Medidenta Acquires Ferguson Mini 8KS Accessories Business

 

Dr.  Rick Ferguson is a well known name in the realm of 3D printing in dentistry.  In the early 2010s, Dr. Ferguson discovered he had a real knack for digital dentistry.  He jumped into the proverbial deep end of the pool.  This embracing of 3D printing and his knack for tinkering led him to not only become an industry leader, but also an inventor.  He wanted to give other doctors a chance to explore 3D printing and get their feet wet without doing the same dive in the deep end that he did.

That lead to his work on developing some products to help doctors get better results with inexpensive printers as they learned so that when they took the next step and invested in higher end, dental specific printers they'd have some experience and be better because of it.

Now comes the announcement that Medidenta will take over the manufacturing and distribution of his products.  Here are all the details...

Medidenta, a trusted name in dental innovation for over 30 years, is proud to announce the acquisition of the Ferguson Mini 8KS accessories business from renowned educator and digital dentistry pioneer, Dr. Rick Ferguson.

This strategic acquisition strengthens Medidenta’s position in the growing 3D printing market and expands access to high-quality, budget-friendly digital dentistry solutions for clinicians worldwide.

“Having both followed and worked with Dr. Ferguson, we were thrilled at the opportunity to further partner with his innovations in the 3D printing arena,” said Sean Ryan of Medidenta. “His products and passion align perfectly with our push into education and digital dentistry at Medidenta.”

Advancing Digital Dentistry Together

Since founding the Dental 3D Printing Group in 2018, Dr. Ferguson has partnered with top-tier printer and resin manufacturers to make cutting-edge 3D printing accessible to the broader dental community. His custom-designed accessories for the Phrozen Mini 8KS have empowered thousands of practices to adopt advanced printing workflows without high upfront costs.

With demand for these accessories exceeding production capacity, Medidenta will now take over manufacturing and fulfillment, while continuing to provide support in collaboration with Dr. Ferguson—ensuring improved availability and a more streamlined experience for dental professionals. 

“Medidenta’s long-standing reputation, robust infrastructure, and commitment to dental innovation make them the ideal partner to carry this business forward,” said Dr. Ferguson. “This transition will improve ship times, enhance support, and ensure dentists have the tools they need to succeed in digital dentistry. I will continue to provide technical support to all accessory users to ensure a smooth transition.”

What Dentists Can Expect

• Improved Fulfillment: Medidenta will take approximately 6–8 weeks to ramp up full-scale manufacturing.
• No Service Gaps: All orders placed before the acquisition will be fulfilled directly by Dr. Ferguson.
• Ongoing Support: Dr. Ferguson will remain involved to provide technical support throughout the transition.
• Educational Opportunities: Medidenta’s Las Vegas facility offers continuing education courses to help clinicians implement and refine digital workflows.

About Medidenta & How To Order: 

To learn more about Medidenta and what it has to offer and to explore the full range of accessories and learn more about upcoming educational offerings by visiting:
https://medidenta.com/product-category/3d-printing/ 

Fluoride Facts from the American Dental Association

 

With all the news flying around about fluoride recently, I thought it pertinent to get this information to you.  The ADA recently put out a press release titled "You Ask, We Answer:  Fluoridation Facts".  In this debate facts matter and so does science.  So give this a read and if you want even more good and scientific information on this subject the ADA offers a *free* E-Book that members can download.

Here's the recent release:

With the release of the ADA’s new edition of Fluoridation Facts, readers can learn the answers to hundreds of frequently asked questions about community water fluoridation and the latest scientific research. Fluoridation Facts — the Association’s free resource on fluoridation that examines the mineral’s effectiveness, safety, practice and cost-effectiveness — works to assist policymakers and the general public in making informed decisions about fluoridation. The new edition contains more than 400 references and 10 new Q&A’s for a total of 69 covered over 114 pages. 

 

In a new series, the ADA News is delving into many questions explored in the book through conversations with experts about fluoridation information and misinformation — from overall effectiveness to whether ingesting fluoride impacts IQ, health and reproduction. 

 

This week, Susan Fisher-Owens, M.D., a pediatrician and professor at the University of California San Francisco, discussed the question of whether ingesting fluoride at recommended levels affects the intelligence in children or has a neurological impact – question #41 in Fluoridation Facts.  

 

While researching disparities with asthma years ago, Dr. Fisher-Owens learned that tooth decay is the most common chronic disease in children.  

 

“I like to say that pediatricians are preventionists. We try to prevent obesity by giving breast milk, we try to prevent disease by giving vaccines, how are we not preventing the most common chronic condition of childhood? That’s when I got involved in applying fluoride varnish and working on referral systems and training others to do so as well.”

But is fluoride safe? 

 

The Fluoridation Facts book states that several systematic reviews and individual studies provide evidence that consumption of optimally fluoridated water at levels recommended the U.S. (0.7 mg/L) is safe and effective. 

 

“High-quality evidence does not establish a casual relationship between consumption of water fluoridated at recommended levels and lowered intelligence or behavioral disorders in children,” the book said. 

 

According to Dr. Fisher-Owens, the myth that fluoride poses safety concerns stems from a small kernel of truth. In many countries with higher levels of naturally occurring fluoride like China, people drink more water per day than the U.S. and use different forms of coal that can add to fluoride levels. In these countries, there appears preliminarily to be a risk.

Looking at such places without taking into consideration other excessive exposures to fluoride might make it look like IQ and fluoridation are connected. However, Dr. Fisher-Owens emphasized that all these studies are observational, meaning that they show correlation but not any causation. Plus, studies performed in countries with similar backgrounds to the U.S. — including Spain, New Zealand, Canada and Australia — found no impact on IQ.  

 

In 2017, for instance, the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council’s systematic review information paper concluded that there is no association between water fluoridation at current Australian levels — which range from 0.6 to 1.1 mg/L depending on climate — and the cognitive function of children or adults. 

 

A systematic review and meta-analysis published in JAMA Pediatrics for the National Toxicology Program in January examined 74 international studies published from 1989 to 2023 on the relationship between fluoride and IQ in children. While the review suggested that more exposure to fluoride may be linked to lower IQ scores in children, Dr. Fisher-Owens noted, 52 of the 74 studies were considered “low quality,” with a high risk of bias.

“It’s another reason why we shouldn’t rely on that to make us concerned about an appropriate preventive tool at the right levels,” she said. 

 

Some of these studies were published in non-peer-reviewed journals and relied on IQ’s in 3- and 4-year-olds, which Dr. Fisher-Owens said is a “very unreliable age to be doing IQ testing” since performance at this age can vary depending on whether they’ve had a nap or snack. She added that there is cultural bias with IQ testing that doesn’t level out until kids are older and in school. 

 

“It’s not a good way to test for true differences in IQ, whereas the [study] in Australia looked at exposures in younger kids but then also tested them at higher ages to see their differences in IQ,” Dr. Fisher-Owens said. 

 

She said she completely understands whenever a parent is worried about their child and raises concerns surrounding fluoridation. But she also reminds them that dentists and public health experts know the recommended levels are safe and effectively treat dental caries. 

“As a pediatrician I care about the whole child. So, this was an issue that was a concern to me when I first heard it. But after looking at the research, looking at the locations, looking at the levels and looking at what’s going on in the United States and other countries that fluoridate like the United States does, I was very relieved to realize that this is still a safe way for us to protect children and adults,” Dr. Fisher-Owens said. 

The Toothpaste Market may get a Little Wooly...

 

I hope the title of this post grabbed you.  Even though I'll admit that it was a blatant attempt at 'click-bait', I honestly thinking reading this post is worth your time.  Here's some interesting science info that *might* have the possibility of changing toothpastes and/or remineralization protocols for the better.  

Ever since tooth decay was discovered, people have tried to reverse engineer the process and make teeth whole again.  In the industry we call that "remineralization".  The basic concept (for those non-dental folks reading this) is to apply some type of substance to the tooth and have the tooth absorb those minerals into tiny weakened areas of decay.  The thought process is that if those small areas can soak up the minerals, new crystalline tooth structure can form.  In theory, this would allow the decay to 'reverse' itself and make the weakened areas like new.  Remineralization can only work on tiny areas of decay that are just starting, but small areas can become large areas, so reversing the process at the earliest stages is smart, and that's the goal.

There are several products that attempt to do this that are currently available, but not every product works all the time.  Because of that, scientists are constantly looking for better and more effective substances and ways to apply them.  Usually remineralization products contain Calcium and Phosphate ions.  These tiny particles are attracted to the weakened tooth structure and then bind there creating a matrix for new structure.  If that sounds complicated... that's because it is.  And, like I said,  not every product works every time.

So I took notice when I saw a recent article that talked about using a different chemical to attempt remineralization.  That substance is keratin.  Here's what Wikipedia has to say about the substance:

Keratin (/ˈkɛrətɪn/[1][2]) is one of a family of structural fibrous proteins also known as scleroproteins. It is the key structural material making up scales, hair, nails, feathers, horns, claws, hooves, and the outer layer of skin in vertebrates. Keratin also protects epithelial cells from damage or stress. Keratin is extremely insoluble in water and organic solvents. Keratin monomers assemble into bundles to form intermediate filaments, which are tough and form strong unmineralized epidermal appendages found in reptiles, birds, amphibians, and mammals

Scientists at King's College London, recently published the findings of a study in the journal Advanced Healthcare Materials that discusses using  keratin as the basis of a regenerative alternative for repairing damaged teeth.  The article title is "Biomimetic Mineralization of Keratin Scaffolds for Enamel Regeneration".

They used keratin extracted from wool and applied it to tooth surfaces in the lab.  What they discovered was that when their keratin contacted saliva, a crystallin lattice formed that appears very similar to natural enamel. This lattice appeared to then lead to tooth repair.  The study states:

Collectively, these results demonstrate that keratin treatment not only modulates secondary protein structures to promote mineral nucleation but also restores enamel mechanical properties both at the surface and within the lesion depth, supporting its potential as a functional biomimetic strategy for WAL repair.

So, the good news is that in the lab, this appears to be a truly promising way to reverse small areas of decay through remineralization.  However, despite these promising results, much more science and testing  is needed before we'll see anything like this available  in any products.  Science is a slow process, but that's a good thing.  Meticulous research can lead to incredible advances in knowledge and this could very well be one of them.

If I hear more about this, you can count on me letting you know.

Medicaid Telehealth Flexibilities Set to Expire September 30th - Congressional Extension Needed

 

One of the silver linings of the Covid-19 pandemic (yes, there were a few of those) was the expansion and acceptance of telehealth.  Trying to keep people isolated to help control the spread of the disease probably helped, but it also meant people in need of healthcare didn't have an easy way to seek contact with a medical professional.

Fortunately the proliferation of broadband Internet connections and smart software engineers came in as a big plus.  Remote healthcare became a well known reality.  Congress quickly passed legislation that allowed medical professionals to treat patients without physical contact.  Many patients now rely on telehealth for all kinds of appointments.  This is especially helpful to US citizens on Medicaid.  

However, that emergency legislation came with some limitations and one of those was that its use was only legally allowed for a limited amount of time.  At the time, no one knew if there would be problems that would occur from this new service and no one wanted to vote it into permanent status without the system getting a chance to take it for a test drive first.

Obviously we all know the benefits that come from telehealth.  Unfortunately, until recently not many people knew or remembered that the service for Medicaid patients was on a limited trial basis.  That legislation is set to expire on September 30th.  That has brought with it a full court press from the healthcare industry to get US legislators to quickly pass another extension that will allow it to continue.

The good news is that, in addition to professionals voicing support, many health insurance companies are also on board for an extension.  Recently 48 health systems signed a letter sent to the Senate Majority Leader (John Thune), the Senate Minority Leader (Chuck Schumer, the Speaker of the House (Mike Johnson), and the House Minority Leader (Hakeem Jeffries) encouraging the legislation to continue.

There don't seem to be many times that doctors and insurance companies are on the same side of an issue, but this is certainly one of them.

If you'd like to read the letter sent to the legislative leaders, you can access it with this link.  

Dentistry's iPhone Moment: Trust AI Raises $6M, Transforming How 200,000 Dentists in the U.S. Practice

As I keep saying, Artificial Intelligence is making tremendous inroads into the profession of dentistry.  For most people in the field, AI immediately makes them think of radiography (x-rays).  That's understandable since that has been the biggest push into the industry to this point.  In early 2023, ChatGPT launched and suddenly AI was on the front page of every news website.  Fortunately for dental AI radiographic analysis companies, several had launched in the previous six months and as ChatGPT made headlines, they went along for the ride.  Suddenly the term Artificial Intelligence was everywhere and everyone wanted to be part of it.

Yet AI wasn't resting on its digital laurels.  Researchers and software engineers were hard at work on expanding the possibilities of what was possible.  Now we're seeing the next big jump for that incredible technology in the dental industry.  Trust AI is working on creating a total AI hub for doctors.Here's the idea: 

Trust AI is a purpose-built artificial intelligence platform specifically for dentistry. Founded in 2025 and based in San Francisco, it's designed as an all-in-one, AI-powered “operating system” that transforms how dental practices operate—from diagnostics to administrative workflows.

 Basically, you ask it a question and it provides you an answer, similar to ChatGPT.  I've tinkered with it a bit and, while I haven't worked with it for an extended amount of time, what I've seen is pretty impressive.  Obviously others feel the same was as the company just announced that they recently raised $6 million in a seed round of funding.  Here's the news...

Trust AI, the 'ChatGPT' for dentists, has raised $6 million, the largest seed round ever for a dental technology startup. The emerging platform has attracted over 3,000 dentists in just weeks. Practices race to adopt AI, quickly making traditional dentistry obsolete. Trust AI is transforming everyday practitioners into AI-augmented clinicians with specialist insights instantly available.

Built by dentists for dentists, the seed round was led by dental industry leaders, including Wehrle Implant Immersion Center, Goetze Dental, Rockwood Programs, and a group of prominent dentists representing over $100 million in practice revenues; the very people who understand firsthand what the industry needs most.

"Dentistry was never meant to run a maze of disconnected apps, endless logins and fragmented workflows," said Dr. Divian Patel, Co-Founder of Trust AI and owner of multiple dental practices in the UK and the US. "Trust AI puts an end to the chaos. One platform. One secure HIPAA-compliant portal. One intelligent conversation that replaces them all. We built exactly what every practice needs; technology that actually works together.

Trust AI has become the fastest growing dental startup in history, adding around 500 new users per week, entirely through word of mouth. Its rapid adoption signals a seismic shift currently underway in the dental sector. Each practice contributes real-world cases and clinical insights that competitors can't replicate, extending Trust AI's technological lead with every new user.

As the first specialized large language model (LLM) for dentistry, Trust AI serves as a real-time clinical partner. The platform delivers advanced diagnostic support, personalized treatment planning, radiographic image analysis, insurance verification and administrative automation.

"We're not building software for dentistry; we're rebuilding dentistry itself," said Dr. Bernard Casse, CEO and Co-Founder of Trust AI. "Practices using Trust AI are already operating in 2030 while their competitors are stuck in 1995."

Trust AI's purpose-built dental LLM is accessible through multiple channels under the name Isaac. Available 24/7 via web, voice call, or WhatsApp, Isaac allows practitioners to talk through complex patient cases, ask follow-up questions, and refine treatment decisions. From routine care to rare cases, Isaac handles dentistry's toughest diagnostic challenges with nuance and context. It's the dental hotline that never sleeps.

Trust AI is building dentistry's operating system, with Isaac as the single AI brain powering everything. One brain, multiple superpowers: from answering clinical questions to handling the front desk, from analyzing radiographs to navigating insurance complexities. Every capability stems from the same intelligent core, getting smarter with each interaction across thousands of practices.

"Smart dentists aren't worried about AI taking their jobs. They're worried about being the last practice in town without it," said Dr. Shervin Molayem, Co-Founder of Trust AI and Beverly Hills periodontist. "That day is coming sooner than you think."

With its core platform available free globally, Trust AI is democratizing access to advanced clinical intelligence. The company expects to become the industry standard by 2026 as dental practices increasingly adopt AI-powered solutions to meet evolving patient expectations and clinical demands.

About Trust AI 

Founded in 2025, Trust AI is building the operating system for the future of dentistry. The company's purpose-built AI platform fundamentally transforms how dental practices operate - from delivering specialist-level insights to orchestrating entire practice workflows. By enabling dentists to focus purely on patient care while AI handles everything else, Trust AI is creating a new standard for clinical excellence and operational efficiency. Based in San Francisco, Trust AI serves practices nationwide. Learn more at www.trustdentistry.ai.

Lawfirm Announces Investigation of Align Technologies Over Drop in Stock Price

 

Here is an interesting tidbit from the industry and investment side of the things.  Publicly traded companies are highly regulated and their statements, especially those related to finance, are monitored closely both by the SEC and also by law firms looking for potential litigation.

There are even some law firms that specialize in monitoring companies stock prices and file lawsuits for clients who lose money on investments due to mismanagement or statements about finances that my have been too optimistic.  Those statements *might* result in investors buying or keeping shares of a  company's stock based on overly optimistic projections.

I'm not sure exactly where this story falls, but the law firm Levi & Korsinsky put out a press release recently to announce they are investigating Align Technologies and encouraging potential clients to contact them.  It seems that after announcing their most recent financial results, Align revised it's financial outlook going forward which caused a significant drop in their stock price.

As someone who is in the dental industry, I'm more interested in industry trends and projections on the future than I am about stock prices, but this probably isn't the best news for Align.  I have no idea what happened, but any time a company loses over 30% of their stock value, it's something I take notice of.  Only time will tell if there is anything to this, but I think anyone in the industry should be aware of a situation like this

Here is the press release:

Levi & Korsinsky notifies investors that it has commenced an investigation of Align Technology, Inc. ("Align Technology, Inc.") (NASDAQ:ALGN) concerning possible violations of federal securities laws.

Align Technology, Inc. disclosed its financial results for the second quarter of 2025 on July 29, 2025, and revised its full-year outlook, a mere two months after management presented a multi-year Long-Range Plan at its Analyst Day. Despite prior guidance projecting mid-single-digit revenue growth, the company's reported Q2 revenues were essentially flat year-over-year, establishing a lower-than-anticipated baseline for the balance of 2025.

Following this news, Align Technology's common stock declined over 31% in early trading on July 31, 2025. To obtain additional information, go to:

https://zlk.com/pslra-1/align-technology-inc-lawsuit-submission-form?prid=159675&wire=1&utm_campaign=37

or contact Joseph E. Levi, Esq. either via email at jlevi@levikorsinsky.com or by telephone at (212)363-7500.

WHY LEVI & KORSINSKY: Over the past 20 years, Levi & Korsinsky LLP has established itself as a nationally-recognized securities litigation firm that has secured hundreds of millions of dollars for aggrieved shareholders and built a track record of winning high-stakes cases. The firm has extensive expertise representing investors in complex securities litigation and a team of over 70 employees to serve our clients. For seven years in a row, Levi & Korsinsky has ranked in ISS Securities Class Action Services' Top 50 Report as one of the top securities litigation firms in the United States. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

OraCare Unveils OraPro – The Game-Changing Toothpaste Dentists Have Been Waiting For

OraCare is proud to introduce OraPro, the most advanced toothpaste ever created—engineered with next-level technology and exclusively available through dental professionals.  This unique toothpaste is powered by Micro Netting Technology (MNT)—a revolutionary innovation that acts like a microscopic net, sweeping away plaque from places other toothpastes can’t even reach. 

Clinical statistics show its incredible results:

• OraPro reduces plaque 359% more effectively than over-the-counter toothpaste..
• OraPro delivers 209% increased fluoride absorption when compared to regular OTC toothpaste, helping to enhance enamel strength.
• OraPro whitens just as effectively as leading whitening toothpastes with far less abrasion (RDA 88) leading to a brighter smile

“OraPro isn’t just another toothpaste—it’s a leap forward in oral care,” said Dr.Robert Martino,

CEO at OraCare. “We’ve had offices who love our OraCare rinse ask us when we are going to

have a toothpaste, and we took our time because we wanted it to be different. We’re proud to

finally offer a product that truly transforms the daily brushing experience.”

OraPro joins OraCare’s other products, which have already gained the attention of dentistry’s

most knowledgeable professionals. OraCare Health Rinse, a professional chlorhexidine

alternative, won the coveted Cellerant Best of Class Hygiene Award for 2021, 2022, 2023, and

2024! These awards highlight the most innovative and practice-changing technologies available

to dentists. Now, OraPro, exclusively dispensed by dental professionals, also is poised to set a

new standard in oral hygiene and whitening performance. 

Don’t settle for ordinary. Feel the science of a superior clean. Learn more at www.OraProPaste.com