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

SuperMouth Launches One of the First Electric Toothbrush Systems Designed Exclusively for Orthodontic Care

2026-04-02T06:00:00.007-05:00

If you happen to know someone who's going through orthodontic treatment that uses traditional wires, here's something to definitely think about. SuperMouth has just released a new powered tooth brush made specifically for orthodontics.

Orthodontic brackets and wires are difficult to clean around, even if the patient is diligent about it. I love the idea of a brush specifically designed to help with that problem. In my career I've seen many patients that needed fillings done because cavities formed around the edges of the brackets. They normally are small areas, but I've never enjoyed putting fillings on teeth right after a patient finishes ortho treatment. I'm all for anything that can help prevent that.

I've tried the SuperMouth Ultim8 brush, which I got my hands on last year. I really liked it. The company is shipping me this new model to try. I think you can assume I'll be happy with it, however if I have any concerns, I'll let the company know and post something here, so that all of you know too.

Here's all the info on the new Ultim8 Ortho Edition...

Orthodontist-Engineered Electric Toothbrush Features Up to 60x Better Cleaning Around Braces; Patented Bristles, and UV Sanitization to Revolutionize Oral Hygiene

SuperMouth, the dentist-founded brand known for its advanced oral care solutions for all ages, is proud to unveil its latest innovation: the Ultim8 SmartBrush System Ortho-Edition. As one of the first orthodontist-engineered electric toothbrushes designed to support users through every stage of orthodontic treatment, it delivers superior cleaning, advanced hygiene, and unmatched comfort.

Equipped with patented SuperBristles® Ortho, the Ultim8 Ortho SmartBrush cleans up to 60 times more effectively around braces than a manual brush. Developed after scanning thousands of teeth with braces, these specialized bristles adapt to the natural contours by wrapping around braces or other orthodontic appliances, like aligner attachments, for a meticulous clean, while the super-soft PBT filaments provide three times more bristles than standard brushes. To ensure peak hygiene, the system’s Ultim8 SmartHub™ features a built-in UV sanitizer that effectively eliminates 99.9% of germs in just five minutes and dries the bristles between uses.

The system was developed through decades of clinical experience by Dr. Kami Hoss, founder of SuperMouth and orthodontist of over 30 years. Dr. Hoss identified three common issues with traditional toothbrushes––that they are ineffective, unsafe, and unhygienic––and set out to revolutionize at-home oral care through accessible, high-performance technology.

“We’re thrilled to introduce the Ultim8 SmartBrush System Ortho-Edition, a comprehensive electric toothbrush specially engineered for braces,” said Dr. Kami Hoss, founder of SuperMouth. “Following years of patient care, we identified the unique hygiene challenges of orthodontic patients and where ordinary brushes fall short. This system was created to fill those gaps. With bristles that clean up to 60 times more effectively and features that ensure a deeper clean, our goal is to support patients through every stage of their smile journey.”

The latest addition to SuperMouth’s collection of electric toothbrushes, the Ultim8 SmartBrush System Ortho-Edition includes standout features such as:

Four Sonic Modes: Select from four modes designed to effectively clean: Ortho, Super, Sensitive, and Smart. The new Ortho mode is specifically designed for patients in braces or aligners, and the new Smart mode intelligently adapts to real-time brushing pressure for optimized, effortless results.
Pressure Sensor Protection: Prevents over-brushing by providing real-time visual feedback through lights that indicate if pressure is too heavy, too little, or just right.
Replaceable Brush Heads: Developed by leading orthodontists, the system includes three replaceable ortho-specific brush heads.
Ultim8 SmartHub™: This all-in-one station stores, charges, sanitizes, and dries the brush between uses. It features a five-minute UV sanitizer, a built-in dryer, and a dual function cap that serves as both a protective cover and a practical rinse cup.
Travel SmartCase™: A new standard for portable care, the SmartCase features a powerful UV sanitizer to eliminate germs and bacteria on the go, a long-lasting rechargeable battery, and custom spaces for travel-sized toothpaste and floss.
Versatile Charging: Offers multiple power options, including SmartMag wireless charging, an adaptive charger in the base, and the Travel SmartCase.
Waterproof Design: Fully waterproof to allow for convenient brushing in the shower.
SmartTimer™: Automates shut-off after two minutes and provides 30-second quadrant reminders to ensure even, dentist-recommended brushing time.

Currently available for purchase at SuperMouth.com, with Amazon availability coming soon, the Ultim8 SmartBrush System Ortho-Edition comes in two customizable versions: $199.99 for the SmartBrush, SmartHub, and Travel SmartCase, and $169.99 for the SmartBrush and SmartHub. Each system is also available in three beautiful colors: Sapphire Blue, Pearly White, and Rose Gold.

For more information about SuperMouth and the Ultim8 SmartBrush System Ortho-Edition, please visit www.SuperMouth.com.

About SuperMouth®

SuperMouth is a dentist-founded oral care brand offering over 200 best-in-class products and holding nearly 300 patents, reflecting its commitment to innovation and excellence. With products designed for every age and stage of life, SuperMouth continues to push the boundaries of oral care, creating solutions that combine safety, effectiveness, and fun. Learn more at www.SuperMouth.com.

Bringing Artificial Intelligence to Help with Oral Cancer Detection

2026-04-01T06:00:00.001-05:00

Sometimes less is more and in this case, it applies to this post...

Today is a short post because most of the info will come from the link at the bottom. Researchers at Harvard are working on ways to bring AI into the realm of detecting oral cancer.

Oral cancer is a horrible disease. It is often fatal, mainly because it isn't detected in the early stages. Cancers detected in Stage 1 or Stage 2 often have much better outcomes. However, oral cancer is often not detected until Stage 3 or Stage 4 which makes them much more difficult treat and extremely difficult to recover from. Globally it is responsible for around 325,000 deaths per year.

Dentistry has been trying for decades to create a way to make them easier to detect. That's why I was excited to read about a study from Harvard that deals with using the emerging tech of AI to make detection easier and faster.

Follow this link for more info.

DMG Introduces New Clinical Protocols for Icon Resin Infiltration

2026-03-31T06:00:00.002-05:00

Minimally invasive dentistry is a hot topic. Doctors know that nothing works better in the environment of the oral cavity than the original structures that nature put there. Discovering and implementing ways to remove as little natural tooth structure as possible saves more tooth structure for later. I wish I could remember who told me this (unfortunately I can't) but years ago someone called this concept "tooth bank dentistry" which implied it is "banking' more natural enamel and dentin for the future". I love that analogy and use it frequently when talking about minimally invasive procedures to both doctors and patients.

One of the ways to perform minimally invasive procedures is with a concept called "resin infiltration". This is a process where a tooth is etched and then thin, flowable resin is applied to the area. This thin resin penetrates the microscopic porosities in the lesion and is then photo-polymerized with a curing light. The resin reinforces the area while also sealing it from breakdown.

One of the best products for resin infiltration is Icon from DMG. It's especially helpful in conservatively treating 'white spot lesions' on anterior teeth. I've worked with the material and have been really impressed with the results. I've also worked with the team at DMG on several projects over the last few years and I can tell you from personal interactions, they are a great group of people. I love it when good products come from great people. It always makes my work a little easier.

I have to offer kudos to the folks at DMG for the hard work they've done on Icon. The kudos are especially appropriate today as DMG has announced a new "decision tree" that doctors can download and use to make Icon usage easier.

There are a few quotes below from Dr. David Rice, who is a terrific guy. If you'd like to learn more from Dr. Rice, here is a link to an interview I did with him for The Technology Evangelist Podcast.

All the info & details from DMG are below...

Protocols improve diagnosis, treatment planning, and esthetic outcomes

Dental professionals across North America now have access to updated clinical protocols for micro-invasive Icon® resin infiltration. These new protocols from DMG incorporate enhanced diagnostic techniques, optimized infiltration timing, and structured treatment guidance designed to improve predictability and outcomes for patients with early enamel lesions and opacities.

The updated approach is the result of DMG’s commitment to clinical research and integrates transillumination-based diagnosis, extended infiltration times, and new pre-treatment strategies, alongside a newly-developed clinical decision tree that helps guide dental professionals through case selection and treatment pathways. Resin infiltration represents a cornerstone of modern minimally invasive dentistry, enabling clinicians to intervene early and preserve healthy tooth structure while addressing patients’ esthetic concerns.

With the addition of improved diagnostics, refined protocols, and structured clinical guidance, the updated Icon approach aims to help dental professionals achieve more predictable, conservative, and esthetic treatment outcomes.

Enhanced Diagnostic Protocol: Transillumination

One of the most significant updates to the clinical workflow is the incorporation of transillumination as a diagnostic and monitoring tool that improves case selection and reduces the risk of misdiagnosis or unnecessary invasive treatment. It is also helpful during treatment to assess lesion dehydration and infiltration progress.

This diagnostic enhancement allows practitioners to better differentiate:

White spot enamel lesions and opacities
Early carious lesions
Developmental defects such as fluorosis

Optimized Infiltration Protocols

The updated protocol also emphasizes longer infiltration times, allowing deeper penetration of the low-viscosity resin into porous enamel. “Over the years, I’ve found that success with Icon resin infiltration isn’t just about the material—it’s about refining the protocol,” said Dr. David Rice, a recognized dental industry key opinion leader and founder of igniteDDS. “By incorporating transillumination for better diagnosis and allowing more time for resin penetration, we’re seeing more predictable outcomes and significantly improved esthetic results. It’s a meaningful step forward in how we manage white spot lesions without drilling.” Longer infiltration periods can improve diffusion of the resin into hypomineralized enamel structures, increasing the masking effect and enhancing lesion stabilization.

Expanded Pre-Treatment Strategies

The new protocols also incorporate pre-treatment methods designed to produce predictable, esthetic outcomes, including:

Microabrasion to remove resistant enamel layers and improve access to the lesion body
Pre-whitening or bleaching protocols in certain cases to reduce contrast between affected and healthy enamel prior to infiltration

Introducing the Icon Clinical Decision Tree

To support clinicians in implementing these updated protocols, a new Icon Clinical Decision Tree has been introduced.

The decision tree provides a structured pathway to help dental professionals:

Evaluate lesion etiology and severity
Determine whether infiltration is appropriate
Identify when additional pre-treatment steps may be necessary
Select the correct treatment protocol based on lesion characteristics

The tool simplifies clinical decision-making and promotes predictable treatment planning for white spot lesions, fluorosis, and early caries lesions.

Clinicians can access the decision tree here:

https://drilling-no-thanks.info/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/DMGA_Icon_Decision-Tree_2026.pdf

About Icon Resin Infiltration

Icon is a micro-invasive treatment designed to halt early enamel caries and improve the appearance of white spot lesions without drilling. By infiltrating a low-viscosity resin into the lesion body, the technique arrests lesion progression and restores the natural optical properties of enamel.

About DMG

DMG manufactures and distributes a full range of market-leading dental materials and equipment that are internationally recognized for their quality and innovation. Known for its breakthrough dental technology – including flagship products like Luxatemp® and LuxaCore® Z Dual, the revolutionary Icon® caries infiltrant, LuxaCrown® long-term crown and bridge material, and new additions such as Ecosite restorative composites, and DentaMile® 3D printing solution, complete with software, hardware and resins – DMG is committed to helping provide holistic solutions and streamlined workflows for dental and lab professionals to meet their needs through innovation, collaboration, and dedication.

For more information about DMG products, or to find a sales representative, please visit online at www.dmg-america.com, or call 800-662-6383.

Together, we’re looking ahead: A smile ahead together

A Totally Digital Workflow and the DWX-43W Helps

2026-03-30T06:00:00.001-05:00

The world has changed dramatically due to the influx of technology. Dentistry has seen a huge swing toward digital in the last 10 years. One of my personal pet peeves was the introduction of the concept "digital workflows" into marketing. What bothered me is that it seemed to imply there was a true digital workflow and not the *concept* of digital workflows.

Digital radiography made tremendous changes in how offices functioned. That *is* a digital workflow, but it didn't mean everything around it was digital as well. I felt the term brought a dust cloud of misunderstanding to doctors trying to evaluate things to incorporate into their practices.

However, now I'm much happier because I can tell you with confidence that digital workflows truly exist. It's now routinely possible to really have 1s and 0s be the only thing between you and delivery of care. The DWX-43W mill form DGSHAPE is a good example of this. This is the second DGSHAPE mill that's been in my practice. We started out with the DWX-42W in 2022 and upgraded to the new model about 14 months ago.

The unit is open architecture which is a huge benefit. When I began milling in 2022 we had been taking digital intraoral scans with our iTero scanners for about fifteen years. We were familiar with our scanners, knew how to use them, and were getting tremendous results with them. Because of the open architecture we could immediately use the scanner data to feed the mill. Our results were impressive.

The process is now scan digital, design digital, and mill digital. The only physical part of the process is the patient and the finished crown. That is a truly digital workflow!

The amazing thing to me is that this is only getting better. I think in the next 5-10 years dentistry is going to see a tremendous amount of what we do migrate into the in-office sphere. The results are precise and predictable and the delivery time will be cut dramatically. There is always going to be a need for dental labs. There are somethings that will require human brains to create them. However labs are currently more digital than most dental offices. That means that even if you don't ever want to do things in-house, you'll still get better results and help your lab by doing as much digitally as you can. This is the future that I've been dreaming of for over two decades and it's finally starting to arrive.

Research Report from Dandy Examines the Impact of Remakes on Restorative Dentistry

2026-03-26T06:00:00.001-05:00

Dandy is really going on all in on making digital dentistry easier and as massively predictable as it can be. I am continually impressed with their efforts to move dentistry forward. One of the questions I get frequently from other doctors is "won't this digital dentistry stuff cause the end of the lab industry?" My answer is always a resounding NO. The reason I feel that way deals a lot with labs like Dandy. This lab is doing pretty amazing things and making themselves a necessary partner for dentists. Here's some interesting news from them.

Survey Reveals 58% of Dentists Have Lost a Patient Due to Poor-Fitting Prosthetics

Every dentist knows the frustration of receiving a poor-fitting crown or implant from the lab. But a new research report from Dandy, the fully digital dental lab, has now revealed that poor fit has a direct impact on patient retention, especially for fast-growing practices.

Dandy’s report investigates the extent of prosthetic fit issues for dentists across the U.S. and their impact on dentist practice performance. According to the survey of 137 dentists:

94% have had to order a remake
One in four (23%) have had to re-make a prosthetic three or more times
The problem is even more pronounced for dentists whose practices are growing quickly, with 22% of them sending more than half (50-75%) of their prosthetics back to the lab

The survey found that sub-par prosthetics are directly impacting dentists’ productivity.

Over half (51%) report spending more than an hour a week dealing with remakes.
More than three-quarters (79%) report having spent more than 30 minutes chairside addressing an issue caused by an ill-fitting prosthetic for a single patient and 28% have spent more than one hour.

But it’s not just the dentists’ time that’s lost. Lab work issues have a direct impact on patient experience. A majority of dentists (58%) say they have, or suspect they have, lost a patient to another provider due to a restoration that didn’t fit properly. Dentists whose practices have grown significantly over the past year are even more likely to feel the impact: 74% of them have, or suspect they have, lost a patient for this reason.

Broader Financial Pressure for Dentists

More broadly, Dandy found that 97% of dentists faced growing costs over the past 12 months, predominantly related to dental supplies (reported by 80% of dentists), followed by personnel (64%) and administrative expenses (56%). Many have seen this reflected in their take-home pay: while 67% said their practice has grown over the past year, a much smaller percentage (52%) said their personal income has grown, indicating that costs are increasing faster than revenue and dentists are paying the price personally.

Solving the Remake Problem

Dentists attributed remakes to a variety of factors: chiefly in the clinic-to-lab workflow. The most common cause was inaccurate impressions or scans (34%), followed by lab fabrication issues (31%). Just 12% of dentists cited patient-related issues such as anatomical challenges.

Respondents were optimistic that technology could help. Nearly half (42%) said they’d reduced their remake rate by using intraoral scanners, while 53% said they expected AI to improve the fit of lab-produced prosthetics.

“Amid rising costs, efficiency is crucial for dentists today; but that shouldn’t mean compromising on quality,” said Cong Yu, Head of Engineering at Dandy. “Technology is improving every step of the restoration process, from scan to lab to installation, making it economically possible to deliver high-quality restorations the first time around, every time. For example, our AI Scan Review analyzes scans in real-time, flagging crown preparation issues while the patient is still in the chair, and AI-powered quality control in the lab ensures each device is perfected to a high level of accuracy. By eliminating remakes, we’re helping dentists to deliver a better patient experience and save time so they can grow more profitably.”

Read the Report

The full report: “Solving the Squeeze: Eliminating the Toll of Dental Prosthetic Remakes”.

Survey methodology

Dandy conducted an online survey of 137 dentists across the U.S. in Q3 2025.

About Dandy

Dandy is building the modern operating system for dentistry, powering the world’s most advanced dental labs. 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/.

Warming Composite: Trend, Trick, or True Clinical Advantage?

2026-03-25T06:00:00.001-05:00

Every so often, something starts popping up in conversations, lectures, and online groups that makes you stop and think, “Am I missing something here?” Lately, that something is warming composite. You’ve probably heard it: “It flows better.” “It adapts like a flowable but keeps its strength.” “Once you try it, you’ll never go back."

That’s a pretty strong set of claims for something as simple as… heating up your composite. So let’s take a step back and look at what’s really going on. Quick disclaimer: I've been using warmed composite for over two decades and I'm a believer.

What Happens When You Warm Composite?

At its core, composite is a highly filled resin system. That filler content is what gives us strength, wear resistance, and esthetics—but it also makes composite more viscous and, at times, harder to manipulate. When you warm composite (typically into the 120–155°F / 50–68°C range), a few things happen:

1. Viscosity Drops

This is the big one. Warmer composite flows more easily. It adapts better to: Internal line angles, Margins, Irregularities in prep design. In practical terms, that means less “fighting the material” and more controlled placement.

2. Improved Adaptation

Better flow = better adaptation. That can translate into: Fewer voids, Better marginal integrity, Potentially reduced microleakage. Now, is this a magic bullet for poor technique? No. But does it make good technique easier to execute? Absolutely.

3. Increased Degree of Conversion (Potentially)

There’s a body of evidence suggesting that preheating composite can: Increase monomer mobility and improve polymer chain formation. The result? A potentially higher degree of conversion.

That could mean:

Better physical properties
Improved wear resistance
More stable restorations over time
The Real-World Benefits

Let’s bring this out of the lab and into the operatory.

✔️ Easier Handling

If you’ve ever tried to sculpt a high-fill composite in a tight box prep, you know the struggle. Warming composite makes it: Smoother and more responsive. This makes the material less “sticky” in an annoying way and that's a good thing.

✔️ Better Margins (When Done Right)

That improved adaptation can help you get: Cleaner margins, fewer gaps, and less need to “chase” the material with an instrument.

✔️ Fewer Layers (In Some Cases)

Some clinicians find that warmed composite behaves closer to a flowable—without sacrificing strength. That opens the door to: simplified layering, faster placement, and best of all more efficient procedures. But this is where I think the conversation needs some balance.

Because while warming composite has real advantages, it’s not without limitations—and it’s definitely not a cure-all. Here are a few things to consider: ⚠️ Working time decreases because warm composite doesn’t stay warm forever. Once it’s out of the heater it starts cooling immediately and that means viscosity begins to increase again. So you’ve got a shorter window to work with that ideal consistency.

This is one of the reasons I like the Compex HD from AdDent and the Phasor from Vista-Apex Solutions. These devices are both "warming guns" that actually let you dispense warm composite directly into the prep. The material stays warmer longer and allows you more of the placement benefits.

However, ⚠️ Polymerization Shrinkage Still Exists

So let’s not forget: Warming composite may improve flow and conversion—but it doesn’t eliminate shrinkage. It's still important to know the shrinkage factor of your material and place it accordingly. That means you still need proper layering techniques, thoughtful curing protocols, and good bonding fundamentals. When it comes to adhesive dentistry, there are no shortcuts there.

⚠️ Equipment and Workflow Matter! To do this consistently, you’ll need:

A composite warmer - this can be a base like Calset or the guns mentioned above
A system for cycling compules efficiently
And more importantly—you need a workflow that supports it.

Otherwise, it becomes one more “cool idea” that slows you down instead of helping you.

The Bigger Question: Is It Worth It? Here’s my take. Warming composite isn’t a gimmick. There’s real science behind the concepts of: Improved flow, better adaptation, potentially enhanced material properties. But the impact is incremental, not revolutionary. This isn’t going to suddenly make average dentistry exceptional. What it will do is: Make good clinicians more efficient, make excellent clinicians more precise, and sometimes, that’s exactly the kind of edge we’re looking for.

The Future of Whitening? A Powder That Just Might Brighten and Repair Teeth

2026-03-23T06:00:00.001-05:00

Every few years, something comes along in dentistry that makes you stop and say, “Okay… this could be a big deal.” This might be one of those moments. The effects won't be seen for years, but it's still intriguing to look at something and think "maybe one day".

Researchers have developed a new type of tooth-whitening powder that doesn’t just whiten teeth—it may actually help repair enamel at the same time. That’s a pretty bold claim in a space where, historically, whitening and enamel preservation haven’t exactly gone hand in hand.

For bit of history, because I love backstories, let me tell you how tooth whitening was discovered. In the 1960s, two doctors (who did not know each other) both faced the same problem. One of the doctors was a periodontist and the other was an orthodontist. Both faced finding a better way to help decrease gingival inflammation. They started to use nightguard trays with filled with hydrogen peroxide to help eliminate the microbes that were causing the problem. Over time what they both discovered, independently of one another, was that their patients had significantly less bleeding... but they also had significantly whiter teeth.

That's why if you review the early literature on the subject you'll see this process referred to as NGVB, which refers to "night guard vital bleaching".

Now let’s break down this new concept, because there’s some really fascinating benefits—and I feel some potential—behind it. Whitening is just the tip of this iceberg...

The Problem with Traditional Whitening

We all know the (ahem) drill...

Most whitening systems—whether in-office or take-home—rely on peroxide chemistry. Hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide breaks down into reactive oxygen species (ROS), which attack and fragment the pigmented molecules that cause stains.

It works. No question. And it works incredibly well. So well in fact that tooth whitening is now a multibillion dollar segment of the market. The sales are not just from dental offices, but from consumer products available over the counter.

But there’s always been some potential tradeoffs. Those same ROS that remove stains can also:

Potentially increase surface roughness
Potentially contribute to sensitivity
Potentially make teeth more prone to future staining

In other words, we’ve been accepting a bit of potential collateral problems in exchange for a brighter smile. And for years, the industry has been trying to minimize that downside. Studies since the late 1980s and early 1990s have proven that the chemistry used is safe and effective. Adding things like ACP, fluoride, and KNO3 have helped deal with those potential problems. However, science always looks for better alternatives.

Enter: Vibration-Activated Whitening

Now here’s where things get interesting. Instead of relying on constant chemical activity, this new concept uses a vibration-activated powder—meaning it only “turns on” when you brush with a powered toothbrush.

The material itself is a ceramic compound made from calcium, strontium, and barium titanate.

When exposed to those vibrations, it produces a small electrical field through the piezoelectric effect. That electrical activity triggers the formation of reactive oxygen species—but only during the time brushing occurs and the material is activated. So instead of bathing the tooth in continuous chemical activity, you get targeted, on-demand whitening reactions. That’s a big conceptual shift.

Here’s what makes this especially intriguing to me. In lab studies, teeth stained with coffee and tea showed:

Visible whitening after about 4 hours of brushing
Up to 50% more whitening after 12 hours compared to controls

These *very* preliminary studies show efficacy. However this system also requires time. I haven't seen the definition of "visible" that they used to determine whitening. I'm guessing that there was some scientific value measurement, but I'm not sure.

Also, if you do that math on 4 hours of brushing, that is 240 minutes. If you break that down into 2 sessions of 2 minutes each, that is 60 days to achieve the effect. Are people willing to wait that long? Especially if, at the end of that time you have "visible" whitening? The 50% improvement is pretty impressive, but once again, 50% compared to what? And then factor in that 50% occurred after 12 hours of brushing. That is 180 days to get the effect. That's a pretty long time in a world where you can get delivery of almost anything overnight.

Current tray based chemistries provide significant change in as little as 2 weeks. In office solutions can provide a similar effect in 2-3 hours. So the time doesn't seem overly appealing, however, there's something else to factor in here. What is different is what happened in the next finding.

Simultaneous Enamel Repair

While the powder is generating whitening activity, it’s also releasing calcium and strontium ions. And those ions don’t just sit there.

They actively:

Deposit into enamel and dentin
Promote remineralization
Help rebuild damaged tooth structure

So instead of potentially weakening the tooth or causing sensitivity during whitening, this system may potentially be reinforcing it. Let me say that again, because it’s worth emphasizing: This is a whitening system that may improve tooth structure while it whitens. I feel this may actually be the real benefit. If the chemistry can cause remineralization, that's terrific. The whitening is an added benefit.

Bonus: Microbiome Effects

And it doesn’t stop there. In animal studies, this same material:

Reduced harmful bacteria like Porphyromonas gingivalis
Lowered inflammation
Helped rebalance the oral microbiome

So now we’re not just talking about whitening and remineralization—we’re potentially looking at a system that supports overall oral health. I like to say "everything works in the lab", which is an overstatement but we all know it doesn't matter what results are achieved in an controlled environment. No, the real answers are what happens in the mouth in real life. However, this system has the potential to provide:

Whitening
Repair
Microbial balance

Why This Matters Clinically

Even if whitening is considered a "side effect" of its use, if this works in real world applications we have a great potential for mineral repair and microbiome balance. Remineralization therapy is gaining interest in the profession. Obviously, nothing is better for tooth structure than nature's own structures. Reinforcing those structures or repairing them through remineralization would be a first choice for many situations. This would be especially beneficial if it were used before any breakdown occurs. It's always harder to stop caries after it starts, but being able to have the tooth undergo repair twice a day every day, could potentially keep things from starting in the first place.

Imagine a daily-use product that has the potential to:

Removes stains
Strengthens enamel
Supports microbiome health

But Let’s Pump the Brakes (Just a Bit)

Now, before we all start asking when will this be available… This is still early-early-stage research. Most of the data so far comes from: laboratory testing on extracted teeth and animal studies (rats).

We are nowhere near the point of:

Long-term human clinical trials
Real-world compliance data
Information on formulation in commercial products

So while the concept is incredibly promising, it’s not ready for chairside adoption and it may be a long, long time before that ever happens. IF it happens.

My Take

This is one of those innovations that checks a lot of boxes for me as a tech loving dental practitioner:

It uses smart physics (piezoelectricity)
It improves on an existing products (potentially)
It adds real biological benefit (remineralization + microbiome support)

And maybe most importantly—it aligns with where dentistry is heading which is less damage, more biology and potentially better outcomes. If this technology holds up in clinical trials, it could represent a genuine evolution in how we think about toothpastes—not just brighter teeth, but healthier ones. Even if we continue our use of hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide for whitening, this system would be worth use just for the remin and microbiome effects. Of course, that all hinges on IF it is safe and effective.

From what I've read on this, the excitement seems to be about the whitening. I don't see it that way. I suppose that for people who aren't as involved in dentistry as I am, whitening grabs the attention. For me it's more about the remineralization and microbiome effects. I can see whitening the teeth the traditional way and then using a substance like this to keep the teeth beautiful while also getting the other benefits. Whitening toothpastes are a huge part of the consumer market, but whitening that provides these other benefits is what really piques my interest.

Dental Intelligence Suffers Outage - and Explains Why

2026-03-19T06:00:00.000-05:00

As a tech guy and tech lover, huge pieces of my life are dependent on technology. My life is frequently centered around screens, LEDs, beeps, and clicks. Probably more than most, some type of service outage can wreak havoc on what I do and my way of life.

However, I also know that we live in an imperfect world. There is no way a life cannot be interrupted by an unexpected change or problem. I recently dislocated the fifth finger on my right had and have been going to physical therapy a lot lately. Earlier this week I arrived for my appointment at the clinic, only to find that "our system is down' and none of the employees knew what patients were scheduled or when they would arrive. I've suffered a similar outage in my own office twice and it can be never wracking. Many of you who read this blog are probably clients of Dental Intelligence. In the company's own words:

"Dental Intelligence is the only end-to-end practice performance solution in the dental market. We help practices increase production, number of visits, and collections while decreasing overhead using actionable insights and automation."

Dental Intelligence is massively important to many practices. The system takes all of the numbers of a practice and gives amazingly detailed analytics. Most users become quickly hooked on those analytics and come to depend on it. Those same offices often use DI during "morning huddles" as they organize their scheduled day. Yesterday, there was an outage of Dental Intelligence, and today they took responsibility, owned the problem, and explained what happened:

Yesterday morning, you may have experienced a disruption to your Engagement tools. We understand how important those morning hours are to your practice, and we sincerely apologize for the inconvenience a service interruption must have caused.
Our team resolved the issue within a few hours, but you deserve an explanation as to what occurred, and what we’re doing to prevent it from happening again. Here’s the short version:
Early on the morning of March 18th, we experienced an unexpected spike in system activity due to a high volume of data from a third-party integration. This unprecedented demand placed excessive load on a portion of our system responsible for processing Engagement activity.
In response, our team quickly identified the issue, redirected every Engineer to the problem, and restored functionality to all affected system components by 10:25 UTC.
All systems are now fully operational. If you would like a more detailed technical explanation, visit the status page by clicking this link.
Moving forward, we’re committing to the following:
We’re investing in additional monitoring systems to proactively prohibit outages and ensure faster detection
We’re enhancing our communication processes to keep you better informed, faster
We’re adding more technical resources and systems to solve issues at greater speed
Thank you for your understanding. If you’re still experiencing problems, reach out to support@dentalintel.com.
Sincerely,
The Dental Intelligence Team

In my opinion, this is the right way to handle a problem. Admit the problem, find the solution, put things in place so that it doesn't happen again. I salute Dental Intelligence for the way they handled this. I wish more companies had this attitude.

Getting a Grip on Composite: My Take on VOCO GrandioSO 4U

2026-03-18T06:00:00.000-05:00

Let me tell you something that hasn’t changed in dentistry—no matter how much technology evolves, no matter how digital we get—we still spend a lot of time placing composite. And because of that, I’m always on the lookout for materials that make that process more predictable, less stressful, and a little more enjoyable.

Recently, I’ve been spending time with VOCO’s GrandioSO 4U, and I want to share some thoughts—not from a brochure, but from the perspective of someone who places composite day in and day out.

First Impressions Matter (And So Does Handling)

You know how it goes. You pick up a new composite and within about 30 seconds you already have a feeling about it.

Too sticky?
Too slumpy?
Does it go where you want it or does hang it on the instrument as you're trying to shape it?

With GrandioSO 4U, the first thing I noticed was control.

It has that nice balance—not overly tacky, not overly soft—where you can sculpt it without fighting it. It stays where you put it, which is one of those things that sounds simple… but makes a huge difference when you’re trying to build anatomy efficiently.

And let’s be honest—anything that reduces “composite wrestling” is a win in my book. It hate it when I'm sculpting a composite and every time I lift the instrument away, the material is hanging on the end of the instrument. It's frustrating. GrandioSO for you does NOT do that. The handling is a dream.

The “4U” Concept—More Than Just Marketing

VOCO designed this material around a simplified shade system—hence the “4U.” Now, I’ve seen a lot of “simplified” systems over the years. Some work. Some… not so much. What I appreciate here is that this isn’t simplification at the expense of results or over promising the aesthetic outcome. Instead, it’s about:

Reducing decision fatigue
Streamlining your workflow
Still delivering highly acceptable esthetics

In a busy practice, that matters. When you’re moving from operatory to operatory, you don’t always want to spend time overthinking shade selection, especially in the aesthetic zone. GrandioSO 4U lets you be efficient without feeling like you’re cutting corners or "getting close" on the shade.

Esthetics That Hold Up in the Real World

Here’s the thing—most composites look good when they’re first placed. The real question is: How do they look a week later? A month later? At 6 month recare?

What I’ve seen with GrandioSO 4U is nice polishability and color integration. It blends well, especially in those everyday restorations where you want things to look natural without turning it into a 20-minute (or longer) layering exercise. It’s not about chasing perfection on every case—it’s about delivering consistently good results efficiently. And that’s what most of us need most of the time. The material gives you just enough shade choices to provide great results without having to go through eye and brain gymnastics trying to find "just the right shade".

The '5 cluster shades' give stunning results. I'm always amazed that it is translucent as you place it and then turns opaque as it's cured. The material science behind this blows me away.

I like simple, but I also like choices. GradioSO 4U gives me both.

Strength Where It Counts

VOCO has a long track record with high filler load composites, and GrandioSO 4U continues that trend. What that means clinically:

Good wear resistance
Solid durability
Confidence in posterior applications

I’m a big believer that materials should earn their keep in the mouth, not just on paper. So far, this one checks that box. The 91% filler content means that the material closely matches the physical properties of natural tooth structure. The idea of matching the physical properties of natural tooth structure also applies to volumetric shrinkage. This material has a 1.44% volumetric shrinkage factor. That means less physical stress on the tooth during polymerization and less pulling at the margins.

Why This Matters in 2026 Dentistry

The current environment in clinical practice isn't all rainbows and unicorns. We’re practicing in a time where:

Patients expect esthetics
Schedules are tighter than ever
Efficiency isn’t optional—it’s essential

Materials like GrandioSO 4U fit into that reality. It’s not about reinventing composite—it’s about making it work better for the way we actually practice today. This is especially true with a its 4mm depth of cure in only 10 seconds. That means fewer increments which translates to more efficient placement.

Anything that increases efficiency during placement is a huge plus for me. The enemy of adhesive dentistry is contamination. The moment you start the bonding procedure... the moment you etch, starts a game of "beat the clock" in keeping contamination at bay. The less time you spend in placement, the better your odds of controlling the field and ensuring clinical success.

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, I judge materials by a pretty simple standard: Do they make my life easier while still delivering great care for my patients? With VOCO GrandioSO 4U, I’d say the answer is a resounding yes.

Simply put that is because this material is:

Easy to handle
Efficient to use
Esthetically reliable
Clinically solid

And sometimes, that’s exactly what you’re looking for—a material that just works.

If you’re like me and always evaluating what earns a place in your operatory, this one is definitely worth a look. VOCO GrandioSO 4U is *highly recommended*.

Personify Group Doubles Down on Non-Invasive Dentistry: Names Pediatric Dentistry Innovator Dr. Adam Silevitch to Advisory Board

2026-03-17T06:00:00.000-05:00

Board-Certified Pediatric Dentist and Columbia University Faculty Member Brings Expertise in Minimally Invasive Dentistry and Emerging Clinical Technologies

Personify Group, a strategic branding, communications, and growth advisory firm serving the dental industry, announced today that Dr. Adam Silevitch, DMD, a board-certified pediatric dentist and clinical faculty member at Columbia University, has joined the company’s advisory board.

Dr. Silevitch brings a forward-thinking clinician’s perspective to Personify Group’s advisory team, with expertise spanning pediatric dentistry, minimally invasive treatment protocols, and emerging diagnostic technologies.

A practicing pediatric dentist, Dr. Silevitch is the founder of the Innovative Enamel Repair Protocol (IPERP), a clinical framework designed to promote proactive dental care through early diagnosis, remineralization strategies, and conservative treatment approaches. His work emphasizes early intervention and the use of advanced diagnostic technologies to identify enamel demineralization before cavitation occurs.

“Dr. Silevitch represents a new generation of clinical leadership in dentistry. one that prioritizes prevention, patient-centered care, and the intelligent use of emerging technologies,” said Michael Ventriello, Co-Founder and Chief Communications Officer of Personify Group. “His insights will help ensure that the companies and innovations we support remain grounded in real-world clinical workflows and positive patient outcomes.”

In addition to his New York private practice and academic role at Columbia University, Dr. Silevitch is a frequent speaker and educator on minimally invasive dentistry and modern clinical protocols. He collaborates with dental technology companies and industry organizations to help translate scientific innovation into practical solutions for everyday dental practice.

“Dentistry is undergoing a paradigm shift toward earlier diagnosis, preventive care, and technology-enabled clinical decision making,” Dr. Silevitch said. “I’m excited to work with Personify Group to help bridge the gap between innovation and everyday clinical practice.”

Through his advisory role, Dr. Silevitch will help Personify Group evaluate emerging dental technologies, support product development strategies, and contribute to educational initiatives designed to accelerate the adoption of preventive and minimally invasive care models.

According Personify Group Co-Founder and Chief Branding Officer, Mark Ross, “Dr. Silevitch brings the rare combination of clinical credibility, forward-thinking innovation, and entrepreneurial insight that enables Personify Group to help shape solutions that truly resonate with clinicians and deliver better outcomes for their patients.”

About Personify Group

Personify Group is a strategic branding, communications, and growth advisory firm focused on the dental and oral health industry. The company works with emerging innovators and established dental organizations to develop brand narratives, industry visibility, and market adoption strategies that connect scientific innovation with real-world clinical practice.

Planet DDS 2026 Dental Outlook Shows More New Patients, Fewer No-Shows Across the Industry

2026-03-16T06:00:00.001-05:00

Annual benchmark data points to healthier operations in 2026

Planet DDS, a leading provider of cloud-based, enterprise-grade dental software solutions, today announced the release of its 2026 Dental Industry Outlook, an annual benchmark report designed to help dental organizations measure performance and spot operational opportunities.

The report tracks changes across core practice metrics and shows improvements in treatment follow-through, patient reliability, and daily production.

2026 Dental Industry Outlook Key Findings

The report points to three trends shaping how dental practices are performing and where the industry is headed:

Completion rates are climbing and signaling a stronger 2026: Practices are doing a better job of converting planned care into completed care. Case completion rose from 42 percent to 47 percent year-over-year, a meaningful gain that points to healthier revenue and more predictable production heading into 2026.

Patient engagement is becoming the biggest competitive advantage: The practices pulling ahead aren't just seeing more patients; they're keeping them. Cancellations dropped 17 percent, and no-show rates continued to fall, reflecting a shift toward proactive communication and scheduling systems that make it easier for patients to follow through.

Technology is enabling a new standard for operations: Behind these gains is something less visible but equally important: repeatable, technology-driven workflows that reduce manual effort and human error. Practices that have moved away from fragmented patient data and legacy tools are seeing the results in their day-to-day numbers.

“Dental leaders are looking for signals they can trust, and the strongest ones are in the day-to-day operational metrics,” said Mike Huffaker, Chief Revenue Officer of Planet DDS. “The goal of the industry outlook is to give DSOs a clear baseline so they can prioritize the workflows that drive real results. By comparing their own performance against industry averages, leaders can quickly see where they’re ahead, where they’re falling behind, and where focused changes will have the biggest impact.”

Download the full 2026 Dental Industry Outlook report to explore benchmarks, comparisons, and where the industry is headed.

Resources

Download the 2026 Dental Industry Outlook.

Learn more about Denticon.

Learn more about Cloud 9.

Methodology

Planet DDS analysis of more than 15,000 practices on Denticon includes general dentistry, specialty dentistry, emergency dental clinics, and mobile dentistry clinics. Individual practice results are influenced by their patient, provider, and payer mix. For some analyses, the sample size may differ from the total number of practices listed above, as in the YoY growth analysis.

About Planet DDS:

Dental software is broken. We aim to fix it. As a partner in growth for DSOs and dental groups outgrowing legacy systems and fragmented tools, Planet DDS delivers a cloud-based AI platform designed to scale alongside growing organizations. Powered by DentalOS™ with AI, Planet DDS is built on connection—connecting people, partners, and technology across an open ecosystem that includes Denticon Practice Management, Cloud 9 Ortho Practice Management, and Apteryx Cloud Imaging. Trusted by leading DSOs and emerging dental groups nationwide, Planet DDS supports more 100+ location DSOs than any other cloud-based dental practice management provider, enabling 14,500 practices and 175,000 users to move beyond outdated legacy software with seamless integrations, optimized workflows, and scalable technology built for growth.

American Dental Association Announces New Executive Director

2026-03-11T06:00:00.001-05:00

If you follow the dental industry news, you probably remember that last year (February 2025) the ADA Executive Director resigned. The resignation was "effective immediately" and the reasons were never given, which means people had to draw their own conclusions. In the midst of a serious re-working of ADA management that was already taking place, it was a blow to the organization from a public relations perspective.

However, rather than filling the position quickly to give the appearance of "nothing to see here", the organization instead spent almost a year to find the best candidate available. That approach seems to have been a good one.

Yesterday the ADA announced the name of the new Executive Director, Nader A. Nadershahi, D.D.S., M.B.A., Ed.D. This looks like a solid choice. The organization found a leader who was already on the inside of the ADA. He is currently the ADA’s senior vice president of education and professional affairs and has been with the ADA since June 2025. That means he has a feel for the organization and how it works. That should help him get up to speed fairly quickly.

He also served as dean of the University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry in San Francisco. Having run a large institution like the UOP dental school should give him a great skillset to apply to his new position.

As I've said here previously, the ADA is undergoing a serious revamping of their processes and expenditures. It seems to me that Dr. Nadershahi has been "on the inside" of the ADA long enough to understand how it works, but not so long that he will be entrenched into the previous way the organization was run. Also, with the experience he gained as a dean, he will be well familiar with the problems facing the younger generation of dentists. Many younger dentists don't join the organization right out of school as happened in previous generations. When I graduated, it was almost expected that everyone joined. It seemed like a right of passage and acceptance. However, that may have given the group a sense of invincibility which translated into a failure to embrace change.

Membership numbers have been dropping the last few years and that has forced the ADA to re-evaluate their services and expenditures. The organization is now, finally, pivoting and embracing change. The last decade of doctors, and their expectations of what a professional organization should provide, has been a disruptor. I give the ADA kudos for embracing change and moving to modernize the way they provide and speak for the profession. I think Dr. Nadershahi is a solid choice.

You can read the information about the announcement here.

2026-03-10T06:00:00.022-05:00

I haven't had to deal with many cleft cases in my career, but the subject is an important one. For the simple reason that it isn't incredibly common, the knowledge clinicians need to help these patients is limited. Schools don't have the time to provide extensive training on the subject, leaving that to residency programs or specialty degree programs. However, when a doctor or hygienist needs that knowledge, you truly *need* it.

The most severe case I've dealt with was a family who had a son born with bilateral cleft lip and cleft palate. Fortunately for me, the KC area has Children's Mercy Hospital that focuses on pediatrics. The cleft team at the hospital did a tremendous job with the multiple surgeries over the years. Their follow-up and communication with me as the long term care provider was fantastic. They provided me with any and all information I needed to care for the patient as treatment progressed over the years. I combined their communication with a lot of online searching to help me.

However, not every area has a facility like Children's Mercy Hospital which can provide that level of care and communication. If you are the provider for a patient with a cleft situation or if you simply want to be better informed about dentistry's long term role in caring for these patients, here is information on a webinar you should attend. It is being provided by the charity Smile Train.

Smile Train is the largest cleft-focused organization with a model of true sustainability — providing training, funding, and resources to empower local medical professionals in 75+ countries to provide 100%-free cleft surgery and other forms of essential cleft care in their own communities.

In recognition of World Oral Health Day, Smile Train is hosting a global webinar, “Oral Health in Cleft Care: Moving from Vision to Reality,” on March 19. The event will bring together leading experts to discuss the critical role of oral healthcare in comprehensive cleft treatment and how strengthening prevention and access can improve outcomes for children worldwide.
Speakers include Dr. Mónica Domínguez (Smile Train), Prof. Peter Mossey (University of Dundee / WHO Collaborating Centre for Craniofacial Anomalies), Dr. Daisy Masis (pediatric dentist and Smile Train partner), and Dr. Bieke L. Kreps (NYU College of Dentistry / Ghent University Hospital).
You can register for the *free* webinar here.

Dental Technology Pioneer Dr. Paul Feuerstein Honored with Lifetime Dental Innovator Award

2026-03-09T06:00:00.001-05:00

I wrote about this last recently, but I wanted to post this as well because Paul is SO deserving of this award. The Dental VIP Summit has put out this press release on the award that was presented to my dear friend Dr. Paul Feuerstein. The guy is a true legend.

Award Presented by His Friends and Colleagues Dr. Marty Jablow and Dr. John Flucke During Second Annual Dental VIP Summit

CHICAGO, IL, March 6, 2026 — Dr. Paul Feuerstein, a longtime educator, authority on dental technology, and Editor-In-Chief of Dentistry Today, received the Lifetime Dental Innovator Award during the Second Annual Dental VIP Summit, an invitation-only gathering of dental industry leaders, clinicians, and investors focused on the future of oral health innovation.

Presented by Dr. Feuerstein’s long-time colleagues, friends, and collaborators, Dr. Marty Jablow and Dr. John Flucke, the award recognizes Dr. Feuerstein’s decades of work helping dentists understand and adopt emerging technologies that improve clinical care, diagnostic capabilities, and practice workflow.
"Paul’s vision and relentless curiosity have helped shape dental technology we use today and into the future,” said Dr. Jablow. “This Lifetime Achievement Award is a testament to his innovation, leadership, and unwavering commitment to advancing our profession.”
Throughout his career, Dr. Feuerstein has served as a leading voice in dental technology education through his writing, lectures, video interviews, and technology evaluations. His work has helped clinicians navigate the rapid evolution of digital dentistry and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.
“My friendship with Paul extends back over thirty years,” reflected Dr. Flucke. “For the entire time I've known him, he’s been ahead of the curve. His knowledge and dedication to the dental tech revolution makes him the standard bearer that the rest of us strive to keep up with.”
In accepting the award, Dr. Feuerstein expressed his appreciation and explained why dental technology still excites him after all these years.
“I am truly humbled to receive this award. My career has been driven by a curiosity about new technology and a desire to share what I learn with colleagues in dentistry. The real reward has always been seeing those ideas translate into better care for patients—both in my own practice and in the practices of dentists who continue to embrace innovation.”
About the Dental VIP Summit
The Dental VIP (Venture, Innovation & Partnering) Summit was created to showcase transformative dental technologies and accelerate innovation across the global oral-health community. The program unites entrepreneurs, investors, KOLs, clinical innovators, and industry executives to foster collaboration, evaluate emerging solutions, and advance technologies that elevate patient care and business performance.

Philips Sonicare unveils two new electric toothbrush ranges alongside refreshed brand direction

2026-03-05T06:00:00.001-06:00

Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA), a global leader in oral healthcare, today unveiled two new Philips Sonicare electric toothbrush ranges, the integration of Next-Generation Sonicare technology, along with branding, packaging and sustainability updates that all reflect the brand's bold new platform, "Feel the Care." The refreshed brand and product lineup is designed to inspire consumers to elevate their daily oral care routine with advanced brushing technology.

"We look after our health and well-being more intentionally than ever, yet oral care is still one of the few daily routines people rarely rethink," said Matina Vidalis, Regional Business Unit Leader, Oral Healthcare, Philips North America. "Philips Sonicare 'Feel the Care' pushes brushing out of the background and into focus, paired with continuous innovations, like our Next-Generation Sonicare technology and sustainable developments, to deliver a signature brushing experience that supports your overall health for the long term."

Brand refresh focuses on unique 'Sonicare' feeling

Philips Sonicare, the #1 Dental Professional recommended sonic toothbrush brand worldwide, has debuted "Feel the Care," a refreshed brand expression that balances both aspects of the daily brushing experience: clinically proven performance and along with the brand's signature post-brushing 'Sonicare' feeling. The updated look and tone bring warmth and sensory richness to the brand, hero-ing the in-mouth experience and product design, along with a gentle, yet effective clean people can feel every day. Powered by Sonicare Fluid Action, the brushing experience delivers a deep, thorough clean while remaining intuitive and comfortable. "Feel the Care" reinforces the movement of daily brushing as an important moment of self-care.

Philips Sonicare 5000 Series

Gently removes up to 700% more plaque
Offers 2 (clean and gum care) brushing modes to support different care needs
Gradual, gentle increase in power for the first 14 brushing sessions for the easiest first step from manual brushing and provides essential care for healthy teeth and gums.
4 Settings: 2 Modes, 2 Intensities
Available in two color options to fit personal style
W Diamond Clean and C2 Optimal Plaque Removal Brush heads
Bringing proven Sonicare performance for the first time to a more accessible MSPR $59.99 price point, it's designed to make advanced oral care accessible to more people.
Available starting February 2026 at Walmart and Target nationwide

Next-Generation Sonicare Technology

As part of its new Sonicare lineup, Philips is introducing Next-Generation Sonicare technology across its new 5700 to 7300 Series models, marking the first major drivetrain upgrade in more than a decade. At the center is a completely re-engineered motor, built on decades of clinical insight and engineering expertise, designed to deliver consistent power from handle to brush head for a gentle, yet effective clean, even in hard-to-reach areas like molars. The new adaptive magnetic system responds in real time to how users brush, helping maintain optimal performance when users apply too much pressure or reach the back of the mouth, habits that can typically slow bristle movement and reduce effectiveness. The result is a more consistent brushing experience, delivering up to 62,000 optimal bristle movements per minute, regardless of pressure or technique.

5700 to 7300 Series - Key Shared Features Include:

Sonic toothbrush with Next-Generation Sonicare technology & Sonicare Fluid Action for a gentle & effective clean even in hard-to-reach areas
Pressure sensor alerts users when they are applying too much pressure
2-minute SmarTimer and BrushPacer provide a comprehensive clean with guided brushing sessions, building better brushing habits
Delivers 21 days of regular brushing on a single charge
Brush head replacement reminder alerts you when it's time for a new brush head

Philips Sonicare 5700 Series with Next-Generation Sonicare Technology

Gently removes 1000% more plaque2
Up to 100% healthier gums3
Offers 2 brushing modes and 3 intensities to support different care needs
Available in five color options to fit personal style
MSPR: $79.99
Available starting February 2026 at Target, Grocery Stores, and Pharmacies nationwide

Philips Sonicare 5900 Series with Next-Generation Sonicare Technology

Gently removes 1000% more plaque2
Up to 100% healthier gums3
Offers 2 brushing modes and 3 intensities to support different care needs
Available in four color options to fit personal style
MSPR: $89.99Available starting January 2026 at Amazon

Philips Sonicare 6000 Series with Next-Generation Sonicare Technology

Gently removes 1000% more plaque
Features a visual pressure sensor that helps protect sensitive teeth and gums
Offers 3 brushing modes and 3 intensities to support different care needs
Available in five color options to fit personal style
MSPR: $89.99-$159.99
Available now at major retailers nationwide

Philips Sonicare 7100 Series with Next-Generation Sonicare Technology

Gently removes 1000% more plaque2
Up to 600% healthier gums4
Sonicare App connectivity - Brushing insights in the palm of your hand
Offers 4 brushing modes and three intensities to support different care needs
Available in five color options to fit personal style
MSPR: $159.99
Available starting February 2026 at major retailers nationwide

Philips Sonicare 7300 Series with Next-Generation Sonicare Technology

Gently removes 2000% more plaque
Up to 600% healthier gums
Sonicare App connectivity - Brushing insights in the palm of your hand
Offers 4 brushing modes and 3 intensities to support different care needs
Available in four color options to fit personal style
MSPR: $199.99
Available now at Amazon

Upgrades to sustainability and packaging

Philips Sonicare is also releasing its full range of brush heads now designed with 70% bio-based plastic5, while packaging is 100% recyclable and made from 50% recycled materials. The new packaging is already available at leading retailers across North America.

With the "Feel the Care" refresh and the launch of the 5000 to 7300 lineup, Philips Sonicare advances how people experience everyday oral care. By combining proven sonic technology that delivers more effective results than manual brushing with a refined design and feel, Sonicare is redefining the standard for performance, user experience and ultimate care.

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 EUR 18 billion and employs approximately 64,800 employees with sales and services in more than 100 countries. News about Philips can be found at www.philips.com/newscenter.

Planet DDS Unveils DentalOS™ AI Agents: A New AI Workforce for Dental Operations

2026-03-03T06:00:00.002-06:00

There is a constant influx of more and more news on AI and how it is impacting both clinical decision making as well as the business aspects of dentistry. Today's post has details about a new offering from Planet DDS and how that is priming their practice management system for the better. If you are using Planet DDS to run your practice more efficiently, be sure to read this for all the info...

Early access waitlist now open for purpose-built AI agents that connect directly to Denticon and Cloud 9.
Planet DDS today unveiled DentalOS™ AI Agents, a new category of AI-powered workers purpose-built to operate within the dental practice management system.
DentalOS AI Agents are intelligent, autonomous agents that live inside Denticon and Cloud 9, accessing live patient data, real schedules, and established workflows to complete operational work the way a trained team member would, at any hour, across every location.
The first agents target front desk operations, where missed communication directly leads to lost revenue. Today, the average dental practice sees a 15% no-show rate, costing providers more than $150,000 per year in lost production—and 36% of patients who miss appointments say they simply forgot. For DSOs and multi-location groups, these gaps compound across dozens or hundreds of locations. These are solvable problems.
The newly announced Confirmation Agent and Scheduling Agent are designed to address these challenges systematically across organizations. But the front desk is only the starting point. Planet DDS will introduce additional AI agent roles throughout 2026 and beyond, building toward a full AI workforce spanning clinical coordination, patient communications, revenue cycle management, and more,all embedded within DentalOS.
Denticon and Cloud 9 customers can join the early access waitlist at planetdds.com/ai-agents-early-access.
“DSOs that are scaling face an inherent tension—more locations mean more operational complexity, more communication to manage, and more pressure on teams already stretched thin," said Eric Giesecke, CEO of Planet DDS. "We're introducing an entirely new way of using our software by providing access to an AI workforce that lives inside DentalOS, understands the full context of every patient interaction, and works alongside human teams so organizations can scale without sacrificing consistency, responsiveness, or the people who make it all work. The Confirmation and Scheduling Agents we're launching are just the beginning.”
Meet the First Two AI Agents for Dental Front Desk Operations
Confirmation Agent automates outbound appointment confirmations within a configurable window, helping DSOs reduce no-shows and stabilize provider schedules without increasing staff workload. If a patient can't make it, the agent can reschedule the appointment during the same call using policy-controlled slot search—without creating scheduling risk. It verifies patient identity before sharing protected health information, respects consent and office hours, and writes confirmation and reschedule outcomes back into Denticon and Cloud 9 with full auditability. The Confirmation Agent has been shown to increase appointment confirmation rates by 20–50% from historic baselines, reduce no-shows by 15–30%, and save front desk teams an estimated 60–75% of hours previously spent on manual confirmation workflows.
Scheduling Agent keeps schedules full by proactively reaching out to patients from recall lists, waitlists, ASAP lists, and unscheduled treatment, then booking appointments directly into the practice management system. When cancellations occur, the agent triggers time-sensitive outreach to quickly recover open time. It reaches patients through outgoing calls and logs every interaction back into Denticon and Cloud 9, so teams maintain full visibility across locations.
"The Confirmation and Scheduling Agents protect production and reduce no-shows, which for DSOs means healthier EBITDA," said Nathan James, Chief Product Officer at Planet DDS. "And this is just the first layer. As we bring AI agents into the revenue cycle, clinical coordination, and beyond, we're building a workforce that strengthens our customers’ business at every level.”
How DentalOS AI Agents Work:

Real-time access to live schedules and patient records within Denticon and Cloud 9
Independently complete front desk workflows, including appointment confirmations, rescheduling, missed call recovery, and routine patient inquiries
Natural patient communication that follows each organization's scheduling preferences and escalation paths
Operate simultaneously across the organization—configurable by location—while honoring each office’s working hours, holidays, and closures.
Intelligent escalation to human staff when clinical judgment or personal attention is needed

Organizations retain full control over timing, task scope, and escalation rules—ensuring agents operate as a seamless extension of the team.
Every DentalOS AI Agent—current and future—connects directly with Denticon and Cloud 9, cloud-based dental practice management platforms by Planet DDS, with real-time access to the same data and workflows human teams rely on every day. This shared foundation enables agents to act with full operational awareness, following each organization's scheduling rules, communication standards, and escalation paths without manual configuration for every interaction.
It is also what makes the AI workforce scalable. As Planet DDS introduces new agents across additional operational domains, each will inherit the same data and organizational intelligence, allowing DSOs to continue expanding their AI workforce.
Early Access Waitlist Now Open
Planet DDS is opening an early access waitlist for DentalOS AI Agents to Denticon and Cloud 9 customers. Organizations on the waitlist will be among the first to deploy the Confirmation Agent and Scheduling Agent and help shape the future of AI-powered dental operations. To join the early access waitlist or learn more, visit planetdds.com/ai-agents-early-access.
Resources

Learn more about DentalOS AI Agents.
Discover Denticon Practice Management.
Explore Cloud 9 Ortho Practice Management.
Access the latest insights on dental technology and AI.

About Planet DDS
Dental software is broken. We aim to fix it. As a partner in growth for DSOs and dental groups outgrowing legacy systems and fragmented tools, Planet DDS delivers a cloud-based AI platform designed to scale alongside growing organizations. Powered by DentalOS™ with AI, Planet DDS is built on connection—connecting people, partners, and technology across an open ecosystem that includes Denticon Practice Management, Cloud 9 Ortho Practice Management, and Apteryx Cloud Imaging. Trusted by leading DSOs and emerging dental groups nationwide, Planet DDS supports more 100+ location DSOs than any other cloud-based dental practice management provider, enabling 14,500 practices and 175,000 users to move

UMKC Announced New Degree Program - Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence

2026-03-02T06:00:00.001-06:00

I'm a Kansas City guy. Most people know that, but for those of you who didn't... you do now. My dream was always to be a dentist so as a senior in high school I made an appointment with the admissions office to see what I needed to do to make my dream happen. At that appointment they told me that getting an undergraduate degree from UMKC would look good on my application. I hadn't even considered staying in KC for college, but that sealed the deal for me.

With that story being told, we now come to the actual post for today. As regular readers know, I cover a lot on AI here. In fact, just last week I had a post about the big announcement made by Trust AI at the Chicago MidWinter Meeting. Let's face it, AI is impacting us everywhere from our phones to the federal government. It is changing the way we practice and the way we interact with the world.

As a UMKC grad I get email updates from the alumni society on a regular basis and the latest one I got made a pretty cool announcement. It seems that even my small undergraduate university is now working toward offering a degree in Artificial Intelligence. From the newsletter:

The University of Missouri Board of Curators approved the University of Missouri-Kansas City’s plan to launch a new Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence degree this fall, pending approval from both the state and the Higher Learning Commission.

I realize that this isn't a groundbreaking announcement, but when I read it my thought was "if my small college is offering a degree program in AI, that just shows how ubiquitous it is." There truly is no stopping this train. Like most people I have concerns about it. As a tech lover, I'm excited about the possibilities it unlocks, but I also am not 100% trusting in it.

The systems make mistakes and need supervision. It's critical that there is always "a human in the loop". With the recent news stories about AI in the Pentagon, we definitely need people in charge of the machines. Plain and simple, AI is a tool, but not a solution. I consider AI to be a bit like dynamite. You can do tremendous good with it, but you can also use it for tremendous evil. Human supervision and control is imperative.

Trust AI Introduces "Isaac Practice OS" at Chicago MidWinter Meeting

2026-02-26T06:00:00.003-06:00

For almost a year now I've been closely following the progress of Trust AI. The company launched their dental specific LLM called Isaac last summer and it was (and continues to be) impressive. Sure you can use any LLM like Chat GPT, but Isaac is trained only in dentistry. It has all the literature, all the terminologies, and it has been trained by specialists to give you incredible dental specific information. After the launch of the web based Isaac, the company continued to innovate, releasing an app for both Apple and Android in the last few months. Isaac is now with you no matter where you go.

However, those steps were only first steps. I've been under an NDA on this for a few months, but I've been quietly watching the company work toward something truly groundbreaking. For decades now dentistry has been using practice management systems to run offices efficiently. The result has been some pretty incredible progress. The drawback is that those efficiencies have created an ecosystem of "add ons". Most offices are now currently running several pieces of software that interface with the PMS to allow greater efficiencies in workflows. Most of those extras work quite well, but each of them carries an added monthly cost. To achieve those efficiencies offices suffer "cost creep" as more and more monthly fees build up.

Trust AI decided to build a new PMS from the ground up, building the functions that cost extra directly into the system. No more "cost creep" because those add-ons aren't needed. The result is a brand new PMS called Isaac Practice OS that has, at its core, AI built into everything. The AI in the components talk to the AI in the core code. They understand each other and, more importantly, they understand dentistry. It's like nothing dentistry has ever seen before.

Most dentists, myself included, have a PMS that they've used for years. Quite simply, there isn't enough benefit of changing systems. Are we happy with our current systems? Most doctors will say no, but there also isn't enough benefit to go through the hassle of changing to a different one with its own set of problems. From what I know of Isaac Practice OS, now the change is worth it.

Below is a recent post on LinkedIn from Bernard Casse, the CEO and cofounder of Trust AI. Bernard is the one that created Isaac and Isaac Practice OS. I highly recommend that you read it...

$1/month.
That's what it costs to try the platform that had dentists coming back to our booth 3 and 4 times (for real!) at Chicago Dental Society 2026 – dragging their hygienists, their front desk staff, and their peers back with them.
What did they keep coming back to see?
An entire workflow: insurance verification, treatment plan, claim creation, review, and submission – done live in 5 minutes. Start to finish. The insurance claim alone? Produced in 60 seconds by 7 AI agents working together. That's the same claim that takes your front desk 45 minutes (on a good day!).
That's 𝐈𝐬𝐚𝐚𝐜 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐎𝐒 (recently featured in Dentistry Today). Built with AI at the core. Not another bolt-on. Not another "AI-powered" feature duct-taped to a legacy PMS built in 2005.
One AI-native platform. AI Scribe. Live Perio. Insurance verification. Treatment planning. Claim creation. Submission. And more... End to end. No workarounds. No toggling between five systems. No hold music.
The number one thing dentists asked us about at CDS? 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 → and the revenue they know they're leaving on the table. We hear you. Medical billing is coming in v2.0 and I'm going deep on this in a Forbes article publishing next month.
The legacy PMS era is over. You already know it. You feel it every Monday morning when your front desk is an hour into a single claim.
We're letting 200 practices in at $1/month for 2 months. Then it's $299/month with over $2,000 in value built in. First come, first served. Once the 200 spots are gone, they're gone.
👉 Sign Up: https://lnkd.in/dQzxKVky

Dr. Paul Feuerstein Wins "Dental Technology Lifetime Achievement Award"

2026-02-25T06:00:00.002-06:00

Somethings just make you smile, and this is one of them. For over thirty years I've been friends with Dr. Paul Feuerstein and Dr. Marty Jablow. We met in the very early days of dialup Internet and have been close ever since. We've traveled together, lectured as a trio, and eaten at a lot of amazing restaurants. I treasure them like brothers.

Last week at the VIP Summit in Chicago, Marty and I presented Dr. Paul with the Dental Technology Lifetime Achievement Award. It was well deserved. Paul has been practicing dentistry for 52 years. He installed one of the very first office computer systems into his office in 1978. He was a dental tech expert before I was even out of high school.

He has worked with darn near *any* dental tech that you've heard of. One of the coolest things he was involved with was a startup out of MIT. In the early days of intraoral scanning, he worked with three graduate students who were working on one of the first full motion scanning systems. That system was eventually sold to 3M and brought to the dental market.

Added on to his incredible knowledge and skill is the simple fact that he is truly one of the nicest people you will ever meet. He's one of those people that you meet and just like. There aren't a lot of those people in this world, which puts in him in very rare company. He's also got a contact list that you wouldn't believe. He has the uncanny knack to remember practically everyone he meets.

I'm so proud of Paul! He is still seeing patients 52 years after getting his degree as well as being the Editor in Chief of Dentistry Today. We can *all* learn a lot from this guy. Not only about dental tech, but about how to be a good human being. It was one of my life's greatest honors to be part of giving him that award.

Taking a Few Days Off for the Chicago MidWinter Meeting

2026-02-17T06:00:00.003-06:00

One of the biggest and best industry meetings is this week. It's time for the Chicago Dental Society's MidWinter Meeting!

I'll be back next week with some reports on what I saw and what happened. It's hard to post on the road, so thanks for understanding!

Proud to Announce... The Technology Evangelist Podcast is #7 on "Top 25 Dental Podcasts" of 2025!!!

2026-02-16T06:00:00.025-06:00

First off, I try to be humble. No one wants someone else to always be droning on and on about themselves. However, I'm also a firm believer in celebrating your successes. I think, especially in dentistry, it's easy to ignore your successes and focus on your failures. So, with that out of the way, I want to celebrate a recent success...

Today I received word that The Dental Podcast Directory announced their results for the "Top 25 Dental Podcasts of 2025". In the 2025 voting, The Technology Evangelist Podcast came in at #7!!!

I'm incredibly honored and excited about this, which probably goes without saying. We only started releasing episodes in May of 2025 and I've been stunned by the reception we've received across the industry. Of course, like I've said here before, a podcast is nothing without an audience and I am *so* grateful for all of you who listen and watch every week.

I have been writing for dental publications since about 1998, but the one drawback to analog articles is that the author never knows if it was read by 1 person or 100k. That's what brought me into blogging. I could tell how many people were reading. I could actually look at the numbers and see if I was covering topics people were interested in.

However, video is a completely different animal. It allows the audience to actually get to know the people and to get some insights into what they are all about. To that end, I've really worked to bring a wide variety of guests in. There are so many interesting people in our industry and often they work behind the scenes. I've tried to give some of those people a way for everyone to meet them and understand what they do. It takes a huge number of smart people to keep dentistry moving forward and I love giving people a chance to tell their stories, provide their information, and let others learn about them.

If you voted for us, thank you! Rest assured there are many more episodes to come!

If you'd like to watch or listen, you can find us on the following platforms:

SHOFU Beautifil II LS - Lives Up to Its Name

2026-02-12T06:00:00.001-06:00

Before I get to today's post, I want to let you know that SHOFU will be at the Chicago MidWinter Meeting next week. Their booth is number 2815. They will have product samples available. If you won't be in Chicago, you can still get samples of their products. Please feel free to contact your Territory Manager to request them. That info can be found by clicking this link. Now that you know how to get samples, let's get to a discussion on a SHOFU product I'd like you make you aware of...

I'll gladly admit that I am a dental materials geek. I've always been fascinated by the 'why' and the 'how' of things. To be completely honest, I didn't realize how much that would come into play as a dentist. I was always drawn to the field and that interest started when I was just three years old. At that time in my life, I had no idea how much my choice to enter dentistry would factor into that interest. Because of that I've tended to do a deep dive on many of my materials choices over the years. One of the things that really piqued my interest was the subject of adhesive dentistry and composites.

There are a lot composite restorative materials on the market, but there are lots of differences between them. For sure the category is not a 'one size fits all' kind of thing. I've always been a guy who keeps a few different products around so that I can completely match a difficult anterior case. Sometimes I use a less aesthetic material in the posterior because the patient has a high caries rate. There are a lot of variables when it comes to materials *and* patients.

Then you factor in costs. Do you want to keep your money tied up in several different lines of composite? Can those resources be better served elsewhere? Doctors routinely are confronted with these, sometimes difficult, decisions every day.

Today let's discuss a way around that dilemma. SHOFU has a terrific material called Beautifil II LS and it is pretty amazing. The material is a nano-hybrid. Why is that important? Nano-hybrids have incredibly tiny filler particles and that makes them polish incredibly well. That's critical in anterior restorations. In the case of Beautifil II LS that structure also combines to create light transmission and diffusion properties similar to both dentin and enamel. That helps the material to blend really well and minimizes the need to layer to create life-like restorations. The polish and optics make this a great material choice for restorations in the cosmetic zone.

However, aesthetics are just one aspect that make Beautifil II LS a terrific restorative choice. It is a truly universal composite which is suitable for the posterior as well. Those same nano-particles are also amazingly important in posterior restorations. The material is highly filled (83.3%) and that high filler load gives it strong resistance to wear (0.52%) as well as low volumetric shrinkage (<2%) which gives it incredible strength under occlusal loading.

Beautifil II LS also contains SHOFU's proprietary Giomer Technology. There is a big focus for restorative materials to have "bioactivity", and I think that is a good thing. However, we don't have a lot of long term data on many of those materials. Giomer Technology has been around and in use for about 20 years and has a great track record.

Giomer is super interesting. It is a surface pre-reacted glass-ionomer (S-PRG) filler that was developed by SHOFU. It basically creates a hybrid material that has glass-ionomer like fluoride release and ion exchange being imbedded in a composite that has incredible aesthetics & polish.

However, just because it's *similar* to glass-ionomer, it also has some tremendous advantages. Giomer particles release:

Fluoride
Strontium
Sodium
Borate
Aluminum
Silicate

These ions produce several biologic effects:

Fluoride release + recharge capability from topical fluoride exposure
Acid neutralization and reduced enamel solubility
Promotion of remineralization and tooth strengthening
Antibacterial and antiplaque activity against cariogenic pathogens
Inhibition of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) → potential bonding longevity benefit

All of these things combine to make the material bioactive. Of course it's also strong, shade stable, and polishes to a glass like finish.

One other factor that makes SHOFU a good choice is their price point. As I mentioned above, running a dental practice is not only about hand skills and great material choices, it's also (unfortunately) a business. Doctors are constantly walking a tightrope where we try and balance costs with production. An office has to be profitable to survive. It's a difficult thing to do. I've said for years that you can have the best clinical skills on the planet, but if you cannot stay in business you're not going to help very many people with those skills. That's where another great point about SHOFU comes into play. The price of many of their materials is around 30% less than some of the other well known brand names.

For young doctors with high student loan debt or doctors looking for ways to trim their operating costs, SHOFU products can be a good business choice as well as a great material choice.

I'll wrap up today's post by saying that I think Beautifil II LS is a terrific material and is *highly recommended*.

Interested in 3D Printing or Digital Dentistry? Stop by Medidenta at Chicago MidWinter Meeting

2026-02-11T06:00:00.001-06:00

A short post for today, but it's information I want to be sure you see.

We're only a week away from the Chicago MidWinter Meeting and I'm really excited to be heading there. As most of you know, I've been working with Medidenta on helping get the word out about the world of digital dentistry.

This year on Thursday I'll be spending some time in the Medidenta booth with is number 2715. You'll see it readily identified as "Medidenta" and "Prophy Magic" (which is one of the biggest selling brands).

If you're planning on being in Chicago and stop by the exhibit hall, please come by and say hello. I'll be there to discuss the whole concept of "digital dentistry" and what the future holds. Medidenta has an entire line of equipment devoted to that goal and I'd love to talk to you about it and answer any questions. I'm super excited about the future of the profession. For years we've heard the term "digital workflows" but now, thanks to companies like Medidenta, it's actually a reality. So please stop by and see what the future has in store. I know you'll be as impressed as I am.

Dentistry is about to see some major changes in how we practice and I'm excited to share some of those with you. So be sure to stop by booth 2715 on Thursday. I'd love to meet with you and answer questions.

On Friday I'll be doing a lecture with Dr. Paul Feuerstein and Dr. Marty Jablow in the morning and then I'm participating in a panel Q&A with Paul, Marty, and Dr. David Rice on Friday afternoon. If you happen to be at either course, please come up and say hi.

Amazon Announces Drone Delivery in Kansas City

2026-02-10T06:00:00.001-06:00

I'm a Kansas City guy. I grew up in the area and never left. College? University of Missouri - Kansas City. Dental school? UMKC as well. I'm a midwest guy and I probably will be for the rest of my life.

Now KC doesn't have a lot of exciting things. We're just big enough to have an NFL team and my beloved KC Royals. We're also not big enough to have a lot of big city problems, which is one of the things I love. Yet, we *are* just big enough to have some cool things come to the area. About a decade ago, I was one of the first people in the US to have Google Fiber. KC was an early market for Google and I quickly had fiber both in my home as well as my office.

Now comes word of another cool tech coming to the area. In case you haven't heard, Amazon has been working on drone delivery for a few years now. The idea is for customers to order and within a short amount of time a delivery drone flies into your yard and delivers the goods. I'm not going to get into all the potential problems that come with drone delivery. Anytime a new tech comes along, there are always naysayers and there are usually problems. That goes with the category of improvement.

No, I'm not about the problems, I'm about the cool tech factor in this. I've been flying drones for years. Heck, I actually was buzzing my DJI around earlier today. My drone history goes back to the first one I flew. I had to buy a kit and I built a hexa-copter that looked more like an Erector Set than a flying machine. Needless to say I'm fascinated by how far drones have evolved. Welcome to Amazon Prime Air.

Amazon's delivery drones are currently capable of carrying five pounds or less and they have a fifteen mile radius. That means for this initial program, if you live within 7.5 miles from the facility, your light weight package may be coming right to your front yard. Even with that small area, Amazon can cover over 177K people and is planning on expanding that in the first half of 2026. KC isn't the first area to see these drones. From what I understand, there are 6 other cities in the US that are currently having deliveries via Amazon Prime Air.

Currently the drones are only flying in daylight hours with that five pound limit. However, those offerings will both expand with time. I'm going to do some digging and see if I can find out more about the navigation system they are using and how truly autonomous these things are. Militaries around the world are flying drones, large ones, routinely with little news of incidents. They have also completely changed the scope of the war in Ukraine. We're seeing tremendous advancements in the area of devices that can fly with minimal human intervention. I'm interested to see what the future holds.

Dental VIP Summit Announces Final Agenda and Third Keynote Speaker Ahead of February 18 Event in Chicago

2026-02-09T06:00:00.001-06:00

Dr. Marty Jablow is one of my very best friends. We've known each other for over 30 years, going back to the Internet Dental Forum which was a way to connect peers via email in the early 90s. Marty and I have done more lectures together than I can remember, we've vacationed together, and my family has even eaten Thanksgiving dinner in his house. Needless to say, I love him like a brother.

A few years ago Marty came to me with an idea. He was working on creating a live event that would pair emerging dental tech entrepreneurs together with people who understood the business side of the industry. The dental industry is full of inventors and those individuals need to find people to help guide and fund their project into the business side of things.

That idea is now fully formed and in its second year. Marty's idea became the Dental VIP Summit. Last year it was an incredible event and this year looks to surpass that one on a whole bunch of levels. It is being held next week on February 18th in Chicago, which is the Wednesday before the Chicago MidWinter Meeting kicks off. If you are interested in seeing the future of the profession, I *highly recommend attending*!!! The official lineup is a who's who of people in the industry. I'll be there and I hope many of you will be as well. Read on for all the details...

With less than one month to go before the second annual Dental VIP (Venture, Innovation & Partnering) Summit, the promoters have released its final agenda, confirming a third keynote speaker and an expanded roster of speakers, panelists, and innovation showcase companies.

The boutique, invitation-driven conference will take place the day before the Chicago Midwinter Meeting on February 18, 2026, at the InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile, bringing together dental entrepreneurs, investors, venture capital leaders, DSOs, clinicians, and industry executives for a full day of insight, deal-flow, and strategic collaboration.

“The Dental VIP Summit was built to be highly curated, highly relevant, and highly actionable,” said Marty Jablow, DMD, Co-Chair of the Summit. “With the addition of a third keynote and a significantly expanded speaker lineup, this year’s program reflects the accelerating convergence of dentistry, technology, venture capital, and new care delivery models.”

A-List Leadership and Expanded Keynote Program

Along with Dr. Jablow, the 2026 Dental VIP Summit is co-chaired by Jeremy Krell, DMD, MBA, Managing Partner, Revere Partners; and Travis Rodgers, President, Dental Venture Capital.

The finalized keynote program now features three nationally recognized industry leaders, including:

Brian Colao, Director, Dykema Dental Service Organizations Industry Group
Stephen E. Thorne IV, BA, MHA, Founder and CEO, Pacific Dental Services
Andrea Albertini, Chief Executive Officer, Global Distribution and Technology, Henry Schein

Together, the keynote addresses will explore the future of dental-medical integration, DSO evolution, innovation adoption, and capital formation in oral health.

Finalized Program Reflects the Full Spectrum of Dental Innovation

The updated agenda now includes:

High-impact keynote sessions
Expert-moderated panels on AI, predictive dentistry, venture capital, and new care models
Two Innovation Showcase segments spotlighting emerging technologies
A Shark Tank-style Emerging Tech Showcase
Strategic discussions on scaling innovation and partnership development
Dedicated networking and investor-founder matchmaking opportunities

Rather than listing the full speaker and panelist roster, organizers are directing attendees and media to the live agenda page, which reflects real-time updates as final participants are confirmed. View the full, updated agenda: https://www.dentalvipsummit.com/agenda

The Lifetime Innovator Award Debuts at the Summit

The Lifetime Innovator Award, presented for the first time during this year’s Dental VIP Summit, recognizes an individual whose career-long commitment to innovation has made a lasting impact on the dental industry. This honor celebrates visionary leadership, transformative contributions, and sustained influence that have advanced dentistry and shaped the future of oral healthcare.

Limited Attendance and Hotel Block Now Open

Attendance at the Dental VIP Summit is intentionally limited to preserve its highly curated, relationship-driven format. Registration will remain open until seating sells out https://www.dentalvipsummit.com/registration

About the Dental VIP Summit

The Dental VIP (Venture, Innovation & Partnering) Summit was created to showcase transformative dental technologies and accelerate innovation across the global oral-health community. The program unites entrepreneurs, investors, key opinion leaders, clinicians, and industry executives to foster collaboration, evaluate emerging solutions, and advance technologies that elevate patient care and business performance.