Big news! We are moving the home of the blog to dental-insights.3m.com. It is an exciting change that will allow us to amp up the blog, push out even greater content and give us the technical resources to enhance our reader’s experience.

You’ll notice the same great content, coupled with even easier access to the plethora of dental resources offered at the 3M ESPE website. Visit us at our new domain for the latest posts and make sure you bookmark it for easy return visits: http://dental-insights.3M.com

Singing off, for here – see you soon, at our new home!

©3M

Starting in 2013, the impressive resin nano-ceramic CAD/CAM material, Lava™ Ultimate Restorative now falls under the CDT Code’s broadened definition of porcelain/ceramic materials, thus allowing Lava Ultimate restorative to be classified as a ceramic – like other milled porcelain/ceramic materials – allowing for the same rate of reimbursement.

Lava™ Ultimate Restorative is a uniquely different CAD/CAM material that offers amazing esthetic, strength and unique functionality. It is an innovative material formulated from a blend of 80 percent nanoceramic particles embedded in a highly-cured resin matrix coupled with an proprietary 3M manufacturing process.

When this game changing material, which is tough, resilient and durable, was initially launched, the ADA’s CDT Code nomenclature did not yet reflect the advances in material science that Lava Ultimate restorative represents.

Moving forward, this broadened definition in the CDT Code helps to make the benefits of advanced material science accessible to more patients. Now, even more dentists and patients alike can experience the impressive durability of the resin nano ceramic CAD/CAM material results from its high flexural and fracture toughness, along with it’s industry-leading 10-year limited warranty.

For dental professionals, the material saves time in two ways—by providing a faster milling time and by eliminating the need for an additional firing step. Patients experience enamel-like beauty and a strong restoration with a guaranteed 10-year durability.

Looking to learn more? Dental Products Report interviewed Colin Norman, lab manager at 3M ESPE and Nikki McKeon, marketing communications supervisor at 3M ESPE on the benefits of the change at the Great New York Dental Meeting.

How do you see this impacting your practice? Share in the comments section below!

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Haven’t had any opportunities to comb the dental trades for industry news lately? I’ve got you covered. Below, I’ve gathered up some of the top trending stories from several of the leading oral health publications – from dental non-profits delivering outstanding care to tips to boost the bottom line of your practice.

• Learn about a new, quick detection of periodontitis pathogens – enabling dentists to act quickly to initiate the right treatment. Medical News Today shares how results can be achieved in less than 30 minutes.
• From a converted janitors closet to a full-service dental clinic for at-risk children in a low-income California school. Dr. Tanita shares his inspiring story with Dr. Bicuspid about his humble beginning helping kids in need.
• Looking to increase revenue in your dental practice this year? Dentistry iQ shares three steps that could help improve your marketing plan for 2013.

• According to a new Pew Report, many states may be missing an opportunity to prevent tooth decay. Dental Aegis examines the study.

• Dentistry Today shares why higher estrogen levels during pregnancy may be leading to gum disease in expecting mothers.
• Dentistry iQ shares the benefits of community-based prevention for dental hygiene.
• Debbie Jones, EFDA was named 2012 Dental Assistant of the Year. Learn some tricks and tips from the honoree, as Jones shares her wisdom with Inside Dental Assisting.

• Compendium shares why it is important to make the correct diagnosis based on a meticulous review of signs and symptoms.

I hope this helps keep you abreast of some of the latest news circulating the industry. Remember to follow 3M ESPE on Twitter, Facebook and Google+, as we continuously share news that is shaping dentistry.

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Today’s dental assistants contribute to quality dental care, elevate clinic productivity and enhance the professionalism of their amazing team members. Join me in recognizing these valuable partners who help keep dental practices operating efficiently.

March 3-9, dental offices throughout the world celebrate Dental Assistants Recognition Week (DARW), by celebrating the significant contributions dental assistants make in helping to improve the oral health of their patients and the public.

The theme throughout the week is “Key to Productivity: The Professional Dental Assistant,” which continues throughout the year, resonates strongly with those who understand the impact dental assistants have in their dental practices.

An array of associations have designated March 3-9 as an excellent time to acknowledge the contributions of dental assistants, including the American Dental Assistants Association (ADAA), American Dental Association (ADA), Canadian Dental Association (CDA) and the Canadian Dental Assistants’ Association (CDAA).

During this week-long event, dental assistants often take part in team activities and engage with the public through educational events that promote healthy habits, which improve oral health.

To help promote the event, the ADAA developed a 2013 DARW Kit that includes ADA-produced theme ads, a news release sample, social media and online promotion tips and much more to help bring awareness to the celebration.

The ADA would like dental assistants and offices to share their successes that they’ve experienced during the week for potential inclusion in The Dental Assistant, a part of the ADAA Journal. To share your news, complete the DARW activities publicity form included in the 2013 DARW kit.

How do you plan on sharing thanks? The ADA and myself would love to know! Share in the comment section below for me.

The team at 3M ESPE is ecstatic about being named the most innovative company in the worldwide dental industry for the eighth consecutive year. It is an honor to be recognized by The Anaheim Group, distributor of Dental Fax Weekly, for this prestigious award. The findings were published in the 2012 Dental Industry Review and based on new product approvals and international patents.

3M ESPE led the pack in terms of total innovations during 2012, with a total of 63, which includes FDA 510(k) new product clearances for the U.S. market, United States Patent Office dental industry patents, and dental patents from the European Patent Office and the World International Patent Office.

The Anaheim Group report cited 375 total innovations by 3M ESPE for the years 2007-2012, which is the direct result of all members of the 3M family working diligently to retain competitive edge and fuel growth for our customers.

Constant collaboration and cross-pollination of technologies among the many business units and corporate laboratories of 3M, coupled with the true understanding of our customers needs drive our ability to uniquely combine various 3M technologies to develop innovative products.

Our corporate culture is built upon sharing technology, which fosters uncommon connections that drive novel solutions for our customers. For example, one of the technologies used in 3M™ ESPE™ Filtek ™ composite dental restoratives is also used in LCD screens to make them brighter, and may be used in the future to improve products as diverse as carbon monoxide filters and fuel cells.

The Dental Industry Review recognized several new product introductions during 2012, as innovations that led to this honor, including the 3M™ True Definition Scanner, 3M™ ESPE™ RelyX™ Ultimate Adhesive Resin Cement and the 3M™ ESPE™ Retraction Capsule, among others.

Please join me in congratulating all of the hard working members of the 3M family for their help in achieving this significant distinction!

The Windy City is in our sights, and we are getting excited to showcase our latest innovations at the Chicago Dental Society’s Midwinter Meeting. During the three-day dental event, Feb. 21-23, we plan on soaking in the latest dental trends while sharing our newest products with hands-on demonstrations and answering your questions with on-site oral-health specialists.

The Midwinter Meeting brings dental thought leaders, continuing education opportunities and networking, together, under one roof. So whether you are looking to polish up your dental skills, enhance your patients’ oral health and/or build your business, the CDS Midwinter Meeting is the place for you.

Find out how easy it is to get into digital dentistry by visiting the 3M ESPE booth, #3625 to experience the 3M™ True Definition Scanner.  Stop by and learn how this advanced digital impression system leads to great-fitting restorations and is your best first step to digital dentistry.

Looking for the easy way to a strong, fast restoration? Make sure you stop by our booth, #3425, for the Lava™ Ultimate Restorative polishing demonstration and to learn more about the ‘Trifecta.’

The ‘Trifecta’ is the combination of three impressive products including the resin nano-ceramic CAD/CAM material Lava™ Ultimate Restorative, versatile Scotchbond™ Universal Adhesive and RelyX™ Ultimate Adhesive Resin Cement. Together, they deliver industry-leading strength with fewer steps.

And new for 2013, the CDT Code’s broadened definition of porcelain/ceramic materials allows Lava Ultimate Restorative to be classified as a porcelain/ceramic.  To help commemorate the change, we’ll be giving away free CDT 2013: Dental Procedures Codes books to the first 100 booth visitors!

If you are looking to grow your business, consider integrating 3M™ ESPE™ MDI Mini Dental Implants into your practice. Attend the one-day, 3M ESPE MDI Certification Seminar on February 20, the Wednesday before the show, and learn more about this in-demand procedure that is changing patients’ lives.

In addition to learning about all of our featured products, make sure you take advantage of our Midwinter show specials, including buy one RelyX Ultimate Adhesive Resin Cement Trial kit and get one refill free and/or buy 12 3M™ ESPE™MDI Mini Dental Implants and get four free.

We look forward to seeing many of you in the beautiful city of Chicago! Can’t make it? Don’t worry; follow us on Twitter and Facebook for live photos and Midwinter show coverage direct from the meeting.

Attending? Make sure to tweet us at the show with questions and comments @3MESPEDental, and make sure you include the show’s hash tag #CDS13. See you city!

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The theme of this year’s Yankee Dental Congress, Building Bridges Through Innovation, Technology, Wellness, & Inspiration resonates strongly with 3M ESPE’s desire to keep customers innovative, which is one of the many reasons we are excited to attend.

Jan. 30 – Feb. 3, 2013 will be full of crowd-favorite speakers, cutting-edge procedures via live dentistry demonstrations, courses to boost CE credits, top-notch entertainment and much more. The Hynes Convention Center in Boston will be surging with high energy, education and dental innovation. The result: improving oral health care to help individuals live healthier lives.

We are excited to showcase and demo the 3M™ True Definition Scanner in Boston after getting rave reviews at Greater New York. The groundbreaking digital system is boldly redefining the economics of CAD/CAM dentistry. Make sure you stop by the 3M ESPE Booth, 1213, to learn how this advanced digital impression system is within reach for any practice.

Looking to learn more about 3M™ MDI mini dental implants, the minimally invasive, affordable dental implant procedure? Dr. Allan Fuhr, an acclaimed oral and maxillofacial surgeon will be at the 3M ESPE booth to answer your questions, discuss cases and provide support to dentists interested in learning more about the leading small diameter dental implants system.

Also, when stopping by to visit with our experts, make sure you learn more about the ‘Trifecta’ of products helping to achieve strong, permanent and beautiful restoration.

The combination of three impressive products, including resin nano-ceramic CAD/CAM material Lava™ Ultimate Restorative (still in a class of it’s own, now coded as a porcelain/ceramic), versatile Scotchbond™ Universal Adhesive and industry-leading RelyX™ Ultimate Adhesive Resin Cement make up the simplified ‘Trifecta’ system.

In addition to checking out our featured products and booth only special offers, make sure you consider attending the Embrace the Power of Prevention course for 3 CE hours. Presenter Andrea Wisemen, RDH is a national preventive specialist for 3M ESPE.

Wiseman brings more than 30 years of experience presenting educational programs. She will be providing a thorough review of Caries Management by Risk Assessment (CAMBRA) and how it can be implemented into a practice.

Attending the show? Tell me what you are most looking forward to in Beantown!

©3M

Thousands of children in Minnesota face barriers to obtaining oral health care across the state. It isn’t only a problem in the Midwest; it is a problem that affects the nation as a whole.

I’ve discussed the amazing generosity of Give Kids a Smile in other parts of the country, but now that kindness is returning home to Minnesota for the 11^th consecutive year, February 1-2.

Minnesota dentists will be providing free dental care services for children in need with the charitable help of the Minnesota Dental Association, along with sponsorship from Health Partners and 3M ESPE.

Dental disease is a chronic problem for many children and remains even more prevalent than childhood asthma. In fact, tooth decay affects 50 percent of U.S. first graders, according to the Minnesota Dental Association.

Nearly 50,000 children in Minnesota have been able to overcome financial and accessibility barriers through free dental care offered by Give Kids a Smile events throughout the state.

Volunteers speaking multiple languages, engaged school nurses, dental professionals volunteering their time, and the help of the United Way’s 2-1-1 number to conveniently schedule appointments during the 2-day event have helped make this program an incredible success throughout the years.

This year, 6,000 children with the help of more than 200 dental clinics statewide are expected to receive free oral care – helping to promote healthy teeth and good oral health habits for life.

The Minnesota Dental Association has a wide array of tools and tips on how you can help share news of the event. In addition, if you would like to arrange care for a group of children in need please contact gkas@mndental.org for more information. To learn more about the MN Dental Association’s Give Kids a Smile event, go to mndental.org or follow them on Facebook.

If you are a dental professional looking to get involved, please consider helping out at a Give Kids a Smile event in your region – it’s a tremendous program we are proud to be a part of!

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2012 was an exceptional year full of new product launches, innovations, honors, dental events and so much more – all helping to propel the dental industry forward.

Since we share so many of 3M ESPE’s successes and oral-health industry news updates on our social channels, we have the opportunity to understand what resonates with the members of our social communities.

Below, you will find some of the most popular, shared and engaging stories that helped play a part in shaping the online dental dialogue in 2012.

• In the spring of 2012, 3M ESPE, NASCAR, Henry Schein Dental and the ADA celebrated the 10^th Anniversary of the Gives Kids a Smile program. We were thrilled to be a sponsor, along with Henry Schein and the ADA Foundation, of such an amazing cause that helps make healthy oral habits routine for children.
• “There is a huge relationship between the health of your mouth and the rest of your body.” – A great point to remember, and it certainly stuck with our fans online. WTNPerioBlog.com shared the nine foods that help fight dental decay and gum disease.
• Social media is weaving its way into many dental offices, which is why Dental Products Report developed a popular video series on how you can leverage social media for your dental practice.

• Many folks must be yearning to keep their teeth pearly white. A post on common beverages that can stain your teeth experienced its five minutes of fame on the 3M ESPE Facebook page.

• Many agreed with the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine and Research Institute’s decision to school medical students in oral health through a new curriculum that highlights the important link between oral health and overall health.

• The launch of the new 3M True Definition Scanner from 3M ESPE, which redefines digital impressions by offering dentists predictable outcomes, choices, accuracy, familiarity and affordability, generated lots of social and editorial buzz.

• A post on a study regarding loupes being used more in dental hygiene school found popularity on the 3M ESPE Preventive Facebook page.

• A December post sharing new Chairside CAD/CAM Technology on the 3M ESPE Facebook page generated some of the most engagement for the year – check it out!

I look forward to another amazing year for dentistry, and hope you all have a very happy 2013. Do you have a favorite dental-related article from 2012? If so, please share below. And remember, make sure you like and follow us on Facebook and Twitter to keep abreast of all things dentistry for 2013.

3M ESPE was honored to be named the most innovative company in the worldwide dental industry for its seventh consecutive year in 2012. We truly appreciate this recognition from The Anaheim Group, as our achievement is not only the direct result of 3M’s continued investment in research and development, but also our culture of collaboration.

3M’s legacy of innovation continues to propel new opportunities forward, and the collaborative approach through which we realize novel solutions goes beyond the walls of our laboratories. Input from customers, coupled with true understanding of their needs and opportunities, drive our ability to uniquely combine various 3M technologies and collaborate to keep customers innovative.

The team at 3M ESPE, and all members of the 3M family work diligently to retain competitive edge and fuel growth.

As part of our commitment to ensure consistency of such innovation for years to come, we participate in a number of programs to encourage future generations to take interest in the wonders of science and pursue innovative careers that will inspire solutions to tomorrow’s problems.

One example is our partnership with Discovery Education, a program that welcomes middle school students to the 3M Innovation Center for a national competition known as the Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge.

A team of very talented 3M corporate scientists, including 3M ESPE’s own Dr. Joe Oxman, collaborated with and mentored ten bright minds during the interactive competition, helping to guide and inspire their exploratory journey of science and innovation. Click here to see how these young innovators tackled the challenge to compete for the title of “America’s Top Young Scientist.”

Want to learn more about how 3M innovation continues to improve daily life for hundreds of millions of people all over the world? Check out the 3M YouTube channel, interact with our 3M-innovation website and follow the @3MInnovation Twitter handle.