PERSONNEL MOVES
American Dental Association
The American Dental Association (Chicago, Illinois) (ADA) named Stephanie Moritz the organization's new chief communications officer. Moritz will lead association-wide communications, reputation, and brand management efforts from the ADA's communications and marketing division. Moritz will report to ADA Executive Director Dr. Kathleen O'Loughlin.
"I am thrilled to have Stephanie join the ADA executive team as chief communications officer," said Dr. O'Loughlin. "She is an extraordinary leader with an entrepreneurial vision that complements the goals of the ADA, and she brings fresh, expert perspective to the organization."
In addition to overseeing public affairs and public relations, marketing campaigns, and executive and staff communications, Moritz will focus on amplifying critical components of the ADA's communications strategy, including digital media, social media, and video production.
Moritz joins the ADA from ConAgra Foods, where she served as the senior director of public relations, social media, and experiential marketing. She managed external brand communications for all of ConAgra's consumer foods brands. She was instrumental in shaping ConAgra Foods enterprise-wide social media strategy, content marketing team, multi-brand public relations, first-response consumer findings approach, and real-time marketing and public relations news room.
Moritz was recognized as one of Media Post's Online Marketing All Stars in 2014, and prior to joining ConAgra Foods, she led communications and product publicity for The Hershey Company and Jim Beam Brands. She also held communications positions at EBS/Porter Novelli Convergence Group, Illinois House of Representatives, and Walt Disney Attractions Inc.
Moritz resides in Naperville and is an alumna of Eastern Illinois University, where she earned her bachelor's and master's degrees in speech communications.
Aurum Group
The Aurum Group (Calgary, Alberta) announced Angus Barrie has joined its team as general manager of the Vancouver location. The company also announced that Jeff Zeilstra has transitioned from territory manager to operations manager, Aurum Ceramic Vancouver.
Barrie brings over 25 years of in-depth experience in laboratory operations and management. Since 2002, he has specialized technically on implant and CAD/CAM restorations, acquiring broad expertise with major implant systems, CAD/CAM software, and implant restoration planning. He has supplemented this by attending courses with Kois, 3M, Dental Wings, Nobel Biocare, Panthera, and many others.
Joining the Aurum Group in 2012 as territory Manager for both Vancouver and Victoria laboratory locations, Jeff Zeilstra has taken the lead on customer relations, business growth, and local CE initiatives. A graduate of the kinesiology program at the University of British Columbia, Zeilstra has experience in all aspects of CAD/CAM dentistry, modern restorative materials, implant dentistry, and intra-oral scanning technology.
Boyd Industries
Boyd Industries (Clearwater, Florida) is proud to announce the promotion of Keith Gilkes to sales director. Gilkes will be responsible for all of the company's sales activities, focusing on top-line growth of the business by leading its domestic and international sales team, identifying new market opportunities, and managing all sales reporting and analytics.
"Keith has proven to be a versatile member for our leadership team with a demonstrated skill to thrive in an entrepreneurial environment," said CEO Adrian E. LaTrace. "I look forward to his future accomplishments to enhance the customer experience throughout the sales process."
Joining Boyd in 2013, Gilkes initially served as supply chain manager until he assumed his most recent position in 2014 as business development manager. Among his recent accomplishments, he was instrumental in the successful launch of Boyd's second-generation LED exam and surgical lights, development of the E2 iPad product line, and forging the company's relationship with Dental Fix Rx.
Delta Dental Plans Association
The Delta Dental Plans Association (DDPA) (Oak Brook, Illinois) board of directors has appointed three new officers. President and CEO of Delta Dental of Colorado, Kathryn Paul, was elected chair; President and CEO of Delta Dental of Washington Jim Dwyer was elected vice chair; and elected as secretary/treasurer was Rodney Young, president and CEO of Delta Dental of Minnesota.
"I look forward to working with our new board leadership to continue the success of the Delta Dental brand in driving forward our mission to bring great oral health to our customers and our communities," said Steven R. Olson, president and CEO of Delta Dental Plans Association.
DeltaUSA
Also making appointments to its board of directors was DeltaUSA, the separately incorporated affiliate of Delta Dental Plans Association. DeltaUSA enables Delta Dental to centrally administer national dental benefits programs.
David Haynes, president and CEO of Delta Dental of Missouri, was named chair, and Allan Allford, president and CEO of Delta Dental of Arizona, was named vice chair. Dennis Wilson, president and CEO of Delta Dental of New Jersey, was elected secretary/treasurer.
Both the DDPA and DeltaUSA Board of Directors made the appointments at their November meetings, and the officers' terms became effective January 1, 2015.
The Etters Group
The Etters Group (Elmhurst, Illinois) announced Dr. Ivan Valcarenghi, a cosmetic and neuromuscular dentist for 28 years in Elmhurst and Chicago, Illinois, will be joining The Etters Group, a dental practice management consulting firm. "Dr. Ivan," as he is familiarly called, will be conducting seminars and webinars, as well as consulting and training dentists in the Etters practice management systems and communication skills. Dr. Valcarenghi has helped dozens of dental practices as a consultant since 2005, as well as other professionals and small business owners with the communication and management skills needed for business and practice growth. Contact Dr. Valcarenghi by email at [email protected].
Scion Dental
Scion Dental (Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin), a dental benefit management company, announced the appointment of John Schaak as the new president of the organization. Schaak comes to Scion Dental from a career in the legal profession, where he recently served as a partner at the national law firm of Quarles & Brady LLP. Schaak will be responsible for delivering on the company's strategic vision and business plan.
"Our team is very excited that John has decided to make this career change and join our family of companies," said Chairman of the Board Craig Kasten. "We are confident that under John's leadership, Scion Dental will achieve its goal of being recognized as the top dental benefit management organization in the world."
Appointee Announcements: Field Sales Consultants
Max Cooper
Syracuse, New York
Garrett Adam Enriquez
Englewood, Colorado
Xavier Faure
Northern Virginia and Washington D.C. metro area
Scott Fossen
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Jordan Gillespie
Salt Lake City, Utah
Christine Gray
Syracuse, New York
Brett Johnson
Little Rock, Arkansas
Jeff Johnson
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Sheree Kong
Dublin, California
Lani Llanes
Orlando, Florida
Jay Lowery
Birmingham, Alabama
Christopher Maniatis
Wallingford, Connecticut
Beth McGlinn
Charlotte, North Carolina
Mark Morrison
St. Louis, Missouri
Chas Pajares
Austin, Texas
Brit Sexton
Nashville, Tennessee
Bret Zeitler
Houston, Texas
Awards & Grants
Perio Protect Orkos Award
Greg Gist, DDS, of Southlake, Texas, is the latest recipient of the Perio Protect Orkos Award. Perio Protect presented Dr. Gist the award for his case study that resulted in successful long-term treatment of a patient with gum disease.
The patient in Dr. Gist's case study resumed treatment after a four-year absence. A comprehensive exam revealed generalized periodontitis, moderate bone loss, and gum recession. A routine probing indicated the patient's pockets were 4-6 mm deep and that bleeding during the exam was heavy.
Following the exam on January 28, 2013, Dr. Gist began the first of four debridement and scaling procedures. After mechanical therapy, Dr. Gist delivered Perio Tray prescription, customized periodontal trays worn by patients to hold medication in periodontal pockets to kill the bacteria responsible for gum disease and gum infections. The patient was advised to wear his Perio Trays twice a day for 10 minutes to deliver 1.7% hydrogen peroxide gel and three drops of an antibiotic.
At the end of March, approximately two months after the initial visit, the patient exhibited no bleeding on probing, and over 90% of his pockets measured healthy depths. A periodontal maintenance visit on June 26, 2013, confirmed additional improvements. At the patient's most recent dental appointment on September 9, 2014, inflammation remained under control. Gums did not bleed. All periodontal pockets remained at healthy depths. Gum recession had decreased.
Dr. Gist attributes the long-term success of this case study to his focus on both the destructive symptoms and bacterial causes of the disease. "So much medicine today focuses on what has happened, not how to fix a problem. I am concerned with comprehensive treatment and prevention that addresses the sources of disease."
Gordy Award
The Nash Institute for Dental Learning (Charlotte, North Carolina) is proud to announce that Debra Engelhardt-Nash has been awarded the Gordon Christensen Outstanding Lecturer Award for 2015. The Christensen Award was established in 1990 to acknowledge Dr. Gordon Christensen's many contributions to the dental profession. The award was presented at the 2015 Chicago Dental Society Midwinter Meeting.
"It is such a genuine pleasure to award this," Dr. Christensen said when he called Engelhardt-Nash to stand beside him in front of her classroom and receive the plaque. "She's telling you how to produce more and enjoy dentistry, and she does it with vivacity, you can hear that she's passionate."
Engelhardt-Nash is believed to be the first non-clinician to receive this award. She is a consultant, lecturer, and trainer at The Nash Institute. She has presented workshops internationally for study groups and other organizations and has served as a contributing author and editor for several journals. Engelhardt-Nash has been recognized for more than 10 years as a top consultant, educator, and leader in continuing education and was named one of the Top 25 Women in Dentistry in 2014.
Fullbright Specialist Program Grant
Jonathan Shenkin, DDS, MPH, has been selected for a Fulbright Specialist Program grant in public/global health at Belarusian State Medical University. The Fulbright Specialist Program promotes linkages between US scholars and professionals and their counterparts at host institutions overseas.
Dr. Shenkin will travel to Belarus this spring for two weeks and help develop strategies and curriculum for Belarusian State dental faculty on how to train local pediatricians about the oral health of young children ages six months to three years.
"Belarus has a state-funded dental system where all care for children is provided in clinics for free," Dr. Shenkin said. "I hope this project bridges a common divide between dentists and physicians that exists worldwide."
Dr. Shenkin is a pediatric dentist in Augusta, Maine. He is also a clinical associate professor of health policy, health services research, and pediatric dentistry at Boston University, and serves as the vice president of the American Dental Association. Dr. Shenkin is a past president of the Maine Dental Association and served as the chair of the Maine Dental Association's Political Action Committee.
Leaders in Transparency Award
Dental Associates (Milwaukee, Wisconsin), Wisconsin's largest family-owned dental group practice, is one of six organizations nationally to be recognized with a 2014 Press Ganey Leaders in Transparency Award. The award honors innovative health-care organizations that have implemented solutions to capture the voice of patients and have shared patient experiences online. The other recipients include Integris Health, Piedmont Healthcare, Stanford Health Care, University of Utah Health Care, and Wake Forest Baptist Health.
Earlier this year, Dental Associates began posting patient evaluations of its dentists and clinics on its website, DentalAssociates.com. The evaluations are based on surveys, conducted by Press Ganey, of Dental Associates patients.
"As a company, we've always pushed ourselves to be a leader in the health-care industry and deliver the best patient care possible. I'm proud to say we're the first and only group dental practice in Wisconsin that's implemented a completely transparent way for patients to review and select a doctor," says Anthony G. Vastardis, CEO of Dental Associates. "Since 2003, we've conducted ongoing surveys with Press Ganey to hear our patient's voice. In September, we decided it was time to share that information in a public way."
Each dentist at Dental Associates has a profile page on the company's website. The pages feature an overall five-point rating for the doctor, nine ratings based on specific questions related to the patient's interaction with the doctor, and patient comments from the past 18 months. The page also includes a headshot of the doctor, details his or her education, and lists any professional associations he or she is involved in.
"The transparency movement is advancing the patient experience by providing public access to performance data to both improve engagement and increase accountability among physicians and employees. The organizations honored with the Leaders in Transparency Award are at the forefront of this movement," says Patrick T. Ryan, CEO, Press Ganey. "I am pleased to honor Dental Associates for their leadership and vision. Through their efforts, they are paving the way to dramatically improve the health-care delivery system."
The following have met Patterson Dental sales training requirements at the Patterson Companies corporate office in Saint Paul, Minnesota.
Libby Emmer
Sean Beshwate
Lael Fisz
Merritt Allston
Jairo Castillo
Skye Holliday
Teresa Kaliciak
Ron Gatus
Raymond Mankevich
Gavin Havard
Philip Matheson
Debra Nichols
Sal Mendez Marron
Justin Robinson
Jesse Renaud
Justin Starnes
Kristine Vacha
Chantal Wedthoff
Industry Updates
Keystone Industries partners with Apvia
Apavia (Eastlake, Ohio) and Keystone Industries (Cherry Hill, New Jersey) entered into a partnership in February to increase the introduction of water treatment products to the dental market.
Keystone will allow customers direct access to purified dental water, an ISO-certified amalgam separator to mitigate European Union-regulated mandates for waste water discharge, and a chemical-free disinfectant for dental unit water lines, surface disinfection, and odor control.
A statement about the partnership said, "The collaboration with Keystone Industries will allow Apavia to bring many years of water treatment and disinfection know-how to the international dental community. The agreement will enable Apavia to provide increased value to dental customers worldwide with expanded service and responsiveness, as well as product and technology advancements with a well-known and trusted name in the water industry."
Since 2013, Apavia has provided the dental community with innovative water filtration solutions from the point of entry to the point of exit. The company recently launched the AVTMax Amalgam Separator as an alternative to meeting EPA regulations in dental office equipment rooms.
The agreement will continue the companies' shared commitment to cost-effectively solve water and filtration concerns faced in the dental industry.
Keystone Industries, which was started in 1908, has added a new pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Gibbstown, New Jersey, and offers international service with their Sigen, Germany, headquarters.
Keystone Industries acquires the Harry J. Bosworth Company
Keystone Industries (Cherry Hill, New Jersey) announced the acquisition of the Harry J. Bosworth Company (Skokie, Illinois). Both companies will remain headquartered in their current locations.
Milly Goldstein, president of The Bosworth Company, said, "By blending our strengths, the laboratory and dental trade markets we serve will benefit from a greater continuity of service and products. We are truly excited about this endeavor and look forward to the projects we can accomplish together."
"To have an excellent group such as The Bosworth Company come onboard with our Keystone Companies is an impressive move for the advancement of the dental industry," said Otto Voit, President of the Keystone Dental Group. "By leveraging our combined strengths we can provide an unparalleled opportunity for growth in this challenging market today while ensuring that our core values of maintaining a family-oriented business are secured for future generations."
Biggest ids of all time in cologne, germany
Approximately 138,500 visitors from 151 countries and 2,201 exhibitors from 56 countries attended the 2015 International Dental Show (IDS) in Cologne, Germany.
This was the 36th annual IDS, with this year's show being held from March 10-14. The attendance for the biennial event was an almost 11% increase compared to the previous show (2013). IDS also achieved new records in terms of the number of exhibitors and the exhibition space sold. 2,201 companies (+6.9%) from 56 countries presented on exhibition space covering 157,000 square meters (+6.2%). There was an over 70% share of foreign exhibitors (+2%) and a 17% increase in the number of trade visitors from abroad. At the same time, the number of trade visitors from Germany also increased markedly in comparison to 2013 (+4.3%).
"We succeeded in making the International Dental Show in Cologne even more attractive, on both a national and international basis. It is thus the most successful IDS of all time," summed up Dr. Martin Rickert, Chairman of the Association of German Dental Manufacturers (VDDI).
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