Carestream Dental Announces Sale of Scanning Technology Business

 

This one is hot off the press.  Carestream is selling their scanning business to Envista Holding which is the parent company of Kavo-Kerr.  More info to follow as it is available...

Affiliates of Carestream Dental LLC (“Carestream Dental”) today announced that they have entered into an agreement to sell Carestream Dental’s Scanning Technology business to Envista Holding Corporation (“Envista”), a leading global dental products company for $600 million. The Scanning Technology business is composed of Carestream Dental’s intraoral scanner equipment (CS 3600, CS 3700, and CS 3800) and related software.

 Carestream Dental will continue to operate its market-leading imaging technology, clinical software and practice management software businesses which provide innovative solutions for dental practices, groups, DSOs and industry partners. The sale of the Scanning Technology business will not only deliver significant proceeds representing the value of the company’s innovation processes, but also allow Carestream Dental to focus its investments and efforts in the highly attractive and growing dental cloud and technology solutions market. Its recent investments in Sensei Cloud practice management and Swissmeda’s suite of clinical software solutions complement a legacy of market-leading device innovation with new growing SaaS applications focused on helping practices and groups build new revenue, profits and patient flows.

 “This is an exciting time for Carestream Dental and our customers,” Lisa Ashby, CEO of Carestream Dental, said. “We’ve had a multi-year investment plan in cloud solutions and technology, and this transaction allows us to better focus and accelerate our innovation in AI tools, clinical cloud applications and cloud practice management for GPs, DSOs and specialty practices. We will continue to work together with our customers and partners to create innovation which delivers both clinical and operational value, and think Envista represents a great home for our Scanning Technology business under which our employees and customers will thrive.”

 Subject to legal, regulatory and employee consultation requirements, it is anticipated that the transaction will close in late Q1/early Q2 of 2022. Additional terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Jefferies LLC is serving as financial advisor and Debevoise & Plimpton LLP is serving as legal counsel to Carestream Dental in the transaction.

 

One of My Top Test Drives of 2021 - Monet Handheld Curing Laser

As I’ve said in the past, curing is the stepchild of adhesive dentistry.  It’s always there, but no one ever pays any attention to it.  We’ve seen some pretty dramatic improvements in our curing devices over the past decade, but AMD has leap frogged the industry with the first laser that is the same size as the standard LED curing light.

A laser pushes all of its photons in one direction in a column of light.  Due to that, every photon created goes to the process of curing the composite.  The physics of LED lights means that as soon as the light leaves the LED, it begins to sort of “spray” in all directions.  That means wasted photons which do NOT help cure the composite.  The Monet focuses all of those photons in a single column of light.

Because of the intensity of the beam, AMD’s internal testing shows a depth of cure of at least 4mm.  In my own independent testing, I have seen similar numbers.

In situations where a Class II restoration is placed, most of us cure from multiple directions after we remove the “hardware” of our matrix system.  The idea is that coming at restorations from the  lingual, buccal, and occlusal gives us the best chance of ensuring an adequate cure.  Adding a curing laser to that equation means better depth of cure across the entire restoration.

The Monet also comes with some handy “aperture attachments” that can easily snap on over the curing lens.  These little clip-on attachments reduce the diameter of the beam to create different aperture tacking tips or smaller beams for more precise curing.

In addition to being a benefit for direct restorations, the Monet has benefits for indirect restorations as well.  The intensity of the beam assures the operator of a strong bond and effective photopolymerization even through thick restorations such as onlays.  This means that the user can have confidence that the restoration has a strong bond and is not relying on autopolymerizing resins to complete their chemical curing process. Lasers are truly the “next step” in our curing armamentarium.

Bayer Consumer Health Division Announces Clinical Research Study Findings Evaluating Naproxen Sodium vs. an Opioid Combination in Acute Postsurgical Dental Pain

Study Shows a Single Dose of Over-The-Counter Naproxen Sodium (440 mg) is as Effective, Lasts Longer, and was Better Tolerated Than a Single Dose of a Commonly Prescribed Opioid

Bayer Consumer Health Division announced today its clinical research study, "Analgesic efficacy of naproxen sodium versus hydrocodone/acetaminophen in acute postsurgical dental pain: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial" was published online in the Postgraduate Medicine journal.

Aleve® is an over the counter (OTC) pain reliever indicated for temporary relief of minor aches and pains including minor arthritis pain, headache, muscular aches and toothache. The single dose study found that in treating moderate-to-severe postsurgical dental pain, a single dose of non-prescription naproxen sodium 440 mg (NapS) was at least as effective at hours 0-4 and better tolerated than a single dose of an opioid combination of hydrocodone plus acetaminophen 10/650 mg (HYD+APAP). This class of medication is known to lead to the potential for misuse and addiction.1 

Overall, in a single dose study, NapS was as effective as HYD+APAP during hours 0-4, and longer lasting. NapS was found to meet the endpoints of reducing pain intensity over 12 hours (primary endpoint; p=0.01), total pain relief over 6 and 12 hours (p<0.05), time to rescue medication (p<0.001), and duration of pain at least half gone over 12 hours (p<0.001). The HYD+APAP treatment was not statistically superior to NapS for any endpoint. Additionally, more treatment-related adverse events were reported with HYD+APAP (n=63) than NapS (n=2) and placebo (n=20), including nausea, vomiting, and dizziness. Results showed NapS to be statistically superior to HYD+APAP for the primary and key secondary endpoints and to have a lower incidence of adverse events (14.4% vs. 39.1%).

"We set out to understand how NapS compares with a common opioid combination in dental pain. We were pleased that the results showed that NapS performed as well as it did in the study," said Charlene Ng, Interim Head of North America Medical Affairs, Bayer Consumer Health. "Knowing NSAIDs are commonly recommended as a first line of defense following dental procedures, we wanted to see how one dose of NapS directly compares to one dose of a commonly prescribed opioid combination. The study yielded positive findings that can serve as valuable information for dental professionals when determining the appropriate treatment for their patients."

One of the most common reasons patients seek medical attention is for pain relief.2 Fast and effective management of acute pain is critical to minimize negative side-effects and current treatment guidelines worldwide recommend that first-line therapy in all mild-to-moderate pain conditions in adults should be oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and/or acetaminophen (APAP). 3-5 Opioids, however, alone or in combination with other analgesics, continue to be prescribed for pain relief. Overprescribing opioids has led to unprecedented levels of relief which have the potential for addiction. 

The results of this single dose study demonstrate that NapS provides the same levels of pain relief from hours 0-4 as a commonly prescribed opioid combination for acute postoperative pain and can be considered by clinicians when recommending appropriate analgesics for minor pain.

"This study comes at a key time, as opioid addiction and overdose deaths have been declared a public health emergency in the United States2," said Dr. M. Ted Wong, DDS, MHA, oral healthcare and dental medical integration consultant. "In reviewing the results, the study shows that NapS may be an effective non-addictive treatment option for those undergoing dental procedures. Data like this is key in the ongoing effort to mitigate the use of opioid combinations as a first line of defense for relieving minor pain after dental procedures. It is my hope that other dentists find the results as compelling as I do."

About the Study 

The study titled, "Analgesic efficacy of naproxen sodium versus hydrocodone/acetaminophen in acute postsurgical dental pain: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial," was a single center, randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled study in moderate or severe postoperative pain after the surgical removal of impacted third molars. Patients (n=212) received either a single dose of NapS (Aleve®, Bayer Bitterfeld, Germany; 220 mg x two tablets), HYD+APAP (Norco®, Amneal Pharmaceuticals, NY, USA; 5+325 mg x two tablets), or a placebo within 4.5 hours post-surgery and were assessed over the course of 12 hours. The primary endpoint was the summed pain intensity difference from zero to 12 hours (SPID0-12) with secondary endpoints identified as pain intensity, pain relief, time to rescue medication (additional pain relief medication taken, if needed), and duration of pain at least half gone. Additional endpoints assessed include onset of pain relief, global assessment of treatment, and adverse events.

There were no serious adverse events (AEs) or treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) that led to study discontinuation. A total of 85 TEAEs were reported (NapS, n=2; HYD+APAP, n=63; PBO, n=20). Most AEs were classified as mild, but moderate in 21.8% HYD+APAP patients and 13.6% of PBO patients. Results demonstrated that NapS was better tolerated than HYD+APAP with only one AE that was considered treatment related (somnolence) compared to 18 with HYD+APAP (mostly nausea, vomiting and dizziness) and compared to 1 with PBO (vomiting).

About Bayer

Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the life science fields of health care and nutrition. Its products and services are designed to help people and planet thrive by supporting efforts to master the major challenges presented by a growing and aging global population. Bayer is committed to drive sustainable development and generate a positive impact with its businesses. At the same time, the Group aims to increase its earning power and create value through innovation and growth. The Bayer brand stands for trust, reliability and quality throughout the world. In fiscal 2020, the Group employed around 100,000 people and had sales of 41.4 billion euros. R&D expenses before special items amounted to 4.9 billion euros. For more information, go to www.bayer.com.

ADA Sends Letter to Senate Encouraging Passing Bill "Prevent HPV Cancers Act"

 

On December 10, 2021 ADA President Cesar Sabates, DDS wrote to the majority and minority leaders of the senate to encourage passage of H.R.1550.

The Human Papilloma Virus is estimated by the Centers for Disease Control to cause oral cancers in 19,000 U.S. citizens yearly.  We have a vaccine for this virus & we need to get the population vaccinated.  Oral cancers have a low 5 year survival rate, mainly because many people do not see a dentist regularly and discover the signs when the disease is at a more advanced stage.

Here is the letter sent by Dr. Sabates (who I am proud to call my friend):

Dear Majority Leader Schumer and Minority Leader McConnell: 

On behalf of the 162,000 members of the American Dental Association (ADA), we are writing to ask you to bring H.R. 1550, the PREVENT HPV Cancers Act, to the floor for a vote. The ADA strongly supports this legislation that passed the House of Representatives by voice vote on November 30. 

The ADA believes in the importance of increasing awareness of HPV and of educating the public on the need for HPV immunization. The administration of the HPV vaccine is a safe and effective way to reduce the risk of HPV-related cancers, including certain head and neck cancers. HPV is now associated with more than 19,000 cases of head and neck cancer each year in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

H.R. 1550 would provide the national public awareness needed to help Americans safeguard their oral health against cancers of the mouth, throat, and tonsils. The ADA is proud to support H.R. 1550 and would welcome the opportunity to work with the Secretary of Health and Health Human Services (HHS) on the public service awareness campaign that would be authorized under the bill. 

We urge you to bring the PREVENT HPV Cancers Act up for a vote. Thank you for your consideration, and please do not hesitate to contact Ms. Natalie Hales with any questions at halesn@ada.org.

Sincerely,

Cesar R. Sabates, DDS

Ultradent Grows its South Jordan Campus

 Ultradent Products, Inc., a leading developer and manufacturer of high-tech dental materials and equipment, is beginning construction of a new facility on its South Jordan, UT, campus. A groundbreaking ceremony will be held December 16, 1:30 p.m. with key company representatives and local leaders in attendance. 

The planned 170,000 square feet, state-of-the-art building will allow Ultradent to expand its growing manufacturing division—housing injection molding, equipment manufacturing, repair facilities, and more. The building will support 24/7 operations to facilitate Ultradent’s increasing domestic and international presence. The building—designed by PGA&W Architecture—is expected to be completed in early 2023.

Statement from CISA Director Easterly on "LOG4J" Vulnerability

 The world of cyber security is full of twists and turns.  It's also a never ending battle as experts for legitimate entities try to keep criminals out of their networks.  Recently we've seen an uptick in 'supply chain attacks' where the hackers infiltrate systems through a trusted IT partner.

These attacks allow a hacker to exploit a single company and have that particular exploit then delivered to many other companies.  It's a nefarious way of spreading mayhem and creating possibilities for exponential incidents of Ransomware or other Malware.

We are currently seeing a *major threat* through an exploit that is being referred to as a "critical vulnerability".  I've read one story online that quotes CISA Director Jen Easterly as saying this could well be the worst vulnerability she has seen in her career.  Here is the statement that was released by CISA.  You may want to check with your IT folks to see if this affects you...

Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Director Jen Easterly released the following statement today on the “log4j” vulnerability: 

 “CISA is working closely with our public and private sector partners to proactively address a critical vulnerability affecting products containing the log4j software library. This vulnerability, which is being widely exploited by a growing set of threat actors, presents an urgent challenge to network defenders given its broad use. End users will be reliant on their vendors, and the vendor community must immediately identify, mitigate, and patch the wide array of products using this software.  Vendors should also be communicating with their customers to ensure end users know that their product contains this vulnerability and should prioritize software updates. 

 “We are taking urgent action to drive mitigation of this vulnerability and detect any associated threat activity. We have added this vulnerability to our catalog of known exploited vulnerabilities, which compels federal civilian agencies -- and signals to non-federal partners -- to urgently patch or remediate this vulnerability. We are proactively reaching out to entities whose networks may be vulnerable and are leveraging our scanning and intrusion detection tools to help government and industry partners identify exposure to or exploitation of the vulnerability.  

 “The Joint Cyber Defense Collaborative is designed to manage this kind of risk. We have established a JCDC senior leadership group to coordinate collective action and ensure shared visibility into both the prevalence of this vulnerability and threat activity. By bringing together key government and private sector partners via the JCDC, including our partners at the FBI and NSA, we will ensure that our country’s strongest capabilities are brought to bear in an integrated manner against this risk. To ensure the broadest possible dissemination of key information, we are also convening a national call with critical infrastructure stakeholders on Monday afternoon where CISA’s experts provide further insight and address questions.  

 “We continue to urge all organizations to review the latest CISA current activity alert and upgrade to log4j version 2.15.0, or apply their appropriate vendor recommended mitigations immediately.

 “To be clear, this vulnerability poses a severe risk. We will only minimize potential impacts through collaborative efforts between government and the private sector. We urge all organizations to join us in this essential effort and take action.” 

 CISA recommends asset owners take three additional, immediate steps regarding this vulnerability: 

   1. Enumerate any external facing devices that have log4j installed. 

   2. Make sure that your security operations center is actioning every single alert on the devices that fall into the category above. 

   3. Install a web application firewall (WAF) with rules that automatically update so that your SOC is able to concentrate on fewer alerts. 

 This effort also underscores the urgency of building software securely from the start and more widespread use of Software Bill of Materials (SBOM), both of which were directed by President Biden in his Executive Order issued in May 2021.  A SBOM would provide end users will the transparency they require to know if their products rely on vulnerable software libraries. 

Evaluating AirFree Air Purifiers in Our Clinic

 

Obviously, air quality has come to the forefront of infection control recently.  If you think about it logically, masks are all about air quality.  Some are for outgoing and some are for incoming.

A normal surgical mask that does not fit snugly around the face does little to actually protect the wearer (it provides some protection but not a lot), but protects others from respiratory droplets.   While N-95 respirators help protect the wearer (the snug fit and electrically charged filtration remove tiny pieces in the air) while also protecting others.

However, what if there were ways to help cleanse the air in addition to wearing masks?  In the dental environment, that's what we're trying to do by using air purification systems in addition to masks.

We have recently received 2 AirFree Air Purifiers which we are putting to use in our clinic.  The dental office here is divided into what we refer to as "pods".  We have one pod for reception, one pod for the clinic, and one pod for staff.  Each pod is separated from the others by doors and each pod also has its own HVAC system.

Since our clinic is the pod in the office where the aerosols are being created, we have placed an Airfare P  Air Purifier at each end of the clinic pod.  The devices are quiet, since no fans are needed, but they also have a great aesthetic that with the high tech appearance of our office.  The devices work quietly to get rid of up to 99.99% of bacteria, fungi, viruses, pollen, and other air pollutants.

Personally, I love the appearance, but I also love the fact that they are always working to remove anything in the air that can cause problems.

I'll be reporting back in a few weeks to let you know how things are going with them, but at this point we're having good results.