic journey was not without its hurdles. He faced significant challenges during dental school, often feeling like an underachiever compared to his peers. This experience led him to develop a profound empathy for students, prompting him to later become an educator who strives to make the dental school experience better for future generations. 

Following his graduation, Dr. Lawson found himself at a crossroads. After dropping out of a prosthodontics residency, he accepted a position with a Dental Service Organization (DSO) in Chicago. It was during this time that he received a call from his mentor, Dr. John Burgess, who invited him to return to Alabama to teach at the dental school. Although initially hesitant, Dr. Lawson seized the opportunity, which ultimately led to his pretty incredible career in academia. 

The Intersection of Technology and Material Science

Dr. Lawson's work is a perfect blend of technology and material science, focusing on how these elements can enhance dental practices. His research has contributed to advancements in dental materials, allowing practitioners to provide better and more predictable care to patients. He has a great way of translating complex scientific concepts into practical applications, which influences both dental students and practicing professionals.

The integration of material science into dentistry has been a game changer. As Dr. Lawson emphasizes, understanding the properties and behaviors of dental materials is crucial for effective treatment planning and execution. His passion for this field is evident in his teaching, where he encourages students to think critically and apply their knowledge creatively.

Key Takeaways from Dr. Lawson's Journey

1. Follow Your Passions: Dr. Lawson’s story illustrates the importance of pursuing what you love. Despite detours and challenges, his commitment to dentistry ultimately led him to a an amazing career.

2. Take Chances: Throughout his journey, Dr. Lawson took every chance to learn and grow, whether it was through hands-on experience as a dental assistant or engaging in research. This adaptability is crucial in any profession.

3. Value of Mentorship: The support and guidance of mentors can profoundly impact one’s career trajectory. Dr. Lawson’s relationship with Dr. Burgess not only opened doors for him but also inspired him to give back by mentoring others.

4. Contribute to the Field: As a researcher and educator, Dr. Lawson exemplifies how professionals can influence their fields positively. By sharing knowledge and advancing dental materials, he enhances doctor’s knowledge and ultimately benefits patients.

Wrapping Up

Dr. Nate Lawson's journey is a testament to the importance of passion, resilience, and the pursuit of knowledge in the field of dentistry. His story encourages aspiring dental professionals to embrace their unique paths and emphasizes the value of mentorship and collaboration in advancing the profession. As technology continues to evolve, the role of educators like Dr. Lawson will be vital in shaping the future of dentistry.

Premier Dental® Announces Exclusive Distribution Partnership for PerioStōm®

 

Premier Dental® Announces Exclusive Distribution Partnership for PerioStōm® to Expand Advanced Periodontal Care Solutions

Premier to broaden clinician access to Forward Science’s FDA-cleared, non-drug oral wound dressing for post-procedural periodontal care

Premier® Dental Products Company, a global leader in innovative dental consumables and clinical solutions, today announced an exclusive distribution partnership with Forward Science to bring PerioStōm®, an FDA-cleared, non-drug oral wound dressing, to dental professionals throughout the United States. Through this partnership, Premier will serve as the exclusive distributor of PerioStōm®, expanding access to a science-driven solution designed to support healing and patient comfort following periodontal procedures.

The addition of PerioStōm® reinforces Premier’s commitment to delivering innovative technologies that improve clinical outcomes and enhance everyday dental practice. By leveraging Premier’s professional dental network, clinicians will have greater access to a novel post-procedural care solution that integrates into existing periodontal treatment protocols.

PerioStōm® is powered by chitosan microspheres, a biocompatible polymer. Applied directly into the periodontal pocket, PerioStōm® forms a protective, bio-adhesive barrier intended to help protect vulnerable tissue from irritation and trauma while supporting gingival healing and patient comfort while fitting seamlessly into existing periodontal treatment protocols, such as scaling and root planing (SRP). The delivery system is designed for consistent placement and integration into standard clinical workflows.

“Premier is committed to identifying and delivering clinically meaningful innovations that help dental professionals improve patient care. PerioStōm® represents a unique advancement in post-procedural periodontal care, offering clinicians an FDA-cleared, non-drug solution that supports healing while fitting naturally into existing treatment protocols. We are excited to partner with Forward Science to make this innovative technology more broadly available to dental professionals across the country.”

— Perry Lowe, CEO, Premier Dental Products Company

Developed over several years of research and innovation, PerioStōm® represents a significant advancement in periodontal therapy. As exclusive distributor, Premier will work closely with Forward Science to support product commercialization and clinician education while expanding awareness and adoption nationwide.

“This collaboration with Premier strengthens the pathway for PerioStōm® through a trusted partner in the dental industry,” said Robert J. Whitman, CEO of Forward Science. “Together, we are focused on bringing what we believe is one of the most impactful advancements the periodontal therapy field has seen in decades to clinicians nationwide, helping improve patient care and change more lives.”

The partnership is expected to broaden availability of PerioStōm® to a wider audience of dental professionals, supporting a more proactive approach to post-procedural periodontal care through an effective, non-drug solution designed for everyday clinical use.

For more information about PerioStōm®, visit PerioStom.com.

2026 Dental Testing & Regulatory Summit is Now Open for Registration

 

Registration Opens for 2026 Dental Testing & Regulatory Summit

 

Five-day October event unites regulators, educators, and examiners from across the country

 

• Annual meetings of ADEX, AADB, and AADA converge at the Summit
• Mission of Mercy MD/PA named charitable partner for the third annual giving campaign
• Educators can earn up to 4.5 CE credits through the ADEX Educators Conference

 

Registration is now open for the 2026 Dental Testing & Regulatory Summit and Educators Conference, a five-day event that convenes dental regulators, educators, and examiners from across the country to address the future of dental licensure. The American Board of Dental Examiners (ADEX), the American Association of Dental Boards (AADB), and the American Association of Dental Administrators (AADA) host the event Oct. 14-18, 2026, at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Md.

 

What to Expect at the 2026 Summit

The Summit unites state regulators, program directors, faculty leadership, and examiners for focused sessions on licensure policy, examination standards, and dental education. It stands as one of the few venues where regulators and educators work side-by-side to address the profession's most pressing challenges, creating a collaborative space where stakeholders advance the goals of dental licensure and uphold the highest standards of professional practice.

 

The 2026 Educators Conference introduces a hands-on dental hygiene session where faculty can experience the ADEX exam and SimProDH typodont scaling firsthand. Educators can earn up to 4.5 CE credits in clinical dentistry and exam preparedness.

 

"The connections made at this Summit between boards, educators, and examiners are what make real progress possible, and I am confident this year will be our most impactful yet," said Stephanie Beeler, Director of Communications, Board Affairs & Events, ADEX. "From new hands-on sessions for dental hygiene educators to expanded programming on licensure and examination standards, this gathering showcases a shared commitment to advancing the profession and the communities we serve."

 

Giving Back to the Community

ADEX selected Mission of Mercy Maryland/Pennsylvania (MD/PA) as the charitable partner for the 2026 Summit. Donations collected during registration will benefit Mission of Mercy's Mobile Dental Clinic, a three-operatory dental office on wheels that serves six communities in Maryland and recently expanded its reach to include veterans through two new community partnerships. Since 1994, Mission of Mercy MD/PA has provided free healthcare to nearly 50,000 patients, logging more than 221,100 visits and dispensing over 440,900 medications.

 

The Summit continues a giving tradition that has raised more than $50,000 for charities in host cities since 2024, following donations to Mission of Mercy Texas in 2025 and Kosair for Kids, a Kentucky-based charity, in 2024.

 

Registration is open now at www.dental-summit.org/2026.

 

About the American Board of Dental Examiners (ADEX)

The American Board of Dental Examiners (ADEX) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting dental boards in their mission to protect the public through the licensure of qualified oral health professionals. Established in 1969, ADEX administers independent competency examinations developed and approved by representatives of state dental boards. ADEX examinations are accepted or required by law in 51 U.S. jurisdictions and serve as the initial licensure pathway for 98% of dental and 85% of dental hygiene candidates nationwide. Through ongoing collaboration with dental boards and educators, ADEX continues to advance innovative, evidence-based assessment methods that uphold the highest standards of fairness, clinical competence, and public protection. Learn more at adextesting.org.

Ramblings From Dentistry's Technology Evangelist - Breaks 4,000,000 Page Views!!!

 

A big announcement today... "Ramblings From Dentistry's Technology Evangelist" has now surpassed 4,000,000 page views!  I could type for hours and not be able to adequately describe how grateful I am to all of you.  If it wasn't for people like you who are reading this post, there would not be a blog or anything else I'm involved with.  So my deepest thanks to all of you... I am truly humbled by the support.

I try not to get too hung up or focused on numbers for projects I'm involved with, but sometimes a milestone is passed and you'd have to be in a fog to not have it motivate you.  About fifteen years ago I noticed something about myself.  Maybe it's the mindset of being a dentist, or maybe it's just me, but when things went right I wouldn't think much about it.  I'd just move onto the next thing.  I *expected* things to go right.   Yet... when something went less than *perfect* I'd dwell on it and sometimes I'd beat myself up mentally... sometimes for days.

It's funny, but think about this for a second.  If someone gives you a compliment... maybe they say "your hair looks really good today".  I think most of us don't give it a second thought, often we don't even believe it.  Yet, if someone says "your hair doesn't look really good today", we immediately run to a mirror and try to fix it.  I'm not sure why humans are like that, but I've talked about this to a lot of people and it seems to be a pretty common thing.

I decided to try and make a change.  I made a concerted effort to celebrate my successes.  I wouldn't throw a party, but I *would* allow myself to think "that wasn't easy, but I did pretty well there."  My logic was, if I'm going to be hard on myself when things didn't go perfectly, I'd pat myself on the back when they did.

Because of that, I frequently tell others to celebrate their successes.  There is obviously a line between being happy with success and being egotistical, but there is nothing wrong of being proud of your achievements.

I have always felt if you do the right things for the right reasons, success will follow.  However, with that being said, sometimes things don't always go according to plan.  My advice?  Celebrate your successes.  There's nothing wrong with that feeling of satisfaction that comes from a job well  done.

Hanyang University ERICA Researchers Develop Electronic Skin That Brings Human-Like Touch to Robots and Prosthetics

Below is some pretty fascinating information from Hanyang University in South Korea.  For years we've been seeing the development of lifelike prosthetics to help injured humans become more independent.  They use robotics to actually recreate much of the movement from an amputated limb.  Researchers have now developed a sensor type system that could someday actually bring the sense of touch to mechanical devices such as artificial limbs.  These sensors could also provide robots with a sense of touch.  Read on for the details.

Researchers developed a vertically integrated dual-gate transistor design, enabling reliable touch sensing and high density, large-area integration

Conventional tribotronic devices, that convert mechanical stimuli like touch into electrical signals, offer fixed sensitivity and pose challenges in large-area integration. In a new study, researchers have developed a new vertically integrated dual-gated tribotronic transistor architecture, that offers tuneable sensitivity, reliable contact and proximity detection, as well as minimal pixel footprint for high-density array integration. This technology can pave the way for electronic skin systems that allow robots and prosthetics to reliably perceive human touch.

The recent advancement of miniaturized and portable electronics, particularly wearable and flexible devices, has increased the demand for self-powered sensing technologies. Among these, triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) have received increased attention for developing highly sensitive tactile sensors. TENGs convert external mechanical stimuli into electrical signals through redistribution of electric charges. They are particularly attractive for the development of advanced electronic skin and intelligent robotics. However, conventional tribotronic devices suffer from non-tuneable sensitivity and pose challenges in integration into large-area architectures, limiting practical applications.

To address these limitations, a research team led by Associate Professor Jaekyun Kim from the Department of Photonics and Nanoelectronics at Hanyang University in South Korea has developed a novel vertically integrated dual-gated tribotronic transistor. “Our vertical dual-gate architecture not only offers gate-tunable amplification of the triboelectronic responses, but also minimizes pixel footprint, enabling high-density, large-area integration,” explains Dr. Kim. Their study was made available online on April 9, 2026, and published in Volume 153 of Nano Energy on June 15, 2026.

The proposed dual-gated tribotronic transistor features a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) triboelectric sensing layer as the top gate, stacked on top of a dedicated gate insulator, which in turn is positioned above an indium-tin-zinc-oxide (ITZO) thin-film transistor (TFT). This innovative configuration provides synergistic control of sensitivity.

In its default state, the bottom gate sets the baseline current flowing through the ITZO transistor. To enable contact and proximity sensing, the device first undergoes a charging phase, in which a stainless-steel plate comes into contact with the PDMS surface. This causes  triboelectric charges to form at the interface. As the plate separates from the PDMS layer, these accumulated charges create a triboelectric potential that acts as the top-gate voltage, which suppresses the current flow through the ITZO transistor. 

As the charged plate or another object approaches the PDMS surface again, the triboelectric potential gradually decreases, causing the transistor current to recover, based on the proximity of the plate or surface. This change in current serves as the tribotronic response, indicating contact or proximity. Meanwhile, the bottom-gate voltage sets the baseline current, allowing the sensitivity to be electrically tuned. Specifically, the researchers found that the sensitivity increased with increasing bottom-gate voltage.

The researchers also showed that increasing the contact pressure enlarges the effective contact area between the PDMS layer and the contacting object, generating more triboelectric charge and producing a stronger response. 

Additionally, the device exhibited stable response and recovery times of 127 and 212 milliseconds, respectively, during each contact-separation cycle. It also maintained stable performance without noticeable degradation after 1,000 operating cycles.

To demonstrate active tactile sensing, the researchers fabricated a 10 × 10 transistor array using the proposed architecture. After initially charging the sensing layer with a stainless-steel plate, they demonstrated pixel-level responses to finger touches as well as reliable proximity sensing at distances of up to 500 micrometers using a stainless-steel probe. 

“Our research could contribute to the development of electronic skin systems that allow robots, prosthetic devices, and wearable electronics to perceive touch, pressure, and proximity more precisely,” remarks Dr. Kim. “This will lead to safer and more reliable human–machine interaction, with applications in healthcare robots, health monitoring and autonomous systems.”

Overall, this innovative architecture provides a scalable platform for programmable, mechanically robust tribotronic sensor arrays, paving the way for advanced human–machine interfaces. 

Reference

Title of original paper: Vertically integrated dual-gated tribotronic transistor for active-matrix tactile and proximity sensing

Journal: Nano Energy

About Hanyang University ERICA

Hanyang University ERICA (Education Research Industry Cluster at Ansan) is a prominent research-focused campus established in 1979 in Ansan, South Korea. ERICA offers undergraduate and graduate programs. ERICA is renowned for its active industry-university cooperation, offering students hands-on experience through partnerships with various industries. This ensures that graduates are well-prepared to meet societal needs and excel in their respective fields. With state-of-the-art facilities and a supportive learning environment, Hanyang University ERICA empowers students to pursue their passions and contribute meaningfully to society, staying true to the university's founding philosophy of "Love in Deed and Truth."

Website: https://www.hanyang.ac.kr/web/eng/erica-campus1

About the author

Dr. Jaekyun Kim is an Associate Professor and researcher in the Department of Photonics and Nanoelectronics at Hanyang University. His group focuses on oxide semiconductor thin-film transistors, tribotronic sensors, electronic skin, and active-matrix sensing systems. The group develops device platforms that integrate semiconductor electronics with functional sensing materials for tactile, proximity, and wearable applications.

VCom Interoffice Messaging System - You Can Download and Try for Free

One of the fun things about being "The Technology Evangelist" is that a lot of people reach out to me with new ideas, both in dentistry and the consumer market.  I love seeing and learning about these products and it allows me to see some pretty cool things.  Recently I was contacted by Dr. James Webb about an interoffice communication system.

In a busy office, communication and distractions can be a major problem.   Staff will frequently be busy with patients clinically as well as at the front desk.  Also, clinical staff will often float between different treatment areas which can make them hard to find, depending on the office layout.  It's so much easier to have some type of digital communication system in the office that discreetly sends a message to the proper person.  In ttoday's dental offices there are computers in every operatory as well as multiple locations throughout the office.  That makes a communication system on the office network something that a lot of offices use or are in need of.

There are a lot of chat clients on the market, but most of them run in a separate window on your computer which means you have to click to see the message.  That's usually not a big deal, but if you are in the middle of a procedure with gloves on it can be a hassle.  In the admin area, it requires staff to leave whatever window they are working in to open the chat window underneath.  

VCom is an interoffice communication system that runs on every computer in the office.  However, instead of running in a window, VCom runs as a "banner" across the top of the screen.  That means it's never hidden behind another window that will require a click to bring the info to the front.  Instead, the VCom message will simply appear in the banner at the top of the screen, which brings it to the immediate attention of the user.  You can also assign a unique 'tone' so a busy user can know they have a message in the banner.  The system allows a user to check a message with just a glance without a patient noticing the distraction.

If you have any interest in checking this out, you can find pricing info here.  

I don't have personal experience with VCom, however the company offers a free trial.  You can download, install, and then see if the system is right for you and your workflows.  You can use this link to download.  

Hygiene KOL Michelle Strange Publishes New Book: Independent by Design

 

New Book Presents Dental Hygienists a Roadmap to Career Growth and Independent Practice Ownership

Dental hygienist, educator, entrepreneur, and podcast host Michelle Strange, MSDH, RDH, recently published Independent by Design: A Dental Hygienist's Journey to Practice Ownership, a new book that explores the evolving career opportunities available to today's dental hygienists, including independent practice ownership.

Drawing on more than 25 years of experience in clinical care, education, public health, mobile dentistry, long-term care, and business ownership, Strange shares the professional lessons, challenges, and decisions that shaped her career. 

The book is intended to help dental hygienists evaluate new career possibilities while providing practical insights for those interested in expanding beyond traditional clinical roles.

Rather than presenting a single formula for success, Independent by Design examines the many paths available within the profession and encourages readers to define careers that align with their personal and professional goals.

"Many dental hygienists reach a point where they begin to question what comes next," said Strange. "My goal was to write the book I wish I'd had earlier in my Career; one that honestly discusses both the opportunities and the obstacles while demonstrating that there are more options available than many clinicians realize."

The book chronicles Strange's unconventional professional journey, including her decision to leave a traditional career path, spend several years working throughout the United States as a traveling dental hygienist, and ultimately become the owner of Smile Logic, an independent dental hygiene practice in Colorado.

In addition to sharing personal experiences, the book offers guidance designed to help readers avoid common business and career development pitfalls while navigating the transition from clinician to entrepreneur.

Independent by Design: A Dental Hygienist's Journey to Practice Ownership is available in print and Kindle editions through Amazon.

About Michelle Strange, MSDH, RDH 

Michelle Strange is a practicing dental hygienist, educator, and entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience in the dental field. She began her career as a dental assistant and then a dental hygienist earning a bachelor’s degree in health science from the Medical University of South Carolina, followed by a master’s degree in dental hygiene education from the University of Bridgeport. Her commitment to excellence is demonstrated by ongoing professional development, including earning a Certificate in Dental Infection Prevention and Control, Myofunctional Therapy, Interim Restorative Therapies, and Neuromodulators.

Michelle is the founder of MichelleStrangeRDH.com and Level Up Infection Prevention, two platforms dedicated to empowering dental professionals through education, hands-on resources, and practical strategies for success in clinical care and compliance. Most recently, she became the proud owner of SmileLogic, an independent  dental hygiene practice in Colorado that delivers value-based, patient-centered care.

With a unique blend of clinical expertise and entrepreneurial drive, Michelle continues to elevate the profession by bridging education, innovation, entrepreneurism, and real-world application.

Trial of Davids Hydroxi Toothpaste

 

About a month ago I posted about Davids Hydroxi Toothpaste.  They had just launched a new version of their product to market.  

We've seen some really interesting consumer products come to the market the last two or so years and one of things I'm always interested in is toothpastes.  You don't have to be a dentist to know that of all the consumer products on the market, the one product dental product that is used the most between professional appointments is toothpaste.  That's one of the reasons I'm always interested in these.  Patients are often looking for a recommendation and I like to keep myself up with as many products as possible.

A lot of things need to be considered when it comes to toothpastes, not only from the doctor's side, but also the perspective and decision making of the manufacturer.  

For my entire career patients have always asked me, "What's the best toothpaste to use?"  I always tell them "it depends"... because it does.  The one thing I know for sure is that a patient has to actually *like* their toothpaste.  What I mean by that is that if they don't like the taste or even the texture, that will affect how well they brush.  If something tastes bad, most people won't spend as much time with it and brushing for two minutes is highly advised.

The texture is incredibly important to a lot of people.  There are a lot of patients that don't like certain foods simply due to the way they *feel* in their mouth.  I know a lot patients that simply don't like the feeling of gel toothpastes so for them a traditional 'paste' type is the better choice.

The good folks at Davids were kind of enough to send me a full sized tube of their new Davids Hydroxi - Whitening+enamel health toothpaste to try, so here's my take after two weeks of using it exclusively

• Unflavored - the tube actually says "unflavored" which should appeal to a lot of people.  I would call it pleasant to use.  I actually like the fact that they didn't try to use some type of overpowering flavor agent
• Texture - it has a very creamy texture.  It has a thinner consistency than 'normal' toothpastes, but it is NOT runny.  It's very easy to apply to the brush and spreads across the teeth easily
• Hydroxi - the toothpaste contains hydroxyapatite which is the mineral that is truly the 'building block' of healthy enamel.  Having this in the paste should help reinforce small areas of breakdown on teeth and also help with areas of sensitivity
• Fluoride Free - for some patients this will be important.  Professionally I prefer a toothpaste with fluoride, but many patients have concerns about it.  The hydroxyapatite in the product should help prevent cavities
• Sulfate free - many people have an allergy to sodium laurel sulfate which is the foaming agent in a lot of toothpastes.  It is NOT in this product.  However, I still got a great clean feeling after rinsing.

My overall take is a good one.  I try a lot of toothpastes and this one is a winner in my book.  It's available online at Amazon and the Davids website.  

MIR (Miniature Intraoral Robot) may Change Crown Prepartion in the Future

 

Photo: University of Basel, Catherine Weyer

Sometimes I come across things in my online wanderings that are pretty amazing.  Lots of ideas for dental advancements don't ever make it to market, but that can be for a variety of reasons.  I had heard from a few industry contacts that a robot was being developed that could prepare a tooth for a crown, but I had only heard a few brief comments.  This may not be the same one I heard those whispers about, but I think the odds of that are pretty slim.  Researchers in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Basel in Switzerland are exploring the possibility of using a robot to prepare teeth for crowns.

Here's the concept and potential workflow:

• An intraoral scan is performed during the appointment when the diagnosis for a crown is made.
• The scan is used to create a special splint that attaches to the teeth and also attaches the robot to the splint.
• The crown prep is digitally planned and the final crown is fabricated prior to the prep appointment.
• The patient returns for the crown appointment.
• The splint with robot is attached to the patient's teeth.
• The robot preps the tooth following the digital prep plan.  It removes the necessary tooth structure to create an exact duplicate of the planned prep.
• The splint is removed.
• The final crown is cemented.

Of course, any dentist reading this can see a lot of potential drawbacks.  What about anesthesia?  What about decay in the tooth?  How is the decay removed?  What about a buildup?  These questions and many others will need to be answered.

However, after saying all of that I'll also say that the overall concept of this is intriguing.  Robots mill things in many industries every day.  Robots are precise and lots of things we use every day are the result of digital mills.  So I'm interested to see where this idea goes and how they work to overcome the problems.  Obviously this idea is in its very earliest stages, but the system has actually been used to prep teeth in the lab.

If you'd like to know more, you can read the article about this on a page at the University of Basel.  There has also been a pretty detailed paper written about this robot that can be read on the IEEE Xplore website.  the title of the paper is Miniature Intraoral Robot (MIR) for Minimally Invasive Tooth Preparation.  

The Costs of Hospital Care due to Periapical Abscess

 

I'll keep this short because the info you really want is in the link.  Usually a periapical abscess is easy to diagnose in a dental office.  However, if a patient can't be seen by a dentist they often end up in the emergency room and then often in a hospital room.

As all of us know, hospital care is expensive, especially when compared to the costs in a dental office. 

Today's post is from a study titled "Hospital charges and length of stay due to periapical abscess, United States 2020-2022" from the Journal of the American Dental Association.  It contains some pretty interesting info.  Over the time of the study an average of 300 patients died in a hospital from periapical abscesses.  While that's a small number in the grand scheme of how many people live in the US, that's 300 people lost to their families and our world.  In my opinion that's tragic.

Then there is the cost associated with hospital stays.  The mean charges were $35,042 for the primary diagnosis and $86,600 for a secondary diagnosis.

There is some sad and fascinating data in this article.  I believe it is available for anyone to read, not just ADA members.  Here is the link.   I'd love for some of you to give it a read and let me know your thoughts in the comments.

Podcast Episode #48 with my Great Friend Dr. Paul Feuerstein

 

I've known Paul since the days of dial-up Internet. We talk pretty often, but I've been wanting to get him on the podcast for quite a while. We finally got our schedules to line up and at long last, Episode 48 was recorded and is now available! A summary is below.

In the ever-evolving world of dentistry, one question keeps coming up: How has the field transformed from its traditional roots to embrace technology? In this episode, we explore the captivating journey of dentistry, highlighting key insights from Dr. Paul Feuerstein, who shares his personal experiences and the significant changes he's witnessed over decades in the field.

About Dr. Paul Feuerstein

Dr. Paul Feuerstein is one of my best friends and is Editor in Chief of Dentistry Today magazine.  He’s a highly respected figure in the dental community, known for his expertise in dental technology and its everyday impact on practices. With over 40 years of experience, he has been at the forefront of evaluating and integrating technology into dental practices. His journey is not only inspiring but also gives us a unique perspective on the evolution of dentistry.  He has been at the forefront of dental technology for decades. It began with installing one of the first computers in his office in 1978.

The Journey Begins: Early Influences

Dr. Feuerstein's journey began in New York City, where he was identified as a gifted student during the late 50s and early 60s Sputnik era. Schools were testing students to find the brightest minds to help in the race for space exploration. This early identification led him to advanced studies in math and science, setting the stage for his eventual career in dentistry.  However, it also resulted in putting him two grades ahead in school, making him significantly younger than the other students in his classes.

The Role of Technology in Dentistry

As Dr. Feuerstein transitioned from student to professional musician, and then dentistry, he witnessed significant technological advancements. From the introduction of computers into dental offices in the 1970s to the rise of digital radiography, digital imaging, CAD/CAM,  3D printing, and everything in between.  He has seen how technology has reshaped how dental professionals work.

Overcoming Challenges: A Personal Perspective

Dr. Feuerstein faced challenges during his educational journey, including age-related social hurdles in high school and a unique path through dental school. His ability to adapt and thrive has been a cornerstone of his success. He recalls his rebellious spirit during dental school, where he questioned strict regulations and advocated for a focus on clinical skills and patients over appearance.

The Future of Dentistry: Insights from a Pioneer

With the ongoing advancements in dental technology, Dr. Feuerstein emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and adaptation. As new tools and techniques emerge, dental professionals must stay informed and be willing to embrace change.

His message is that dentists must stay  updated on the latest dental technologies and consider integrating them into practice to enhance patient care, operational efficiency, and profitablilty

Conclusion

Dr. Paul’s journey in the profession is a testament to the power of innovation and adaptability. From Dr. Feuerstein's early experiences, to the modern digital landscape, it is clear that the future of dentistry lies in embracing technology and fostering a culture of continuous knowledge and improvement. For dental professionals, the key takeaway is to remain curious and open to change, ensuring that doctors provide the best care possible for their patients.

He helps answer questions like:

• What are the biggest technological advancements in dentistry today?

• How can dentists keep up with the latest technology?

• Why is technology important in dental practices?

**Want to go deeper? Listen to the complete episode

A Request to Manufacturers - Why Recycling Should be Part of 3D Printing - NOW

I remember the first time I saw a dental 3D printer.  It was at the ADA meeting in Washington, D.C.  The year was 2015.  Back then as a die hard technology lover I knew that 3D printing existed and I understood the concept, but I understood very little else.

I was wandering the exhibit hall of the meeting, which is one of the things I try to do at dental conventions, when I happened to see a booth that was displaying a 3D printer.  Like a moth to a flame, this super cool tech drew me into the booth and before long I was engaged in a conversation with one of the company's representatives.

I was shown dentures, transitional partials, and (I think) maybe even a surgical guide.  I was fascinated and mightily impressed.  The things I saw looked incredible and they fit on their corresponding models perfectly.  I learned the overall process and asked questions about resins.

This led me to the big question I had.  “How do you come up with a design for these things?” I asked.  The representative opened a laptop and showed me the design software the company had used.  Back in 2015, 3D printing was just starting to creep into the dental industry and there was no dental specific design system.  Instead I was shown software that was used for engineering design.  The screen looked like the cockpit of a 747.  I walked out of the booth and I knew that, while amazing, this tech would never make much progress in the industry unless the design process was fast and easy.  Dentists don’t have the time to spend 45 minutes designing something, they need to devote that time to treating patients.

Fast forward to 2026 and I’m happy to say things have changed a lot since that day in 2015.  In the 11 years since that meeting, 3D printing has seen considerable growth in offices.  I think the principal reason for that growth is in how much the design process has changed.  As AI continues to make rapid inroads into the dental industry, one of the areas that has been impacted the most is 3D design.

The design process has gone from a detailed and time consuming task that required a degree in engineering, to a process that frequently only requires the user to upload an intraoral scan and then click “next” until the project is ready to print.  The design process has always been the bottleneck in the use of 3D printing in the dental office and those design barriers are falling fast.

Dentistry is poised at the edge of a dramatic technological shift and the market is about to reflect that.  I predict in the next five years we will see a large change in how a great deal of dentistry is delivered.  What we’ll see is that the simple, everyday things are going to move to being fabricated in-office.  Things such as splints, occlusal guards, retainers, and surgical guides can now be easily printed, but more importantly they can also be easily designed.  

That means that as dental offices seek to deliver care faster and with lower costs, more and more offices will begin utilizing 3D printers.  This will allow offices to lower their lab costs on “bread and butter” cases while still delivering the precision the profession demands.

Many dental labs have already embraced 3D printing for a variety of applications.  That means that many doctors are already delivering 3D printed things to their patients so they already have confidence in the technology.  It’s only a small step to bring this into the dental office.

However, there’s one area that needs to be addressed.  Our world is dealing with an excess amount of plastics in our environment and as offices move into this realm, we need to do our part to help ensure the health of the planet we call home.

I’ll use my experience with my coffee maker as an example.  I’ve been a diehard coffee lover since my college days and that, of course, means I own a coffee maker for my home.  I’m not sure who invented the coffee pod, but whoever it was should have been awarded the Nobel prize for convenience.  I don’t think twice about dropping a pod into my machine and cranking out a steaming cup of dark roast.  Well, I should say I didn’t think twice about it… until one day when I did.  

One morning as I was placing an empty milk jug into the recycle bin it suddenly occurred to me that every coffee pod I was using was headed straight to the landfill.  I’m embarrassed that I hadn’t thought of it before that day, but when I realized how much plastic I was personally putting into the trash, I made the effort to search Amazon for a coffee pod I could buy that could be recycled.  That led me to a company that makes compostable pods and I’ve been using them ever since.  In a similar way that dentistry has moved to using amalgam separators to keep mercury out of the environment, we need to make a similar approach to recycling 3D scrap.

For those of you unfamiliar with the 3D printing process let me explain.  The resins used in 3D printing are liquid.  These resins are photopolymerized by the printer in a manner that is similar to how doctors place composite resins.  The printing resins are cured in layers.  Because they are liquid and polymerized in layers, the printer software creates little bars of plastic under the printed project as it is created to keep it in the correct shape.  These bars are called “supports” and they are a necessary part of the 3D printing process.

When the project is completed and fully cured, a human then removes the supports and polishes the completed printed project.  This process of removing the supports and polishing is easy and doesn’t take much time.  However the cured resin supports now need to be disposed of.  That means that every printed project is creating a certain amount of waste.

Now add to that the idea of “pods”.  We’re now seeing printers for dentistry that create small projects like crowns and veneers through the Keurig concept of single use, resin filled pods.  These pods make printing incredibly easy, but in addition to the supports, the pods themselves are also made of plastic and need to be disposed of properly.

As more and more offices move into 3D printing, the amount of waste that will be generated from this amazing technology is going to be significant.  So what can dentistry do to properly and ethically deal with this problem that is looming on the horizon?

Just like my empty gallon bottle of milk, dentistry needs to recycle these leftovers.  Of course if you want to recycle plastics you’ll come across a problem.  Not all plastics are the same.  My gallon milk bottle is recycled by my local trash collector.  My plastic grocery bags need to be returned to the grocery store for proper recycling.  Printed 3D resins also require a specific recycling process and they cannot be disposed of in just any recycling bin.  

Fortunately there is a simple answer.  For over 25 years DRNA (Dental Recycling North America) has been in the business of helping dentistry properly dispose of waste.  The company provides amalgam separators, sharps disposal, and disposal of pharmaceuticals as some of its services. This year DRNA has launched a new effort that allows dentistry to recycle the waste from 3D printers.

It’s an incredibly easy solution, so allow me to explain how it works.  DRNA sends the dental office a shipping container.  Inside is a 2.5 gallon bucket with a liner and a return shipping label.  The liner is placed inside the bucket.  Any 3D printer waste, whether it is cured supports, resin pods, or empty resin bottles, is simply placed in the bucket.  When the bucket is full, the office places the bucket into the shipping container, attaches the label, and notifies DRNA.  The company ships a new 2.5 gallon bucket kit to the office while the office ships the full bucket back to DRNA.  The DRNA solution meets federal, state, and local hazard waste regulations, is an easy one-step process, and provides full documentation.  The entire process is  so easy, even I can follow the instructions!  

Failing to implement recycling is a looming potential problem, but we already have the solution.  Here’s my request to manufacturers.  Let’s begin to address this issue now.  By partnering with a reputable company like DRNA, manufacturers can make the process of recycling part of the normal workflow as offices purchase printing systems and begin using them.  

I have implemented many workflow changing technologies over my career, so I say this with experience.  It is much easier to change a major workflow once than  trying to implement small changes to that same workflow over time.  Establishing the recycling process from the beginning and implementing it during training will teach offices that recycling is as critical to the process as post-curing.

Once a process has been ingrained into a system, it becomes simply ‘one more part’ of the process.  In order to establish ‘best practices’ and to prevent 3D printing waste from ending up in our landfills a concerted effort needs to be made to incorporate recycling into the process *now*.  Any other option is simply “kicking the can down the road.”

Dandy Partners with Yeshiva University's New College of Dental Medicine to Power the Future of Digital Dentistry Education

I'm continually impressed with Dandy, the digital dental lab.  They have provided some amazing services to the profession.  Now the company is helping to provide education to the next generation of dentists.  Here's the news:

The first new dental school in NYC in over a century will run exclusively on Dandy's technology

Dandy, the fully digital dental lab, today announced a partnership with Yeshiva University's new College of Dental Medicine, the first new dental school to open in New York City in over 100 years. Dandy will serve as Yeshiva University’s exclusive dental lab partner, equipping the school's simulation lab and clinical facility with its scanning and digital workflow technology, and giving students hands-on training on the tools they'll use throughout their careers.

Yeshiva University's new College of Dental Medicine welcomed its inaugural class of 150 students in June 2026. The new school introduces an advanced three-year program, with a patient-focused model for clinical training and dental education. The school's 130-chair clinical facility will fully utilize Dandy’s scanning and digital workflow technologies as it scales to serve over 400 patients per day.

"Yeshiva’s College of Dental Medicine was designed to teach dentistry the way it will be practiced in the future, with modern dental technology at its forefront," said Edward Farkas, Dean of Yeshiva University. "Partnering with Dandy gives our students hands-on experience with the most advanced digital workflows in the field."

Dandy will provide $1M in products and services — Dandy's largest investment in dental education to date — giving Dandy the opportunity to help build the new school's technology infrastructure from the ground up.

“Yeshiva University's College of Dental Medicine is doing something rare by creating a dental school from scratch with digital-first workflows at its core,” shared Daniel Hanover, CEO of Dandy. “We believe dental education should reflect the way the industry is moving, and this partnership puts Dandy at the center of that shift. We're proud to partner with Yeshiva University to shape the future of dental education.”

As the first phase of this partnership, Dandy is providing Yeshiva's 135-chair clinical facility and simulation lab with Dandy scanners, computers, and Chairside software. Future deployment will continue over time, as patient volume, operations, and training ramp up.

About Dandy

Dandy, the first fully digital dental lab, is building the modern operating system for dentistry. 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/.

About Yeshiva University

As the flagship Jewish university, Yeshiva University is animated by its five core Torah values: Seek Truth (Torat Emet), Live Your Values (Torat Chaim), Discover Your Potential (Torat Adam), Act With Compassion (Torat Chesed) and Bring Redemption (Torat Tzion). Founded in 1886, Yeshiva University brings together the ancient traditions of Jewish law and life, and the heritage of Western civilization. More than 7,400 undergraduate and graduate students study at YU's four New York City campuses: the Wilf Campus, Israel Henry Beren Campus, Brookdale Center, and Jack and Pearl Resnick Campus. YU's three undergraduate schools – Yeshiva College, Stern College for Women, and Sy Syms School of Business – offer a unique dual program comprised of Jewish studies and liberal arts courses. Its graduate and affiliate schools include Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, Wurzweiler School of Social Work, Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology, Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration, Bernard Revel Graduate School of Jewish Studies, the Katz School of Science and Health and Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary. YU is ranked among the nation's leading academic institutions. For more information about Yeshiva University, please visit www.yu.edu.

Measles Cases Hit New Record in U.S., as Vaccination Rates Wane

 

Back in April I wrote a post discussing the spike in measles cases in the US.  The infection had been considered eradicated in this country since the year 2000, but since the influx of the "Anti-vax movement", cases have begun to rise.

Measles is *highly contagious* and a bit of a 'sneaky' virus as sypmtoms don't begin to appear until 7-14 days past exposure.  This makes it much harder to track from an epidemiology standpoint since so much time passes before infection.  Obviously trying to locate everyone a patient has been in contact in the last 1-2 weeks is difficult.

The disease is especially dangerous for young children and babies.  Infants should receive the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine at 12-15 months of age.  Before then they are *highly* at risk since they have no immunity.  The disease is also extremely dangerous.  1-3 out of every 1000 children who contract measles dies from either respiratory or neurologic complications.

About 5% of children who are infected get pneumonia, which is the most common cause of death from the disease.  However, about 1 child out of every 1000 who are infected develop encephalitis which is a swelling of the brain.  It can cause seizures, deafness, or intellectual disability.

About 1 in 5, or 20%, of unvaccinated people in the US who contract measles are hospitalized.  

Needless to say, this is a very serious disease.  For the last 15-20 years, there were few cases due to the vaccination rate being at 95%.  However, vaccination rates have declined significantly.  This is due to unfounded and unscientific fears of the vaccine.  If you are interested in current data on the outbreaks that are occurring, the CDC has a webpage that lists Measles Cases and Outbreaks.  There have been no reported deaths yet in 2026, but in 2025 measles killed three in the US.

On July 24, 2026 The New York Times published a good article on the recent outbreak, which I highly recommend reading.

While I'm a big supporter of personal freedom and giving citizens choices, there are limits on those things.  Your freedom should not impact the lives... and especially the health of children.  The choice to not vaccinate can have tremendous impact on the health of others.  Sentencing an infant to death is not something to take lightly.  Vaccination is the only way to currently prevent this situation.  This situation is  already bad and it's going to get worse unless vaccination rates increase immediately.  

Dandy Unveils Polychromatic Shade™ to End the Trade-Off Between Dental Aesthetics and Affordability

 

Breakthrough innovation delivers natural-looking zirconia crowns and bridges at a fraction of the cost of hand-painted porcelain

Dandy, the fully digital dental lab, today unveiled Polychromatic Shade™, a category-defining innovation in restorative dentistry. The patented technology produces crowns and finishes with the aesthetics of porcelain, but with the durability and affordability of Zirconia. With the Polychromatic Shade process, dentists will have access to premium, lifelike Zirconia prosthetics for as little as a quarter of the price of a hand-painted porcelain version.

Today, 90% of crown and bridge cases are made with Zirconia. The material is popular because of its strength, biocompatibility, and highly competitive price point. But when it comes to aesthetics, Zirconia can often appear lifeless and opaque. When a clinician requires a better aesthetic outcome, they opt for a material like PFZ (Porcelain-Fused Zirconia) or eMax, layered by skilled ceramists to achieve lifelike translucency, characterization, and depth. This solution can be more than 2-3x the cost of the Zirconia alternative.

"For the first time, Dandy's patented Polychromatic Shade™ innovation introduces a third option. The product of a $100M+ investment and a global supply chain spanning 7 countries drawing on expertise from semiconductor-grade robotics, ceramic science, and machine learning, Polychromatic Shade™ is built around a patented robotic stain and glaze process that applies color to the tooth with micron-level accuracy. The result is a realistic finish with natural gradients, lifelike translucency, and gingival warmth on a high-strength zirconia substrate. At $99 per crown, compared to the $200-$400 typical for crowns from a boutique dental lab, dentists no longer have to choose between beauty and affordability."

“There is no reason now for dentists or their patients to have to compromise. Everything we do focuses on bringing premium quality prosthetics and patient experiences at an affordable price point, ” said Daniel Hanover, Co-founder at Dandy.  “That includes aesthetics, and we believe dentists should be able to provide the highest-quality aesthetic outcomes to every patient. Of course, realistic dental crowns are crucial for the well-being and confidence of the patient, but when a dentist can deliver a premium look at a fraction of the price, it will also drive patient retention and growth for their practice.”

Polychromatic Shade™ delivers:

• Porcelain level aesthetics with zirconia strength - lifelike depth & translucency with natural gradients, natural, all on a high-strength Zirconia substrate that is durable to any bite
• Crowns a fraction of the cost of boutique labs - $99 crowns, with a lifetime warranty and no fees for remakes
• Reliability and speed - As with all Dandy products, dentists can expect a highly predictable fit, delivered in just 5 days

Availability

Polychromatic Shade™ crown samples can be requested today at Dandy. Polychromatic Shade™ crowns are available for ordering in May 2026.

About Dandy

Dandy, the first fully digital dental lab, is building the modern operating system for dentistry. 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/.

New Data Links Long ER Delays to Higher Mortality Rates

 

For injuries in battle, the military refers to "The Golden Hour".  If someone sustains a life threatening injury, getting them urgent medical care within the first hour greatly increases the patient's chance of survival.  That's why medevac helicopter pilots and medics risk their own lives, flying in under fire to pick up wounded soldiers.  They know that the faster they get the injured medical care, the better chance they have of surviving it.  Their motto is "That Others May Live".  Their bravery is inspiring.

However, for most of us, we'll never need that kind of emergency care, yet everyday hospital emergency rooms are full of patients.  Statistics say that 384,000-425,000 patients are seen in US emergency rooms every day.  Those same stats say that the average number seen in each ER is 150-400 per day, which on the low end means one person enters an ER every nine minutes.

Not everyone of those patients has a life threatening problem, but not every situation is easy to diagnose.  A person complaining of bad indigestion may well be suffering a heart attack, for instance.  ERs practice triage as best they can to help determine who needs to be seen immediately and who can wait.  It's not easy to quickly determine who can wait, so the staff does the best they can.  Yet ER visits continue to rise.  In the last ten years, emergency room visits are up 6.73%.  That, of course means that wait times increase.

I recently became aware of a report from the UK Royal College of Emergency Medicine that has some pretty concerning info: 

"This report outlines the state of Emergency Medicine in 2025, examining the scale of overcrowding in Emergency Departments (EDs) and the impact this is having on patient safety and staff. Drawing on national data, research and frontline evidence from clinicians, it highlights how long waits, high bed occupancy and a lack of patient flow continue to lead to overcrowded departments. This leads to unsustainable conditions in EDs, declining public confidence in emergency care and increasing pressure on staff."

 While the report deals with the British NHS, I'm pretty confident that similar situations apply in the US as well.