Another defense against COVID-19 is available to dentists as DOVE® Dental Products has released the new DOVE® AERO, a single-use hybrid device designed to significantly reduce the risk of airborne aerosol movement caused by instrument use in a dental setting.

The threat from COVID-19 has prompted oral health professionals to rethink their infectious disease protocol to mitigate the spread of contagions in 3 areas: evacuation, backflow, and aerosol management. To date, no device on the market addresses all 3 concerns without sacrificing patient comfort or altering dental practices. According to the Guidance for Dental Settings published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), "…if aerosol-generating procedures are necessary for dental care, use 4-handed dentistry, high evacuation suction and dental dams to minimize droplet spatter and aerosols."

The AERO features a patented 360° external aerosol chamber to effectively manage airborne particles of up to 95 percent when combined with internal fluid evacuation.

DOVE AERO's innovative design addresses these concerns by combining the power of high-volume ejector (HVE) suction with the safety of a 1-way backflow protection, using a secured saliva ejector (SE) for patient comfort and easier access. The AERO features a patented 360° external aerosol chamber to effectively manage airborne particles of up to 95 percent when combined with internal fluid evacuation.

"We are extremely excited to introduce the new DOVE AERO HVE Backflow Prevention Valve," says Jim Langeloh, vice president of sales for DOVE Dental Products. "It's the first valve of its kind to offer external aerosol collection, backflow protection, and HVE power while providing patients with the comfort of using a saliva ejector."

It’s a simple, cost-effective solution for oral health professionals to manage the spread of COVID-19 using instruments with which they are already familiar. "It's the valve that does not compromise comfort, performance, or dental office space," adds Langeloh.

Articles

DOVE® Dental Products introduces single-use hybrid device with aerosol management to combat the spread of COVID-19.

New AERO HVE/SE Combo Reduces Airborne Aerosol Movement in Dental Settings 

Welcome back to ProductBites from Dental Products Report. I’m your host, Kristin Hohman. Thank you so much for tuning in! If you’re looking to catch up on some of the latest dental product releases, you’re in the right place. If you’re enjoying this series, please leave us some feedback on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. Also, make sure to subscribe so you’re up to date on the latest launches in the industry!

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued 510(k) clearance for Videa Caries Assist.

Videa Caries Assist is a caries detection algorithm powered by AI.

This AI algorithm is able to catch caries early, and trials done by the FDA indicate that the number of missed caries was 43% lower for dentists using Videa’s AI

This algorithm is based on the Videa Factory, a dataset with more than 100 million data points from a variety of dental sources such as practices, DSOs, and insurance companies.

With this diverse coalition of data, Videa is able to better represent a wider pool of patients.

The TeleDentists Dental/Medical Integration Program

The TeleDentists announced a new initiative designed to drive dental-medical integration by combining access to both physicians and dentists on their website.

The program is designed to help patient populations with unmet oral health needs and associated chronic diseases improve their overall health by integrating oral health into their healthcare.

The TeleDentists is partnering with telemedicine companies to offer virtual consultations with dentists 24-hours a day, 7-days a week, nationwide.

Citing research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on integrating oral and primary health, the TeleDentists created what is said to be the first dental-medical platform to be immediately accessed by providers and consumers from any platform.

With this new initiative, patients using the TeleDentists’ will be able to speak with a dental and/or medical professional, receive recommendations and remediation, and will be triaged to the correct specialist for in-person or virtual treatment.

Furthermore, dental and medical professionals can connect with each other to provide virtual consultations and collaborate to improve their patient's oral and overall health.

Dentsply Sirona DS Core Digital Dentistry Platform

DS Core is an open, cloud-based platform designed to integrate the whole workflow of digital dentistry – across its devices, services, and technologies.

DS Core was developed in collaboration with Google Cloud and gives dentists the power to do more so that they can focus on their patients and create easier ways to collaboratively work with labs, partners, and specialists.

DS Core is designed around the needs of dentists and modern dental practices and with a focus on security.

The digital platform is described as efficient, cost-effective, and easy to use – with automatic software updates that give dentists access to the latest version and features.

It’s said to make running a practice easier because it seamlessly connects to Dentsply Sirona equipment and is accessible across multiple devices.

Practitioners can use DS Core to store different types of patient files and make them accessible from multiple locations while collaborating with partners and colleagues outside their practice. DS Core supports GDPR and HIPAA-compliant file sharing and cloud storage for patient case files.

Amann Girrbach and TRI Dental Implants matrix implant system

The new matrix implant is designed for new digital manufacturing technologies such as CAD/CAM milling or 3D printing.

This concept allows for the planning of dentures directly on the implant—for single crowns, multi-part bars and bridges, or full arches— without any need for an abutment.

The matrix implant is also designed to offer no restriction on angulation and indication, no need for cementation, as well as the option to digitally plan 100% patient-specific emergence profiles, which are all said to guarantee long durability and highly esthetic results.

PURELL Healthcare Surface Disinfecting Wipes

GOJO Industries, makers of PURELL products, announced the launch of PURELL® Healthcare Surface Disinfecting Wipes.

These wipes are said designed as hospital-grade, ethyl-alcohol-based disinfecting wipes.

quickly eliminate 99.9% of bacteria and viruses of concern, including all ESKAPE pathogens, 7 of the most common drug-resistant bacteria, and viruses significant to the healthcare environment (including bloodborne pathogens, influenza A, RSV, and norovirus) in 2 minutes or less;

Kill the virus that causes COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) in only 30 seconds;

And cover 3X to 5X the average surface area covered by 2 of the leading healthcare surface disinfecting wipes on the market – allowing healthcare facilities to confidently do more with less.

Earned the EPA's lowest allowable toxicity rating (Category IV).

The wipes are FDA Food Code compliant and the formulation does not contain bleach, fragrances, or harsh fumes.

They’re designed to be compatible with most hard, nonporous surfaces and electronic devices, as well as touchscreens.

SmileDirectClub Wireless Premium Tooth Whitening Kit

SmileDirectClub has announced a new Wireless Premium Teeth Whitening Kit, containing a whitening gel pen and an LED Whitening Light.

The gel pen is said to be enamel-safe and comes in a 6mL apparatus. It is designed to be portable while still maintaining the necessary efficacy in whitening teeth.

The patented Wireless LED Whitening Light s rechargeable, eliminating the need for battery replacement.

It also touts portability, which allows users to take it with them on the go, along with the gel pen. This whitening light is said to brighten teeth up to 9 shades in 1 week, according to the company.

SmartMouth’s new Mouth Sore Oral Rinse is designed to prevent bad breath for 24 hours with just 2 rinses a day. It is also formulated to effectively soothe oral pain.

The Mouth Sore Rinse contains the same ingredients as the company’s original activated mouthwash, with the addition of Menthol for oral pain relief.

The resulting formula is said to not only fight and prevent bad breath but also soothe pain related to mouth sores, canker sores, and cheek bites.

In addition, the product’s zinc-ion activated formula promotes oral health and boosts immunity.

The Mouth Sore Rinse can also be used to ease irritation due to gums, braces, and dentures.

SmartMouth’s activated mouthwashes employ 2 liquids to fight bad breath.

Its Sulfur Eliminating Solution is said to destroy the root cause of bad breath—sulfur gases in the mouth.

When mixed with its zinc-ion Activating Solution, the combined solution activates to release billions of zinc ions that bond to the germs in the mouth, stopping the return of bad breath.

The rinse is currently available at Walmart and online at the company’s website.

Podcasts

In this episode, we cover a slew of diverse products ranging from a new implant, an artificial caries detection algorithm, a teeth whitening kit, and an oral sore mouth rinse.

ProductBites Episode 14

$11.5 Billion: The Future Looks Bright for Dental Restorative Materials—And Your Practice. Photo courtesy of New Africa/stock.adobe.com. 


$11.5 billion is a lot of money by anyone's standards. However, per market intelligence company Transparency Market Research's (TMR) report from early 2022, it is also the projected revenue of dental restorative materials product sales by 2030. So, what does that mean to your practice and clinical outcomes? We look at the benefits of a growing commercial market for materials and what that means to your practice and patients.

Before diving into the details of the TMR report, let's look at the report on the dental market as a whole, also released earlier this year. Precedence Research, a strategic market insight company from Canada/India, suggest in their analysis of the global dental market that a CAGR (compound annual growth rate) percentage of 6.4 or $698.8 billion by 2030. The US market for dental services will represent $196 billion by 2027. Precedence identifies the following in their report that are of note:

Cosmetic dentistry represents the most CAGR regarding procedure type, driven by younger patients concerned with esthetics.

Oral surgery was the dominant service in 2020 and will continue to grow as more general dentists are available worldwide.

End-users prefer dental clinics for dental services and treatment of disease (over hospitals, presumably).

North America was the leading dental services market in 2020, in part because of more disposable income, technology adoption in clinics, and high healthcare spending there.

Africa will be the fastest-growing market moving forward with the rising awareness about oral disease and increasing disposable income and access to dental clinics with advanced dental equipment.

With this increasing demand for dentistry worldwide, TMR reports growth in the restorative dental materials industry. As manufacturers produce improved restoratives that perform better and look great, more people want them. By improving filler technology, manufacturers create resin-based materials that exhibit less shrinkage, achieve better depth of cure, and finished restorations that can better withstand bite occlusal forces in patients' mouths. In addition, offering biocompatible and antimicrobial products has helped increase demand for these materials.

Like the Precedence Research Report, the TMR report also identifies cosmetic dentistry's constant evolution as a critical driver of growth in dentistry. As disposable income grows in the US and worldwide, the demand for restorative materials that satisfy patients' esthetic concerns is increasing. Also, raising awareness about the longevity of dental restoration materials is expanding acceptance of dental restoration materials, which increases the demand for them in practices.

So, What Does This Mean For Your Practice?

When it comes to your dental practice, these predictions might seem irrelevant. However, with that much revenue on the line, they might have more relevance than you think.

These numbers indicate an opportunity for dental restorative material manufacturers to improve their bottom lines with a growing demand for dental restorative materials. However, competition compels manufacturers to innovate and address what matters to dental practices the most, so you buy their product over the competition.

What does matter most to clinicians? Jason Goodchild, DMD, Vice President of Clinical Affairs for Premier Dental Products Company, says that dental practices operate on small margins. When facing rising costs, dental practice stakeholders either need to do more dentistry or spend less on what they do—or both.

"Every dentist is looking for better, safer, faster,” Dr Goodchild says.

Manufacturers have different concerns, like how to create value with innovation and capture market share. Dr Goodchild says it can be challenging to generate enough innovation that a clinician is interested in hearing about "something new,” but not so much that it disrupts workflow. Also, manufacturers don’t want to mess with what’s already working for them. An example is Traxodent

 Hemodent Paste by Premier, Goodchild explains.

“It's a fantastic product and it hasn't changed much for a long time because, when you hit the bullseye, where do you go from there?” Dr Goodchild says. “So, you don't want to mess it up by trying to improve it.”

Moreover, manufacturers want to move the needle that dentists care about, Dr Goodchild explains. Otherwise, clinicians are unlikely to move from their current system that works in their hands and delivers consistent results.

"We dentists are very stuck in our ways because the pace of dentistry is quick. We don't have time to do different things for every procedure, patient, and material. Sometimes we look for efficiencies by doing it the same way," Dr Goodchild says, adding that the need for a standard operating system is essential when you add in the multiple doctors and assistants within a practice. "So, from a materials manufacturer and development standpoint, we try to work within that limitation. We try not to make it a behavior change."

So, to capture your market share, manufacturers are improving materials to provide benefits you care about. Some improvements change what composite can do for patients.

John Flucke, DDS and Technology Editor for DPR, says developments in bioactive materials are one of the ways the growth in the materials market will benefit clinicians and patients. For example, Infinix

 from Nobio, a composite released in February 2022, has a built-in molecule that kills bacteria.

This feature answers the problem of secondary decay around the restorations' margins that sometimes cut the life of restorative work down to two to five years. Dr Flucke wants to keep an eye on Infinix, hopeful it will make a significant difference in dental practices and patient outcomes. With longevity on its side, Dr Flucke thinks it would be a material that people suffering from dental anxiety might appreciate.

"If you went to people who were scared of going to the dentist and said, 'Look, I know you're scared, and you don't want to do this. But would you be willing to do this once and then never have to do it again, potentially, or not have to do it again for 20 years?’ I think people would do that," Dr Flucke says.

Dr Flucke also likes RE-GEN™ from Vista APEX. RE-GEN is a line of bioactive materials, including a universal adhesive with bioactive glass, Bioglass, which should increase the bond strength while also allowing the body to develop crystalline structures under it, rebuilding tooth structure. Also, Dr Flucke appreciates the improvements to Ceramir (Doxa), the crown and bridge cement that is also bioactive, which can help mitigate dentinal sensitivity in the dentin layer that occurs with other adhesives.

"Some people, their teeth get really sensitive," Dr Flucke says. "The nice thing about a bioactive crown and bridge cement is that it builds crystalline structures over that dentin. It helps insulate."

So, How Can Dentists Get More of What They Want?

Manufacturers are listening to the Voice of the Customer more than in the past. Dr Goodchild experiences this as a clinician receiving the surveys and watching it happen at Premier, who are sending out many user surveys, too. The purpose of Premier’s surveys is to poll clinicians about what their pain points are so they can develop products that meet their needs.

Dr Goodchild thinks that clinicians can help manufacturers find these valuable innovations by giving manufacturers feedback. Whether it's a survey or an unsolicited email or call to the manufacturer, real insight from clinicians using the products will help manufacturers identify the subsequent most helpful development.

"Very few manufacturers have dentists or hygienists on staff. So, they get clinical input from the voice of customer research. That's invaluable to us," Dr Goodchild says. "If you don't like how your composite handles, call them or let them know or speak to your rep about what else is out there."

Dental Services Market Size Expanding US$ 698.8 Billion by 2030 | BioSpace. BioSpace.com. Published 2022. Accessed April 29, 2022. https://www.biospace.com/article/dental-services-market-size-expanding-us-698-8-billion-by-2030/. 

Restorative Material Market is Expected to Reach Valuation of US$ 11.5 Bn by 2030: TMR Study. GlobeNewswire.com. Published 2022. Accessed April 29, 2022. https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2022/02/28/2393457/0/en/Restorative-Material-Market-is-Expected-to-Reach-Valuation-of-US-11-5-Bn-by-2030-TMR-Study.html. 

Market intelligence firm indicates that the dental restoratives markets will grow to $11.5 Billion by 2030. What does that mean to your practice and patients? 

$11.5 Billion: The Future Looks Bright for Dental Restorative Materials—And Your Practice

Stan Goff is the Managing Editor of Dental Products Report, Dental Lab Products and Modern Hygienist. He has covered the dental industry since 1999 and can be reached at sgoff@mjhlifesciences.com.  

Humans have been trained to brush their teeth twice a day and also told the importance of flossing and using a mouth rinse. How is it that animals tend to maintain pretty good oral health without ever establishing the same routines to protect their mouths?

Well, a lot of factors play into this. In some cases, types of animals will help other animals clean their teeth, and in other instances animals just naturally behave in ways that help them keep their teeth strong.

Here we take a fun look at 5 examples of how Mother Nature helps care for animals’ chompers.

Let's take a fun look at 5 examples of how Mother Nature helps care for animals’ chompers.

5 Ways Mother Nature Cares for Animals’ Teeth

 The formula is said to not only fight and prevent bad breath but also soothe pain related to mouth sores, canker sores, and cheek bites, among other irritations.

Oral care product company SmartMouth has introduced its Mouth Sore Oral Rinse. The new rinse product is designed to prevent bad breath for 24 hours with just 2 rinses a day. It is also formulated to effectively soothe oral pain.

The Mouth Sore Rinse contains the same ingredients as the company’s original activated mouthwash, with the addition of Menthol for oral pain relief. The resulting formula is said to not only fight and prevent bad breath but also soothe pain related to mouth sores, canker sores, and cheek bites. In addition, the product’s zinc-ion activated formula promotes oral health and boosts immunity. The Mouth Sore Rinse can also be used to ease irritation due to gums, braces, and dentures.

SmartMouth’s activated mouthwashes employ 2 liquids to fight bad breath. Its Sulfur Eliminating Solution is said to destroy the root cause of bad breath—sulfur gases in the mouth. When mixed with its zinc-ion Activating Solution, the combined solution activates to release billions of zinc ions that bond to the germs in the mouth, stopping the return of bad breath.

The Mouth Sore Oral Rinse is currently available in a 16-ounce bottle at Walmart and 16- and 10-ounce bottles on the company’s website. They will be available at Publix and Harmon Face Values starting in June.

SmartMouth Introduces Mouth Sore Activated Rinse

Stratasys has debuted its new GrabCAD Print™ for its Stratasys Origin® One and Origin One Dental 3D printers. An application of the GradCAD Additive Manufacturing platform, GradCAD Print will provide users with an integrated, all-in-one solution for 3D printing workflow for print build file preparation and post-print analysis.

The integration with GrabCAD Print is said to be the first step in integrating Origin One into the full platform, according to a press release from the company. The GrabCAD Additive Manufacturing platform is designed to enable 2-way connectivity between 3D printers, additive manufacturing, and enterprise applications, and broader industry 4.0 infrastructure. The platform is open source and enterprise-ready, bringing together GrabCAD applications and third-party software partners via the GrabCAD Software Development Kit.

This ecosystem approach is said to enable manufacturers to manage their product scale additive manufacturing operations across the entire digital thread—from design through production. GradCAD Print for Origin One will provide an alternative to third-party pre-print software solutions, providing users with a consistent experience and connectivity with Stratasys 3D printing technologies while replacing the native Origin web application.

The platform is also designed to provide improved print preparation, an improved automatic support generation tool with lower support material consumption, as well as new functionality including labeling, native CAD file support, printer status monitoring, and printer scheduler. The software also enables access to Open Material License that allows users to develop materials with profiles and settings optimized for their needs, manage collections, and share materials within their organization.

GrabCAD Print will be introduced at no charge for all Origin One and Origin One Dental printer customers and is expected to be available this year.

The new GrabCAD software is designed to improve print preparation and automatic support generation tools. 

Stratasys Will Debut New GrabCAD Print Platform for Origin One 3D Printers

Preat to Work Together with Panthera Dental for Dental Implant Bars


Dental implant company Preat has announced that it will now be working with Panthera Dental. In this partnership, Preat’s implant design center with combine with Panthera’s metal bar manufacturing to create robust components, attachments, and prosthetics. These pieces will be both functional and esthetically enhanced, according to President of Preat Chris Bormes.

“The arrangement between our companies brings together 2 names customers know and trust,” said Bormes in a press release from Preat. “Preat’s team will continue to design functional and esthetic pieces for manufacture by Panthera, ensuring customers receive the high-quality components and frictionless ordering experience they’ve come to expect from us.”

Panthera is known for its implant bar milling and non-OEM implants. Combining with Preat was a step forward in expanding options for customers, according to CEO Gabriel Robichaud.

“The Panthera Dental team is pleased to be working with Preat on this strategic new opportunity,” said Robichaud in the press release. “We are bringing together the best of both our worlds with our commitment to rapidly creating flexible, adaptable products for customers.”

Preat and Panthera will be at Lab Day West, May 20-21, 2022 in Garden Grove, California.

Preat and Panthera Dental will team up to combine implants and enhanced bar manufacturing methods to create components and prosthetics for patients.

Preat to Work Together with Panthera Dental for Dental Implant Bars

Lisa Newburger, a master's level social worker supervisor, helps audiences find humor in talking about tough topics. Her "in-your-face" style of presentations and writing will make you smile or just shock you into taking some action. Either way, she is very effective at empowering others to reach their goals and feel better about themselves. Her entertaining workshops are available for national and international audiences. Writing for the dental industry since 2010, she uses an alterego (Diana Directive) to illustrate her points in a sarcastic but effective way. Presentations can be scheduled by contacting Lisa at www.discussdirectives.com/dental.html.

Do No Harm as a Mantra for the Dental Practice. Photo courtesy of Artem/stock.adobe.com. 


Mistakes happen, but bad ones motivated by money are a different story. Those kinds of complications could be criminal. I know, there is going to be a lot of email on this article, but I am ok with that. Great writers want you to think and discuss ideas that may change your life. This is one of them.

I received an email from a reader, who had quite the story to tell. David is 26 years old, single, athletic, and is what you might call a “popular” guy. He is well known in his community as he has lived his whole life there. He knows everyone and lives the good life of playing golf and hanging out with his friends. Unfortunately, his incredibly happy existence radically changed 2 months ago when he went to the dentist. He had no idea this could change his life so radically.

He saw Dentist #1, a general dentist, for a root canal who recommended he should have cosmetic dental work. When David was 15, his 2 front teeth were knocked out. He has lived with a flipper ever since. Dentist #1 suggested implants and a dental bridge. David was a bit apprehensive but wanted a specialist to make their recommendations. Online, he found Dentist #2 advertising for a free consultation.

Dentist #2 said he could get implants but kept talking about a bridge, because he wanted to put 2 teeth on either side of the missing teeth. David went back for a few dental visits to have a whitening treatment and to fill a cavity. Several conversations were had about David’s reluctance to have this treatment. David was apprehensive about shaving down 4 teeth to replace 2. He wanted the implants or a new partial, but Dentist #2 would not budge. He kept saying that the bridge treatment was what was needed.

The day came for the scheduled procedure, and David did not want to have it done. He called to cancel the appointment, but the receptionist pressured him to keep the appointment and have the treatment. David kept the appointment with the idea that he would pay the balance on the bill, pay for the cancellation, and apologize for not going through with it.

He arrived and reiterated again with the receptionist that he did not want the procedure, but she would not listen to him. She encouraged him to speak with the dentist. David felt unrelenting pressure by both Dentist #2 and the receptionist to have the procedure even though he did not want it. Before he knew it, he was in the chair and the dentist was shaving down his teeth.

David went home that night with a frightening 6-tooth bridge. This bridge was a complete nightmare. The teeth were too long, hitting his bottom teeth causing him to bite his bottom lip when he ate. As a result, he gained a lisp, and his jaw has been locking and showing signs of temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ). The dentist never made it shorter on the provisional nor the permanent one even though David continued to complain that this was causing so much pain.

His life changed as a result. Depression hit hard. He is isolating from family and friends and is embarrassed to talk as his teeth look ridiculous. When we spoke, David did not understand how he got in this situation, but reports that there was so much pressure he did not feel like he had a choice. This is a tricky thing for him to wrap his mind around. He is normally a confident person who never had any problems setting boundaries and limits with others, but something happened and now he is in this situation.

He has taken good steps as he found Dentist #3 who is planning to redo the bridge and resolve the TMJ symptoms.

When David spoke with me, his anger came through loud and clear. He has every right to his anger. I would be livid if I were in the same situation. His trust in dentists has been seriously damaged because of this nightmare. He was not listened to, and he was manipulated repeatedly.

I made a few suggestions as to other next steps he might take.

Talk to the American Dental Association (ADA),

 which he has already. They are sending him a peer review complaint form.

Take a friend back to Dentist #2’s office and 

. It cost $7500 and the repair costs the same.

. He is returning to exercise and trying to cope with this situation.

 if the depression does not continue to improve.

We talk about production in most practices 1 way or another. In this case, a patient was harmed because of a procedure he never wanted. Skeptics may say, “Why did he ever have it?” The answer was because the dental staff violated his trust. He was pushed into something he did not want. Whatever the reason he did not get up and walk out of the office does not matter. “Do No Harm” also means listening to the patient instead of the focus being on revenue.

David will be ok. I have faith in him. He is doing what he needs to do to reclaim his life. My question to you the dental professional is whether you have participated in situations like this due to the pressure for production. If so, where do you draw the line?

As dental professionals, doing no harm and not pressuring the patient should be part of every interaction. 

Do No Harm as a Mantra for the Dental Practice

Laura Dorr is the former executive editor of DPR's Modern Dental Network and a regular contributing author.

Summertime is full of vacations, activities, and getting out of the office. All these are undeniably wonderful, but summertime is also the time for one thing dental labs dread: a slow season. Although business always ebbs and flows, there are certain times when labs can expect business to peter off, but it doesn’t have to mean a huge economic hit.

“There are always fluctuations,” says David Turpin, CDT, owner of Spartan Dental Lab in Lansing, Michigan. “Everyone’s trying to take vacations and do things, [especially in the summertime]. You know it’s going to come, so there’s no avoiding it. It’s just about preparing for it.”

Understanding these fluctuations and knowing how to prepare financially is critical, but it’s also beneficial to think about how to reduce the effects of when business is slow. Many lab owners are getting creative with ways to fill the time so they don’t find themselves at a loss for multiple months. Although there are plenty of opportunities outside of the lab to make some extra income (eg, real estate, clever investing, or creative endeavors), there are also options for lab owners who want to keep their side hustles dialed into the industry. So, what’s the best way to resist slowing down during the slow season?

One way to stay tapped into the industry when business is slow is to be a voice of the industry. Working the lecture circuit, writing for publications, and establishing yourself as a key opinion leader in the field opens doors for paid consulting opportunities or speaking gigs. By becoming an educator, lab owners can set themselves up for industry notoriety, which can in turn attract new clients to their labs.

“Providing education is definitely valuable,” Turpin says. “Everybody’s learning. Everybody’s looking to learn. We are going to start doing events here at our lab and offering more education, because it’s a valuable way to expand.”

Tom Zaleske, CDT, owner of Matrix Dental Laboratory and Consulting in Crown Point, Indiana, has been a dental technician and consultant for over 35 years. In addition to being a talented technician, Zaleske writes for multiple publications, participates in speaking engagements, tests products, and provides consulting services.

“My side hustles are things like writing articles, interviewing, speaking, or anything that has to do with my specialty area,” Zaleske says. “I do solicit for consulting work, and the consulting work fills in the gaps for that, as well. It keeps me in the mix and helps boost overall revenue.”

For technicians who perhaps haven’t been in the industry long enough to gain a real footing as a thought leader, Zaleske recommends laying the groundwork for future education opportunities. By bolstering professional relationships with both clients and colleagues, labs can position themselves to be go-to educators in the future. And there are options for those who don’t have the time or interest in joining the lecture circuit or providing out-of-lab consulting services.

“If you aren’t comfortable getting in front of people outside of the lab or you don’t have the bandwidth, magazines are always looking for articles, and some magazines pay for those,” Zaleske says. “Through COVID-19 times, Zoom meetings and presentations have become a very big thing. So, if you want to put some more money in your pocket, put together a Zoom course or lecture, present [it], and charge for it. Or [you can] do it for your doctors to teach them something new. [You can also] promote something different that you haven’t offered before.”

Zoom sessions and articles are a good way to get a foothold with colleagues, but technicians shouldn’t limit themselves to solely industry networks. Social media also provides a good platform for education.

“LinkedIn is a great tool,” Zaleske says. “I’m very prolific on LinkedIn. It’s very valuable to use it for professional encouragement or professional maturation. It’s a place where if you are working on a [really cool] case and you want to share it with other like-minded individuals, you can do that. And it gets your name out there and helps establish you.”

LinkedIn has the added benefit of getting you in front of people outside of the industry, such as potential patients. “I do it quite a bit [on LinkedIn] because not only does it build me professionally, but I [also] get calls from patients who go online and want to research what they are going to be getting,” Zaleske says. “Patients are looking for more education and want to know what is going in their mouth or figure out why something isn’t working for them. I can make recommendations, then the patient asks the dentist to use me as their laboratory. Part of my solicitation strategy is: Let the patients do it for you.”

With summer—and its associated lull in caseload—right around the corner, now is a great time for labs to explore these and other opportunities to expand their business. In addition to consulting and publishing opportunities, labs can take advantage of the downtime to increase their offerings or venture into entirely new fields. Turpin sees the slow season as a great chance for exploration to see what development opportunities new technology can provide.

“Slow times are good times to do research and make decisions about adding new technologies or expanding offerings,” Turpin says. “It’s good to take the time to weigh the pros and cons of those decisions. It’s also a good time to work on workflow issues or optimize your workflow. We are always trying to think ahead and trying to do something new or innovative.”

Staying ahead of the curve and continually expanding a lab’s service menu through the addition of workflow-simplifying technology helps increase business and positions the lab to be able to accept a wider variety of case types in the future. This can be an attractive proposition to dentists who want to provide their patients with high-quality results while building a solid relationship with a trusted lab. However, Zaleske cautions that it’s important not to overreach. The quickest way to lose a client is to overpromise and underdeliver because a lab doesn’t know how to correctly utilize its new technology.

“I try to bring in 2 different types of offerings a year,” Zaleske says. “I stick to that, because you have to implement them, then they have to become standard. The problem is if you bring in too much, then you’re overwhelmed. I always say, ‘Don’t try to change your life in 1 fell swoop.’ Take 1, 2, or 3 things and implement them until they become what I call a standard extra.”

One thing more and more labs are implementing is 3D printing. By moving away from analog, labs can up productivity and increase revenue, even when fewer units are being produced. Combine a shortage of lab technicians with the expected seasonal slowdowns, and it comes as no surprise that many labs are looking to adopt the digital method.

Jamie Stover, CDT, senior manager of dental lab applications for Carbon in Redwood City, California, has seen this significant uptick in adoption in action. “We continue to see 3D-printing adoption increase in our industry overall,” Stover says. “Labs are [rapidly] moving denture and splint production from analog fabrication at the bench to 3D printers. From 2021 to 2022, we saw Lucitone Digital Print Denture resin (Dentsply Sirona) usage increase 175% across the Carbon customer base. Heading into the second quarter of 2022, we continue to see an increase in the usage of resins that are used [to produce] removable prostheses.”

In addition to producing an increased number of high-quality dentures and splints (which certainly keeps labs busy, as there were 40.99 million Americans wearing dentures in 2020

), some labs are looking further afield for opportunities to put their printers to good use. One route some labs are taking is dipping their toes into other industries and tapping into previously unaffiliated markets.

“I’m always looking to see how we can get into different markets, not just dental, so it’s something we can always use to keep revenue going,” Turpin says. “With 3D printing, you can go into different things [such as] printing prototypes for startups in other industries. There’s a big startup push in our area, so looking outside the industry for 3D printing opportunities is something we do.”

At Spartan Dental Lab, Turpin has used his Carbon M2 3D printer to collaborate with local electronics companies to print prototypes. In addition to expanding his client base, it means extra work during the slow season. As a result, he’s found it to be a great side gig with a lot of room for growth.

“With some of the resins out there, we can even start production on low-count batches for companies,” Turpin says. “You could start manufacturing for them. You just have to make the leap.”

Another lab that made the leap outside the dental industry is Castable Ceramics in Anchorage, Alaska. Part of the Apex Dental Laboratory Group, Castable Ceramics recently found itself partnered with an unlikely client: the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. The lab produced a 3D-printed part that is used in a state-of-the-art fish hatchery in Anchorage. Prior to the lab’s involvement, the hatchery had run into issues with metal components that were reacting in the tank and contaminating the water.

“Castable Ceramics is a [great] example of a dental lab using our printers to produce innovative parts for another industry,” Stover says. “This component they are fabricating [must] withstand [approximately] 700 gal of ice-cold water flowing around it per minute, facilitating the purifying of the water with UV light while also not being reactive with the water in the tank and contaminating it. The 3D-printed part doesn’t react with the water, like some of the metals they tried [had done], so they’re able to keep the water pure.”

Stover has been incredibly impressed with the lab’s ingenuity and the use of its Carbon printer. “We love to hear about labs using our 3D printers in innovative ways,” Stover says. “Part of our mission statement is that ‘we enable creators everywhere to make what the world needs now.’

One of the most impressive things to me is that Castable Ceramics is using the same printers they use to fabricate dental parts, [such as] models, splints, and dentures, to produce the parts I just described for a completely different industry. It underscores the value of additive manufacturing for disruptive innovation.”

Although labs like Spartan Dental and Castable Ceramics have taken the plunge into other industries, Stover isn’t certain it’s a trend that will take off. Labs will need to have the bandwidth and staffing to support out-of-industry customers while also balancing the needs of their dental clients. With a shortage of lab technicians and an increasing need for removables, labs may not have to look far to increase their workloads.

“Current trends in our industry are continued consolidation of dental labs and a serious shortage of experienced removable technicians combined with overall staffing shortages. Conversely, there is no shortage of restorative work flowing into [most] of the labs I work with, meaning most labs don’t have the bandwidth or the need to create products for other industries,” Stover says. “[However], it’s very exciting that some are using additive technology to expand their product offerings and that the door is open for others if they decide to.”

However, the labs that are diversifying are setting themselves apart as innovators and outside-the-box thinkers in a way that is certain to keep business booming. Being an innovator also leads to more opportunities for education and establishing a lab as a leader in the field. “It’s always good to be different,” Turpin says. “It’s important to be on the leading edge of things. You should be always expanding [and] always thinking forward.”

Sometimes the most valuable side hustle is investing time into future prosperity for your primary hustle—also known as a successful lab. “It doesn’t make me money directly,” Zaleske says. “But the other part of that is people that own businesses [must] look at future ways to make an income or increase their income. My thing has always been using downtime for boning up on what we’re doing or offering something different [such as] learning a new technique.”

In addition to positioning himself for self-growth and education, Zaleske also uses the time to engage with his clients to promote education and networking. “Particularly before I had any type of notoriety, I would use downtime to promote an event, [such as] a lunch and learn or an evening venue, for education for my accounts,” Zaleske says. “In other words, I keep myself in front of my clients so that they’re always thinking about me. Maybe I’ll test a product for someone or little things like that to keep me in the mix. I’ll send them articles about things we’ve encountered or might want to change or explore that they can peruse at their convenience if they’re slow.”

Stover agrees that engaging with dentists is key. Carbon supports labs in this through education opportunities for dentists and labs alike. “An example of how we strategically partner with our customers to help them grow their businesses is providing educational webinars for our labs’ dental clients,” Stover says. “When moving products from analog to digital processes, it requires a lot of education from the lab and communication with their clinical team. Labs often lack the bandwidth to efficiently provide this information and end up needing to have the same conversation over and over to educate all their clients. I provide information on the materials, workflow, and processes for an average of 50 to 100 dentists per live webinar. The labs record the webinar and share it with all the clients that couldn’t attend live, and [they] use it in perpetuity as an informational and training tool.”

By providing training tools and information to dentists, labs position themselves as invaluable to their clients. Zaleske thinks staying relevant and proving to his clients that his lab is a key opinion leader is a critical component of marketing and business growth. By taking the time to engage with his clients, he builds stronger relationships that benefit his lab in the future—relationships that can help labs never slow down, even through the traditionally slower months.

“Staying in the mix is the difference between a job and a career,” Zaleske says. “A job is [where] you go to work, you’re done at 5, and that’s it. A career is something you’re always cultivating, and it’s always maturing. It’s a constant growth process. Your lab should be constantly growing, too, so that it never slows down.”

1. U.S. population: do you use dentures?Statista. Accessed April 27. 2022. https://www.statista.com/statistics/275484/us-households-usage-of-dentures/

Your career is something you’re always cultivating, and your lab should be constantly growing, too, so that it never slows down.

Never Slow Down: Ideal Side Hustles for When Dental Lab Business Is Slow

Dr. John Flucke is in private practice in Lee’s Summit, Mo. He also serves as technology editor for Dental Products Report magazine and keeps an active blog filled with thoughts and tidbits on the world of technology at blog.denticle.com.

Keeping Personal and Practice Data Safe in the Wake of the American Dental Association Hack. Photo courtesy of Chor muang/stock.adobe.com. 


None of us wants to learn the unfortunate news that our office has been hit with a cybersecurity attack. In addition to the effects it can have on our business and potentially, our income, there is also the matter of protecting patient data. Not only is protecting that data the right thing to do, but it is also required by law. Cybersecurity incidents can be a harrowing ordeal. While there is no way to completely guarantee you will never be affected by one, there are some good rules to follow which will help make you less susceptible.

Given the recent hacking of the American Dental Association (ADA) office as well as the increase in cybersecurity threats due to the ongoing issues in Ukraine, I turned to the person and company that I trust for my own practice’s cybersecurity.

Here’s some insight from Steve White, Senior Partner and Vice President of DDS Rescue.

Dr John Flucke: Given what we know about the cyber-attack at the ADA offices, what are your initial thoughts?

Without knowing exactly what files the hackers have accessed, we can only make assumptions. Based on these assumptions, each individual ADA member should take extra steps to ensure their personal and their practice’s data is protected.

JF: Given the current situation, what are some immediate steps that ADA members should take to protect themselves and their practices?

The first concern that I have is the personal data that may have been caught up in this hack—data that can be used for personal identity theft.

To be safe, you should assume that the hackers have the password to your ADA account. Even if you have never used your ADA password anywhere else, you should immediately change your passwords, especially any and all passwords associated with anything financial such as your accounting software, banking, investments or retirement accounts.

In fact, this is a good time to go through all of your passwords and employ best practices for proper password management. Password complexity and expiration policy should be enabled and enforced by Group Policy when possible. Here are a few password don’ts:

Don’t reuse passwords. If you do, a hacker who obtains access to 1 of your accounts will be able to access all of them.

Don’t use a regular dictionary word as your password. If you do, at least string several together into a passphrase.

Don’t use standard number substitutions. Do you think “P455w0rd” is a good password? N0p3! Cracking tools now have those built in.

Don’t use a short password—no matter how weird. Today’s processing speeds mean that even passwords like “h6!r$q” can be cracked quickly. Your best defense is the longest possible password.

You should also enable 2-Factor Authentication, also referred to as Multifactor Authentication, to all applications and websites that offer this as an option. Two-Factor Authentication sends a 1-time code to your cell phone to validate that it is you who is attempting to login. When enabled, a hacker will need both your password and your cell phone to successfully login.

JF: I have received notifications that both my cell phone number and my email address have appeared on the dark web. Besides identify theft protection, are there any other steps that we should take?

You bring up a good point. With healthcare being such a high-priority target for cyber-attacks of all types, having an active identity theft protection program, such as LifeLock or Identity Guard, are not only a best business practice, but also just common sense.

What to be concerned about and what steps to take to protect your dental practice from cyber-attacks.