How Simple is 3D Printing?

 

File this one under "better living through technology".  This post deals with a fun story from my life recently.  One of the great things about how digital our lives have become is a story like this.  Being able to tell you this story wouldn't have been possible a few years ago because it involves a digital photo, web publishing (here on the blog), and 3D printing.

Last Friday and Saturday I was in Las Vegas at Medidenta headquarters.  They had me there to do a two day event about 3D printing.  I really enjoy events like this because it gives attendees a chance to not only learn, but to actually try and experience what 3D printing is all about.  We did some lecturing and teaching, but the majority of the time was spent actually using and trying  the equipment.  Medidenta has a serious emphasis on education for their customers.  Their philosophy is letting doctors "try before you buy".  These events give doctors and teams the experience of actually understanding if something like 3D printing can work in your hands.  The team at Medidenta would rather have customers try before they purchase because they want you to be happy with your decision.  It does no one any good for a doctor to buy something and then regret the purchase.  There are way too many "clothes hangers" in offices that are the result of buying and then being disappointed.  Try before you buy helps keep those numbers low for Medidenta's customers.

Along those lines, one of the staff at Medidenta, Jaymen, was helping me out with the hands-on portion of the meeting.  He's their in-house 3D printing expert.  As I was setting up for the lecture, he brought in some Star Wars themed things he had 3D printed and we put them at the front of the room.  I always lecture with my baseball, which goes everywhere I go.  I asked him if he had a 3D printed dish or something I could use to set the ball in when I wasn't holding it.

He went off to check and see if he had anything.  About 15 minutes later he returned with the little "home plate" baseball stand in the photo above.  I laughed and said, "Jaymen, where did you find this?"  His response was, "I didn't have anything so I just printed that for you."

3D printing allows you to do some amazing things in your office.  However, what I want to make clear is that you aren't just limited to printing things only for patients with these printers.  You can print little giveaways for your pediatric patients and other promotional items.  In fact I highly recommend that when you get your printer, use it to print some things for patients like little teeth, key chain toys, etc.  These are easy to make, help you learn how to print, and let patients know about the things you can do with a printer in your office.  It's great marketing to show patients that you are cutting edge and it can open conversations with patients about how you can help them.  You can also print small instrument trays and other things to actually help make your organization of things better.  There are tons of possibilities outside of dental things for patients.

In about 15 minutes I went from "do you have a dish" to holding in my hand a finished personal baseball stand!  What a great time to be alive.  That's just a small example of the amazing things 3D printing can do.  Note also, how fast this all happened.  Jaymen went online and found a file that someone had designed and shared for free.  He downloaded that file and in 15 minutes handed me the completed item.  Obviously he didn't have to do that for me.  It was a super generous thing to do, but that's one of the reasons I enjoy working with Medidenta.  The team there are just great human beings.  Thanks Jaymen!

ADEX Elects New Leadership at 2026 Dental Testing & Regulatory Summit

 

Workforce issues are often top of mind in the profession.  Access to care is critical to meet the demands of the patient population.  It does little good to have an abundance of professionals in one area, while patient needs go unmet in others.  ADX is working to solve that problem.  Often doctors and hygienists are forced to comply with laws passed decades ago to limit licensure in certain areas.  With NDX being the initial pathway to licensure for 98% of doctors and 85% of dental hygienists, the organization can help make a tremendous impact with workforce issues.  The leadership has recently changed and here's info about the new leaders:

Two leaders with decades of state board and examination experience to guide the national organization that develops dental and dental hygiene licensure examinations

• Dr. Rudy Ramos elected Chair after serving on the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners from 2009 to 2017, including five years as president
• Dr. Gregory Waite elected Vice Chair after 12 years on the Arizona State Board of Dental Examiners, including six years as president
• Four members elected to the ADEX Board of Directors during the ADEX Annual Meeting, held at the 2026 Dental Testing & Regulatory Summit in National Harbor, Maryland

The American Board of Dental  Examiners (ADEX), the nation's leading organization for dental licensure testing, elected Dr. Rudy Ramos as Chair and Dr. Gregory Waite as Vice Chair during its Annual Meeting, held at the 2026 Dental Testing & Regulatory Summit and ADEX Educators Conference. The event took place Oct. 14-18 at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center and brought together dental regulators, educators, and examiners from across the country.

ADEX examinations serve as the initial licensure pathway for 98% of dental and 85% of dental hygiene licensure candidates in the United States. Together, Dr. Ramos and Dr. Waite bring more than five decades of combined experience in dental practice, state board regulation, and examination administration to their new roles.

New Leadership

"Serving as president of the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners and as Vice Chair of ADEX has shown me that sound regulation and rigorous examination standards are the foundation of public trust in our profession," said Dr. Rudy Ramos, Chair, ADEX. "I bring that commitment to this role, and I look forward to continuing our work with state boards to advance fair, reliable clinical assessments that protect the public and support the future of the profession." 

Leadership Profiles

Dr. Ramos earned his dental degree from the University of Texas School of Dentistry in 1990 and has been in private practice since 1991. Gov. Rick Perry appointed him to the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners in 2009, where he served through 2017, including five years as president. His involvement in examination development and administration spans more than 15 years. He served most recently as Vice Chair of the ADEX Board of Directors.

Dr. Waite earned his dental degree from Loyola University Chicago School of Dentistry and has practiced dentistry for 39 years, including 28 years at a Federally Qualified Health Center. He joined San Carlos Apache Healthcare as Dental Director in 2017 and currently serves as Chief of Dental. Dr. Waite served 12 years on the Arizona State Board of Dental Examiners, including six as president, and previously served as treasurer of ADEX. 

Commitment to Public Protection

"My 39 years in dentistry, including six years as president of the Arizona State Board of Dental Examiners, have shaped my commitment to public protection," said Dr. Gregory Waite, Vice Chair, ADEX. "I am honored to bring that commitment to ADEX and to work with my fellow board members to uphold the national standards that protect patients across the country." 

ADEX Board of Directors

The General Assembly thanked the outgoing members of the Board of Directors for their service, including outgoing Chair Dr. Mark Armstrong. It also elected four members to the board: Dr. Matthew Miller (IN), Dr. John Lavoie (VT), and Dr. Bruce Spigner (AZ) as Dental Members At Large, and Melissa Barbara, RDH (NM), as a Dental Hygiene Member At Large. ADEX congratulates each of them and looks forward to the expertise and perspective they will bring to the board's work on behalf of state boards, candidates, and the public. 

Along with Dr. Ramos and Dr. Waite, the ADEX Board of Directors includes:

The Dental Testing & Regulatory Summit and ADEX Educators Conference bring together regulators, educators, and examiners to address the profession's most pressing challenges in licensure.

Officers

• Treasurer: Dr. Wesley Thomas (DC)
• Secretary: Diane Klemann, RDH (MT)

Dental Members At Large

• Dr. Matthew Miller (IN)
• Dr. John Lavoie (VT)
• Dr. Bruce Spigner (AZ)
• Dr. Melodie Jones (AL)
• Dr. Merlin Young (NC)

Dental Hygiene Members At Large

• Melissa Barbara, RDH (NM)
• Susan Johnston, RDH (OH) 

Council on Examinations

• Dr. Conrad McVea (LA)
• Dr. Renee McCoy-Collins (DC)

 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.

Vote for The Technology Evangelist Podcast!

 

🎙️ **I NEED YOUR HELP!!!** 🏆

OK, friends... I'm asking for a favor!

The Dental Podcast Directory is holding a competition to find everyone's favorite dental podcast, and **I'd LOVE to see The Technology Evangelist Podcast come out on top!** 🚀

When I started this podcast, my goal was simple: have great conversations with interesting people, explore the technologies changing dentistry, and share information that helps all of us provide better patient care. Along the way, I've had the privilege of talking with some truly amazing people, and I've had an absolute blast doing it!

Now I'm asking for a little help from YOU...

🗳️ **Please take a moment to vote for The Technology Evangelist Podcast!**

It only takes a moment, but it would mean the world to me. And if you really want to help, please share this post with your dental friends!

**Let's see if we can WIN this thing!!!** 🏆🎙️

Thanks, everyone! I appreciate you more than you know!

You can vote for the The Technology Evangelist Podcast with this link. 

Registration is Now Open for the Chicago Dental Society's 2027 Midwinter Meeting

It's time to get ready for the 2027 Chicago Dental Society's MidWinter Meeting!  Being a Kansas City boy, I try to never miss this meeting since it's fairly close to my hometown.  I'm not sure how many years in a row I've attended, but it's a bunch.  This is always a great event with amazing education and an exhibit hall displaying the latest and greatest the profession has to offer.  I always have a great time at this meeting and I'll for sure be there this year.  If you happen to see me, be sure and say hi.  Links are in the announcement below, but if you're ready right now, you can register here.  Otherwise, read below for the info from the Chicago Dental Society.

The Nation’s Premier Dental Meeting Boasts an Enhanced Scientific Program, Flexible Learning Opportunities, and Improved Convenience for Attendees

The Chicago Dental Society (CDS) announced today that registration is now open for the 2027 Midwinter Meeting, which returns to McCormick Place West in Chicago on February 25-27, 2027.

The Midwinter Meeting is the largest and most renowned scientific dental meeting in North America, attracting tens of thousands of dental professionals every year from around the world. Attendees can look forward to an enhanced scientific program, both in-person and virtual, to help make the most of their three-day experience.

“We are always trying to improve the Midwinter Meeting experience to provide attendees and exhibitors with a highly valuable experience,” said 2027 CDS President Dr. Victoria Ursitti. “I’m super excited to share that we are making even more improvements to this year’s meeting. While last year we focused on enhancing the Exhibit Hall experience, this year we are focused on improving the already excellent scientific program. From a new Midwinter Meeting Digital Pass to new speakers and topics, the 2027 Midwinter Meeting puts the power in the attendee’s hands to build a schedule that advances their career on their terms.”

For the first time ever, the Chicago Dental Society is debuting the Midwinter Meeting Digital Pass to offer unlimited virtual access to recorded lectures. Attendees who purchase the Midwinter Meeting Digital Pass can access and earn up to 94.5 CE credits through eligible on-demand content. The Midwinter Meeting Digital Pass allows attendees to spend more time in hands-on workshops, exploring new innovations in the Exhibit Hall, or attending exclusive networking events without missing out on the premier Midwinter Meeting scientific program. The Digital Pass may also be purchased separately from registration, allowing those who are unable to attend in person a new way to experience the Midwinter Meeting.

The 2027 Midwinter Meeting scientific program boasts more than 240 courses led by 149 dental industry leaders, of which 50% of this year’s speakers are new to the Midwinter Meeting. This year’s program includes over 50 workshops providing experiential learning, curated learning pathways, expanded wellness programming focused on health, ergonomics, and career longevity, and a partnership with The Pankey Institute. The Midwinter Meeting once again provides best-in-class scientific programming that gives every member of the dental team, from hygienists to assistants, the ability to learn what they want when they want it. 

“The Midwinter Meeting is the place to build your career,” said 2027 CDS Early Career Director Dr. Michael Shen. “You never know where or what opportunities you’ll encounter at the Midwinter Meeting. In any given course, networking event, or the Exhibit Hall, you may find a new job opportunity, make connections that lead to future opportunities, find new friends and colleagues, learn something that takes you to the next step of your career, or find something that reignites your passion for dentistry. The world’s best speakers, companies, and professionals are all gathered in one place just for you.”

This year’s Exhibit Hall will continue the enhancements debuted at last year’s Midwinter Meeting, such as Relax and Recharge Lounges stationed throughout the exhibit floor, Hadley’s Pet Park, and more accessible options for food and drinks in the Exhibit Hall. The Early Career Dentist Lounge and Dental Student Lounge will also receive updates this year, featuring a new location and layout.

Keeping attendee health and wellness in mind, the 2027 Midwinter Meeting will include a Quiet and Prayer Room just outside the central Exhibit Hall, as well as afternoon yoga sessions. Other events returning to the Midwinter Meeting include the Dental Student Reception, the Smile and Shine Hygienist Luncheon, Pop-In for Popcorn, the Sips, Suds, & Sales Happy Hour, Midwinter Live! (formerly known as Beats, Bites, & Bash), and the Keynote Session, featuring iconic figure skating champions and Olympic broadcasters Tara Lipinski and Johnny Weir. Outside of McCormick Place, CDS offers brand-new Dine-Arounds that blend the tastes of local Chicago restaurants with the unmatched networking opportunities of the Midwinter Meeting.

Attendees can register now for the 2027 Midwinter Meeting at www.cds.org/register. Visit www.cds.org/mwm for more information on this year’s events, registration fees, Midwinter Meeting Digital Pass pricing and details, course program, list of exhibitors, and additional Midwinter Meeting information. 

About the Chicago Dental Society  

Trust a Chicago Dental Society (CDS) dentist with more than just your smile. Talk with them and you'll see their work is an investment in not just your oral health, but your overall health. They are current on the dental trends and technology through extensive CDS continuing education programs, including the Midwinter Meeting. Ranking among Chicago’s top 20 conventions, the CDS Midwinter Meeting – one of North America’s largest exhibits of dental products and professional dentistry – typically welcomes nearly 25,000 dental professionals each year and generates more than $32 million for the local economy (according to Choose Chicago). The largest local component of the American Dental Association, the non-profit Chicago Dental Society represents dentists across the Chicago region. They're your neighbors, friends and community anchors. Connect with the Chicago Dental Society at cds.org, where you’ll find our easy-to-navigate Find-a-CDS Dentist search tool. 

DMG Introduces Flairesse Bleaching Gel CP to Simplify Whitening Workflows and Support Patient Comfort

 

DMG is a well known manufacturer that makes some pretty incredible products.  The science of tooth whitening continues to grow and expand.  Along those lines, here's a new product announcement from DMG America.  I have not had a chance to try this one yet, but I'd sure like to.  Details below:

New solution completes minimally invasive workflow for whitening and treating enamel opacities

DMG America, the  manufacturer of Icon Smooth Surface Infiltration Concept for minimally invasive treatment of enamel opacities, is pleased to announce the U.S. commercial launch of its Flairesse Bleaching Gel CP line of professional, carbamide peroxide-based take-home medical bleaching solutions formulated to deliver effective whitening for both young and adult patients with reduced sensitivity.

The medical device, Flairesse line comprises three innovative products. Intended for use with patients under age 18, Flairesse Bleaching Gel CP 5% and Flairesse Bleaching Gel CP 10% are designed to gently improve the appearance of developmental enamel opacities associated with fluorosis, trauma and enamel defects as part of a medical treatment. They also comfortably treat discolorations of permanent teeth caused by medical treatments. Flairesse Bleaching Gel CP 10% and 16% formulations are additionally indicated for adult patients to gently whiten intrinsic and extrinsic discolorations without the need for an overhead light. 

The Flairesse bleaching solution is a critical step in the Icon infiltration procedure, developed as a medical device to for the treatment of enamel opacities. Flairesse Bleaching Gel CP 5% and Flairesse Bleaching Gel CP 10% used prior to resin infiltration helps white spot lesions blend more seamlessly with surrounding enamel and create a more uniform and aesthetically pleasing tooth shade. For optimal results with this application, DMG recommends the patients use its DentaMile 3D printed bleaching trays for a flexible, precision-fit tray that will prevent gel leakage on gingiva and provide a more comfortable fit for the patient. 

“With Flairesse Bleaching Gel CP, we’re bringing whitening, Icon resin infiltration and DentaMile bleaching trays together in a streamlined, minimally invasive workflow. This launch reflects our commitment to giving dental professionals practical solutions that support patient comfort while helping them address discoloration and enamel opacities with confidence,” said Mark Trimmer, General Manager of DMG America.

DMG took a very intentional approach to ensure that the Flairesse line would exhibit an exceptional ability to minimize tooth sensitivity. The carbamide peroxide formulation delivers gradual, even whitening, with an extended application time that promotes a gentler whitening process. The formulation also contains potassium nitrate, which prevents the whitening agents from irritating the tooth’s nerves through its potassium ions that diffuse through the dentinal tubules toward the dental pulp.

The take-home treatment protocol for all three products achieves the material properties required by DIN EN ISO 28399 with a minimum application time of just one hour per day over a 10-day period that requires only a single, resealable, 5 ml syringe.The Flairesse Bleaching Gel CP, Icon and DentaMile solutions are available from leading dental product distributors and partner labs throughout the United States.

About DMG

DMG manufactures and distributes dental materials and equipment recognized internationally for quality and innovation. Its portfolio includes Luxatemp®, LuxaCore® Z Dual, Icon® caries infiltrant, and the DentaMile® 3D printing solution, including software, hardware and resins. Through innovation and collaboration, DMG provides integrated solutions that help dental and laboratory professionals streamline workflows, meet their clinical needs and improve patient outcomes. For more information about DMG products, visit www.dmg-america.com or call 800-662-6383

Vote for your Favorite Podcast at Dental Podcast Directory

 

It's that time of year again folks!  Every year, The Dental Podcast Directory holds a poll where you can vote for your favorite dental podcast.  Might I suggest (or beg for) The Technology Evangelist Podcast as your selection this year?  For the last 18 months we've been doing our very best to try and bring you stories from around the dental industry.  Since last year's voting we've put out interviews with Dr. Gordon Christensen, Dr. Ed Zuckerberg, and Dr. Jeremy Krell, just to name a few.  Your vote will help bring more attention to the podcast, get us in front of more listeners, and allow me to bring on more guests.

You can cast your vote here.  

Our effort is to bring you information from every aspect of the dental industry with a focus on technology.  You can expect more info and guests in the coming year.  I'd be truly honored if you'd cast your vote for us.  We finished at #7 last year and we would love to finish even higher this time around.  The podcast team and I are trying every week to bring you the best effort we can.  If you'd like to suggest a guest or offer any suggestions, please leave them in the comments below.

Here's the info from The Dental Podcast Directory:

Every year we ask dental podcast host and fans to vote for their favorite dental podcasts. Fans can vote for the next 2 months from November 1st until December 31st. The 25 podcasts with the most votes are awarded our top 25 badge and featured on our website.

 

The Frightening Part of "Big AI"

 

I've written a lot about AI here and why I'm a fan.  I'm a fan because dentistry is based on relationships and often the amount of 'stuff' we have to do gets in the way of connecting with patients.  If a system can do the busy work, we can better connect with our patients.

However, using AI Agents is a completely different thing.  Letting autonomous systems run things for us is one thing, but letting those systems run things when no one can really tell you what they are doing or how they are doing it?  That's a completely different thing to me.

A friend that I respect sent me the video above yesterday.  I was concerned about where the big AI companies were headed before I watched it... I'm a lot more concerned now.  The video is about 30 minutes long, but I *highly* recommend you watch it.  It does the best job I've seen of explaining all these rogue AIs we've seen lately and it is chilling.  I love tech, but this is going way too far...  Be sure to watch the video.

You can watch it directly on YouTube here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFYUo0ZmK-A

Deep down we all know that even a bit of distraction while driving can be dangerous.  I love tech as much as anyone, but  screens can steal attention, especially when we're surrounded by them constantly... and that really applies to moving vehicles.  I recently became aware of a study that shows just how much of a problem it can be.  Read on and if you'd like the fully study, there's a link to it at the bottom...

A new study from Wettermark Keith finds that touching a car's touchscreen while driving cuts pointing accuracy and speed by 58%, a steeper drop than the 42% rise in lane drift recorded in the same test. The research paired a 2025 University of Washington and Toyota Research Institute driving simulator study with Wettermark Keith's own BPM analysis of Spotify's Top 50 USA and Classic Road Trip playlists. Under added cognitive load, the same drivers' pointing movements slowed by another 20.2%, and screen throughput dropped 16.6%. The music was never really the problem.

Key Findings:

• - Touchscreen use while driving raised lateral lane deviation by 41.9%, roughly 42%
• - Touchscreen pointing accuracy and speed fell 58.1% during driving
• - Under high cognitive load, pointing movements slowed 20.2% and touchscreen throughput dropped 16.6%
• - A 2017 AAA Foundation study of 30 vehicles found 23 rated high or very high driver demand, and none rated low
• - NHTSA recorded 3,208 distracted-driving deaths and 315,167 injuries in 2024, and its definition of distraction specifically includes adjusting a stereo, entertainment, or navigation system.

What the Data Reveals

The UW/TRI simulator study isolated the touchscreen itself as the risk, not the music behind it. Lane deviation rose 41.9% the moment drivers touched the screen while driving. Pointing accuracy and speed on that same screen fell 58.1%. Under added cognitive load, the kind drivers face in real traffic, pointing movements slowed another 20.2% and overall throughput dropped 16.6%. Every one of those numbers moves in the same direction. The screen gets harder to use exactly when the road gets harder to manage.

The AAA Foundation found the same pattern across real vehicles, not just a simulator. Testing 30 model-year 2017 infotainment systems with 120 licensed drivers, researchers rated 23 of them high or very high demand. None rated low. Twelve were rated very high, equivalent to the mental load of balancing a checkbook while driving. That is the baseline interface drivers are working with every time they reach for the screen. NHTSA's numbers show where that leads. In 2024, distracted driving was tied to 3,208 deaths and 315,167 injuries, and NHTSA's own definition names adjusting a stereo, entertainment, or navigation system as distraction.

Why This Matters Now

Touchscreens have replaced knobs and buttons across nearly every new vehicle on the road, and the safety research has only caught up this year. The UW/TRI study is 2025 data. It is the first simulator work to put hard numbers on what happens to both driving and touchscreen performance at the same time, rather than looking at one in isolation. That makes this a current story, not a rehash of older distracted driving coverage.

The conversation around music and driving usually stops at tempo, whether a fast song makes someone drive faster or more aggressively. Wettermark Keith's playlist analysis found 28 of 50 current Top 50 USA tracks and 53 of 100 Classic Road Trip tracks run above 120 BPM, and that data holds up. But tempo alone was never the full story. The UW/TRI and AAA findings point to the interface drivers use to choose that music as the more measurable and more immediate risk.

NHTSA already defines adjusting a stereo, entertainment, or navigation system as distracted driving, and it tied that category to 3,208 deaths and 315,167 injuries in 2024. The research now exists to explain why those numbers stay high even as awareness campaigns focus on phones and texting. The touchscreen built into the dashboard is doing some of that damage too, and it has largely stayed out of the conversation until this year's data made the case.

About the Study

Research by Wettermark Keith analyzed BPM data from Spotify's Top 50 USA and Classic Road Trip playlists alongside a 2025 University of Washington and Toyota Research Institute simulator study, AAA Foundation infotainment testing, and NHTSA distracted-driving data to examine how touchscreen interaction, not just music tempo, affects in-car driving behavior.

Here is the full study link:

https://wkfirm.com/research/the-song-thats-speeding-you-up/  

Usually when I come across something I think you should read I try and provide a summary and then link to the full article.  This is one of those rare times when I think the issue is so important, I don't want to risk you not clicking the link.  If you'd like to see the original, you can find the link below before the text of the column. 

In the world in which doctors live, many of us need to cooperate with third party payers.  It isn't always easy, but it's unfortunately a matter of fact.  Some offices are lucky enough to manage to create a practice where patients pay the office the entire fee and then the patient is responsible for dealing with reimbursement.  Unfortunately not every office can sustain that model.  If you're office is one of the majority that deals with third parties for reimbursement, be sure to read below.

This article was originally published by ADA News.  

Dental insurance issues are often cited as one of dentists’ biggest challenges.

In response to an ADA Health Policy Institute poll in late 2025, more than half of dentists reported that one of their top concerns looking ahead to 2026 was related to insurance, including low insurance reimbursement rates and delayed or denied payments.

This ADA News series aims to address some of those challenges. “Dear ADA” will feature answers to common insurance-related questions the American Dental Association receives from members to help provide clarity and direct members to additional resources.

The answer to this month’s question is provided by Liz Papineau, D.D.S., a member of the ADA Council on Dental Benefit Programs.

Dear ADA: I've received a notice from a payer that they've automatically withheld funds from a remittance because they say they overpaid me on another unrelated patient. How can they do this?

Dr. Papineau: You're not alone. Many dentists and staff members are surprised and frustrated the first time a payment is reduced because of an issue involving an entirely different patient. Most of us think of claims and payments as patient-specific transactions, but payers may not. This practice, commonly known as a recoupment or offset, is a mechanism many payers use when they believe they have overpaid a provider.

An overpayment can arise from a processing error, such as a claim paid twice, or from information that comes to light after payment, such as a coordination of benefits issue, a retroactive eligibility change or an audit finding. Either way, when the payer concludes it paid more than it should have, it will typically seek to recover those funds.

Rather than sending a bill and waiting for a refund, some payers recover the amount by reducing future payments. That's why you may see a deduction on a remittance for a completely unrelated patient.

Whether a payer may do this depends largely on your provider agreement and applicable state law. Many contracts expressly authorize offsets against future claim payments with language such as, “Dentist shall notify [insurance company] of any overpayments or payments made in error, and [insurance company] may offset future claim payments due to the dentist.” I encourage you to review the ADA webpage on dental insurance contract issues for more information on recoupment clauses. Those rights may be limited by law, however, depending on which law governs the patient’s plan.

Start by determining whether the plan is self-funded or fully insured. Self-funded plans may take the position that state protections such as notice requirements, recovery timeframes and dispute rights do not apply to them. Because a large share of employer-sponsored coverage is self-funded, confirm the plan type with the plan administrator, summary plan description or payer before relying on state law.

For fully insured plans, state law may require notice, supporting documentation and an opportunity to dispute before funds are recovered. Many states also set a lookback limit — often 12 to 24 months — beyond which a payer generally may not recover an alleged overpayment, subject to exceptions such as fraud or coordination of benefits issues.

When you receive a recoupment notice, take time to carefully review the information provided by the insurer. A proper notice should identify the original claim, the patient involved, the amount the payer believes was overpaid and the reason for the adjustment. If that information is missing or unclear, request it; you can’t evaluate a recovery without knowing what the payer is recovering and why.

Practices should also track recoupments carefully. A recovery applied against unrelated patients’ payments can complicate reconciliation and confuse patients, so train staff to post these payments correctly and explain the adjustments. Link each recoupment to the original claim and keep a clear paper trail to confirm the adjustment is legitimate and prevent duplicate recoveries.

Of course, the most important question is whether the payer is right.

Payers process enormous volumes of claims, and mistakes can occur on either side. Before accepting the adjustment, review the original claim, clinical documentation, prior remittance advice and related correspondence. The payer may have misapplied a policy, overlooked submitted information or miscalculated the overpayment.

If you believe the payer is wrong, review your contract and the payer's dispute procedures promptly. These rights are often subject to specific deadlines, and missing them can make a reversal harder to pursue. The ADA's Third Party Payer Concierge can also help with dental benefit concerns, including claim adjudication and payer practices. Members can reach the concierge by emailing dentalbenefits@ada.org.

The bottom line is that payers may recover alleged overpayments by offsetting future remittances, even for different patients, but that ability is not unlimited. Know your contract terms and state law protections, review every recovery notice carefully and keep accurate records. When a recovery appears questionable, don't assume the matter is settled simply because the funds have already been withheld. Reviewing the facts and exercising available appeal rights may help ensure the outcome is both accurate and fair.

Dental VIP Summit Returns to Chicago Feb. 24, 2027, Connecting Dental Innovation, Investment and Clinical Leadership

I've attended both of the previous Dental VIP Summits and I'm not stopping now.  If you want to see what the future of the profession and the industry holds, this is a must attend event.  Not only will you see some amazing leading edge things hovering on the near horizon, you'll also get a chance to mingle with the inventors and creators that are shaping the future of the industry.  This event continues to grow and gain more traction every year.  I'll be there and I think you should be too.  Read on for all of the details:

One-Day Event Connects Dental Innovators with Investors, Clinical Leaders and Strategic Partners to Advance Funding, Commercialization and Adoption

The third annual Dental VIP (Venture, Innovation & Partnering) Summit will take place Feb. 24, 2027, in Chicago, bringing together entrepreneurs, investors, clinicians, dental service organization leaders and industry executives to explore emerging technologies and the partnerships needed to advance their adoption.

Scheduled for the day before the Chicago Dental Society’s Midwinter Meeting, the summit will feature keynote presentations, expert panel discussions, emerging company presentations and networking opportunities. The program will examine how artificial intelligence, clinical innovation and strategic investment are reshaping dental care and the business of dentistry.

The 2027 summit is co-chaired by Marty Jablow, DMD / President, Dental Tech Advisors; Jeremy Krell, DMD, MBA / Managing Partner, Revere Partners; and Mariya Filipova / Partner, Marram Ventures, they bring clinical, investment and health care innovation perspectives to a program designed to connect promising ideas with the expertise, capital and relationships needed to move them forward.

“Technology earns its place in dentistry when it helps clinicians deliver better care,” Jablow said. “The summit brings clinical voices into the conversation early, helping innovators understand what practices need and what makes a new solution worth adopting.” 

The summit’s curated format connects founders and emerging companies with investors, potential strategic partners and clinicians who can help evaluate new technologies, support their development and accelerate their adoption. 

“Dental entrepreneurs need more than funding to build sustainable businesses,” Krell said. “They need a clear market opportunity and the right partners. We’re bringing those perspectives together to help promising innovations move toward adoption.”

The preliminary program includes discussions on how DSOs evaluate and adopt new technologies, the convergence of medical, dental and digital health, and corporate innovation and strategic partnerships. Additional sessions will explore developments in artificial intelligence, diagnostics, digital workflows and practice technology.

“Dentistry has an opportunity to play a larger role in connected, whole-person care,” Filipova said. “By bringing dental, medical and digital health leaders together, we can identify partnerships that make that vision practical for patients and providers.”

Registration is open, with a $100 early registration discount available through Dec. 17, 2026. Special registration options are also available for practicing dentists and groups of three or more.

For registration information, visit https://www.dentalvipsummit.com/registration. Program updates are available at https://www.dentalvipsummit.com/agenda.

Companies interested in presenting, sponsoring or exploring partnership opportunities may contact Craig Simak, executive director, at csimak@healthtech.com.

About the Dental VIP Summit

The Dental VIP (Venture, Innovation & Partnering) Summit is an annual gathering that connects dental entrepreneurs, investors, clinicians and industry executives to advance innovation in oral health. Through curated company presentations, keynote addresses, panel discussions and networking, the summit helps participants evaluate emerging technologies and develop relationships that support investment, strategic partnerships and clinical adoption.

URGENT: Critical PHP Security Vulnerability — Immediate Action Required

It's good to have friends.  Plain and simple, your friends look out for you.  As The Technology Evangelist, I've been lucky enough to have met some amazing people in the dental technology space and one of those people is Dr. Lorne Lavine.  Over the years, we've become friends.  Like me, Lorne is a dentist (he actually practiced as a periodontist early in his career) and he is also a confirmed gadget guy.  He made the bold move to actually get out of clinical practice and move full time into dental technology and IT services for the dental industry.  Over more than 25 years, Lorne has been a stalwart for keeping dental offices safe from cyber intrusions and helping office IT systems run at their peak. 

When Lorne speaks about IT and security, I listen.  He's *really good at this*.  That's why I'm making today's post.  I got an email from Lorne's company today.  He has sent this to everyone of his clients.  Even if this is the first time you've heard his name, you need to read this.  It's that important.  There is a major security problem that has just come to his attention and you should read and implement exactly what he tells you below:

URGENT: Critical PHP Security Vulnerability — Immediate Action Required

A serious security vulnerability known as PHP2Shell has been disclosed, affecting PHP, the software technology that powers around 75% of websites and web applications, including platforms such as WordPress.

Two critical vulnerabilities (CVE-2026-109618 and CVE-2026-109619) could allow attackers to execute malicious code on vulnerable web servers without logging in. This could potentially result in unauthorized access, data theft, website compromise, or service disruption. Security researchers have demonstrated successful exploitation, and malicious activity has been reported.

Why this matters to your dental practice

If your website, patient portal, online appointment system, or another application runs on a vulnerable PHP installation, your systems may be at risk. The vulnerabilities affect the underlying PHP software, so updating WordPress or individual plugins alone will not resolve the problem.

What you need to do now

Please take the following steps as soon as possible:

Contact your IT provider or website hosting company. Ask them to verify whether any of your internet-facing systems run vulnerable PHP versions and to prioritize remediation immediately.

Apply the appropriate PHP security updates. The patched upstream releases are PHP 8.2.35, 8.3.36, 8.4.27, and 8.5.12. The correct version depends on your environment. Older, unsupported versions require an appropriate vendor-provided fix or an upgrade to a supported release.

Verify that all affected systems are protected. This includes web servers, hosted websites, WordPress installations, and other applications that use PHP. Confirm that the fix has been applied and the relevant services restarted or redeployed as required.

If patching cannot be completed immediately, have your IT or hosting provider assess temporary protective measures, such as restricting public access or isolating the vulnerable service until it can be secured. These measures are not a substitute for patching.

Review for signs of compromise. Your IT provider should review relevant server logs, security alerts, and other available evidence for suspicious activity. If a compromise is suspected, initiate your incident response process and assess whether credentials or other secrets need to be rotated.

Official security information

PHP security announcement: https://www.php.net/

Technical vulnerability details and remediation guidance: https://github.com/php/php-src/security/advisories/GHSA-w8hw-w9fx-j79w

Please treat this as a priority. Do not assume your systems are safe simply because your website is functioning normally or your WordPress plugins are up to date.

If you are unsure who manages your website hosting or PHP environment, contact your IT provider for assistance.

Best regards,

The Digital Dentist IT Team

Also, if you'd like to hear Lorne's appearance on The Technology Evangelist Podcast you can use this link.  He was the guest for Episode 15.

 

  

Solventum Introduces Next-Generation Filtek™ Matrix Restorative System

 

This is a pretty cool idea.  For years the advantages of composite smile makeovers have been known, but the delivery has been the problem.  Patients love the idea of a reversible procedure that preserves natural tooth structure.  However, doing composite veneers free hand can be difficult and frequently time consuming.  Often the appointments take longer than prepping for veneers or 3/4 crowns.  What if composite smile makeovers could be done with much less effort, less stress, and outstanding aesthetic results?

Now Solventum has come up with a matrix system that removes the guess work and a great deal of the 'hand work'.  The new Filtek Matrix looks incredibly promising.  I don't have hands on experience with it yet, but someone I trust, Dr. Adam Hodges, does.  He's written a white paper on this system that can tell you all about it.  If you are looking for a better way to provide conservative aesthetic treatment, this is something you should be aware of.  All the details from Solventum are below:

• New digital workflow and customized matrix system help simplify anterior composite dental restorations
• Restorative approach supports predictable esthetics, treatment efficiency and practice growth
• Meets patient demand for conservative, natural-looking smile transformations

Solventum today announced the availability of Solventum™ Filtek™ Matrix, a system designed to help dental practices deliver predictable, esthetic and conservative composite restorations.

Building on matrix technology first introduced in 2022, this next-generation system has been fully redesigned to include a new delivery system intended to make placement and cleanup more efficient, improving the experience for dental professionals and patients as part of Solventum’s leading restorative portfolio. In combination with an intuitive digital workflow and a complete lineup of restorative materials, the all-new Filtek Matrix is designed to help clinicians deliver conservative anterior restorations more predictably.

"By helping reduce time for restorative treatments this technology expands capabilities for clinicians while supporting greater efficiency in practice,” said Karim Mansour, president of Dental Solutions at Solventum. “The launch of Solventum Filtek Matrix reinforces our commitment to supporting the growth of dental practices with advanced solutions that transform patient oral health.”

Through Clarity™ Portal, Solventum’s integrated digital treatment planning platform, clinicians receive patient-specific digital treatment plans tailored to each individual's restorative needs. Based on these designs, a customized matrix is 3D printed to guide the placement of Filtek™ Dental Restoratives, helping support predictable esthetic outcomes and durable restorations.

Aligned with a growing consumer demand for minimally invasive treatments that enhance smiles without removing natural tooth structure, Filtek Matrix is designed to support clinicians across skill levels helping increase confidence in achieving consistent, esthetic outcomes in practice. For patients, restorations completed with the system offer a conservative approach, natural-looking results, fewer visits and lower out-of-pocket costs than many ceramic procedures and the flexibility to be modified over time.

"The power of digital dentistry isn’t just in what we can design, but in what we can deliver,” said Dr. Parag Kachalia, a practicing dentist and director of global clinical evidence for Digital Dentistry & Orthodontics at Solventum. “Filtek Matrix bridges that gap, bringing digital smile design to life while preserving natural tooth structure. To me, that’s meaningful innovation: making minimally invasive esthetic dentistry more accessible so that more patients can smile with confidence."

The Filtek Matrix is the latest innovation in Solventum's industry-leading portfolio of restorative solutions, including adhesives, universal composites, and finishing and polishing systems. Filtek™ Dental Restoratives are backed by more than 50 years of restorative innovation and over two billion restorations placed worldwide. The company also offers comprehensive training and ongoing clinical and business implementation support to help dentists seamlessly integrate the system into their practices. 

To learn more about the Solventum Filtek Matrix restorative system, visit https://www.solventum.com/en-us/home/oral-care/dental-solutions/custom-solutions/filtek-matrix/

About Solventum

At Solventum, we enable better, smarter, safer healthcare to improve lives. As a new company with a long legacy of creating breakthrough solutions for our customers' toughest challenges, we pioneer game-changing innovations at the intersection of health, material and data science that change patients' lives for the better — while empowering healthcare professionals to perform at their best. See how at Solventum.com.

 

Can Robotic-assisted Tooth Autotransplantation Minimize Bone Removal in Osteotomy?

 

While tooth autotransplantation is not a common procedure, part of the reason for that is the difficulty in performing the procedure and a lower than optimal success rate.  However, when a patient's needs require it, the procedure can make a tremendous difference.  The procedure was first performed in the 1950's so it's definitely a viable option, however it's difficult to perform.

To study a new way to perform the procedure, in June of this year, research was published from the Fourth Military Medical University in China that compared two different methods to accomplish autotransplantation.

The researchers used 40 3D printed models of a mandible in need of autotransplantation.  One half of the study was done via the traditional 3D printed surgical guide technique.  The other half was performed using an autonomous multi-axis robotic system.  The study evaluated both single rooted and double rooted teeth.

The results are interesting.  The robot group had less unnecessary bone removal and a better overall agreement with the planned socket design.

Obviously, all this gives us is proof of concept.  However, change occurs often with one small step at a time.  That's especially true in science when potentially working with the human body.

If you're interested in the actual study, you can follow this link:  Autonomous robotic execution of nonlinear toolpaths for geometry-matched osteotomy in tooth autotransplantation: an in vitro study

The image above is an AI generated image and is not affiliated with the study.

Planet DDS Reaches 100+ Integration Partners, Advancing DentalOS® as the Most Connected Platform Built for DSOs

 

Planet DDS is expanding in an amazing fashion.  The company is creating integration with platforms almost faster than I can let you know about the.  Read below for the latest from the company as well as a list of some of systems they connect to.

New partnerships give DSOs more choice and freedom to connect the technologies they rely on through a single, unified data layer

 Planet DDS today announced it has surpassed 100 integration partners on DentalOS®, its platform for multi-location dental groups and DSOs, including 15+ newly added partners. The additions span AI and analytics, revenue cycle management, patient financing, scheduling, imaging, communications, and managed IT services.

Each integration connects a partner's tool directly to the practice management system, so data moves between the two automatically and staff don't have to re-enter it. The growing partner ecosystem reflects Planet DDS's vision for DentalOS: an open platform that offers the flexibility to build the technology environment that works best for their organizations.

"No single company solves every problem a DSO faces. We built DentalOS so the companies that do could connect on one platform. Over a hundred partners have said yes to that vision and the ecosystem we're building together is only going to get stronger," said Eric Giesecke, CEO of Planet DDS.

An Open Platform Built for the Dental Enterprise

Rather than requiring DSOs and groups to operate within a closed technology stack, DentalOS is designed to connect the solutions organizations already use and allow them to adopt new technologies as their needs evolve. The Planet DDS ecosystem, led by Kevin Simmons, Director, Partnerships and Chris Hadziev, Senior Director, Partnership Marketing and Communities, includes:

• CareCredit, a Synchrony company: Preferred patient financing under a new multi-year agreement, reaching 2,500+ Cloud 9 and 15,000+ Denticon practices.
• Cresta.ai: AI contact center coaching and analytics for patient-facing teams.
• InsideDesk: Insurance analytics that flag underpayments and recover revenue.
• Mango Voice: VoIP phone system with centralized call management for DSOs.
• MaxAssist: Recall automation that fills schedule gaps with lapsed patients.
• Medix Dental IT: Managed IT services and consulting.
• Pearly: Automated patient balance outreach and collections.
• Peerlogic: AI call analytics that surface missed front-office opportunities.
• ProspHire: Healthcare consulting firm with expertise in dental practice management conversions, operations and technology transformation.
• Rootwell Consulting Group: Orthodontic specialist consulting.
• Subscribili: Membership plans for uninsured patients.
• Sunset Technologies: Managed IT services and consulting.
• Thinc Forward: Dental IT managed services and implementation
• Truro AI: Predictive analytics in Denticon Insights that flag no-shows, lapsed patients, and unaccepted treatment.
• VELMENI: AI imaging across 2D and 3D CBCT.
• Zentist: AI-powered insurance revenue cycle management platform that automates payment reconciliation and posting while analyzing claim denials.
• Zocdoc: Patient growth platform that makes practices bookable, fills schedules, and streamlines front desks.

Together, these partners extend the capabilities available to practices through the Planet DDS ecosystem while helping connect critical workflows across the patient journey, from scheduling and communications to treatment acceptance, payments, collections, and practice operations.

"By making CareCredit the preferred financing option across Planet DDS platforms and embedding financing directly into practice workflows, the partnership expands CareCredit's distribution and simplifies the treatment presentation and payments process, leading to a better practice and patient experience and increased case acceptance—a win for everyone involved," said Craig Urbansky, SVP, Product, Distribution at Synchrony at CareCredit.

Partners Point to the Value of Connected Workflows

For partners, the value of the ecosystem is also in the ability to connect complementary technologies rather than operate in isolation 

"MangoVoice was purpose-built for the complexity DSOs face every day, centralized call management, AI analytics, and the integrations that hold a multi-location group together. The Planet DDS ecosystem reflects that same philosophy," said Kevin Tallman, CEO at Mango Voice. "The best technology partnerships don't just connect products; they connect workflows. That's what being part of the partnership ecosystem means to us."

That connected approach is critical as dental organizations adopt more specialized technologies while managing increasingly complex, multi-location operations.

"At scale, unreconciled payments, posting errors, and unresolved denials can translate into significant revenue leakage," said Sina S. Amiri, SVP of Business Development & Partnerships at Zentist. "By integrating Zentist's Remit AI with Denticon, we're helping DSOs automate payment reconciliation and posting, identify denial patterns, and prioritize follow-up. The result is clearer visibility into insurance revenue and more capacity for teams to focus on recovering outstanding payments."

Continued Ecosystem Growth Ahead

As the dental technology landscape continues to expand, Planet DDS expects its partner ecosystem to continue growing, giving DSOs and groups more ways to tailor their technology environments while maintaining the connected workflows at the center of DentalOS.

"Every missed appointment, every lapsed patient, every unaccepted treatment plan has a moment where it could have gone differently. We built Truro AI to find that moment," said Anjali Srivastava, Founder and CEO at Truro AI. "With our native Denticon integration, teams get patient-level risk insights directly inside their daily workflows, so staff can focus their effort and provide personalized support to patients before an appointment or payment issue becomes a revenue problem."

To explore how DentalOS connects practices with the technology and services they need, visit planetdds.com/integrations.

Resources

• Discover Denticon Practice Management
• Learn more about DentalOS
• Explore Cloud 9 Ortho Practice Management

About Planet DDS

Dental software is broken. We aim to fix it. Planet DDS is the leading dental enterprise software company in North America, delivering DentalOS®—the platform built to run the dental enterprise, not just the practice. As the industry enters the dental enterprise era, Planet DDS gives DSO and multi-location group executives the visibility, control, and financial performance to run every location, every specialty, and every dollar as one connected organization. Built on an open ecosystem with 100+ integration partners, DentalOS connects Denticon Practice Management, Cloud 9 Ortho Practice Management, and Apteryx Cloud Imaging on a single data layer—cloud-native since 2003 and enterprise-proven at scale. More than half of the top 60 DSOs in North America trust Planet DDS with solutions used across 14,500 practices and 175,000 users nationwide.

New National Poll Shows Overwhelming Bipartisan Support for Dental Coverage

Here's some interesting information from the CareQuest Institute for Oral Health.  As more and more of the US population understands that there is a true oral-systemic connection, that knowledge is driving more understanding that better oral health contributes to better overall health.  

Americans have always been very supportive of taking care of our veterans but older and lower income individuals didn't get the same public support.  This new study shows that increasing dental benefits for Medicare in now on the radar.  There is some good info below...

9 in 10 Americans support better oral health access for veterans and Medicare recipients 

A new national poll by CareQuest Institute for Oral Health® shows broad, bipartisan support for dental coverage and strong voter interest in making oral health a policy priority. 

The results reveal that dental coverage policies – including those for older or disabled adults and veterans – are among the most universally supported health policy issues. 

“These findings demonstrate that Americans across the political spectrum recognize oral health as an important health care issue,” said Wade Rakes, Chief Executive Officer at CareQuest Institute. “Voters want dental care to be more accessible and affordable, especially for people that face significant barriers. This sends a powerful message that oral health should be part of the national dialogue around health care access and affordability.”

Despite long-standing, bipartisan popularity, oral health policy issues are often overlooked in broader political and health policy conversations. CareQuest Institute partnered with Marketing for Change to conduct this poll and additional voter research to examine how oral health policies resonate with voters in the current political landscape. 

The results indicate that Medicare dental is a uniquely bipartisan issue, with 9 in 10 voters supporting the policy, including 96% of Democrats, 86% of Republicans, and 92% of Independents. Voters strongly believe that workers have paid into Medicare throughout their adult lives, and it is only fair that Medicare covers dental care. 

Traditional Medicare does not currently include dental coverage, leaving millions of older or disabled adults without access to this critical form of care and with profound impacts on their health and well-being.  

The poll findings also reinforce broad, bipartisan support for ensuring veterans can access the oral health care they need. According to the results, 96% of Democrats and 90% of Republicans support improving dental coverage through the VA so all veterans qualify for dental services. 

In discussions with researchers, voters connected oral health to issues they already care about. The cost of health care, including dental care, was also a top concern. Voters saw improvements in Medicare, Medicaid, and VA dental coverage as an important step toward having more oral health care choices. They also recognized the value of preventing oral health problems before they become more serious and costly.

For more information about CareQuest Institute for Oral Health®, visit carequest.org. 

Dentbird Upgrades have Taken Place

 

The digital design platform Dentbird has performed some upgrades and i wanted to be sure and tell you about it.  I can still remember the first time I heard about this system.  It was probably in 2023 or so and even way back then (in tech terms) I was impressed.

Dentbird is a pretty amazing way to digitally design crowns for 3D printers or in-office mills.  All you need to do is create an account, upload the scan file, and let Dentbird do the rest.  The system will locate the prepped tooth automatically, then it will find the margin automatically, and then use AI to propose a crown design.  Everything can be edited and changed which means that doctor has the final say.  The system is fast, easy, and has a short learning curve.

One of the upgrades they've just announced is that they will provide 3 FREE designs.  Simply set up an account. and you have access to the cloud based design system.  This will allow you to design, download, and create a crown to see for yourself.

If youi'd like to know more about Dentbird, I interviewed Hakwan Kim for Episode 55 on the Technology Evangelist Podcast.  Here is the info from Dentbird:

On September 28, 2026 we updated the Dentbird plans. The Free plan now covers more than it used to.

What Free includes now

• 3 exports every month, counted per tooth, no credit card required
• All solutions unlocked, including Batch and Modeler, and indications such as bridges
• Model files and NC (milling) files, which don't count toward your monthly limit
• A three-unit bridge uses all 3. Your count resets every month on the day your account was created, and unused exports don't carry over.

The design engine is faster too

Dentbird runs on a new design engine, so a case takes less time from scan data to finished design.

Personify Group Introduces Its Trade Show ROI Guide and the Industry’s First Interactive ROI Calculator

 

I"m a Personify Advisor and I have that role for a reason.  Michael & Mark, the two marketing gurus who founded Personify, are terrific human beings.  I've known then both for decades and I believe in their mission.  Personify Group is a dental marketing firm that knows the industry inside and out.  They know what they are doing , plus they are both the kind or people I like to spend time with.  Their latest creation is an interactive Trade Show calculator for dental companies.  All the info is below: 

Just in Time for Dental Meeting Season:

New Resources Help Dental Exhibitors Evaluate Their Investment and

Explore the Personify ShowFlow™ Trade Show Success System

Personify Group, Inc., a commercialization, branding, public relations and demand generation firm serving the dental industry, today announced two free resources designed to help dental exhibitors evaluate their trade show performance and plan for stronger business results: a downloadable Trade Show ROI Guide and a fully-interactive, online Trade Show ROI Calculator.

The resources introduce exhibitors to the Personify ShowFlow Trade Show Success System, which connects pre-show marketing, booth engagement and post-show follow-up through three stages: Attract, Engage and Convert.

For dental manufacturers, technology companies and service providers, the resources offer a starting point for examining whether trade show spending is producing qualified leads, sales opportunities and revenue,  and where a more coordinated approach could improve results.

“A trade show investment starts well before the booth opens and continues after the exhibit hall closes,” said Mark Ross, Co-Founder and Chief Branding Officer of Personify Group. “The ROI guide  and ROI calculator help exhibitors look at that full picture. ShowFlow brings the pieces together so that  the message prospects encounter before the show connects with their booth experience and gives them a reason to take the next step.”

The Tradeshow ROI Guide provides a planning resource for companies seeking to improve trade show return on investment. The online ROI calculator lets exhibitors enter show expenses and sales funnel assumptions, then compare their current approach with adjustable ShowFlow scenarios.

The online Tradeshow ROI calculator accounts for costs such as booth space, graphics, travel, shipping and marketing. Users can model changes in qualified conversations and conversion rates, assess projected revenue and gross-profit ROI, and work backward from a revenue goal to determine the conversations and leads needed to reach it. ShowFlow scenarios include an estimated program investment; projections are for planning purposes and do not guarantee results.

“A busy booth can feel like a successful show, but the business question is what happens to those conversations afterward,” said Michael Ventriello, Co-Founder and Chief Communications Officer of Personify Group. “These easy to access resources help exhibitors connect their spending to sales goals and identify where prospects may be falling out of the process. That creates a more productive conversation about how ShowFlow can help build a pipeline that continues to develop after the show.”

ShowFlow is designed to help companies attract qualified prospects before an event, engage them with relevant messaging and supporting evidence at the booth, and advance opportunities through targeted follow-up. Exhibitors can use the guide and calculator to inform a ShowFlow strategy session tailored to their next event, product category and sales process.

To download the Trade Show ROI Guide and learn more about the Personify ShowFlow Trade Show Success System, visit https://personifygroup.com/trade-show-marketing/. 

To use the Online Tradeshow ROI calculator, visit https://personifygroup.com/showflow/ShowFlow-1.html. Companies interested in discussing their results or planning a ShowFlow program can send an inquiry via https://personifygroup.com/contact-us/

About Personify Group

Personify Group, Inc. is a commercialization and strategic communications firm serving the dental and medical industries. The company helps manufacturers, technology companies, service providers, and innovators accelerate growth through brand strategy, public relations, market positioning, demand generation, thought leadership, and commercialization planning. By integrating communications with measurable business objectives, Personify Group helps clients build awareness, credibility and commercial momentum.

# # #

My Yearlong "Deep Dive" on VOCO GrandioSO 4U

 

For about a year, I've been following and working with VOCO's newest composite, GrandioSO 4U and today's post is my take after a fairly long time of studying it and using it.

In today's workflow environment doctors usually handle anterior and posterior restorations differently from a materials standpoint.  The most common choice in the posterior is for some type of bulk fill material.  The way bulk fill materials work is to be created with more translucency.  It's the translucency that allows the curing light to reach deeper into the material for adequate photo polymerization.  The drawback to that is that due to their inherent translucency, those materials also aren't quite as aesthetic.  In the posterior, this doesn't normally affect the aesthetics.  If the material is a relatively close shade match, the only people who will ever be aware of the translucency is another professional doing an exam.

In the anterior doctors normally reach for a highly aesthetic composite to provide outstanding cosmetic results.  These materials are more opaque and don't have the concern about translucency.  However, due to the opacity, light doesn't penetrate as deeply and that means layering is required... and sometimes several layers.  The results can be incredible, however, the amount of time to layer and then sculpt and polish can take much longer than in the posterior.

The other technology that has become popular in the last 5-10 years is that of the "Single Shade" composite.  These materials attempt to create optical effects that allow the tooth's natural shade to show through.  This can be a good option for many cases, but what I've discovered in using them is that they work in around 85-90% of cases.  However, it's that last 10-15% where the shade match isn't adequate that creates the stress.  It's usually difficult or impossible to know for sure if there is a good shade match until after the composite is cured.  Of course once the material is cured, the choice is to remove all the material or try to layer over it to get an acceptable result.

The other problem is inventory.  Needing to keep one material for posterior and multiple brands and/or shades for the anterior is difficult to keep organized.  This is especially true with shades that aren't used frequently.  Those shades often end up somewhere in the office where they can sit unused until they expire.

What I'm excited to tell you about today is that VOCO has come up with something that addresses everything I've just mentioned... and it's name is GrandioSO 4U.

The incredibly smart people at VOCO set out to solve the problems that doctors are dealing with ... and more... as they worked to develop their latest composite... and I feel they succeeded beyond expectations.  VOCO's newest composite, GrandioSO 4U handles these problems with several key features.

I mentioned translucency in this post and that property is key to this discussion.  A translucent material allows some, but not all, light to pass through it.  Translucency lets the photons from the curing light get much deeper into the composite for a much better depth of cure.  That's why the property is so key to bulk fill materials.  GrandioSO 4U has a unique way of  dealing with this.  VOCO has created what they are calling VTT (Visual Transformation Technology).  This means the material is highly translucent when placed (for a reliable 4mm depth of cure) and then transforms to become more opaque and aesthetic during a 10 second curing cycle.  The result is incredibly lifelike and aesthetic.

My one takeaway from this VTT is that you need to *trust the material*.  Since the material has a different appearance when it's set, it may look like the shade doesn't match before curing.  If the shade guide tells you that this is the shade, believe the shade guide and trust the material.

Since I'm discussing shades, I'd also like to point out that GrandioSO 4U uses a "Cluster Shade System".  Rather than promising a single shade that will work in every case, GrandioSO 4U comes in 5 shades that cover the entire 16 shade range of the Classic VITA Shade Guide.  This translates to only keeping an inventory of these 5 shades as opposed to 16 for other composites.  Using the VOCO shade guide will give you the correct shade match for each case.

I was also impressed with the high filler percentage of this material.  GrandioSO 4U has a 91% filler load.  That means it holds up well over time, since there is more filler and less resin than other composites.  This material's filler load is actually "record breaking" in that regard.  The other benefit of this high filler load is less material shrinkage.  All composites shrink when photo polymerized.  That's just the science of light cured materials.  However, since there is less resin in this material than any other composite, that also means less material shrinkage.  VOCO's internal testing shows the polymerization shrinkage to be only 1.44% by volume.  That's a tiny amount and it means less shrinkage stress.  That means there is less stress on the margins which can lead to longer restoration life.  I always think of the margin as "the trench warfare of recurrent caries" and having better margins means less chance of cariogenic microorganisms establishing a toehold.

VOCO also managed to create a modulus of elasticity that is very close to human dentin and enamel.  That means that under occlusal loading, the material behaves much like natural tooth structure which can also mean stronger margins.

One other thing that impressed me, was the incredibly high radiopacity of GrandioSO 4U.  The material has 900% radiopacity compared to the standard used in the industry.  That means on bitewings, the restorations almost jump off the screen at you.  This provides incredibly high contrast on your radiographs compared to other materials on the market.

I haven't mentioned polishing yet, but I should.  This material polishes like a dream.  The nanohybrid filler particles allow GrandioSO 4U to be finished with a polish that really has to be seen to be believed.  Having a material that polishes easily and stays polished over time is important.  Once again I'll bring up recurrent decay.  When you can polish a restoration to give it a glass smooth polish, especially at the margin, the chance for recurrent decay is greatly reduced.

Wrapping up today's post, I know that many doctors think there isn't a tremendous difference between most composites.  GrandioSO 4U is different in that regard.  VOCO's research and development team has created a composite that I can confidently say IS different.  They have created a material that is truly "universal".  When you combine the features... a 4mm depth of cure, high aesthetics, high filler rate, low shrinkage, high radiopacity, AND a simple to use 5 shade system, you'll see that this material is a quantum leap forward.  I have been placing it warm and it handles incredibly well.  I love this material and I'm confident that you will too.  Oh, one other thing I want to make clear.  In the US the material's name is GrandioSO 4U and in other markets the name is GrandioSO Unlimited.  Don't be confused by the different names if you are reading any research.  They are the same product.

After spending quite a bit of time learning and using this material, I can confidently tell you that GrandioSO 4U is *highly recommended*!!!