Dental Blog Updates 2

VELMENI® Introduces New AI tools for Dentists at Chicago MidWinter Meeting

John Flucke - Technology Evangelist — Thu, 27 Feb 2025 04:00:00 -0800

In Chicago last week, I attended a press conference hosted by VELMENI® a company that is set to make a major splash in the dental industry. I sent out an Instagram post about the event (in case you missed it).

In the fall of 2024 I got a chance to get an impressive demo of the product on a Zoom meeting with the company. I found out about VELMENI® from my friend Dr. Dale Miles. Dr. Miles is a world renowned oral and maxillofacial radiologist and an incredible resource for me on all things dealing with radiology. He is consulting with the company and I can tell you that if he is involved, this system is going to incredible.

When I saw the demo, I was impressed. As most of you know, I'm all in on using AI for better diagnosis and treatment planning. However, the dental industry has really only seen AI being applied to 2D radiographs. I was aware that several companies were developing systems for 3D and I knew it was only a matter of time before this next big tech jump hit the industry.

I've seen demos of some other dental 3D AI systems, but the companies were not quite ready to enter the market. We are about to see that change dramatically and I'm confident that one of the major players in this space is going to be VELMENI®. Their 3D Verify™ product is pretty slick. I also like the business model of "pay per scan" so that anyone can use that portion of their product portfolio easily, affordably, and without a monthly fee to access it.

The company's CEO Mini Suri, is a very bright and driven lady. She's worked in AI for a significant amount of time. She started in the world of finance helping implement AI and also worked on the AI portion of Uber. That background gives her a great understanding of how this technology works 'under the hood'.

Today's post deals mainly with their 3D Verify™ product, but the company is developing a whole suite of products that is looking to take AI in dentistry to the next level. Be sure to remember this company because I'm sure you're going to be hearing a lot about them in the future.

VELMENI to Quality Control CBCT Scans for Implant Cases

VELMENI, a leader in artificial intelligence for dental imaging, debutED its 2D and groundbreaking 3D Verify™ technology at the Chicago Midwinter Dental Meeting. This AI-powered solution addresses a critical issue in CBCT imaging: Studies show that 60% of 3D images have errors, leading to workflow inefficiencies and expensive retakes.

VELMENI 3D Verify™ is the first AI imaging solution that validates CBCT scans in real time. Dentists catch errors immediately, streamline case planning, and improve clinical outcomes.

3D Verify helps prevent costly delays and ensures greater precision in implant placement.

“With 3D Verify, dentists no longer have to second-guess their CBCT images or deal with the inefficiencies of incorrect scans,” says Mini Suri, CEO and Founder of VELMENI. “Real-time verification gives clinicians confidence in their imaging and treatment planning.”

3D Verify is offered on a “pay-as-you-scan” model, making it accessible to all dentists regardless of volume. While the various VELMENI applications complement each other, 3D Verify is a standalone solution, providing flexibility for dental professionals.

“3D Verify has transformed my CBCT imaging process. Real-time verification helps me catch and fix issues instantly, eliminating errors, retakes, and frustration for my team and patients. It’s a game-changer for precise and efficient implant planning,” explains Maxine Feinberg, DDS and Chief Strategy Officer for VELMENI.

In addition to launching 3D Verify, VELMENI showcased its other AI-driven dental solutions, including:

VELMENI EasyRiter® – a web-based decision support system that simplifies CBCT interpretation and makes it easy to generate detailed anatomical reports.
VELMENI for Dentists® – An FDA-approved AI tool for analyzing 2D dental X-rays. The AI detects pathologies that even experienced clinicians miss.
“As a follower of the latest advances in digital dentistry, I’m keeping my eye on VELMENI, watch, you will see,” says Ed Zuckerberg, DDS, renowned dentist and key advisor to VELMENI.

For more information, visit https://velmeni.ai

About VELMENI

VELMENI, a global leader in dental artificial intelligence, is transforming patient care for payers and providers with innovative AI solutions. VELMENI for Dentists integrates seamlessly into practice management and dental imaging software, enhances diagnostic accuracy, streamlines administrative workflows, and improves patient acceptance. VELMENI’s solutions have been embraced by dental professionals across the US, Canada, New Zealand, South America, and beyond. VELMENI is the first dental AI approved by the FDA to detect pathologies in panoramic X-rays and also has Canadian MDEL and New Zealand Medsafe clearances.

During CDS 2025, CareStack Showcased the Newest AI-led Upgrades to its Cloud-Based Practice Management System

John Flucke - Technology Evangelist — Wed, 26 Feb 2025 04:00:00 -0800

CareStack, a leading provider of AI-led all-in-one cloud-based dental practice management solutions, demonstrated the latest AI enhancements to its all-in-one practice management platform during the recent Chicago Midwinter Meeting.

Designed to streamline operations and improve patient experiences, CareStack’s fully integrated, cloud-native solution eliminates the need for multiple software systems, providing dental practices with a seamless approach to scheduling, charting, billing, patient engagement, and revenue cycle management.

“With the future of software being redefined by AI, we were thrilled to showcase the latest AI-led advancements in our platform during the Chicago Midwinter Meeting,” said CareStack CEO Abhi Krishna.” These updates reinforce our commitment to push the boundaries of what’s possible in dental practice management, offering cutting-edge features that enhance efficiency, drive revenue, and improve the patient experience.”

During the Midwinter Meeting, CareStack highlighted its newest platform enhancements, including:

AI-Powered Automation: Smarter workflows for scheduling, billing, and revenue optimization.
AI-led Imaging: A new imaging system built to bring in advanced clinical decision support to offices.
AI-powered clinical workflows: Assisted clinical note taking to reduce documentation time for providers
Enterprise-Ready Capabilities: Expanded support for multi-location practices and DSOs.

“The beauty of what CareStack is building is truly a platform that gives you all the tools and resources in one integrated place.” said Tim Hill, CEO of Espire Dental, a 40-location DSO based out of Colorado. “This makes workflows much better for teams. It’s about giving them the tools and resources to do their work better and more efficiently.”

For more information about CareStack and its latest innovations, visit www.carestack.com. For sales inquiries contact us at 1-407-833-6123 or Support@CareStack.com

About CareStack

CareStack is a comprehensive, cloud-based dental practice management platform that integrates scheduling, clinical charting, billing, patient engagement, and revenue cycle management into a single solution. Designed for solo practices, group practices, and DSOs, the company simplifies operations, enhances patient care, and improves financial outcomes. With a commitment to innovation and customer success, CareStack is transforming the way dental practices operate in a digital-first world.

AdDent Comax Composite Dispenser - The Easiest Solution for More Efficient Composite Restorations

John Flucke - Technology Evangelist — Tue, 25 Feb 2025 09:46:55 -0800

Looking for a way to make composite dispensing easier? If the problem is composite dispensing, the solution is AdDent's Comax composite dispensing gun.

As I've said for years, I *love* the smart people at AdDent because they are outside the box thinkers and keep coming up with 'better mousetraps' for the profession.

Before the Comax, very little thought had gone into the design of composite dispensing guns. Most materials companies look at them as simply items to be included in a kit. They are usually flimsy, don't work very well, and don't hold up well to the rigors of sterilization. After a few autoclave cycles, they being to discolor.

Actually loading them can be difficult. Often times during a procedure, especially when doing quadrant dentistry, the doctor needs to remove an empty compule and load another. Due to their poor design this can be pretty difficult. For years I've been saying the enemy of adhesive dentistry is contamination. Controlling the field is critical to clinical success and anything that slows the procedure down simply means that the doctor and assistant have to control the field longer. Fighting to remove and load another compule is terribly inefficient.

If you look at the image at the top of this post, you'll notice two flanges along the barrel of the Comax. Those flanges control a spring loaded mechanism that holds the compule in place. You simply pull back on the flanges to load and when you release, the mechanism slides forward to securely hold the compule in the barrel. Need to load another? Simply pull the flanges back and the compule drops out of the device. Comax makes loading and unloading incredibly simple and efficient. Unloading can be accomplished with one hand.

Comax also is designed with significant ergonomic improvements as well as 'mechanical advantage' in the trigger system. Normal composite dispensing guns require a great deal of pressure to extrude the material. Comax is set up to make that much easier. This can be game changing for female dentists. Many female doctors have smaller hands which makes it harder to extrude material from the 'garden variety' composite guns on the market. I've spoken with several female doctors who have told me that Comax has made their procedures much easier and much more efficient.

As far as durability, I've never seen a dispenser that can rival the Comax. The device is made with high tech plastic and stainless steel components. The first time you pick it up you can fee the difference. The unit has a quality that is easy to discern from the moment you hold it in your hand. It holds up incredibly well to sterilization. I have several of these in my office and even after years of use, they look as good now as the day I took them out of the box. They also perform just as well.

Being a practicing clinician, I know we don't often think about things like composite dispensing devices. We normally buy a kit of composite and simply use whatever dispenser is in that kit. The next time you pick up one of those inferior devices, I encourage you think "this is the best the manufacturer can come up with?" When you think about it, you'll realize there must be a better device available. The best part of that? There is a better device. It's called Comax and you can find out all about it by following this link.

I use the device and highly recommend it.

Wrap up from Chiclgo MidWinter Meeting 2025

John Flucke - Technology Evangelist — Mon, 24 Feb 2025 04:00:00 -0800

First of all, my apologies for the lack of posts lately. Not since the end of Covid have I been this busy. One of the things I realized during 2020 and the shutdown precipitated by the Covid 19 shutdown was that I had become incredibly burned out with all of my travel.

When I suddenly didn't have to go to an airport every couple of weeks, I realized how much of a toll all that had taken on me. When the shutdown ended, I fulfilled all of my travel obligations, but then did my best to dial it back. It was the right choice for me. I needed some time without travel to reset myself. Often in life we are so driven by our obligations that we don't stop to realize what they might be doing to us either physically or mentally. I was burned out and I needed a break.

Since then, I've been a lot more selective about being on the road and it has been good for me. However, all good things come to an end and the last month has seen me return to the road with a vengeance. I've been traveling every week for the past four weeks. The trips have been rewarding and enjoyable, but they have also limited the amount of time I have for posts. Along the lines of travel, I spent Tuesday through Saturday of the last week in Chicago at the CDS MidWinter Meeting.

I went in a day earlier than usual to attend the Dental VIP Summit that was scheduled on Wednesday February 19th. The meeting was the brainchild of my buddy Dr. Marty Jablow and was a terrific event. For the past two years, Marty had been putting together an idea of bringing dental entrepreneurs together with venture capital groups to create an event. The concept was for the idea folks to be able to present their products to potential financiers. I was really impressed with the event.

Normally I have to scour the Internet and trade shows in an effort to find small companies with good ideas, but (selfishly I'll admit) it was great to have those companies come to me. I saw a ton of great ideas presented by smart and dedicated people who are working on getting their products off the ground.

In addition to the product presentations, there were also panel discussions on topics ranging from finance to the direction the profession is headed. I was lucky enough to be included on a panel about the future of tech in dentistry.

The Dental VIP Summit was really well attended and the feedback I got from others that were there was decidedly positive. There are already plans to put together the second annual event next year. In addition to that, Marty and the others involved are discussion holding similar events in other locations. I'd highly encourage you to plan on attending next year. Even if you don't fit into the categories in the attendance profile, I feel that anyone in the dental industry, including doctors, would benefit from being there.

Of course, I'll provide updates on Marty's plans and if other events are scheduled, you'll find out about them here.

Moving on to the MidWinter Meeting itself, I can say with confidence that this in-person event "is back". We've seen a drop-off in attendance with in-person dental trade shows, but the MidWinter meeting was rocking. There were lots of people and the exhibit hall was frequently a mass of humanity as folks browsed the floor. The MidWinter meeting has always been famous for being the meeting where new products are introduced and this one continued that tradition. If you've been hesitant to attend a meeting due to fears of low attendance and smaller presence of vendors, let me assure you that the Chicago MidWinter Meeting is strong. I'll be there next year and I feel you should be too.

If there was a theme to the products shown, it would be the merging of 3D. There were lots of companies showing CBCT, mills, and 3D printing. Those three topics go well together and that is only going to increase. Combining the power of CBCT, intraoral scanners, mills and/or 3D printers which are increasingly leveraging Artificial Intelligence is going to phenomenally change the practice of dentistry. The ability to acquire patient info digitally, easily design projects with AI, and then mill or print those projects now allow us to have a truly digital workflow.

Dentistry has been throwing the term "digital workflow" around for about a decade, but now it is finally here. We now have the ability to go from patient to completed appliance or prosthetic in a totally digital manner. Welcome to the future! It's finally here.

AI is allowing the data to be merged with incredible accuracy. It's now possible to take an intraoral scan and then have that scan embedded into the CBCT to show exactly how the patient appears at that exact moment in time. There are even ways to then allow the images to move in a totally digital articulator simulation. That's going to allow complicated full arch or full mouth reconstruction to be created digitally and delivered with minimal adjustments. All problems and interferences will be detected and corrected by AI. The quality of care is going to go through the roof.

There was also a focus on facial scanning for treatment planning. The ability to digitally scan a patient's face and then display new smiles is now an easy reality. Allowing patients to see how they will look is amazing. Want straighter pretty teeth? Point, click, done. Oh, you'd like the teeth a bit longer? Point, click, done. This emerging tech is going to allow high end practitioners to accurately show patients the results before the process is even started and then be able to use that data to give the patient the exact result they saw. I was blown away.

I also got a chance to spend about an hour at the MidWinter Lab Day held at the Hyatt Regency on Wacker drive on Friday morning. While I didn't have a chance to spend a lot of time looking around, I was impressed with the attendance while also being wowed by the digital equipment on display. There were lots of mills, 3D printers, scanners, and other equipment on display.

I had stopped by to shoot a video for DGSHAPE about the in-office milling solutions they offer and while there I couldn't believe how many cool technologies are available to the dental labs. I'll be doing a deeper reveal on DGSHAPE's new products soon, but trust me when I say you'll be impressed.

So, to wrap up I'd like to tell you that the Chicago MidWinter Meeting is still the place to be in February. Plan on attending next year!

Spring Cleaning Checklist: Oral Health Edition

Social Media Collaborative — Wed, 19 Feb 2025 12:44:49 -0800

Spring is the perfect time to refresh not just your home but also your oral health routine. Just like decluttering your living space, a little extra care for your teeth and gums can go a long way in maintaining a healthy, bright smile. The ultimate oral health spring cleaning checklist Tidying up your oral health routine and […]

How to Conquer Your Fear of Pain at the Dentist

Social Media Collaborative — Wed, 19 Feb 2025 12:42:03 -0800

Do you dread that reminder call about your upcoming dentist appointment? Maybe you’ve heard a horror story from a friend or you’ve had a painful experience yourself. Whatever the reason, it’s important to know that you’re not alone. In fact, roughly 36 percent of adults in the United States suffer from a fear of pain […]

Eye diseases explained: Glaucoma

Social Media Collaborative — Wed, 19 Feb 2025 12:36:39 -0800

Today, nearly three million Americans have glaucoma. However, because symptoms are nearly impossible to catch early, 50 percent of people with glaucoma are unaware they have the disease. What is glaucoma? Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve, which is essential for clear vision. If left untreated, glaucoma can gradually lead […]

Dental Accessories Announces HyperLight Portable X-Ray

John Flucke - Technology Evangelist — Thu, 13 Feb 2025 04:00:00 -0800

Many offices are now using handheld portable x-ray units routinely. They save space, are easy to use, safe, and they don't require any installation that involves attaching cumbersome hardware to the wall. When I built my office in 2007, these devices were barely on the market, but if I had it to do over again, I would for sure be looking at handheld units.

Wall mounted units can be cumbersome and sometimes positioning the unit on the arm can be difficult when you're trying to get the perfect angle for a periapical radiograph. There's nothing worse than missing the apex on a difficult endodontic case.

There's also the hassle of having them installed. They require a wall mounted plate that, obviously, leaves holes in the wall. I've known offices that needed to replace a wall mounted unit and had to have someone come into the office and repair the area where the previous was attached.

My buddy Dr. Marty Jablow uses handheld units in his office and he swears by them. If Marty likes a system I know it's worth checking out.

The latest entry into this market is the HyperLight from Dental Accessories. Here'w what the company has to say about this new device...

Unparalleled Portability & Efficiency: Experience the freedom of the HyperLight Portable X-Ray. Weighing just 4 pounds, its compact design allows for easy one-handed operation.
Crystal Clear Imaging: Equipped with a 0.4mm focal spot, HyperLight delivers sharp, high-resolution images, ensuring precise diagnostics and patient care.
Advanced Safety Features: Designed with your safety in mind, HyperLight includes a built-in double leaded shield and a backscatter radiation shield to protect operators from leakage radiation, alongside a locking system to prevent unintentional exposure.
Seamless Integration: Perfectly compatible with our NanoPix Intraoral Sensors, HyperLight enhances your diagnostic capabilities with intuitive operation and exceptional image quality. There's no software to install and no monthly charges!
Long-Lasting Battery Life: 2500mAh battery capable of 500 x-ray shots on a single charge!
Official Distributor Guarantee: Purchase with confidence directly from us to ensure you receive the original HyperLight system complete with a full 2-year warranty and dedicated support.
FDA Approved with Low Patient Dosage: Prioritize your patients' health with HyperLight, an FDA-approved system designed to minimize patient exposure while delivering superior diagnostic results.

Regular price

$2,999.99

If you're interested in purchasing, this link will take you to the page at Dental Accessories.

100 Most Common Photos Used by Romance Scammers This Valentine’s Day

John Flucke - Technology Evangelist — Wed, 12 Feb 2025 09:22:57 -0800

Today's post is a bit of a public service announcement in an attempt to help people avoid online scams. Lots of people fall victim to these types of things every year. Many of them are young and highly educated.

Here's an amazing stat... in 2023 Americans were fleeced for $1.14 billion in romance scams. Adding to that shocking info, the stat for 2022 was $547 million. That means that the amount of money stolen from lonely victims more than doubled in a single year.

During 2024 I happened to read several articles from major news outlets, including the New York Times, that told of adult children discovering their older parents, many of whom had lost their spouse, had spent their entire life savings on scams like this. Articles discussed millions of dollars sent to scammers posing as lonely, single people trying to find true love. Often the fund transfers continued even after they were discovered by an adult child because the parent said the child "just didn't understand. This person would never hurt me. We are in love and they need help." I also want to add that the victim isn't always elderly and potentially in mental decline. Many young people are taken in by these scams as well. Some have even said they knew better, but they got caught up in relationship anyway.

It's a sad reality that this happens. There has always been a criminal element in humanity and there always will be. The part of this that is truly troubling is people preying on the hearts and minds of the vulnerable, people who are lonely and truly need someone.

As regular readers know, I'm a big fan of AI in dentistry. It can do some amazing things and definitely helps us in diagnosis. However, like everything in life, there is no left without a right, no up without a down, no good without a bad. Unfortunately this also applies to AI. Scammers are now utilizing AI systems to create amazingly believable emails designed to help draw victims in. They are also using AI to create incredible images of very attractive people to help draw victims in as well.

Five suggestions I read lately that can help people avoid these types of scams are:

Never send money to online acquaintances. If you've never physically met the person, don't send money.
Insist on video chats to confirm the identity.
Be cautious of claims involving military service or living abroad.
Be wary of individuals who express love or commitment too quickly.
Do not invest anything proposed by someone you have only met online.

Number 5 above is critically important. Some of the scams draw victims in and then tell them about a great investment opportunity. A fake website that shows the investment growing, completes the scam. Of course when the victim attempts to withdraw any money, the website vanishes along with the victims funds.

The moral is to be alert and skeptical online. These types of scams leave the victim penniless, alone, and ashamed. I really dislike having to even warm people about things like this. However, if I can help even one person, it's all worth it.

Siligent CEO Tasha Dickinson will be Speaking on the latest Cybersecurity Risks during CDS MidWinter Meeting 2025

John Flucke - Technology Evangelist — Tue, 11 Feb 2025 04:00:00 -0800

As a lover of all things tech, I've got a lot of passion about cybersecurity. As more and more digital technologies make their way into our world and our profession, we are acquiring more and more digital patient info. This digital data makes us more agile in treatment as well as more precise... and it's only getting better. For the first time in dental history we now have a totally digital workflow by pairing intraoral scanners with onsite mills and 3D printers.

Of course, all of that digital patient data means keeping it secure from prying eyes and cyber criminals. It behooves every office to be aware of threats and how to manage your risk profile to keep the locks as secure as possible. I met Tasha Dickinson a few years ago and I came away impressed. She's sharp and knowledgeable about cybersecurity. As CEO of Siligent, she runs a company dedicated to helping keep patient data as secure as it can be. I was excited to recently learn that Tasha will be in Chicago speaking, as well as exhibiting, at the upcoming Chicago MidWinter Meeting. Read on for all of the details...

Tasha Dickinson, founder, CEO and Chief Technology Officer of Siligent, a leading and trusted provider of advanced cybersecurity and IT solutions for the dental industry will be teaching a 3.0 CE course on cybersecurity during the upcoming Chicago Midwinter Meeting.
Scheduled for Thursday, February 20 from 2:30 PM – 4 PM, The specific topic of the course is “Risk Assessments: What Dentists Need to Know to Protect Their Practices.” According to Tasha, “In recent years, the cybersecurity threats to dental offices have become more prevalent and impactful, damaging practices. My goal is to explain what the actual risks are for a dental practice. Help them understand what essential cybersecurity innovations need to be put into place and how to get started. We want to ensure that practices are protected from criminals who may install ransomware or sell their patient data on the black market putting their business and their patients at risk.”
After attending this course, practice owners will be able to do the following:
• Identify cybersecurity risks
• Make smart technology decisions
• Protect their business, their families and their patients
“Cybersecurity will be of critical importance to dental practices throughout 2025 so attending this course early in the year could not be more advantageous, added Dickinson.”
Siligent Technology will also be exhibiting at booth #904 and Tasha will be on hand to answer any questions regarding cybersecurity and dental IT throughout the meeting.
About Siligent Technology:
Siligent is a leading and trusted provider of advanced cybersecurity and IT solutions tailored specifically for the dental industry.
Founded in 2020, the company empowers and supports dental professionals with secure, reliable, and innovative technologies to protect patient data, streamline operations, and improve clinical outcomes.
Since its inception, dental companies have trusted Siligent Technology to keep their businesses safe, connected, and ahead of the curve.
For more information, visit http://www.siligent.com.

The Final Agenda of the Dental VIP (Venture, Innovation & Partnering) Summit Features a Who’s Who of Dental Innovators

John Flucke - Technology Evangelist — Mon, 10 Feb 2025 08:25:49 -0800

I can't believe we're almost 2 months into 2025! I also can't believe the performance by the KC Chiefs in the Super Bowl, but there are plenty of blogs venting on that topic, so I'll let it drop.

Much more importantly, next week is the annual Chicago Dental Society's MidWinter Meeting. In the industry, it's considered one of the crown jewels. More new product announcements are made during CMW than any other meeting in the United States. Probably needless to say, but I always attend. It's one of my favorite meetings on the circuit.

This year on Wednesday February 19th, there is going to be a super special event. The Dental VIP Summit which seeks to bring people with good ideas together with industry leaders in finance and product development to help make connections. Those connections will then help spur industry growth with new and cutting edge technologies.

This is the first event of its kind and it promises to be pretty incredible. I plan on being there all day and I'll be on a panel discussion in the afternoon with some of my friends who are experts in dental technology.

I've got all the info included below. This promises to be pretty incredible so I hope to see a lot of you there!

Taking Place in Chicago on February 19th, This Exclusive Event Will Introduce Disruptive Dental Technologies to Multiple Stakeholders
Chicago, IL – February 7, 2025 – The final agenda of the inaugural Dental VIP (Venture, Innovation & Partnering) Summit, will feature an impressive list of dental technology luminaries representing start-up founders, key opinion leaders, dental industry executives, and investors.
This event was created to spotlight transformative technologies designed to revolutionize the dental industry, and will take place on February 19, 2025, at the Intercontinental Chicago Miracle Mile, prior to the annual Chicago Dental Society Midwinter Meeting.
According to Marty Jablow, DMD, Co-Chairman of the Summit and President of Dental Tech Advisors, “The Dental VIP Summit was designed to be the preeminent platform for start-ups, industry leaders, investors, clinical innovators and journalists to connect, collaborate, and accelerate advancements in dental care.”
The inaugural event will feature rapid-fire presentations from cutting-edge start-ups, panel discussions with industry leaders, and keynote insights from renowned experts.
For more information about The Dental VIP Summit, contact Craig Simak, CEO of Healthegy craig@healthegy.com. To register for this event, visit https://www.dentalvipsummit.com/
About the Dental VIP Summit:
The first of what is intended to be an ongoing series of ground-breaking events, the Dental VIP (Venture, Innovation & Partnering) Summit is designed to explore the future of clinical and operational dental innovation and propel the standard of patient care forward. During each event, attendees will gain unparalleled access to insights from thought leaders, discover emerging technologies, and network with top-tier professionals, including entrepreneurs, corporate R&D teams, business development executives, and investors.

Join Me this Friday at the University of Birmingham School of Dentistry

John Flucke - Technology Evangelist — Tue, 04 Feb 2025 11:42:22 -0800

I'm giving two half day lectures this Friday during the meeting at the University of Alabama Birmingham School of Dentistry. I really love getting out and getting to interact with my peers. It's always fun and incredibly interesting for me to get a chance to meet dentists from different parts of the world. The best part is how much *I* learn by doing this. Often times I think people tend to think that the one with the laptop is the person in the room who has all the answers. In reality, it's the power of 'the hive' that really makes it great. Getting smart and committed people in the same room normally creates results that are better than the sum of the individual parts.

The two half day lectures will cover "Technologies to Change Your Practice" where I'll discuss a lot of new and cutting edge tech that can make practicing dentistry easier, more efficient, and lower stress.

The second program will cover a bunch of info on 3D and it's amazing impact on the profession. I call the presentation "There's No D Like 3D". It allows me to discuss CBCT, intraoral scanners, milling, and 3D printing.

If you are in the Birmingham area and are interested in any of these topics, I'd be honored to have you join me. I always get so much to think about when I interact with my peers. I hope to see some of you there!

Garrison Dental Announces Availabilitly of New Quad Matrix System

John Flucke - Technology Evangelist — Tue, 04 Feb 2025 04:00:00 -0800

On January 29th, Garrison Dental announced their new Quad Matrix System is available for purchase.

One of the most difficult things dentists do routinely is to restore a Class 2 preparation. This is especially true when it comes to preps on adjacent teeth. Restoring a DO on one tooth that contacts an MO on another can be incredibly challenging to get everything 'just right'. The contours, contacts, and occlusion need to be spot on... and that can be difficult to achieve.

Over the years the industry has seen lots of sectional matrix systems brought to market. They all have advantages and disadvantages. I routinely use a variety of different systems for different situations.

However, no system has come up with a way to handle routine single tooth cases as well as those more difficult situations that came with adjacent preps... until now.

The Quad Matrix uses asymmetrical rings and a special 'split wedge' to address that problem. The ring has a 'driver tip' on one side and it uses that tip to press the two legs of the split wedge against the proximal areas of each tooth. This helps to ensure proper contours and contacts. In other systems the ring will curve the edge against one side or the other. Quad Matrix allows you to get proper contours and emergence angle on *both* restorations simultaneously.

I realize that the written word can be confusing on something like this. Garrison Dental does as well. That's why they've created a webpage in their "Learning Center" that can show you exactly how to use this new system.

If you're interested and would like more information, follow this link to learn and purchase Quad Matrix. It's available now.

Inflatrix - An Inflatible Matrix System for Restorative Dentistry

John Flucke - Technology Evangelist — Mon, 03 Feb 2025 04:00:00 -0800

Some of the most creative ideas in dentistry come from dentists themselves. Today's post is about one of those creative solutions. The Inflatrix is a matrix system that actually inflates, similar to a balloon, to provide precise contours and contacts.

The device was invented by Dr. Mark Thoresen a general dentist in Wyoming. One night he was watching the James Bond film GoldenEye, where Q is demonstrating gadgets to Bond. In the background, a Q Branch employee enters a phone booth which is suddenly filled by a giant airbag, trapping the man inside. At that moment the idea for Infltrix was conceived. The first sketch of a prototype device was completed an hour later.

The device is a small, thin, polymer 'pillow' that is placed between the teeth. It connects to a one-way valve and a syringe filled with water. The syringe plunger is depressed and the water inflates the pillow to seal Inflatrix against the tooth and provide the proper anatomic contour against which the filling will be placed. The polymer is much more gentle on the gingival tissues than metal bands that are frequently used in these situations.

Dr. Thoresen has worked on both sides of the dental industry, both in private practice as well as dental sales. He's worked in the industry selling lasers, instruments, magnification, and also trains dental assistants. This has allowed him to see the industry from both sides, which gives him a good perspective on the dental market as a whole.

Inflatrix is twice-patented, trademarked, and is an FDA 501 (k) exempt device that has been in development for several years. Dr. Thoresen has methodically worked on the Inflatrix, running it through several generations with beta testers to improve the use and functionality of the device.

Recently Dr. Thoresen entered Inflatrix into the Energy Capital Startup Challenge and was selected as a winner, receiving a share of the $50k prize awarded. This influx of capital is helping to spur further product development.

The device is not yet on the market, but it's a pretty smart idea that I wanted to make readers aware of. As Dr. Thoresen prepares Inflatrix for sales and distribution, I'll be sure to keep you updated on when you'll be able to purchase.

Improving Direct Composite Outcomes with AdDent's Calset Composite Warmer

John Flucke - Technology Evangelist — Thu, 30 Jan 2025 04:00:00 -0800

Dentistry has evolved to the point that we are dependent on adhesive and bonded restorations. That's a great thing. However, composite restorations can be challenging and anything that can improve your efficiency and give you a better restoration should be something we all consider. To that end, today let's look at a way to make composite placement easier on doctor and team while also giving the patient a better restoration. The solution is to use warm composite.

The margin is the critical area for any dental restoration. In the simplest terms, restorations alone don't get decay. It's where the restoration meets the tooth where almost all of the problems occur. On a microscopic level the margin is trench warfare where bacteria try to work their way into tiny voids and colonize. That makes it critical that the margin be as closely adapted as possible.

To help with marginal adaptation, there is a very good body of research that has been done on the benefits of warming composite prior to placement. You'll also find that in addition to improving your margins, warm composite offers several benefits during placement as well. I've always told manufacturers that my personal preference for composite consistency is 'cake icing' or 'cookie dough'. It's fairly obvious from those terms that I love sweets. However, I also think that using those terms helps give the chemists a better idea of how I like composite to feel.

By warming composite... and this applies to every composite I've worked with over the years, the warming process causes them to be easier to place, easier to adapt, and easier to sculpt. The warm material isn't sticky and it 'glides' where I want it to go with less effort. I feel the hardest thing we do frequently in dentistry is controlling the field. Every time we perform any procedure that requires bonding, contamination needs to be avoided and that means controlling the field. Warm composite makes me more efficient and that means restorations take less time. It also translates to less time controlling the field, which yields better results.

My history of using warm composites goes back over 20 years. I was at a major industry meeting and I was discussing trends with Dr. Josh Friedman, the owner of AdDent. The company had recently released a product called 'Calset' and he wanted to tell me about it. The product has had updates through the years, but the concept is a simple one. The Calset is an AC powered device that holds composite compules or syringes and gently warms them and keeps them at a constant temperature. It is basically 2 components. The first is the base which gets warm and on top of the base is a try that holds the material. You simply put your composite into the Calset and leave it there until you use it.

Over the years, the company has created several different types of trays that allow the end user pick the setup that is best for the way they work. The trays are interchangeable and some even hold composite dispensing guns and/or instruments.

In addition to making placement easier, warming composite also provides multiple benefits to curing. As I mentioned above, marginal adaptation is better. Heated composite has also been proven to have higher conversion rates of polymerization, lower shrinkage stress, and less micro-leakage. The effects on the pulp have also been studied and warming composite has no adverse effects on pulpal health.

To sum things up, not only does warming your composite make it handle better, it makes the material better across the board. To really drive this point home, 3M has publicly stated that, even though the company does NOT make a warming system, they have a blog post on 5 Reasons Why You Should Warm Your Composite. That's a pretty good indication of the benefits.

For more information on AdDent's Calset system, follow this link. I've been warming my composite for over 20 years and I can see the clinical benefits every day. Shortly after returning from the meeting where I discussed warm composite with Dr. Friedman, I started using Calset in my office. I've been using them ever since.

Myth vs. Fact: Common Misconceptions About Children’s Dental Health

Social Media Collaborative — Wed, 29 Jan 2025 09:35:20 -0800

Children’s dental health is a topic filled with myths and misunderstandings that can lead to poor oral care practices. Promoting healthy teeth and gums is not only essential for your child’s oral health but also plays a vital role in supporting their overall well-being. Learn about some of the most common misconceptions surrounding children’s dental […]

VideaHealth Raises $40M Series B Funding to Revolutionize Dental Care with AI-Driven Solutions

John Flucke - Technology Evangelist — Wed, 29 Jan 2025 07:00:00 -0800

Ai is moving into our world in incredible ways. Of course dentistry is no different and as I keep saying here, it's making dentistry change in ways that 10 years ago, most dentists couldn't even think of. One of the easiest ways you can see the industry is adopting this new amazing tech is by the large amounts of money that are being put into dental AI companies. These investors are betting on a lucrative future. No one wants to lose their money on bad investments (me included) so I feel this influx of capital into the AI space holds good things for the future. Capital investments allows companies to do more R&D, hire more engineers, and create stronger products.

Today's post is about Videahealth's new funding round. This is going to allow the company to make some solid steps forward.

New capital will accelerate market expansion, partnerships and product development to improve dental care for thousands of patients

BOSTON – January 28, 2025 – VideaHealth, the leading dental AI company, today announced that it has raised $40 million in a Series B funding round, bringing the company’s total funding to over $70 million. Since its launch in 2018, VideaHealth has transformed dental care through its state-of-the-art AI-powered software for dental service organizations (DSOs), individual dentists and key industry partners.

Led by Emily Melton, co-founder and managing partner of Threshold Ventures, with participation from Avenir Ventures, BAM Ventures and existing investors Spark Capital, Zetta Venture Partners and Pillar VC, this new capital will enable VideaHealth to meet the demand for its solutions from DSOs and individual dentists.

“For AI to truly transform oral care, dentists require a solution that starts with delivering improved patient care in a way that builds trust with their patients,” said Florian Hillen, Founder & CEO of VideaHealth. “VideaHealth is committed to pushing the boundaries of what AI can achieve in dental care. With the support of our investors, partners and talented team, we are poised to lead the industry into a new era of innovation and excellence.”

According to a recent report issued by Fortune Business Insights, the U.S. dental services market is projected to reach $216.33 billion by 2030, with this expansion driven by greater awareness of oral health and AI solutions. Additionally, VideaHealth’s survey found that Americans are more likely to accept dentist’s recommendations for oral care, if AI validated their diagnosis.

“We invest in technology companies that can transform healthcare delivery. Videa’s AI platform, implemented by leading dental health companies, has demonstrated the ability to dramatically improve clinical and administrative workflows, substantially improving patient and provider experience. Florian Hillen is an exceptional founder who deeply understands both the potential of AI technology and the current needs of the dental industry, making him the partner of choice for many of the most innovative and successful companies in the industry,” said Emily Melton of Threshold Ventures.

With this funding, VideaHealth will continue to focus on its successful partnerships, broadening its product offerings across various segments, including AI-generated workflow tools and revenue cycle management in the dental industry.

Accelerating Dental AI Innovation

In 2024, VideaHealth announced collaborations with the largest DSOs in North America, including Heartland Dental in the U.S. and DentalCorp in Canada. These organizations along with thousands of other dental groups and offices are accelerating their AI efforts with VideaHealth solutions.

VideaHealth’s expanded partnership with Henry Schein One will also bring AI to the dental education market. VideaHealth is one of the first dental AI companies to offer insights for virtually every disease state in dentistry, including pediatric conditions..

VideaHealth customers praise the platform’s ease of use and business impact, enabling clinicians to streamline administrative tasks and focus more on delivering optimal patient care with greater detail and insights on their dental health.

About VideaHealth

VideaHealth is at the forefront of bringing AI to dentistry, partnering with dental professionals to improve patient care, strengthen patient relationships, and drive practice growth. VideaHealth's AI-powered platform is used by dental professionals across North America to analyze millions of patients annually, supporting clinicians in identifying and treating critical dental conditions. Headquartered in Boston and backed by leading venture capital firms, VideaHealth is committed to transforming dental care through innovative AI solutions. For more information, visit videa.ai.

Explore the Future of Digital Technology With Dr. Paul Feuerstein at the Yankee Dental Congress

John Flucke - Technology Evangelist — Tue, 28 Jan 2025 04:00:00 -0800

Piggybacking off of yesterday's post, I'd be remiss if I didn't give you all of the info about my buddy Dr. Paul Feuerstein's Technology Playground at the YDC this week. I've known Paul for well over 30 years and he is truly one of the 'nice guys' in the industry. He's just one of those people you can't help but love. I'm not sure how long he's been doing his Technology Playground at YDC, but it's got to be at least 15 years, probably longer. Over that time he's been able to show the latest and greatest in dental technology to interested doctors and teams. If you're planning on being in Boston for this meeting make sure to put this on your list of things to see. The Technology Playground will be in the exhibit hall.

Join Dr. Paul Feuerstein, editor-in-chief of Dentistry Today, and Dr. Marty Jablow as they explore the fascinating world of new digital technology, equipment, and services in an interactive lecture series at Yankee Dental Congress.
The Digital Technology and Equipment Playground will be held across 3 days from January 30th through February 1st, and it will offer a unique opportunity to gain in-depth insights and hands-on experience with cutting-edge advancements in clinical products, software, artificial intelligence, voice recognition, cybersecurity, and more.
Interactive Lectures and Equipment Demonstrations
The event will feature ongoing presentations and equipment demonstrations every half hour, allowing attendees to join at any convenient time without prior registration. Whether you have just five minutes or a couple of hours to spare, you’ll find value in sessions tailored to fit your schedule and interests.
This event aims to simplify the decision-making process by providing clear, actionable information and expert recommendations. The knowledge and insights you gain will empower you to make smarter purchases and seamlessly integrate new technologies into your practice. Whether you’re looking to enhance patient care, improve operational efficiency, or bolster cybersecurity, this event will provide valuable tools and guidance to help you achieve your goals.
Event Details

Location: Exhibit Floor, Classroom B
Date: January 30 through February 1 (ongoing presentations and demonstrations every half hour)
Duration: Join for as little as five minutes or stay as long as you’d like
Registration: Not required

We look forward to seeing you at the interactive lecture series and equipment demonstrations. Don’t miss this chance to learn, explore, and connect with experts in the field of digital technology. Your journey toward a more technologically advanced practice begins here.
Click here for more information.

During YDC 2025: Leading Dental Cyber Security Firm Siligent Intelligent Technology Participating in Digital Technology & Equipment Playground

John Flucke - Technology Evangelist — Mon, 27 Jan 2025 04:00:00 -0800

Every year at the Yankee Dental Conference my buddy Dr. Paul Feuerstein, Editor of Dentistry Today, puts together a technology exhibit. It's affectionately called "The Dental Technology Playground" and always features the latest cutting edge technologies and companies in the techno-sphere. This year, Siligent will be one of the featured companies.

Their CEO Tasha Dickinson is one smart lady. I've had the pleasure of hosting her as a speaker on a DPR virtual event and I was mighty impressed with her knowledge. She has extensive experience in the field of cyber security and makes the subject interesting and fun to learn. If you are planning on being at the upcoming meeting in Boston, I'd highly recommend seeking her out for more info.

And if you'd like more info on Dr. Paul's Technology Playground, I've got the straight scoop for you. Read on for all the details...

Georgia, Vermont – January 22, 2025 – Siligent, a leading and trusted provider of advanced cybersecurity and IT solutions tailored specifically for the dental industry will be participating in The Digital Technology and Equipment Playground, which will be taking place in Classroom B on the left side of the exhibit floor entrance during the 50 Year Anniversary of Yankee Dental Congress taking place from January 30th to February 1st.

Hosted by dental technology thought leader and Dentistry Today editor-in-chief, Paul Feuerstein, DMD, the Digital Technology and Equipment Playground is three full days of non-CE interactive lectures and product demonstrations.

The Dental Technology and Equipment Playground will feature a variety of advanced dental technology topics, including the following:

• Digital Impression Scanning

• Treatment Planning & Design Software

• 3D Printing

• AI Software

• Cybersecurity

Speaking on the topic of cybersecurity, Dr. Feuerstein explained, “With the news of data breaches and dental office information being hacked, this information will be critical to maintain the health and safety of your practice.”

What’s more, Siligent CEO and Chief Technology Officer Tasha Dickinson will be presenting on a variety of cybersecurity-related topics throughout the three-day Dental Technology and Equipment Playground schedule, focusing on cybersecurity.

Thursday, January 30th at 4:00 PM | “Protecting your Practice - Cybersecurity in the AI Era”
Friday, January 31st at 4:00 PM | “Password Overload, What to Do When You Get Another Breach Notification ”
Saturday, February 1st, Time TBD| “Risk Assessments - What You Need to Protect Your Business”

“I’m honored to be participating in Dr Feuerstein’s exciting and interactive event. We need a space where dentists can interact with relevant technology and speak with experts face-to-face to get honest answers to difficult questions, not just interact with an AI chat bot.” said Dickinson. “Cybersecurity will be of critical importance to dental companies in 2025 so the timing of the valuable information and insights I will be sharing could not be more advantageous.”

Tasha will also be available to speak about your company’s specific cybersecurity and compliance challenges at a designated tabletop exhibit within the Dental Technology and Equipment Playground.

About Siligent Intelligent Technology:

Siligent is a leading and trusted provider of advanced cybersecurity and IT solutions tailored specifically for the dental industry.

Founded in 2020, the company empowers and supports dental professionals with secure, reliable, and innovative technologies to protect patient data, streamline operations, and improve clinical outcomes.

Since its inception, dental companies have trusted Siligent Technology to keep their businesses safe, connected, and ahead of the curve.

For more information, visit http://www.siligent.com.

About The Massachusetts Dental Society: The Massachusetts Dental Society (MDS), is a 5,000+ member constituent of the American Dental Association and is dedicated to the professional development of its member dentists through initiatives in education, advocacy, and promotion of the highest professional standards, and championing oral health in the Commonwealth. MDS, in cooperation with the dental associations of Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont sponsors the annual Yankee Dental Congress, a premiere dental meeting in the United States for dental professionals seeking the highest quality dental continuing education, as well as dental products, services, and resources. For more information visit www.massdental.org.

Tooth-Friendly Treats: Healthier Valentine’s Desserts

Social Media Collaborative — Thu, 23 Jan 2025 13:44:41 -0800

Valentine’s Day often comes along with overindulgence in sweet treats, which can impact your oral and overall health. Choosing tooth-friendly alternatives is a great way to show your love while protecting your smile. Explore tooth-friendly, healthier Valentine’s dessert ideas that are kinder to your teeth and don’t sacrifice flavor. The problem with traditional Valentine’s desserts […]

Ultradent Introduces Opalescence™ Home Advanced Teeth Whitening

John Flucke - Technology Evangelist — Thu, 23 Jan 2025 11:15:45 -0800

The tooth whitening market continues to expand and get better. A few years ago Ultradent released a whitening product called Opalescence™ Go! The product allowed patients to have a take home product that did a nice job without the need for custom trays. It is a lightening strip inside a thin flexible tray that contains the whitening strip. The patient pressed it to place and the strip with the whitening agent adhered to the tooth. Then the outer 'tray' was removed and the strip was left in place for the recommended time.

Today Ultradent has announced a new addition to that product line called Opalescence™ Home Advanced that is a bit different. The product is available to order now. Read on for all the details...

Ultradent Products, Inc., a leading developer and manufacturer of high-tech dental materials, is announcing the release of Opalescence™ Home Advanced prefilled whitening trays, combining at-home teeth whitening capabilities with professional-grade results and unmatched convenience.

Opalescence Home Advanced whitening features the innovative UltraFit™ tray, which adapts seamlessly to any smile and is ready to use right out of the box. The flexible tray with new injection-molded gel technology ensures precise, even gel distribution on the teeth for a one-step, premium whitening experience with minimal tray slippage and less mess. Patients can achieve a brighter, whiter smile—up to 4-5 shades lighter—for quick, visible results. Available in 10% and 15% hydrogen peroxide concentrations with a refreshing Mint flavor, this simple, one-step whitening solution delivers professional results whenever, wherever desired.

“Opalescence Home Advanced whitening is the ideal solution for patients seeking professional-level whitening results with the ease and comfort of at-home treatments,” says Ultradent Senior Category Manager Neil Poulsen. “This product reflects our commitment to creating innovative, patient-focused solutions that deliver exceptional outcomes.”

Designed with luxury, simplicity, and sustainability in mind, the elimination of the outer placement tray reduces waste, while simplifying and elevating the whitening process. Vegan, certified gluten-free, and certified kosher, Opalescence Home Advanced whitening offers a safe, effective, gentle whitening experience that fits seamlessly into any lifestyle.

Click here to learn more.

Planet DDS and Pearl Redefine Dental Care Standards with AI Assist: A Game-Changer for Multi-Location Practices

John Flucke - Technology Evangelist — Wed, 22 Jan 2025 07:15:31 -0800

Pearl, the dental AI program, continues to expand their footprint in the industry. In addition to providing their own diagnostic product for radiographs called Second Opinion, the company also offers this product as a seamless add-on to many practice management software systems.

As a standalone system (which is what my office uses) Second Opinion is accessed through a browser. We keep a tab open to Second Opinion at all times. An app on the server securely uploads images to Pearl in the cloud immediately, which provides us access to the images almost the moment they are taken.

However, several practice management systems have now partnered with Pearl to allow access to their AI without ever leaving the management software. One of those systems is the popular Planet DDS. Read on for the latest about their integration:

Planet DDS, a leading provider of cloud-based, enterprise-grade dental software solutions, today announced the launch of AI Assist in partnership with Pearl. AI Assist is the first AI diagnostic solution to integrate Pearl’s FDA-cleared AI directly into Denticon, providing proactive diagnostic insights from dental imaging tailored specifically for dental support organizations (DSOs) and multi-location practices.

By analyzing patient X-rays and surfacing potential findings before a patient even reaches the dentist’s chair, AI Assist allows clinicians to deliver timely, accurate diagnoses and address issues before they escalate.

"DSOs and multi-location practices face unique challenges when it comes to standardizing care and scaling operations," said Eric Giesecke, CEO of Planet DDS. "AI Assist bridges that gap by integrating cutting-edge tech into daily workflows, setting a new standard for how dental organizations operate.”

Addressing Key Pain Points for DSOs

AI Assist helps remove roadblocks to growth like fragmented workflows, inconsistent diagnostics, and missed opportunities for revenue. The solution’s AI-driven capabilities ensure:

Standardized Excellence Across Locations: Patients receive consistent, high-quality care across all locations with AI-driven diagnostic insights.
Proactive Revenue Growth: AI Assist automatically identifies treatment opportunities, increasing treatment acceptance rates and capturing more revenue.
Unified Workflow Experience: Centralized data, imaging, and insights eliminate inefficiencies caused by switching between platforms.
Scalable Innovation: AI Assist is built to support DSOs of all sizes, ensuring seamless performance whether managing one office or one hundred.

"Our partnership with Planet DDS is about more than technology—it’s about empowerment," said Ophir Tanz, Founder and CEO of Pearl. "AI Assist brings Pearl’s AI diagnostics to the heart of dental operations, ensuring practices never miss an opportunity to enhance care and drive growth. This integration sets a new industry standard for innovation and impact."

A New Standard for the Dental Industry

The AI Assist Beta program has already delivered tangible results for organizations like Onsite Dental, a leading provider of on-site and mobile dental services.

"During beta testing, we saw benefits immediately," said Rod Ganjifard, VP of Technology at Onsite Dental. "AI Assist isn’t about replacing clinicians; it’s about supporting them. It’s like having an extra set of eyes to boost confidence and accuracy. Our clinicians are empowered to think about their clinical practice in new ways.”

For more information about AI Assist, request a demo.

About Planet DDS:

Planet DDS is a leading provider of a platform of cloud-based solutions that empowers growth-minded dental businesses. Now serving over 13,000 practices and 118,000 customers in North America, Planet DDS delivers a comprehensive suite of solutions, including Denticon Practice Management, Cloud 9 Ortho Practice Management, and Apteryx Cloud Imaging. Planet DDS is dedicated to enabling dental support organizations (DSOs) and groups to grow and thrive with technology that delivers seamless integrations, improved workflows, and future-proof scalability. To learn more, visit: Planet DDS.

The State of Ransomware in the US

John Flucke - Technology Evangelist — Tue, 21 Jan 2025 04:00:00 -0800

As regular readers know, security is one of the many aspects of tech that fascinate me. I'm by NO means in expert in this. As the Technology Evangelist, I've always felt my role has been to make others aware of what is out there and what is on the horizon. I figure that way you can better prepare yourself for change and, really more importantly, not be caught flat footed by sweeping change. I think the hardest part about change is not doing it gradually.

With my background in dentistry, I've always said "Life is like orthodontics" and what I mean by this is pretty simple. Change accomplished gradually is usually pretty easy. Slow and steady change yields easy and predictable results. If you move teeth over 18-24 months, you can get amazing results. However, if you try and move teeth over a weekend, it won't work plus, it's going to be painful. So I like to keep on a constant moving sidewalk of improvement.

The other thing I've always felt is that you can't be an expert at everything. We all have our niches that we have a knack for. If you combine your abilities with great education and training, you get exponentially better. That's served me pretty well over the years. I've always gone by the philosophy of not stepping out of my core competency. My thought process has always been to find good people that are really good at what they do, and then get out of their way and let them do it. Micromanaging great employees only leads to frustration and micromanaging your vendors unnecessarily leads to the same.

So when it came to security, I made myself as knowledgeable as I could be, but I never handled it myself. I wanted to make sure I knew the space, but the more I learned, the more I realized how little I knew. I got to the point where I knew what I didn't know and I also realized that it was something I'd never be able to handle on my own.

When I owned by office, I tried to surround myself with the best employees and vendors I could find. One of those vendors was Emsisoft. I got lucky with this one. I had met and became good friends with a guy that I really respected for his knowledge of security. He happened to change jobs and began a career with Emsisoft. As we talked about the company and he gained experience there, I did some research on them and the combination of my research and my confidence in my friend combined to give me the confidence in letting them handle our antivirus needs as well as providing some of my security services.

Over the years, I continued to be impressed with them and over the years they became *really* involved with helping in the Ransomware space. I quickly learned that when Emsisoft talked about Ransomware, it paid to listen to them. If you are looking for a good company to protect yourself, I highly recommend using them.

They recently released a report titled "The State of Ransomware in the U.S.: Report and Statistics 2024". I've given it a thorough read and I think you should too. Here is a link to the report. It makes for fascinating reading!

A comparison of the effects of the Philips Sonicare 9900 Prestige power toothbrush with A3 Premium All-in-One brush head versus a manual toothbrush on plaque levels and gingival health

John Flucke - Technology Evangelist — Mon, 20 Jan 2025 04:00:00 -0800

A short post for today as all the *real* info will come from the link provided.

Recently I was perusing some info online and came across a nice study about the advantages of sonic powered toothbrushes versus manual brushing. Since we're now 3 weeks into 2025, you may be talking more to patients about their goals for the new year or the ways they want to improve themselves in 2025.

Of course, improving their oral health should be the goal of all of our patients and changing to powered brushing is a great way to do that. I remember a few years ago I was traveling and got caught up in a flight delay that caused me to miss my connection. I ended up having to spend the night in a Marriott near Chicago O'hare and unfortunately the airline couldn't provide me with my checked bag. I ended up checking in at the hotel and asking the front desk for a 'hygiene kit' with some of the items I no longer had with me. Of course part of that kit was a manual toothbrush and a small tube of toothpaste.

At that point, I hadn't used a manual toothbrush in, literally, years. As I got ready to turn in, I brushed my teeth and I couldn't believe how different it was to use a manual brush. Now granted, it wasn't a top of the line manual brush, but still... trying to get things feeling sparkling clean was a chore. I ended up being glad that I experienced that because from that point on, I had a great story to tell patients about my experience and why I was an even bigger fan of powered brushing.

Getting back to today's post, I came across a nice in-vivo study on the Philips Sonicare 9900 Prestige versus manual brushing. It's a short read, but pretty enlightening. There were 104 test subjects so it's a decent sized study with also a variety of ages. I'm pretty sure that most of us in the profession understand that powered brushes are 'just better' than manual brushing, but I think it's always good to occasionally see studies that confirm our gut feelings or basic knowledge.

The link will take you to a pdf of the study which is nice because if you'd like, you can download it to share with patients or save it to the computer in the hygiene operatory. You can find the study here:

https://www.philips.com/c-dam/b2c/hu_HU/experience/ClinicalAbstract_GingivalHealth_VIEWING.pdf

Pearl and Carestream Dental Partner to Offer Advanced Dental AI Solutions to Providers Across North America

John Flucke - Technology Evangelist — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 04:00:00 -0800

Here's some recent info from dental company Pearl. They offer AI solutions for dentists that involve helping with reading radiographs and helping to automate front office systems. We've been using the radiography system, called Second Opinion, for a while now and I've been very impressed with it. AI is a tech that you quickly realize you can't live without. Being able to get unbiased opinions on clinical situations is invaluable. Add to that the ability to show patients the imaging. It helps communicate their needs. We've had a great experience with Second Opinion.

Pearl and Carestream Dental recently announced a new partnership to natively integrate Pearl’s Second Opinion software into Carestream Dental’s advanced CS Imaging platform, which powers its portfolio of imaging systems.
Second Opinion is the first-and-only chairside dental AI software with global regulatory clearances to assist in the detection of common pathologies and other conditions in dental X-rays. The software provides real-time AI evaluations directly within CS Imaging to improve patient communication, enhance diagnostic capabilities and elevate practitioners’ overall standard of care. In partnering with Pearl, Carestream Dental is reinforcing its commitment to strategic partnerships to bring seamless solutions to market faster and provide broader access to innovation.
“Carestream Dental is a globally respected leader in imaging technology, and our collaboration is a significant step forward in advancing AI integration across the dental industry,” said Ophir Tanz, founder and CEO of Pearl. “By combining our innovative Second Opinion software with Carestream Dental’s world-class imaging products, we’re creating a more efficient, accurate, and impactful diagnostic experience for dental professionals and their patients.”
“We’re excited to collaborate with Pearl to natively integrate their powerful AI solutions into our imaging systems,” said Pinkesh Garg, managing director for the Americas at Carestream Dental. “By sharing resources and knowledge with a trusted industry leader like Pearl, we can deliver more options to our mutual customers that enhance diagnostic accuracy and help dental professionals make more informed decisions.”
For more information on Carestream Dental, or any of its innovative solutions, please visit carestreamdental.com.
To learn more about Pearl and its Second Opinion software, visit hellopearl.com/getdemo.
About Pearl
Pearl is an AI-driven company committed to enhancing patient care in dentistry. Founded in 2019 by a team with decades of experience developing successful, enterprise-grade computer vision solutions, Pearl introduced the first-ever FDA-cleared AI capable of reading and instantly identifying diseases in dental x-rays. With regulatory clearance in 120 countries, Pearl’s AI assists dentists in making precise clinical decisions and effectively communicating with patients, thereby transforming the dental care experience worldwide.
As dentistry’s global AI leader, Pearl is committed to the ongoing innovation of robust, accessible AI tools that improve patient health outcomes and build greater trust in dental medicine. To request a demo, please visit hellopearl.com/getdemo
About Carestream Dental
Carestream Dental is a digital solutions leader built on more than 125 years of experience that’s committed to transforming dentistry, simplifying technology and changing lives. In this pursuit, it offers three brand portfolios that enable practice optimization, efficiency and growth: The Carestream Dental brand portfolio of world-class oral healthcare devices; the Swissmeda brand portfolio of market-leading clinical software and services; and the Sensei brand portfolio of best-in-class practice management software and services.
These solutions connect industry partners, laboratories and payers to optimize oral healthcare providers’ preferred workflows.
For more information, please visit carestreamdental.com.

Ultradent Donating to Southern California Fire Relief

John Flucke - Technology Evangelist — Wed, 15 Jan 2025 05:19:03 -0800

I love Ultradent. I've worked with them and have used their products throughout my career. The quality is excellent and their products are top notch. However, one of the things that truly sets them apart is their *heart*. Their corporate motto is "Improving oral health globally" and they really mean it. Often times companies pay lip service to helping others, but Ultradent really walks the walk. They give products to many worthy causes and if there is a natural disaster, they are supporting those helping the afflicted. I like spending my money with companies that care.

So it's not surprising to me that they are already helping with the California wildfire situation. I got this information yesterday and felt it needed to be read by all of you right now.

Ultradent Products, Inc., a leading developer and manufacturer of high-tech dental materials, is donating 5% of U.S. sales from orders placed on Thursday, January 16, to the Red Cross to support relief efforts for those affected by the wildfires in Southern California.
“The devastation we’re witnessing in Southern California is staggering,” says Ultradent President and CEO Dirk Jeffs. “We are deeply moved by the perseverance and bravery we’ve seen during these wildfires. By pledging a portion of our sales to the Red Cross, Ultradent hopes to help bring relief and stability to impacted communities. We invite our partners in the dental community to join us in supporting the Red Cross and their admirable efforts.”
Additionally, Ultradent is offering dental supplies to affected care providers to assist in their recovery.
About Ultradent Products, Inc.
Ultradent Products, Inc., is a leading developer and manufacturer of high-tech dental materials, devices, and instruments worldwide. Ultradent’s vision is to improve oral health globally. Ultradent also works to improve the quality of life and health of individuals through financial and charitable programs. For more information about Ultradent, call 800.552.5512 or visit ultradent.com or find us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.

Inaugural Dental VIP (Venture, Innovation & Partnering) Summit Taking Place on February 19th in Chicago

John Flucke - Technology Evangelist — Mon, 13 Jan 2025 04:00:00 -0800

Are you interested in what the future of dentistry holds? If so, this announcement should be something you're aware of. On the Wednesday before the Chicago MidWinter Meeting commences, my buddy Marty Jablow and others are putting together The Dental VIP Summit. I'll be there, but so will lots of other folks in dentistry. Read the announcement and prepare to attend!

The inaugural Dental VIP (Venture, Innovation & Partnering) Summit, an event created to spotlight transformative technologies designed to revolutionize the dental industry, will take place on February 19, 2025, at the Intercontinental Chicago Miracle Mile.

This groundbreaking gathering is being held prior to the Chicago Dental Society Midwinter Meeting, and is offering a platform for start-ups, industry leaders, investors, and clinical innovators to connect, collaborate, and accelerate advancements in dental care.

Marty Jablow, DMD, Co-Chairman of the Summit and President of Dental Tech Advisors, emphasized the event's importance, stating, “The dental market is ripe for innovation, with significant unmet medical and technological needs. We saw an opportunity to create an exclusive event for a variety of key stakeholders who are driving dental innovation.”

The Dental VIP Summit will feature rapid-fire presentations from cutting-edge start-ups, panel discussions with industry leaders, and keynote insights from renowned experts.

What’s more, entrepreneurs, investors, corporate executives, and dental Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) will convene to address critical topics shaping the future of dentistry. Here is the preliminary agenda:

Here is the agenda:

10:30 - 11:00 AM | Check-In

11:00 - 11:10 AM | Introduction to the Innovation Summit

Presented By: Marty Jablow, DMD, President - Dental Tech Advisors

and Darius Somekhian, Co-Founder - Pair Dental

11:10 - 11:30 AM | Morning Keynote Presentation

“Where Dentistry and Dental Tech Need to Go in the Next Few Years”

Presented By: Christian Coachman, Founder & CEO - Digital Smile Design

11:30 - 12:20 PM | Early-Stage Dental Tech Shark Tank

12:20 - 1:00 PM | Networking Lunch

1:00 - 2:00 PM | The Future of AI and Automation in Dentistry Showcase

2:00 - 2:30 PM | Investing in Dental Start-Ups

2:30 - 3:00 PM | Afternoon Networking Break

3:00 - 3:30 PM | Afternoon Keynote Presentation

“How Glidewell is Leveraging Technology and Partnerships to Innovate and Address Unmet Needs in Dentistry”. Presented By: Stephenie Goddard, CEO – Glidewell Dental

3:30 - 4:15 PM | Innovation Showcase

4:15 - 4:45 PM | Future of Dentistry - KOL Perspectives

Panelists: Paul Feuerstein, DMD, Technology Editor – Dentistry Today;

John Flucke, DDS, Technology Editor - Dental Products Report; Pamela Maragliano-Muniz, DMD, Editor-in-Chief – Dental Economics;

Shervin Molayem, DDS, Editor in Chief - Mouth Body Research Institute

Moderated By: Marty Jablow, DMD, President - Dental Tech Advisors

4:45 - 5:15 PM | Future of Dentistry - Industry Perspectives

Presented By: Darius Somekhian, Co-Founder - Pair Dental

5:15 - 6:00 PM | Dental Disrupters Share Success Stories

6:00 - 7:00 PM | Closing Networking Reception

For more information about The Dental VIP Summit, contact Craig Simak, CEO of Healthegy craig@healthegy.com. To register for this event, visit https://www.dentalvipsummit.com/

About the Dental VIP Summit: The first of what is intended to be an ongoing series of ground-breaking events, the Dental VIP ( Venture, Innovation & Partnering) Summit is designed to explore the future of dental innovation and propel the standard of patient care forward. During each event, attendees will gain unparalleled access to insights from thought leaders, discover emerging technologies, and network with top-tier professionals, including entrepreneurs, corporate R&D teams, business development executives, and investors.

Community Water Fluoridation at Recommended Levels Reduces Tooth Decay

John Flucke - Technology Evangelist — Thu, 09 Jan 2025 04:00:00 -0800

This one is important. Many experts have called water fluoridation the greatest public health initiative in U.S. history. The ADA has put the following press release online as of January 6, 2025.

The American Dental Association (ADA) remains committed to the oral health benefits of optimally fluoridated water. The recent article in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Pediatrics “Fluoride Exposure and Children’s IQ Scores: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis” consists of the metanalysis left out of the National Toxicology Program’s (NTP) monograph released in August and does not provide any new evidence to warrant changing current community water fluoridation practices.

An accompanying commentary, “Caution Needed in Interpreting the Evidence Base on Fluoride and IQ,” by University of Iowa dental professor and international expert on fluoride intake, Steven Levy, D.D.S., M.P.H., cautions that the systematic review and meta-analysis, which contend fluoride exposure can lower children’s IQ levels, are deeply flawed. “While I have serious concerns about biases and other methodological flaws in this meta-analysis, the main takeaway is that it did not find any connection between lower IQ and fluoride intake at the level recommended for community water fluoridation,” Dr. Levy’s commentary explains. Dr. Levy is also a member of the ADA’s National Fluoridation Advisory Committee.

“The public needs to understand that the levels examined in NTP report are from countries with high levels of naturally occurring fluoride that is more than double the amount recommended by the U.S. Public Health Service to optimally fluoridate community water systems and help prevent dental disease,” said Brett Kessler, D.D.S., president of the American Dental Association. “A more recent study in which the level of fluoride in water is comparable to that in the U.S. found no measurable effect on cognitive neurodevelopment or IQ scores in children. To prevent dental disease the ADA continues to recommend drinking optimally fluoridated water along with twice daily brushing with fluoride toothpaste and eating a healthy diet, low in added sugars,” said Dr. Kessler.

The ADA’s National Fluoridation Advisory Committee and other experts concluded the final National Toxicology Program did not adequately address or overcome biases and weaknesses of the studies reviewed as identified from initial NTP draft reports. The report twice failed peer review by the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine (NASEM), required additional scientific review by an NTP Board of Scientific Counselors (BSC), and underwent a significant number of revisions and edits before it was finally released earlier this year.

The final NTP report was also considered in a recent District Court case, and the key takeaway from the District Court ruling is that the final NTP report “does not conclude with any certainty that fluoridated water is injurious to public health,” as stated by District Court Judge Edward Chen.

“As a science-based organization with health care professionals dedicated to improving the oral and overall health of the public, the ADA welcomes future U.S.-based research and data relevant to this country’s practice of fluoridating water,” Dr. Kessler states. “The ADA has yet to see any peer-reviewed published research that would alter its long-standing position that optimally fluoridated water is beneficial and safe for the oral health of the public.”

For more information on community water fluoridation and ADA advocacy, visit ADA.org/fluoride.

About the American Dental Association

The not-for-profit ADA is the nation's largest dental association, representing 159,000 dentist members. The premier source of oral health information, the ADA has advocated for the public's health and promoted the art and science of dentistry since 1859. The ADA's state-of-the-art research facilities develop and test dental products and materials that have advanced the practice of dentistry and made the patient experience more positive. The ADA Seal of Acceptance has long been a valuable and respected guide to consumer dental care products. The Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA), published monthly, is the ADA's flagship publication and the best-read scientific journal in dentistry. For more information about the ADA, visit ADA.org. For more information on oral health, including prevention, care and treatment of dental disease, visit the ADA's consumer website MouthHealthy.org.

About the ADA Forsyth Institute

The ADA Forsyth Institute was founded in 1910 as the Forsyth Dental Infirmary for Children (later, the Forsyth Institute), to provide dental care to the disadvantaged children of Boston. While continuing to serve children in need, yet recognizing the ultimate goal is to prevent dental disease, the Institute in 1915 began to focus on scientific research and is today the world’s leader in oral health research. In October of 2023, the Institute joined with the American Dental Association to form the ADA Forsyth Institute, a 501(c)(3) entity dedicated to improving people’s oral and overall health and powering the profession of dentistry through cutting-edge basic research, creative translational science, innovative clinical technologies, and global public health outreach. Consistent with the Institute’s founding mission, the ADA ForsythKids mobile dental program continues to serve children in need.

Why Data Security can be an Investment and not a Cost

John Flucke - Technology Evangelist — Wed, 08 Jan 2025 04:00:00 -0800

As regular readers know, I'm pretty passionate about data security. I try and use 'best practices' in all of my digital endeavours, but especially so with things dealing with the office. Our profession has seen a huge impact due to data breaches in the last 2-3 years and unfortunately it isn't going to go away. Since the Covid shutdown in 2020, healthcare has been either #1 or for sure in the top 5 of data brach targets.

Many doctors just don't comprehend the costs that come from suffering a breach. In addition to all of the fuzzy costs of office downtime, network rebuilds, loss of reputation, there are huge fines that can be issued by the federal government.

Recently a dental office in Indiana had to pay a fine of $350,000 due to suffering a breach. This, of course was in addition to all of the other costs that come with this nightmare.

So please take this seriously. This is an issue that requires professional help and the help needs to be a company that deals with data security as their main focus. Your local IT person who keeps your office network humming along is probably not skilled enough in this area. Many doctors who suffer a breach can't understand what happened as they asked their IT professional if they were protected and were told they were.

This isn't a slam on those folks. Just like we, as doctors, refer cases that are outside our level of expertise, an office needs someone who deals with security for a living. The criminals who perform these intrusions are professionals. Many are computer scientists with graduate degrees. They make their living by using their knowledge to exploit little known weaknesses in an office's security profile. My point is that the people who are doing this are incredibly smart and are experts at what they are doing. You need that same level of expertise to protect you.

I have NO financial interest in this, but I've been very impressed with Black Talon Security and I feel they do a great job. If you want to as protected as possible, reach out to them.

Learn Composite Dentistry at the Center for Esthetic Excellence in Chicago Announcing Spring 2025 Continuing Education Lectures / Hands-on Workshops

John Flucke - Technology Evangelist — Tue, 07 Jan 2025 08:55:07 -0800

The Center for Esthetic Excellence (CEE) has scheduled a lecture and hands-on workshop, entitled, “Anterior and Posterior Composites: Freehand Bonding for Esthetic and Functional Success,” presented by Dr. Dennis B. Hartlieb, Thursday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., March 6-7, 2025.

Discover traditional and non-traditional uses of direct composite for anterior and posterior restorations highlighted and demonstrated in this hands-on workshop. This course will review the materials and techniques necessary to deliver life-like, invisible anterior composite restorations. From Class V to the full composite veneer, the program outlines the steps to create minimally invasive, beautiful restorations that mimic nature.

Simplified techniques to create ideal posterior restorations will be demonstrated and practiced. From restoring the side-by-side Class II restorations, to managing the more challenging bulk-fill and margin elevation techniques, this hands-on workshop will be invaluable for the restorative dentist in their day-to-day practice.

See these links for more details:

March 6-7, 2025 at The Center for Esthetic Excellence in Chicago

https://www.cosmedent.com/product/anterior-and-posterior-composites-free-hand-bonding-techniques-for-esthetic-and-functional-success/

Here is the website link to the full CEE 2025 In-Person course schedule:

https://www.cosmedent.com/continuing-education/in-person-classes/?fwp_format=live-in-person

Please contact Erika Heier, by e-mail erika@cosmedent.com with any questions you may have or if you would like to register.

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