It’s time for the Guggenheim!
Patterson Dental’s Southwest Region is sponsoring the the 40th Annual Guggenheim golf and tennis tournaments, honoring the memory of Cliff Guggenheim, on Wednesday, April 30 (the Wednesday before the opening of the California Dental Association’s spring session). The tournaments will be held at Braemar Country Club in Tarzana, Calif., and dinner will follow.
Everyone in the industry is invited to participate. For invitations, please send an e-mail to stephanie.scotti@
pattersondental.com.
Henry Schein Cares reaches to Africa
Henry Schein extended its support of the U.N. Millennium Villages Project Oral Task Force in Fall 2007 through its global social responsibility program, Henry Schein Cares. The company donated needed dental supplies to support the mission.The oral task force assesses the oral health care needs of villagers and incorporates dentistry as an integral component of health care. The dental volunteer team from Columbia University of Dental Medicine and Harvard School of Dental Medicine performed oral assessments to more than 1,150 people in three rural African villages — Mayange Village in Rwanda, Mbola Village in Tanzania, and Potou Village in Senegal.
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Hu-Friedy celebrates 100th anniversary
Hu-Friedy is celebrating its 100th year in business serving dentists and dental hygienists. The year-long centennial celebration kicked off at the Chicago Midwinter Meeting, and was followed by a party at the Enclave night club.
A Chicago-based company, Hu-Friedy was founded in 1908, and today is owned by the Saslow Family. Throughout the years, dentists and hygienists have relied on the company to deliver the precision and craftsmanship in instrumentation that is critical to efficient dental practice management.
“Our centennial celebration is about the trust our customers place in Hu-Friedy and its employees,” said Ron Saslow, chif executive officer and president. “At the end of the day, our customers allow us to look ahead with a shared optimism that the Hu-Friedy community is here to make a difference. We’re humbled and appreciative of the trust our customers place with us everyday. From innovations in precision instrumentation such as the Wilkins/Tufts probe, to the company’s focus on improving the management of in-office infection control, Hu-Friedy has been a true friend and partner in helping dentists and hygienists do their job better.”
Straumann acquires key Czech distributor
Straumann has acquired Ormedent spol. s r.o., the exclusive distributor of Straumann products and services in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The acquisition provides Straumann with its own local subsidiary and direct access to customers in a further attractive emerging market in Eastern Europe. The purchase price was not disclosed.
Based in Prague, Ormedent enjoys a leading position in the Czech Republic as a distributor of products and services for implant dentistry and oral tissue regeneration. With Straumann as its exclusive partner in these fields since 1999, the company has successfully established the Straumann Dental Implant System as the system of choice among Czech implantologists and dental professionals. Ormedent’s small but efficient sales team, which also serves the Slovakian market, will transfer to Straumann together with the management.
Greater New York sees record attendance
The Greater New York Dental Meeting completed its 83rd Annual Session with record-breaking attendance, in part due to its unique “No Registration Fee” that attracts more dental professionals each year. The total number of registrants in 2007 showed an increase of nearly 3 percent over 2006’s figure (from 54,137 to 55,687).
There were other important figures within this year’s attendance numbers. There was an approximately 8 percent increase in the number of dentists attending in 2007 to 16,602 from the 15,268 in 2006. International attendance grew by 45 percent in 2007 and numbered 4,115, compared to the 2,826 individuals in 2006. The various countries represented by registrants rose 5 percent in 2007 to 113, in contrast to the 107 in 2006.
“Total registrants in 2007 surpassed all of our goals and expectations in every way,” said Dr. Robert R. Edwab, executive director of the Greater New York Dental Meeting.
NDC offers excess inventory solution
The Palm Tree Group has joined with National Distribution & Contracting, Inc. (NDC) to offer dental dealers a solution to move their excess inventory.
Membership with American Dental Cooperative (ADC) and United Dental Dealers (UDD) allows distributors access to not only products, but services and tools to enhance their business models. The Palm Tree Group’s Invatec division, has signed an agreement with NDC allowing dental members access to the Invatec trading cycle which buys and sells distributor’s overstock inventory.
Invatec has found a way to be the intermediary to many different dental distributors, allowing them to sell what they no longer need and buy some of what they do. Invatec has developed a step-by-step process that explains the trading cycle to distributors. Once a distributor has entered into a trading partnership the true benefits can be realized.
“The availability of this new agreement can help our member distributors better manage their inventory, enhance cash flow and clear space for new items that will move,” said Lori Paulson, NDC Dental Managing Director.
Leventhal Dental honors duo
At a recent luncheon, Leventhal Dental honored its two Manufacturer of the Year recipients with a plaque and gift presentation.
Receiving the Manufacturer of the Year for merchandise was Jane Specht of Premier Dental (top photo). Brad Smith from the Star Dental division of DentalEZ was the recipient of the Manufacturer of the Year for equipment (bottom photo). Both are shown in the photos with company president Jeff Leventhal.
Both were thanked and congratulated for their passion for and commitment to excellence in representing their respective product lines.
ADC adds new distributor member
American Dental Cooperative (ADC) is pleased to announce Jaguar Dental Specialties, LLC, a Miami, Florida-based dental distributor, has joined the membership group. This brings the total ADC membership to 26 full service dental distributors.
Jaguar Dental Specialties services southern Florida and extends into the Caribbean market. They have three sales representatives and three service technicians. Ed Dolce is the sales manager, bringing more than 25 years of dental sales experience to this start-up dealership. Joining Dolce is another experienced sales veteran, Jose Martinez.
Handpiece Experts keeps expanding
Handpiece Experts has announced agreements with three dental companies. Those agreements include:
- A parts agreement with Dentsply to expand the Handpiece Experts parts catalogue to now include Midwest brand electric handpiece parts. With this agreement, Handpiece Experts Certified Dealers can service and install a range of Midwest electric handpiece parts. Dentsply has also agreed to provide Handpiece Experts Certified Dealers with advanced repair training for Midwest brand air and electric handpieces.
- A supply agreement with Sabra Dental to continue the expansion of the Handpiece Experts catalogue to now include NSK and Sabra brand handpieces and handpiece service products, thereby making them available to all Handpiece Experts Certified Dealers for sale and repair.
- A new agreement with Lares Research to distribute all Lares brand air and electric handpiece parts. With this agreement, Handpiece Experts Certified Dealers can sell, service, and install the full range of Lares handpiece parts.
Burkhart’s “Basic Service Technician Training” class was held in the fall of 2007. This was the first class held at our new training facility at the new Distribution Center in Tacoma, Washington. The three week class was taught by Darold Slack, Burkhart’s Corporate Trainer.
Burkhart holds first training in new facility
Burkhart’s recently held a “Basic Service Technician Training” class, the first class held at the company’s new training facility at the new distribution center in Tacoma, Wash. The three-week class was taught by Darold Slack, Burkhart’s corporate trainer.
New technicians spent time learning about X-ray theory, sterilizers, nitrous systems, dental chairs and units, and lights, as well as safety and troubleshooting methods and techniques. Four days were also spent with A-dec learning how to install and troubleshoot specific A-dec equipment. A number of other manufacturing partners also participated in the training program, giving the service technicians a chance to learn directly from the experts.
Slack summarized, “Giving the trainees a sizable amount of ‘hands-on’ time specifically with equipment is the best way to learn. Plus, the added benefit of having our valued manufacturing partners participate helps get our new technicians off to the right start.”
Schein enters into partnership with CADA
Chinese American Dental Association (CADA) of the Greater New York area recently hosted its annual convention and annual dinner reception to officially announce the newly elected president of the organization, Dr. Grace Lee. Henry Schein entered into a three-year partnership with CADA through Henry Schein’s REACH program, a national diversity program designed to work with local community organizations to champion the importance of diversity recognition in the dental community. Stanley M. Bergman, chairman and chief executive officer of Henry Schein, Inc., was the guest speaker for the evening and was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation from CADA.
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Schein unveils new booth design at Midwinter
Henry Schein Dental’s new trade show booth features the Company’s broad product and service offering. It includes all 13 business groups under the Henry Schein Dental brand. Everything featured in the 50’ by 80’ booth can be purchased from Henry Schein, including technology-driven equipment, dental products, and value-added services. The new booth is also “green” and is one of many environmental initiatives that are part of Henry Schein’s commitment to corporate social responsibility.
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Bergman honored by NYSDF
Stanley M. Bergman, chairman and chief executive officer of Henry Schein, Inc., was recently presented with the Foundation of Excellence Award in Corporate Leadership by the New York State Dental Foundation at its third annual Foundations of Excellence Awards luncheon in New York City. Bergman was recognized for his success in leading the corporation, and for his initiatives to increase access to oral healthcare and to improve quality of life by giving back to communities around the world.
TeamSmile helps Kansas City kids
TeamSmile, a non-profit organization led by Dr. Bill Busch, recently teamed up with the Kansas City Chiefs, local volunteer dentists, and Henry Schein, Inc. to provide 300 kids with free oral healthcare screenings and treatments at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City.
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3M ESPE donates varnish to help kids
3M ESPE OMNI Preventive Care, is donating more than 300,000 doses of its Vanish™ 5% sodium fluoride tooth varnish to the National Children’s Oral Health Foundation™ (NCOHF). This will allow NCOHF Affiliates throughout the United States to administer well over a quarter of a million varnish treatments to under-served children suffering from tooth decay.
“Every day millions of children have trouble sleeping, eating, and concentrating in school due to oral pain. They are at risk for serious health problems from poor nutrition and life threatening infections. 3M OMNI Preventive Care’s very generous contribution will allow NCOHF to expand and enhance efforts to stop children’s needless suffering from preventable pediatric dental disease. The long-term value in the lives of children who will be helped is priceless,” states Fern K. Ingber, NCOHF’s president and chief executive officer.
The FDA cleared the use of fluoride varnishes more than 10 years ago for reducing tooth sensitivity. The American Dental Association supports the use of fluoride varnishes as safe and efficacious within a caries prevention program that includes caries diagnosis, risk assessment, and regular dental care.
New dental sales force announced
Global Practice Solutions, LLC, (GPS) has formed a new sales organization of trained representatives specializing and high-tech and upscale dental equipment. The organization currently consists of 18 professional sales representatives who sell exclusively through dental dealers. GPS covers all major dental markets across the U.S.
GPS is headquartered in Houston. “Our goal is to assist manufacturers of upper-end dental equipment and high-technology products such as dental lasers, as well as international companies selling in the U.S. market,” says Jack Miller, president of GPS.
GPS will be representing Camsight videoscopes and MyRay digital X-ray products and is in discussions with several other companies. For further information, call (281) 655-8380 or email Miller at [email protected].
CareCredit continues GKAS support
CareCredit continued its support as Founding Donor of the GIVE KIDS A SMILE fund with a $100,000 donation made at the recent GIVE KIDS A SMILE Advisory Board meeting. CareCredit’s contribution supports the GIVE KIDS A SMILE fund, an initiative that stems from the increasing success of the annual GIVE KIDS A SMILE one-day event. The fund was established to provide grants to help dental practices and clinics expand access to care for children from low-income families. The 2008 grant recipients will be announced at the ADA Foundation GIVE KIDS A SMILE Awards Gala held in Washington, D.C. on May 13.
Since the inception of GIVE KIDS A SMILE in 2002, the program has demonstrated progressively favorable results every year, which prompted an initiative to expand the GIVE KIDS A SMILE program. As part of that initiative, a National Advisory Board accountable to the ADA Foundation was founded. “Our goal is to make GIVE KIDS A SMILE more than just a single day of care,” stated board member and vice president of marketing at CareCredit, Cindy Hearn. “We want to increase access to care throughout the year.”
Benco acquires Eastern Dental Supply
Benco Dental has announced the acquisition of Eastern Dental Supply. Financial terms were not disclosed. The transaction closed on March 1.
Eastern Dental Supply has served the south central Pennsylvania market for more than two decades. Owners Barbara and David Jacobs will join Benco Dental, bringing with them more than 50 years of combined experience. Several key team members will also join Benco Dental.
“We look for strong customer focus, growth, and solid market positioning. Eastern Dental Supply brought all three to the table,” said Charles Cohen, president of Benco Dental. “Eastern’s management team did an excellent job of creating the kind of win-win customer relationships that we strive for. We look forward to strengthening these established relationships even further through our expanded product and service offerings.”
This was Benco Dental’s third such acquisition in 12 months. In February 2007, the company acquired Pennsylvania-based KernCo Dental Supply and in November, Minneapolis-based Marcus Dental Supply was acquired.
Technology4Medicine formed
The former senior executives of Biolase Technologies, Inc. have announced the formation of a new company, Technology4Medicine, LLC, with a dental laser division, Lasers4Dentistry, and a laser therapy division, Technology4Therapy. Jeffrey W. Jones, the former president and chief executive officer of Biolase, and Keith G. Bateman, Biolase’s former executive vice president, formed Technology4Medicine to address the advanced technological, clinical, training, and business needs of the dental, medical, veterinary, and physiotherapy communities.
“While developing the dental laser industry and growing Biolase from approximately $1 million to $70 million in sales and 70-80 percent market share, we gained extensive experience and a deep understanding of the unique clinical and business needs of the dental community,” commented Jones, Technology4Medicine chief executive officer. “Dentists face unique challenges, both clinical and financial, and our combined 40-plus years of executive and field experience in the technology, medical, and dental laser markets positions Technology4Medicine and its divisions to help dentists and other medical practitioners to achieve their goals.”
Dawson Academy, Schein form partnership
The Dawson Academy and Henry Schein, Inc., have announced the formation of the Dawson Schein Educational Initiative, a new strategic alliance designed to enhance ongoing dental education across the country.
Founded on the organizations’ shared belief in the importance of continuous learning, the Initiative will help support the tremendous advances in technology with a sound clinical philosophy.
“The true powers of the technologies that continue to impact dentistry can only be realized when integrated with a thorough foundation of sound clinical principles,” said Dr. Peter Dawson. “The basis of our Academy’s teachings is diagnosis. Today, we have the most advanced methods for diagnosis and treatment in the history of dentistry, and I believe it is more important than ever for dentists to be physicians of the masticatory system.”
“The technology tools that are revolutionizing the practice of dentistry will only realize their full potential when dental team members have knowledge based on a solid clinical foundation,” said Tim Sullivan, president of Henry Schein Dental. “By striking the right balance between state-of-the-art technology and clinical application, we are helping to ensure the health of dentistry for years to come.
Contec, Inc. acquires Sporicidin
Contec, Inc., has agreed to purchase the substantial assets of Sporicidin International, a manufacturer of disinfectants and cold sterilants for the medical, dental, and hospital markets. Contec is a leading global manufacturer of presaturated wipes, mopping systems, and specialty cleaning supplies for the pharmaceutical, industrial, and healthcare markets.
“Sporicidin has outstanding products with an excellent safety profile,” said Contec chief executive officer Jack McBride. “Contec has a track record of taking good technology platforms and growing them into effective products lines in many markets. We are excited by the capability of this product line to offer our customers valuable solutions to some of their toughest disinfecting problems.”
