Inaugural Dental VIP (Venture, Innovation & Partnering) Summit Taking Place on February 19th in Chicago

 

Are you interested in what the future of dentistry holds?  If so, this announcement should be something you're aware of.   On the Wednesday before the Chicago MidWinter Meeting commences, my buddy Marty Jablow and others are putting together The Dental VIP Summit.  I'll be there, but so will lots of other folks in dentistry.  Read the announcement and prepare to attend!

The inaugural Dental VIP (Venture, Innovation & Partnering) Summit, an event created to spotlight transformative technologies designed to revolutionize the dental industry, will take place on February 19, 2025, at the Intercontinental Chicago Miracle Mile. 

This groundbreaking gathering is being held prior to the Chicago Dental Society Midwinter Meeting, and is offering a platform for start-ups, industry leaders, investors, and clinical innovators to connect, collaborate, and accelerate advancements in dental care.

Marty Jablow, DMD, Co-Chairman of the Summit and President of Dental Tech Advisors, emphasized the event's importance, stating, “The dental market is ripe for innovation, with significant unmet medical and technological needs. We saw an opportunity to create an exclusive event for a variety of key stakeholders who are driving dental innovation.”

The Dental VIP Summit will feature rapid-fire presentations from cutting-edge start-ups, panel discussions with industry leaders, and keynote insights from renowned experts. 

What’s more, entrepreneurs, investors, corporate executives, and dental Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) will convene to address critical topics shaping the future of dentistry. Here is the preliminary agenda:

Here is the agenda:

10:30 - 11:00 AM | Check-In

11:00 - 11:10 AM | Introduction to the Innovation Summit

Presented By: Marty Jablow, DMD, President - Dental Tech Advisors

and Darius Somekhian, Co-Founder - Pair Dental

11:10 - 11:30 AM | Morning Keynote Presentation

“Where Dentistry and Dental Tech Need to Go in the Next Few Years”

Presented By: Christian Coachman, Founder & CEO - Digital Smile Design

11:30 - 12:20 PM | Early-Stage Dental Tech Shark Tank

12:20 - 1:00 PM | Networking Lunch

1:00 - 2:00 PM | The Future of AI and Automation in Dentistry Showcase

2:00 - 2:30 PM | Investing in Dental Start-Ups

2:30 - 3:00 PM | Afternoon Networking Break

3:00 - 3:30 PM | Afternoon Keynote Presentation

“How Glidewell is Leveraging Technology and Partnerships to Innovate and Address Unmet Needs in Dentistry”. Presented By: Stephenie Goddard, CEO – Glidewell Dental

3:30 - 4:15 PM | Innovation Showcase

4:15 - 4:45 PM | Future of Dentistry - KOL Perspectives

Panelists: Paul Feuerstein, DMD, Technology Editor – Dentistry Today;

John Flucke, DDS, Technology Editor - Dental Products Report; Pamela Maragliano-Muniz, DMD, Editor-in-Chief – Dental Economics;

Shervin Molayem, DDS, Editor in Chief - Mouth Body Research Institute

Moderated By: Marty Jablow, DMD, President - Dental Tech Advisors

4:45 - 5:15 PM | Future of Dentistry - Industry Perspectives

Presented By: Darius Somekhian, Co-Founder - Pair Dental

5:15 - 6:00 PM | Dental Disrupters Share Success Stories

6:00 - 7:00 PM | Closing Networking Reception

For more information about The Dental VIP Summit, contact Craig Simak, CEO of Healthegy craig@healthegy.com. To register for this event, visit https://www.dentalvipsummit.com/

About the Dental VIP Summit: The first of what is intended to be an ongoing series of ground-breaking events, the Dental VIP ( Venture, Innovation & Partnering) Summit is designed to explore the future of dental innovation and propel the standard of patient care forward. During each event, attendees will gain unparalleled access to insights from thought leaders, discover emerging technologies, and network with top-tier professionals, including entrepreneurs, corporate R&D teams, business development executives, and investors.

Community Water Fluoridation at Recommended Levels Reduces Tooth Decay

 

This one is important.  Many experts have called water fluoridation the greatest public health initiative in U.S. history.  The ADA has put the following press release online as of January 6, 2025.

The American Dental Association (ADA) remains committed to the oral health benefits of optimally fluoridated water. The recent article in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Pediatrics “Fluoride Exposure and Children’s IQ Scores: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis” consists of the metanalysis left out of the National Toxicology Program’s (NTP) monograph released in August and does not provide any new evidence to warrant changing current community water fluoridation practices.

An accompanying commentary, “Caution Needed in Interpreting the Evidence Base on Fluoride and IQ,” by University of Iowa dental professor and international expert on fluoride intake, Steven Levy, D.D.S., M.P.H., cautions that the systematic review and meta-analysis, which contend fluoride exposure can lower children’s IQ levels, are deeply flawed. “While I have serious concerns about biases and other methodological flaws in this meta-analysis, the main takeaway is that it did not find any connection between lower IQ and fluoride intake at the level recommended for community water fluoridation,” Dr. Levy’s commentary explains. Dr. Levy is also a member of the ADA’s National Fluoridation Advisory Committee.

“The public needs to understand that the levels examined in NTP report are from countries with high levels of naturally occurring fluoride that is more than double the amount recommended by the U.S. Public Health Service to optimally fluoridate community water systems and help prevent dental disease,” said Brett Kessler, D.D.S., president of the American Dental Association. “A more recent study in which the level of fluoride in water is comparable to that in the U.S. found no measurable effect on cognitive neurodevelopment or IQ scores in children. To prevent dental disease the ADA continues to recommend drinking optimally fluoridated water along with twice daily brushing with fluoride toothpaste and eating a healthy diet, low in added sugars,” said Dr. Kessler.

The ADA’s National Fluoridation Advisory Committee and other experts concluded the final National Toxicology Program did not adequately address or overcome biases and weaknesses of the studies reviewed as identified from initial NTP draft reports. The report twice failed peer review by the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine (NASEM), required additional scientific review by an NTP Board of Scientific Counselors (BSC), and underwent a significant number of revisions and edits before it was finally released earlier this year.

The final NTP report was also considered in a recent District Court case, and the key takeaway from the District Court ruling is that the final NTP report “does not conclude with any certainty that fluoridated water is injurious to public health,” as stated by District Court Judge Edward Chen.

“As a science-based organization with health care professionals dedicated to improving the oral and overall health of the public, the ADA welcomes future U.S.-based research and data relevant to this country’s practice of fluoridating water,” Dr. Kessler states. “The ADA has yet to see any peer-reviewed published research that would alter its long-standing position that optimally fluoridated water is beneficial and safe for the oral health of the public.”

For more information on community water fluoridation and ADA advocacy, visit ADA.org/fluoride.

About the American Dental Association

The not-for-profit ADA is the nation's largest dental association, representing 159,000 dentist members. The premier source of oral health information, the ADA has advocated for the public's health and promoted the art and science of dentistry since 1859. The ADA's state-of-the-art research facilities develop and test dental products and materials that have advanced the practice of dentistry and made the patient experience more positive. The ADA Seal of Acceptance has long been a valuable and respected guide to consumer dental care products. The Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA), published monthly, is the ADA's flagship publication and the best-read scientific journal in dentistry. For more information about the ADA, visit ADA.org. For more information on oral health, including prevention, care and treatment of dental disease, visit the ADA's consumer website MouthHealthy.org.

About the ADA Forsyth Institute

The ADA Forsyth Institute was founded in 1910 as the Forsyth Dental Infirmary for Children (later, the Forsyth Institute), to provide dental care to the disadvantaged children of Boston. While continuing to serve children in need, yet recognizing the ultimate goal is to prevent dental disease, the Institute in 1915 began to focus on scientific research and is today the world’s leader in oral health research. In October of 2023, the Institute joined with the American Dental Association to form the ADA Forsyth Institute, a 501(c)(3) entity dedicated to improving people’s oral and overall health and powering the profession of dentistry through cutting-edge basic research, creative translational science, innovative clinical technologies, and global public health outreach. Consistent with the Institute’s founding mission, the ADA ForsythKids mobile dental program continues to serve children in need.

Why Data Security can be an Investment and not a Cost

As regular readers know, I'm pretty passionate about data security.  I try and use 'best practices' in all of my digital endeavours, but especially so with things dealing with the office.  Our profession has seen a huge impact due to data breaches in the last 2-3 years and unfortunately it isn't going to go away.  Since the Covid shutdown in 2020, healthcare has been either #1 or for sure in the top 5 of data brach targets.

Many doctors just don't comprehend the costs that come from suffering a breach.  In addition to all of the fuzzy costs of office downtime, network rebuilds, loss of reputation, there are huge fines that can be issued by the federal government.

Recently a dental office in Indiana had to pay a fine of $350,000 due to suffering a breach.  This, of course was in addition to all of the other costs that come with this nightmare.

So please take this seriously.  This is an issue that requires professional help and the help needs to be a company that deals with data security as their main focus.  Your local IT person who keeps your office network humming along is probably not skilled enough in this area.  Many doctors who suffer a breach can't understand what happened as they asked their IT professional if they were protected and were told they were.

This isn't a slam on those folks.  Just like we, as doctors, refer cases that are outside our level of expertise, an office needs someone who deals with security for a living.  The criminals who perform these intrusions are professionals.  Many are computer scientists with graduate degrees.  They make their living by using their knowledge to exploit little known weaknesses in an office's security profile.  My point is that the people who are doing this are incredibly smart and are experts at what they are doing.  You need that same level of expertise to protect you.

I have NO financial interest in this, but I've been very impressed with Black Talon Security and I feel they do a great job.  If you want to as protected as possible, reach out to them.

Learn Composite Dentistry at the Center for Esthetic Excellence in Chicago Announcing Spring 2025 Continuing Education Lectures / Hands-on Workshops

 

The Center for Esthetic Excellence (CEE) has scheduled a lecture and hands-on workshop, entitled, “Anterior and Posterior Composites: Freehand Bonding for Esthetic and Functional Success,” presented by Dr. Dennis B. Hartlieb, Thursday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., March 6-7, 2025. 

Discover traditional and non-traditional uses of direct composite for anterior and posterior restorations highlighted and demonstrated in this hands-on workshop. This course will review the materials and techniques necessary to deliver life-like, invisible anterior composite restorations. From Class V to the full composite veneer, the program outlines the steps to create minimally invasive, beautiful restorations that mimic nature.

Simplified techniques to create ideal posterior restorations will be demonstrated and practiced. From restoring the side-by-side Class II restorations, to managing the more challenging bulk-fill and margin elevation techniques, this hands-on workshop will be invaluable for the restorative dentist in their day-to-day practice. 

See these links for more details: 

March 6-7, 2025 at The Center for Esthetic Excellence in Chicago 

https://www.cosmedent.com/product/anterior-and-posterior-composites-free-hand-bonding-techniques-for-esthetic-and-functional-success/

 

Here is the website link to the full CEE 2025 In-Person course schedule:

https://www.cosmedent.com/continuing-education/in-person-classes/?fwp_format=live-in-person

 

Please contact Erika Heier, by e-mail erika@cosmedent.com with any questions you may have or if you would like to register. 

Happy New Year!

 

I'm back at it here at the old "Technology Evangelist" blog.  I had a nice little holiday break with friends and family.  I certainly hope you did as well.  The reason we all work as hard as we do is so we can enjoy the benefits of our labor.  It's important to step back sometimes and just appreciate those around you.  I think it's also important to take some time for *you* and evaluate your life, your accomplishments, and your short comings.  

2024 was an amazing year for me.  Of course there were ups & downs, but I tend to be an optimist and I know that the past year had way more positives than negatives for me.  I hope all of you feel the same.

2025 holds a lot of promise and I want you all to know that I'm going to be making some changes.  I'm looking at putting together a podcast to complement what I do here with the blog.  One of the great things about 2024 in my life was the knowledge I gained in the 3D printing field and I think doing even more with it would be fun for me and might help you guys along the way.

I'm envisioning sort of a Technology Evangelist podcast which will start out with a focus on 3D printing for the first few episodes and then expand into other technology aspects as well.  It may not all be dental focused, but dentistry will be the main point.  Tech has so permeated our lives that I think having an occasional episode on something outside of the profession will benefit us all.

So... you've got to look forward to in 2025!  Or maybe you're not as enthusiastic about it as I am.  Either way, that's one of the things I've got cooking.  I'd be interested in any comments or suggestions you'd like to see from this.  Onward to the New Year!

The End of Dental Products Report Magazine...

 

It's with a great degree of sadness that I write this post.  As of Friday December 20th, 2024 at 12:00pm Eastern time.  Dental Products Report ceased to exist.  The parent company made a corporate decision to shut the organization down completely.  There will be no more Dental Products Report magazine, no website where I can post... nothing.  DPR and all their sister dental brands are now over.

I'm sure all of you reading this will be as shocked as I was.  This was an event that came out of the blue.  I had no indication that it was coming.

As most of you know, DPR had been my home for a long time.  I started with the publication in 1998 and had eventually become the longest tenured member of the team.  A lot about the world of dentistry has changed since then.   When I started writing for the publication, there was a fairly new tech that was available it was called... USB.  That should give younger readers an idea of how long I've been at this!

There have been a lot of changes in the publishing world due to technology.  I still subscribe to some print publications and even my favorite, Wired magazine, continues to get thinner and thinner as more people move to digital publishing.  We had taken DPR from 12 issues to 10 in the last year.

I'm sure many of you are wondering what happened and I am right there with you.  I wish I had some answers for you, but I don't.  Basically the decision by the corporation that owned DPR was that they had decided to leave the dental space and concentrate on other areas.  The publishing company has a presence in a lot of other areas of healthcare and the decision was to concentrate more on those areas.

However, with this change as in any change, there is good that will come of it.  The good news is that I will still be posting here Monday through Thursday, just like always.  Also as word has begun to circulate in the dental industry about this, I've already been contacted by other publications who are interested in giving me a voice.  It's nice to feel wanted!

It's kind of funny to me that as  "The Technology Evangelist" my own career of communicating with my peers has been impacted by a tech change that is sweeping the print publication world.

So you haven't heard the last from me... not by a long shot.  I tend to be an optimist and in that regard I'm looking at this change as a good thing in my life and career.

As I wrap up today's post, I want to let you all know how much I appreciate you.  A lot of loyal readers started coming here due to my presence in DPR and a lot of DPR readers found out about my columns there by reading about it here.  To all of you who visit here regularly and read my columns in DPR, I'm grateful.  I enjoy writing and I also enjoy helping all of you to be better at what you do.  I never planned on becoming a voice for dentistry, but life gave me that opportunity.  However, writing is nothing without readers and I truly am grateful for your reading and your support over the years.

Also, I'll be making a post on this tomorrow, but I'm taking a little break from the blog until 2025, so no posts until January 2nd.  I thank you all for supporting me and I hope you all have a blessed holiday season as well as a healthy and prosperous New Year.  We'll talk again soon.

Scott+Scott Attorneys at Law LLP Files Securities Class Action Against Dentsply Sirona, Inc. (NASDAQ: XRAY)

 

Here's some more, and pretty detailed info, on the recently announced situation where Dentsply Sirona discontinued delivery of their Byte  clear aligner system.  As regular readers may remember, back at the end of October I made a post about the company suspending delivery of their Byte clear aligners.   That post included the press release from Dentsply Sirona about the reasons behind it voluntarily suspending sales of the Byte aligner product.

Now comes word that the company has been notified of a Class Action lawsuit filed in the United States District Court of New York.  The suspension of the Byte aligner product is involved in this.  This the second Class Action lawsuit filed (that I am currently aware of).  Read on for all the official info:

Scott+Scott Attorneys at Law LLP (“Scott+Scott”), an international shareholder and consumer rights litigation firm, has filed a securities Class Action lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York against Dentsply Sirona, Inc. (“Dentsply” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: XRAY), and certain of its former and current officers and/or directors (collectively, “Defendants”). The Class Action asserts claims under §§10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. §§78j(b) and 78t(a)) and U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder (17 C.F.R. §240.10b‑5) on behalf of all persons other than Defendants who purchased or otherwise acquired Dentsply securities between February 28, 2022, and November 6, 2024, inclusive (the “Class Period”), and were damaged thereby (the “Class”). The Class Action filed by Scott+Scott is captioned: Calvin v. Dentsply Sirona, Inc., et al, Case No. 1:24-cv-09764 (S.D.N.Y.).

Dentsply manufactures professional dental products and technologies, develops, manufactures, and markets dental equipment, dental products, and healthcare consumable products.

The Class Action alleges that, during the Class Period, Defendants made misleading statements and omissions regarding the Company’s business, financial condition, and prospects. Specifically, Defendants failed to disclose to investors that it targeted low-income people with underlying dental issues that were ineligible for more traditional aligner treatment, Dentsply sold Byte aligners, a direct-to-consumer (“DTC”) aligner solution, to contraindicated patients, and Dentsply knew that its Byte aligners were causing severe patient injuries.

As the truth about Dentsply’s business reached the market, the price of Dentsply’s stock suffered significant declines, harming investors. For example, on November 7, 2024, before the market opened, Dentsply filed a Form 8-K with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, reporting a significant downward revision to its 2024 outlook. Dentsply claimed that its revised 2024 outlook was “due to market pressures impacting U.S. equipment, legislative changes affecting the direct-to-consumer aligner business model, and the voluntary suspension of sales, marketing, and shipments” of Byte. On this news, the price of Dentsply stock fell $6.72 per share, or more than 28%, to close $17.26 per share on November 7, 2024, on heavy trading volume.

Lead Plaintiff Deadline

If you purchased Dentsply common stock during the Class Period and were damaged thereby, you are a member of the “Class” and may be able to seek appointment as lead plaintiff.

If you wish to apply to be lead plaintiff, a motion on your behalf must be filed with the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York no later than January 27, 2025. The lead plaintiff is a court-appointed representative for absent members of the Class. You do not need to seek appointment as lead plaintiff to share in any Class recovery in the Class Action. If you are a Class member and there is a recovery for the Class, you can share in that recovery as an absent Class member.

What You Can Do

You may contact an attorney to discuss your rights regarding the appointment of lead plaintiff or your interest in the Class Action. You may retain counsel of your choice to represent you in the Class Action.

About Scott+Scott

Scott+Scott has significant experience in prosecuting major securities, antitrust, and consumer rights actions throughout the United States. The firm represents pension funds, foundations, individuals, and other entities worldwide with offices in New York, London, Amsterdam, Connecticut, California, Virginia, and Ohio.