DentLight Inc., an LED optics innovator in dental device design and manufacturing, is pleased to launch FUSION 4 – the most versatile and powerful curing light. Building on the achievements of its award-winning predecessors, FUSION 4 sets the pace for a new era of high performance smart curing lights.

With patented optics and modular design, it delivers a focused low-dispersion beam of 2700 mW/cm² high power for bulk or 5-second cure and 1300 mW/cm² pulse power for low shrinkage cure. Small, sleek and well-balanced, FUSION 4 is made of solid aircraft aluminum with drop-proof reliability and super ease of disinfection.

FUSION 4 upgrades the user interface with an even more impressive, intuitive and multi-color backlit LCD. This small light amazingly displays a digital timer, battery icon, power level, thermal status and has an audible beep for time stamp. The streamlined metal keypad has two raised buttons including a large ON/OFF button for easy activation.

Coming with a tacking tip, 9mm tip and 13mm tip, FUSION 4 is the heavy-duty light that dental professionals can count on to save curing time, improve quality and cover all composite restoration applications including fillings, sealants, veneers and crowns.

FUSION 4 is not only an ultrafast 5-second curing light but also a multifunctional and versatile light easily upgradable for high-power transillumination (caries/fractures/canals), fluorescent imaging (early cancer detection), and teeth whitening for added profit streams.

 Call 800-763-6901 or visit www.dentlight.com

MINAMATA, Japan, /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A new global legally binding treaty on mercury, signed today in Minamata, Japan, means "dental amalgam is neither appropriate nor practical in the 21st century," said Charlie Brown, president, World Alliance for Mercury-Free Dentistry. "Mercury fillings – amalgam is 50% mercury – has no future, on any continent."

The treaty gives special attention to amalgam. It both mandates that each nation phase down amalgam use, and prescribes what steps should be taken. Countries must do at least two of these phasedown steps, which include:

• promoting mercury-free alternatives,

• changing dental school curriculum and re-training dentists, and

• encouraging insurance programs to favor mercury-free dental restorations over amalgam.

According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the use of mercury in tooth fillings represents some 10% of global mercury consumption, thus being among the largest consumer uses of mercury in the world. UNEP estimates global use of dental mercury at between 300-400 metric tons per year.

"For dentists around the world, mercury-free alternatives are increasingly affordable, effective, and available," said Dr. Lillian Ebuen of the Philippines, vice president for East Asia of the World Alliance. With thousands of dentists all over the world already "mercury-free," she notes that all dentists could make this same transition in a short time frame.

"This treaty marks the beginning of the end of dental amalgam globally," said Michael T. Bender, director of the U.S.-based Mercury Policy Project. "Following up on a World Health Organization expert committee recommendation to phase down dental amalgam in 2009, the United States proposed this step in 2011, which was followed by a resolution from the African Region in 2012 leading to its adoption in final treaty text in Geneva in January 2013." 

"Amalgam phase-downs lead us directly to amalgam phase-outs," said Dr. Shahriar Hossain of Bangladesh, vice president for South Asia of the World Alliance. "The environmental consequences for amalgam are far too severe for developing nations to go down that road."

"Consumer information is the key," said Dominique Bally of the Ivory Coast, vice president for Africa of the World Alliance. "When parents and consumers realize that amalgam is mainly mercury – not silver, as they say in English – they will choose the non-toxic alternatives."

SOURCE The World Alliance for Mercury-Free Dentistry

Orangeburg, NY— PDI, leader in providing Infection Prevention solutions, announced the official launch of its website (www.pdihc.com) with mobile functionality and intuitive product search capabilities. The mobile site allows busy and on-the-go healthcare professionals 24/7 access the full PDI healthcare website through a smartphone or tablet. 

The PDI website recently underwent an overhaul to more effectively communicate and demonstrate the company’s mission to Be the Difference™ in the fight to help save lives. It offers a wealth of solutions-based resources as well as educational and product information designed for simple, convenient access. Educational resources include clinical studies, industry articles, best practices and training videos.  The website tools are catered to different practice areas including acute care, long term care, dental care and alternate care to ensure it delivers the most relevant information based on the specific needs of a facility. In addition, new search functions allow for users to find products and resources by SKU or keyword and a local sales rep by zip code.

“Our priority is to develop not only the products, but the support systems and ongoing resources healthcare professionals, patients and families need to help in the fight against preventable infections,” said Zachary Julius, President and CEO of PDI. “The development of the website and its mobile counterpart will better serve our fast-paced industry.” 

The PDI website was designed by Barker DZP and is a finalist for the 2013 OMMA Awards for best B2B Website and has also been named to the shortlist of The Favorite Website Awards (FWA).

About PDI

PDI helps reduce preventable infections, control healthcare costs, and ultimately help save lives by delivering a broad range of evidence-based, market leading environmental hygiene and patient care solutions.  PDI’s expertise in making a difference in the community and healthcare environments extends throughout the United States and worldwide. www.pdihc.com   

SAN FRANCISCO – Healthcare workers' use of disposable gowns and gloves upon entering all patient rooms on an intensive care unit (ICU), versus only in rooms on standard isolation protocol, helped reduce patient acquisition of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) by approximately 40 percent, according to new research co-led by the University of Maryland School of Medicine and the Yale New Haven Health System Center for Healthcare Solutions. While the study did not show statistically significant results for preventing patient acquisition of another common bacteria, vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE), the use of gowns and gloves increased handwashing frequency among healthcare workers and did not result in any increase in adverse events for patients.

The study, funded by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), appeared online last week in JAMA in conjunction with presentation of the data at IDWeek, an annual meeting of more than 5,500 professionals in healthcare epidemiology and infectious diseases.

Although recent data have indicated that healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are becoming less pervasive across the United States, HAIs still represent one of the most common complications of hospital care, affecting an estimated one of every 20 patients. Numerous studies have shown that healthcare workers acquire bacteria on their hands and clothing through patient contact, resulting in transmission of bacteria to other patients. Current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines recommend contact precautions (gowns and gloves) by healthcare workers when caring for patients colonized or infected with antibiotic-resistant bacteria such as MRSA and VRE. However, if these infections haven't been detected, gowns and gloves do not have to be worn.

"We set out to find whether having healthcare workers wear gowns and gloves for all ICU patient contact could decrease the acquisition of antibiotic-resistant bacteria such as MRSA without causing any harm to the patient – and the answer was yes," says the study's principal investigator, Anthony D. Harris, M.D., MPH, professor of epidemiology and public health at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. Dr. Harris, who is also vice president of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA), adds: "From a public health perspective, it's important that we evaluate interventions that may continue to drive these infection rates down, especially as concerns persist about antibiotic-resistant bacteria."

The study involved 20 medical and surgical ICUs across 15 states, and examined nearly 92,000 cultures from more than 26,000 patients over a nine-month period in 2012. Participating ICUs were randomly assigned to either the intervention or control group. Healthcare workers in the intervention group were required to wear gloves and gowns for all patient contact when entering any patient room. Healthcare workers in the control group followed CDC guidelines for patient contact, and only wore gloves and gowns for contact with patients with known antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

While researchers did not find a decrease in VRE, the reduction in MRSA was notable, as was an increase in handwashing by the healthcare workers upon leaving patient rooms.

The study also sought to determine if usage of contact precautions such as gowns and gloves would adversely impact patients as previous studies have shown, such as increased instances of pressure sores, falls or other unintended physical injury resulting from medical care or hospitalization. However, there was no statistically significant increase in adverse events, and investigators observed a trend towards lower adverse events in the intervention group.

"Infection control studies such as this are important to advance the science and lead to important discoveries that can decrease health care-associated infections," says Daniel J. Morgan, M.D., M.S., the study's senior author and assistant professor of epidemiology and public health at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. "In conjunction with the evolution of hospital cleaning practices, increased handwashing frequency and other measures, patients in hospitals can be safer than they've ever been from HAIs."

Beverly Belton, RN, MSN, a study co-author from Yale New Haven Health System Center for Healthcare Solutions, and PhD student at Yale University adds: "Based on the results of this study, it would be prudent for ICUs to consider adoption of universal gowning and gloving policies on intensive care units at highest risk for MRSA infections, regardless of whether patients have been positively cultured. Concerns about healthcare personnel acceptance of and compliance with universal gowning and gloving can be overcome with creative efforts focused on early engagement and positive reinforcement."

E. Albert Reece, M.D., Ph.D., M.B.A., vice president for medical affairs at the University of Maryland and the John Z. and Akiko K. Bowers Distinguished Professor and Dean of the University of Maryland School of Medicine, says, "Studies such as this continue to advance the knowledge and understanding of healthcare-associated infections and how they can be prevented. These results will certainly prove useful in evaluating public health policies and recommendations for how to best protect patients and advance their healing in the hospital setting."

The study was funded by the AHRQ under contract number HHSA290200600015I Task Order No. 5. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of AHRQ.

About the University of Maryland School of Medicine

Established in 1807, the University of Maryland School of Medicine is the first public medical school in the United States, and the first to institute a residency-training program. The School of Medicine was the founding school of the University of Maryland and today is an integral part of the 11-campus University System of Maryland. On the University of Maryland's Baltimore campus, the School of Medicine serves as the anchor for a large academic health center which aims to provide the best medical education, conduct the most innovative biomedical research and provide the best patient care and community service to Maryland and beyond. https://www.medschool.umaryland.edu.

St. Paul, MN – Patterson Dental has renewed its Diamond Level Corporate Sponsorship of the American Association of Dental Office Managers (AADOM). This agreement ensures that efforts tobuild initiatives and expand resources available to dental office managers and dental business professionals will continue through 2016.

“Our relationship with the AADOM is so much more than a sponsorship,” stated Tim Rogan, Patterson Dental vice president of marketing, merchandise. “We’ve built a strong partnership that has resulted in enhanced resources and additional education for one of the key positions in the dental office – the office manager.”

Benefits to dental staffs include a complimentary first-year AADOM membership for Patterson Advantage^® customers. Patterson also provided eight scholarships to office managers to attend the 9th annual national AADOM conference last month in Orlando, giving more customers the opportunity to experience this unique industry event and stay abreast of current developments in dental practice management.

“Patterson’s efforts have direct results,” AADOM President Heather Colicchio said. “I can tell you firsthand that through these scholarships, Patterson Dental is changing the lives of several dental office managers by empowering them through education to be the best they can be personally and professionally. Patterson understands the crucial role the business team has in every successful practice and we are honored to have their continued leadership role as our Diamond Sponsor.”

Rogan said Patterson looks forward to working with the AADOM to develop more opportunities for dental teams in the future. “We are committed to helping offices enhance the patient experience while improving the practice lifestyle, and our strategic partnership with the AADOM is definitely helping us make that happen.”

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Patterson Dental Supply, Inc. announces new updates to Eaglesoft, its clinical and practice management software. Practices around the country have already experienced the easiest-to-use practice management software in the industry, and now Eaglesoft 17 gives them the power to run more efficiently. New features to simplify daily routines include customized medical history, Eaglesoft Web (coming in early 2014), Patterson Auto Update and Eaglesoft News Feed,  many of which came directly from customer suggestions.

“We are very excited to announce an improved version of Eaglesoft with many features to help dental practices run smoothly and efficiently,” said Jana Berghoff, technology marketing manager at Patterson Dental. “We used customer feedback and suggestions to make this an even better software for practices.”

The fully customized medical history in Eaglesoft 17 allows users to ask the questions they want – making it easier to get the information needed for each specific appointment. Eaglesoft Web, coming in early 2014, enables users to view their schedule, patient accounts, medical history, prescription history, proposed treatment and clinical images while they are away from the office.

With Patterson Auto Update, users will now receive more frequent updates through its web connection, rather than installing a disc.  Additionally, Eaglesoft News Feed, an RSS feed, will provide users with the latest news from Eaglesoft regarding software and technology updates.

Eaglesoft 17 also includes improved imaging software, Eaglesoft 3D Viewer by Dolphin. The updated version allows users to import images into Eaglesoft and use a few select Dolphin 3D tools to manipulate and enhance images. There is an exposure meter to inform users if they are not using the optimum exposure on their Schick 33 digital images.

For Eaglesoft Clinician users, the updated software also integrates with Emdeon’s Clinician EHR Lite. Additionally, a CareCredit bridge provides a direct link to process credit applications, which are automatically prepopulated with your patient’s information.

With Eaglesoft 17, there is increased security on provider and patient notes – a new setting is available to make provider notes editable by creating a provider only option. Lastly, the 2013 CDT codes are available for installation.

The system is backed by Patterson Dental’s renowned support and customer service and the team at the Patterson Technology Center. Customers can choose from a multitude of support options, including Live Help, Remote Support, e-mail support and an FAQ online knowledge base. With more than 125 years of experience in the dental industry, Patterson has the resources and expertise to help customers use Eaglesoft to its greatest potential.

For more information, visit https://www.pattersondental.com/AppStore.

According to a new public opinion survey commissioned by Oral Health America (OHA) and sponsored in part by 3M ESPE, over half of older adults polled in the US prioritize other medical conditions over the health of their mouth and have not given oral health much thought.¹

This makes reaching older adults with this year's Fall for Smiles® campaign even more important.

OHA's annual Fall for Smiles communications campaign encourages Americans to maintain good oral health through brushing and flossing, regular dental visits, healthy eating, and avoiding tobacco. OHA is proud to announce 3M ESPE as a new major supporter of its initiatives.

"3M ESPE has been an OHA supporter for years and we are excited to participate in this year's Fall for Smiles campaign," said John Stefanick, Director, Industry & Professional Relations, 3M ESPE. "The results of the public opinion survey make it clear that the campaign's focus on public awareness of oral health is important and we hope that our involvement will help Fall for Smiles reach even more Americans this year."

3M ESPE is supporting the Fall for Smiles program through a special promotion with Patterson Dental to benefit OHA's programs. Starting in October and running through the end of the year, 5 percent of all 3M ESPE Vanish™ 5% Sodium Fluoride White Varnish sales ordered through Patterson Dental will be donated to OHA, with a maximum donation of $50,000.

Those interested in learning more about the Fall for Smiles campaign and how they can participate can visit the Fall for Smiles webpage at www.oralhealthamerica.org/fallforsmiles. 

¹Oral Health America public opinion survey sponsored by Oral Healthcare Can't Wait, 3M ESPE, and Crest + OralB. This statistic is from adults making less than $35,000 per year. 

CHICAGO —The American Dental Association (ADA) is offering dentists the opportunity to download the newest 2014 CDT Dental Procedure Codes with the CDT Code Check mobile app.

CDT Code Check contains the most up-to-date CDT Codes, including 29 new procedure codes, 18 revised procedure codes, 4 deleted procedure codes and seven changes to subcategories and their descriptors. CDT Code Check app is an especially handy practice management tool for dentists and dental staff who travel between offices.

Features include:

·         A complete listing of 2014 CDT Codes including category of service, subcategory, procedure code, nomenclature and descriptor.

·         A list of new, revised and deleted codes with tracked changes so you can see exactly what was changed.

·         Codes that are searchable by three categories: code number, keyword and category of service.

·         The 2013 CDT codes at no additional cost

CDT Code Check is now a subscription-based service. As soon as the 2015 CDT Codes are released, users will receive an automatic update inviting them to purchase the new version while keeping the code sets from previous years. This ensures the user will have most current information available directly from the ADA, the official source of the CDT dental procedure codes.

The ADA CDT Code Check app is available for $19.99 for the Apple mobile device via the iTunes store and the Android mobile device via Google Play.