Leventhal Dental honors Reps of the Year
During a recent luncheon, the employees of A. Leventhal & Sons, Inc., of Scranton, Pa., honored its two “Manufacturer of the Year” recipients for 2005.
For merchandise, it was Donna Long from Sultan Dental (right). For equipment, it was Don Rogers (left) from the PSA Group. Both were recognized for their commitment to providing excellent service to not only the Leventhal sales force, but to its valued dental accounts. Their positive attitude, vast product knowledge, and dedication to their respective company’s core values were acknowledged and lauded.
Mydent hands out awards
Winners of the Mydent International Employee Awards included (from left to right) Anthony Milone, Gail Kreisman, Andrew Parker (chief executive officer), and Kathy L. Garvey.
Mydent International, a leader in infection control products, disposables, cleaners, disinfectants, and impression material systems, recently honored outstanding employees for sustained and excellent performance. Recognized for their exceptional work and contributions to Mydent International were Anthony Milone, Gail Kreisman, and Kathy L. Garvey - all receiving a Teamwork Excellence Award. Andrew Parker, chief executive officer of Mydent International, presented the awards at the annual Holiday Employee Dinner.
Sullivan-Schein launches DRC
As part of its ongoing commitment to providing innovative, value-added products and services to its customers, Sullivan-Schein Dental has launched the Dental Resource Center (DRC), a 3-D, multimedia Web site that is the dental industry’s most comprehensive information source for dental professionals. The interactive resource, which debuted at the Greater New York Dental Meeting, is available 24 hours a day at www.drcdental.com.
“As dental practitioners increasingly turn to the Internet for information on enhancing practice management, new products, continuing education, and other topics critical to their profession, the DRC will help them preserve one of their most valuable resources - time,” said Tim Sullivan, president of Sullivan-Schein.
Designed with the input of key dental opinion leaders from organized dentistry and academia, the DRC provides dental practitioners with a host of valuable tools to help maximize overall practice efficiency and profitability as they provide high quality care to their patients. Among its many features, the DRC provides instant access to accredited online continuing education training modules for dental practitioners and their dental team members. It also allows oral healthcare providers to learn about products and equipment online prior to purchase; receive instant access to thousands of dental equipment manuals, and access the most up-to-date dental guidelines of federal agencies. The DRC also features Web-based Blog, and enables users to receive answers to dental industry information at anytime.
Laclede donates more than 600,000 toothbrushes to Operation Give
Working with “Operation Give”, Laclede, Inc., the makers of Biotene®and Oral Balance®Dry Mouth products, have arranged to donate and distribute more than 600,000 baby toothbrushes to children in areas of Iraq and Afghanistan affected by war and natural disaster. In these regions, many pediatric oral care needs are being overlooked due to lack of supervision and enforcement of oral care by dental professionals. Laclede’s donation will give these children the toothbrushes they need to help them develop good hygiene habits that will ensure a lifetime of healthy smiles. Laclede will partner with Operation Give to coordinate this massive humanitarian effort.
Operation Give was founded to provide the basic items needed most by children in crisis areas of the world where United States military men and women, are serving. Operation Give collects donations by individuals and corporations and works with U.S. soldiers to distribute these gifts to the children who have been impacted by disaster. Operation Give and American soldiers have provided hope to children around the world with the many gifts which have been donated and distributed.
For more information on Laclede, please visit www.biotene.com or call (800) 922-5856. For more information on Operation Give, please visit www.operationgive.org.
Benco Dental acquires Peterson Dental
Benco Dental has acquired Peterson Dental Supply, a premier dental dealer with a distinguished 34-year history in the New England region. As part of the arrangement, proprietors Chris and Tom Peterson will join Benco Dental. Peterson Dental Supply’s day-to-day business operations will move from their Somersworth, N.H., headquarters to Benco Dental’s Wilkes-Barre, Pa., facility.
“All of us at Benco Dental are very excited about our merger with Peterson Dental Supply,” said Benco Dental president Charles Cohen. “We’ve long shared the same customer-focused philosophy, making this acquisition a natural fit.” According to Cohen, those similarities will make for a seamless transition. “Peterson’s customers will feel very much at home with Benco Dental.”
“We’ve always searched for ways to upgrade our customers’ experience,” Chris Peterson said. “As part of Benco Dental, Tom and I are now free to focus on providing the very best service to our customers along with an enhanced portfolio of value-added offerings including practice coaching, dental office design, digital integration, and equipment sales.”
This marked the third such acquisition for Benco Dental in a 15-month span. The company absorbed the Texas operations of California-based JB Dental in late 2004, and acquired B&B Computer Consultants, an Ohio-headquartered dental technology provider, in March 2005. Benco Dental now has more than 1,000 employees and conducts business in 29 states.
DUX Dental holds national sales meeting
DUX Dental (formerly Van R, Cadco, and Clive Craig companies) recently conducted a national sales meeting at the Oxnard, Calif., headquarters. The theme of the meeting - “DUX Dental, A Unified Entity” - celebrated the consolidation of the three notable companies and their 52 years in business.
The companies, founded by Don Porteous, have been recognized worldwide for such products as hydrocolloid, procedure trays and tubs, and Zone and Embonte temporary cements. Don Porteous, his son Paul Porteous, and Frank Rovelli (vice president/general manager, not shown) have been instrumental in the consolidation of the Van R, Cadco, and Clive Craig Companies to DUX Dental.
Bob Zettler, director of sales, presented awards to key sales personnel for outstanding performance in the field. Michael Durda, vice president of technical support (not shown), provided detailed technical and sales training to the group. There were several presentations within the week that provided updated information and assistance to the sales team.
Abrasive Technology acquires Carbotech
Abrasive Technology, based in Lewis Center, Ohio, has acquired Carbotech, based in Ganges, France. Carbotech’s superior fiber-reinforced composite dental products will broaden Abrasive Technology’s medical/dental product offering, an industry standard for nearly 35 years.
Carbotech founder, Marc Bachmann, will remain with Abrasive Technology on a consulting basis. In addition, Frederique Taillefer, previously the customer service representative at Carbotech, will join Abrasive Technology with responsibilities for European sales and business development. Taillefer will also continue as point of contact for European Carbotech business, while the company’s Lewis Center office will provide customer service for all other AT customers worldwide.
Ansell’s Robinson nominated for sales award
Joel Robinson of Ansell Healthcare Products LLC has been nominated for the Health Industry Distributors Association (HIDA) and Repertoire magazine’s esteemed 2005 “Excellence in Sales” award.
The 2005 Industry Awards are presented to distributor and manufacturer representatives who have consistently demonstrated outstanding performance in the medical products industry. Robinson was among 40 of the most notable medical manufacturer representatives across the country nominated for the coveted industry award.
In order to be nominated for the “Excellence in Sales” award, the nominee must represent or be employed by a medical manufacturer, have a minimum of three years in the medical industry, and have an annual sales volume of at least $1 million.
“What a great achievement and honor this is for Joel and for Ansell,” remarked Peter S. Shiner, Ansell’s director of sales, alternate care. “We have always known that Joel is one of the best and are pleased that his performance has been recognized publicly by one of his customers and a well-known national organization.”
It’s Guggenheim time!
The Los Angeles Branch of Patterson Dental Supply will host the 38th Annual Clifford R. Guggenheim Memorial Golf & Tennis Tournament at Braemar Country Club in Tarzana, Calif., on April 26 (the Wednesday prior to the California Dental Association’s spring session).
All retail and wholesale personel are welcome to participate in the events or attend dinner only. Golf will be in scramble fomat. If interested, contact Alan Nakaima by April 8 at (310) 426-3100, ext. 3408, or send an e-mail to [email protected].
Ada Products, Direct Dental Service partner, expand product offering
Ada Products Company, Inc., a leading dental manufacturing and distribution company and formerly a division of the Block Drug Company, has formed a partnership with Direct Dental Service (DDS). All sales, marketing, and distribution of Direct Dental Service products will now be handled by Ada Products Company. The DDS-branded products include its high-quality lines of dental impression trays, impression materials, temporary cements, and temporary crown and bridge materials.
“This dynamic partnership results in added convenience and a wider selection of quality products and promotions for both Ada Products Company and Direct Dental Service customers, and provides the same friendly, personalized service that we are noted for,” commented Tom Figurelli, president of Ada Products Company.
Specific company and product information is available at www.adaproducts.net and www.directdental-USA.com.
DENTSPLY to close Chicago-based pharmaceutical manufacturing facili
DENTSPLY International has announced that, as a result of its continuing evaluation of the dental injectable anesthetic business, the company will close its Chicago-based pharmaceutical manufacturing facility. The company plans to sell the facility and to seek third-party sources of supply for the dental injectable products.
“Based on an assessment of the company’s core strengths and requirements, we have made the strategic decision to outsource production of our dental pharmaceutical line,” said Gary K. Kunkle, Jr., chairman and chief executive officer. “We have third-party manufacturing in place for most of the markets that we serve and we are negotiating towards long-term arrangements to continue to serve those markets.”
Parkell opens new headquarters
Parkell, a family-owned manufacturer/marketer of dental materials (Blu-Mousse, Brush&Bond, C&B-Metabond, etc.) and electronics (ultrasonic scalers, electrosurges, apex locators), recently relocated to new expanded headquarters in Edgewood, N.Y.
According to chief executive officer Karen Mitchell, a major concern in the search for the new facility was that it be large enough to accommodate the company’s growing needs, yet close enough to the old location that employees could easily make the commute. The new headquarters, which is approximately twice as large, is just 15 minutes from the old office.
The company’s new mailing address is Parkell, Inc., Box 9004, 300 Executive Drive, Edgewood, N.Y., 11717.
3M to acquire OMNII Oral Pharmaceuticals
3M has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire OMNII Oral Pharmaceuticals, a provider of differentiated preventive dental products, solutions, and support for dental professionals.
“3M is committed to continuing to strengthen and expand its position in the dental industry. Adding OMNII’s preventive expertise, products, and capability to educate, will enable us to deliver even more value to dental practices and participate in an exciting and rapidly growing segment,” said Tom Engels, division vice president, 3M ESPE.
“3M ESPE’s market position, as well as science and technology in the prevention area, combined with our national team of educationally-driven preventive care specialists will have further impact on patient oral health and further enhance their value to dental professionals,” said Kevin Thomas, chief executive officer, OMNII Oral Pharmaceuticals.
3M is the second-largest supplier to the dental industry in the world. OMNII employs approximately 100 people and is headquartered in West Palm Beach, Fla.
The transaction is expected to close in April, subject to customary closing conditions.
AFP signs sensor agreement with Henry Schein
AFP Imaging Corporation has signed an agreement with Easy Dental, a subsidiary of Henry Schein, Inc. for the production and supply of CMOS technology intraoral digital X-ray sensors. The Easy-Ray™ sensors will be marketed under Schein’s Easy Dental™ brand, and are aimed at the approximately 20,000+ Easy Dental users who are already using the company’s dental practice management software.
Schein recently launched a broad-based advertising and promotional campaign for Easy-Ray and initial deliveries to dentists have begun.
Thanks to teamwork, GKAS once again a success
As part of an ongoing effort to help reduce disparities in oral healthcare access and delivery, the ADA and Henry Schein once again partnered to support Give Kids A Smile Day, the ADA’s national program that provides free oral health services to an estimated 1 million underserved children across the country. With the support of its vendor partners, Sullivan-Schein, the U.S. dental division of Henry Schein, once again served as the exclusive provider of professional product for the event, sending more than 2,000 treatment, screening, and restorative kits to more than 830 ADA-selected sites.
In Long Island, Henry Schein’s chairman and chief executive officer, Stan Bergman, was joined by ADA Treasurer Mark Feldman to help open the festivities with a welcome breakfast for volunteers at the Cradle of Aviation Museum, and welcome remarks from the event organizers. The event provided nearly 1,000 local children with free oral healthcare treatment, screening, and education. At the ADA’s kickoff event in Cleveland, Ohio, Sullivan-Schein President Tim Sullivan (pictured at left, second from right) joined leadership from the ADA and the Ohio Dental Association (ODA) to help kick off the event, which included treatment for an estimated 350 underserved children. As a special bonus, Tomorrow’s Dental Office-Today was also available to provide a state-of-the-art operatory for volunteer dental practitioners, who used TDOT to treat nearly three dozen children in need of severe dental restorative care.
Give Kids A Smile is an annual one-day initiative from the ADA, and enlisted some 40,000 dental team members, including more than 12,000 volunteer dentists, who provided free educational, preventive, and restorative services to children from low-income families. Forty-seven Henry Schein vendor partners generously donated products to Give Kids A Smile access programs in 2006 - 3M ESPE, Ansell Healthcare Products LLC, Axis Dental Corporation, Biotrol International, Inc., Centrix, Inc., Colgate Professional, Coltene/Whaledent, Inc., Crosstex International, Inc., DASH®Medical Gloves, Dental Disposables International, DENTSPLY Caulk, DENTSPLY Pharmaceutical, DENTSPLY Professional, Dukal Corporation, Dux Dental, GC America, Harry J. Bosworth Company, Hu-Friedy Manufacturing Company, Ivoclar Vivadent, Inc., Johnson & Johnson Dental, Kuraray America, Inc., LOOK/Surgical Specialties Corporation, Medicom Inc., Microflex Corporation, Miltex, Inc., Mydent Corporation, Oral-B Laboratories, Palmero Health Care, Premier Dental Products Company, Pro2 Solutions Inc., ProRepair, a Henry Schein Company, Pulpdent Corporation, Richmond Dental, SDS Kerr, Sempermed USA Inc., Septodont, Inc., Sherman Specialties, SS White Burs, Inc., Sultan Chemists, Inc., Sultan Dental, Sunstar Butler, Supermax Incorporated, TIDI®Products, TotalCare, Waterpik Technologies, Inc., Young Dental Manufacturing, and Zirc Company.
Patterson group trains at KaVo
Patterson Dental sales group representatives recently spent two days at KaVo Dental’s Lake Zurich, Ill., facility to learn about KaVo products. Product focuses included KaVo Air handpieces, electric handpieces, light sources, tubings, and the DIAGNOdent laser caries detection device.
Instructor Doug Mayer led an intense training curriculum that included PowerPoint presentations and hands-on product training with the support of KaVo Dental sales representative Brett Hines.
Attendees included (not pictured in order): From KaVo - Brett Hines and Doug Mayer; From Patterson - Michael Walsh, Charles Webster, Newell Coble, Barry Burgess, Roland Lipscomb, Jeannie Lipscomb, Christopher Teachey, Perrin Desportes, Fred Arietta, Roger Horton, Tony Felice, Ann Sears, and Laurie Benton.
IN PASSING
Dr. Harold Berk Berk who founded the company now known as Pulpdent Corporation, passed away on Jan. 9 at the age of 88. Dr. Berk graduated from Northwestern Dental School in 1941 and received the coveted internship in pediatric dentistry at Forsyth Dental Infirmary for Children in Boston. He was chief of the Clinic from 1944-1946 when he joined the faculty at Tufts Dental School, where he remained until his death. In 1947, Dr. Berk, together with Ben Rower, founded Rower Dental Manufacturing Company, now known as Pulpdent Corporation and owned and managed by his three sons, Kenneth, Fredrick, and Donald.
Louis E. Brooks - Brooks, 87, founder and chairman emeritus of Air Techniques, Inc., passed away at home on Jan. 25. Brooks had more than 50 years of involvement with the dental and medical industries. In 1962, he founded Air Techniques, Inc., and began selling a single product which removed moisture from compressed air lines.
Sidney Bertin - Bertin, who spent all of his adult life serving the New York metropolitan area dental profession, passed away on November 25, 2005, after a prolonged illness. He died two days short of his 90th birthday. Bertin and his partner opened Hebard Metro, and he also worked for Guterman Dental and Becker-Parkin.
Al Buckley - Buckley, president and chief executive officer of Smith-Holden, Inc., for nearly 50 years, passed away December 12, 2005. He was 81. Buckley helped Smith-Holden grow to include seven branches throughout New England and New York state. He served on many ADTA committees and was a founding member of the American Dental Cooperative.
Addition to January manufacturer’s directory
Tri Hawk Corporation
150 Highland Road
Massena, NY 13662
(315) 764-7664; Fax (315) 764-8128
[email protected]
www.trihawk.com
Sharon Riddle, Sales Coordinator
Manufacturer of high-quality disposable carbide and diamond burs
