by Cantel’s Dental division acquires European-based Omnia
Cantel Medical Corp. (NYSE:CMD), announced that it has completed its previously announced acquisition to acquire Omnia S.p.A., an Italian-based market leader in dental surgical consumable solutions. The portfolio infection prevention solutions of Cantel’s Dental division, Crosstex International Inc. will be further expanded to include Omnia’s wide-ranging portfolio of sutures, irrigation tubing and customized dental surgical procedure kits, with a focus on procedure room set-up and cross-contamination prevention. “Omnia’s comprehensive product lines of high-quality, innovative infection prevention and surgical solutions will be a strong addition to our growing dental portfolio,” said Gary Steinberg, President of Crosstex, Cantel’s Dental division. “We believe Omnia’s existing sales channels and focus on specialty dentistry will better equip us to service an additional segment of the dental market where maintaining aseptic procedures is critical.”
“We are very excited to join Cantel’s Dental division,” stated Robert Cerioli, new Managing Director for Cantel’s European Dental business (formerly President of Omnia) “As a part of the Cantel organization, we are better equipped to service the dental practices and expand the adoption of both the Omnia and Crosstex portfolios within the European markets.”
CVS partners with SmileDirectClub
CVS Health is running a pilot with SmileDirectClub to fit people for the start-up’s invisible braces in CVS’ drugstores. In working with SmileDirectClub, CVS has added a so-called SmileShopExpress inside six of its drugstores. There, people can get a 3D scan that will be used to create their invisible braces. This is a pilot program for now, the companies said. SmileDirectClub was already selling its kits inside retailers, including CVS and Macy’s, but the pilot program could increase its exposure.
ADA supports legislation to extend funding for dental public health programs
The American Dental Association (ADA) sent a letter of thanks to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions for introducing S 192, the Community and Public Health Programs Extension Act. The legislation was the focus of the committee’s Jan. 29 hearing and would extend funding for Community Health Centers, Teaching Health Centers and the National Health Service Corps through 2024. The ADA noted that the Health Resources and Services Administration supports the operation of nearly 1,400 health centers nationwide and community health centers serve as integrated health care homes for more than 28 million patients. According to the 2017 Uniform Data System, more than 15 million patient visited community health center dental programs.
Wallethub releases list of states with worst dental health
Wallethub released its list of U.S. states with the best and worst dental health. The organization compared all 50 states and the District of Columbia across 26 key indicators of dental awareness. The data set ranges from share of adoles- cents who visited a dentist in the past year to dental treatment costs to share of adults with low life satisfaction due to oral condition. The 10 states with the worst dental health are:
51. Arkansas
50. Mississippi|
49. West Virginia
48. Alabama
47. Louisiana
46. Alaska
45. Texas
44. Florida
43. Montana
42. California
To see the full list, visit https://wallethub.com/edu/states-with-best-worst-dental-health/31498/#main-findings
Florida considering options to combat dentist shortage
Floridians for Dental Access, a new coalition seeking to rectify the shortage of dentists in Florida, has asked state lawmakers to sign off on a new healthcare license for dental therapists, who could perform a basic clinical dental treatment, preventive services, and other related services under the supervision of dentists. The Commission on Dental Accreditation adopted education standards for dental therapy programs in 2015, and several states have authorized dental therapists including Alaska, Arizona, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota and Vermont. The initiative is not without controversy. The Florida Dental Association is opposed to the idea and as an alternative, is asking the Legislature to appropriate $500,000 to fund a forgiveness program for 10 dental students who would be willing to work in public-health settings or underserved areas.
