John Flucke's Blog - Ramblings from Dentistry's Technology Evangelist

Premier Dental® Announces Exclusive Distribution Partnership for PerioStōm®

2026-08-19T06:00:00.000-05:00

Premier Dental® Announces Exclusive Distribution Partnership for PerioStōm® to Expand Advanced Periodontal Care Solutions

Premier to broaden clinician access to Forward Science’s FDA-cleared, non-drug oral wound dressing for post-procedural periodontal care

Premier® Dental Products Company, a global leader in innovative dental consumables and clinical solutions, today announced an exclusive distribution partnership with Forward Science to bring PerioStōm®, an FDA-cleared, non-drug oral wound dressing, to dental professionals throughout the United States. Through this partnership, Premier will serve as the exclusive distributor of PerioStōm®, expanding access to a science-driven solution designed to support healing and patient comfort following periodontal procedures.

The addition of PerioStōm® reinforces Premier’s commitment to delivering innovative technologies that improve clinical outcomes and enhance everyday dental practice. By leveraging Premier’s professional dental network, clinicians will have greater access to a novel post-procedural care solution that integrates into existing periodontal treatment protocols.

PerioStōm® is powered by chitosan microspheres, a biocompatible polymer. Applied directly into the periodontal pocket, PerioStōm® forms a protective, bio-adhesive barrier intended to help protect vulnerable tissue from irritation and trauma while supporting gingival healing and patient comfort while fitting seamlessly into existing periodontal treatment protocols, such as scaling and root planing (SRP). The delivery system is designed for consistent placement and integration into standard clinical workflows.

“Premier is committed to identifying and delivering clinically meaningful innovations that help dental professionals improve patient care. PerioStōm® represents a unique advancement in post-procedural periodontal care, offering clinicians an FDA-cleared, non-drug solution that supports healing while fitting naturally into existing treatment protocols. We are excited to partner with Forward Science to make this innovative technology more broadly available to dental professionals across the country.”

— Perry Lowe, CEO, Premier Dental Products Company

Developed over several years of research and innovation, PerioStōm® represents a significant advancement in periodontal therapy. As exclusive distributor, Premier will work closely with Forward Science to support product commercialization and clinician education while expanding awareness and adoption nationwide.

“This collaboration with Premier strengthens the pathway for PerioStōm® through a trusted partner in the dental industry,” said Robert J. Whitman, CEO of Forward Science. “Together, we are focused on bringing what we believe is one of the most impactful advancements the periodontal therapy field has seen in decades to clinicians nationwide, helping improve patient care and change more lives.”

The partnership is expected to broaden availability of PerioStōm® to a wider audience of dental professionals, supporting a more proactive approach to post-procedural periodontal care through an effective, non-drug solution designed for everyday clinical use.

For more information about PerioStōm®, visit PerioStom.com.

2026 Dental Testing & Regulatory Summit is Now Open for Registration

2026-08-18T06:00:00.000-05:00

Registration Opens for 2026 Dental Testing & Regulatory Summit

Five-day October event unites regulators, educators, and examiners from across the country

Annual meetings of ADEX, AADB, and AADA converge at the Summit
Mission of Mercy MD/PA named charitable partner for the third annual giving campaign
Educators can earn up to 4.5 CE credits through the ADEX Educators Conference

Registration is now open for the 2026 Dental Testing & Regulatory Summit and Educators Conference, a five-day event that convenes dental regulators, educators, and examiners from across the country to address the future of dental licensure. The American Board of Dental Examiners (ADEX), the American Association of Dental Boards (AADB), and the American Association of Dental Administrators (AADA) host the event Oct. 14-18, 2026, at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Md.

What to Expect at the 2026 Summit

The Summit unites state regulators, program directors, faculty leadership, and examiners for focused sessions on licensure policy, examination standards, and dental education. It stands as one of the few venues where regulators and educators work side-by-side to address the profession's most pressing challenges, creating a collaborative space where stakeholders advance the goals of dental licensure and uphold the highest standards of professional practice.

The 2026 Educators Conference introduces a hands-on dental hygiene session where faculty can experience the ADEX exam and SimProDH typodont scaling firsthand. Educators can earn up to 4.5 CE credits in clinical dentistry and exam preparedness.

"The connections made at this Summit between boards, educators, and examiners are what make real progress possible, and I am confident this year will be our most impactful yet," said Stephanie Beeler, Director of Communications, Board Affairs & Events, ADEX. "From new hands-on sessions for dental hygiene educators to expanded programming on licensure and examination standards, this gathering showcases a shared commitment to advancing the profession and the communities we serve."

Giving Back to the Community

ADEX selected Mission of Mercy Maryland/Pennsylvania (MD/PA) as the charitable partner for the 2026 Summit. Donations collected during registration will benefit Mission of Mercy's Mobile Dental Clinic, a three-operatory dental office on wheels that serves six communities in Maryland and recently expanded its reach to include veterans through two new community partnerships. Since 1994, Mission of Mercy MD/PA has provided free healthcare to nearly 50,000 patients, logging more than 221,100 visits and dispensing over 440,900 medications.

The Summit continues a giving tradition that has raised more than $50,000 for charities in host cities since 2024, following donations to Mission of Mercy Texas in 2025 and Kosair for Kids, a Kentucky-based charity, in 2024.

Registration is open now at www.dental-summit.org/2026.

About the American Board of Dental Examiners (ADEX)

The American Board of Dental Examiners (ADEX) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting dental boards in their mission to protect the public through the licensure of qualified oral health professionals. Established in 1969, ADEX administers independent competency examinations developed and approved by representatives of state dental boards. ADEX examinations are accepted or required by law in 51 U.S. jurisdictions and serve as the initial licensure pathway for 98% of dental and 85% of dental hygiene candidates nationwide. Through ongoing collaboration with dental boards and educators, ADEX continues to advance innovative, evidence-based assessment methods that uphold the highest standards of fairness, clinical competence, and public protection. Learn more at adextesting.org.

Ramblings From Dentistry's Technology Evangelist - Breaks 4,000,000 Page Views!!!

2026-08-17T06:00:00.000-05:00

A big announcement today... "Ramblings From Dentistry's Technology Evangelist" has now surpassed 4,000,000 page views! I could type for hours and not be able to adequately describe how grateful I am to all of you. If it wasn't for people like you who are reading this post, there would not be a blog or anything else I'm involved with. So my deepest thanks to all of you... I am truly humbled by the support.

I try not to get too hung up or focused on numbers for projects I'm involved with, but sometimes a milestone is passed and you'd have to be in a fog to not have it motivate you. About fifteen years ago I noticed something about myself. Maybe it's the mindset of being a dentist, or maybe it's just me, but when things went right I wouldn't think much about it. I'd just move onto the next thing. I *expected* things to go right. Yet... when something went less than *perfect* I'd dwell on it and sometimes I'd beat myself up mentally... sometimes for days.

It's funny, but think about this for a second. If someone gives you a compliment... maybe they say "your hair looks really good today". I think most of us don't give it a second thought, often we don't even believe it. Yet, if someone says "your hair doesn't look really good today", we immediately run to a mirror and try to fix it. I'm not sure why humans are like that, but I've talked about this to a lot of people and it seems to be a pretty common thing.

I decided to try and make a change. I made a concerted effort to celebrate my successes. I wouldn't throw a party, but I *would* allow myself to think "that wasn't easy, but I did pretty well there." My logic was, if I'm going to be hard on myself when things didn't go perfectly, I'd pat myself on the back when they did.

Because of that, I frequently tell others to celebrate their successes. There is obviously a line between being happy with success and being egotistical, but there is nothing wrong of being proud of your achievements.

I have always felt if you do the right things for the right reasons, success will follow. However, with that being said, sometimes things don't always go according to plan. My advice? Celebrate your successes. There's nothing wrong with that feeling of satisfaction that comes from a job well done.

Hanyang University ERICA Researchers Develop Electronic Skin That Brings Human-Like Touch to Robots and Prosthetics

2026-08-12T06:00:00.000-05:00

Below is some pretty fascinating information from Hanyang University in South Korea. For years we've been seeing the development of lifelike prosthetics to help injured humans become more independent. They use robotics to actually recreate much of the movement from an amputated limb. Researchers have now developed a sensor type system that could someday actually bring the sense of touch to mechanical devices such as artificial limbs. These sensors could also provide robots with a sense of touch. Read on for the details.

Researchers developed a vertically integrated dual-gate transistor design, enabling reliable touch sensing and high density, large-area integration

Conventional tribotronic devices, that convert mechanical stimuli like touch into electrical signals, offer fixed sensitivity and pose challenges in large-area integration. In a new study, researchers have developed a new vertically integrated dual-gated tribotronic transistor architecture, that offers tuneable sensitivity, reliable contact and proximity detection, as well as minimal pixel footprint for high-density array integration. This technology can pave the way for electronic skin systems that allow robots and prosthetics to reliably perceive human touch.

The recent advancement of miniaturized and portable electronics, particularly wearable and flexible devices, has increased the demand for self-powered sensing technologies. Among these, triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) have received increased attention for developing highly sensitive tactile sensors. TENGs convert external mechanical stimuli into electrical signals through redistribution of electric charges. They are particularly attractive for the development of advanced electronic skin and intelligent robotics. However, conventional tribotronic devices suffer from non-tuneable sensitivity and pose challenges in integration into large-area architectures, limiting practical applications.

To address these limitations, a research team led by Associate Professor Jaekyun Kim from the Department of Photonics and Nanoelectronics at Hanyang University in South Korea has developed a novel vertically integrated dual-gated tribotronic transistor. “Our vertical dual-gate architecture not only offers gate-tunable amplification of the triboelectronic responses, but also minimizes pixel footprint, enabling high-density, large-area integration,” explains Dr. Kim. Their study was made available online on April 9, 2026, and published in Volume 153 of Nano Energy on June 15, 2026.

The proposed dual-gated tribotronic transistor features a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) triboelectric sensing layer as the top gate, stacked on top of a dedicated gate insulator, which in turn is positioned above an indium-tin-zinc-oxide (ITZO) thin-film transistor (TFT). This innovative configuration provides synergistic control of sensitivity.

In its default state, the bottom gate sets the baseline current flowing through the ITZO transistor. To enable contact and proximity sensing, the device first undergoes a charging phase, in which a stainless-steel plate comes into contact with the PDMS surface. This causes triboelectric charges to form at the interface. As the plate separates from the PDMS layer, these accumulated charges create a triboelectric potential that acts as the top-gate voltage, which suppresses the current flow through the ITZO transistor.

As the charged plate or another object approaches the PDMS surface again, the triboelectric potential gradually decreases, causing the transistor current to recover, based on the proximity of the plate or surface. This change in current serves as the tribotronic response, indicating contact or proximity. Meanwhile, the bottom-gate voltage sets the baseline current, allowing the sensitivity to be electrically tuned. Specifically, the researchers found that the sensitivity increased with increasing bottom-gate voltage.

The researchers also showed that increasing the contact pressure enlarges the effective contact area between the PDMS layer and the contacting object, generating more triboelectric charge and producing a stronger response.

Additionally, the device exhibited stable response and recovery times of 127 and 212 milliseconds, respectively, during each contact-separation cycle. It also maintained stable performance without noticeable degradation after 1,000 operating cycles.

To demonstrate active tactile sensing, the researchers fabricated a 10 × 10 transistor array using the proposed architecture. After initially charging the sensing layer with a stainless-steel plate, they demonstrated pixel-level responses to finger touches as well as reliable proximity sensing at distances of up to 500 micrometers using a stainless-steel probe.

“Our research could contribute to the development of electronic skin systems that allow robots, prosthetic devices, and wearable electronics to perceive touch, pressure, and proximity more precisely,” remarks Dr. Kim. “This will lead to safer and more reliable human–machine interaction, with applications in healthcare robots, health monitoring and autonomous systems.”

Overall, this innovative architecture provides a scalable platform for programmable, mechanically robust tribotronic sensor arrays, paving the way for advanced human–machine interfaces.

Reference

Title of original paper: Vertically integrated dual-gated tribotronic transistor for active-matrix tactile and proximity sensing

Journal: Nano Energy

About Hanyang University ERICA

Hanyang University ERICA (Education Research Industry Cluster at Ansan) is a prominent research-focused campus established in 1979 in Ansan, South Korea. ERICA offers undergraduate and graduate programs. ERICA is renowned for its active industry-university cooperation, offering students hands-on experience through partnerships with various industries. This ensures that graduates are well-prepared to meet societal needs and excel in their respective fields. With state-of-the-art facilities and a supportive learning environment, Hanyang University ERICA empowers students to pursue their passions and contribute meaningfully to society, staying true to the university's founding philosophy of "Love in Deed and Truth."

Website: https://www.hanyang.ac.kr/web/eng/erica-campus1

About the author

Dr. Jaekyun Kim is an Associate Professor and researcher in the Department of Photonics and Nanoelectronics at Hanyang University. His group focuses on oxide semiconductor thin-film transistors, tribotronic sensors, electronic skin, and active-matrix sensing systems. The group develops device platforms that integrate semiconductor electronics with functional sensing materials for tactile, proximity, and wearable applications.

VCom Interoffice Messaging System - You Can Download and Try for Free

2026-08-11T06:00:00.000-05:00

One of the fun things about being "The Technology Evangelist" is that a lot of people reach out to me with new ideas, both in dentistry and the consumer market. I love seeing and learning about these products and it allows me to see some pretty cool things. Recently I was contacted by Dr. James Webb about an interoffice communication system.

In a busy office, communication and distractions can be a major problem. Staff will frequently be busy with patients clinically as well as at the front desk. Also, clinical staff will often float between different treatment areas which can make them hard to find, depending on the office layout. It's so much easier to have some type of digital communication system in the office that discreetly sends a message to the proper person. In ttoday's dental offices there are computers in every operatory as well as multiple locations throughout the office. That makes a communication system on the office network something that a lot of offices use or are in need of.

There are a lot of chat clients on the market, but most of them run in a separate window on your computer which means you have to click to see the message. That's usually not a big deal, but if you are in the middle of a procedure with gloves on it can be a hassle. In the admin area, it requires staff to leave whatever window they are working in to open the chat window underneath.

VCom is an interoffice communication system that runs on every computer in the office. However, instead of running in a window, VCom runs as a "banner" across the top of the screen. That means it's never hidden behind another window that will require a click to bring the info to the front. Instead, the VCom message will simply appear in the banner at the top of the screen, which brings it to the immediate attention of the user. You can also assign a unique 'tone' so a busy user can know they have a message in the banner. The system allows a user to check a message with just a glance without a patient noticing the distraction.

If you have any interest in checking this out, you can find pricing info here.

I don't have personal experience with VCom, however the company offers a free trial. You can download, install, and then see if the system is right for you and your workflows. You can use this link to download.

Hygiene KOL Michelle Strange Publishes New Book: Independent by Design

2026-08-10T06:00:00.000-05:00

New Book Presents Dental Hygienists a Roadmap to Career Growth and Independent Practice Ownership

Dental hygienist, educator, entrepreneur, and podcast host Michelle Strange, MSDH, RDH, recently published Independent by Design: A Dental Hygienist's Journey to Practice Ownership, a new book that explores the evolving career opportunities available to today's dental hygienists, including independent practice ownership.

Drawing on more than 25 years of experience in clinical care, education, public health, mobile dentistry, long-term care, and business ownership, Strange shares the professional lessons, challenges, and decisions that shaped her career.

The book is intended to help dental hygienists evaluate new career possibilities while providing practical insights for those interested in expanding beyond traditional clinical roles.

Rather than presenting a single formula for success, Independent by Design examines the many paths available within the profession and encourages readers to define careers that align with their personal and professional goals.

"Many dental hygienists reach a point where they begin to question what comes next," said Strange. "My goal was to write the book I wish I'd had earlier in my Career; one that honestly discusses both the opportunities and the obstacles while demonstrating that there are more options available than many clinicians realize."

The book chronicles Strange's unconventional professional journey, including her decision to leave a traditional career path, spend several years working throughout the United States as a traveling dental hygienist, and ultimately become the owner of Smile Logic, an independent dental hygiene practice in Colorado.

In addition to sharing personal experiences, the book offers guidance designed to help readers avoid common business and career development pitfalls while navigating the transition from clinician to entrepreneur.

Independent by Design: A Dental Hygienist's Journey to Practice Ownership is available in print and Kindle editions through Amazon.

About Michelle Strange, MSDH, RDH

Michelle Strange is a practicing dental hygienist, educator, and entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience in the dental field. She began her career as a dental assistant and then a dental hygienist earning a bachelor’s degree in health science from the Medical University of South Carolina, followed by a master’s degree in dental hygiene education from the University of Bridgeport. Her commitment to excellence is demonstrated by ongoing professional development, including earning a Certificate in Dental Infection Prevention and Control, Myofunctional Therapy, Interim Restorative Therapies, and Neuromodulators.

Michelle is the founder of MichelleStrangeRDH.com and Level Up Infection Prevention, two platforms dedicated to empowering dental professionals through education, hands-on resources, and practical strategies for success in clinical care and compliance. Most recently, she became the proud owner of SmileLogic, an independent dental hygiene practice in Colorado that delivers value-based, patient-centered care.

With a unique blend of clinical expertise and entrepreneurial drive, Michelle continues to elevate the profession by bridging education, innovation, entrepreneurism, and real-world application.

Trial of Davids Hydroxi Toothpaste

2026-08-06T06:00:00.000-05:00

About a month ago I posted about Davids Hydroxi Toothpaste. They had just launched a new version of their product to market.

We've seen some really interesting consumer products come to the market the last two or so years and one of things I'm always interested in is toothpastes. You don't have to be a dentist to know that of all the consumer products on the market, the one product dental product that is used the most between professional appointments is toothpaste. That's one of the reasons I'm always interested in these. Patients are often looking for a recommendation and I like to keep myself up with as many products as possible.

A lot of things need to be considered when it comes to toothpastes, not only from the doctor's side, but also the perspective and decision making of the manufacturer.

For my entire career patients have always asked me, "What's the best toothpaste to use?" I always tell them "it depends"... because it does. The one thing I know for sure is that a patient has to actually *like* their toothpaste. What I mean by that is that if they don't like the taste or even the texture, that will affect how well they brush. If something tastes bad, most people won't spend as much time with it and brushing for two minutes is highly advised.

The texture is incredibly important to a lot of people. There are a lot of patients that don't like certain foods simply due to the way they *feel* in their mouth. I know a lot patients that simply don't like the feeling of gel toothpastes so for them a traditional 'paste' type is the better choice.

The good folks at Davids were kind of enough to send me a full sized tube of their new Davids Hydroxi - Whitening+enamel health toothpaste to try, so here's my take after two weeks of using it exclusively

Unflavored - the tube actually says "unflavored" which should appeal to a lot of people. I would call it pleasant to use. I actually like the fact that they didn't try to use some type of overpowering flavor agent
Texture - it has a very creamy texture. It has a thinner consistency than 'normal' toothpastes, but it is NOT runny. It's very easy to apply to the brush and spreads across the teeth easily
Hydroxi - the toothpaste contains hydroxyapatite which is the mineral that is truly the 'building block' of healthy enamel. Having this in the paste should help reinforce small areas of breakdown on teeth and also help with areas of sensitivity
Fluoride Free - for some patients this will be important. Professionally I prefer a toothpaste with fluoride, but many patients have concerns about it. The hydroxyapatite in the product should help prevent cavities
Sulfate free - many people have an allergy to sodium laurel sulfate which is the foaming agent in a lot of toothpastes. It is NOT in this product. However, I still got a great clean feeling after rinsing.

My overall take is a good one. I try a lot of toothpastes and this one is a winner in my book. It's available online at Amazon and the Davids website.

MIR (Miniature Intraoral Robot) may Change Crown Prepartion in the Future

2026-08-05T06:00:00.000-05:00

Photo: University of Basel, Catherine Weyer

Sometimes I come across things in my online wanderings that are pretty amazing. Lots of ideas for dental advancements don't ever make it to market, but that can be for a variety of reasons. I had heard from a few industry contacts that a robot was being developed that could prepare a tooth for a crown, but I had only heard a few brief comments. This may not be the same one I heard those whispers about, but I think the odds of that are pretty slim. Researchers in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Basel in Switzerland are exploring the possibility of using a robot to prepare teeth for crowns.

Here's the concept and potential workflow:

An intraoral scan is performed during the appointment when the diagnosis for a crown is made.
The scan is used to create a special splint that attaches to the teeth and also attaches the robot to the splint.
The crown prep is digitally planned and the final crown is fabricated prior to the prep appointment.
The patient returns for the crown appointment.
The splint with robot is attached to the patient's teeth.
The robot preps the tooth following the digital prep plan. It removes the necessary tooth structure to create an exact duplicate of the planned prep.
The splint is removed.
The final crown is cemented.

Of course, any dentist reading this can see a lot of potential drawbacks. What about anesthesia? What about decay in the tooth? How is the decay removed? What about a buildup? These questions and many others will need to be answered.

However, after saying all of that I'll also say that the overall concept of this is intriguing. Robots mill things in many industries every day. Robots are precise and lots of things we use every day are the result of digital mills. So I'm interested to see where this idea goes and how they work to overcome the problems. Obviously this idea is in its very earliest stages, but the system has actually been used to prep teeth in the lab.

If you'd like to know more, you can read the article about this on a page at the University of Basel. There has also been a pretty detailed paper written about this robot that can be read on the IEEE Xplore website. the title of the paper is Miniature Intraoral Robot (MIR) for Minimally Invasive Tooth Preparation.

The Costs of Hospital Care due to Periapical Abscess

2026-08-04T06:00:00.000-05:00

I'll keep this short because the info you really want is in the link. Usually a periapical abscess is easy to diagnose in a dental office. However, if a patient can't be seen by a dentist they often end up in the emergency room and then often in a hospital room.

As all of us know, hospital care is expensive, especially when compared to the costs in a dental office.

Today's post is from a study titled "Hospital charges and length of stay due to periapical abscess, United States 2020-2022" from the Journal of the American Dental Association. It contains some pretty interesting info. Over the time of the study an average of 300 patients died in a hospital from periapical abscesses. While that's a small number in the grand scheme of how many people live in the US, that's 300 people lost to their families and our world. In my opinion that's tragic.

Then there is the cost associated with hospital stays. The mean charges were $35,042 for the primary diagnosis and $86,600 for a secondary diagnosis.

There is some sad and fascinating data in this article. I believe it is available for anyone to read, not just ADA members. Here is the link. I'd love for some of you to give it a read and let me know your thoughts in the comments.

Podcast Episode #48 with my Great Friend Dr. Paul Feuerstein

2026-08-03T06:00:00.000-05:00

I've known Paul since the days of dial-up Internet. We talk pretty often, but I've been wanting to get him on the podcast for quite a while. We finally got our schedules to line up and at long last, Episode 48 was recorded and is now available! A summary is below.

In the ever-evolving world of dentistry, one question keeps coming up: How has the field transformed from its traditional roots to embrace technology? In this episode, we explore the captivating journey of dentistry, highlighting key insights from Dr. Paul Feuerstein, who shares his personal experiences and the significant changes he's witnessed over decades in the field.

About Dr. Paul Feuerstein

Dr. Paul Feuerstein is one of my best friends and is Editor in Chief of Dentistry Today magazine. He’s a highly respected figure in the dental community, known for his expertise in dental technology and its everyday impact on practices. With over 40 years of experience, he has been at the forefront of evaluating and integrating technology into dental practices. His journey is not only inspiring but also gives us a unique perspective on the evolution of dentistry. He has been at the forefront of dental technology for decades. It began with installing one of the first computers in his office in 1978.

The Journey Begins: Early Influences

Dr. Feuerstein's journey began in New York City, where he was identified as a gifted student during the late 50s and early 60s Sputnik era. Schools were testing students to find the brightest minds to help in the race for space exploration. This early identification led him to advanced studies in math and science, setting the stage for his eventual career in dentistry. However, it also resulted in putting him two grades ahead in school, making him significantly younger than the other students in his classes.

The Role of Technology in Dentistry

As Dr. Feuerstein transitioned from student to professional musician, and then dentistry, he witnessed significant technological advancements. From the introduction of computers into dental offices in the 1970s to the rise of digital radiography, digital imaging, CAD/CAM, 3D printing, and everything in between. He has seen how technology has reshaped how dental professionals work.

Overcoming Challenges: A Personal Perspective

Dr. Feuerstein faced challenges during his educational journey, including age-related social hurdles in high school and a unique path through dental school. His ability to adapt and thrive has been a cornerstone of his success. He recalls his rebellious spirit during dental school, where he questioned strict regulations and advocated for a focus on clinical skills and patients over appearance.

The Future of Dentistry: Insights from a Pioneer

With the ongoing advancements in dental technology, Dr. Feuerstein emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and adaptation. As new tools and techniques emerge, dental professionals must stay informed and be willing to embrace change.

His message is that dentists must stay updated on the latest dental technologies and consider integrating them into practice to enhance patient care, operational efficiency, and profitablilty

Conclusion

Dr. Paul’s journey in the profession is a testament to the power of innovation and adaptability. From Dr. Feuerstein's early experiences, to the modern digital landscape, it is clear that the future of dentistry lies in embracing technology and fostering a culture of continuous knowledge and improvement. For dental professionals, the key takeaway is to remain curious and open to change, ensuring that doctors provide the best care possible for their patients.

He helps answer questions like:

What are the biggest technological advancements in dentistry today?
How can dentists keep up with the latest technology?
Why is technology important in dental practices?

**Want to go deeper? Listen to the complete episode

A Request to Manufacturers - Why Recycling Should be Part of 3D Printing - NOW

2026-07-30T06:00:00.000-05:00

I remember the first time I saw a dental 3D printer. It was at the ADA meeting in Washington, D.C. The year was 2015. Back then as a die hard technology lover I knew that 3D printing existed and I understood the concept, but I understood very little else.

I was wandering the exhibit hall of the meeting, which is one of the things I try to do at dental conventions, when I happened to see a booth that was displaying a 3D printer. Like a moth to a flame, this super cool tech drew me into the booth and before long I was engaged in a conversation with one of the company's representatives.

I was shown dentures, transitional partials, and (I think) maybe even a surgical guide. I was fascinated and mightily impressed. The things I saw looked incredible and they fit on their corresponding models perfectly. I learned the overall process and asked questions about resins.

This led me to the big question I had. “How do you come up with a design for these things?” I asked. The representative opened a laptop and showed me the design software the company had used. Back in 2015, 3D printing was just starting to creep into the dental industry and there was no dental specific design system. Instead I was shown software that was used for engineering design. The screen looked like the cockpit of a 747. I walked out of the booth and I knew that, while amazing, this tech would never make much progress in the industry unless the design process was fast and easy. Dentists don’t have the time to spend 45 minutes designing something, they need to devote that time to treating patients.

Fast forward to 2026 and I’m happy to say things have changed a lot since that day in 2015. In the 11 years since that meeting, 3D printing has seen considerable growth in offices. I think the principal reason for that growth is in how much the design process has changed. As AI continues to make rapid inroads into the dental industry, one of the areas that has been impacted the most is 3D design.

The design process has gone from a detailed and time consuming task that required a degree in engineering, to a process that frequently only requires the user to upload an intraoral scan and then click “next” until the project is ready to print. The design process has always been the bottleneck in the use of 3D printing in the dental office and those design barriers are falling fast.

Dentistry is poised at the edge of a dramatic technological shift and the market is about to reflect that. I predict in the next five years we will see a large change in how a great deal of dentistry is delivered. What we’ll see is that the simple, everyday things are going to move to being fabricated in-office. Things such as splints, occlusal guards, retainers, and surgical guides can now be easily printed, but more importantly they can also be easily designed.

That means that as dental offices seek to deliver care faster and with lower costs, more and more offices will begin utilizing 3D printers. This will allow offices to lower their lab costs on “bread and butter” cases while still delivering the precision the profession demands.

Many dental labs have already embraced 3D printing for a variety of applications. That means that many doctors are already delivering 3D printed things to their patients so they already have confidence in the technology. It’s only a small step to bring this into the dental office.

However, there’s one area that needs to be addressed. Our world is dealing with an excess amount of plastics in our environment and as offices move into this realm, we need to do our part to help ensure the health of the planet we call home.

I’ll use my experience with my coffee maker as an example. I’ve been a diehard coffee lover since my college days and that, of course, means I own a coffee maker for my home. I’m not sure who invented the coffee pod, but whoever it was should have been awarded the Nobel prize for convenience. I don’t think twice about dropping a pod into my machine and cranking out a steaming cup of dark roast. Well, I should say I didn’t think twice about it… until one day when I did.

One morning as I was placing an empty milk jug into the recycle bin it suddenly occurred to me that every coffee pod I was using was headed straight to the landfill. I’m embarrassed that I hadn’t thought of it before that day, but when I realized how much plastic I was personally putting into the trash, I made the effort to search Amazon for a coffee pod I could buy that could be recycled. That led me to a company that makes compostable pods and I’ve been using them ever since. In a similar way that dentistry has moved to using amalgam separators to keep mercury out of the environment, we need to make a similar approach to recycling 3D scrap.

For those of you unfamiliar with the 3D printing process let me explain. The resins used in 3D printing are liquid. These resins are photopolymerized by the printer in a manner that is similar to how doctors place composite resins. The printing resins are cured in layers. Because they are liquid and polymerized in layers, the printer software creates little bars of plastic under the printed project as it is created to keep it in the correct shape. These bars are called “supports” and they are a necessary part of the 3D printing process.

When the project is completed and fully cured, a human then removes the supports and polishes the completed printed project. This process of removing the supports and polishing is easy and doesn’t take much time. However the cured resin supports now need to be disposed of. That means that every printed project is creating a certain amount of waste.

Now add to that the idea of “pods”. We’re now seeing printers for dentistry that create small projects like crowns and veneers through the Keurig concept of single use, resin filled pods. These pods make printing incredibly easy, but in addition to the supports, the pods themselves are also made of plastic and need to be disposed of properly.

As more and more offices move into 3D printing, the amount of waste that will be generated from this amazing technology is going to be significant. So what can dentistry do to properly and ethically deal with this problem that is looming on the horizon?

Just like my empty gallon bottle of milk, dentistry needs to recycle these leftovers. Of course if you want to recycle plastics you’ll come across a problem. Not all plastics are the same. My gallon milk bottle is recycled by my local trash collector. My plastic grocery bags need to be returned to the grocery store for proper recycling. Printed 3D resins also require a specific recycling process and they cannot be disposed of in just any recycling bin.

Fortunately there is a simple answer. For over 25 years DRNA (Dental Recycling North America) has been in the business of helping dentistry properly dispose of waste. The company provides amalgam separators, sharps disposal, and disposal of pharmaceuticals as some of its services. This year DRNA has launched a new effort that allows dentistry to recycle the waste from 3D printers.

It’s an incredibly easy solution, so allow me to explain how it works. DRNA sends the dental office a shipping container. Inside is a 2.5 gallon bucket with a liner and a return shipping label. The liner is placed inside the bucket. Any 3D printer waste, whether it is cured supports, resin pods, or empty resin bottles, is simply placed in the bucket. When the bucket is full, the office places the bucket into the shipping container, attaches the label, and notifies DRNA. The company ships a new 2.5 gallon bucket kit to the office while the office ships the full bucket back to DRNA. The DRNA solution meets federal, state, and local hazard waste regulations, is an easy one-step process, and provides full documentation. The entire process is so easy, even I can follow the instructions!

Failing to implement recycling is a looming potential problem, but we already have the solution. Here’s my request to manufacturers. Let’s begin to address this issue now. By partnering with a reputable company like DRNA, manufacturers can make the process of recycling part of the normal workflow as offices purchase printing systems and begin using them.

I have implemented many workflow changing technologies over my career, so I say this with experience. It is much easier to change a major workflow once than trying to implement small changes to that same workflow over time. Establishing the recycling process from the beginning and implementing it during training will teach offices that recycling is as critical to the process as post-curing.

Once a process has been ingrained into a system, it becomes simply ‘one more part’ of the process. In order to establish ‘best practices’ and to prevent 3D printing waste from ending up in our landfills a concerted effort needs to be made to incorporate recycling into the process *now*. Any other option is simply “kicking the can down the road.”

Dandy Partners with Yeshiva University's New College of Dental Medicine to Power the Future of Digital Dentistry Education

2026-07-28T06:00:00.000-05:00

I'm continually impressed with Dandy, the digital dental lab. They have provided some amazing services to the profession. Now the company is helping to provide education to the next generation of dentists. Here's the news:

The first new dental school in NYC in over a century will run exclusively on Dandy's technology

Dandy, the fully digital dental lab, today announced a partnership with Yeshiva University's new College of Dental Medicine, the first new dental school to open in New York City in over 100 years. Dandy will serve as Yeshiva University’s exclusive dental lab partner, equipping the school's simulation lab and clinical facility with its scanning and digital workflow technology, and giving students hands-on training on the tools they'll use throughout their careers.

Yeshiva University's new College of Dental Medicine welcomed its inaugural class of 150 students in June 2026. The new school introduces an advanced three-year program, with a patient-focused model for clinical training and dental education. The school's 130-chair clinical facility will fully utilize Dandy’s scanning and digital workflow technologies as it scales to serve over 400 patients per day.

"Yeshiva’s College of Dental Medicine was designed to teach dentistry the way it will be practiced in the future, with modern dental technology at its forefront," said Edward Farkas, Dean of Yeshiva University. "Partnering with Dandy gives our students hands-on experience with the most advanced digital workflows in the field."

Dandy will provide $1M in products and services — Dandy's largest investment in dental education to date — giving Dandy the opportunity to help build the new school's technology infrastructure from the ground up.

“Yeshiva University's College of Dental Medicine is doing something rare by creating a dental school from scratch with digital-first workflows at its core,” shared Daniel Hanover, CEO of Dandy. “We believe dental education should reflect the way the industry is moving, and this partnership puts Dandy at the center of that shift. We're proud to partner with Yeshiva University to shape the future of dental education.”

As the first phase of this partnership, Dandy is providing Yeshiva's 135-chair clinical facility and simulation lab with Dandy scanners, computers, and Chairside software. Future deployment will continue over time, as patient volume, operations, and training ramp up.

About Dandy

Dandy, the first fully digital dental lab, is building the modern operating system for dentistry. Dandy partners with dental practices to transform their business with state-of-the-art intraoral scanners, always-on expert guidance, and precision manufacturing accelerated by AI, 3D printing, and other state-of-the-art technologies seamlessly orchestrated by Dandy's proprietary software. Dandy empowers dentists with technology, innovation, and world-class support to achieve more for their practice, their people, and their patients. With unparalleled quality, efficiency, and experience, Dandy makes the business of dentistry pain-free. To learn more, visit meetdandy.com or our LinkedIn page, www.linkedin.com/company/dandyofficial/.

About Yeshiva University

As the flagship Jewish university, Yeshiva University is animated by its five core Torah values: Seek Truth (Torat Emet), Live Your Values (Torat Chaim), Discover Your Potential (Torat Adam), Act With Compassion (Torat Chesed) and Bring Redemption (Torat Tzion). Founded in 1886, Yeshiva University brings together the ancient traditions of Jewish law and life, and the heritage of Western civilization. More than 7,400 undergraduate and graduate students study at YU's four New York City campuses: the Wilf Campus, Israel Henry Beren Campus, Brookdale Center, and Jack and Pearl Resnick Campus. YU's three undergraduate schools – Yeshiva College, Stern College for Women, and Sy Syms School of Business – offer a unique dual program comprised of Jewish studies and liberal arts courses. Its graduate and affiliate schools include Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, Wurzweiler School of Social Work, Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology, Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration, Bernard Revel Graduate School of Jewish Studies, the Katz School of Science and Health and Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary. YU is ranked among the nation's leading academic institutions. For more information about Yeshiva University, please visit www.yu.edu.

Measles Cases Hit New Record in U.S., as Vaccination Rates Wane

2026-07-27T06:00:00.000-05:00

Back in April I wrote a post discussing the spike in measles cases in the US. The infection had been considered eradicated in this country since the year 2000, but since the influx of the "Anti-vax movement", cases have begun to rise.

Measles is *highly contagious* and a bit of a 'sneaky' virus as sypmtoms don't begin to appear until 7-14 days past exposure. This makes it much harder to track from an epidemiology standpoint since so much time passes before infection. Obviously trying to locate everyone a patient has been in contact in the last 1-2 weeks is difficult.

The disease is especially dangerous for young children and babies. Infants should receive the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine at 12-15 months of age. Before then they are *highly* at risk since they have no immunity. The disease is also extremely dangerous. 1-3 out of every 1000 children who contract measles dies from either respiratory or neurologic complications.

About 5% of children who are infected get pneumonia, which is the most common cause of death from the disease. However, about 1 child out of every 1000 who are infected develop encephalitis which is a swelling of the brain. It can cause seizures, deafness, or intellectual disability.

About 1 in 5, or 20%, of unvaccinated people in the US who contract measles are hospitalized.

Needless to say, this is a very serious disease. For the last 15-20 years, there were few cases due to the vaccination rate being at 95%. However, vaccination rates have declined significantly. This is due to unfounded and unscientific fears of the vaccine. If you are interested in current data on the outbreaks that are occurring, the CDC has a webpage that lists Measles Cases and Outbreaks. There have been no reported deaths yet in 2026, but in 2025 measles killed three in the US.

On July 24, 2026 The New York Times published a good article on the recent outbreak, which I highly recommend reading.

While I'm a big supporter of personal freedom and giving citizens choices, there are limits on those things. Your freedom should not impact the lives... and especially the health of children. The choice to not vaccinate can have tremendous impact on the health of others. Sentencing an infant to death is not something to take lightly. Vaccination is the only way to currently prevent this situation. This situation is already bad and it's going to get worse unless vaccination rates increase immediately.

Dandy Unveils Polychromatic Shade™ to End the Trade-Off Between Dental Aesthetics and Affordability

2026-07-23T06:00:00.000-05:00

Breakthrough innovation delivers natural-looking zirconia crowns and bridges at a fraction of the cost of hand-painted porcelain

Dandy, the fully digital dental lab, today unveiled Polychromatic Shade™, a category-defining innovation in restorative dentistry. The patented technology produces crowns and finishes with the aesthetics of porcelain, but with the durability and affordability of Zirconia. With the Polychromatic Shade process, dentists will have access to premium, lifelike Zirconia prosthetics for as little as a quarter of the price of a hand-painted porcelain version.

Today, 90% of crown and bridge cases are made with Zirconia. The material is popular because of its strength, biocompatibility, and highly competitive price point. But when it comes to aesthetics, Zirconia can often appear lifeless and opaque. When a clinician requires a better aesthetic outcome, they opt for a material like PFZ (Porcelain-Fused Zirconia) or eMax, layered by skilled ceramists to achieve lifelike translucency, characterization, and depth. This solution can be more than 2-3x the cost of the Zirconia alternative.

"For the first time, Dandy's patented Polychromatic Shade™ innovation introduces a third option. The product of a $100M+ investment and a global supply chain spanning 7 countries drawing on expertise from semiconductor-grade robotics, ceramic science, and machine learning, Polychromatic Shade™ is built around a patented robotic stain and glaze process that applies color to the tooth with micron-level accuracy. The result is a realistic finish with natural gradients, lifelike translucency, and gingival warmth on a high-strength zirconia substrate. At $99 per crown, compared to the $200-$400 typical for crowns from a boutique dental lab, dentists no longer have to choose between beauty and affordability."

“There is no reason now for dentists or their patients to have to compromise. Everything we do focuses on bringing premium quality prosthetics and patient experiences at an affordable price point, ” said Daniel Hanover, Co-founder at Dandy. “That includes aesthetics, and we believe dentists should be able to provide the highest-quality aesthetic outcomes to every patient. Of course, realistic dental crowns are crucial for the well-being and confidence of the patient, but when a dentist can deliver a premium look at a fraction of the price, it will also drive patient retention and growth for their practice.”

Polychromatic Shade™ delivers:

Porcelain level aesthetics with zirconia strength - lifelike depth & translucency with natural gradients, natural, all on a high-strength Zirconia substrate that is durable to any bite
Crowns a fraction of the cost of boutique labs - $99 crowns, with a lifetime warranty and no fees for remakes
Reliability and speed - As with all Dandy products, dentists can expect a highly predictable fit, delivered in just 5 days

Availability

Polychromatic Shade™ crown samples can be requested today at Dandy. Polychromatic Shade™ crowns are available for ordering in May 2026.

About Dandy

New Data Links Long ER Delays to Higher Mortality Rates

2026-07-22T06:00:00.000-05:00

For injuries in battle, the military refers to "The Golden Hour". If someone sustains a life threatening injury, getting them urgent medical care within the first hour greatly increases the patient's chance of survival. That's why medevac helicopter pilots and medics risk their own lives, flying in under fire to pick up wounded soldiers. They know that the faster they get the injured medical care, the better chance they have of surviving it. Their motto is "That Others May Live". Their bravery is inspiring.

However, for most of us, we'll never need that kind of emergency care, yet everyday hospital emergency rooms are full of patients. Statistics say that 384,000-425,000 patients are seen in US emergency rooms every day. Those same stats say that the average number seen in each ER is 150-400 per day, which on the low end means one person enters an ER every nine minutes.

Not everyone of those patients has a life threatening problem, but not every situation is easy to diagnose. A person complaining of bad indigestion may well be suffering a heart attack, for instance. ERs practice triage as best they can to help determine who needs to be seen immediately and who can wait. It's not easy to quickly determine who can wait, so the staff does the best they can. Yet ER visits continue to rise. In the last ten years, emergency room visits are up 6.73%. That, of course means that wait times increase.

I recently became aware of a report from the UK Royal College of Emergency Medicine that has some pretty concerning info:

"This report outlines the state of Emergency Medicine in 2025, examining the scale of overcrowding in Emergency Departments (EDs) and the impact this is having on patient safety and staff. Drawing on national data, research and frontline evidence from clinicians, it highlights how long waits, high bed occupancy and a lack of patient flow continue to lead to overcrowded departments. This leads to unsustainable conditions in EDs, declining public confidence in emergency care and increasing pressure on staff."

While the report deals with the British NHS, I'm pretty confident that similar situations apply in the US as well.

Join Me for The Complete Workflow: Scanning, Designing, Printing & Post-Processing Webinar this Wednesday July 22

2026-07-21T06:00:00.000-05:00

This Wednesday, July 22 at 7:00pm Central, I'll be presenting a webinar, "The Complete Workflow: Scanning, Designing, Printing & Post-Processing". The event is sponsored by Medidenta.

Dentistry has reached a critical tipping point in how we deliver our services to patients. The world of 3D Printing now allows us to deliver almost anything you can imagine much faster and with lower costs than ever before.

I'm going to be explaining the whole process from start to finish in this 2 hour webinar. You'll receive 2 hours of CE and the amazing folks at Medidenta are providing this to you FOR FREE! One of the many things I love about Medidenta is their commitment to education. Their thought process is that "educated customers are better customers". The goal is to help doctors truly understand a product and/or process before buying. It does no one any good to purchase a 3D printing system and then have it sit unused. Happy customers tell their colleagues and that's better for everyone involved. Join me tomorrow night and see if 3D printing is a good fit for your office. I'm pretty sure you'll see the advantages.

3D printing is making rapid inroads in the profession. It's now past the 'early adopter' phase and is moving mainstream. More and more offices are offering 3D printing to their patients and, trust me, you don't want to be left behind in this evolution. Patient expectations are now higher than ever and getting into 3D printing now will help set your practice apart from the competition. Register with the link below and see how easy it really is. I'm self taught in this subject and I truly believe that if I can do it, you can too! See you Wednesday night!

Here's the link to register!

Philips Sonicare Sets New Benchmark in Oral Healthcare with Brand's First Electric Toothbrush Powered By On-Device AI and Real-Time Spatially Aware Guidance, Helping People Brush with Greater Coverage And Confidence

2026-07-20T06:00:00.000-05:00

For years I've been a fan of Philips Sonicare. The company makes outstanding products and spends a tremendous amount of time and money on research and science. They not only come up with amazing ideas, they then do scientific research to ensure they truly have a benefit. When a dental professional makes a product recommendation to a patient, it's important to know the product comes backed by the science, and Philips Sonicare does that.

I've spoken for them at meetings and helped them work on some products before they came to market. I can tell you from that personal experience the company works hard to help patients keep their smiles and gums healthy.

I also am a fan of using an app to help with brushing. I feel that providing patients real time guidance to help them keep their mouths clean can be a tremendous benefit.

Here's the latest product announcement from Philips Sonicare and the the science to back up the claims:

Philips Sonicare Next-Generation DiamondClean 9900 Prestige lets users leave the guesswork behind, offering real-time guidance via light ring, on-device mouth map and smart pressure sensing to deliver 2000%1 more plaque removal and 1500%2 healthier gums vs manual brushing

Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA), a global leader in oral healthcare, today announced its most advanced, intelligent electric toothbrush ever: the Philips Sonicare Next-Generation DiamondClean 9900 Prestige – a breakthrough in Sonicare's personalized oral care that empowers people to see how well they’re brushing in real-time.

From heart disease and diabetes to Alzheimer's and pregnancy outcomes, studies have shown that having a healthy mouth may be integral to overall well-being3. Yet more than a third of people (37%) are left guessing if they're brushing well enough between dental visits.

Building on more than three decades of innovation from the No.1 sonic toothbrush brand recommended by dental professionals worldwide, the Philips Sonicare Next-Generation DiamondClean 9900 Prestige is designed to help people brush with greater confidence. It combines on-device AI guidance with a powerful yet gentle clean, removing up to 2000% more plaque than a manual toothbrush4.

“Philips Sonicare is opening a new era of oral care by making the invisible visible,” said Francesco Grillo, Philips Global Business Unit Leader – Oral Healthcare. “For decades, people have been told how to brush better, yet most never truly knew how well they were brushing. With our Next-Generation DiamondClean 9900 Prestige, we fundamentally reimagined the brushing experience by combining advanced sensing, real-time guidance and AI-powered personalization directly within the toothbrush itself. The result is a simpler, more intuitive and more effective way to help people build healthier habits and achieve better oral health outcomes every day.”

“Too many people still rely on manual brushing routines that can leave up to 50% of bacterial plaque behind, especially overnight when bacteria can grow undisturbed,” said Matina Vidalis, Sr. Marketing Director – Oral Healthcare, Philips Personal Health North America. “Addressing this oral health gap has shaped everything we’re doing this year, from reimagining World Oral Health Day as ‘World Oral Health Night’ to re-launching our newly redesigned Sonicare portfolio in a single year. With the Next-Generation DiamondClean 9900 Prestige, we’re redefining what daily oral care routines look and feel like, helping remove the guesswork from brushing through visual guidance, personalized care, and premium design, giving consumers greater confidence that their daily routines are truly working.”

The Philips Sonicare Next-Generation DiamondClean 9900 Prestige transforms brushing forever…

Through personalized brushing guidance

Complete care is now 100% visible: The 9900 Prestige uses the brand’s third-generation AI and machine learning model, leveraging spatially aware guidance, to instantly display how well users are brushing during a session with its new light ring guidance system for a real-time view on coverage, pressure or scrubbing.
No more guessing, with on-device Mouth Map: Smart Coverage Feedback closely follows your brushing to help you clean thoroughly. The 12-segment Sonicare Mouth Map on the toothbrush’s display lets you know if you have missed spots while brushing and need a touch-up, or even better, a dazzling smile up for a brush well done.
Achieve the perfect pressure, protecting your teeth and gums: Philips SenseIQ smart pressure sensors automatically adapts intensity if you press too hard.
Personalize your oral care: Easily swipe to select from 8 modes, 3 intensities and the type of instant feedback communicated via the light ring.

Through a superior brushing experience5 that elevates daily well-being

Remove plaque deep between teeth and along the gumline: Sonicare Fluid Action pulses fluid deeply in-between teeth and along the gumline to support the bristles to remove plaque.
Experience a quieter6, gentle clean everywhere: Powered by Next-Generation Sonicare drivetrain previously introduced in Sonicare 5000-7000 series earlier this year, which introduced a quieter motor while providing a gentle-yet-effective clean, even in hard-to-reach areas.
Designed with the planet in mind: Newly designed encapsulation for battery replacement and repairability and comes in paper-based packaging. Perfectly complimented by Sonicare’s range of brush heads made with 70% bio-based plastic7.
Elevate your bathroom aesthetic: As stylish as it is smart, the 9900 Prestige comes in three premium colors (Silver White, Satin Mauve and Quartz Black). It also has a sleek, rechargeable travel case and luxury charging glass.

Philips Sonicare ushers in a new era of oral care

The launch of the next-generation Philips Sonicare DiamondClean 9900 Prestige builds on a milestone year for Philips Sonicare. Earlier this year, the brand introduced its new electric toothbrush range 5000–7000 Series, bringing next-generation sonic technology, refreshed design, more accessible price points and more intuitive brushing experiences to consumers across the portfolio. It also marked the debut of “Feel the Care,” Sonicare’s refreshed brand direction created to bring the signature ‘Sonicare feeling’ to life through clinically proven performance.

The Philips Sonicare Next-Generation DiamondClean Series 9900 Prestige is part of the new Next-Generation DiamondClean 8000-9000 range and will be available on Amazon in September 2026.

About Royal Philips

Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) is a leading health technology company focused on improving people’s health and well-being through meaningful innovation. Philips’ patient- and people-centric innovation leverages advanced technology and deep clinical and consumer insights to deliver personal health solutions for consumers and professional health solutions for healthcare providers and their patients in the hospital and the home.

Headquartered in the Netherlands, the company is a leader in diagnostic imaging, ultrasound, image-guided therapy, monitoring and enterprise informatics, as well as in personal health. Philips generated 2025 sales of approximately EUR 18 billion and employs approximately 64,300 employees with sales and services in more than 100 countries. News about Philips can be found at www.philips.com/newscenter.

1 versus manual toothbrush

2 in Clean mode vs a manual toothbrush in 6 weeks

3 Effects of periodontal disease on glycemic control, complications, and incidence of diabetes mellitus (2020, May) https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/prd.12271, Periodontitis and cardiovascular diseases: Consensus report (2020, February) https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jcpe.13189, Periodontal diseases and adverse pregnancy outcomes (2018, August) https://obgyn.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/jog.13782

4 in terms of plaque removal, vs manual toothbrush with an A3 brush head

5 versus manual toothbrush

6 versus DiamondClean 9000, DiamondClean 9000 Limited/Special Edition, DiamondClean Smart, Prestige 9900

7 Allocated to plastic of brush head on mass balance basis

Planet DDS Declares the Practice Management Era Over and Launches DentalOS®, the Dental Enterprise Platform for DSOs

2026-07-17T07:00:00.000-05:00

Here's some pretty big news from Planet DDS. The company is announcing that Planet DDS will officially declare the practice management era over and launch DentalOS®, a dental enterprise platform that unifies Denticon and Cloud 9 on one data layer, with AI agents built on top, and they are doing that at no extra cost to customers.

Most PMS platforms were built with the basic concept of a single location private practice. That was pretty much the norm when dentistry was moving from analog to digital record keeping, charting, etc in the late 90s and early 00s. However, since those early days, the business aspect of dentistry has changed significantly. Now many private practices are multi-location enterprise businesses. Then when you factor into the equation the emergence of corporate dental offices and DSOs, it's apparent that the market has changed... in ways that many systems weren't originally built to handle.

The new system, which they are calling DentalOS will launch in phases.

Phase 1 lays the enterprise foundation: a unified OS Desktop, enterprise-grade security with SSO and MFA, centralized user management, and an Agentic Marketplace for AI-powered workflows.

With this launch, they aim for the platform to absorb operational noise and eliminate RCM friction, with every specialty acting on connected patient data. Here is what Planet DDS has to say:

One Patient. One Schedule. One RCM.

Planet DDS today declared the practice management era in dental software over and launched DentalOS®, the dental enterprise platform built to replace it. DentalOS is not a smarter practice management system. It is a new category of software entirely: a unified platform that connects Denticon and Cloud 9 on a single data layer, with a new suite of enterprise capabilities, including AI agents, built on top. DentalOS will be available at no additional cost to Planet DDS customers, giving dental group executives visibility, control, and financial performance to run the organizations they’ve built.

More than half of the largest 60 DSOs in North America already run on Planet DDS. What the company sees across the industry is consistent: multi-location enterprises using software built for a single practice. The company has observed the industry entering a new enterprise era, which requires a fundamentally different kind of software.

“Every bet we’ve made as a company, we made early and often alone. Cloud-native before it was obvious, open ecosystem to give our customers choices, and enterprise-grade before DSOs were a mainstream conversation. It was never luck or prophecy. Our customers knew and we had the conviction to listen. DentalOS is our answer to the dental enterprise era,” said Eric Giesecke, CEO of Planet DDS.

Why Planet DDS Built DentalOS

Years of consolidation produced organizations managing dozens or hundreds of locations, with private equity-grade reporting requirements, multi-specialty complexity, and the operational ambition to run it all as one. The practice management software those organizations are running was only ever designed to manage a single office.

“I’ve never met a DSO leader who said their biggest problem was finding the right practice management software. They talk about visibility, scale, AI, and operational consistency across dozens of locations. They’re looking for a platform that matches the ambition of what they’ve built,” said Mike Huffaker, Chief Revenue Officer of Planet DDS.

Four forces are converging to make the status quo increasingly untenable: the industry-wide shift from acquisition to operation as DSOs focus on running what they’ve acquired; the arrival of AI, where the underlying data layer determines who wins; a labor crisis that makes automation a survival necessity; and a rising bar for enterprise-grade security, total cost of ownership, and visibility across multi-location dental organizations.

“Every capability we're building—AI agents, clinical voice, predictive revenue cycle—performs relative to the quality of the data beneath it. DentalOS is that foundational platform. We built the platform so that everything built on it today and in the future performs at a level disconnected tools never could,” said Nathan James, Chief Product Officer of Planet DDS.

What Is DentalOS? The Dental Enterprise Platform Explained

DentalOS is the dental enterprise platform that connects practice management, revenue cycle, imaging, and AI on a single data layer for DSOs and multi-location dental groups. Built on an open ecosystem of 80+ integration partners, DentalOS gives operators the tools that fit their organization—not the tools a single vendor chose for them. On that foundation is a new layer of enterprise add-on suites, each solving specific operational problems at scale:

Agents+: Expands operational capacity without adding headcount. The Confirmation Agent automatically confirms appointments and updates the schedule; the Recall Agent identifies overdue patients and reaches out to book recall appointments. Both are available today. Coming soon: the Cancellation Recovery Agent, which rebooks cancelled appointments, and the Missed Appointment Recovery Agent, which follows up immediately with no-shows. RCM and clinical agents to come.
Clinical Voice+: Standardizes clinical documentation at the point of capture so DSO leadership can benchmark, govern, and trust clinical data across every provider and location; AI Voice Perio and AI Voice Restorative live today in Denticon; AI Progress Notes launching next
Imaging+: Removes per-location server infrastructure and gives enterprise leadership an organization-wide view of imaging utilization; includes 3D module, CBCT cloud storage, expanded storage, and imaging analytics
Patient+: Turns patient communication from a staff-dependent task into a systematic revenue process; includes MyTooth for a connected patient digital experience across scheduling, forms, and communication
Payments+: Closes the gap between collecting a payment and recording it; includes Planet DDS Pay for automatic ledger posting at the moment of collection across every location
RCM+: 20 to 30% of submitted claims sit in denial or pending at any given time. For a 20-provider group, that’s millions in recoverable revenue. The RCM Hub changes that—purpose-built for revenue cycle within DentalOS, not as an afterthought inside practice management, surfacing that risk before it becomes a write-off across eligibility, claims, remittance, and patient AR.

DentalOS Phases: What's Launching and What's Coming

DentalOS will launch in phases. Phase 1 establishes the enterprise foundation that makes everything else possible: a unified OS Desktop experience, enterprise-grade security with Single Sign On (SSO) and Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), centralized user management, and an Agentic Marketplace for AI-powered workflows. This is the infrastructure layer that gives CTOs and IT teams the visibility and enterprise-level control they’ve been asking for.

The platform roadmap ahead is persona-driven, with each phase designed to solve for a distinct role inside the DSO, from the front desk and DSO administrators to multi-specialty operators and enterprise leadership. Near-term phases focus on eliminating workflow friction and login fragmentation that costs staff time every day. Upcoming phases connect the multi-specialty enterprise and give leadership centralized control across every location and every user.

DentalOS for Every Stage of DSO Growth

Planet DDS is clear that the dental enterprise era is defined by intent, not size. A dental group that makes the right infrastructure decision at 15 locations will be better positioned at 150 than one that waits. For qualifying 2 to 9 location groups, the company’s Launchpad program gives early-stage groups access to the same DentalOS platform as the largest DSOs in the country.

The long-term destination: a dental enterprise where the platform handles the operational noise, RCM friction approaches zero, every specialty is connected, and the data accumulated across every location and patient relationship becomes a measurable, compounding competitive advantage.

Dental groups ready to move beyond practice-level tools can learn more by visiting planetdds.com/dentalos.

Resources

About Planet DDS

Dental software is broken. We aim to fix it. Planet DDS is the leading dental enterprise software company in North America, delivering DentalOS®—the platform built to run the dental enterprise, not just the practice. As the industry enters the dental enterprise era, Planet DDS gives DSO and multi-location group executives the visibility, control, and financial performance to run every location, every specialty, and every dollar as one connected organization. Built on an open ecosystem with 80+ integration partners, DentalOS connects Denticon Practice Management, Cloud 9 Ortho Practice Management, and Apteryx Cloud Imaging on a single data layer—cloud-native since 2003 and enterprise-proven at scale. More than half of the top 60 DSOs in North America trust Planet DDS with solutions used across 14,500 practices and 175,000 users nationwide.

Why Standards Matter - The ADA's work on Standards and Safety

2026-07-15T06:00:00.000-05:00

In a science based field like dentistry, standardization is critical. If you don't have standards, nothing can really be measured and/or improved. Imagine that you got to a jeweler and you ask for a gram of gold. He pulls out a sealed black box and then tells you the price? You ask, "Is there gold in there?" How do you know how much it weighs?" If his response is "Trust me. If I say there's a gram of gold in there, you can be sure there is." I think you would you would walk out. I realize that's an overly simplistic and kooky example, but it really does hold true. If you don't know what's in something or how much of it there is, how can you know what it is?

Way back in 1917 the U.S. Army needed to get soldiers ready for battle. They tasked the National Bureau of Standards to be in charge of research on amalgam. That ended up being the event that brought the American Dental Association into the picture and lead to a standard on amalgam.

Today most practitioners don't even think about it. We know the materials we order and use every day are state of the art, developed by amazingly intelligent people, and held to exacting standards. But if it weren't for a lot of people working tirelessly in the background, that wouldn't be the case. This is also a perfect example of why I'm a fan of organized dentistry. I sometimes hear someone wonder "what has the ADA ever done for me?" and the ADA Standards Program is just one of those things.

The ADA News has a great article on how the Standards Program came to be and how it continues to help dentists every day. You can find that article here and I think you'll be amazed when you read it!

2026-07-14T06:00:00.000-05:00

If you are a recent dental school graduate, I don't need to tell you about the student loan debt you have. However today I can tell you about a program that could potentially help you make a dent in those student loan payments. Delta Dental of Rhode Island has a program that offers up to $20k annually for up to three years if you practice in Rhode Island. The info and details that Delta provided me are below as well as a link in case you are interested in applying.

As Rhode Island continues to face challenges in ensuring access to dental care, particularly in underserved communities, Delta Dental of Rhode Island is investing $5 million to help attract and retain dentists across the state.
The Delta Dental of Rhode Island Dentist Loan Repayment Program is now accepting applications from eligible early-career dentists. Administered by the Rhode Island Foundation, the program provides up to $20,000 annually for up to three years in student loan repayment assistance for dentists who commit to practicing in Rhode Island.
Why it matters:

Student loan debt remains a significant barrier for new dentists entering practice.
Rhode Islanders in many communities continue to experience challenges accessing oral health care.
The program supports dentists practicing in a variety of settings, including private practices, DSOs and community health centers, helping strengthen the state's oral health workforce.
The initiative launched in 2025 and represents a long-term investment in improving access to care while helping new dentists build sustainable careers in Rhode Island.

Applications are open through August 13.
Additional information and applications are available at RIFoundation.org/DeltaDental.

Davids Health Sciences Launches Fluoride-Free Unflavored Nano-Hydroxyapatite Toothpaste Featuring Proprietary Hydroxi™ Technology

2026-07-13T06:00:00.000-05:00

The consumer oral care market is growing at a pretty incredible pace. I routinely see new products coming to market. I have NOT had a chance to try the toothpaste in today's post, so I can't give you a personal opinion. However the unflavored aspect of this may be useful for some patients. I often have patients ask me or a member of the hygiene team "what is the best toothpaste"? Of course there isn't a simple answer to that, but one thing I think is important is finding a toothpaste with a flavor the patient likes. Odds are that if a patient finds a taste disagreeable, they probably won't brush as long or as well. The thought process should be on cleaning and not on how bad the taste is. Some patients simply have a difficult time finding a flavor of toothpaste they like. Because of that, I think it's a good idea to have some unflavored options to discuss. Today's post is about a new unflavored toothpaste from Davids Health Sciences.

Inspired by a "less is more" approach to oral care, Davids introduces a fluoride-free formula designed for those seeking a simpler, more intentional brushing experience

Davids Health Sciences, Inc., a leader in premium naturally derived oral care, today announced the launch of Davids Hydroxi™ Whitening + Enamel Health Clean & Fresh Unflavored Toothpaste, the newest addition to its Hydroxi™ portfolio, expanding the brand's fluoride-free oral care offerings for consumers seeking ingredient-conscious, high-performance toothpaste without unnecessary additives.

The launch reflects a broader shift in consumer wellness, as more people embrace ingredient transparency, simplified routines and products that prioritize function over excess. Consumers are increasingly choosing products that deliver exceptional performance while eliminating unnecessary complexity and sensory stimulation. Hydroxi™ Unflavored extends that same philosophy into oral care by pairing advanced dental science with a deliberately minimal formulation. As consumers rethink what belongs in their daily wellness routines, Davids is bringing that same philosophy to oral care.

Modern life is filled with constant stimulation, from notifications and fragrances to flavors and endless sensory input. Hydroxi™ Unflavored was created for consumers who believe not every daily ritual needs to be stimulating. Rooted in Davids' "Less is More" campaign, the launch embraces thoughtful restraint as the ultimate expression of clean, effective oral care. Whether preserving the taste of morning coffee or simply seeking a more intentional daily routine, Hydroxi™ Unflavored delivers advanced oral care without unnecessary sensory distraction.

"Consumers don't always want more from their wellness routines, they often want less," said Eric Buss, Founder and CEO of Davids Health Sciences. "Hydroxi™ Unflavored reflects that shift. We created a toothpaste that removes everything that doesn't need to be there while delivering the advanced enamel support, whitening performance and clean ingredients people expect from our Hydroxi™ technology. It's high-performance oral care built around intentional simplicity."

Powered by Davids' proprietary Hydroxi™ nano-hydroxyapatite technology, the new fluoride-free formula helps remineralize and strengthen enamel while supporting whitening and plaque removal, expanding the Hydroxi™ portfolio with a thoughtfully formulated option for consumers seeking a simpler approach to oral care and a more intentional brushing experience.

Hydroxi™ is Davids' proprietary nano-hydroxyapatite technology inspired by the natural mineral composition of tooth enamel. The biomimetic ingredient helps support enamel remineralization, whitening and plaque removal while providing an innovative fluoride-free approach to everyday oral care.

Davids Hydroxi™ Whitening + Enamel Health Clean & Fresh Unflavored Toothpaste features:

Science-Backed Performance

Proprietary Hydroxi™ nano-hydroxyapatite technology
Helps remineralize and strengthen enamel while supporting whitening and plaque removal

Clean Formula

No added flavors or essential oils
Fluoride-free
SLS-free, sulfate-free and vegan
No artificial colors or preservatives
EWG VERIFIED®
Leaping Bunny Certified

Thoughtful Design

Recyclable metal tube with food-grade protective lining
FSC Mix certified carton packaging
Made in the USA by a family-owned independent oral care brand

Hydroxi™ Unflavored broadens the Hydroxi™ collection with a new option for consumers seeking ingredient-conscious oral care that prioritizes performance over excess. By pairing advanced dental science with a deliberately minimal formula, Davids continues to redefine what clean oral care can look like.

Davids Hydroxi™ Whitening + Enamel Health Clean & Fresh Unflavored Toothpaste is available at davids-usa.com for $9.95.

About Davids Health Sciences, Inc.

Davids Health Sciences, Inc. is a pioneer in premium oral care, dedicated to providing advanced, highly effective solutions that are both safe and sustainable. Founded by Eric Buss, Davids combines cutting-edge dental science with the highest quality naturally sourced and naturally derived ingredients. The proprietary Hydroxi™ formulation exemplifies this commitment, setting new benchmarks for enamel repair, sensitivity relief, whitening, and freshness, all without fluoride or harsh chemicals. Davids continues to redefine premium oral care, ensuring trust, efficacy, and innovation in every product.

A Second Set of Eyes: Using Diagnocat's FDA-Cleared CBCT Tools in Endodontic Practice

2026-07-08T06:00:00.000-05:00

As AI continues to make progress into clinical dentistry, we're going to see more and more tools become available. A few years ago I become aware of Diagnocat, an AI system that can analyze CBCT. At the time it was not yet available in the US, but I had a chance to spend some time with the system. It was pretty impressive and performs some pretty amazing analysis. In October 2025, Diagnocat received FDA clearance and is now available for US dentists to use.

I recently became aware of a case report the company has released from Dr. Jayati Pandey, BDS, MDS who is an endodontist. It contains info on how a difficult endodontic case was made easier and communication better through the use of AI. Visual communication is a huge benefit in dentistry. Most humans only retain about 10% of what they hear, but around 85% of what they see. Helping patients understand their situation by using images makes a tremendous difference.

Today's post is short because the real info is in the case report. It's an interesting read and can be found at this link. Enjoy!

Solventum’s Filtek™ Composite Warmer Wins 2026 Red Dot Award

2026-07-07T06:00:00.000-05:00

As regular readers know, I'm a huge fan of warm composite. Even 3M (before renaming the dental division Solventum) came out publicly with a downloadable pdf titled : (I could not link to the pdf directly so the link is to a Google search that lists it) Busted! 6 Myths of Composite Warming. I remember reading it when it was first available and being happy that a company with such a good reputation was in support of the concept.

I also wondered at the time how long it would be before the company came out with a warming device. The concept of warm composite has been around for at least two decades and there are several products on the market created to warm composite. Addent, a small company in Danbury, CT has sold the Calset device for a long time... in fact they were the reason I started using warm composite all those years ago. The concept has even expanded into composite delivery devices. Addent also sells the Compex HD dispensing gun and Vista Apex Solutions has two products, the Therma-Flow composite warming system as well as a dispenser gun called Phasor. I've tested and used all of those products and they work well.

The one point I want to get across is that warming composite has a lot of benefits, both in handling during placement and long term by providing better polymerization of the material.

Today I want to let you know that Solventum has brought a warmer to market as well. It's called the Filtek™ Composite Warmer and should be available now. Read on for all of the info that Solventum has provided in its press release:

Solventum has officially been awarded the prestigious 2026 Red Dot Award for Product Design for its groundbreaking Filtek™ Composite Warmer. Celebrated for its human-centered design that helps simplify composite warming in everyday dental workflows.

The Clinical Problem:

Dental restoratives offer a flexible solution to help clinicians enhance the natural beauty of their patients’ smiles with ease and precision, whether they require a touch-up or a comprehensive restoration.

Composite warming during direct restoration reduces the viscosity of dental restorative materials, helping improve flow, enhance adaptation and decrease the extrusion force required during application. Solventum offers the first dental composite cleared by the FDA for warming.

The Solution:

Rapid Warming : Achieves a full system heat-up in 10 minutes. From there, it warms composite capsules in just two minutes and flowable syringes in five minutes—lowering viscosity to deliver better flow1,2,less air inclusion3, and superior adaptation3.
True Point-of-Care Mobility: Features a first-of-its-kind removable holder. Instead of forcing clinicians or assistants to walk back and forth to a stationary heating base, the holder can be brought directly to the chairside to streamline treatment.
High-Capacity Staging: Simultaneously accommodates up to six capsules and one flowable syringe to keep multi-step procedures moving smoothly.
Infection Control & Safety: Includes a heat-safe silicone sleeve to protect fingers during handling. The entire top portion is completely autoclavable to easily integrate with standard clinical sterilization protocols.

"This recognition reflects what's possible when our R&D teams design around the realities clinicians face every day," said Ellen Bosl, Vice President of R&D for Dental Solutions at Solventum. "We started by listening to the everyday challenges in restorative workflows, then engineered a solution that addresses those clinical needs.”

Episode 47 - Dr. Bill Simon

2026-07-06T06:00:00.000-05:00

One of the things I really enjoy about doing The Technology Evangelist Podcast is the unexpected turns many of the conversations have. It's fairly common for the conversation to take off in a direction I hadn't anticipated and those conversations are often some of the best. That was definitely that case with Dr. Bill Simon. I've known Bill through his work with the Chicago MidWinter meeting and we've gotten to have some nice conversations in the past... but nothing like we had for the podcast.

My original plan was to discuss how meetings and continuing education are changing in dentistry, but what I got from Bill was more... much more. His journey in the profession has had more twists and turns than a road through the Swiss Alps, and it made for an amazing conversation.

Starting out in any profession can be daunting, especially in the field of dentistry where the stakes are high, and the learning curve is steep. In this brief summation, I'll delve a bit into the journey of Dr. Bill Simon, an incredibly successful practitioner, who shares his experiences, challenges, and insights for younger professionals navigating their careers in dentistry. If you are a younger dentist and are looking for someone to mentor you through the profession, I *highly recommend* contacting Dr. Simon!!!

About Dr. Bill Simon

Dr. Bill Simon has spent years building a successful dental practice in Chicago. With a background in both biology and dentistry, his journey is chock full of valuable lessons learned from both successes and obstacles. His experience makes him a credible figure in the field, and his insights are particularly helpful for new dentists. Add to this that he also works to mentor younger dentists needing career guidance.

The Early Decisions: Choosing Dentistry

Like many of us, Dr. Simon's career began with a tough choice during high school—whether to pursue accounting, a field he excelled in, or follow his passion for biology and helping people through dentistry. He recalls, "I decided to go down the biology route, thinking it would provide more opportunities to work with and help people." This decision ultimately shaped his career path, leading him to dental school at Southern Illinois University. As a little sidelight, I love SIU's mascot, the Salukis!

Learning Through Challenges

One of the most significant hurdles Dr. Simon faced early on was navigating the complexities of dental practice ownership. After graduation he decided to work in a practice owned by an older dentist. Shortly into his professional career, he was stunned to receive a letter from the dental board telling him the office owner didn't have a license and he found himself under investigation for aiding unlicensed practice. This experience taught him a crucial lesson: "You don't learn a lot from your successes; you learn more from your challenges and failures."

When faced with the decision to either buy the practice, clean up the litigation, or leave, Dr. Simon chose to establish his own practice just four doors down. "I built out a two-operatory clinic in the dark of night. The next week, I opened with my entire patient schedule filled," he recalls. This daring move not only salvaged his career but also laid the foundation for his future success.

Resilience in Crisis: The Fire Incident

In 2002, tragedy struck when Dr. Simon's practice suffered a fire. He vividly describes driving down the highway, hearing the news on the radio that the street to his office was closed due to a major fire. "I pulled up to find fire trucks outside my building, and we were essentially burned out of our space," he recounts.

Despite this setback, Dr. Simon showed remarkable resilience. He and his team adapted quickly, sharing space with other dental practices and continuing to serve their patients. This experience taught him about the importance of networking and community, as he connected with other dentists who had faced challenges and were willing to help him continue to see patients and recover from the disaster.

It also shows a lot about Dr. Simon as an employer. During the process of working from multiple locations his dedication to his employees fueled their dedication to him and the practice. What for many might be a business ending tragedy, fueled their desire to support each other while continuing to help their patients. They came out of the situation even stronger... as an office and a team.

Key Takeaways for Aspiring Dentists

Follow Your Passion: Choosing a career path aligned with your interests can lead to greater satisfaction and success.
Learn from Challenges: Embrace failures as learning opportunities; they often teach you more than successes.
Be Resilient: Adaptability is crucial in overcoming unexpected hurdles.
Build a Network: Connecting with others in your field can provide support and resources in difficult times.

Conclusion

Dr. Bill Simon's journey is a testament to the power of resilience, adaptability, and passion in the world of dentistry. His experiences remind aspiring dentists that while the road may be fraught with challenges, it is also filled with opportunities for growth and success. For those looking to embark on a similar path, remember to embrace your journey, learn from your experiences, and connect with your community.

Oh, and we did actually discuss continuing education as well. His insights will give you a look at where the world of professional conferences is headed.

Want to hear the whole story from Dr. Simon? Listen to the complete episode (Episode 47) of the Technology Evangelist Podcast for deeper insights!

The Pearl Oral Health Index Delivers the First Radiographic Census of the American Mouth

2026-07-02T06:00:00.000-05:00

Today's post is to let you know that Pearl has released their Pearl Oral Health Index. I normally try and give a bit of a sneak peak in my intro paragraph(s) when I post things like this, but today is different. There's a lot to be gleaned from this info. So instead of a lengthy setup, I'll just let you get right to it. Scroll down and you'll see some pretty incredible insights.

The Index analyzes 737 million teeth across 15 million patients and 26 million dental x-rays
Reveals America’s cavity problem is 4.5x worse than government data indicate
Identifies and quantifies the impact in America’s “dental deserts” where the tooth-loss gap exceeds 40 percent

Pearl, the global leader in dental AI solutions, today released the Pearl Oral Health Index, unlocking key insights across age, location, gender, and more in the most comprehensive radiographic census of American oral health ever produced. Using its FDA-cleared AI platform to read dental x-rays at scale, Pearl analyzed more than 26 million dental x-rays across 15 million unique patients, and 737 million individual teeth. This represents a dataset so vast it has, for the first time in history, made the collective reality of the American mouth legible. The data both reveals and challenges assumptions about who gets sick, who gets treated, and why.

Until now, dental research has largely relied on small-sample surveys. X-rays, which are the single richest source of oral health information, have been locked away in tens of millions of isolated patient files, impossible to aggregate or compare. Pearl is the first dental AI platform to read, analyze, and measure them at population scale.

“For the first time, we can see what's actually happening inside the mouths of America, not through a survey, not through a sample, but through the raw radiographic truth of tens of millions of visits,” said Ophir Tanz, founder and CEO, Pearl. “The picture is dramatically different from what the public data has told us for decades. There is more disease, more inequality, and more variability in care than anyone realized. AI didn't create this problem, but it finally let us measure it.”

Key Findings

The X-Ray Gap: America's cavity problem is at least 4.5 times worse than federal data suggests

The CDC's NHANES, the gold-standard U.S. government oral health survey of just 25,000 participants, uses mirrors and probes in mobile clinics and estimates that roughly 21 percent of American adults have untreated decay. Pearl's AI, reading radiographs of 15 million participants, finds the real figure is at least 4.5 times higher.

Decayed teeth per patient: Pearl 6.07 vs. NHANES 0.7. This reflects an 8.7x gap in detected decay.
Missing teeth per patient: Pearl 2.16 vs. NHANES 2.0. This near-perfect match gives credence to Pearl's methodology, since empty sockets are visible to both a probe and an x-ray.
Restored teeth per patient: Pearl 7.01 vs. NHANES 6.0. Like missing teeth, restorations are generally visible to the naked eye, so the near-alignment here likewise supports Pearl’s methodology.

X-rays can reveal demineralization at 30–60 percent mineral loss, which is well before a cavity is visible to the eye. The difference is not a methodological quirk; it is the cost of measuring the nation's oral health with instruments that were state-of-the-art in the 19th century. Of note, everyone in Pearl's dataset was already in a dental chair, meaning the true spread in the general population is likely even higher.

Young adults have the most neglected mouths; older adults have the most managed

Ages 18–24: 52 percent or more than half of all dental disease in young adults is untreated. These are the most neglected mouths in the dataset.
Crossover between ages 35–44: Fillings finally overtake untreated decay. This is when most people evolve from neglect to managing their oral health.
Ages 75+: The number of teeth showing signs of decay, loss, or restoration rises to 19.14 out of 28 teeth, meaning over two thirds of teeth have had an issue. Only 28 percent of that damage is untreated. By the time a person hits 75 years old, their mouth is not healthier, but it is more managed.

The Geography of the American Mouth

Where a person lives shapes not just whether they get sick, but what happens when they do. A look at the states with the best and worst oral health include:

Lowest disease burden: Hawaii (9.63 teeth showing signs of decay, loss, or restoration; lowest calculus at 45.0 percent; fewest extractions).
Highest disease burden: Delaware (14.22 showing signs of decay, loss, or restoration; calculus 62.6 percent).
Highest tartar buildup: New Jersey (67.7 percent of patients). This is a 23-point spread vs. Hawaii on a single hygiene indicator.
Highest rate of extraction: Kansas, where nearly 1 in 10 affected teeth was extracted rather than restored.

The Dentist Lottery: A 4x gap in what two offices on the same block may diagnose

Across 282 dental offices each seeing 200+ adult patients, the 10th-percentile practice finds 3.1 affected teeth per patient, while the 90th-percentile practice finds 12.4 — a 4x gap. Within single zip codes, Pearl identified a 9.2 percentage-point average spread in D-Load (the share of decay left untreated) between neighboring offices, with the top 10 percent of zip codes showing spreads of 17.8 points. Pearl's AI analyzed every x-ray; what varied was how practices responded to what it found. This is not a disease gap, rather it is a training, awareness, and diagnostic consistency gap.

Dental Deserts: Patients in zip codes with zero dentists lose 40 percent more teeth

Pearl matched zip-code data against the National Provider Identifier (NPI) registry of 180,974 U.S. dental practices and 295,509 dentists. In zip codes with zero dentists, 20.8 percent of affected teeth have been extracted. In zip codes with 51+ dentists, only 14.9 percent are extracted, which marks a 40 percent higher rate of tooth loss in so-called dental deserts. Patients in these communities are not going untreated longer; when they finally receive care, they lose the tooth entirely, which often comes down to affordability. In many cases prevention and treatment comes at a higher cost than extraction.

The Access Signal: American women are 28 percent more likely to visit a dentist than men

In the U.S. dataset, women make up 56.2 percent of patients and men 43.8 percent. Under the U.K.'s National Health Service (NHS), the split is exactly 50/50. Once men and women are in the chair, their clinical numbers are remarkably similar (e.g. female’s untreated rate of 31.4 percent vs. male 33.9 percent). The real gap is not in the mouth — though men do have a higher rate of calculus (1.99 vs. 1.67), or teeth with tartar build up, whereas women tend to have more fillings (7.97 vs. 7.37) — it’s in who makes it through the door.

Two Countries, Two Dental Systems, Two Completely Different Mouths

The data shows that when disease is found, Americans restore and the British extract:

U.S. patients average 2.16 missing teeth. U.K. patients average 6.36 — roughly 3x more.
In the U.S. the share of affected teeth extracted sits at 14.5 percent whereas in the U.K. that number’s ~31 percent.

U.S. fee-for-service insurance incentivizes restoration; in the U.K., NHS budget constraints make extraction the more accessible option when a tooth is severely compromised. Neither is objectively superior. But the radiographic evidence shows the two systems produce fundamentally different outcomes in peoples’ mouths.

Why This Matters Now

Oral health is among the last corners of American medicine to be digitized, standardized, and studied at scale. The Pearl Oral Health Index closes that gap in a single step. By applying a consistent, FDA-cleared AI detection model to this volume of x-rays, Pearl has produced the first objective, comparable, population-level picture of what is actually happening inside millions of mouths and how various dental systems respond to it.

The Index's findings have immediate implications for public-health policy, insurer quality metrics, dental-school curricula, and patient expectations. And it establishes a new baseline against which every future change, including new therapies, new policies, and expanded access, can be measured.

About the Data

The Pearl Oral Health Index draws on two complementary datasets, both covering adults 18+, all 51 U.S. states (including D.C.) and the U.K., using a 28-tooth universe (excluding wisdom teeth) across April 2024 to March 2026:

FMX Series Dataset: 1.49 million patients with complete full-mouth x-ray series analyzed by Pearl. This is the authoritative source for DMF (average 15.24 of 28 teeth affected, composed of 6.07 decayed, 2.16 missing and 7.01 filled). Its missing-teeth figure matches NHANES almost exactly, validating the methodology.

Expanded Encounters Dataset: 14.8 million patients and 26 million tooth-level dental encounters, powering state-level analyses, gender comparisons, tooth-by-tooth vulnerability timelines, and 4.26 million longitudinal tooth transitions.

You can access the full version of the Pearl Oral Health Index here: https://hellopearl.com/oral-health-index

About Pearl

Pearl is a dental AI company committed to enhancing how patient care is delivered. Founded in 2019 by a team with decades of experience developing successful, enterprise-grade computer vision solutions, Pearl introduced the first-ever FDA-cleared AI capable of reading and instantly identifying diseases in dental x-rays. With regulatory clearance in 120 countries, Pearl's AI assists dentists in making precise clinical decisions and effectively communicating with patients, thereby transforming the dental care experience worldwide. As dentistry’s global AI leader, Pearl is committed to the ongoing innovation of robust, accessible AI tools that improve patient health outcomes and build greater trust in dental medicine. To request a demo, please visit hellopearl.com/demo