Keep an Eye on Santa this Year with NORAD Santa Tracker

 

This is my last post of the year.  I'll return on Monday January 5th to continue keeping you up to date with cool and fun things about dentistry and life.  I've been working on this blog for over twenty years and there is no way I'm stopping now.  So enjoy the holidays with friends and family.  I'll be back on January 5th with my regular Monday thru Thursday updates.

This last post is one I make every year, because it's *so* cool!!!  Everybody loves Santa and there's nothing more exciting than to know that he's on the way.  That's why I always recommend that folks use the best state of the art system to know where he is on his journey.

24/7, 365 the skies over North America are monitored and kept safe by NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command).  They control the airspace over North America and monitor for potential threats.  Many of you are probably familiar with them from the great 80s movie "War Games" starring a young Matthew Broderick.

Since NORAD monitors the air space over North America, they are *very* well suited to track traffic coming out of the North Pole.  That's where this story gets really interesting.

Every Christmas season, you can follow Santa's journey around the world via the NORAD Santa Tracker.  Access the page and you can get constant updates and videos of jolly old Saint Nick as he makes the trek to bring toys to all the good girls and boys.  Here's a screenshot from the day I wrote this post.  Make sure to notice the countdown timer in the lower right corner of the image.  Every year, the site begins to update starting on December 1st.  NORAD is 'on it' when it comes to knowing the big guy's whereabouts.

On Christmas Eve, the site provides live tracking of Santa's journey which you can watch.  There are also apps available for Apple and Android so you can track Santa from your mobile device as well.

The site is fairly simple, but that makes it easy to navigate... even for youngsters.  I can still remember tracking Santa when my kids were little.  We even once called the Santa Hotline and spoke with a NORAD volunteer who was helping keep an eye on Santa's progress.

The Story

For the full rundown of all the facts, there is a great page on Wikipedia about the origins of this project.  However here are some of the things I find super interesting about the program:

• You can call the Hotline - In addition to tracking Santa, the program offers an 800 number families can call that are answered by a human.  There is also a live chat function on the website.
• It is run by volunteers - The phone lines are manned by both military and civilian operators who donate their time
• Each volunteer -  handles about 40 telephone calls per hour and the team typically handles more than 12,000 e-mails and more than 70,000 telephone calls from more than two hundred countries and territories. Most of these contacts happen during the twenty-five hours from 2 a.m. on December 24 until 3 a.m. MST on December 25
• It is a long running NORAD tradition - It is a community outreach program of NORAD, and has been held annually since 1955
• Its origin - A local Colorado Springs Sears store ran a newspaper ad in 1955.  The ad listed a phone number that children could call and talk to Santa.  The ad misprinted one digit in the phone number which actually connected it to the local military facility.  Deciding it was a great community outreach idea, the military decided to continue the idea the following December.

If you are around any little ones on Christmas Eve or even in the days before, I highly recommend the NORAD Santa Tracker.  It really brings the excitement and wonder out of the kiddos.

As I end this year with this post, I want to thank you all for reading and for all the support you've shown in the past and continue to provide me as we move forward.  The Technology Evangelist Podcast is growing and the blog following (even after all of these years) continues to grow.  You kind people have given me a purpose.  It's wasted effort to do things like the blog and podcast if I didn't have an audience.  That's all of you and I will always be grateful for you.  Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year.  I wish all of you continued health and blessings for the new year.

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

About Dentistry.One 

Dentistry.One was created to break down the barriers that prevent millions of people from accessing the dental care they need. Our vision is to make dental health accessible to everyone, unlocking the significant health and cost-saving benefits that come with a healthy mouth. Offering online consultations, AI-powered tools, and seamless care coordination, Dentistry.One empowers patients to take control of their oral and overall health. To learn more, visit https://dentistry.one/. 

ADA Urges HHS to Withdraw Proposed HIPAA Cybersecurity Rule

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

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

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

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

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

Here's a snippet of the story:

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

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

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

 

 

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

 

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

Read on for the details...

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Henry Schein Expands Partnership with vVARDIS

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

About vVARDIS

vVARDIS is a Swiss high-growth healthcare company located in Zug, Switzerland that offers groundbreaking biomimetic, non-invasive solutions for dental professionals under the Curodont™ brand. Founded by Drs. Haley and Goly Abivardi, sisters, Swiss dentists, innovators, and awarded entrepreneurs, vVARDIS is the result of decades of research, paired with the commitment of its founders to make an impact on people's lives, especially the underserved. vVARDIS' mission is to expand access to novel approaches to the standard of care in dentistry with the purpose of improving oral health – the foundation for overall health. vVARDIS is backed by more than 25 years of science, 230 scientific publications, including meta-analysis, peer-reviewed clinical studies and a long-term peer-reviewed real-world evidence study demonstrating a success rate above 90 percent. 

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

Dandy Acquires Neem to Accelerate Digital Innovation in Dentistry

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

About Dandy

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

VOCO Announces Availability of New Composite - GrandioSO 4U

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Available Shades

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

Specialty: Bleach, Opaque