If You Have an iPhone or iPad, Update to Apple iOS 15.6.1 NOW!!!

 This patch has been available for a week or two so this isn't immediate breaking news, but it is still critically important enough for me to make this post.

The latest update to the mobile software Apple iOS 15.6.1 needs to be downloaded and installed ASAP.  The update fixes a couple of really serious security holes that bad guys are exploiting in the wild.

Unfortunately, until you update hackers have the ability to basically jail break your phone.  This would give criminals full access to everything on your device.  That means passwords, banking info, all of your data.

So *please* perform the update.  I know some of you like to wait a bit and make sure there are no problems that come with an update, but this one is critical.  If you would like to learn more, there is a great post on the Sophos website about it.

Down But Not Out...

 Believe it or not, dentistry can really take its toll on you physically.  Since most of my regular readers are from the profession, I know that you understand what I'm talking about.  For the non-dentists out there, just take my word for it.

Spending multiple hours per day in a static posture while performing precision procedures really does beat you up from a physical standpoint.

Anyway, enough with the lecture about the woes of my chosen profession.  My point here is that I injured my back over the weekend and it is taking me a while to bounce back.  Due to that, my blog is going to take a week off from posting as I recover and try to still see patients.  It's just that moving much more slowly doesn't give me as much free time as I normally have.

I'll be back in full force next week!  For those of you in the United States, have an incredible Labor Day 
Weekend!

Carestream Takes Next Step to Implement Previously Announced Recapitalization

 Files Voluntary Chapter 11 Petitions and Prepackaged Plan of Reorganization; Company Expects to Complete Court-Supervised Process in 35-45 Days

Carestream to Continue Operating and Serving Customers as Normal

What follows below is a press release.  It seems that Carestream has continued to fall on hard times.  Back in the day this was Kodak's medical division.  They sold more medical grade film than anyone else on the planet, but they refused to adapt when the digital came along.  As many companies do, they clung to their old way of making money using the idea of "we've always done it this way" and change swept over them like an avalanche.

After you read the press release below, you should read a short but great article from Bloomberg.com on this situation. 

Press Release

Carestream Health (“Carestream” or the “Company”) announced it is taking the planned next step to implement the previously announced recapitalization process with its lenders by voluntarily filing for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware. The Company’s lenders have overwhelmingly voted in favor of a “prepackaged” restructuring plan, which contemplates implementing the agreed recapitalization that has been filed with the Court. The recapitalization contemplated by the prepackaged plan will eliminate approximately $470 million of debt, representing a total debt reduction of $250 million more than the Company’s previously announced recapitalization agreement. This process will significantly strengthen Carestream’s balance sheet and position the Company for continued success.

Carestream expects to continue operating normally throughout the court-supervised process and remains focused on serving its customers and working with suppliers on normal terms. With the overwhelming support of its lenders, the Company expects to move through this process on an expedited basis and complete the recapitalization in approximately 35-45 days. Certain of the Company’s existing lenders have committed to provide a $80 million debtor-in-possession financing facility to reinforce the Company’s liquidity and fund the costs of the process. Carestream entities outside the United States are not part of the Chapter 11 process and are operating as normal.

“We are commencing the final stage of our recapitalization process, which will significantly enhance our ability to navigate a dynamic market,” said David C. Westgate, Chairman, President and CEO of Carestream. “Since announcing our recapitalization process in April, our lenders have remained overwhelmingly supportive, and we have worked constructively with them to complete the transaction. As our talks evolved, we determined the best course of action was to implement the agreement through an expedited court-supervised process. With a clear path to completion, we expect to emerge from this process as a stronger partner to our customers, with significantly reduced debt and new owners who also continue to believe in the future of Carestream.”

Mr. Westgate continued, “Carestream has strong market opportunities ahead. I am confident in the strength of our core business and our ability to maintain market leadership moving forward. I would like to thank our customers and partners for their unwavering support. I also want to thank our talented team across the globe, whose commitment to serving our customers has been steadfast throughout this process.”

Carestream has filed customary motions with the Court seeking authorization to support its operations during this process. The Company expects suppliers to be unimpaired by this process and intends to pay suppliers in full for goods and services provided before, on or after the Chapter 11 filing date.

Additional information is available by calling Carestream’s Restructuring Hotline, at 877-709-4750 (toll-free in the U.S.) or 424-236-7230 (for calls originating outside the U.S.). Court documents and additional information about the court-supervised process are available on a website administered by Carestream’s claims agent, KCC, at www.kccllc.net/Carestream.

Complete Specialty Solutions Completes Funding Round and Launches Stream Dental Software Platform

 Industry First In-House Specialty Software Platform for DSOs & Traveling Specialists

Complete Specialty Solutions (CSS), the nation’s leading in-house specialty solutions provider to DSOs, today announced the commercial launch of its proprietary software platform Stream Dental for managing the complex operational workflow associated with in-house specialty services. “We are honored to launch the Stream Dental platform in partnership with leading regional and national DSOs and a network of experienced specialists,” said Santosh Patel, president of CSS. The company has a long history of operating specialty services reaching over 200 offices through its large specialist network. Recognizing the accelerating trends of DSOs seeking to bring specialty services in-house along with specialists seeking alternatives to the burdens of practice ownership, CSS is launching the industry’s first comprehensive software solution to elevate in-house specialty performance with a focus on growth, compliance, patient experience, and specialist engagement.

The Stream platform was originally created in 2019 as an internal solution to digitize and hardwire best practice workflows and communications within the CSS network of 200+ practices where CSS operates all aspects of in-house specialty services as a fully managed solution. “Based on the experience and insights from providing over 20,000 cases across all major specialties, we’ve been able to develop a unique platform for managing workflow and optimizing results from specialty services programs. We look forward to sharing these capabilities with DSOs and traveling specialists across the country,” said Patel.

Key capabilities of the Stream platform include:

• Enhanced referral capture and tracking with CRM capabilities

• Multi-channel, specialty-specific patient engagement 

• Specialist apps for enhanced planning and clinical collaboration

• Robust enterprise analytics and decision support

• Comprehensive safety, risk management and compliance support across clinical ops & HIPAA 

• Supports both in-house and external specialty referral workflows

MB2 Dental – Justin Puckett, President 

“Great specialty tech platform that provides immediate growth and operations improvement.  The CSS team is deeply committed to building the best-in-class tech for all aspects of in-house specialty.  This was a no-brainer.”

Dental Care Alliance – Jennifer Goodwin, Regional Manager

"The technology and dashboards Complete Specialty Solutions has designed have made the referral process and scheduling specialty procedures turnkey. It's simple and quick for all team members. No paper or sticky notes to get lost.  All referrals in one place!"  

CSS is also announcing a funding round led by Indicator Ventures, BP Capital, and Old Three Hundred Capital. The company will use the funding to bring Stream Dental to more DSOs and specialists across North America. The funding will also enable CSS to expand its product offering and enhance its customer experience for dental practices, specialists, and patients. “Complete Specialty Solutions is a game changer for the dental industry,” Said Baiyin Murphy, general partner at Indicator Ventures. “They have a keen understanding of the operational rigor it takes to bring specialty services closer to the dental offices and patients leading to better outcomes and profits. Their approach is a triple-win for specialists, dental offices, and patients alike.”

“We’re very excited to launch the industry’s first and only SaaS platform focused on elevating in-house specialty performance, which can often represent up to half of a DSOs overall revenue,” said Omar Alvi, CEO of CSS. “Through our years of experience operating all aspects of in-house specialty services, we’ve identified the most significant pain points and opportunities and are now bringing these capabilities to all DSOs and traveling specialists across the country. We’re committed to investing heavily in the ongoing expansion of our software capabilities to deliver increasing benefits to DSOs, specialists, and patients.”

About Complete Specialty Solutions (CSS)

Based in Houston, TX, CSS is the nation’s leading provider of fully managed specialty services for DSOs, powered by Stream Dental, its proprietary technology platform that digitizes and hardwires critical workflows and communications required to maximize the specialty services opportunity. CSS provides a turn-key solution that immediately expands clinical capabilities with enhanced quality of service, while increasing revenue and profits with zero up-front investment. For more information, visit www.completespecialty.com.

ONDIEM AND ADAA ANNOUNCE PARTNERSHIP

 

As staffing costs rise, onDiem drills down to improve bottom lines

onDiem is excited to announce a strategic partnership with the American Dental Assistants Association (ADAA). This collaborative partnership will have a significant impact across the entire dental echo system. At the core of this partnership is a mutual commitment to support dental assistants in thriving in their careers by providing access to resources, continuing education, and career development opportunities.

This partnership will also aid practices in navigating dentistry's nuanced and unprecedented staffing challenges. onDiem and the ADAA will work together to make onDiem's Digital ID the trusted, single source of verification and credentialing to ensure safety and compliance across the industry. onDiem's Digital ID streamlines navigating individual state boards for requirements and certifications for dental assistants— reducing risk and human resources.

“ADAA and its members are excited and happy to be forging a collaborative relationship with onDiem and its staff,” says Susan Camizzi, President of ADAA. She adds, “We look forward to working with the group to further assist and support dental assistants nationwide in their careers and education as an integral and very important part of the dental team.”

“onDiem’s mission is caring for those who care for others; this ethos aligns perfectly with the ADAA’s mission of advancing the careers of dental assistants— and their profession overall— in matters of education, professional activities, and credentialing,” states Joe Fogg, CEO onDiem.

About onDiem Founded in Portland, Oregon, in 2017, onDiem's staffing platform connects dental practices and dental professionals in all 50 states to meet real-time staffing needs. onDiem distinguishes itself from other staffing platforms by offering employees, not contractors for temporary shifts. They eliminate the burden of staffing compliance, so practices can focus on maximizing production and revenue. onDiem dental professionals enjoy healthcare benefits, employer-paid taxes, and insurance coverage, along with the ability to set their own work schedule and hourly rates. With a free account, dental professionals can look for temporary and permanent job opportunities, and practices can create posts for new temp shifts, search for professionals in their area, and communicate with candidates directly. Today the platform serves over 32,000 dental professionals and over 13,000 dental practices.

About ADAA The American Dental Assistants Association is the oldest, largest group representing professional dental assistants. Established over 90 years ago, the ADAA provides continuing education to dental assistants through home study courses, professional journals, and local, state, and national meetings with educational agendas. It encourages education, registration, and certification for dental assisting professionals while providing a network of personal services for its members. Services such as insurance programs, salary and other surveys, and travel and leisure services.

In most areas, the ADAA is served by the state association and often a local component as well. Membership in the ADAA provides membership in all these-national, state, and local.

Philips Sonicare Power Flosser Available in Corded *and* Cordless Models

 

I'm really excited about this product.  Philips has been a tremendously popular brand in oral healthcare for decades.  As Tech Editor and Chief Dental Editor for Dental Products Report, I've been fortunate to be able to use and evaluate many powered brushes over the years.  

In the last 5-10 years, the dental profession has begun to really embrace the oral irrigator.  For years there were concerns that using water or some other liquid under pressure to clean between the teeth would not provide as good an effect as floss.  However, now studies have proven that just isn't true.

Because oral irrigators have gained widespread acceptance in the profession, we have seen a large increase in the number of both manufacturers as well as more model choices from those manufacturers.  Choice is good!  I love having options with the devices I use and I truly believe that my patients want choices as well.  We routinely recommend oral irrigators to our patients. 

Since around March of this year (2022) I have been using and evaluating the newest top of the line tooth brush and oral irrigator from Philips Sonicare.  My evaluation of the 9900 Prestige sonic toothbrush was postage a while back, but I have also been working with the Philips Sonicare Power Flosser as well.

We all *know* that we should floss.  We all know it contributes to better oral health and that better oral health directly relates to better *overall health*.  However, humans are funny creatures.  Just because we *know* something is good for us doesn't mean we always do it.

Flossing can be difficult.  Sometimes it requires coordination someone just doesn't have.  Sometimes people have hands that are difficult to maneuver in our mouths for flossing (I happen to be one of those people).  Ever since I was a student and learned about the Butler Flossmate, I've used one.  The problem is, not everyone wants to or *will* floss.

How do you solve that problem?  With the Sonicare Power Flosser!  The unit, in an in-vitro study, 180% more effective for healthier gums than manual floss.  I have been incredibly impressed with the unit.  I am especially impressed with the Quad Stream technology pictured below...

This nozzle breaks the water or other liquid into 4 wide streams that really provide a thorough clean.  I love how my teeth feel after I've used the Power Flosser.  The unit I've been using the the countertop design. 

The device has 2 flossing modes, Clean and Deep Clean while each of those modes has 10 adjustable intensities.  The unit also comes with 2 different nozzles.  There is a Standard Nozzle that provides a single stream.  This is the nozzle that most people think of when they think of an oral irrigator.  The unit also comes with the previously mentioned Quad Stream nozzle.

I have found that I prefer the Quad Stream nozzle on setting 7.  I have quite a few crowns in my own mouth and I prefer that setup which makes my mouth feel "squeaky clean" after using.  This unit also comes with a 550ml reservoir which is about 18.6 oz.  I found that I usually use one reservoir for the upper and another for the lower.  Now, I'd like to state that I'm a dentist so I am probably a little more "overboard" on the cleaning aspect.  Most people could probably get by on just one 550ml.  I also use the unit prior to brushing with the Prestige 9900 as I like to get anything from between my teeth prior to brushing.

Some people have voiced concerns to me that irrigators can be messy.  I don't feel that is true.  I use my unit with my head over the sink and my face turned down.  Basically my face looking into the sink.  That way as the water leaves my mouth it drips directly into the sink.  Also, any overspray (which is minimal) goes in the sink as well.  The handle that actually goes into your mouth has an on/off switch which you can toggle back and forth so that you never have the unit running when it is outside the mouth.

Recently, Philips has released the Power Flosser Cordless.  If you are concerned about mess or overspray, then be concerned no more.  I advise patients that are concerned about making a mess to simply step into the shower and use the cordless unit.  Heck,  your shower is made to get wet!  The cordless unit has a 250ml reservoir and a USB charger.  It also has 2 modes with each having 3 intensities.

I've been very impressed with my Power Flosser and I recommend it to my patients.  If you give it a try I'm sure you'll be as impressed as I am.  This product is *highly recommended*! 

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Russia Using Dolphins to Help Protect Black Sea Fleet

 Today's post is a short one, but that's because the *real* story is from the link below.

With all of the news and suffering coming out of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, I happen to stumble on this story.  It was published in April, but the info is still really interesting.  The Russian navy is using dolphins to help protect their fleet in the Black Sea.

I happen to know someone who worked with the U.S. Navy for a while in a similar program.  These are not very secret programs, but the two powers have trained dolphins to patrol around ships and look for underwater threats such as divers or other similar under water threats.

With their ability to detect things in the water, paired with their intelligence,  dolphins are well equipped to detect threats and engage threats if necessary.

It's interesting to see the dolphin cages in these photos...  Here is the link.