Marty Jablow DMD, Dental News and Technology

Orca Dental AI and Planet DDS Partner on AI Dental Imaging

2026-10-09T13:49:00.000-04:00

Orca Dental AI, the leading provider of cloud-based, AI-powered dental imaging solutions, today announced a strategic partnership with Planet DDS / Cloud 9, the leading cloud-based practice management solution for orthodontic and specialty practices.

This collaboration integrates CephX’s AI-powered 2D and 3D imaging suite directly into the Planet DDS / Cloud 9ecosystem, providing specialty practitioners and DSOs with advanced automation, instant cloud-based radiographic reports, and enhanced diagnostic consistency and medico-legal compliance across multi-location practices.

By combining Planet DDS’s robust cloud infrastructure with Orca Dental AI’s novel imaging technology, the partnership streamlines clinical workflows and improves case presentation, helping orthodontists and dental specialists deliver more efficient and successful care while adhering to compliance and medico-legal requirements.

CEO QUOTES

Daniel Abraham, CEO and Founder of Orca Dental AI (CephX): “At Orca Dental AI, our mission has always been to empower clinicians with AI-driven tools that improve accuracy, efficiency, and patient care. By partnering with Planet DDS, we’re bringing CephX directly into the daily workflows of specialty practitioners, reducing turnaround times and ensuring clinical consistency at scale. Together, we’re setting a new standard for digital dentistry.”

Eric Giesecke, CEO of Planet DDS: “We are excited to partner with Orca Dental AI to integrate CephX’s innovative technology into our Cloud 9 platform. This collaboration reinforces our commitment to providing specialty practices with the most advanced tools available, enabling orthodontists and specialists to focus on patient outcomes while leveraging the power of AI and the cloud.”

With this partnership, DSOs, orthodontists, and specialty practices using Cloud 9 can now access real-time AI-driven cephalometric analysis, instant cloud-based radiographic reports, advanced DICOM and IOS planning and diagnostic tools, as well as streamlined oversight across multiple locations—all while cutting turnaround times and reducing operational overhead.

More than an efficiency boost, this integration marks a milestone in scaling AI across specialty dentistry, creating standardized diagnostics, consistent care, and smarter growth models for the future.

Together, Planet DDS and Orca Dental AI are showing how the convergence of AI and cloud technology is reshaping workflows, improving accuracy, and ultimately improving treatment outcomes.

About Orca Dental AI

Trusted by thousands of orthodontists and dental professionals worldwide, Orca Dental AI is a pioneer in artificial intelligence for dental imaging. Through its cloud-based CephX platform, Orca delivers fast, accurate, and fully automated cephalometric tracing and analyses, as well as 3D tools for CBCT and IOS, empowering practices and DSOs to scale smarter and serve better.

Learn more at www.cephx.com.

About Planet DDS

Dental software is broken. We aim to fix it. As a partner in growth for DSOs and dental groups outgrowing legacy systems and fragmented tools, Planet DDS delivers a cloud-based AI platform designed to scale alongside growing organizations. Powered by DentalOS® with AI, Planet DDS is built on connection—connecting people, partners, and technology across an open ecosystem that includes Denticon Practice Management, Cloud 9 Ortho Practice Management, and Apteryx Cloud Imaging.

Trusted by leading DSOs and emerging dental groups nationwide, Planet DDS supports more 100+ location DSOs than any other cloud-based dental practice management provider, enabling 14,500 practices and 175,000 users to move beyond outdated legacy software with seamless integrations, optimized workflows, and scalable technology built for growth.

Learn more at www.planetdds.com.

Colgate-Palmolive Evolves Bright Smiles, Bright Futures Program

2026-10-08T10:22:00.000-04:00

Colgate-Palmolive builds on its legacy of oral health, publishing an impact evaluation, evolving its health education tools rooted in behavior change, and scaling its global health partnerships.

Colgate-Palmolive, the worldwide leader in oral care, announced a strategic evolution of its flagship oral health education program, Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures® (BSBF), reflecting the Company’s commitment to global public health.

Launched in 1991, the program has reached more than two billion children and their families across more than 100 countries, demonstrating how private-sector commitment designed to support communities can become a powerful force for public health, driving healthier behaviors and positive outcomes at scale. From health education curricula and school programming to mobile dental vans and free oral health screenings, BSBF helps children and their families access care, adopt healthier habits, and improve long-term oral health outcomes.

“At Colgate-Palmolive, we believe oral health and healthier, brighter futures are inextricably linked,” said Noel Wallace, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Colgate-Palmolive. “For 35 years, BSBF has created positive impact by combining hands-on education with local partnerships that turn daily habits into healthy lifestyles. Our program is focused on helping more people build healthy habits for life.”

As BSBF positions itself to empower the next billion children and their families, the program’s evolution is guided by three core areas: a newly published impact report, Human-Centered Design (HCD) and behavior change assets, and strategic global health partnerships.

Newly Published Impact Report

Authored by Dr. Francisco Ramos-Gomez and Dr. Yan Wang of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Transforming Children’s Oral Health Worldwide: Three Decades of the Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures Prevention Program synthesizes implementation data throughout the program’s global history. It demonstrates that combining curriculum-based lessons with supervised toothbrushing, fluoride varnish, and sealants can deliver measurable results, including:

A 75% reduction in new cavities and demineralized lesions on first permanent molars among children in Grenada.
A 23% increase in healthy gingival units among children in Mexico City.

The evidence also highlights the power of role models, including teachers, nurses, community health workers, and sports coaches—in addition to dental professionals—and positions children as “change agents” who drive healthy habits across households.

“The body of evidence shows that BSBF’s impact extends well beyond individual behavior change,” said Dr. Francisco Ramos-Gomez, Professor and Chair, Section of Pediatric Dentistry, UCLA School of Dentistry, and co-author of the report. “It strengthens non-dental workforce capacity, fosters public-private collaboration, and advances oral health equity at scale. BSBF offers a practical framework other global oral health initiatives can benefit from.”

Human-Centered Design (HCD) and Behavior Change Assets

To empower the next generation with lifelong healthy habits, BSBF has launched a new suite of health education resources that are core to its program, developed with Dalberg Design. Rooted in Human-Centered Design (HCD) and evidence-based behavior change principles, these tools were co-created and field-tested with children, caregivers, and educators across India, Kenya, Mexico, and the United States. By equipping teachers and families with culturally adapted learning tools and interactive brushing activities for children, BSBF continues to strengthen community-led health education and establish foundational oral hygiene habits in classrooms and homes worldwide.

Global Health Partnerships

Announced earlier this year at Davos during the World Economic Forum, a multi-year funding commitment to the WHO Foundation supports the World Health Organization’s global oral health program. The collaboration focuses on expanding oral health education, supporting the integration of oral health into national health systems, and raising awareness of oral health as a public health priority.

“Oral health plays an essential role in overall health,” said Anil Soni, Chief Executive Officer of the WHO Foundation. “Progress depends on long-term investment in prevention, trusted guidance, and strong health systems. Support like this helps enable WHO’s work to advance oral health and improve health outcomes for communities around the world.”

Building on 35 years of measurable behavioral and clinical success, the program is entering its next phase of growth—driving impact by reaching the next billion children and families while inspiring new approaches to tackling global health challenges. On September 22, alongside the 81st United Nations General Assembly, Colgate-Palmolive will convene business, global health experts, and civil society leaders for an expert discussion to examine how evidence, behavior change, and cross-sector collaboration can drive sustained health outcomes.

Hosted by Noel Wallace, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Esha Gupta, Global Head of Public Health and Social Impact, Colgate-Palmolive, the conversation, moderated by Moira Forbes, Executive Vice President, Forbes, will feature an expert discussion with Robert Fabricant, Co-Founder and Partner, Dalberg Design; Dr. Saia Ma’u Piukala, WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific; Janti Soeripto, CEO and President, Save the Children US; and Anil Soni, CEO, WHO Foundation.

About Colgate-Palmolive

Colgate-Palmolive Company is a caring, innovative growth company that is reimagining a healthier future for all people, their pets and our planet. Focused on Oral Care, Personal Care, Home Care and Pet Nutrition, we sell our products in more than 200 countries and territories under brands such as Colgate, Palmolive, Ajax, Axion, Darlie, elmex, EltaMD, Fabuloso, Filorga, hello, Hill’s Prescription Diet, Hill’s Science Diet, Irish Spring, Lady Speed Stick, meridol, PCA SKIN, Prime100, Protex, Sanex, Softsoap, Sorriso, Soupline, Speed Stick, Suavitel and Tom’s of Maine. We are recognized for our leadership and innovation in promoting sustainability and community wellbeing, including our achievements in decreasing plastic waste and promoting recyclability, saving water and improving children’s oral health through our Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures program, which has reached over two billion children and their families since 1991.

For more information about Colgate-Palmolive and how we make more smiles, visit www.colgatepalmolive.com.

Xylitol and the Oral Microbiome: New Autism Study Findings

2026-10-07T15:26:12.217-04:00

Researchers Report Oral Microbiome Changes and Unexpected Verbal Improvements in Some Children With Autism Following Xylitol Use

Xylitol has been studied for decades for its ability to support oral health and reduce cavity-associated bacteria. Now, a recent study raises an intriguing new question: Could improving the microbial environment of the mouth have effects that extend beyond oral health?

The study, published in Neurosci, compared the salivary microbiome, gene activity, and mitochondrial function of children and young people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) with neurotypical controls. Researchers also examined changes after participants with ASD used xylitol-containing oral-care products followed by an oral probiotic.

The most surprising observation went far beyond dental health. Six of the 30 participants with ASD were reported by parents and healthcare providers to have substantially improved verbal skills following the xylitol intervention. Three participants demonstrated improved verbal skills following probiotic supplementation.

The researchers found differences in microbial activity between participants with ASD and healthy controls, as well as additional changes following the xylitol intervention.

Verbal improvement was not a predetermined clinical endpoint, standardized speech testing was not performed, and the study was not a placebo-controlled clinical trial of xylitol. The findings are an intriguing observation that deserves follow-up research.

WHY XYLITOL?

During the 60-day intervention, participants used Spry® xylitol toothpaste, xylitol suckers or mints, and xylitol mouth rinse, targeting approximately five grams of xylitol per day.

Xylitol is more than a sugar substitute. Unlike ordinary sugars, it is poorly fermented by many cavity-associated bacteria. Decades of research have examined its ability to reduce mutans streptococci, interfere with bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation, reduce plaque, and help create an oral environment less favorable to tooth decay.

That makes xylitol particularly interesting in the emerging field of microbiome-focused hygiene. Traditional oral hygiene has often focused on simply strengthening enamel and making it more resistant to acids. But the mouth contains a complex ecosystem of hundreds of microbial species, many of which are beneficial or harmless. The future of hygiene may increasingly focus on managing and supporting a healthy microbial community rather than simply making our teeth more resistant. Xylitol fits naturally into this approach.

ORAL HEALTH IS WHOLE-BODY HEALTH

The mouth is not isolated from the rest of the body. A growing body of research has linked poor oral health and periodontal disease with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, respiratory disease, and other systemic conditions. This reinforces the importance of good oral and nasal hygiene and maintaining a healthy oral environment.

Research has also investigated xylitol for benefits extending beyond dental caries, including its effects on biofilms, bacterial adhesion, ear and respiratory health, inflammation, and other biological processes. The strength of evidence differs substantially among these areas, and further clinical research is being done.

The American Heart Association’s 2025 scientific statement concludes that periodontal disease is associated with increased cardiovascular events, including heart attack and stroke. It specifically identifies Porphyromonas gingivalisas a periodontal pathogen that can enter the bloodstream and contribute to vascular inflammation and endothelial dysfunction. The AHA describes both bacterial dissemination and chronic systemic inflammation as mechanisms connecting gum disease with cardiovascular disease. Importantly, this adds to the growing evidence that oral health influences systemic health and should be investigated further.

This autism study adds another fascinating reason to investigate xylitol and the oral microbiome. The appropriate response is not to claim that xylitol treats autism. It is to ask why these changes occurred—and conduct the controlled clinical research needed to find out.

If changing the microbial environment of the mouth can influence biological processes elsewhere in the body, the implications could extend far beyond dentistry. Better health may begin with something remarkably simple: better hygiene and better management of the microbial ecosystems in our mouths.

ABOUT THE STUDY

The study included 30 participants with ASD and 60 neurotypical controls. The reported verbal improvements were observational and were not a predefined or objectively measured clinical endpoint. The findings do not establish that xylitol prevents, treats, or improves autism spectrum disorder.

Study: Cannon M, Toma R, Ganeshan S, et al. Salivary Transcriptome and Mitochondrial Analysis of Autism Spectrum Disorder Children Compared to Healthy Controls. Neurosci. 2024;5(3):276–290. doi:10.3390/neurosci5030022.

Oral-B and Crest Bring NFL Team Pride to Everyday Oral Care

2026-10-07T10:21:00.000-04:00

Oral-B and Crest, Official Oral Care Partners of the NFL, recently announced the launch of new special-edition products, giving fans even more ways to celebrate their love of the game. With officially licensed products featuring fan-favorite NFL teams, the brands are bringing football fandom into bathrooms nationwide with a lineup of superior oral care essentials, including toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss and mouthwash, to help fans show up with confidence all season long.

Grab your favorite oral care MVPs for a winning routine:

Kick Off a Better Brush:
- Oral-B, America’s #1 toothbrush brand, is introducing limited-edition licensed iO Series 2 Electric Toothbrushes and manual toothbrushes featuring exclusive handle designs inspired by seven NFL teams: the Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys, Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Atlanta Falcons and Carolina Panthers. Each iO Series 2 Electric Toothbrush features Oral-B’s dentist-inspired round brush head, designed to upgrade your regular routine for superior plaque removal and healthier gums, delivering a perfect clean that helps fans confidently show some teeth.
Show Off Your Gameday Smile:
- America’s #1 whitening brand is the Official Toothpaste of the NFL. Crest 3DWhite Toothpaste’s exclusive lineup will feature branded packaging for the Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys, Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Atlanta Falcons and Carolina Panthers. Crest 3DWhite Toothpaste whitens teeth by removing 100% more surface stains in 3 days vs. regular toothpaste, helping NFL players’ and fans’ smiles shine bright when the spotlight is on them.
Meet the Newest M.V.P. (Most Valuable Pick):
- From kickoff to the final whistle, Oral-B Glide Floss Picks, the Official Floss of the NFL, help fans tackle stuck food left behind from their favorite snacks and smile with confidence through the game’s biggest moments.
Take Your Routine to the End Zone:
- Crest is helping fans stay gameday-ready with fresh breath and the confidence to cheer, celebrate and show up for every play. Throughout the season, fans can score limited-edition NFL-branded bottles of Crest All Day Clean Breath.

“From the stands to the living room, football is a game that brings out big reactions and even bigger smiles, making it a natural space for Oral-B and Crest to connect with fans,” said Benjamin Binot, Global Oral Care President, Procter & Gamble. “With our lineup of limited-edition oral care products, we’re creating new ways to engage fans and help people build healthy oral care habits. As America’s leading oral care brands, Crest and Oral-B are proud to be the Official Toothpaste, Toothbrush, Floss and Rinse of the NFL.”

To celebrate the 2026 season, Oral-B and Crest have built out an unbeatable roster spanning NFL players, legends and famous superfans. Together, they’ll showcase how Oral-B and Crest are helping fans elevate every step of their oral care routine while celebrating the teams they love. The lineup includes:

Jake Ferguson, Tight End & Haley Cavinder, Sports Personality and Superfan, Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Goedert, Tight End, Philadelphia Eagles
Jamaal Charles, Former Running Back, Kansas City Chiefs
Sydney Warner, Superfan, San Francisco 49ers
Kenneth Gainwell, Running Back, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Zachariah Branch, Wide Receiver, Atlanta Falcons
Jonathan Stewart, Former Running Back, Carolina Panthers

“As a player, so much of what we do comes down to the routines we build every day, and that same mindset applies to how I take care of myself off the field,” said Dallas Goedert, Philadelphia Eagles tight end. “I’m proud to work with Crest and Oral-B to bring together two things I’m passionate about: taking care of my oral health and, in turn, my overall health, and representing the game I love by giving fans a fun way to bring that team pride into their own daily routines.”

“I’ve always loved the energy that comes with football season, and as an athlete myself, I know how much the little things you do every day can impact how you feel and show up,” said Haley Cavinder, sports personality and Dallas Cowboys superfan. “Taking care of my teeth and smile has always been part of that routine, so partnering with Crest and Oral-B is such a fun way to bring those two sides of my life together. I love that fans can now bring their team pride into something they do every single day and feel confident showing off their smile all season long.”

“Oral-B, Crest and the NFL all understand the value of consistency, whether it’s on the field or in everyday routines,” said Tracie Rodburg, Senior Vice President of Global Partnerships at the NFL. “These special-edition products will deepen the connection between fans and brands they know and trust.”

Football fandom goes far beyond the field — and this season, Oral-B and Crest are giving fans a new way to show theirs. With NFL-branded products that bring team pride into everyday oral care routines, fans can rep their favorite teams while getting gameday-ready, celebrating every big play and keeping the spirit going long after the final whistle.

About Oral-B

Oral-B is the worldwide leader in the over $5 billion brushing market, drawing upon 75+ years of expertise to empower healthier lives for all through better oral care. The brand features a wide variety of products to build a personalized oral care routine for the best clean every time, including manual, battery and electric toothbrushes for children and adults, and interdental products such as dental floss. Oral-B’s iO Series electric toothbrushes feature the latest in brushing technology, with a dentist-inspired round brush head that removes 100% more plaque than regular manual brushes, for cleaner teeth and healthier gums.

About Crest

Since its launch in 1955, Crest has been at the forefront of oral care innovation, empowering healthier smiles for 70 years. Backed by decades of research and trusted by dental professionals, Crest offers a full portfolio of products designed to meet the evolving needs of families and individuals, from cavity protection and enamel strengthening to advanced whitening, gum health and sensitivity relief. Beyond toothpaste, Crest provides comprehensive oral care solutions, including mouthwash, whitening treatments and daily regimens that work together to help maximize the benefits of brushing.

About Procter & Gamble

P&G serves consumers around the world with one of the strongest portfolios of trusted, quality, leadership brands, including Always^®, Ambi Pur^®, Ariel^®, Bounty^®, Charmin^®, Crest^®, Dawn^®, Downy^®, Fairy^®, Febreze^®, Gain^®, Gillette^®, Head & Shoulders^®, Lenor^®, Olay^®, Oral-B^®, Pampers^®, Pantene^®, SK-II^®, Tide^®, Vicks^®, and Whisper^®. The P&G community includes operations in approximately 70 countries worldwide. Please visit http://www.pg.com for the latest news and information about P&G and its brands. For other P&G news, visit us at www.pg.com/news.

Henry Schein Celebrates 20 Years of Practice Pink

2026-10-07T09:02:15.942-04:00

Milestone Anniversary Celebrates Two Decades of Collaboration and Support for Cancer-Related Initiatives Around the World

According to the latest estimates from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the cancer agency of the World Health Organization, one in five people worldwide will develop cancer during their lifetime. An estimated 20.6 million people were diagnosed globally in 2024, underscoring the continued importance of cancer prevention, early detection, treatment, and support.

Against this backdrop, Henry Schein, Inc. (Nasdaq: HSIC) is marking the 20th anniversary of Practice Pink®, its global initiative that brings together healthcare professionals, supplier partners, Team Schein Members, and nonprofit organizations in support of cancer research and prevention.

Since Practice Pink began 20 years ago, Henry Schein and its partners have contributed more than US$2.1 million to cancer-related causes, helping advance research, prevention, early detection, access to care, and programs supporting people affected by cancer. By offering its customers a variety of pink products, including healthcare consumables, practice supplies, and apparel, Practice Pink enables customers to join Henry Schein in supporting these efforts.

“For two decades, Practice Pink has shown what is possible when our global healthcare community comes together around a shared purpose,” said Jennifer Kim Field, Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer, Henry Schein. “What began as an effort to raise awareness has grown into a meaningful tradition of collaboration among our customers, supplier partners, Team Schein Members, and nonprofit partners. We are proud of what we have accomplished together and remain committed to supporting organizations making a difference for people impacted by cancer.”

Participating countries support organizations and activities tailored to the needs of their local communities, all connected by a common goal: helping advance efforts to prevent, detect, and treat cancer. The Practice Pink program supports Ronald McDonald House Charities in the U.S., as well as various organizations in Europe, including ALADINA (Spain), Cancer Research UK, KWF (The Netherlands), LILT (Italy), Odyssea (France), and others.

Practice Pink is part of Henry Schein Cares, the Company’s global corporate citizenship program, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. Through this initiative, Henry Schein unites dental and medical healthcare professionals, supplier partners, and nonprofit organizations across North America, Europe, and beyond to help build healthier communities.

About Henry Schein Cares

Founded in 1932 by Henry and Esther Schein, our Company has a rich history rooted in corporate citizenship. Their values inspired our commitment to innovation, leadership, and strong partnerships and serve as a driving force behind our ability to adapt to changing industry needs. Today, Henry Schein Cares, our global corporate citizenship program, aims to drive change through our five pillars: catalyzing healthcare access; advancing policies, solutions, and innovation; relationship building for change; empowering Team Schein; and sustaining the planet. Our purpose is to drive this positive change through the engagement of our constituents to help make the world healthier. By adhering to these pillars, we are committed to “doing well, by doing good” and recognize the importance of being accountable to the five constituents that make up the Company’s Mosaic of Success — customers, suppliers, Team Schein Members, shareholders, and society at large.

About Henry Schein, Inc.

Henry Schein, Inc. (Nasdaq: HSIC) is a products, services, and technology platforms company for healthcare customers. 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 healthcare 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 34 countries and territories. The Company’s sales reached $13.2 billion in 2025 and have grown at a compound annual rate of approximately 11.0 percent since Henry Schein became a public company in 1995.

For more information, visit Henry Schein at www.henryschein.com.

Sonendo’s GentleWave Procedure Surpasses 2 Million Patients

2026-10-06T15:41:00.000-04:00

Sonendo, Inc. (“Sonendo” or the “Company”), a leading dental technology company and developer of the GentleWave® System, today announced that more than two million patients have now been treated with the GentleWave Procedure since its market introduction.

Redefining the standard of care for root canal therapy, the GentleWave Procedure offers a minimally invasive process that cleans and disinfects deep regions of the complex root canal system. The clinical benefits of the GentleWave System, when compared to conventional methods of root canal therapy, include improved clinical outcomes, high and rapid rates of healing, and minimal to no postoperative pain. This latest milestone demonstrates growing clinical and patient preference for modern root canal technology that prioritizes patient outcomes and the patient experience.

“Since the introduction of the GentleWave Procedure to our practice, my patients have experienced less pain and less time in the treatment chair,” said Dr. Jeffrey Kawilarang, DDS, MSD, of Sunny Hills Endodontics. “We are now able to schedule single-visit treatment with confidence. Patients no longer need to take another day off work or hire a babysitter for another day. We are simply able to get patients out of pain quicker and more predictably.”

“We have seen a really positive change in the patient experience since bringing the GentleWave Procedure into our practice,” said Dr. Ankit Keshaw, DDS, of Vital Endodontics and Access Endodontics. “A lot of people come in nervous because of what they have heard about root canals, and being able to explain the GentleWave technology and the way we approach treatment helps make the whole experience feel much more comfortable and reassuring.”

“We are excited to see how the GentleWave Procedure continues to improve patient care,” said Kevin Yein, Vice President of R&D at Sonendo. “We remain committed to driving innovation to elevate patient care and supporting our joint mission of Saving Teeth and Restoring Health.”

The flagship GentleWave G4 Consoles and CleanFlow Procedure Instruments used in the GentleWave Procedure are assembled at Sonendo’s manufacturing facility in California.

“Our patients are at the core of everything we do,” added Bjarne Bergheim, President and CEO of Sonendo. “We will continue our relentless focus on elevating patient care and improving practice workflow through innovation and operational excellence. We are incredibly thankful to our GentleWave providers and the entire Sonendo team for helping us reach this major milestone.”

About Sonendo

Sonendo is a commercial-stage medical technology company focused on saving teeth from tooth decay, the most prevalent chronic disease globally. Sonendo develops and manufactures the GentleWave System, an innovative technology platform designed to treat tooth decay by cleaning and disinfecting the microscopic spaces within teeth without the need to remove tooth structure. The system utilizes a proprietary mechanism of action that combines procedure fluid optimization, broad-spectrum acoustic energy, and advanced fluid dynamics to debride and disinfect deep regions of the complex root canal system in a less invasive procedure that preserves tooth structure. The clinical benefits of the GentleWave System, when compared to conventional methods of root canal therapy, include improved clinical outcomes, such as superior cleaning that is independent of root canal complexity and tooth anatomy, high and rapid rates of healing, and minimal to no postoperative pain. In addition, the GentleWave System can improve the workflow and economics of dental practices.

For more information about Sonendo and the GentleWave System, please visit www.gentlewave.com/doctor.

To find a GentleWave doctor in your area, please visit www.gentlewave.com.

KATANA Zirconia ONE SPEED Enables 8-Minute Sintering

2026-10-05T15:40:00.000-04:00

New workflow capability helps clinicians further accelerate same-day zirconia restorations

Kuraray Noritake Dental Inc. has announced that KATANA™ Zirconia ONE SPEED can be sintered in approximately 8 minutes when used with the pre-heating function built into the CEREC® SpeedFire furnace.*

Designed for efficient chairside dentistry, KATANA™ Zirconia ONE SPEED already provides clinicians with a fast zirconia workflow. The use of the SpeedFire pre-heating function further streamlines the process by reducing the standard 9-minute sintering cycle to approximately 8 minutes.

This feature takes advantage of the pre-heating capability already incorporated into the CEREC® SpeedFire. When activated, the furnace is pre-heated to approximately 400°C prior to beginning the sintering process, helping clinicians maximize the efficiency of their chairside workflow.

“For clinicians incorporating same-day zirconia into their practices, every step of the workflow matters,” said Maurice Munoz, Director, North America. “KATANA™ Zirconia ONE SPEED was developed around the need for speed, efficiency, and esthetics. The ability to utilize the SpeedFire pre-heating function provides another opportunity to make an already efficient workflow even faster.”

Simple Pre-Heating Workflow

To utilize the SpeedFire pre-heating function prior to sintering, clinicians can select the pre-heat function on the SpeedFire screen and confirm that the function is active. The furnace then pre-heats to approximately 400°C. Once the target temperature is reached, KATANA™ Zirconia ONE SPEED can be sintered in approximately 8 minutes.*

The enhanced workflow reinforces Kuraray Noritake Dental’s commitment to developing materials and solutions that help dental professionals simplify procedures while delivering efficient, high-quality restorative care.

For more information about KATANA™ Zirconia ONE SPEED, visit www.kuraraydental.com.

About Kuraray Noritake Dental Inc.

Kuraray Noritake Dental Inc. is committed to developing innovative dental materials that support clinicians and dental technicians in delivering predictable, high-quality restorative care.

Combining Kuraray’s expertise in dental material technology with Noritake’s long history in ceramics, the company offers a comprehensive portfolio of restorative solutions used by dental professionals worldwide.

*CEREC System version 5.2.13 or 5.3.3 and later is required.

Dental VIP 3 Applications are officially open

2026-10-05T15:31:13.766-04:00

Join us at Dental VIP Summit 3!

Applications are officially open!

The stage is set for the next wave of dental innovation.

Applications to present at the Dental VIP Summit are officially open, and we’re inviting the most promising companies to take the spotlight. If your company is developing breakthrough technologies, therapies, or platforms in dentistry, this is your opportunity to showcase your innovation to the industry’s leading investors, strategics, and clinical experts.

Application Deadline: November 20

Apply to Present

Secure Your Spot

Last year’s Dental VIP Summit brought a packed room of innovators, investors, dental leaders, and companies shaping the future of dentistry, and we’re expecting another strong turnout for the 3rd Annual Summit.

Register by December 17 to take advantage of the Early Bird rate. Practicing Physician rates are also available, and groups of three or more from the same company can reach out for special group pricing.

If you’re planning to join us, we encourage you to register early and secure your place at the conversation shaping what’s next in dental innovation.

REGISTER TODAY

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Personify Group Launches Trade Show ROI Resources for Dental Exhibitors

2026-10-05T09:05:17.567-04:00

New Resources Help Dental Exhibitors Evaluate Their Investment and Explore the Personify ShowFlow™ Trade Show Success System

Personify Group, Inc., a commercialization, branding, public relations, and demand generation firm serving the dental industry, today announced two free resources designed to help dental exhibitors evaluate their trade show performance and plan for stronger business results: a downloadable Trade Show ROI Guide and a fully interactive, online Trade Show ROI Calculator.

The resources introduce exhibitors to the Personify ShowFlow Trade Show Success System, which connects pre-show marketing, booth engagement, and post-show follow-up through three stages: Attract, Engage, and Convert.

For dental manufacturers, technology companies, and service providers, the resources offer a starting point for examining whether trade show spending is producing qualified leads, sales opportunities, and revenue, and where a more coordinated approach could improve results.

“A trade show investment starts well before the booth opens and continues after the exhibit hall closes,” said Mark Ross, Co-Founder and Chief Branding Officer of Personify Group. “The ROI guide and ROI calculator help exhibitors look at that full picture. ShowFlow brings the pieces together so that the message prospects encounter before the show connects with their booth experience and gives them a reason to take the next step.”

The Trade Show ROI Guide provides a planning resource for companies seeking to improve trade show return on investment. The online ROI calculator lets exhibitors enter show expenses and sales funnel assumptions, then compare their current approach with adjustable ShowFlow scenarios.

The online Trade Show ROI Calculator accounts for costs such as booth space, graphics, travel, shipping, and marketing. Users can model changes in qualified conversations and conversion rates, assess projected revenue and gross-profit ROI, and work backward from a revenue goal to determine the conversations and leads needed to reach it. ShowFlow scenarios include an estimated program investment; projections are for planning purposes and do not guarantee results.

“A busy booth can feel like a successful show, but the business question is what happens to those conversations afterward,” said Michael Ventriello, Co-Founder and Chief Communications Officer of Personify Group. “These easy-to-access resources help exhibitors connect their spending to sales goals and identify where prospects may be falling out of the process. That creates a more productive conversation about how ShowFlow can help build a pipeline that continues to develop after the show.”

ShowFlow is designed to help companies attract qualified prospects before an event, engage them with relevant messaging and supporting evidence at the booth, and advance opportunities through targeted follow-up. Exhibitors can use the guide and calculator to inform a ShowFlow strategy session tailored to their next event, product category, and sales process.

To download the Trade Show ROI Guide and learn more about the Personify ShowFlow Trade Show Success System, visit the Personify Group website.

To use the Online Tradeshow ROI calculator, visit https://personifygroup.com/showflow/ShowFlow-1.html.

Companies interested in discussing their results or planning a ShowFlow program can send an inquiry via https://personifygroup.com/contact-us.

About Personify Group

Personify Group, Inc. is a commercialization and strategic communications firm serving the dental and medical industries. The company helps manufacturers, technology companies, service providers, and innovators accelerate growth through brand strategy, public relations, market positioning, demand generation, thought leadership, and commercialization planning.

By integrating communications with measurable business objectives, Personify Group helps clients build awareness, credibility, and commercial momentum.

Eterna Regeneratives Raises Funding for Tooth Enamel Regeneration

2026-10-02T13:15:00.000-04:00

UK startup Eterna Regeneratives has closed a seed investment round led by Hoxton Ventures and The Venture Collective (TVC) to build its regenerative biomaterial platform spanning enamel repair and bone regeneration, starting with the $43bn global oral care market.

Eterna Regeneratives Co-founders, Khaled Eissa (L) and Dr Sherif Elsharkawy (R)

Co-founded by Khaled Eissa and Dr. Sherif Elsharkawy in 2024, the King’s College London spin-out attracted international attention last year when studies found the team’s revolutionary patented material could successfully regrow damaged tooth enamel using keratin—a protein found in human hair, skin, and wool. The research, developed by Dr. Elsharkawy and Dr. Sara Gamea, his PhD student, was widely picked up by national and international media, including the BBC, Washington Post, and Newsweek, putting keratin-based enamel regeneration on the map well before a commercial product existed.

Now working to develop a pipeline of material technologies, Eterna aims to tackle a problem that affects nearly everyone: the slow, irreversible loss of tooth enamel. The team at Eterna Regeneratives believes that symptom management cannot be the only solution.

“The only way to truly heal the human body is to help it heal itself,” said Khaled Eissa, co-founder and CEO. “We wanted to create a product that is readily available, scalable, and has the potential to deliver long-term results.”

“This investment lets us move from lab-based proof of concept to real-world products at pace,” said Dr. Sherif Elsharkawy, Chief Scientific Officer and co-founder. “It is a validation of years of research and a step change in how quickly we can bring this technology to patients.”

Unlike many other tissues in the human body, tooth enamel cannot naturally regenerate once it has been lost. This can lead to hypersensitivity, cavities, tooth pain, and the gradual deterioration of teeth.

Fluoride, the best option currently available on the market, only superficially addresses the problem—offering minor strengthening of existing enamel but failing to rebuild what has already been lost. Resin, the go-to option for professional repair, merely fills a tooth rather than rebuilding it and has a finite lifespan, often resulting in necessary replacements and high costs for patients.

It is against this backdrop that Eterna has created a keratin-based material that can be added to toothpaste, enabling cost-effective and lasting enamel regeneration.

Eterna’s patented keratin-based product has delivered striking results. In vitro experiments carried out on extracted tooth samples revealed a new, enamel-like layer forming directly on the tooth surface as the material stimulates a mineralisation process.

Treated samples showed hardness and mechanical strength restored to levels close to that of native, healthy enamel. Moreover, the technology has shown the capacity to reduce abrasion and even treat decay. This provides a first glimpse into what it might look like to help a tooth heal itself, instead of simply patching over damage. It is also significantly cheaper than alternatives, delivering meaningful treatment at a fraction of the cost.

Hussein Kanji, Partner at Hoxton Ventures

“Eterna is the kind of company we like to back early: powerful, defensible science with a capital-efficient route to market. Its technology has the potential to transform oral care from managing enamel loss to actually repairing it, while opening the door to broader applications in tissue and bone regeneration. Khaled and Sherif are the right scientific team to bring this from the lab and to global scale.”

Gina Kirch, Founding Partner at The Venture Collective

“Eterna is looking beyond basic healing to achieve complete tissue restoration. For too long, patients have had to settle for treatments that manage damage rather than repair it. Eterna is revolutionizing this standard of care, harnessing its patented keratin technology to help the body regenerate itself more fully than existing options allow.”

Eterna’s second application will build on the same patented knowledge, this time targeting bone regeneration. Today, when someone breaks a bone, soft tissue grows back into the site without resolving the underlying fragility. Medical solutions typically involve inserting a collagen membrane and hoping the bone regrows. But preliminary tests suggest Eterna’s keratin-based technology could be harnessed to regenerate strong, healthy bone.

Oral health is Eterna’s first commercial beachhead, with further IP in the pipeline beyond bone regeneration. The company is expanding its research and commercial teams and building relationships with oral-care companies, professional partners, and consumer-health groups, with a clear focus on delivering its first commercial product in the near term.

By embedding its material into products already on the market, Eterna aims to bring its sophisticated but accessible science directly to consumers.

About Eterna

Eterna Regeneratives is a UK biotechnology spin-out from King’s College London, founded in 2024 by Khaled Eissa and Sherif Elsharkawy. Backed by Hoxton Ventures and The Venture Collective, Eterna is building a biomaterials platform for mineralisation and tissue regeneration, with initial applications in enamel repair and bone regeneration.

Its patented platform uses keratin derived from sheep’s wool to guide new mineral growth at the site of damage, working with the body’s own chemistry beyond just protection. The company has now grown into a new lab space in Canary Wharf, where it is focused on commercialising its product, building its IP pipeline, and partnering with healthcare companies to bring its technology to the mass market.

OPEN WIDE LEGACY DENTAL CLINIC ANNOUNCES 2027 VOLUNTEER SCHEDULE in GUATEMALA

2026-10-02T10:32:40.167-04:00

Five Humanitarian Service Trips Offered -- March to October -- for Dentists, Staff, Family, Friends

SUNSET BEACH, CA -- OCT. 2, 2026 – Local Hope Guatemala, (known in Guatemala as “Xela AID”), has announced the 2027volunteer service trip schedule for its Open Wide Legacy Dental Clinic. For 34 years, the non-profit has provided healthcare, education and other essential services in Guatemala’s western highlands.

The two-year-old dental facility, located within Local Hope’s Xela AID Community Clinic, is the only venue in the Quetzaltenango area to offer professional dental care on an ongoing basis.

Local Hope is offering five turn-key volunteer trips in 2027, each lasting seven days with options to extend. The trips are geared toward dentists, but volunteers who wish to serve in other roles are also welcome, as are family members and friends. Each package includes sightseeing, a choice of local activities, plus transportation to/from Guatemala City, Antigua or Lake Atitlán.

2027 dates (Saturday-Saturday, with options to extend your stay)

March 13-20, 2027 [SOLD OUT]
April 3-10, 2027
June 5-12, 2027
August 14-21, 2027
October 9-16, 2027
Choose your own dates (Monday to Monday, Tuesday to Tuesday, etc.)

Note: We strongly recommend Saturday-to-Saturday schedules when possible.

“All are welcome to join these volunteer missions – members of the dental community, as well as the general public interested in humanitarian service,” says Leslie Baer Dinkel, CEO, Local Hope Guatemala. “Each trip is customized to the skills and interests of every participant, who will meet and work side-by-side with Mayan community members, learn about their rich culture and undergo a life-changing experience -- both for them and the people they serve.”

In addition to spending three days with patients in the dental clinic, Local Hope will match talent and interest with need so that volunteers also participate in many other important service projects and cultural activities. This includes teaching English, art or computer classes to children, experiencing life in a local home, partaking in Mayan cooking classes, building and distributing chicken coops to families in-need, learning about the ancient art of backstrap weaving, experiencing an authentic Mayan “Day Keeping” ceremony, and more.

Accommodation is at our top-rated Eco-Guest House, located on Local Hope’s Xela AID Campus. It features 12 spacious, comfortable, and especially well-appointed rooms and ensuite bathrooms with hot running water and full-pressure hot showers, soft towels and in-room electric heaters – plus robust Wi-Fi, an uncommon feature in the region. Both this facility and the clinic include an elevator and are fully accessible.

INCLUDED:
• First night's stay at the elegant Barcelo Hotel in Guatemala City and breakfast the next morning
• Private transportation to our Eco-Guest House, and a six-night stay including all meals
• Community welcome and village walking tour, and an in-home experience
• Staffing and logistics support for your service work, including translation
• Return transportation to Guatemala City, Antigua or Lake Atitlán

COST: $1,939 per person - Double Occupancy/ $1,759 per person – Triple Occupancy
Single Supplement: $455 per person

The Open Wide Legacy Dental Clinic was made possible by members of the former Open Wide Foundation and The Rotary Foundation, in partnership with Local Hope Guatemala.

Founded in 2011, by Dr. Glen Wysel, Lisa Wysel and Imtiaz Manji, Open Wide Foundation's (OWF) vision was to bring long-term oral health solutions to the most vulnerable communities in Guatemala. After serving more than 250,000 patients and sponsoring more than 1,100 volunteer trips, OWF closed in 2021 due to COVID-19. The Wysels and Manji generously underwrote the new dental suite.

The Rotary Foundation provides Global Grants to support a range of health and social concerns. Through the Global Grant “Health for All,” spearheaded by the Rotary Clubs of Placentia, California, and Quetzaltenango, Guatemala, TRF funding supports a year-round dentist to work out of the dental facility.

Before the recent influx of funding, dental care at Local Hope’s Xela AID Clinic had been inconsistent, with volunteer dentists visiting only a few times a month. This new, permanent facility and full-time, paid dentist, allow for regular dental care -- both as follow-up after special dental missions, like the five planned for next year, and for much-needed, ongoing treatment.

For more information about the trips: https://localhope.org/trips/dental or call Mel Dinkel, (714) 322-0974.

Founded in 1992, Local Hope Guatemala, known in Guatemala as Xela AID (Agency for Integrated Development), is a not-for-profit organization that provides a range of 18 proven programs spanning health care, education, career development and related support, serving largely indigenous populations in poverty belts in Guatemala. We team with organizations, locally and abroad, who share values consistent with our mission, to empower families and communities to become healthy, educated and self-reliant. The expenses of our programs are supported by donations from individuals and foundations, healthy sources of earned income, and endowment income. Because our earned income covers all administrative expenses, 100% of all donations are applied to fuel our programs that provide direct assistance. https://localhope.org

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Great Lakes Acquires Dental Health Products,

2026-10-01T11:32:00.000-04:00

Great Lakes Dental Technologies, Tonawanda, NY, is pleased to announce the acquisition of Dental Health Products, the maker of Dri-Angle products.

The Dri-Angle was designed by a dentist to address the need for a dry field when working with composites, bonding, and cementing. The Dri-Angle, a unique replacement and significant improvement over the cotton roll, covers the parotid area (Stensen’s duct) and effectively restricts saliva flow.

“The Dri-Angle has been part of Great Lakes’ product line for over 20 years,” said David Josza, president and CEO of Great Lakes. “We understand the importance of this unique product to doctors and dental offices. This is a perfect marriage of a good, hard-working chairside product and Great Lakes’ ability to leverage our distribution network, broadening Dri-Angle availability worldwide.”

Dental Health Products, originally located less than 15 miles from Great Lakes’ headquarters in Tonawanda, New York, has shifted operations to Great Lakes, and DHP employees are now part of the employee-owned company.

Great Lakes Dental Technologies has over 200 employee-owners who design, develop, and manufacture appliances and products for use in the orthodontic, restorative, dental, and sleep and airway markets.

OsteoGen™: Beyond Socket Preservation

2026-09-30T14:04:00.000-04:00

The OsteoGen™Composite graft line uses the same biomimetic, bioactive crystal technology to harness the body’s ability to heal itself.

Photomicrograph of an OsteoGen™ bioactive crystal

Whether you currently use the OsteoGen Plug® or are simply familiar with it, you probably know it for its simplicity, handling characteristics, and dependability in socket preservation. But OsteoGen™ goes well beyond the socket. The same Bioactive Crystal Technology (BCT) is available across a complete line of composite grafting solutions designed for a variety of clinical applications.

The introduction of OsteoGen Plug® brought clinicians a simple, efficient, and cost-effective approach to socket preservation.

The OsteoGen Plug® is the only composite grafting plug that has Bioactive Crystal Technology (BCT). BCT describes the ability of the biomimetic OsteoGen™ crystals to actively influence the peri-defect area by providing Ca⁺, PO⁴ and OH⁻ ions in the correct physiologic levels to positively influence the regeneration of bone in the socket.

The same matrix of OsteoGen™ crystals and Type I bovine collagen is available in various site-specific forms to address just about any clinical situation that arises.

OsteoGen Plug, Strip and Block

OsteoGen Plug, Strip, and Block

In addition to OsteoGen Plug®, available in three sizes—Slim, Large, and XL—the portfolio includes OsteoGen Strip® and OsteoGen Block®. OsteoGen Strip® is available in two sizes, Small and Large, and is designed for applications including jump-gap grafting during immediate implant placement and onlay grafting. The Strip features the same proprietary combination of OsteoGen™ crystals and purified Type I bovine collagen, maintaining the handling characteristics and bioactive properties on peri-graft bone associated with OsteoGen™ technology.

The OsteoGen Block® has been optimized for the repair of larger defects and lateral sinus elevations. Its 15 mm x 17 mm size is versatile and can be trimmed as needed. Once placed and hydrated with the patient’s blood, the Block becomes moldable, allowing it to closely adapt to the grafting site.

The Block incorporates non-sintered Bioactive Crystal Technology to support bone regeneration in larger, more demanding defects. It also serves as an alternative to autografts, allograft blocks, and xenograft composite grafts and can be used as a carrier for PRF or other growth factors.

From socket preservation to larger grafting applications, the OsteoGen™ product family gives clinicians versatile options built around the same Bioactive Crystal Technology.

Real Regeneration. Real Efficacy. Real Value.

For more information, visit osteogen.com.

MegaGen Launches BLUEDIAMOND ZYGOMA Implant System

2026-09-29T14:03:00.000-04:00

New zygomatic implant system brings MegaGen’s BLUEDIAMOND engineering, XPEED® surface technology, and flexible prosthetic solutions to complex full-arch rehabilitation.

MegaGen, a leading provider of innovative dental implant solutions, today announced the launch of its new BLUEDIAMOND ZYGOMA Implant® system at the 2026 North America Scientific Meeting (NASM) Symposium, taking place September 18-19 at the Swissotel Chicago.

Designed for patients with severe maxillary atrophy and limited bone volume for conventional implant placement, the BLUEDIAMOND ZYGOMA system provides clinicians with graftless treatment options while addressing the unique mechanical, biological, and prosthetic challenges associated with zygomatic implant therapy.

Unlike conventional implants, zygomatic implants follow a significantly longer trans-mucosal and extra-maxillary pathway. MegaGen developed the BLUEDIAMOND ZYGOMA system around three core principles: mechanical stability, biological stability, and prosthetic stability.

“Zygoma implants require more than simply extending the length of a conventional implant,” said Albert An, Head of R&D. “The BLUEDIAMOND ZYGOMA system was devoted to address the unique demands of zygomatic treatment, from initial anchorage and long-term biological considerations to prosthetic flexibility. We are excited to introduce this new solution to clinicians at NASM and expand the treatment possibilities available for patients facing complex or prolonged treatment paths.”

BLUEDIAMOND ZYGOMA Designed for Mechanical and Biological Stability

The BLUEDIAMOND ZYGOMA Implant® features MegaGen’s engineering approach to mechanical and biological stability, including:

BLUEDIAMOND engineering designed to provide high mechanical strength even with a reduced implant diameter.
XPEED® surface technology, designed to promote rapid and stable osseointegration where direct bone contact is critical.
Cellike® 17 μm micro-grooves, designed to support collagen fiber attachment and establish a gingival recession-limiting line.
X-fit connection, designed for precise prosthetic engagement and a secure connection.
A Cuff Concept that separates soft-tissue and osseointegration zones to help minimize rough-surface exposure in the coronal region.

The BLUEDIAMOND ZYGOMA system is intended for patients presenting severe horizontal or vertical maxillary bone deficiency, inadequate bone volume for conventional implants without extensive grafting, or conditions where the residual alveolar ridge is in close proximity to the nasal cavity or maxillary sinus.

Flexible Prosthetic Platform for Full-Arch Rehabilitation

Prosthetic flexibility is another key component of the new system. The BLUEDIAMOND ZYGOMA Implant supports both Multi-unit Abutment (MUA) and AXA Abutment options, allowing clinicians to accommodate a range of prosthetic environments and insertion paths.

The AXA Abutment was developed specifically as an advanced All-on-X solution, featuring a longer post section for stable prosthetic engagement, enhanced screw-loosening resistance, optimized scan-cap geometry, and compatibility with multiple prosthetic workflows, including CRP, SRP, SCRP, and bar dentures. Angled options are available at 45°, 52°, and 60°.

The system also offers compatibility with a range of digital and laboratory workflows, including 3Shape, exocad, and Dental Wings, supporting both chairside and lab-side applications.

Zygomatic Implants Expand Treatment Possibilities for Severe Maxillary Atrophy

For patients with severe maxillary atrophy, conventional treatment may involve multiple surgical procedures, bone grafting, and extended healing periods. Zygomatic implant therapy can provide a graftless alternative and may allow for immediate provisional restoration on the same day or within 24 hours, depending on the clinical situation and treatment protocol.

The BLUEDIAMOND ZYGOMA system supports both immediate and delayed loading protocols based on clinical conditions, including implant insertion torque, bone quality, splinting considerations, and other patient-specific factors.

BLUEDIAMOND ZYGOMA Debuts at NASM 2026

The launch of the fourth-generation BLUEDIAMOND ZYGOMA takes place during MegaGen’s 2026 North America Scientific Meeting Symposium, bringing clinicians and dental professionals together for two days of scientific education, clinical discussion, and hands-on learning workshops.

The symposium will be held September 18-19, 2026, at Swissotel Chicago in Chicago, Illinois, and offers up to 10 CE hours. The program includes a dedicated workshop, “Beyond Conventional Implants: Zygomatic and Pterygoid Solutions for Full Arch Rehabilitation,” providing attendees with an opportunity to explore advanced treatment approaches for complex full-arch cases.

The introduction of BLUEDIAMOND ZYGOMA represents another step in MegaGen’s commitment to advancing implant dentistry through innovative implant design, surface technology, and comprehensive prosthetic solutions.

For more information about the 2026 NASM Symposium and registration, visit MINEC America’s 2026 MegaGen NASM in Chicago.

About MegaGen Implant

The MegaGen brand is now recognized as a world leader in dental implants. Our innovative products and solutions are acknowledged as a game changer for more successful implant treatments and as the new standard for dental implants and digital dentistry. Started by dentists and driven by dentists, we are continually working for lifetime smiles. Developing technology to realize dreams and designing the future of healthcare.

Working ethically and in good faith to become a total healthcare innovator.

Oryx Dental Software Expands Partner Program with Launch of New Offering for Group Purchasing Organizations

2026-09-28T09:00:00.000-04:00

Oryx Dental Software Expands Partner Program with Launch of New Offering for Group Purchasing Organizations

Inaugural GPO Partners include Unified Smiles, the Dentist Entrepreneur Organization (DEO), and Dental Purchasing Partners (DPP)

MCLEAN, Va., Sept. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Oryx Dental, the leader in clinically rooted, cloud-based, and AI-powered dental practice management software (DPMS) and the #1 DPMS company on the 2026 Inc. 5000 list, today announced the expansion of the company's Partner Program with a new Group Purchasing Organization (GPO) Partner offering. This new option joins Oryx's existing offerings for Technology, Education, Dental Membership, and Consulting Partners to form a robust, modern dental ecosystem for offices looking to build dental practices of the future. The company's Partner Program expansion comes on the heels of Oryx's announcement that its platform is the first and only DPMS platform recognized by the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) for its members.

Oryx's GPO Partner offering launches today with three inaugural partners:

Unified Smiles, a leading enhanced dental GPO supporting more than 1,500 independent dentists with negotiated savings, trusted industry partnerships, education, and personalized support to help practices reduce overhead, improve profitability, and remain independent.
The Dentist Entrepreneur Organization (DEO), a comprehensive dental entrepreneurship platform helping practice owners build more profitable, scalable organizations and progress through every stage of growth - from their first practice to $100M+ platform companies.
Dental Purchasing Partners (DPP), a GPO led by Dr. John Montoya to provide dentists with DSO-like discounts on tools and technology to help reduce overhead for their practices.

"Dental practices face more pressures than ever before, including increased costs for materials and supplies—and software is no exception," said Rania Saleh, DDS, MSD, Founder and CEO of Oryx Dental. "Cloud-based, AI-powered software is crucial to any dentist who wants to operate a modern, clinically excellent practice. We're thrilled to partner with leading GPOs to help bring Oryx's powerful suite of SaaS and AI products to more dentists than ever in ways that meet their budgets and practice goals."

Oryx is committed to clinical excellence and to ushering in the future of dentistry—today. Partner organizations are part of this mission, bringing value, insights, and innovation to Oryx's customers, and vice versa. By joining Oryx's Partner Program, GPOs can not only offer Oryx's leading cloud-based, AI-powered DPMS to their members at a compelling pricepoint, but also tap into a broader network of modern, clinically focused Technology, Education, Dental Membership, and Consulting partners, including Mango Voice, Overjet, Pearl, Vyne, Restorative Driven Implant Institute (RDI), Seattle Study Club, Crown Council, Next Level Consultants, Circle of Dental Excellence, Zar Dental Consulting, and many more.

Additionally, GPOs can differentiate themselves and grow with Oryx's co-marketing and shared opportunities, positioning themselves as dental innovators in an increasingly busy marketplace.

To become an Oryx GPO, Technology, Education, Dental Membership, or Consulting Partner, visit Oryx's website to learn more and reach out to the team: https://www.oryxdental.com/partners/

About Oryx Dental
Oryx Dental is a clinically rooted, cloud-based, and AI-powered dental software platform built by dentists, for dentistry. Designed with a patient-first mindset and deep clinical intelligence at its core, Oryx empowers dental teams to deliver better care, streamline operations, and grow without compromise. From startups to DSOs, thousands of practices around the world rely on Oryx to standardize care, reduce complexity, and improve outcomes—every day. Learn more at oryxdental.com.

SOURCE Oryx Dental

MARK3® Introduces Chroma Chameleon™ One Shade Composite

2026-09-25T08:59:00.000-04:00

Cargus International recently announced the launch of MARK3® Chroma Chameleon™ One Shade Composite, an advanced universal restorative composite engineered to simplify shade selection while delivering natural, esthetic restorations.

Designed to blend seamlessly with surrounding tooth structure, Chroma Chameleon One Shade Composite utilizes Optimal Light Diffraction Technology to adapt across the VITA® A1–D3 shade range, eliminating the need to stock multiple composite shades for the majority of everyday restorative procedures.

As restorative dentistry continues to evolve toward greater efficiency, clinicians are looking for products that reduce chairtime without compromising esthetics or performance. Chroma Chameleon answers that demand with a one-shade solution that simplifies inventory management while providing excellent handling, polishability, and dependable clinical performance.

“Dentists shouldn’t have to choose between efficiency and esthetics,” said a spokesperson for Cargus International. “Chroma Chameleon was developed to streamline restorative procedures, reduce inventory, and deliver beautiful, natural-looking restorations with a single universal shade.”

Key Features and Benefits of Chroma Chameleon One Shade Composite

Universal one-shade composite blends with VITA® shades A1–D3
Ideal for both anterior and posterior restorations
Advanced spherical filler technology with optimized light diffraction
Superior polishability for long-lasting esthetics
Permanent gloss with natural tooth-like opalescence
Radiopacity of 200% for enhanced radiographic visibility
Reduces chairtime by eliminating traditional shade selection
Simplifies inventory and minimizes unused composite waste

Chroma Chameleon is engineered to provide excellent handling characteristics, making placement, sculpting, finishing, and polishing predictable and efficient for clinicians. The material’s optical properties help restorations blend naturally with surrounding tooth structure, allowing practitioners to achieve esthetic outcomes while simplifying their workflow. In rare cases, a blocker may be needed to mask tooth discoloration or stains.

MARK3® Chroma Chameleon™ Block

For cases where additional masking is required, MARK3® Chroma Chameleon™ Block is designed to work alongside Chroma Chameleon One Shade Composite to help block underlying darkness or discoloration before placement of the universal composite.

Indications for Chroma Chameleon Block

Masking of the oral cavity in cases of extended Class III and IV cavities
Masking of tooth discoloration

Designed for Today’s Dental Practice

Whether performing routine posterior restorations or highly esthetic anterior cases, Chroma Chameleon helps practices:

Increase procedural efficiency
Reduce inventory costs
Simplify shade management
Deliver natural-looking restorations
Improve productivity throughout the day

With fewer shades to stock and faster restorative procedures, clinicians can spend less time selecting materials and more time focused on patient care.

Availability

MARK3® Chroma Chameleon™ One Shade Composite is now available through authorized MARK3 distributors throughout North America.

Product SKUs

MARK3® Chroma Chameleon™ One Shade Composite, 4gm Syringe — SKU: 100-4852
MARK3® Chroma Chameleon™ Block (Blocker), 2gm Syringe — SKU: 100-4850

For additional product information, educational resources, or to locate a distributor, visit the Cargus website. (Cargus.com)

About Cargus International

For more than four decades, Cargus International has been committed to delivering innovative, high-quality dental products that provide clinicians with exceptional value and dependable clinical performance. The MARK3® portfolio includes Restorative Materials, Infection Control Products, Impression Material, Core Material, Crown & Bridge Materials and hundreds of additional products trusted by dental professionals worldwide.

For more information, visit cargus.com.

Dentsply Sirona Completes 2026 Ultrasonic Scaling Teaching Institute

2026-09-24T12:09:00.000-04:00

Dentsply Sirona welcomed key dental hygiene and periodontal faculty from across the US and Canada to DS Academy in Charlotte, North Carolina, for hands-on training, curriculum development, and digital dentistry education focused on ultrasonic instrumentation and the future of dental hygiene.

Group photo at the USTI event held at the DS Academy in Charlotte, N.C.

Dentsply Sirona has completed its 2026 Ultrasonic Scaling Teaching Institute (USTI), welcoming key dental hygiene and periodontal faculty from across the US and Canada to DS Academy in Charlotte, North Carolina. Participants joined one of two sessions for hands-on training, curriculum development, and digital dentistry education, reinforcing how ultrasonic instrumentation is taught in classrooms and clinics. The sessions underscored the vital role digital dentistry will play in advancing the future of the profession.

The Dentsply Sirona Academy hosted two sessions of USTI this summer, which took place on July 23–26 and July 27–30, respectively. Each session at the Charlotte facility followed the same comprehensive program, with two full days of lectures and hands-on experiences focused on ultrasonic instrumentation and another about the digital dental hygienist, including AI partnerships and digital scanning. Participants included key clinical faculty members from dental, periodontal, and dental hygiene programs who are responsible for ultrasonic instrumentation instruction at their institutions.

Built on evidence-based research supporting periodontal debridement and biofilm removal and disruption, this year’s USTI curriculum combined classroom lectures with extensive hands-on instruction. Across both sessions, participants engaged with:

The principles and clinical applications of magnetostrictive and piezoelectric ultrasonic technologies
Hands-on ultrasonic instrumentation technique in both pre-clinical and clinical lab settings
Incorporating digital dentistry into dental hygiene workflows, as well as its impact on patient communication and education
Instructional strategies, enhanced curriculum development, and approaches for its implementation

Faculty also took part in breakout sessions on aerosols and ergonomics, clinical scenario discussions, and a guest panel, giving educators the opportunity to exchange perspectives and leave with new instructional strategies to bring back to their own programs.

This year’s institute featured presentations and hands-on instruction from Dani Botbyl, focusing on ultrasonic instrumentation; Marianne Dryer, addressing ergonomics; and Dr. Volinder Dhesi, lead for the digital dental hygiene component of the program, covering digital scanning, DS Core, and the use of AI partnerships with 2D imaging.

Bringing digital dentistry into the dental hygiene curriculum

USTI’s digital dentistry component reflected the growing role of connected technology in dental hygiene practice. Dr. Volinder Dhesi, who led this portion of the program, connected the day-to-day work with digital scanning and digital workflows to a broader shift underway across the profession: “Digital scanning and partnerships for AI-supported workflows aren’t just new tools, they’re part of a larger movement toward connected dentistry, where data flows seamlessly among the entire practice team and also helps engage with the patient,” said Dr. Volinder Dhesi. “Helping educators to bring that perspective into their classrooms means their students graduate ready for where the profession is headed.”

Feedback from participants underscored the value of USTI’s hands-on, applied approach. Dr. Devin Christiansen, a periodontist from the University of Utah, reflected on the impact of the training: “Thanks to the quality and focus of the USTI program, the days in Charlotte gave me a new level of confidence and knowledge that I’m excited to bring back to my own students and other colleagues.”

By equipping faculty with advanced knowledge and hands-on experience, USTI’s 2026 sessions exemplify Dentsply Sirona’s expertise in ultrasonic instrumentation and digital dentistry, as well as the company’s commitment to clinical education.

A program designed for teaching the next generation

Since its inception in 2008, USTI has provided dental hygiene faculty with training, clinical experience, and educational resources needed to teach ultrasonic instrumentation from both a theoretical and practical perspective. Together with opinion leaders, Dentsply Sirona has built and continued to evolve the USTI curriculum to align with the latest science, trends, and clinical needs in education.

Over the years, the program has become an example of the company’s continued investment and support for dental hygienists, reaching over 700 dental hygiene and dental faculty and impacting more than 51,000 dental hygiene and dental students. As the use of ultrasonics in periodontal debridement has grown significantly over the past 25 years, so too has the need for dedicated continuing education resources and faculty support in this area.

“Today, advances in technology and an expanding body of evidence have redefined the role of ultrasonic instrumentation as an essential solution for the disruption and removal of oral biofilm,” said Dani Botbyl, lead subject matter expert for the ultrasonic curriculum component for USTI. “With appropriate instrument selection and clinical technique, modern ultrasonic technology provides a comprehensive, patient-centered approach to periodontal care—a “triple threat” for the disruption and removal of biofilm, calculus, and stain. Ultrasonic Scaling Teaching Institute (USTI) is purposefully designed to accelerate the translation of research into dental hygiene education. As technology and research continue to evolve, educators need accessible opportunities to continually refine their knowledge, skill, and teaching approaches.”

To learn more and access clinical education content for preventive dentistry, visit Dentsply Sirona’s Preventive Dentistry resources.

About Dentsply Sirona

Dentsply Sirona is the world’s largest diversified manufacturer of professional dental products and technologies, with over a century of innovation and service to the dental industry and patients worldwide. Dentsply Sirona develops, manufactures, and markets a comprehensive solutions offering including dental and oral health products as well as other consumable medical devices under a strong portfolio of world-class brands.

Dentsply Sirona’s innovative products provide high-quality, effective, and connected solutions to advance patient care and deliver better and safer dental care. Dentsply Sirona is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Company’s shares are listed in the United States on Nasdaq under the symbol XRAY.

Visit www.dentsplysirona.com for more information about Dentsply Sirona and its products.

Heartland Dental Announces Conuity Care Coordination™, Advancing Comprehensive Connected Care Across the Patient Journey

2026-09-23T08:42:00.000-04:00

Enhanced care coordination platform and services strengthen connectivity between general dentists and specialty providers while improving visibility, communication and continuity of care.

EFFINGHAM, Ill., Sept. 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Heartland Dental today announced Conuity Care Coordination™, an enhanced platform and suite of services designed to better connect general dentists, specialty providers and patients throughout the specialty care journey.

Today, only 15% to 30% of patients advised to seek follow-up specialty dental treatment adhere to that recommendation. This breakdown in the patient journey can impact patients' overall oral health, oftentimes leading to more complex, invasive, painful, or expensive care later. Conuity Care Coordination™ combines technology and care coordination services to help manage specialty care from referral, scheduling, treatment and follow-up, strengthening collaboration between providers and helping patients stay connected to the treatment they need.

"At Heartland Dental, we are committed to investing in tools and capabilities that help supported doctors deliver an exceptional patient experience," said Rick Workman, DMD, Founder and Executive Chairman of Heartland Dental. "Conuity Care Coordination™ reflects that commitment by helping connect providers, simplify collaboration and support more seamless care journeys for patients. It is another example of how we continue to evolve our doctor-led culture and support model to better serve supported doctors and the communities they care for."

Conuity Care Coordination™ connects every step of the patient's journey from the initial general dentistry visit to the specialty care treatment that follows. Through the platform and supporting services, care teams can more easily identify specialty care options, track patient progress, communicate across providers and support patients as they move through their treatment journey.

"Conuity Care Coordination™ represents an important step forward in connecting doctors across the patient's comprehensive care journey," said Timothy J. Quirt, DDS, MBA, Senior Vice President of Clinical Operations at Heartland Dental. "By combining enhanced technology with care coordination services, Conuity Care Coordination™ helps strengthen communication between general dentists and specialists, provides greater visibility throughout treatment and helps patients stay connected to the care they need."

Conuity Care Coordination™ reflects Heartland Dental's continued investment in a doctor-led culture and support model, enabled by technology and services that strengthen collaboration, streamline processes and help supported doctors focus on delivering exceptional patient care.

About Heartland Dental
Heartland Dental is the nation's largest dental support organization, providing non-clinical administrative support services. What started from the entrepreneurial spirit of Rick Workman, DMD, with his single dental practice, has evolved into affiliating with over 3,000 doctors in over 1,900 locations across 38 states and the District of Columbia. The company is majority owned by KKR, a leading global investment firm. For additional information, please visit heartland.com.

DEXIS Unveils Portfolio-Wide Innovations That Advance Its Connected Imaging Ecosystem DEXIS

2026-09-23T08:28:37.406-04:00

Continuous innovation across the DEXIS ecosystem helps clinicians work with greater clarity, confidence, and efficiency

QUAKERTOWN, Pa., Sept. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- DEXIS™, a global leader in dental imaging, intraoral scanning, and diagnostic software, today unveiled a coordinated wave of innovations across its connected ecosystem. Spanning hardware, software, cloud, education, and services, this portfolio advancement reflects DEXIS' commitment to help clinicians work with greater clarity, confidence, and efficiency throughout the imaging workflow. As a longtime trusted brand uniting 2D and 3D imaging, intraoral scanning, and diagnostic software within a connected, AI-powered ecosystem, DEXIS continues to expand technologies that support confident clinical decision-making.

Spanning hardware, software, cloud, education, and services, this portfolio advancement reflects DEXIS™’ commitment to help clinicians work with greater clarity, confidence, and efficiency throughout the imaging workflow.

"At DEXIS, we're continuously looking for ways to help our customers get more value from the technologies that they use every day. These innovations build on the solutions clinicians already trust, bringing new capabilities across our portfolio that support more efficient workflows and confident clinical decisions," said Robert Befidi, President of DEXIS. "Each of these advancements solves a different challenge for our customers. Combined, they help clinicians see more clearly and get more value from the technologies they use every day to improve clinical outcomes for their patients."

Together, these innovations span every stage of the imaging workflow, from image capture and diagnostics to collaboration, education, and ongoing practice support. Starting with the newest development within DEXIS imaging hardware, the NOMAD™ Pro 3 builds on the handheld X-ray system that defined the category, delivering improved image quality, enhanced durability, and a continued commitment to safety-first engineering. Meanwhile, the ORTHOPANTOMOGRAPH™ OP 3D™ Motion Correction feature helps clinicians obtain clearer, more diagnostically useful CBCT images by reducing the impact of patient movement without requiring any hardware updates.

DEXIS also continues to advance the intraoral scanning workflow, with optimizations that increase precision, accessibility, and clinical confidence. The latest version of IS ScanFlow introduces the SEAT Protocol, which guides scanbody-based implant workflows, helping improve alignment and image accuracy across full-arch and multi-unit restorations. A new DEXIS Imprevo™ slim tip further expands scanning access and maneuverability in challenging anatomies, helping clinicians navigate tight spaces, posterior regions, and limited-opening patients. Looking ahead, these enhancements will continue to evolve with greater data and image quality improvements to support more complex cases.

Beyond scanning, DEXIS continues to develop diagnostic visualization and treatment planning through software innovation. The latest version of DTX Studio™ Clinic (v4.10) introduces a new Endodontic Module that provides clinicians with a deeper visualization of root canal anatomy before treatment begins. When paired with CBCT, the module enables users to segment and visualize canals in 3D, helping endodontic specialists and general practitioners identify anatomy more clearly, navigate canal complexity with greater confidence, and make more informed procedural and referral decisions.

Extending DEXIS' vision for connected, cloud-enabled dentistry, DEXIS IOS Cloud, formerly IS Connect, marks the next step in the company's cloud strategy. Featuring an updated user experience and new 3Shape lab integration, the cloud-based collaboration platform provides clinicians and laboratory partners with more flexible access to scanning workflows and data. The launch reflects DEXIS' continued investment in cloud technologies designed to simplify clinician and laboratory collaboration, streamline workflows, and support a more connected digital experience.

Complementing these innovations, new Hardware-as-a-Service models provide practices with flexible options that include predictable monthly pricing, built-in protection, and upgrade pathways that help keep technology current over time.

Beyond technology, DEXIS is expanding how it helps customers adopt, optimize, and get more value from their digital dentistry technology. DEXIS Academy serves as the company's flagship education platform, bringing together training experiences, on-demand content, workflow-based learning, and opportunities for peer engagement in a single destination designed to help users build confidence and maximize the capabilities of their DEXIS solutions.

Supporting its commitment to an open ecosystem, DEXIS is also expanding integrations with Asiga, 3Shape, and SmileGrid. These collaborations help extend connectivity across digital workflows and provide customers with greater flexibility across the technologies they use every day.

DEXIS unveiled these innovations during its ILLUMINATE virtual keynote, where company leaders shared updates from across the portfolio and discussed the company's vision for continued innovation across imaging, software, cloud, education, and services. The webcast is available on demand at DEXIS.com/ILLUMINATE.

About DEXIS

DEXIS, part of the Envista family of brands, is a global leader in dental imaging, uniting the industry's most trusted brands across 2D and 3D imaging, intraoral scanning, and diagnostic software within a single, connected, AI-powered ecosystem. Our innovative and award-winning technologies are designed with smart simplicity to streamline workflows, enhance diagnostic precision, increase productivity, and support better patient outcomes. By unifying imaging and diagnostic tools under one brand, DEXIS empowers dental professionals to diagnose with greater confidence and deliver more efficient care with one connected ecosystem - built on choice. To learn more, visit DEXIS.com. Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.

DTA Foundation Prepares for National Brush Day on November 1 and Invites Families to Join the DentSquad

2026-09-22T15:43:04.914-04:00

ARLINGTON, Va., Sept. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- National Brush Day is celebrated every year on November 1, the day after Halloween, to promote children's oral health. By reinforcing the importance of brushing for two minutes, twice a day (2min2x), families can help children establish healthy routines that can carry into adulthood.

This year, the DTA Foundation is continuing its #NBDDentSquad initiative as part of the National Brush Day awareness campaign. The DentSquad makes oral health education fun with four oral health superheroes: Captain Paste, Doctor Brush, Floss Fury and The Cool Rinse. Families can join the DentSquad by completing coloring sheets and activities and sharing their creations on social media using #NBDDentSquad or uploading them to NationalBrushDay.com for a chance to win one of five $100 Amazon gift cards.

The DTA Foundation is also providing free downloadable resources to help families, dental professionals, and organizations spread the National Brush Day message. Download National Brush Day resources here.

A Continued Focus on Children's Oral Health

Under the leadership of DTA Foundation Board Chair Tim Long, Chief Commercial Officer at A-dec, the Foundation has made children's oral health a special focus, working to help more children build a strong foundation for lifelong oral health.

"As we expand our focus on children's oral health, we want to bring as many kids and families into our National Brush Day celebration as possible," said Tim Long, Chair of the DTA Foundation Board of Directors and Chief Commercial Officer at A-dec. "Every child deserves a healthy smile, boosting their confidence while improving their oral health. Building these good habits early is an important step toward making that possible."

The message this National Brush Day is simple: Become your own oral health champion, join the DentSquad, and help your family maintain healthy, happy smiles.

For questions about this campaign, please contact Jackie Michaels, Managing Director, at jackiemichaels@dentaltradealliance.org or (703) 379-7755.

About the Dental Trade Alliance Foundation 
The Dental Trade Alliance Foundation supports initiatives that advance oral health, strengthen the dental workforce, and expand access to care. Through scholarships, educational programs, and community partnerships, the Foundation invests in the future of dentistry and the professionals who serve patients across the country. For more information about the Dental Trade Alliance Foundation, visit DTAFoundation.org.

PDS Health and United Concordia Launch Saliva Screening Pilot

2026-09-22T08:40:00.000-04:00

United Concordia Dental and PDS Health®, leaders in oral health and dental-medical integration, respectively, launched a saliva screening pilot in Southern California earlier this week that aims to improve oral health and overall health by investigating the screening’s impact on periodontal (gum) disease management.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 40% of U.S. adults over the age of 30 have some form of gum disease. Left untreated, this condition can lead to tooth loss and infections and is associated with systemic conditions such as heart disease, stroke and diabetes.

“Gum disease is not just an oral health issue. It’s closely connected to a person’s well-being,” said Ed Shellard, DMD, president and CEO of United Concordia. “This partnership with PDS Health underscores our shared commitment to dental-medical integration and allows us to empower patients with on-the-spot data about the current status of their gum health.”

The United Concordia Dental and PDS Health saliva screening pilot is expected to span up to 18 months and plans to measure levels of active Matrix Metalloproteinase-8 (aMMP-8), a biomarker associated with collagen breakdown and active periodontal tissue destruction, among approximately 1,500 – 2,000 eligible United Concordia members diagnosed with or at risk for gum disease and undergoing treatment. The pilot will take place at nearly 125 PDS Health dental practices in Southern California.

“This pilot reflects our commitment to connecting oral health and overall health in a measurable way for the patients and members we serve together with United Concordia,” said Jeremy Jonckheere, vice president of strategic payor partnerships at PDS Health. “By bringing saliva screening into everyday periodontal care, we’re giving patients real insight into their periodontal health and helping them stay engaged in the treatment plans their dentists recommend.”

Advancing Prevention Through Data-Driven Periodontal Care

The pilot will evaluate the role saliva screening may play in periodontal disease management and future benefit design by:

Assessing its ability to motivate patients to actively manage their gum disease and follow treatment plans recommended by their dentist; and
Using results data to investigate when appropriate education interventions may be needed to support at-home care and better inform benefit design for covering saliva screening during gum disease treatment.

How the Saliva Screening Pilot Works

Participation in the pilot is voluntary. United Concordia will fund the saliva screenings at no cost to eligible members diagnosed with gum disease. Eligible patients will have the option to receive a quick, in-office saliva screening that measures aMMP-8, a biomarker associated with active periodontal tissue breakdown.

Additional screenings will be administered at follow-up periodontal appointments throughout the duration of the pilot to measure a participant’s aMMP-8 level at different points during treatment, helping clinicians assess changes in disease activity and the participant’s response to treatment over time. Self-reported surveys will also evaluate how often patients are flossing, brushing and caring for their oral health at home.

“A patient’s dental care routine at home is just as important as the professional scaling and root planing treatments they receive in the office,” said Shellard. “By incorporating saliva screening into routine gum disease management, we have an opportunity to better engage patients in their care, improve clinical outcomes and support more personalized treatment approaches.”

About United Concordia Dental

United Concordia Dental is a leading national dental solutions partner focused on providing access to personalized, high-quality, cost-effective dental care, with an emphasis on improving total health. Headquartered in Camp Hill, Pa., the company, which serves 11.9 million people, has one of the nation’s largest dentist networks, an AM Best “A” (Excellent) financial strength rating and licensed entities in all 50 states, D.C. and Puerto Rico. United Concordia offers flexible benefit solutions and products that meet the unique overall health needs of customers of all sizes. For more information about United Concordia, visit UnitedConcordia.com.

About PDS Health

PDS Health® continues the journey started by Pacific Dental Services® in 1994, with a vision to redefine healthcare through the integration of dental and medical services. Its approach, centered on the connection between oral health and overall health, aims to create healthier, happier patients and set new benchmarks in the healthcare industry. As a leading provider of integrated healthcare support, the company delivers a broad spectrum of services to dental, dental specialties, and medical providers, enhancing operations and care delivery for clinicians across the U.S. For more information about PDS Health and its vision, visit pdshealth.com.

Mouth-Body Connection® is a registered trademark of PDS Health.

Curve Dental Introduces Curve Memberships, Helping Practices Strengthen Patient Retention & Profitability Through Membership-Driven Care

2026-09-21T13:33:00.000-04:00

Integrated seamlessly with Curve, Curve Memberships helps practices identify enrollment opportunities, automate patient outreach and keep payments connected to billing and collections

ALPHARETTA, Ga., Sept. 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Curve Dental^®, the leader in AI-powered, cloud-native, all-in-one dental practice management software, today announced Curve Memberships, designed to help practices identify patients who could benefit from an in-house dental membership plan, simplify enrollment and build more predictable recurring revenue.

Curve Memberships works seamlessly with Curve Dental practice management software to help practices manage enrollment, membership payments and member activity alongside the workflows they already use every day.

Curve Memberships works seamlessly with the patient information dental teams already manage in Curve. Practices can engage uninsured patients and those interested in services outside their insurance coverage—such as whitening and other elective care not covered by their plan—while creating a simpler path to membership enrollment. Once patients enroll, membership payments automatically post to the patient account in Curve, keeping membership billing, collections and patient records connected to the system the practice already uses every day. The result is stronger patient loyalty and a more streamlined membership experience for the practice.

"Dental membership plans work—until they become one more thing the front desk has to remember, " said Luke Anderson, Chief Product Officer at Curve Dental. "Curve Memberships connects with the software the team already uses all day, so identifying patients, driving enrollment and managing membership payments becomes part of the workflow—not more tasks to manage. That means practices can grow revenue without adding more work to the team's day."

Turning the Schedule Into an Enrollment Engine

More than 1 in 5 working-age U.S. adults have no dental benefits, according to the American Dental Association Health Policy Institute, underscoring the need for more flexible ways for patients to access and pay for dental care. In-house dental membership plans can help meet that need, but they often depend on staff recognizing an opportunity, explaining the program during a busy patient interaction and remembering to follow up afterward.

Curve Memberships streamlines that process by automatically delivering personalized invitations, helping practices grow enrollment without maintaining separate lists, spreadsheets or manual outreach campaigns.

For patients, these plans provide a straightforward, subscription-style way to understand the cost and value of their care. For practices, they can strengthen loyalty and create a more direct, predictable financial relationship with patients.

Memberships that Support a Healthier Practice

A healthy, growing practice doesn't have to depend on insurance reimbursement alone. Membership plans can help create more predictable recurring revenue while reducing some of the administrative burden that comes with insurance-based care.

They can also support case acceptance by giving patients clearer, more approachable costs for services they may otherwise delay or decline—particularly care that falls outside insurance coverage.

Dental membership plans create a more direct relationship between the practice and patient, helping practices strengthen loyalty while giving patients a clearer path to care they value. Practices can also use the reports they already rely on in Curve to see production and collections trends across their membership patients and better understand the impact of their program.

"Membership-driven care gives practices more control over the economics of care while giving patients a clearer way to say yes to treatment," said Anderson. "Curve Memberships helps make that easier to manage—from identifying opportunities and enrollment through payments and performance."

Built for the Way Practices Work

Curve Memberships connects membership information with the patient record and everyday workflows dental teams already manage in Curve, giving teams greater visibility into member status and relevant care opportunities without adding another disconnected process.

Practices also receive dedicated support for setup and launch, along with a marketing toolkit designed to help introduce, promote and build participation in their membership program.

With Curve Memberships, practices can:

Identify patients who may benefit from a membership plan
Automatically deliver personalized invitations
See membership information within existing patient workflows
Auto-post payments to the patient account in Curve
Launch and promote plans with dedicated support and marketing resources
Reduce manual tracking, spreadsheets and disconnected processes
Measure contribution through Curve reporting

Expanding the Platform Practices Won't Outgrow

Curve Memberships is the latest expansion of Curve's end-to-end cloud platform and follows the company's recently announced $200 million commitment to research and development. Curve continues to invest across AI, automation, payments and other tools designed to reduce complexity and help dental practices operate and grow more efficiently.

Curve Memberships will be rolled out to eligible Curve customers this month. Practices interested in learning more can visit curvedental.com/membership-plans.

About Curve Dental

Curve Dental provides an intelligent, cloud-based operating system designed to help dental practices manage and grow their businesses while giving teams more time to focus on patient care. Curve brings together practice management, clinical workflows, revenue cycle capabilities, payments, patient engagement, artificial intelligence and an expanding ecosystem of connected solutions in one platform built for modern dentistry.

Curve Dental serves dental professionals and practices across the United States and Canada and is privately held, with operations in Provo, Utah; Alpharetta, Georgia; Calgary, Alberta; and Aberdeen, Scotland.

Curve Dental is proud to be named a 2026 USA TODAY Top Workplaces award winner. Visit www.curvedental.com or call 1-888-910-HERO for more information.

SOURCE Curve Dental

SURI Launches New Core 1.0 Electric Toothbrush

2026-09-18T16:34:00.000-04:00

SURI, the design-led oral care brand creating everyday essentials designed for life, has launched SURI Core 1.0, a new sonic electric toothbrush designed to give more people an accessible upgrade from manual brushing while maintaining SURI’s focus on performance, design, and reducing waste.

Credit: SURI

Designed with dentists and informed by consumer feedback and everyday brushing routines, SURI Core 1.0 combines effective sonic cleaning with a streamlined design and alternative materials. The new electric toothbrush features SURI’s signature plant-based brush heads and a lightweight bio-circular handle.

“At SURI, we’ve always believed that exceptional oral care should be experienced by as many people as possible,” says Co-Founder Gyve Safavi. “Core represents an important evolution for us, bringing the same great clean and thoughtfully designed features to a broader audience.”

SURI Core 1.0 joins the company’s SURI Pro 2.0 sonic toothbrush, offering consumers two options for their daily oral care routine. While the Pro 2.0 features a durable aluminum body, matching plant-based brush head, and UV-C Cleaning Travel Case, Core 1.0 is designed around everyday performance, minimal design, and portability.

The SURI Core 1.0 handle is made using more than 90% bio-circular material. Like other SURI toothbrushes, it uses plant-based brush heads that can be returned for recycling through SURI’s mail-back program in the UK and US.

According to SURI, Core 1.0 has been clinically tested to remove 100% more plaque than a manual toothbrush. The sonic electric toothbrush also features a built-in haptic pressure sensor and two-minute brushing timer to support effective daily brushing.

SURI Core 1.0 provides up to four weeks of battery life on a single charge and operates at under 65 dB. A compact wireless charging pebble and magnetic mirror mount are designed to save counter space, while a built-in button lock and plant-based head cover make the toothbrush convenient for travel.

SURI Core 1.0 is available in four colors: Haze (Green), Ember (Orange), Nightfall (Blue), and Moonrise (Gray). The toothbrush is priced at $75 and is available through SURI and Amazon.

Every SURI Core 1.0 toothbrush is covered by the company’s 100-day money-back guarantee.

Available in 4 colors: Haze (Green), Ember (Orange), Nightfall (Blue), and Moonrise (Gray). SURI Core 1.0 is available for $75 at trysuri.com and Amazon.com.

SURI Core 1.0 Key Features

SURI Core 1.0 includes a range of features designed for everyday oral care, including:

Clinically tested to remove 100% more plaque than a manual toothbrush
Haptic pressure sensor and two-minute brushing timer
Up to four weeks of battery life on a single charge
Handle made using more than 90% bio-circular material
Plant-based brush heads with SURI’s mail-back recycling program in the UK and US
Four color options: Haze, Ember, Nightfall, and Moonrise
Quiet sonic cleaning at under 65 dB
Magnetic mirror mount
Button lock and plant-based travel cap
USB-C wireless induction charging pebble

SURI launched its award-winning sonic electric toothbrush in 2022. The company focuses on combining high-performance oral care, thoughtful product design, and materials intended to reduce waste. SURI says its toothbrush has received numerous accolades, including The Dezeen People’s Choice Award for Product Design, FMC’s Dental Brand of the Year, the Red Dot Design Award, the Marie Claire Sustainability Award, and recognition among Fast Company’s Top 10 Consumer Goods Companies of 2025.

Dental Care Alliance Renews Philips Sonicare Partnership

2026-09-17T11:15:00.000-04:00

Dental Care Alliance (DCA), one of the nation’s leading dental support organizations, has renewed its partnership with Philips Oral Healthcare for a second consecutive year. As part of the collaboration, Philips Sonicare has once again been selected as the Official Toothbrush of the 2026 President’s Club, DCA’s premier recognition event honoring its highest-performing affiliated dentists and practice leaders.

The continued partnership reflects a shared commitment to clinical excellence, oral healthcare innovation, patient education, and exceptional patient outcomes.

According to DCA, Philips has been an important partner in supporting clinicians with evidence-based innovation, oral healthcare solutions, educational resources, and patient engagement initiatives. These resources are designed to help reinforce healthy oral care habits both inside and outside the dental practice.

As the Official Toothbrush of President’s Club 2026, Philips Sonicare played a prominent role in celebrating DCA’s top-performing dental professionals. The annual event recognizes affiliated clinicians and practice leaders who demonstrate excellence in patient care, leadership, and practice performance.

Philips Oral Healthcare said the continued collaboration reflects its shared commitment with DCA to helping people achieve better oral health. The company will continue supporting dental professionals with innovative oral healthcare solutions designed to promote preventive care and healthier smiles.

Together, Dental Care Alliance and Philips Oral Healthcare remain focused on empowering dental professionals with trusted clinical technology and educational resources while helping patients establish healthy habits that support lifelong oral health.

About Dental Care Alliance

Founded in 1991 and headquartered in Sarasota, Florida, Dental Care Alliance is a leading dental support organization with a mission to advance the practice of dentistry by partnering with and supporting dental professionals who create a lifetime of healthy smiles. DCA supports more than 400 affiliated dental practices and more than 900 dentists across 24 states.

About Philips Oral Healthcare

Philips Oral Healthcare is dedicated to improving people’s lives through meaningful innovation in oral health. Philips Sonicare power toothbrushes are backed by decades of scientific research and are trusted by dental professionals worldwide for delivering clinical results.

SprintRay Introduces Midas Restore™, a New Definitive Restorative Material Engineered for Midas Digital Press

2026-09-16T08:55:00.000-04:00

Glass ceramic and zirconia-filled restorative material combines advanced material science with SprintRay's Midas Digital Press technology for same-visit crowns, inlays, onlays and veneers

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- SprintRay, a dental technology company advancing dental 3D printing and digital manufacturing, today announced the commercial launch of SprintRay Midas Restore™, a new FDA-cleared ceramic and zirconia-filled definitive restorative resin engineered specifically for the Midas Digital Press.

SprintRay Midas Restore, a new FDA-cleared glass ceramic and zirconia-filled restorative material combines advanced material science with SprintRay's Midas Digital Press technology for same-visit crowns, inlays, onlays and veneers

Unlike restorative materials engineered primarily around maximum strength, Midas Restore was designed around how a definitive restoration polishes, wears, flexes and functions once adhesively bonded to remaining tooth structure, while maintaining the required clinical strength.

With over 75% filler by weight, Midas Restore brings glass ceramic and zirconia together in a formulation designed around what matters in definitive restorative dentistry: strength where it counts, resistance to occlusal wear, lasting polish and natural aesthetics. The material enables dentists to produce definitive crowns, inlays, onlays and veneers through a streamlined same-visit digital workflow.

"If we could 3D print enamel, this is it."

The statement captures the design philosophy behind Midas Restore: creating a restorative material that balances polish retention, wear resistance, strength, surface hardness, stiffness, and optical performance while working in concert with the natural tooth.

"Traditional dental 3D printing forces a compromise: the material has to be fluid enough to print, which limits how highly filled it can be," said Amir Mansouri, CEO and Founder of SprintRay. "Midas Restore was designed in our material science lab to address that limitation. By pairing a highly filled glass ceramic and zirconia formulation with Midas Digital Press, we can give clinicians access to a new class of definitive restorative materials and bring them into an efficient same-visit workflow."

Designed Around the Bonded Tooth

For decades, restorative materials have been engineered around bulk strength. Glass ceramics and zirconia are brittle, so their primary defense against crack propagation is shear strength — which in turn means more tooth reduction and stiffness well beyond what function requires.

Midas Restore takes a different approach. Its resin matrix is designed to arrest cracks rather than simply resist them, and its flexural modulus sits closer to dentin than to a glass ceramic. Once adhesively bonded to remaining tooth structure, the restoration becomes part of a system in which material and tooth distribute function together, rather than concentrating stress at the interface.

SprintRay laboratory testing demonstrated that Midas Restore retained 98% of its initial gloss after 5,000 simulated toothbrush abrasion cycles, and delivered five times the wear resistance of SprintRay Ceramic Crown over 200,000 cycles — wear performance comparable to a milled hybrid ceramic. In biaxial flexural testing, Midas Restore reached a maximum strength of 215 MPa, the highest of any SprintRay definitive restorative material.¹ The surface hardness was measured to be greater than 80 HV, statistically equivalent to a leading nanofilled direct composite and roughly double that of previous-generation printed restorative resins. Its translucency parameter of 13.5 places it in the same range as milled lithium disilicate HT.²

"We engineered Midas Restore around how a restoration actually behaves once it is bonded to a tooth, not around a single strength number," said Hossein Bassir, Chief Product Officer at SprintRay. "Filler content, polish retention, wear resistance, modulus and optics are not separate features. They are one system, and the tooth is part of it."

Made to Be Pressed

Achieving this combination of properties requires a filler loading that conventional dental 3D printing cannot process. Highly filled formulations are highly viscous, and viscous material does not flow into a print zone on its own.

SprintRay's Digital Press Stereolithography (DPS) technology actively pushes highly viscous material into the print zone from sealed capsules. That is what allows Midas to work with filler loads over 75% by weight — and it is why Midas Restore is engineered exclusively for the Midas Digital Press.

Built for Same-Visit Dentistry

Midas Restore brings definitive restorative material into a streamlined digital workflow spanning scanning and design through pressing, post-curing, polishing and bonding.

Clinicians can press multiple units from a single capsule, post-cure in four minutes, and polish restorations to final with two wheels in under two minutes — with no glaze or oven required. Midas Restore can also be adjusted, added to and repaired intraorally before adhesive cementation, supporting definitive delivery without a provisional, second appointment or lab bill.

Midas Restore builds on the Midas Digital Press platform, introduced in 2024. Since its launch, clinicians across 33 countries have produced more than 100,000 restorations with Midas. Early clinical evaluation of Midas Restore has also demonstrated straightforward finishing and polishability.

"With Midas Restore, I can achieve a beautiful, lasting surface gloss in just two or three quick polishing steps with a standard polishing system," said Andrew C. Johnson, DDS, MDS, CDT, FACP, Diplomate of the American Board of Prosthodontics and prosthodontist at OmniSmile Digital Dental Solutions, who participated in the early clinical evaluation of Midas Restore. "That combination of durability, aesthetics and straightforward finishing is what I expect as a clinician from a definitive restorative material. This is an exciting time for digital dentistry."

Availability

Midas Restore will be available beginning September 1, 2026, in the United States in shades A1, A2, A3, B1 and C2. A three-pack of Single-Unit Capsules is $135 and will be available through the SprintRay Store and authorized SprintRay distribution partners.

Midas Restore is validated for use with the SprintRay Midas Digital Press and SprintRay NanoCure. In the United States, it is FDA 510(k) cleared (K260661), Class II, Rx only.

¹ Maximum value. ISO 6872, piston-on-three-balls. Mean 180 MPa. ² Shade A1; other shades may vary.

About SprintRay

SprintRay is a dental technology company specializing in dental 3D printing and digital manufacturing solutions for dental professionals. The SprintRay ecosystem combines dental 3D printers, Digital Press technology, biocompatible dental materials, AI-powered design software and post-processing solutions to help clinicians deliver restorative, prosthetic and appliance-based care in the dental practice.

By developing hardware, software and materials as connected systems, SprintRay is working to make advanced digital dentistry and chairside manufacturing more accessible, efficient and clinically practical at the point of care. For more information, please visit www.SprintRay.com.