Danaher acquires i-CAT® maker
Imaging Sciences International, Inc., has been acquired by Danaher Corporation, and joins KaVo®, Gendex®, DEXIS®, and Pelton & Crane® as part of Danaher’s group of market-leading dental equipment companies. Imaging Sciences, which is based in Hatfield, Pa., manufactures, sells, and markets the i-CAT® Cone Beam 3-D dental imaging system, which is the market leading 3-D dental imaging solution for general practitioners and dental specialists.
“We are extremely excited to become a key part of the leading dental equipment team, and we are confident that this transaction will solidify i-CAT as the top choice for dental practitioners in need of a value-creating 3-D imaging solution,” said Ed Marandola, president of Imaging Sciences.
“Adding the number one 3-D imaging product line to our 2-D offerings from Gendex and DEXIS demonstrates our commitment to dental professionals at a time when practitioners increasingly recognize the need for the powerful information these systems provide,” said Bob Joyce, president of KaVo Gendex North America. “Imaging Sciences’ talented professionals will help us continue to deliver unsurpassed product performance, quality, and customer service to dentists worldwide.”
In North America, i-CAT is currently exclusively distributed through Sullivan Schein Dental™. i-CAT is distributed outside the United States by several other distributor partners. For more information on Imaging Sciences, see www.ImagingSciences.com.
GNYDM just keeps growing and growing
The Greater New York Dental Meeting completed its 82nd Annual Session with extraordinary results. Total attendance in 2006 was 54,137, a 28 percent increase over the 42,153 attendees from 2005.
“This year we surpassed our expectations in every way,” said Dr. Robert R. Edwab, executive director of the Greater New York Dental Meeting, “The positive feedback from our attendees and exhibitors was tremendous.”
According to Dr. Edwab, the unique No Registration Fee has been attracting more members of the dental community than ever. International attendance grew from 1,652 individuals in 2005 to 2,826 in 2006, a phenomenal rise of 71 percent. Attendees arrived from 107 countries compared to 77 in 2005, another growth spurt of 38 percent.
Oregon CEOs give kudos to A-dec
CEOs across Oregon regard A-dec as one of the state’s most admired companies. This honor was a result of more than 2,500 Oregon CEOs sharing their opinion in the Portland Business Journal’s 2006 Oregon’s Most Admired Companies Survey. A-dec ranked in the top 10 in two categories - Across all Industries and Traditional Manufacturing.
“This acknowledgement is a tremendous tribute to the accomplishments of our organization,” said A-dec General Manager Scott Parrish. “This is something all A-dec employees can take pride in because it reveals the high level of respect for their hard work among Oregon’s business leaders.”
Companies selected in the survey were evaluated on attributes including innovation, quality of goods and services, community involvement, and quality of management. Nike was the top-placing company in the Across all Industries category. Columbia Sportswear received the winning honor in the Traditional Manufacturing category.
Onex Corp. to acquire Kodak Health Group
Onex Corporation has announced that it will acquire the Health Group of Eastman Kodak Company in a transaction initially valued at approximately US$2.35 billion.
“This is a great opportunity to acquire and grow a business that has established an extraordinary record in delivering innovative solutions to customers around the world. We are very impressed with the Health Group’s world-class products in every sector - medical, dental, molecular imaging, and non-destructive testing,” said Robert M. Le Blanc, an Onex Managing Director. “The Kodak Health Group has an exceptionally strong management team and we share this team’s vision for the future. We recognize that growth is critical and that digital technology is the future and we believe strongly that customers and employees must continue to be a top priority.”
“We are delighted to join Onex, a partner that shares our enthusiasm to grow our business. This transaction creates an extraordinary opportunity for our global organization to meet the growing medical imaging and information needs of the healthcare community now and into the future,” said Kevin J. Hobert, President of Kodak’s Health Group. “Onex has a long track record of acquiring businesses and working with them to achieve superior growth and operational excellence. Onex’s expertise and its commitment to this business, together with the Health Group’s proven product portfolio, worldwide presence and highly talented employee base will result in tremendous opportunities to provide the best in customer service.”
Milestone, Schein ink distribution pact
Milestone Scientific, Inc., and Henry Schein, Inc., have signed a distribution agreement granting Henry Schein exclusive distribution rights to market Milestone’s Single Tooth Anesthesia (STA™) system and other products to dental professionals in the United States and Canada.
“At Sullivan-Schein Dental, we are committed to offering our customers technologically advanced exclusive products to enhance the practice of dentistry, and Milestone’s STA system is an important addition to that roster,” said Tim Sullivan, president of Sullivan-Schein Dental, Henry Schein’s U.S. dental division. “We are very pleased to be teaming with Milestone to make the STA system available to our dental customers in the United States and Canada.”
Leonard Osser, Milestone’s chairman and CEO, added, “The development of our STA system is the culmination of many years work to develop a more dentist friendly and more efficient system for painlessly anesthetizing a single tooth. We believe that the STA system should set a new standard of patient care and are pleased that the world’s leading dental distribution company shares our vision.”
Miltex acquires DenLite from Welch Allyn
Miltex Dental has acquired the assets of the DenLite illuminated mirror product from Welch Allyn, Inc. The DenLite system is the only cordless, illuminated dental instrument that can be used as a mirror while also being strong enough to be used as a retractor during an examination.
“The DenLite system is an excellent addition to our already extensive line of dental mouth mirrors,” said Bob Perrett, president and CEO of Miltex, Inc. “DenLite will fit nicely with our Miltex®, Union Broach®, and Indian Head® brand mirrors and further broadens our mirror offering to meet the needs that a dental professional may have with respect to mirror quality, price, and functionality.”
In May 2006, the DenLite Illuminated Mirror System, designed by Welch Allyn, won the prestigious Medical Design Excellence Award, the only awards program that exclusively recognizes contributions and advancements in the design of medical products.
TDOT donated to help Mississippi residents
TOMORROW’S DENTAL OFFICE TODAY (TDOT), the futuristic dental office on wheels, was recently donated to the Mississippi Department of Health which will use it to provide routine dental care to underserved populations affected by Hurricane Katrina.
At the handoff ceremony held during ADA06 Las Vegas are (left to right) Clay Mickel, associate executive director, American Dental Association; Dr. Nick Mosca, dental director, Mississippi Department of Health; Stan Bergman, chairman and chief executive officer of Henry Schein, Inc.; Tim Sullivan, president of Sullivan-Schein Dental; Steve Kess, vice president of professional relations, Henry Schein, Inc.; and Don Hobbs, vice president of equipment, Sullivan-Schein.
The 30-by-84-foot traveling, interactive exhibit also enabled hundreds of dentists at U.S. trade shows nationwide to see firsthand how technology can revolutionize their patient care and practice productivity today. The program was supported by the American Dental Association and Henry Schein through its U.S. dental division, Sullivan-Schein, and its Dentrix Dental Systems division. Among the manufacturers featured throughout the exhibit are DENTRIX®, Air Techniques, Belmont, Colgate, D4D, GE Healthcare, Gendex, HOYA ConBio, KaVo, Matrx, MidMark, Pelton & Crane, SciCan, Steelcase, and Triangle.
TIDI Products purchased
TIDI Products LLC, a leading manufacturer of single-use medical and dental products for infection control, has been purchased by Chicago-based private-equity investment firm Beecken Petty O’Keefe & Company (BPOC).
The transaction, which closed Dec. 29, enables TIDI Products LLC to “take the next step in its business strategy and focus on growing the company organically and through acquisition,” said Kevin McNamara, company president.
“We are excited about the opportunity to partner with BPOC, which offers us the ability to leverage its extensive healthcare-industry knowledge and visibility as well as its financial strength,” McNamara added.
OraPharma adds rights to OSSIX® PLUS
OraPharma, Inc. announced that it is acquiring the distribution rights to OSSIX® PLUS (Resorbable Collagen Membrane) effective April 12, 2007.
OSSIX® PLUS, a resorbable collagen membrane derived from porcine tendons, is currently distributed by Implant Innovations, Inc. Beginning April 12, the product will be available from all OraPharma account managers or via OraPharma’s customer service department at (866) 273-7846.
“We are pleased to add OSSIX® PLUS to OraPharma’s portfolio of products for the dental community,” said Russell Secter, president of OraPharma. “Dental professionals can expect the same high level of customer service that they have been accustomed to with OraPharma.”
Sirona expands partnership with UNC
Sirona Dental Systems, Inc., is once again expanding its relationship with long-time partner, the University of North Carolina 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.
“The UNC School of Dentistry Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology faculty has provided valuable clinical research and informative feedback to Sirona in exchange for access to its advanced imaging products and software upgrades prior to market release,” said Dr. Don Tyndall, Director of Radiology DDS, MSPH, PhD, for the UNC Chapel Hill School of Dentistry. “Installation of the GALILEOS system here at the School of Dentistry will enable our students, patients and faculty to benefit from a second-generation advanced imaging modality of the future - volumetric cone beam computed tomography. It is clear that volumetric imaging, such as that provided by GALILEOS, will play an increasingly important role in all aspects of the practice of dentistry.”
The School of Dentistry has plans to use GALILEOS to produce images for its radiology courses. Currently most dental schools do not integrate 3D imaging into their curricula. Materials generated for its courses will also be used to educate dentists who are already in practice.
For Sirona, the partnership has proven invaluable to its product development initiatives. Sirona will install a new imaging system at UNC prior to market release, for clinical and scientific feedback on such qualities as ease of use, diagnostic accuracy, and software functionality. The first system tested at UNC was Sirona’s ORTHOPHOS Plus system in 1990, followed by the SIDEXIS software, CCD sensor for digital intraoral imaging, and its first digital panoramic/cephalometric imaging system, the ORTHOPHOS Plus DS in 1997/98. UNC’s studies were published in respected dental journals, and presented at events nationwide.
Ultradent opens office in Japan
Ultradent Products, Inc., has made a long-term commitment to Japanese customers by opening a branch office in Tokyo.
Ultradent Japan, K.K. has more than 140 products, including Ultradent’s flagship tooth whitening product, Opalescence 10%. Ultradent Japan is one of the first manufacturers to provide tooth whitening products to professional dental offices in Japan. In addition, Ultradent Japan is equipped with an experienced managerial staff, local sales representatives, and a qualified network of distributors.
Hiroyuki Tatewaki, an industry veteran, was named General Manager of Ultradent Japan. “Hiro has more than 30 years of experience in both the electronic and medical industry,” said Shaun Stirland, director of international sales for Ultradent Products, Inc. “Hiro’s experience combined with a qualified staff of professionals and Ultradent’s excellent reputation for quality and support will prove invaluable to our Japanese customers.”
Ultradent Japan’s sales and marketing team will be directly involved in developing new business opportunities and expanding Ultradent’s customer relations in Japan.
Whip Mix holds training seminar
Whip Mix Corporation recently held its Annual Dealer Training Seminar. The seminar was attended by representatives from Zahn, Henry Schein Ash Arcona, Great Lakes Orthodontics, Dental Supplies Unlimited, Benco, A. Leventhal & Sons, and Vision USA. Through hands-on training, each attendee used Whip Mix products to pour gypsum models, mount models on an articulator, wax and sprue patterns then invest and cast the patterns to create a finished casting. The training sessions were conducted by the Whip Mix Technical Sales Team. The two-day seminar concluded with an evening of dining and cruising on the Star of Louisville and the following day of horse racing at Churchchill Downs, home of the famous Kentucky Derby.
For more information on the next Dealer Training Seminar, please contact Bryan Murphy at (800) 626-5651 or by e-mail at [email protected].
Whip Mix acquires ARdent International
Whip Mix Corporation has acquired ARdent International, Inc., a manufacturer of dental articulating paper, film, and accessories, located in Ossining, N.Y. ARdent products include a wide selection of articulating papers, EXACTA-FILM™ articulating film, HOLD-TIGHT™ 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.
“The acquisition of ARdent allows us to broaden the Whip Mix product lines by offering customers additional top quality products,” said Allen Steinbock, president of Whip Mix. “This acquisition is part of our strategic plan to acquire quality companies and products to support our loyal laboratory customers and increase the breadth of products offered for the dental office.”
“I am delighted that Whip Mix, a family-owned company with an unparalleled reputation, will continue our tradition of providing top-quality products to dental professionals,” added Wayne Byers, a founder and the owner of ARdent. Byers will join Whip Mix to assure a smooth transition and support his many customers and friends in the industry.
Becker-Parkin undergoes restructure
Becker-Parkin Dental Supply has restructured its sales management team to bring a greater local market focus. The new structure creates regional managers for different areas of the country. The regional managers will be charged with overseeing all the field sales, telesales, equipment sales, and group practice sales within their respective regions.
The new regional sales structure creates six sales regions and two specialized markets for Becker-Parkin. Overseeing the regional management is Chris Wickham, senior vice president, sales. Wickham, who joined Becker-Parkin in 2005, has been instrumental in shaping the regional sales plan. Reporting to Wickham are the regional managers - Danny Lonoff (N.Y. Metro area) and Bill Glick (Mid Atlantic) - as well as regional vice presidents Lisa Morley (Southeast), David Fry (MidWest), Keith Gauzza (SouthWest), and Bryan Shields (West). Both Morley (senior vice president business development and customer care) and Shields (senior vice president marketing) are assuming the regional sales role in addition to their other responsibilities. The managers for the two specialized markets are Santo Curatolo for cabinets and Kathy Adkins for the Endo Shopper subsidiary.
Josh LeMaire, Becker-Parkin’s executive vice president, sales and marketing, said, “We are excited about our new sales management organization. It will bring more local focus, oversight, and improved communication and coordination of our sales teams around the country.”
For more information, please contact LeMaire at (866) 390-0212 or Shields at (530) 757-1591, ext. 200.
RPI celebrates 35th anniversary
Replacement Parts Industries, Inc. (RPI) is celebrating its 35th anniversary. Founded in 1972, RPI is a family-owned and operated company that manufactures and markets after-market parts for hospital, medical, laboratory, and dental equipment.
Several milestones have marked the success of RPI since it opened its doors. The company was incorporated on Feb. 29, 1972, then mailed its first catalog nine months later. The catalog included only 19 parts to fit autoclaves. As of this year, RPI boasts of more than 2,400 parts to fit a vast array of equipment.
This year marks RPI’s seventh year as being ISO 9001 certified. “RPI has been a leader in replacement parts for healthcare equipment for 35 years, and while we have consistently produced high-quality parts and established excellent systems, ISO prompts us to do even better. The ISO 9001 certificate is a nice badge to advertise to our customers and prospective customers, but the proof will always be our parts and customer service,” stated Ira Lapides, the company’s president and chief executive officer.
More about RPI can be found at www.rpiparts.com.
Waterpik tabs “Best of the Best”
Lisa Spink, a recent graduate of Oregon Health Science University Dental School, was recently selected as the 2006 grand prize winner of the “Best of the Best: Excellence in Prosthodontic” award from Waterpik.
Since 1992, Waterpik has been recognizing students for academic knowledge and clinical skills in the field of prosthodontics. As the grand prize winner, Spink was Waterpik’s guest at the recent American College of Prosthodontists meeting in Florida.
Spink, who was nominated by Dr. Charles Mark Malloy, is now in a three-year prosthodontic residency program at the University of Connecticut Dental School.
For more information on the Best of the Best program, contact Waterpik at (800) 525-2020 or professional.waterpik.com.
Australia, Hong Kong get new Invisalign owner
Align Technology, Inc., the inventor of Invisalign, a proprietary method of straightening teeth without wires or brackets, has announced an agreement giving Invisalign Australia Pty. Ltd. and Invisalign Hong Kong Pty. Ltd. sole distribution rights for the Invisalign system in Australia and Hong Kong, respectively. Invisalign Australia Pty. Ltd. and Invisalign Hong Kong Pty. Ltd. will be owned and operated by Mark van Weelde, formerly Align’s Managing Director, Asia Pacific.
“This distribution agreement will streamline regional operations and meet the needs of Asia Pacific customers in the most effective and efficient way possible,” said Gil Laks, Align’s vice president, international. “Partnering with Mark van Weelde provides Align with a distributor that has extensive knowledge of the Invisalign system and that can ensure Invisalign doctors in the region continue to receive great service from local representatives they’ve grown to know and trust.”
As part of the Agreement, Align entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement with van Weelde, whereby van Weelde purchased 100 percent of the shares in Invisalign Australia Pty. Ltd. and Invisalign Hong Kong Pty. Ltd. As the regional distributors for these markets, these companies will assume all Invisalign sales, customer support, and clinical education.
Hu-Friedy launches endodontic company
Hu-Friedy, a Chicago-based manufacturer of dental instruments, launched an endodontic products company named EI (Endo Ingenuity) and its first product during the Chicago Midwinter Meeting.
The product, which is called DownPak, is a cordless obturation device with 3D Precision Technology. The cordless design provides doctors with superior ergonomics and mobility.
LED Medical obtains financing
LED Medical Diagnostics Inc., a Vancouver-based medical device company, recently closed a $6 million financing round through Integral Wealth Securities Limited. The company will use these funds to aggressively market and distribute its FDA (510k) cleared VELscope (Visually Enhanced Lesion Scope) oral mucosal examination device in the United States and Canadian dental markets through its wholly-owned subsidiary, LED Dental Inc.
In addition, the funding will enable LED Medical to accelerate its efforts to integrate the use of VELscope into the oral hygiene and oral pathology curricula of leading dental schools throughout North America.
Benco Dental expands headquarters
Benco Dental has expanded its Wilkes-Barre, Pa., corporate headquarters to accommodate the major operations of BencoNET, the company’s digital integration division. BencoNET provides custom computers and networking solutions.
“Less than two years after opening larger, dedicated facilities for BencoNET in Middletown, Ohio, we’ve already outgrown them,” said Michael Castner, vice president of sales for Benco Dental. “Demand for digital imaging is at an all-time high, and this unprecedented growth presented us with an ideal opportunity to integrate BencoNET directly into our corporate culture of continual improvement by relocating the division to our headquarters.”
For 2006, BencoNET reported a 76 percent increase in sales over 2005, along with similar gains in service revenues from telephone and tech support.
Benco Dental is in the process of completing facilities for computer configuration and system assembly at headquarters. In addition, BencoNET’s telephone tech support team will join Benco Dental’s existing customer support department. According to Castner, moving the division to Benco Dental headquarters will not only allow it to expand physically, but also to benefit from the company’s “lean” manufacturing and operating initiatives similar to those used by Toyota.
BencoNET’s onsite installation professionals and repair personnel will continue working out of the company’s regional branch offices. Dispatching is centralized from headquarters. The new telephone number for BencoNET information technology sales and support is (888) IT-BENCO.
It’s almost time for the Guggenheim
Patterson Dental Supply’s Los Angeles branch will host the Clifford R. Guggenheim Memorial 39th Annual Golf & Tennis Tournament. This year’s outing will be held at Braemar Country Club in Tarzana, Calif., on May 2 (the Wednesday prior to the spring session of the California Dental Association).
All retail and wholesale personel are welcome to participate in the events or attend dinner only. Golf will be in scramble fomat. If interested, e-mail Alan Nakaima by April 13 at [email protected] or call (661) 294-2940 ext. 294.
