Zimmer Biomet and RTI Surgical® Partner with AAID Foundation to Expand Access to Dental Care for Veterans

Zimmer Biomet and RTI Surgical Holdings, Inc. today announced they are donating a supply of dental implants and wound care products to the American Academy of Implant Dentistry Foundation (AAIDF) for an initiative benefitting veterans of the United States Armed Forces. The AAIDF is the charitable arm of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, a Chicago-based professional organization that advances the science and practice of implant dentistry through education and research support and serves as the credentialing standard for implant dentistry. Under the new partnership, Zimmer Biomet, through its Dental division, donated thousands of collagen wound care products that will be used in socket preservation procedures preparing veterans to receive dental implant therapy. RTI’s donation includes allograft implants that provide options for veterans undergoing dental implant surgery.
“While we are proud to serve patients around the globe, as a U.S.-based company, we are honored to help restore quality of life to the men and women who have bravely protected us,” said Mike Ursu, MD, Global Associate Director, Professional Relations, Zimmer Biomet Dental.
The AAIDF and company partners will announce the partnership at an event hosted at Zimmer Biomet Dental’s Palm Beach Gardens headquarters on Tuesday, April 16. Attendees will include Congressman Brian Mast (R-FL 18th District), leaders of global medical technology companies and the AAIDF, and guest veterans.
“A person’s dental health has a significant impact on their overall health and quality of life,” said Olivier Visa, Vice President, OEM, Sports and Donor Services, RTI Surgical. “We are privileged to join Zimmer Biomet to give back to our nation’s veterans by helping improve their access to quality dental care.”
For some patient populations, including U.S. veterans, with higher rates of pre-existing conditions such as diabetes, arthritis and certain cancers, the material used for implants plays a significant role in promoting enhanced bone healing.^1,2,3 With the support and resources provided through the AAIDF initiative, dental procedures will be available to even more veterans.
“Giving something as simple as a smile to those who have given and sacrificed so much for this country is an honor. Humanitarian efforts are important to the AAID Foundation Board, and we look forward to expanding programs to support our country’s heroes,” says Larry Bush, DDS, FAAID, DABIO/ID, Foundation Chairman.
Natalie Wong, DDS, FAAID, DABOI/ID, AAID President, agrees: “The AAID is proud to ask our approximately 800 credentialed members to help implement this new initiative from our Foundation, to help veterans feel more confident about their smiles.”
Wound care products donated by Zimmer Biomet include RegenePro® Plug and RegenePro® Sponge, which are made of 100 percent purified Type I Bovine Collagen. Through a proprietary manufacturing technology, these products take the shape of the wound, absorb the fluids to stabilize it, and help to accelerate healing.
Items donated by RTI will include several implants manufactured by RTI and distributed by Zimmer Biomet as part of an OEM partnership between the two companies. RTI’s donation includes Puros Demineralized Bone Matrix Putty, Puros Cortical Particulate Allograft and Puros Cancellous Particulate Allograft, among others. RTI offers comprehensive services to its OEM partners, from concept initiation and development through processing and manufacturing.
About the AAID Foundation
The AAID Foundation was started in 1982 with a mission to further the science of oral implantology through research and education and to support the delivery of implant care through humanitarian efforts. The AAID Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity that awards grands each year to the dental students and those in post-graduate and residency programs. The Foundation is supported by generous donations from AAID members and corporate sponsors. For more information contact the Foundation at foundation@aaid.com or by calling 312.925.1388. Our website is www.aaid.com/foundation.
About Zimmer Biomet
Founded in 1927 and headquartered in Warsaw, Indiana, Zimmer Biomet is a global leader in musculoskeletal healthcare. We design, manufacture and market orthopaedic reconstructive products; sports medicine, biologics, extremities and trauma products; office-based technologies; spine, craniomaxillofacial and thoracic products; dental implants; and related surgical products.
We collaborate with healthcare professionals around the globe to advance the pace of innovation. Our products and solutions help treat patients suffering from disorders of, or injuries to, bones, joints or supporting soft tissues. Together with healthcare professionals, we help millions of people live better lives.
We have operations in more than 25 countries around the world and sell products in more than 100 countries. For more information, visit www.zimmerbiomet.com or follow Zimmer Biomet on Twitter at www.twitter.com/zimmerbiomet.
About RTI Surgical Holdings, Inc.
RTI Surgical is a leading global surgical implant company providing surgeons with safe biologic, metal and synthetic implants. Committed to delivering a higher standard, RTI’s implants are used in sports medicine, general surgery, spine, orthopedic and trauma procedures and are distributed in nearly 50 countries. RTI has four manufacturing facilities throughout the U.S. and Europe. RTI is accredited in the U.S. by the American Association of Tissue Banks and is a member of AdvaMed. For more information, please visit www.rtix.com. Connect with us on LinkedIn and Twitter.
References
1. Liu Y, Sayam S, Shao X, et al. Prevalence of and Trends in Diabetes Among Veterans, United States, 2005-2014. Prev Chronic Dis. 2017;14:E135.
2. Office of Research & Development. (n.d.). Retrieved April 4, 2019, from https://www.research.va.gov/topics/arthritis.cfm
3. Zhu K, Devesa SS, Wu H, et al. Cancer incidence in the U.S. military population: comparison with rates from the SEER program. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2009;18(6):1740-5.