A new analysis has shown that older adults delayed dental care more than any other health care during the pandemic, CareQuest Institute for Oral Health announced today.

CareQuest Institute – a leading national nonprofit focused on creating a more accessible, equitable, and integrated oral health system – is reiterating its call for dental coverage to be added to Medicare, which would expand access to oral health for seniors and people with disabilities, improve health outcomes, and reduce the deep racial inequities that exist in our health system.

CareQuest Institute analyzed responses from three surveys of Medicare beneficiaries conducted by federal health officials. It released several key findings from the analysis today, including:

· 1 in 5 Medicare beneficiaries (21%), or 13 million people, delayed some form of health care due to the disruption caused by COVID-19.

· Nearly 44% of those who delayed care, or 5.7 million people, put off dental care — a higher rate than any of the other seven types of care, including medical treatment, medical surgery, and vision or hearing services.

· Between the summer and fall of 2020, the likelihood of delaying dental care fell in white and Hispanic participants, while Black participants who delayed dental care increased from 36% to 45% in the same period.

“We continue to advocate that dental care be covered by Medicare because it’s a commonsense solution to the many barriers that millions of people, including older adults, face when accessing health care,” said Michael Monopoli, DMD, MPH, MS, FACD, FICD, vice president of grant strategy at CareQuest Institute. “It’s also a way for us to address some of the many adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, including a likely increase in oral disease because of delayed care.”

Strengthening Medicare by including dental coverage would also help counter the likely scenario revealed by the surveys: that America will experience a pandemic-related spike in tooth decay and other forms of oral disease.

A 2021 CareQuest Institute poll revealed that 8 in 10 voters favored the inclusion of dental benefits in Medicare. CareQuest Institute and its long-standing partners have been fiercely advocating for the dental benefit inclusion.

Older adults in the US face barriers to accessing dental care, including cost of care, lack of transportation, and difficulty navigating the oral health care system. In 2021, over 26 million Medicare beneficiaries lacked dental coverage, exacerbating older adults’ risk for poor oral health outcomes. Without coverage, dental care can impose significant out-of-pocket costs on older adults and many don’t receive regular routine dental services. Disruptions in access to dental care due to the COVID-19 pandemic further worsened oral health disparities.

Click here to read the full CareQuest Institute analysis.

About CareQuest Institute for Oral Health®

CareQuest Institute for Oral Health® is a national nonprofit championing a more equitable future where every person can reach their full potential through excellent health. We do this through our work in grantmaking, research, health improvement programs, policy and advocacy, and education as well as our leadership in dental benefits and innovation advancements. We collaborate with thought leaders, health care providers, patients, and local, state, and federal stakeholders, to accelerate oral health care transformation and create a system designed for everyone. To learn more, visit carequest.org and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.

Dentsply Sirona appointed Andrew Robinson as its new Senior Vice President for the North America Regional Commercial Organization. In his role, Andrew Robinson will lead Dentsply Sirona’s direct and indirect sales organization in the United States and Canada. He will be based at the company’s headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina and report directly to CEO Don Casey.

“With Andrew, we have a globally experienced executive with a long and distinguished track record,” says Don Casey, Chief Executive Officer. “He will drive our efforts to positively propel the dental industry forward in this region and to empower dental professionals to transform the oral health of their patients for the better.”

Robinson brings extensive expertise and a growth mindset to his new assignment. Throughout his career, he has consistently demonstrated his ability to create a culture of engagement and accountability while delivering customer value. He joins Dentsply Sirona from Danish medical company, Coloplast, where he was Senior Vice President for Emerging Markets since 2018. Previously, he was Vice President, Surgical for the APAC region of Alcon as well as Vice President & GM for the MedSurg Business Group of Stryker Corporation in Japan. Earlier in his career, he held positions of increasing responsibility in Sales and Marketing, starting as a sales representative and progressing through sales training, management, and global product management. Robinson, a veteran of the United States Air Force, earned an MBA in Global Strategic Management and Marketing from the University of Wisconsin and holds a bachelor’s degree in Atmospheric Sciences from the Ohio State University.

ABOUT DENTSPLY SIRONA

Dentsply Sirona is the world’s largest manufacturer of professional dental products and technologies, with over a century of innovation and service to the dental industry and patients worldwide. Dentsply Sirona develops, manufactures, and markets a comprehensive solution offering, including dental and oral health products as well as other consumable medical devices under a strong portfolio of world class brands. Dentsply Sirona’s products provide innovative, high-quality and effective solutions to advance patient care and deliver better and safer dental care. Dentsply Sirona’s headquarters are located in Charlotte, North Carolina. The company’s shares are listed in the United States on NASDAQ under the symbol XRAY. Visit www.dentsplysirona.com for more information about Dentsply Sirona and its products.

DISCLAIMER

This information and any attachment thereto contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are not guarantees of future performance. These forward-looking statements reflect views and assumptions regarding expectations and projections about future events and are based on currently available information or information available on the date of any document incorporated by reference. You can generally identify these forward-looking statements by the use of words such as "may," "could," "estimate," "will," "believe," "anticipate," "think," "intend," "expect," "project," "plan," "target," "forecast", and similar words and expressions. However, these words are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements. In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances are forward-looking statements and may include statements relating to future revenues, expenses, margins, profitability, net income/(loss), earnings per share and other measures of results of operations and the prospects of future growth of our business. These forward-looking statements are inherently subject to uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. For a discussion of such risks, uncertainties and other matters that could cause actual results to differ materially, including risks relating to, among other factors, the market for dental products and services, pricing, future sales volume of the Company's products, the possibility of changing economic, market and competitive conditions, dependence on products, dependence on key personnel, technological developments, intense competition, market uncertainties, dependence on distributors, ability to manage growth, dependence on key suppliers, dependence on key members of management, government regulation, our ability to integrate the businesses of Dentsply Sirona, acquisitions and affiliations, readers are urged to carefully review and consider various disclosures made by the Company and Dentsply Sirona in their public filings, including in their Annual Reports on Form 10-K and in their reports on Forms 10-Q and 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. Except as required by law, the Company does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this document or the attachments to reflect new information or future events or developments after the date any such statement is made. 

Henry Schein, Inc. (Nasdaq: HSIC) announced today the refreshed ACCLEAN® brand, a comprehensive line of products for all stages of preventive care, distributed exclusively through Henry Schein, featuring a color-coded, three-stage packaging system to help dental hygienists stay organized.

The refreshed ACCLEAN branding was developed based on direct feedback from more than 400 hygienists across the U.S. to better align with the quality of the ACCLEAN products. The enhanced packaging helps hygienists quickly and easily identify the products they need through three color-coded stages of care:

Clean and Polish: Fundamental prevention products used to clean teeth during hygiene visits;

Treat and Protect: Products that promote and sustain oral hygiene after a visit; and

Home Care: Products hygienists need to help support patients’ daily oral wellness at home.

“We at Henry Schein know that our customers rely on us to provide high-quality, high-value products that help simplify their day-to-day operations, and that is exactly why we’ve refreshed the ACCLEAN brand,” said Mike Nelson, Vice President, Global Marketing, Henry Schein Brands. “The new look and feel of ACCLEAN has been contemporized and elevated to better align with the quality of our products, and create a more seamless experience for dental hygienists.”

In addition to refreshed packaging, a selection of new products has also been added to the ACCLEAN brand portfolio, such as the new ACCLEAN Ultrasonic Scaler, which features dual frequency 25K/30K technology to automatically detect inserts to quickly integrate with existing equipment as well as autogain technology to maintain power throughout a procedure. Popular products within the ACCLEAN brand, including the prophy paste, dissolvable whitening strips, and varnish treatments, will continue to be available for dental hygienists.

For more information about the new ACCLEAN brand, please visit www.henryscheindental.com/Acclean.

About Henry Schein, Inc.

Henry Schein, Inc. (Nasdaq: HSIC) is a solutions company for health care professionals powered by a network of people and technology. With more than 21,600 Team Schein Members worldwide, the Company's network of trusted advisors provides more than 1 million customers globally with more than 300 valued solutions that help improve operational success and clinical outcomes. Our Business, Clinical, Technology, and Supply Chain solutions help office-based dental and medical practitioners work more efficiently so they can provide quality care more effectively. These solutions also support dental laboratories, government and institutional health care clinics, as well as other alternate care sites.

Henry Schein operates through a centralized and automated distribution network, with a selection of more than 120,000 branded products and Henry Schein private-brand products in stock, as well as more than 180,000 additional products available as special-order items.

A FORTUNE 500 Company and a member of the S&P 500® index, Henry Schein is headquartered in Melville, N.Y., and has operations or affiliates in 32 countries and territories. The Company's sales reached $12.4 billion in 2021, and have grown at a compound annual rate of approximately 12.5 percent since Henry Schein became a public company in 1995.

For more information, visit Henry Schein at www.henryschein.com, Facebook.com/HenrySchein, Instagram.com/HenrySchein, and Twitter.com/HenrySchein.

Leading dental support organization Pacific Dental Services® (PDS) is partnering with Colgate Oral Pharmaceuticals® to host a dental continuing education webinar focused on the connection between oral health and systemic conditions, and explore how non-invasive oral/salivary diagnostic testing can be used to improve overall health. The event, “The Mouth-Body Connection®: How oral fluid diagnostics will impact the management of periodontal disease,” will take place Thursday, March 31 at 12 p.m. PST.

Featured thought leaders include Ira Lamster, DDS, MMSc, Dean Emeritus at the Columbia University College of Dental Medicine and clinical professor at the Stony Brook University School of Dental Medicine, Hans-Dieter John, MSD, a private practice dentist based in Germany who specializes in periodontics and implants, and Daniel Burke, Chief Enterprise Strategy Officer at PDS, who will be sharing insight on the impact point-of-care oral fluid tests have had on the PDS-supported dental practices which perform such tests.

This webinar will provide a comprehensive review of periodontal disease including current concepts regarding pathogenesis and diagnosis, and will focus on the analysis of oral fluids (saliva and gingival fluid) as a key element in diagnosis and systemic disease management. Additionally, the webinar will review the application of inflammatory biomarkers to assess oral health, presenting evidence for the use of a test that measures active-matrix metalloproteinase 8 (aMMP-8) in both gingival fluid and saliva. The course will conclude with discussion of the practical application of this new approach to periodontal diagnosis in the general and specialty dental practice.

Dr. Lamster has conducted research focused on diagnostic testing of oral fluids and the risk assessment for periodontal disease, as well as the interrelationship of periodontal disease and systemic disease. He said, “Technological advances and clinical research during the past few decades have emphasized the diagnostic potential of analysis of saliva and other oral fluids. The convenience of collection has led to a broad investigation of oral fluid analysis for oral and systemic disorders. This webinar will educate oral health providers about the benefits of leveraging oral fluid diagnosis to improve the clinical management of dental patients, with important implications for general health.”

The webinar will take place on Thursday, March 31 at 12 p.m. PDT and will offer one (1) free continuing education (CE) credit to attendees. Click HERE to register for this informative event.

About Pacific Dental Services

Founded in 1994, Pacific Dental Services (PDS) is one of the country’s leading dental support organizations, providing supported autonomy that enables dentists to concentrate on clinical excellence and the highest levels of cost-effective comprehensive patient care. PDS originated the Private Practice+® model to enable dentists to focus on their passion: serving patients. PDS also pioneered the concept of Modern Dentistry so that dentists are equipped to combine advances in the latest technology with the best operational practices and procedures, highly skilled support staff and a commitment to ongoing training and education. PDS continues to grow, with more than 850 supported dental offices across the United States. PDS has been on the Inc. 5000 list of the fastest growing private companies in America 14 times. PDS-supported dentists aim to be the provider of choice in all the markets they serve and to develop Patients for Life™. For more information, visit us at pacificdentalservices.com or follow us on Facebook: @pacificdentalservices, Instagram: @pacific.dental, LinkedIn: @pacific-dental-services, Twitter: @pacificdental, and YouTube: @pacificdentaltv.

About Colgate-Palmolive

Colgate-Palmolive Company is a caring, innovative growth company reimagining a healthier future for all people, their pets and our planet. Focused on Oral Care, Personal Care, Home Care and Pet Nutrition, we sell our products in more than 200 countries and territories under brands such as Colgate, Palmolive, elmex, hello, meridol, Sorriso, Tom’s of Maine, EltaMD, Filorga, Irish Spring, PCA SKIN, Protex, Sanex, Softsoap, Speed Stick, Ajax, Axion, Fabuloso, Soupline and Suavitel, as well as Hill’s Science Diet and Hill’s Prescription Diet. We are recognized for our leadership and innovation in promoting sustainability and community wellbeing, including our achievements in decreasing plastic waste and promoting recyclability, saving water, conserving natural resources and improving children’s oral health through the Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures program, which has reached more than 1.4 billion children since 1991. For more information about Colgate’s global business and how we are building a future to smile about, visit www.colgatepalmolive.com.

Colgate-Palmolive is pleased to announce this year’s recipients of the Colgate Award for Research Excellence (CARE), which supports oral health research projects across multiple disciplines. The CARE Program identifies and supports the next generation of academic researchers by providing $30,000 USD (per project) as Colgate-Palmolive continues to reimagine a healthier future for all.

The CARE Program is proud to announce the 2022 recipients:

Michelle Arnett, RDH, BS, MS – University of Minnesota, “Impact of brief motivational interviewing on periodontal clinical outcomes: a 2-year post-trial follow-up”

Hyuk-Jae Edward Kwon. DDS, PhD – State University of New York, University at Buffalo, “Identification of heparan sulfate-binding therapeutic targets for correcting cleft palate”

Roberto Fanganiello, BSc, PhD –Université Laval, “Creation of physiologically reliable 3D biomimetic bone for regenerative dentistry”

Noha Gomaa, BDS, MDS, PhD – Western University (London, Canada), “From Home to Epigenome: Unraveling the Links between Oral Disease and Developmental Vulnerability in Children from Low-Income Families”

Neha Parikh, BSc, MSc, PhD – The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, “Determining the correlation between oral health, microbial dysbiosis, and inflammation in Alzheimer’s disease”

Proposals were reviewed by an independent, esteemed panel of senior academic dental researchers. Winners were selected based on the program’s criteria, which includes innovation, clinical significance, originality, and scientific quality. CARE grants are typically offered for a period of 12 months.

“The CARE Program fosters the development of junior faculty by providing seed research funding to emerging leaders in academia at a time in their career path when it is most needed,” said Maria Ryan, DDS, PhD, Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer at Colgate. “Every year, we look forward to meeting and supporting talented researchers in the early stages of their careers. We are pleased to fund innovative projects that promise to advance industry knowledge and perhaps even revolutionize the field of dentistry. On behalf of Colgate, sincere congratulations to the winners of this year’s grant awards.”

Established in 2016, the Colgate CARE Program is designed to foster and provide financial support to young academic researchers. In order to be eligible for the Colgate CARE grant, faculty applicants must be in the first five years of an academic appointment. The Colgate CARE Program advances Colgate-Palmolive’s Know Your OQTM public health initiative to improve oral health literacy worldwide. The Know Your OQTM educational campaign empowers people to discover their Oral Health Quotient by exploring their understanding of the links between oral health and overall health all while learning about proven, preventive strategies and interventions necessary for improving oral health.

“Oral health has significant physical, social, economic, and emotional consequences. That’s why it’s critical that we learn as much as we can about all aspects of oral health through innovative research. I’m proud that the Colgate CARE Program not only advances our understanding of oral health, but also contributes to our company’s mission to educate people about its importance,” said Dr. Ryan.

For more information about the Colgate CARE Program for Young Academic Researchers and application guidelines, or visit https://www.colgateprofessional.com/care-program for US, and https://www.colgateprofessional.ca/en-ca/care-program for Canada.

ABOUT COLGATE-PALMOLIVE

Colgate-Palmolive Company is a caring, innovative growth company reimagining a healthier future for all people, their pets, and our planet. Focused on Oral Care, Personal Care, Home Care and Pet Nutrition, we sell our products in more than 200 countries and territories under brands such as Colgate, Palmolive, elmex, hello, meridol, Sorriso, Tom’s of Maine, EltaMD, Filorga, Irish Spring, PCA SKIN, Protex, Sanex, Softsoap, Speed Stick, Ajax, Axion, Fabuloso, Soupline and Suavitel, as well as Hill’s Science Diet and Hill’s Prescription Diet. We are recognized for our leadership and innovation in promoting sustainability and community wellbeing, including our achievements in decreasing plastic waste and promoting recyclability, saving water, conserving natural resources, and improving children’s oral health through the Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures program, which has reached more than 1.4 billion children since 1991. For more information about Colgate’s global business and how we are building a future to smile about, visit www.colgatepalmolive.com CL-C

Henry Schein, Inc., the world’s largest provider of health-care solutions to office-based dental and medical practitioners, today announced its donation through the company’s global corporate social responsibility program, Henry Schein Cares, of more than $325,000 in cash and products to the Farmingdale State College Foundation.

As a result of a three-year partnership, the donation will support the Farmingdale State College's Dental Hygiene Department, reinforcing the company’s commitment to prospective and future hygienists who serve a vital role in helping enhance dental teams’ productivity, and improve case acceptance among patients. The donation will include 3D printers, caries detection devices, lasers, scanners, and hand instruments – all products that will help build capacity and skillsets for the next generation of health care professionals. 

“At Henry Schein, we value and recognize the important role that hygienists play among dental teams, and we are committed to helping support the educational journey of hygiene students,” said Stanley M. Bergman, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Henry Schein. “We are also especially pleased to be able to continue to support a college that is fostering the advancement and growth of careers in health care here on Long Island, where we have our global headquarters.”

Since 2014, Henry Schein has been supporting Farmingdale State College’s Dental Hygiene Department to help ensure faculty, staff, and students have the products and resources necessary to advance their studies and deliver quality patient care.

“Henry Schein is focused on helping health happen and is happy to invest in the future of the hygienist since good oral health equates to better overall health,” said Maureen Knott, Vice President of Omnichannel Marketing, Henry Schein Dental. “As a Farmingdale alumna, it is personally gratifying that we at Henry Schein are able to support the College’s education of tomorrow’s hygiene community, and together help ensure the provision of dental care for all communities, especially those most in need.”

The products made available by Henry Schein Cares will also enable the provision of care for underserved patient populations who are treated at Farmingdale State College’s Dental Hygiene Care Center, which features 35 dental units and a seven-room radiology suite. Products available at this Center will also help the department continue to deliver care that is provided annually to children ages 1-17, and their parents, as part of the school’s ongoing participation in American Dental Association’s Give Kids A Smile program. The program is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, and Henry Schein has served as the exclusive professional product sponsor since the program’s inception. 

“The Dental Hygiene Department at Farmingdale State College is fortunate and grateful for the philanthropic efforts of Henry Schein Cares,” said Dr. Lynn Marsh, RDH, Dental Hygiene Department Chair & Professor. “The team’s support has been greatly influential among our dental hygiene students, providing the gold standard in preventive oral health care.”

“Henry Schein continues to be a model corporate citizen and an ideal business partner,” said Dr. John S. Nader, President, Farmingdale State College. “Through its generosity and support, we have been able to further strengthen our nationally recognized Dental Hygiene Program.”

For more information about Henry Schein, visit www.henryschein.com. To learn more about Farmingdale State College’s Hygiene Department or Dental Hygiene Care Center, visit https://www.farmingdale.edu/health-sciences/den/index.shtml. 

Japanese-owned international oral health care company Sunstar is providing its Bousai oral care expertise originally developed during natural disasters as the Russia-Ukraine war deepens. It has already donated over 55,000 oral care products to the Polish Red Cross, along with pledging to 100% match employees’ donations across Europe to aid organisations. In the coming weeks, a further 25,000 toothbrushes and toothpaste will be delivered too - totalling over 80,000 products as an initial response - including nearly 30,000 children’s toothbrushes.

Since establishing its original Bousai campaign of oral care in 2011 after the Tohoku earthquake in Japan, Sunstar has worked across numerous humanitarian crises from earthquakes and Tsunamis to now supporting humanitarian efforts by those affected by the Russian-Ukraine war. Translating as ‘disaster readiness or management to reduce the damage caused’ - Sunstar’s ‘Bousai’ message for both natural or man-made disasters is to remember oral care as an essential part of general health - as those fleeing disaster or living in temporary refugee centres and especially the elderly, have been proven to be prone to pneumonia and poor health when oral hygiene is neglected over time.¹

This is because oral care affects not just the health of the mouth, but also body health, with the mouth being the entrance to the lungs too. Water shortages and a lack of available oral care products make it difficult to keep up with good oral care during evacuation.

On top of this, accumulated tiredness increases the proliferation of bacteria in the mouth which can adversely affect the rest of the body. Following the 1995 Great Hanshin earthquake in Japan over 200 people alone died of pneumonia caused indirectly by the quake.

Sunstar’s Bousai campaign was originally developed with expertise from dentist Dr. Ryohei Adachi, Chief of Dental Surgery, Tokiwa Hospital, former Professor of Department of Dental Health, Faculty of Junior College, Kobe Tokiwa University. While a toothbrush or mouthwash is always best to maintain oral health, if this isn’t available during crises it advises the following preventative steps:

-Gargle thoroughly after eating with about two tablespoons of water or tea

-Clean teeth by wiping them with a cloth, tissue or wet wipe wrapped around a finger also helps

-Stimulating saliva production is also important to help wash bacteria away in the mouth – this can be done by massaging or warming the base of the jaw below the ear or chewing gum if available.

Comments dentist Dr. Ryohei Adachi: “In Japan, with its frequent earthquakes and typhoons, we have the expertise to maintain health in disasters. We recognized the problem that many people die of pneumonia due to poor oral hygiene during prolonged evacuation. Therefore, we believe that oral care in disasters is life-saving care, and we are providing information on how to take care of mouth health during emergencies.”

Adds Julia Linz, Senior Director European Human Resources at Sunstar: “Like millions of others worldwide, we want to support humanitarian help in Ukraine and also offer our oral hygiene knowledge to help prevent further indirect casualties for those living in refugee centers or in war-torn situations where water has become scarce.”

For further information on Sunstar’s existing Bousai work visit: https://jp.sunstar.com/bousai/en

References

1. Hisayoshi Daito, Motoi Suzuki, Jun Shiihara, Paul E Kilgore, Hitoshi Ohtomo, Konosuke Morimoto, Masayuki Ishida, Taro Kamigaki, Hitoshi Oshitani, Masahiro Hashizume, Wataru Endo, Koichi Hagiwara, Koya Ariyoshi, Shoji Okinaga Impact of the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami pneumonia hospitalisations and mortality among adults in northern Miyagi, Japan: a multicentre observational study

ABOUT SUNSTAR

SUNSTAR is a multinational company headquartered in Switzerland and founded in 1932 in Osaka, Japan. Today, SUNSTAR is a leading global company in the Mouth & Body Care field, a major presence in the Health & Beauty Care and the Environment & Amenity business fields, and a world leader in the Safety Support & High Technology field. In fiscal year 2019, consolidated net sales of the SUNSTAR Group totalled over 1.2 billion Swiss Francs. The products and services of SUNSTAR are distributed in more than 100 countries, and the company has 4000+ employees worldwide. Under the motto "Always strive to help people everywhere achieve better health and enhance their quality of life", SUNSTAR continuously provides high-value-added products and services all over the world. www.sunstar.com

The Liechtenstein-based dental and medical technology company experienced strong growth in the 2021 fiscal year, achieving a turnover of more than 840 million Swiss francs. The following factors all contributed to the gain in market share of the Ivoclar Group and the achievement of the highest sales turnover in the company’s history: the introduction of a series of successful new products, expansion into new geographical areas, rebranding and an increased demand from customers.

Over the past year, following the industry-wide slump in the challenging 2020 fiscal year, the Ivoclar Group managed not only to achieve considerable gains, but also surpass its previous turnover record which was set in 2019. The overall sales volume of the Group in 2021 was more than 840 million Swiss francs currency adjusted: 31.2 per cent over 2020 and 7.8 per cent over 2019.

While in 2020 many dental offices and laboratories had to close temporarily or work only on an emergency basis, the world economy had to deal with supply bottlenecks due to a shortage of raw materials and cargo capacities in 2021. Nevertheless, the Group was only minimally affected by these challenges as a result of a foresighted procurement policy, careful logistics planning and highly motivated employees. As a result, the Group was able to supply products from all its categories throughout the world.

Successful products for the workflows of dental offices and laboratories

The Ivoclar Group manufactures medical and medical technology products and supports the work of dentists, dental technicians and dental hygienists by offering integrated solutions. The focus in the development of the relevant products is to enhance efficiency, esthetics and quality. This approach helped the family-owned business to grow its sales of integrated solutions for dental offices as well as laboratories in the 2021 fiscal year.

The dentist business grew by +39.2 per cent compared with the previous year. Direct restoratives were primarily responsible for this excellent result due to a high demand for filling materials. Accompanying products that are used in the restorative treatment process also saw an increase in sales: for example, the Adhese Universal bonding agent, which has been available in a new user-friendly pen-like design since 2021 and OptraGate, which offers a proven solution for heightening the comfort of patients and the efficiency of the operator. An increase in turnover was also registered for prosthetic products. The company is a leading supplier of millable ceramic blanks including the furnaces needed for the corresponding workflow. These efficient machines further reduce the process time in the fabrication of restorations. A new furnace, the Programat CS6, was introduced in 2021.

The laboratory business grew by +23.1 per cent, primarily due to digital solutions. Ivoclar manufactures the zirconium oxide discs, such as IPS e.max ZirCAD Prime Esthetic launched in 2021. Specialized equipment for the digital workflow of this target group, for example, the new PrograScan PS3 and PS5 scanners, optimize the manufacturing process in the laboratory for enhanced performance and exceptional results.

Growing faster than the market

In 2021, sales of the Ivoclar Group increased in all its business regions: +61.3 per cent in Latin America, +36 per cent in North America, +31 per cent in EMEA (Europe, Near East and Africa) and +17.2 per cent in Asia Pacific. In all four regions, the Group grew faster than the market, enabling it to acquire new market shares. The growing markets within these regions also contributed to this development – in particular India (+89.6 per cent), Brazil (+72.2 per cent), Mexico (+46.8 per cent) and China (+16 per cent).

Over the past two years, the Ivoclar Group has been unable to participate in trade shows or conduct face-to-face training courses at its 71 training centres around the world. “Nonetheless, we were able to provide optimum service to our customers in all areas during these challenging times by developing creative solutions,” says Diego Gabathuler, CEO of the Group. For example, the company offered extensive remote learning opportunities through its new Ivoclar Academy online knowledge platform. Furthermore, an international event series “The Live Experience Tour” created a safe environment in which people could meet, interact, inspire, learn and network.

Investing in the success factor of people

CEO Gabathuler is convinced that the success of the 2021 fiscal year must be largely attributed to the exceptional expertise and commitment of the company’s employees throughout the world, because they were able to satisfy the high demand of the customers and realize the company’s forward-looking projects.

At the end of December 2021, the Ivoclar Group had a global staff complement of 3,548 employees. After only a few selected positions were filled in 2020, more than 200 jobs were created in the 2021 fiscal year. About 100 of these positions are still being advertised throughout the world.

The company heavily invests in modern working conditions and infrastructure at all its facilities worldwide. The new global distribution centre which started operating in Ellwangen (Germany) in 2021 is a case in point. From there, around 17,000 products are sent to more than 130 countries.

Outlook 2022

As a result of the current uncertain geopolitical situation, the Ivoclar Group is cautiously optimistic about the future, despite very positive sales figures in the first three months of the new fiscal year. Further new products will be launched in 2022, which will highlight the innovative spirit of the company. The corresponding product, training and service offerings for dentists, dental technicians and dental hygienists are already being developed. 

The PDS Foundation awarded over $80,000 to a total of 17 dental assisting students from across the country.

The Pacific Dental Services® (PDS) Foundation is proud to announce the Dr. Carolyn Ghazal Dental Assistant Scholarship recipients for Spring 2022. On Friday, March 11 (and coinciding with this year’s Dental Assistants Recognition Week), the PDS Foundation awarded over $80,000 to a total of 17 dental assisting (DA) students from across the country who are pursuing their academic dreams and representing the future of the dental industry.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of DAs is projected to grow 11 percent from 2020 to 2030. However, financial hardship often prevents many students from finishing school. Recognizing the importance of DAs to the future of dentistry, the PDS Foundation created this scholarship to provide students with the financial support they need to complete their education. Named after Carolyn Ghazal, DDS, a member of the PDS Foundation Board of Directors, this educational scholarship provides DA students with need-based financial aid, mentorship, on-the-job training, and aims to mold the next generation of passionate, servant-hearted dental leaders.

“I am so honored to have my name associated with such a worthwhile endeavor that is investing in the lives, education and futures of DA students throughout the nation,” said Dr. Ghazal. “My hope is that this financial support can help remove a barrier for students, and the mentorship they receive through the program will allow them the opportunity to pursue a noble career in dental assisting.”

Spring 2022 Dr. Carolyn Ghazal Dental Assistant Scholarship Recipients:

Student | Academic Institution | City, State

Felix Cabreja Adorno | Concorde Career College | Tampa, Fla.

Sha-naesha Brewton | UEI College | Morrow, Ga.

Lyeisha Briggs | Florida Career College | Lauderdale Lakes, Fla.

Alexis Casarez | Carrington College | Portland, Ore.

Elaine Cervantez | Concorde Career College | San Diego, Calif.

Sarah Chee | Carrington College | Las Vegas, Nev.

Jessica Forsee | Delta College | Slidell, La.

Moriah Hernandez | High Desert Medical College | Bakersfield, Calif.

Celine Heywood | Atlantic Technical College | Coconut Creek, Fla.

Quiniya Lake | Concorde Career College | Memphis, Tenn.

Lucy McMath | Practical Dental Assisting | Virginia Beach, Va.

Montserrat Merino-Gongora | Concorde Career College | Portland, Ore.

Luis Padilla | PIMA Medical Institute | Seattle, Wash.

Sydney Remington-Belle | Practical Dental Assisting | Virginia Beach, Va.

Hailee Roberts | Concorde Career College | Aurora, Colo.

Monica Sesma Carrington College Phoenix, Ariz.

Nicole Simon | Concorde Career College | North Hollywood, Calif.

Scholarships are awarded on a quarterly basis to DA students to help cover tuition expenses. The Scholarship Review Committee awards scholarships based on applicants' financial need, heart for service, career aspirations, and other criteria.

“The PDS Foundation is thrilled to support these 17 impressive scholarship recipients. These individuals are dedicated and passionate students who are truly inspired to make a difference in the dental assisting profession,” said Kyle Guerin, PDS Foundation Director.

The Pacific Dental Services Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization whose mission is to improve overall health by creating opportunities to serve locally, nationally, and internationally. Since the scholarship’s founding in 2016, the PDS Foundation has granted more than $1 million to DAs in pursuit of advancing their careers within the dental industry.

Click here to learn more about the PDS Foundation and make a tax-deductible gift today.

National Commission on Disability recommends adult Medicaid dental benefits for this population – a step most states have taken, but not all.

The National Commission on Disability (NCD) recently issued a report titled “Medicaid Oral Health Coverage for Adults with Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities – A Fiscal Analysis” to President Biden. The report highlights the proven link between oral health and a person’s overall health, as well as the importance of oral health care to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). Medicaid plays a critical role in determining what care is available to the 60% of individuals with I/DD who receive health care coverage through their state’s Medicaid program, according to the report.

Based on the findings, NCD makes specific recommendations for changes at the federal and state levels to ensure state Medicaid programs across the country include adult dental coverage for people with I/DD. Additionally, the report details the costs and savings by state. A number of states currently provide an emergency-only dental benefit to adults with I/DD, while several others provide no dental benefits at all. Other states, like Texas and Louisiana, are highlighted in the report as examples of how states can expand dental coverage to Medicaid members with I/DD. In Louisiana, the state Medicaid program will begin offering a comprehensive dental benefit to adults with I/DD this summer. Meanwhile, Texas offers dental coverage to people with I/DD through several waiver programs.

Today, Steve Pollock, president and CEO for DentaQuest, issued the following statement reacting to the NCD report:

“This new report makes clear that oral health care is health care and investing in dental benefits is the fiscally and ethically responsible move. Without routine dental visits, dental disease or pain can go untreated, particularly among people with I/DD who may have difficulty communicating. This report proves that providing Medicaid dental benefits for adults with I/DD — 60% of whom rely on Medicaid for their health coverage — is more cost effective than continuing to exclude those benefits. It is also more ethical -- coverage would address a significant disparity in care, reduce chronic pain, improve quality of life, and bolster self-confidence. In fact, an adult dental Medicaid benefit directly addresses a key gap in health equity for other populations, as well.

Fortunately, several states have already made progress toward expanding dental benefits to adults. Texas is used as one example, as it provides enhanced dental benefits for people with I/DD through several waiver programs. The report authors also see Louisiana as a possible blueprint, as government leaders recently passed legislation with benefits for adults with I/DD starting this summer. And Virginia is coming up on a year this summer with enhanced dental benefits for adults enrolled in Medicaid.

The impact, the need, and the value are all clear. Ultimately, every state Medicaid program must include dental benefits for all adults.”