Industry Insider

Sirona Dental Systems is celebrating 100 years of innovation in dental x-ray imaging with a nationwide contest that began May 1^st and concludes December 31^st, 2005. To participate, dentists must complete the entry form at www.Sirona100.com or call 1-800-659-5977, Ext. 143, for details on how to submit an entry. All submissions will be entered to win a free Sirona ORTHOPHOS XG 5 Pan (Valued at $45,995). The drawing will be held at the Chicago Mid-Winter Meeting in February 2006. Five additional second prizes of $2,500 credit vouchers toward the purchase of a new ORTHOPHOS XG Pan will also be awarded in the drawing.

Sunstar Butler’s GUM® brand Delicate Toothbrush was rated very positively by an independent, non-profit dental education and product testing foundation. Some 77% of the independent dental practice evaluators stated they would incorporate the Delicate Toothbrush into their daily office routine. In addition, 95% of these evaluators stated they would recommend the GUM Delicate Toothbrush to their colleagues. Designed for post-surgery and other sensitive oral tissue conditions, the Delicate Toothbrush features ultra-soft .004" nylon bristles that provide gentle treatment while effectively cleaning the area.

Drake Precision Dental Laboratory, Inc. has introduced a versatile travel program that involves not just airline miles, but which offers free credit toward all travel needs. This unique service provides valued partners with the ability to travel free to their favorite destinations without restrictions. Drake Rewards travel credits can be redeemed for any service offered through a travel agency, without exceptions. For more information, call Drake Customer Support at 1-800-476-2771.

Cantel Medical Corp., as a part of its strategic plan to expand its infection prevention and control business, has acquired Crosstex International, Inc., a leading manufacturer and reseller of infection control/single-use disposable products used broadly in the healthcare arena, principally in the dental market. As a result of this acquisition, Crosstex became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cantel Medical Corp., providing Crosstex with the ability to expand its leadership roll and that of Cantel’s.

OraPharma Rated Top in Customer Support
OraPharma, Inc. was rated as the top company for customer support by a survey of dental health professionals recently conducted by Health Products Research, Inc.® (HPR). The extensive blinded research findings were the result of HPR’s Metropolitan Area Promotional Audit, in which a self-reported diary was completed by 647 randomly selected offices from across the U.S. about their hygiene and periodontal disease treatment protocols, as well as the products they use and the companies that support them. OraPharma, Inc. serves the dental community, specifically the periodontal space, with ARESTIN® (minocycline hydrochloride) Microspheres, 1 mg, and Oraqix® (lidocaine and prilocaine periodontal gel) 2.5% / 2.5%, a new subgingival local anesthetic periodontal gel.

On September 30^th, 200 dental professionals gathered in downtown Denver to participate in the first “Paulina’s Promise Seminar Series.” Founded by Dr. and Mrs. Gary Radz in memory of their daughter Paulina Elizabeth Grace Radz—who was born with a congenital heart disease—the annual Fall seminar series was conceptualized as a win-win educational proposition to raise much-needed funding for the Heart Institute at the Children’s Hospital in Denver, CO. As a result of this year’s event, the Heart Institute will be presented with a check for more than $25,000.

Opening the seminar was Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper, who thanked attendees for their participation in the unique and worthy event. Presenters at this year’s seminar were Dr. Dennis Wells, who educated the group about the latest in smile design and minimally invasive esthetic dentistry, and Dr. Bill Dorfman, who enlightened and entertained the audience with a discussion of cosmetic dentistry and a behind-the-scenes look at the “Extreme Makeover” television show. In addition, 11 different manufacturers and dental laboratories exhibited at the meeting, and Dr. Radz gives special recognition to the Metro Denver Dental Society, Discus Dental, and Drs. Wells and Dorfman for their instrumental efforts in making the inaugural seminar possible.

Patterson Dental and National Electronic Attachment, Inc. (NEA) have announced a partnership to provide Patterson EagleSoft customers with FastAttach—an electronic attachment solution designed to streamline the process of insurance submissions and processing. Using FastAttach, Patterson EagleSoft users can transmit electronic attachments (e.g., x-rays, perio charts, intraoral images, narratives, and EOBs) directly to NEA, where they are stored securely for quicker, more efficient review by insurance carriers. FastAttach eliminates the need for duplicating and mailing attachments for claims, increasing efficiency and benefiting patients, offices, and insurance carriers.

Sirona Hits 1,000 Mark for ORTHOPHOS XG Deliveries
Sirona Dental Systems announced recently that more than 1,000 ORTHOPHOS XG units have been delivered worldwide since their introduction in September 2004. The ORTHOPHOS XG panoramic/cephalometric product family provides a simplified approach and practical design that deliver the benefits of direct digital imaging to any practice. Further, the ORTHOPHOS XG product family is designed to encourage additional procedural capabilities as a practice or technology advances.