Around The Industry

Zimmer Collaborates with Donated Dental Services

Zimmer Dental has formed a collaboration with the National Foundation of Dentistry. In an unrestricted product donation, Zimmer Dental is providing dental implants and related restorative components as identified by NFDH as those most likely to be useful in their efforts.

"Zimmer Dental continues to demonstrate its strong commitment to improving patients' lives," said Zimmer Holdings Chairman, President and CEO Ray Elliott. "We're pleased to partner with a leading non-profit organization such as the NFDH to further enable the dental profession the opportunity to access resources for providing less fortunate individuals with much-needed dental assistance."

Donated Dental Services (DDS) is the National Foundation of Dentistry for the Handicapped's program covering most of the United States. DDS is a collaborative, direct way that the dental profession reaches out to individuals with special needs and offers the only realistic chance for many elderly, disabled and medically compromised individuals to receive needed dental care. The goal of the DDS program is to return patients to good oral health, enabling them to reach an affordable maintenance level.

Market Moves

Whip Mix Corp., has acquired ARdent International, Inc., a manufacturer of dental articulating paper, film, and accessories, located in Ossining, New York. ARdent products include a wide selection of articulating papers, EXACTA-FILMT M Articulating Film, HOLD-TIGHTT M Paper/Film Forceps, and Miller Style Forceps. ARdent products are available through dental supply dealers located in the U.S., Canada, Europe, South America, and the Far East.

Allcare Dental & Dentures  is opening its first five offices in Indiana at locations in Avon, Cherry Tree, Fort Wayne, Lafayette and Mishawaka. The Allcare network will double in size in 2007 with the addition of three dozen offices across 11 states.

Awards and Appointments

National Dentex Corp., announced a realignment of its corporate organization. John “Josh” Green was appointed executive vice president, laboratory operations and will oversee the company’s 43 laboratories. New vice presidents of operations Douglas A. Baker, William G. Keller and Thomas A. Keller will report to Green. In addition, Richard F. Becker, Jr., will become National Dentexís executive vice president and treasurer. Wayne Coll succeeds Becker as chief financial officer.

Noteworthy

Sirona Dental Systems, Inc., is once again expanding its relationship with long-time partner, the UNC Chapel Hill School of Dentistry, to conduct clinical investigations of Sirona’s new 3D imaging system, GALILEOS. The School of Dentistry, a Sirona partner for more than 15 years, will conduct research in several areas, comparing Sirona’s new 3D technology to conventional 2D imaging and exploring new innovative uses of 3D technology. Specific research areas will include the detection of carious lesions in the pits and fissures of teeth; the identification of vertical root fractures; an evaluation for implant imaging and treatment planning; and, the integration of GALILEOS 3D images with an ongoing 3D imaging study to evaluate craniofacial surgery and orthodontic treatment.  Conventional film and 2D digital imaging have historically proven insufficient in these functional areas.