Patterson acquires Dolphin
Patterson Dental Supply has acquired Dolphin Imaging Systems, LLC, and Dolphin Practice Management, LLC, the world’s leading providers of 3D imaging and practice management software for specialized dental practitioners, including orthodontists, oral maxillofacial surgeons, and dental radiologists.
Patterson believes there are no major competitors for Dolphin’s full range of products, including image management, cephalometric tracing, treatment planning, 3D radiography, computer animation and practice management. In addition, Patterson believes certain elements of Dolphin’s imaging software can be integrated into its current line of EagleSoft® software for general dental practitioners.
Dolphin’s management and employees will continue with the company as part of Patterson Dental Supply.
Whip Mix holds annual dealer training
Whip Mix Corporation recently held its annual dealer training seminar. The seminar was attended by representatives from Precision 2 Dental, Americana Dental, Great Lakes Orthodontics, Nowak Dental, Lincoln Dental, and Whip Mix. During the two-and-a-half-day seminar, participants learned about Lean Manufacturing techniques, lost wax casting, gypsums, Whip Mix equipment, and new products. Attendees participated in a “hands-on” exercise of pouring models and bases, waxing, spruing, investing, and equipment programming. The seminar concluded with lunch and an afternoon of thoroughbred racing at Churchill Downs.
For more information on the next dealer training seminar, please contact Bryan Murphy at (800) 626-5651or [email protected].
Pulpdent donates sealants
Pulpdent Corporation has announced it is continuing its support for children’s oral health by donating sealants and other materials to the National Children’s Oral Health Foundation, an organization that works to provide dental care to economically disadvantaged children. The donation provides enough materials to seal 12,000 teeth.
The donation to the National Children’s Oral Health Foundation includes Embrace WetBond Pit and Fissure Sealant, Etch-Rite Dental Etching Gel, Flecta disposable mouth mirrors, informational handouts for parents, posters, and “Embracelets,” which are colorful bracelets for children to wear that are printed with the message “embrace oral health.”
Philips gives award to Copeland
Lisa Copeland, RDH, is a born competitor who is continually training for the next triathlon. In Copeland’s professional life, she drives for success as well, helping her earn the Philips Sonicare 2008 Professional Educator of the Year Award.
“Watching Lisa work is like watching her swim; polished, powerful and efficient” says her supervisor, Noel Paschke, senior manager of professional education.
In addition to the Philips Award, Lisa’s accomplishments will be commemorated with a path brick at the National Museum of Dentistry in Baltimore.
Schein reaches out during holidays
For the 10th consecutive year Henry Schein helped to make the holiday wishes of nearly 800 children and their families come true. Founded in 1999, Henry Schein’s Holiday Cheer program is part of the company’s global social responsibility program, Henry Schein Cares.
Team Schein Members partnered with social service agencies to ensure that the holiday season is brighter for less fortunate families in several local communities where the company has operations. Team Schein Members sponsored individual children and purchased gifts from their “wish lists” including clothing, toys, games, and more. During special events hosted by Henry Schein, Team Schein Members had the pleasure of meeting the children and their families and presenting them with their gifts, along with holiday food baskets.
ADC adds new members
American Dental Cooperative (ADC) announces two new members — Valley Dental and Professional Sales and Consulting Group (PSC). Valley Dental Supply is located in Burbank, Calif., and serves the Southern California market with equipment and merchandise sales accompanied by technical service. PSC serves the central Florida market and has an extensive showroom in addition to its sales and service capabilities. PSC Group is located in Altamonte Springs, Fla. Both distributors will now have access to the Quala Brand of dental products, exclusive to ADC members.
Burkhart technicians train on C.O.S.
Burkhart technology service technicians recently attended training for the new Lava C.O.S (Chairside Oral Scanner) from 3M ESPE. Technicians were certified in operation, installation, calibration, and troubleshooting of the Lava C.O.S.
Attending were (left to right): Jory Haynes (Austin); David Tarr (Sacramento); Eddie Jurasin (Union City); Steve Compau (Dallas); and Gabe Lopez (San Diego).
Rhodes retire from SmartPractice
After 36 years of dedication to the family business, SmartHealth co-founders Jim and Naomi Rhode, RDH, announced their retirement from the SmartPractice Board of Directors. Curt Hamann, M.D., president and chief executive officer was named the new chairman of the SmartHealth, Inc. Board of Directors.
First incorporated in 1972 as Semantodontics by the Rhodes, the company was renamed SmartPractice in 1989, the result of a strategic expansion into non-dental health care specialties. Following the sale of majority interests of SmartHealth, Inc. in 1997 to daughter and son-in-law, Drs. Curt and Beth Hamann, Jim and Naomi continued speaking on behalf of Rhode Enterprises, Inc. They have lectured to dental groups in all 50 states and share the distinction of both being past presidents of the 3,700 member National Speakers Association. Jim and Naomi will continue to speak to dental, corporate, and non-profit groups on behalf of Rhode Enterprises, Inc.
Schein acquires Italian distributor
Henry Schein, Inc. has announced the acquisition of DNA Anthos Impianti, the Italian distribution arm of Cefla Dental, a leading manufacturer of dental equipment, including brands such as Anthos, Stern Weber, MyRay, Mocom, Castellini, and Suzhou Victor Dental. DNA is a leading distributor of the Anthos brand of dental equipment in Italy, which is estimated to have the nation’s largest installed unit base. DNA also sells dental consumable merchandise and provides technical services.
With 2008 sales of approximately €32 million ($43 million), DNA is headquartered in Imola, and has 14 branches and seven showrooms across the country, complimenting Henry Schein’s current network of showrooms. Andrea Gentilini will join Henry Schein’s management team in Italy as General Manager, Equipment.
“DNA is a long-standing leader in the Italian dental equipment market, and adds national equipment sales and service capabilities to Henry Schein’s offering in Italy,” commented Stanley M. Bergman, chairman and chief executive officer of Henry Schein. “As part of this transaction we have entered into a five-year agreement with Cefla to distribute Anthos products in most regions of Italy on an exclusive basis.”
Introducing Medical-Dental Equipment Distributors
A new company focusing on offering refurbished and new equipment to the dental, medical and veterinary industries has opened. Medical-Dental Equipment Distributors will provide local and national clients with high quality equipment at prices below the industry leaders.
“In today’s economy, smart practices need to find ways to maintain high level of quality in their equipment while also being mindful of the bottom line. Our company will allow customers to fulfill their needs within their offices at price points that are very budget-friendly," said Kenneth James, general manager of Medical-Dental Equipment Distributors.
James has extensive experience in the medical and dental equipment field. Prior to joining Med-Dental Equipment Distributors, he was District Manager for Michigan for Sodexho Clinical Technology Management and Service Manager for Regional Dental in Wichita Falls, Texas.
In addition to refurbished equipment, Medical-Dental Equipment Distributors will act as a dealer for Beaverstate Dental Inc and AFP Imaging Corp to provide new equipment to clients.
“We firmly believe in the quality and affordability of both the Beaverstate and AFP Imaging Dent-X products and are pleased to offer both to our customers,” James said.
The full line of new and refurbished products is available through Medical-Dental Equipment Distributor’s website at DentalEquipment4Less.com.
Glocal to manage USA Pavilion in China
Glocal Concepts will manage the first-ever USA Pavilion at the DenTech China 2009 meeting in Shanghai from October 28-31. The purpose of the USA Pavilion is to provide participating companies a cost-effective way to learn about the Chinese dental market at China’s largest dental meeting, which will feature more than 500 exhibitors and close to 50,000 professional visitors. Glocal Concepts is cooperating in this endeavor with the organizers of DenTech China.
The DenTech China USA Pavilion will differ from pavilions seen at other international dental shows in that participants will not simply exhibit their products. Rather, participating companies will also receive the benefit of a complete four-day learning experience through in-depth access to Chinese distributors, manufacturers, and regulatory organizations as well as a comprehensive seminar on doing business in China.
“Our participating companies need only bring their products, and we’ll take care of everything else,” said Doris de Beer, Glocal Concepts Managing Director.
Glocal Concepts offers sales and marketing services to dental companies who are committed to creating a stronger presence in Europe and Asia. For more information about the DenTech China 2009 meeting or Glocal Concepts, please visit www.glocalconcepts.com or contact de Beer at [email protected].
SensAble gets international distributor
SensAble Technologies, Inc.®, the leading provider of haptic devices and touch-enabled modeling solutions, has signed its first international distributor for its SensAble Dental Lab System, and expanding its network of SensAble Authorized Production Centers (SAPCs), including its first in Europe. SensAble’s dental business provides an integrated digital solution for dental labs to create common dental restorations such as partial dentures and crowns and bridges.
SensAble’s recent dental business achievements include the company’s first international distribution agreement in Asia. Hankook Archive of Seoul, Korea, a professional services company that specializes in CAD/CAM productivity solutions, will resell SensAble’s Dental Lab Systems in Korea.
SOCA Networks, with locations in Bordeaux and Paris, France, became the first international authorized production center. This network of dental labs is one of France’s largest producers of restorations under contract to the French healthcare system.
Cadent signs distribution agreements
Cadent has signed distribution agreements and began sales with Henry Schein, Inc., Benco Dental, Burkhart Dental, and Goetze Dental. Under the terms of the agreements, Henry Schein, Benco, Burkhart, and Goetze will market the iTero digital impression system to the more than 100,000 dental professionals they collectively reach every two to three weeks.
In 2008, the iTero installation base increased to more than 600 systems and the company experienced a 500 percent increase in case volume. iTero users have an extremely high utilization rate, with more than 90 percent of their impressions conducted digitally. Additionally, the combined Cadent iTero and OrthoCAD divisions processed over 350,000 cases in 2008 and more than 1.6 million cases cumulatively.
iTero is commercially available throughout the United States and Canada. For additional information on iTero, please visit www.cadentinc.com.
CoreStrength trains with Milestone
Milestone Scientific recently completed an STA System Clinical Training Course with the members of Jeff Goodman’s CoreStrength dental sales team. The training was conducted at the Ritz Carlton, Amelia Island, Fla., and directed by Dr. Gene Casagrande.
The group gathered for three days discussing injection techniques and anesthesia delivery.
Pictured from left to right, Jenny Humm (sales), Cherie Borer (sales), Doug Murphy (sales), Michael Borer (sales), Pat O’Driscoll (sales), Jeff Goodman (CEO, CoreStrength), Dr. Gene Casagrande (director of international professional relations), Scott Mahnken (director of marketing, Milestone Scientific), Paul Rouillard (sales), Guy Gismondi (sales), and Bob Presutti (vice president of sales and marketing, Milestone Scientific). Not pictured, Anne Maria Humm (photographer and sales).
Astra Tech moves into new building
Astra Tech Inc., the North American subsidiary of the Astra Tech Group, recently moved into its new headquarter facility in Waltham, Mass., bringing together corporate operations and manufacturing of their Atlantis™ abutment solution under one roof.
This move comes as a result of the company’s continued industry-leading growth in combination with last year’s acquisition of Atlantis Components Inc. Located in close proximity to its sister company, AstraZeneca, and in an area populated by other leading companies within the technology and medical device sector, Astra Tech Inc.’s new 84,000 square-foot building is the embodiment of progress and evolution despite a challenging economy.
New Astra Tech Inc. North American headquarters office and manufacturing facility inaugurated with an official ribbon-cutting ceremony. (right: Peter Selley, President and CEO, Astra Tech Group. left: Scott Root, President and CEO, Astra Tech Inc.) (Business Wire: Photo)
GKAS successful again
For the seventh consecutive year, Henry Schein, Inc., partnered with the American Dental Association (ADA), Colgate-Palmolive Company, and DEXIS® to support Give Kids A Smile, a program that provides free dental services and educational programs for nearly 500,000 underserved children at approximately 1,700 locations across the United States. More than 44,000 dental team volunteers participated in events.
With the commitment and support of 38 supplier partners, Henry Schein provided 3,000 oral healthcare screening and prevention kits to the program, each kit containing supplies to serve 50 children.
Supporting Give Kids A Smile through product donations this year were the following manufacturers: 3M ESPE Dental, Acteon, Ansell Healthcare Products, Axis Dental Corporation, Biotrol International, Centrix, Coltene/Whaledent, Inc., Crosstex International, DASH, DENTSPLY Caulk, DENTSPLY Pharmaceutical, DENTSPLY Professional, Dux Dental, Foremost, GC America Inc., Harry J. Bosworth Company, Hu-Friedy, J&J Instruments, Johnson & Johnson, Kimberly-Clark, Medicom, Microflex Corporation, Palmero Healthcare, Premier Dental, Professional Disposable International, Richmond Dental, SDS Kerr, Sempermed USA, Septodont, Southern Dental, SS White Burs, Sultan Healthcare, Sunstar Americas, TIDI Products, Total Care, Tuttnauer, Waterpik Technologies, and Young Dental.
DTA changes venue for annual meeting
The Dental Trade Alliance (DTA) Board of Directors has decided to change the location of its 2009 Annual Meeting from the Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas to a hotel location in Washington, D.C. The meeting will take place the same week as previously scheduled but will be shortened by one day. At press time, DTA had not announced the site of the Washington hotel.
According to DTA leadership, The change in location came about because of concern over the economy and the perception of holding a meeting in a resort location in challenging times.
GPS Clinical Sales ties in with Trimira
GPS Clinical Sales is now representing Trimira Identafi™ 3000, a small, cordless, handheld device for oral cancer screening. The product was launched at the Chicago Midwinter Meeting, where it generated considerable interest. GPS also manages sales for AFP Imaging, Miele, OroScience, CamSight, and Fotona.
GPS also works with international companies wanting to enter the U.S. market.
For more information, go to www.gpsclinicalsales.com or send an e-mail to industry veteran Jack Miller at [email protected].
