news

Affordable Dentures & Implants opens practice in Kissimmee, FL
Affordable Dentures & Implants opened a new practice in Kissimmee, Florida. This practice opening marks Florida’s nineteenth practice in the Affordable Dentures & Implants affiliated network. The practice is led by Anthony Graham, DMD. The Kissimmee practice aims to increase local patient access to critically-needed tooth replacement services by offering free consultations and X-rays for new patients.

New DSO formed in Hawaii
A new dental service provider was established in Hawaii with the acquisition of four existing dentist offices on three islands, funded by Tradewind Capital Group (Honolulu, HI). Premier Dental Group Hawaii has offices in Aiea and Pearl City on Oahu, Kapaa on Kauai, and Hilo on the Big Island. Premier Dental allows the convenience of visiting one dental office for multiple services, such as routine exams and teeth cleanings to specialized dentistry such as oral surgery, endodontics, orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, implant surgery, cosmetic dentistry, and teeth whitening. The company plans to invest in state-of-the-art dental equipment, including three-dimensional digital imaging technology, computer-aided design and manufacturing technology for same day crowns and laser technology to give its clients the most advanced service package available.

Medicaid dentistry and the group practice
The merits of comprehensive dental healthcare – especially for the tens of millions of children covered by Medicaid – cannot be overstated. According to a 2016 Pew Charitable Trusts report, tooth decay is the most common chronic disease among U.S. children – five times more prevalent than asthma – and dental care is one of the nation’s greatest unmet health needs among children, especially in low-income, minority, and rural communities. In 2012, more than 4 million children did not receive needed dental care because their families could not afford it. Even when controlling for insurance status, low-income and minority children remain less likely than higher-income children to receive preventive dental care, according to the report. An article in the July-August 2017 issue of Efficiency explored the need for Medicaid dentistry, some of the access challenges that currently exist, and solutions that will help ensure dentists build upon the Medicaid dental access gains that are already demonstrating improved health outcomes and increased cost savings in a number of states. Visit https://www.dentalgrouppractice.com/is-medicaid-dentistry-sustainable.html

Crosstex International strategically strengthens marketing, sales teams
Crosstex International Inc (Hauppauge, NY), a subsidiary of Cantel Medical Corporation, strategically strengthened both its marketing and sales teams in anticipation of the retirement of SVP Andy Whitehead. This process was started nearly 4 years ago by adding additional talent to the top levels of sales and marketing with Whitehead transitioning to M&A/business development. Crosstex International’s sales department is headed up by Ken Plunkett, SVP of global sales. The marketing team is headed by Jackie Beltrani, VP of global marketing.

Zirc launches new color-code guide
Zirc (Buffalo, NY) launched its new and improved color-code guide. The new guide features simple, step-by-step recommendations to set up a color-code system for one, or all, of your procedures. According to the company, having a color-code system in place will allow users to save at least 5 minutes per procedure and minimize the time and stress of trying to find instruments and materials. You may request your own hard-copy of the Color Code Guide to achieve optimal efficiency and organization in your dental practice. To download Zirc’s Color Code Guide, visit zirc.com/colorcode

Kool Smiles donates $8,000 to Indiana University Dental Student Outreach Clinic
Kool Smiles recently donated $8,000 to the Indiana University School of Dentistry (IUSD) to expand service offerings at its Dental Student Outreach Clinic. The donation will help the clinic provide free root canals to local adults in need. Many of the clinic’s patients who required root canals were previously unable to receive them due to cost barriers. The IUSD Dental Student Outreach Clinic opened in 2009 and is run by volunteer dentists, faculty, and students from the dental school. The clinic helps an average of 20-25 patients every other Saturday and remains open for 11 months of the calendar year.

Aspen Dental to open new office in Alabama
Aspen Dental will open a new office in Mobile, Alabama. The new dental office is led by Dr. Harry Houston. Dr. Houston and his team will provide dental services ranging from dentures and denture repairs, to preventive care, general dentistry, and restoration. The new office is the one of 15 Aspen Dental practices in Alabama.

Air Techniques launches new shopping cart web platform
Air Techniques Inc (Melville, NY) announced a new shopping cart feature is available on the company’s website. The new “Shop” platform allows dental practitioners to place “order requests” with their preferred dealer via the Air Techniques website. Currently, the online order requests are limited to the following products: Monarch infection control products, chemistry, processor cleaners, CamX accessories and ScanX accessories. Dental practitioners will receive a complimentary Air Techniques shopping bag with their first order placed – while supplies last. For more information on Air Techniques, visit http://www.airtechniques.com.

Great Expressions Dental Centers makes donation to Transracial Journeys
Great Expressions Dental Centers (GEDC) (Southfield, MI) donated $14,000 to Transracial Journeys, an educational and social organization designed to support multicultural families. The funds provided to Transracial Journeys were the result of individual GEDC employee donations with matching donations from GEDC and the family of Kurt Harvey, GEDC’s chief business development officer. https://www.greatexpressions.com/