Dental Asia March/April 2024

www.dentalasia.net 

MARCH / APRIL 2024 

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CONTENTS 

26 

30 36 54 

TRENDS 

12 Overcoming a personal addiction by 

spreading positivity on TikTok 

UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT 

15 Realising a vision with FDI World 

Dental Federation president, Dr Greg 

Chadwick 

18 Inside a look at a free clinic for 

underprivileged neighbours 

20 Unlocking the power of digital 

dentistry at the University of Helsinki 

DENTAL PROFILE 

24 Advancing dental 3D printing and 

access to affordable restorations 

26 Celebrating a lifetime of smiles 

CLINICAL FEATURE 

30 Photobiomodulation for treatment of 

low back pain in dental professionals 

33 Revolutionising oral mucositis 

treatment: Antibacterial lightactivated 

therapy in future protocols 

36 Copy denture technique for function 

and aesthetics: Case report 

USER REPORT 

40 A natural tooth whitening alternative 

for reduced tooth and gingival 

sensitivity 

BEHIND THE SCENES 

45 Achieving a natural aesthetic 

appearance with porcelain veneers: 

Case reports (Part 1) 

IN DEPTH WITH 

47 Why nitrogen is essential for dental 

3D-printing curing oven 

50 Clinux CAD expands the range of 

design possibilities and capabilities 

with a suite of new features 

SHOW PREVIEW 

54 Sino-Dental 2024: Explore a 

dynamic market all in one show 

56 Excitement for IDEM 2024 

builds as speakers share more! 

59 Deep insights from Mallorca: 

exocad’s wide-ranging view of 

digital dentistry 

SHOW REVIEW 

62 AEEDC Dubai 2024 concludes 

with US$5bn worth of trade 

deals 

REGULARS 

4 Editor’s Note 

6 Dental Updates 

51 Product Highlights 

63 Events Calendar 

64 Advertisers’ Index 

2 DENTAL ASIA MARCH / APRIL 2024

EDITOR’S NOTE 

On the road 

PABLO SINGAPORE 

PUBLISHER 

William Pang • williampang@pabloasia.com 

ASSISTANT EDITOR 

James Yau • james@pabloasia.com 

As 2024 rounds the corner into spring, 

this season of dentistry blooms with an 

inspiring array of oral health activities, 

programmes, and campaigns as dental 

professionals from all parts of the 

globe celebrate World Oral Health Day 

(WOHD). 

In this spirit of raising global awareness 

on the importance of oral health, Dental 

Asia speaks with different stakeholders 

who are actively driving better oral 

health outcomes in their respective 

communities. 

TikTok personality Rohit Roy recounts 

the struggles of overcoming his 

addiction to fizzy drinks and highlights 

the power of social influence in a 

digital age (p.12). In the Singaporean 

neighbourhood of Kembangan-Chai 

Chee, Q & M Dental Group is piloting 

a dental clinic staffed by volunteer 

dentists and funded by donations, where 

under underprivileged residents can 

receive basic dental care for free (p.18). 

Global partners of WOHD, Smile Train and 

Dentsply Sirona, detail the synergy and 

relationship between private enterprises 

and charity organisations as the partners 

collaborate in a targeted mission of 

providing comprehensive cleft care 

(p.26). FDI president Dr Greg Chadwick 

shares his vision for the federation and 

how it strives to advance oral health 

outcomes for all the associations and 

organisations it works with (p.15). 

As each individual partakes in WOHD 

and beyond, it calls to mind the role 

and influence that every party has in 

the collective effort to advance oral 

health. Regardless of the scale, paths, 

or methods taken to get there, while the 

spotlight shines on oral health on 20 

Mar, let us remain united in the roads 

that lead to a brighter smile for all. 

James Yau 

James Yau Assistant Editor 

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER 

Pang YanJun • yanjun@pabloasia.com 

GRAPHIC DESIGNER 

Cayla Ong • cayla@pabloasia.com 

CIRCULATION MANAGER 

Shu Ai Ling • ailing@pabloasia.com 

MEDIA REPRESENTATIVE 

Jamie Tan • jamietan@pabloasia.com 

PABLO BEIJING 

GENERAL MANAGER 

Ellen Gao • pablobeijing@163.com 

PABLO SHANGHAI 

SENIOR EDITOR 

Daisy Wang • pabloshanghai@163.net 

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All rights reserved. Views of writers do not necessarily reflect the views of the 

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LET’S CONNECT 

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DENTAL UPDATES 

VITA Zahnfabrik celebrates 100 years of innovation 

Since its foundation in 1924, VITA 

Zahnfabrik has continuously blended 

craftsmanship and innovative technology 

to drive progress in dentistry. Through 

targeted research, pioneering evolutions 

and high-quality standards, the company 

has shaped the dental technology and 

dentistry sector. 

In 2024, VITA Zahnfabrik is proud to 

celebrate its 100th anniversary, marking 100 

years of innovation in providing solutions 

for prosthetics. Keeping a focus on the 

future and remaining close to users, the 

forward-thinking commitment of the 

fourth-generation family business based in 

southern Germany is the pursuit of better 

and more efficient solutions for prosthetics, 

both in functionality and aesthetics using 

the VITA PERFECT MATCH. 

The VITA PERFECT MATCH experience will 

be part of the user, customer and employee 

experience throughout the anniversary 

year, bringing innovative prosthetics 

and user proximity to life. The centenary 

celebration encompasses a variety of 

activities, events, and special educational 

formats, including 100 highlighted 

educational courses worldwide and 

100-minute webinars. 

"2024 is a very special year for VITA. 

Founded 100 years ago, we have been able 

to work together with dental technicians 

and dentists for a long time on ever better 

prosthetics for patients. So when we 

celebrate our 100th anniversary, we do 

so with great gratitude. Grateful for the 

loyalty of our users and grateful for the 

commitment of so many employees who 

have contributed to this success,” said Dr 

Emanuel Rauter, managing partner of VITA 

Zahnfabrik. 

Dr Rauter added: “And we look back on VITA 

with pride, because we know that many 

milestones in dentistry are associated with 

our name. This is both an incentive and 

motivation for us to see 2024 as the first 

year of VITA's second century. Together 

with dental technicians and dentists, we 

want to continue working on ever better 

solutions for the perfect care of patients in 

the future." 

Dental technicians and dentists in more 

than 150 countries around the world rely 

on VITA Zahnfabrik's solutions to provide 

their patients with the best possible care. 

An international distribution network 

grants access to innovative products for 

shade determination, CAD/CAM materials, 

pressing and veneering materials, as well as 

denture teeth and solutions for the digital 

fabrication of dentures. 

Being close to the user also means sharing 

knowledge. The VITA ACADEMY lives and 

breathes continuing education, and as 

a competent knowledge partner, offers 

comprehensive and customised professional 

education programmes. VITA Zahnfabrik 

proudly reaffirms its role as a reliable, 

global partner for dental technicians, 

dentists and customers, optimistically 

looking forward to another 100 years of 

innovative solutions. 

VITA Zahnfabrik extends its heartfelt 

thanks to all users, customers, partners and 

employees for their trust over the years. 

Operating under the motto ‘Bringing Dental 

Prosthetics to Life – VITA PERFECT MATCH 

Experience’, the company looks forward 

to many more years of collaborative 

innovation and successful cooperation. DA 

Leixir Dental Laboratory Group 

appoints John Krier as CEO 

(Image: Leixir) 

Leixir Dental 

Laboratory 

Group (Leixir), 

an operator of 

a full-service, 

state-of-the-art 

dental laboratory 

network, 

announced the appointment of John Krier 

as CEO, effective 2 Jan 2024. Krier succeeds 

Leixir founder Harmeet Bindra, who will 

continue as executive chairman. 

“I am honoured for the opportunity to 

work alongside Leixir’s terrific leadership 

team and employees at such an exciting 

time. Leixir is well-positioned for strong 

continued growth as a dental lab provider 

of choice. I look forward to continuing to 

expand Leixir’s customer base, advance 

its DSO relationships, and grow its service 

offering in support of best-in-class dental 

patient care,” said Krier. 

Krier brings nearly two decades of 

executive leadership experience in 

the medical device manufacturing and 

distribution industries. He joins Leixir from 

Dynatronics Corporation where he was 

most recently president and CEO. 

Before that, he held senior roles in corporate 

strategy and commercial execution, including 

marketing and customer experience, over 

seven years at Breg, Inc. Prior to that, Krier 

was president of Viscent, LLC. He began his 

career at Deloitte, US, where he served in a 

variety of client servicing positions over eight 

years with the firm. 

“We are delighted to welcome John 

to Leixir,” said Bindra. “His wealth of 

multidisciplinary experience spans 

operations, new product launches, strategic 

acquisitions, customer-focused strategies, 

and team development. With a long track 

record of developing values-based company 

culture and driving operational excellence, 

John is well-suited to lead Leixir in its next 

phase of expansion.” DA 



ADA releases new guideline 

for acute pain management 

strategies 

Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory 

drugs (NSAIDs) 

taken alone or along 

with acetaminophen are 

recommended as first-line 

treatments for managing 

short-term dental pain in 

adults and adolescents aged 

12 or older, according to a 

new clinical practice guideline developed by the American Dental 

Association (ADA), the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental 

Medicine and the Center for Integrative Global Oral Health at 

the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine. The 

guideline has been endorsed by the ADA and is now available in the 

February issue of The Journal of the American Dental Association. 

Based on review of the available evidence, a guideline panel 

concluded that, when used as directed, NSAIDs, like ibuprofen 

and naproxen, alone or in combination with acetaminophen can 

effectively manage pain after having a tooth removed or when 

experiencing a toothache when dental care is not immediately 

available. 

(Image: American Dental Association) 

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The guideline also offers clinicians recommendations for 

prescribing opioid medications in the limited circumstances 

in which they may be appropriate. These include avoiding “just 

in case” prescriptions, engaging patients in shared decisionmaking 

and exerting extreme caution when prescribing opioids 

to adolescents and young adults. When prescribing opioids, 

the guideline suggests advising patients on proper storage and 

disposal and considering any risk factors for opioid misuse and 

serious adverse events. 

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“It is important to take special consideration when prescribing 

any type of pain reliever, and now, dentists have a set of evidencebased 

recommendations to determine the best care for their 

patients,” said Dr Paul Moore, DMD, PhD, MPH, the guideline’s 

senior author and panel chair and professor emeritus at the 

University of Pittsburgh’s School of Dental Medicine. 

“Patients are encouraged to discuss pain management 

expectations and strategies with their dentist so they can feel 

confident that they are receiving the safest, most effective 

treatment for their symptoms.” 

This is the second of two guidelines on acute dental pain 

management. A previous set of recommendations for paediatric 

patients was published in 2023. DA 

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DENTAL ASIA MARCH / APRIL 2024 

7


Dental Bridge enters Indian market with 

the launch of DoctorBridge platform 

(Image: Dbridge India) 

Dbridge India, 

a subsidiary of 

South Korea’s 

Dental Bridge 

Co, has launched 

their platform 

‘Doctorbridge’ to link medical device 

manufacturers with end-users, especially 

doctors. Their strategy involves establishing 

a robust online ecosystem and prioritising 

continuous clinical education, fostering 

knowledge exchange among doctors on a 

global scale. 

India, with a growing market expected to 

reach US$2.67bn by 2028, is experiencing 

a surge in demand for facial aesthetics 

procedures. This is driven by factors like 

increased disposable income, impact of 

social media, and a growing interest in antiageing 

solutions. 

Dental Bridge is a company in the Korean 

facial aesthetics market, and their subsidiary 

Dbridge India is bringing the latest trends 

and techniques for those aspiring to achieve 

the coveted “korean glass skin” look. 

DBridge has started their foray in the market 

by launching 'DoctorBridge' – a platform for 

dentists and doctors, at the World Dental 

Show (WDS) in Mumbai, India, and the 

Annual Conference of the Association of Oral 

and Maxillofacial Surgeons of India (AOMSI) 

at New Delhi, India, in November 2023. It has 

already secured numerous Memorandum of 

Understandings (MoUs) with doctors in India 

for future collaborations. 

Recently, Dbridge India was also part of 

the K-Startup Center (KSC) India 2023 

programme which is run by The Circle FC, 

a business accelerator based in Gurugram, 

India. The programme supports startups 

to soft-land in India by providing valuable 

insights through mentoring, resources and 

partner network for market access. DBridge 

India also secured the '1st Runner Up Prize' 

during the KSC India Demoday. 

The founder of Dental Bridge, Ms Lina Ahn 

is a former dental student in the UK with 

extensive experience in healthcare sales 

and marketing at global giants like GSK 

and P&G, and brings a deep understanding 

of the industry. Inspired by doctors’ 

enthusiasm to learn and grow, Ahn aims to 

bridge Korean medical device companies 

with Indian doctors, elevating the 

experience of facial aesthetic treatments in 

India and positioning the country as a hub 

for such services in neighbouring countries 

as well. DA 

‘Mewing’ stars in new Netflix documentary, AAO warns 

of its “thin” claims 

Netflix released a new documentary titled 

‘Open Wide’ on 23 Jan about orthodontists 

John Mew and Mike Mew. The documentary 

explores the father-and-son duo who are 

fighting to upend mainstream orthodontics 

through their ‘mewing’ techniques which 

purports to transform the shape of one’s 

jawline through the placement of one’s 

tongue in the mouth. 

The technique and buzz it gathered on 

social media was seen by different members 

of the dental and scientist community 

as highly contentious due to its lack of 

scientific evidence. Mike Mew’s mewing 

techniques reported gathered nearly 2bn 

views on TikTok and he faced a misconduct 

hearing at the General Dental Council of the 

UK in November 2022. 

The American Association of Orthodontists 

(AAO) has spoken out against the technique 

in the past when consumer awareness 

of it was growing. The AAO further said 

that it has developed a consumer blog, 

From left: John Mew and Mike Mew are the 

subjects over their controversial ‘mewing’ which 

went viral on social media (Image: A24) 

organic social media posts, press releases, 

and some additional outreach, via the 

Consumer Awareness Program and paid 

digital media. The AAO is developing these 

additional consumer-focused materials 

on mewing to inform the public about 

the inflated promises and complicated 

treatment issues that can arise from this 

practice. 

Moreover, the AAO wrote in an article 

that the scientific evidence supporting 

mewing’s jawline-sculpting claims is “as 

thin as dental floss” and that there is 

no current research that suggests the 

technique provides any benefit to one’s 

jawline or oral health. 

It asserted that facial restructuring is 

simply not achievable by changing the 

resting position of one’s tongue. It is a 

complex process that involves moving 

jaw bones, facial bones, and soft tissue, 

and maxillofacial deformities are usually 

corrected with orthodontic treatment. 

Moreover, the AAO added that improperly 

forcing one’s tongue into unnatural 

positions may lead to undesired effects 

and could actually disrupt tooth alignment, 

worsen bite problems and speech issues, 

and require complicated treatment to 

resolve. 

While DIY methods for facial restructuring, 

like mewing, are appealing options for those 

seeking an easy, at-home solution, it does 

not fully account for what is happening 

below the surface and the AAO does not 

recommend any attempts to move teeth or 

align jaws without appropriate supervision, 

as one likely will not achieve the results 

desired. DA 



EU votes to ban dental 

amalgam, BDA fears it 

could be the straw that 

“breaks NHS dentistry” 

A European Parliament vote on 17 Jan 2024 to ban dental 

amalgam has been met with breaking concerns from the British 

Dental Association (BDA) over the strains it would put on an 

already precarious NHS dentistry. 

On 14 Jul 2023, the European Commission adopted a proposal to 

revise the Mercury Regulation. This included introducing a total 

phase-out of the use of dental amalgam, and prohibiting the 

manufacture and export of dental amalgam from the EU from 

1 Jan 2025 — five years earlier than expected. 

Responding to the vote, chair of the BDA, Eddie Crouch wrote 

in an open letter to the UK Chief Dental Officers (CDO) seeking 

their commitment to address the development concluding that 

“without decisive action, this could be the straw that breaks 

NHS dentistry”. 

Crouch wrote: “This has taken a new urgency now that the 

European Parliament has voted in favour of a proposal to 

phase-out amalgam by 1 Jan 2025. We are extremely concerned 

about the impact this EU phase-out will have on services across 

the UK, both directly under post-Brexit arrangements and 

indirectly as a result of supply chain collapse in Europe.” 

“NHS dentistry is already in precarious situation across the 

UK, with the Nuffield Trust recently warning that the service 

has most likely ‘gone for good’. The loss of a vital restorative 

material and its replacement with more expensive and timeconsuming 

alternatives is only a further blow to the financial 

viability of NHS dentistry.” 

Crouch urged all four UK CDOs to urgently address the impact 

of the direct application of the EU regulation to Northern 

Ireland; adopt a renewed focus on prevention to reduce the 

need for dental restorations; work with industry to secure an 

ongoing supply of amalgam; and work with the BDA to ensure 

that there is no financial impact on dentists from the need to 

use alternative materials. 

Silver amalgam is currently the most 

common material for NHS permanent 

fillings across the UK. Fillings represent 

around a quarter of all courses of NHS 

treatment delivered in England, according 

to the BDA, with amalgam used in around 

one-third of procedures. DA 

(Image: Facebook/ 

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9


Study on oral stem cells opens new 

doors for regenerative medicine 

A team of researchers from the ADA Forsyth 

Institute and University of North Carolina 

(UNC), Chapel Hill recently announced 

that it had used single-cell transcriptomic 

analysis to successfully map dental pulp 

stem cells (DPSC) and periodontal ligament 

stem cells (PDLSC) and found remarkable 

differences between them. The study, which 

appeared in the Journal of Dental Research, 

is said to provide the most detailed analysis 

of these stem cells to date, identifying the 

entire genome of the stem cells and their 

potential differentiation trajectories. 

“Dental pulp and periodontal ligament stem 

cells both have the potential to develop 

into any type of cell in the body,” said ADA 

Forsyth scientist, Alpdogan Kantarci, DDS, 

MSc, PhD, who led the study with UNC 

biostatistician, Di Wu, PhD. “We wanted 

to discover how they were different and 

whether there were differences in their 

capacity to differentiate into other cell 

types.” 

The team discovered that both types 

of stem cells have seven different gene 

clusters, with different categories of genes 

reflecting different stages in the process of 

differentiation. Four of those gene clusters 

were similar when comparing the two 

types of stem cells. Three of the clusters 

were uniquely different. While PDLSC’s 

were more like fibroblasts — cells that can 

become connective tissue — because of an 

increased proportion of certain clusters, 

DPSCs had higher differentiation potential 

and converted more easily into bone cells. 

“This new information on the specific 

genetic composition and mechanisms 

of differentiation in dental pulp and 

periodontal ligament stem cells will 

generate a new era of work in regenerative 

medicine,” said Dr Kantarci. “We could 

potentially select a stem cell based on 

its distinct properties to create targeted 

regenerative dental tissue repair and other 

regenerative therapies.” 

ADA Forsyth scientists obtained the 

stem cells from extracted teeth without 

culturing them, unlike other studies of 

these stem cells, and sent them unfrozen to 

(Image: Freepik) 

UNC for single-cell transcriptomic analysis. 

Meanwhile, they also took the same cells 

and differentiated them into known cell 

types such as osteoblasts, bone cells, and 

fibroblasts. The team then used advanced 

bioinformatics to compare and document 

the capacity of the two populations of 

stem cells to differentiate into osteoblasts 

or fibroblasts. The results of the bulk RNA 

sequencing validated the findings of the 

single-cell transcriptomics. 

“Prior to this study, people believed that 

stem cells were either very similar to each 

other, or very different from one another. 

Now we have enough information to 

see the huge potential for using specific 

features of these stem cells to create 

more effective and targeted regenerative 

therapies,” said Dr Kantarci. DA 

Neocis secures US$20m in additional funding 

Surgical robotics company Neocis has 

announced that the company raised 

US$20m in additional funding. This latest 

round of financing included Mirae Asset 

Capital/Mirae Asset Venture Investment, 

venture capital firms affiliated with the 

Mirae Asset Financial Group that invest in 

growth-stage healthcare and technology 

businesses, and NVentures, NVIDIA’s 

venture capital arm. 

Neocis manufactures and markets Yomi, in 

what is said to be dentistry’s first and only 

robotic surgical system cleared by the US 

Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The 

Yomi platform, which has received a total of 

16 FDA 510(k) clearances, assists clinicians 

during all phases of implant placement via 

streamlined digital planning and haptic 

guidance of surgical instrumentation, so 

users can deliver precise and efficient 

treatment. According to the company, more 

than 40,000 implants have been placed 

with robotic assistance. 

“The latest investment is a testament to 

our growth as a company and how far 

dental robotics has come since the first 

Yomi systems were installed,” said Alon 

Mozes, Neocis’ co-founder and CEO. “We 

are tremendously grateful to have the 

backing of our newest investors, including 

NVentures and Mirae Asset Financial 

Group, as well as our existing partners. 

This funding positions us for continued 

success in the market and will help us 

drive meaningful innovation in implant 

dentistry.” 

Neocis will use the additional funds to bolster 

a wide range of business initiatives from 

product development and sales enablement 

to clinical education. To keep pace with the 

company’s steady growth, Neocis moved 

into a larger space last summer. The new 

headquarters, which houses a state-ofthe-art 

manufacturing facility, is located in 

Miami’s Wynwood neighborhood. 

“Robotics and AI are changing the face of 

dentistry, enabling innovations that increase 

doctor efficiency and help them improve 

the quality of life for their patients,” said 

Mohamed “Sid” Siddeek, corporate vicepresident 

and head of NVentures. “Neocis 

is transforming dental implant procedures, 

demonstrating the benefits of robotics and AI 

in healthcare.” DA 



New headquarters of 

the National Dental 

Commission inaugurated 

Union minister of Health and Family Welfare Dr Mansukh 

Mandaviya inaugurated the new headquarters of the National 

Dental Commission (NDC), in New Delhi, India, on 5 Feb. Dr 

Mandaviya also laid the foundation stones for three Nursing 

Colleges in Andhra Pradesh and one in Jammu and Kashmir 

virtually. 

The inauguration comes after of passing of the National 

Dental Commission Bill, 2023, on 8 Aug in the previous year by 

the Indian Parliament in a step towards enhancing healthcare 

quality and aligning dental education with global standards. 

The National Dental Commission Act 2023 introduced 

a regulatory framework by establishing the NDC, which 

replaced the Dental Council of India (DCI) and repealed the 

Dentists Bill, 1948. 

Dr Mandaviya also presided over the MoU between the Dental 

Council of India and Quality Council of India for the assessment 

and rating of undergraduate dental colleges and launched 

the National Dental Register (NDR) under the National Health 

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“The advent of Dental Commission heralds marking a new 

era in dental education and administration. Through the 

Dental Commission Act, the government has made an effort 

to make dental education more practical, affordable and bring 

transparency in the entire system, simultaneously providing 

patients with affordable and good treatment,” said Dr Mandaviya. 

Addressing the gathering, Dr Mandaviya emphasised that with 

the launch of NDR created under One Nation One Register, 

the people of the country will get the identity and qualification 

of dentist in a transparent manner. “NDR will provide Unique 

Identification (DCIID) to all dentists practicing in India after 

verification from the respective State Dental Council. The NDR 

will also help citizens identify dentists verified by state dental 

councils,” he said. 

Highlighting the government’s commitment to strengthen 

the nursing workforce and mitigate healthcare disparities 

across regions, Dr Mandaviya stated the ceremony is a part of 

government’s scheme to establish 157 new nursing colleges colocated 

with existing medical colleges. 

“The advancements made in the sphere of health and medical 

infrastructure will provide quality and affordable healthcare 

and open many opportunities in the healthcare sector, vastly 

benefitting the nation,” said Dr Mandaviya. DA 

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11

Overcoming a personal 

addiction by spreading 

positivity on TikTok 

By James Yau 

On 8 May 2020, Rohit Roy uploaded his first 

video to TikTok. His intention was simple. 

Upload a video every day to keep himself 

accountable in his progress of quitting fizzy 

drinks. And with that, his iconic catchphrase — 

“Hello everyone. No fizzy drinks for me today.” 

— was born. 

“At the time I came across TikTok for the first 

time. The videos were in a short format so 

it was easy to post. My thinking was that if 

I posted a video every day and kept people 

updated, it would provide the accountability 

that I was looking for. And that was when I 

chose to start posting on TikTok and social 

media,” said Roy. 

As the days passed and his streak kept going, 

Roy’s videos reached more and more people, 

view by view. Four years in, Roy’s journey has 

reached day 1351, accumulating over 523,200 

followers and 8.7 million likes at the time of 

writing, inspiring many in the process with his 

cheerful demeanor. 

But according to Roy, his addiction started 

long before his rise to social media fame since 

the age of five in his native country. “Even 

when I was India, I was heavily addicted to 

fizzy drinks because I started at a very young 

age. Since then, I have been having fizzy 

drinks continuously,” he said, estimating that 

he consumed about six fizzy drinks each day 

at the peak of his addiction. 

In December 2022, a global tax manual 

for sugar sweetened beverages (SSBs) 

published by the World Health Organization 

highlighted the robust evidence associating 

the consumption of SSBs with a growing 

global burden of obesity and other 

associated disease. In particular, increased 

intake of SSBs is associated with increased 

risk of dental caries, type 2 diabetes 

mellitus and excess weight and obesity, 

which in turn increase the risk of heart 

disease, stroke, other cardiometabolic 

conditions and some cancers. 

Even though Roy was not affected by 

serious health conditions, he was conscious 

of the negative impacts through the weight 

he gained. After many unsuccessful 

attempts to kick the habit, with his longest 

period off the drink at 45 days, that was 

when the 45-year-old financial planner from 

Melbourne took to social media with a new 

game plan. 

As dental professionals and organisations 

across the globe celebrate World Oral Health 

Day on 20 Mar and beyond, Dental Asia 

speaks with the TikTok sensation on his 

journey of overcoming addiction and sharing 

positivity. 

BEFORE AND AFTER 

Roy credits the support he received online as 

a large motivator in his journey as compared 

to his previous attempts to quit his habit. 

“When I started my journey, I thought I would 

be craving fizzy drinks. That was why I said in 

my first video that I will try to have one fizzy 

drink every week. But that never happened 

because when I started, I received so much 

support from people which motivated me,” 

Roy said. “To be honest, it was lucky for me to 

get so much support.” 

Not wanting to let his supporters down, Roy 

made concerted changes to his daily habits 

to ensure that he would not break his streak. 

For instance, he was more careful about the 

content of the beverages he consumed to 

avoid any accidental consumption of fizzy 

drinks. This included not just sugary drinks, 

but carbonated drinks as well. 


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and remains committed to posting his daily 

videos for the sake of those who helped him 

along the way. He also shared that he might 

expand his content to include other aspects 

of healthy living such as weight training and 

health routines. 

“It is safe to say that I do not crave fizzy drinks 

anymore. I am no longer addicted. Before I 

was looking for motivation myself and now 

people get motivated by me, so it is my duty 

now to continue my journey,” Roy said. 

Roy filming his daily updates with a group of fans encountered at a beach in Melbourne 

“I want to thank people, which are 

DAY 1352 AND COUNTING 

communities who supported my journey. Sharing his advice for any individuals and 

I try to meet people wherever I can. If they organisations striving to promote similar 

recognise me, I thank them personally,” outcomes to that of his own journey, Roy 

Roy added. 

believes that honesty and genuity is the way 

to go. 

However, Roy was clear to make the distinction 

between his addiction and fizzy drinks itself. “What I suggest for any organisation or any 

committee who want to have a positive 

“Throughout the journey I have maintained impact on social media, is that they should 

that there is nothing wrong with fizzy drinks. portray themselves as honest and genuine 

If you have one fizzy drink here and there, that with a clear message. And then I believe many 

is fine. My fight is not against any product, it is people will follow,” he said. 

against any addiction we have,” Roy said. 

For individuals struggling with addiction, he 

Since making these changes to his daily encouraged long-term thinking. “Ten, 15, or 20 

routines, in combination with a healthy diet years ahead, if you continue your addiction, 

and an exercise routine, Roy has noticed what will happen? For example, if someone 

tangible improvement to his physical and is 25 years old now, they might not see the 

mental health. He reported feeling less anxiety, negative impacts of the addiction now, but at 

stress, fatigue and better sleeping patterns. He some stage in their life the addiction will catch 

also shared that the most amount of weight he up with them and will start to have negative 

had lost was about 20kgs. 

impacts.” 

Reflecting on his past journey and his future 

plans for his online community, Roy shared 

that he might consider having a fizzy drink the 

day when his one-year-old daughter grows 

up to offer him one during an occasion. 

Looking forward to that day, Roy concluded his 

thoughts on a note of positivity. 

“For dental professionals or anyone who is 

reading. The best advice I have is to spread 

positivity. I am a Hindu from India and I believe 

in karma. Even though not everyone believes in 

it, what I believe is what you give, you get back 

anyway. In our daily lives, we are busy with our 

family and jobs, but we can still sort of find 

some time to make positive experiences for 

other people as well.” DA 

“Before the start of my journey, I used to go to 

the shopping centre for example, and would 

look for places to sit because I could not walk 

too much,” Roy added. 

Moreover, Roy emphasied that motivation 

should stem ultimately from intrinsic reasons, 

with realistic targets and plans to maintain 

progress of one’s journey. 

His oral health improved as well. With the habit 

of fizzy drinks for over 35 years, Roy had 14 

teeth with cavities which has since been filled. 

“Whatever damage I had, it stopped there 

and I prevented any new damage. I go for a 

dental checkup once a year and they check the 

previous damage which happened and repair 

it if required. But there is no new damage or 

anything,” Roy said. 

“Whenever you are in your journey, do not do 

it because I or anyone else did it. If you are 

just trying to do it because you are copying 

another person, that probably would not work 

for long. Unless you have a genuine reason 

inside you, then it would not be last for long.” 

With over 1351 days free of fizzy drinks, Roy 

is assured that he has bested his addiction 

Roy and his daughter in one of his daily videos 



Realising a vision 

with FDI World 

Dental Federation 

president, Dr Greg 

Chadwick 

“ I invite individuals, 

advocates, and 

policymakers globally 

to consult the many 

resources FDI has 

developed over the 

years for enhancing oral 

health. Together, let us 

achieve FDI’s vision of a 

world with optimal oral 

health. 

Dr Greg Chadwick, 

FDI World Dental Federation president 

By James Yau 

Across the time that Dr Greg Chadwick 

has spent in private practice, academia 

and with national organisations, at the 

local, state, national and international 

levels, he sees his 30-year journey 

as a “rewarding” participation in the 

dentistry profession. 

This journey includes serving as the 

president of the American Dental 

Association from 2001-02 and a 

trustee from 1996-2000, leading the 

efforts to start the East Carolina 

University School of Dental Medicine 

where he has been serving as dean for 

almost 12 years, and dedicating six 

years to the role of speaker of the FDI 

General Assembly. 

At the FDI World Dental Federation 

(FDI) General Assembly in Sydney 

on 26 Sep 2023, Dr Chadwick was 

installed as the new president for 

the federation. Reflecting on how 

he will channel the lessons learnt 

throughout this journey in guiding the 

FDI to achieve its mission and vision, 

Dr Chadwick distilled his answer into 

three aspects. 

“First, there is no limit to what we can 

accomplish when we work together 

and with a plan. Second, prevention is 

key and must be prioritised if we are 

expecting improvement in oral health 

in a cost-effective and strategic way. 

Last, but not least, advocacy efforts 

cannot be overstated as they are 

crucial to drive effective and lasting 

change,” said Dr Chadwick. 

VISIONS AND PILLARS 

Over the next two years, FDI’s priorities 

as an organisation will continue to 

focus on achieving the goals detailed 

in its Vision 2030 report. 


15


The report, ‘Vision 2030: Delivering Optimal 

Oral Health for All’, was first published in 2021 

and identifies challenges that will confront 

dentistry and the oral health community over 

the next decade. By turning these challenges 

into opportunities, it proposes strategies to 

to improve oral health, reduce oral health 

inequalities, and contribute to reducing the 

global burden of oral diseases. 

“The challenges that the dental professions 

must be aware of are outlined in FDI’s Vision 

2030 report and are intricately tied to the three 

fundamental pillars of this report that present 

opportunities for enhancing oral health,” 

Dr Chadwick said. 

Under its ambit, the report is constructed 

around three pillars, each with a major goal 

to be achieved by 2030. These pillars are 

supported by a strategy for education that will 

create a responsive and resilient profession, 

with the knowledge and skills to lead systems 

reforms. 

Pillar one aims for essential oral health 

services to be integrated into healthcare in 

every country and appropriate quality oral 

healthcare to become available, accessible, 

and affordable for all; pillar two seeks the 

integration of oral and general personcentred 

healthcare, leading to more effective 

prevention and management of oral diseases 

and improved health and well-being; pillar 

three envisions oral health professionals 

collaborating with a wide range of health 

workers to deliver sustainable, health-needsbased, 

and people-centred healthcare. 

For instance, outlined under pillar two of the 

report, the federation’s General Assembly 

approved the FDI ‘Position on Free Sugars’, 

aimed at addressing the pressing public health 

crisis of excessive sugar consumption at 

the 2023 World Dental Congress in Sydney, 

Australia. 

Following the endorsement of the Position 

on Free Sugars, FDI is actively increasing its 

efforts to tackle the challenge through its 

advocacy, capacity building and knowledge 

sharing, in collaboration with important 

stakeholders, including other health 

organisations. 

“Additionally, we aim to strengthen 

collaborations with various health 

organisations, leveraging our membership in 

the World Health Professions Alliance, and 

seeking support from industry partners for our 

public health initiatives,” said Dr Chadwick. 

Dr Chadwick added: “Of course, none of this 

would be possible without the support of our 

member national dental associations, and 

therefore we will continue to keep their interest 

at the heart of our efforts to improve global 

oral health.” 

Moreover, the recently adopted ‘FDI strategic 

plan 2024-2027’ is another important focus Dr 

Chadwick is directed towards executing. The 

new organisational plan for 2024-2027 forms 

a strategic framework formed upon three 

pillars — advocacy, knowledge exchange, and 

innovation. 

The advocacy pillars is seen as a mean to 

drive the implementation of FDI's Vision 2030. 

It mobilises advocacy efforts to increase 

oral health literacy and achieve political 

commitment and action on oral health for all. 

The knowledge exchange pillar which was 

revised from a previously titled ‘knowledge 

transfer’ pillar, builds a robust community 

of skilled, engaged, and informed dental 

professionals and partners. 

A newly added innovation pillar 

positions the oral health community 

to ensure the dental profession 

is responsible, sustainable, and 

responsive to emerging and evolving 

technologies in dentistry. 

“The oral healthcare landscape is 

rapidly changing and ever evolving, so 

it is our duty to ensure that we keep up 

to speed with the changes and that we 

do so in a balanced and sustainable 

manner,” explained Dr Chadick. “We 

are paying, of course, close attention 

to digitalisation, the development of AI 

and sustainability in dentistry, as seen 

in FDI’s initiatives.” 

At the 154th WHO Executive Board meeting, FDI and the International Association for Dental, Oral, And 

Craniofacial Research (IADR) expressed its concern in a joint statement regarding global oral health 

targets 

PROGRESS AND CHALLENGES 

As the main driver of its work at 

FDI, Vision 2030 is at the heart of its 

advocacy efforts. The developments in 

the global oral health landscape with 

the approval and formal adoption of 

the World Health Organization (WHO) 



Resolution, Strategy and Action Plan on 

oral health have moved oral health into the 

spotlight, making it a public health priority. 

“We are of course pleased that WHO’s 

position aligns with our own Vision 2030,” said 

Dr Chadwick. 

Dr Chadwick shared that FDI has been 

proactive in working with its members to 

implement Vision 2030 through diverse 

initiatives. In 2023, FDI co-organised advocacy 

and capacity building workshops with its 

regional organisations in Europe and Latin 

America. The workshops were aimed to 

equip national dental associations with 

the knowledge and resources to support 

governments in developing ambitious national 

oral health policies with measurable targets 

and monitoring mechanisms. 

“Through relevant discussions on the oral 

health burdens specific to each region and 

the identification of advocacy priorities, we 

collaborated to create action plans tailored 

to the needs of each region,” Dr Chadwick 

explained. 

empower people with the knowledge, tools 

and confidence to secure good oral health. 

Under a new three-year cycle for the global 

campaign, the campaign theme for 2024-2026 

is: ‘’A HAPPY MOUTH IS…’’. For each year 

of the three-year campaign, the “A HAPPY 

MOUTH IS…” theme will be qualified by a focus 

area, which aligns with broader developments 

on the global health agenda, including the 

adoption of the WHO’s Oral Health Resolution 

in 2021. 

“In 2024, the campaign spotlights the intricate 

link between oral health and general health 

because: A HAPPY MOUTH IS... A HAPPY 

BODY. Through this year’s campaign, we 

aim to encourage people to understand the 

benefits of a happy, healthy mouth by raising 

awareness of the interconnected nature of 

oral health and general health,” Dr Chadwick 

said. “‘A HAPPY MOUTH IS…’ is not merely 

a slogan; it is a way of life. It celebrates and 

promotes the multi-faceted nature of oral 

health, revealing its significant connections to 

our overall well-being.” 

With a host of resources, initiatives, and 

roadmaps, guiding FDI and its partners in 

the current decade to achieve its oral health 

goals, Dr Chadwick ended with a message of 

unity, urging stakeholders to collaborate with 

the federation in achieving the vision it has 

laid out for dental professionals and people 

globally. 

“Our organisation plays a significant role 

in advocating for global oral health. I invite 

individuals, advocates, and policymakers 

globally to consult the many resources FDI 

has developed over the years for enhancing 

oral health. Together, let us achieve FDI’s 

vision of a world with optimal oral health,” 

Dr Chadwick concluded. DA 

In addition, FDI has also developed a Vision 

2030 Advocacy in Action Implementation 

Toolkit, designed to empower advocates 

worldwide to champion oral health. Dr 

Chadwick noted a growing interest from 

various stakeholders, including members, 

industry and civil society to address oral 

health as part of the broader health agenda. 

Consequently, FDI aims to make as much 

information available as possible to empower 

all to advocate for oral health through tools 

such as the implementation toolkit. 

“We now need to continue leveraging this 

momentum to bring about positive change in 

oral health worldwide. We remain committed 

to collaborating with our members and 

partners to ensure that we have a united voice 

on global platforms. We are confident that 

through our collective efforts, we can achieve 

meaningful and sustainable advancements in 

global oral health,” Dr Chadwick added. 

Looking forward to achieving such oral 

health outcomes, the World Oral Health Day 

celebrations observed annually on 20 Mar by 

dental professionals, healthcare institutions, 

and the public, forms a crucial period to 

Toothie, the FDI’s mascot, will be leading the World Oral Health Day campaign from 2024-2026 as a 

new three-year cycle aimed at raising the awareness of the interconnected nature of oral health and 

general health 


17

Inside a look at 

a free clinic for 

underprivileged 

neighbours 

Dr Mohanarajah speaking at the opening 

ceremony of the Q & M Free Dental Clinic 

By James Yau 

Situated at the void deck of a government 

housing block in the neighbourhood of 

Kembangan-Chai Chee in Singapore, lies a 

dental clinic that provides basic dental care to 

surrounding residents in need — all at no cost. 

Launched on 10 Jul 2023, the Q & M Free 

Dental Clinic is a registered charity under the 

banner of the Q & M Dental Group, dedicated 

to delivering essential dental treatment to 

underprivileged individuals and communities 

in need. 

“The idea was first mooted at a meeting 

between then speaker of parliament Tan 

Chuan-Jin and CEO of Q & M Dental Group Dr 

Ng Chin Siau. The discussion centred on how 

to make basic dental treatment available to 

underprivileged individuals and families. This 

led to the setting up of the charity, Q & M Free 

Dental Clinic, which will provide free basic 

dental treatment to residents in need,” shared 

Dr Mohanarajah, chairman of Q & M Free 

Dental Clinic. 

and referred by collaborating grassroots 

organisations within the Kembangan-Chai 

Chee neighbourhood. At the clinic, they receive 

free dental consultation and treatments that 

are essential to oral health, such as scaling 

and polishing, fillings, and extractions. 

Moreover, in an economy marked by high labour 

and rent cost for dental clinics, the Q & M Free 

Dental Clinic is the first in Singapore set up 

by a private dental group, representing the 

viability and sustainability of such a charity. 

The clinic is staffed by about 50 volunteer 

dentists on a rotational basis and serves up to 

an estimated 1,400 patients a year. 

“Another initial challenge was finding dentists 

to work in the free clinic. We were fortunate 

when we were about to launch as many Q & M 

dentists stepped forward to volunteer their 

services to work in the free clinic during their 

off days. The dentists working in the clinic 

are purely volunteers from Q & M Dental 

Group who come down during their off days 

to provide free dental treatment for the 

patients,” said Dr Mohanarajah. 

Q & M Dental Group led the fundraising 

efforts to fully equip and set up the Free 

Dental Clinic, donating S$500,000 to 

fund the initial costs of renovation and 

equipment. The clinic is equipped with two 

consultation rooms, including an x-ray room, 

and state-of-the-art machines. In total, close 

to $1m was raised together with the support 

of other key donors. 

“We received donations in terms of 

equipment and material from dental 

suppliers and this is used in the clinic to 

treat patients. The cash donations help to 

lower the cost of other expenses including 

the utilities and rental,” Dr Mohanarajah 

added. 

Dr Mohanarajah further highlighted that 

the challenges faced by patients besides 

accessibility to dental facilities is also the 

The primary aim of the Free Dental Clinic is 

to alleviate dental pain and to help restore 

the ability to chew comfortably among 

needy patients. Working with the People’s 

Association office in Kembangan-Chai Chee, 

a statutory board which promotes racial 

harmony and social cohesion in Singapore, 

the location of the clinic identified was an 

accessible venue for many seniors and 

underprivileged residents since it was sited 

near government rental housing units and 

elderly homes. 

Patients who are in need of basic dental care 

but have little access to it are first screened 

With over 100 clinics to its name, the Q & M Free 

Dental Clinic relies upon the volunteer work of 

dentists 

The clinic is funded through equipment and cash 

donations to cover its expenses 



With the successful launch of the Free 

Dental Clinic, Q & M Dental Group is 

looking to provide accessible dental care 

to more people 

need for proper dental education. At 

the clinic, dentists provide oral hygiene 

instructions and emphasise the need 

to maintain proper oral care so that 

patients can chew properly, achieve 

an aesthetic smile and are able to 

eliminate dental pain. 

Furthermore, he highlighted the role 

of other stakeholders in supporting 

the clinic to ensure its sustainability. 

“Other professionals can also step 

forward to provide dental treatment 

to the underprivileged in our 

communities. Private organisations 

can also help by donating to charities 

that are helping to provide medical 

or dental services to needy patients. 

Donations in cash or equipment go a 

long way in helping the project remain 

sustainable.” 

Although, the role of donations play a 

significant role in the operation of such 

projects, Dr Mohanarajah reminds that 

the culture and participation in charity 

is not happenstance. 

“Within the company, Q & M has 

enabled our staff to embody the 

company values by providing them the 

opportunity to do volunteer activities 

during working hours. The company 

also demonstrated our genuine 

commitment to charitable initiatives 

through closing one of our clinics to 

the public on Sunday mornings to cater 

solely to foreign domestic workers,” 

said Dr Mohanarajah. “Our senior 

leadership too have demonstrated 

commitment to this purpose by 

encouraging staff to get involved 

and walking the talk by volunteering 

themselves.” 

The company set up its ‘Q&M Cares 

Committee’ where community 

projects are launched, consisting of 

dentists, nurses, administrative staff, 

management, and suppliers. Besides 

the Free Dental Clinic and as part of 

its broader initiatives, the ‘Q & M Cares 

Committee’ also identified migrant 

workers as greatly underserved in the 

community, with many being unable to 

access dental care due to prohibitive 

costs. 

Leveraging its capacity to provide 

quality dental work, the ‘Q & M Cares 

Committee’ collaborated with the nongovernment 

organisation ‘Its Raining 

Raincoats (IRR)’ on an initiative 

where its dentists could volunteer to 

provide free dental care to migrant 

workers. Another initiative includes 

a collaboration with the Foreign 

Domestic Worker Association for 

Social Support and Training (FAST) 

to provide free wisdom tooth surgery 

to domestic workers who are FAST 

members. 

With the free clinic up and running for 

over six months, improving the lives 

of each patient seen in the course, 

Q & M Dental Group hopes that the 

pilot clinic will be the only the start of 

providing accessible dental care to all 

who need it. 

It aims to ramp up the current capacity 

to serve up to 5,000 patients per 

year in the free clinic’s next phase 

of operations and is working closely 

with the People’s Association office 

in Kembangan-Chai Chee to identify 

patients from government rental 

blocks and under government financial 

assistance for this pilot clinic, with the 

intention of opening more free clinics 

in the future. DA 

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19


Unlocking the power of digital 

dentistry at the University of 

Helsinki 

In 2021, the dentistry programme at the University of Helsinki embarked 

on a learning journey towards digital dentistry at its newly constructed 

Oral and Dental Centre. Providing students with brand-new facilities as 

their first touch to the craftsmanship of dentistry, Planmeca facilitated 

the incorporation of the latest digital technologies into the dentistry 

curriculum. Antti Kämppi and Jaana Rautava from the University of 

Helsinki share more about how their journey has enabled new approaches 

to learning and teaching. 

Antti Kämppi (left) and Jaana Rautava (right) recount their experiences in transforming the skills 

laboratory 

Three years ago, the dentistry programme 

at the University of Helsinki found a new 

home in the recently constructed Oral and 

Dental Centre. At the centre, the university 

runs a simulation facility known among the 

students as the skills laboratory. 

Equipped with 59 Planmeca Compact 

iSim simulation units and three Planmeca 

Compact i Classic dental units for live 

demonstrations, the skills laboratory 

provides dentistry students with a new 

learning environment for training basic 

clinical procedures. 

"I am confident to say our department 

and our simulation laboratory are at the 

cutting edge. Our equipment, software and 

infrastructure are top-notch and functioning 

well. We have all the prerequisites for doing 

everything we want and to accomplish all 

workflows we want,” said Antti Kämppi, 

university lecturer and vice-head of Dental 

Undergraduate Programme at the university. 



NAVIGATING TRADITIONAL AND 

DIGITAL DENTISTRY 

The challenge faced by the University of 

Helsinki mirrors that of dental universities 

worldwide: Balancing traditional and digital 

methods in dentistry within a fixed timeframe. 

The digital revolution not only affects 

prosthetics but also other areas of dentistry. 

For example, it is already common to use 

automated devices for root canal treatments 

instead of mere hand instrumentation. For 

dental schools, it is necessary to cover both. 

Kämppi joined the University of Helsinki five 

years ago, just as the dentistry curriculum 

was being revised to include courses in digital 

dentistry. Previously, the students had learned 

to capture 3D images and utilise implant 

planning software on the go, usually during 

their practical training. 

"With the curriculum update, we wanted to 

ensure our department can keep up with 

the latest technological developments in 

dentistry. With our digital dentistry curriculum, 

we are now teaching digital workflows and 

offering digital implant planning and clear 

aligner courses,” Kämppi said. 

In Finland, the duration of dentistry studies 

has been determined for all universities 

by a government decree. Accordingly, the 

studies span five-and-a-half years, leading 

to a Licentiate in Dentistry degree, which 

is equivalent to a Doctor of Dental Science 

(DDS). Five of those years are dedicated 

to theoretical and clinical studies at the 

university, followed by six months of practical 

training at a dental practice somewhere 

in Finland. For many students, the touch 

point of the simulation units forms a pivotal 

experience in their learning outcomes. 

"If we could decide ourselves, we would 

probably extend the dental curriculum by 

another six months, so we could focus 

more on the latest and future technologies. 

However, since this is not possible, we are 

determined to find other ways to keep our 

fingers on the pulse and keep up with the 

development of digital dentistry,” Kämppi 

added. 

By incorporating software in the pre-clinical 

learning environment, Kämppi found a 

solution to provide student with the learning 

objectives desired. The Planmeca Romexis 

software is available at every simulation unit, 

which allows students to view x-ray images 

directly at their units. This streamlines the 

teaching of different dental specialties 

utilising radiology. 

In the skills laboratory, students also learn to 

capture intraoral images with two Planmeca 

ProX intraoral imaging simulation cabinets. 

The images captured with the intraoral x-ray 

are then available on any workstation in the 

skills laboratory. Six Planmeca Emerald S 

intraoral scanners are also actively used in the 

teaching of digital workflows. The scanners 

combined with Romexis software have proven 

useful for self-evaluation. 

"Our students can prep a tooth, scan it 

with Planmeca Emerald S and analyse 

the preparation in Romexis, comparing 

their results with an example preparation. 

The students can always discuss their 

performance with a teacher, too, but ideally, 

Romexis helps them analyse the scans by 

themselves and spot the areas in which 

tissue still needs to be removed,” Kämppi 

explained. 

NEW DIMENSIONS ERGONOMICS 

AND TEACHING 

Compact instrument consoles, usability, and 

adaptability to suit different learning scenarios 

and preferences were some of the reasons 

why Planmeca Compact iSim simulation units 

were selected for the skills laboratory. 

The units allows working both in sitting 

and standing positions and offers good 

ergonomics for both right- and left-handed 

users for students to adopt correct working 

ergonomics. The height and angle of the 

monitor can be flexibly adjusted, and the 

phantom heads of the simulation units move 

the same way real heads do. 

"Good ergonomics is something we pay 

attention to from day one, even if some of our 

students would rather focus fully on dental 

procedures and consider ergonomics only 

after they have mastered different techniques 

with their hands. But it is always difficult to get 

rid of the habits you have already gotten used 

to, so learning good ergonomics from the getgo 

actually makes practising dentistry much 

more comfortable in the long run,” explains 

Jaana Rautava, Assoc Prof and head of Dental 

Undergraduate Programme. 

For many students, the touch point of the 

simulation units forms a pivotal experience in 

their learning outcomes.

compelling way in comparison to just giving 

them top-down instructions,” Kämppi said. 

According to Rautava, the feedback from 

students and lecturers has also been nothing 

but positive. Still, with new equipment, 

it always takes some time to see all the 

possibilities for which it could be used for. 

Each simulation unit has 

a small footprint and its 

structure allows clearing 

up space on the table for 

a wide range of exercises 

when needed 

The skills acquired in the simulation 

laboratory are later trained at the dental wards 

of the Oral and Dental Centre and finally at 

dental practices around the country. Since 

Planmeca simulation units have the same 

functions and features as actual Planmeca 

dental units, the transition from pre-clinical to 

clinical work made easier for students. 

Digital technology also introduces novel 

possibilities for teaching dentistry in a modern 

and compelling way. The Planmeca Solanna 

Vision operating light is used to demonstrate 

dental procedures to students as it is capable 

of recording treatment sessions with two 

integrated 4K cameras. At the skills laboratory, 

the lecturer’s simulation unit has been 

equipped with Planmeca Solanna Vision so 

that the students can easily follow on screen 

what the lecturer is doing and repeat it on 

their simulation units. 

The three Planmeca Compact i Classic dental 

units of the skills laboratory are equipped with 

Planmeca Solanna Vision operating lights 

to live stream actual patient treatments to 

students. While the operating light takes care 

of capturing the treatment, the lecturer can 

explain the ongoing treatment using a headset. 

"The three demo units of our skills laboratory 

allow me to stream patient treatments to 

our students while I explain what I am doing 

and why. We have actually installed two-way 

audio systems, so that the students can also 

ask questions during the treatment and I can 

answer them simultaneously. This allows 

us to engage the students in a new and 

"Every day, we are becoming more and more 

familiar with the full potential of our Planmeca 

devices and software. They are packed with 

so many intelligent features and functions, 

which could be used in a number of ways. We 

just need to keep exploring and come up with 

new ways that the technology could be used 

for teaching,” Kämppi added. 

Planmeca was also quick to provide a method 

which combines three sets of 3D data into 

a virtual patient — a CBCT image, a 3D face 

photo, and an intraoral scan. Kämppi is 

planning to utilise this data in combination 

with virtual reality (VR) solutions for dental 

education. 

"For me, personally, digital dentistry is of 

particular interest. I enjoy being able to 

integrate it into our studies and figure out 

new ways to visualising treatment options 

to students. Currently, we are investigating 

opportunities to integrate VR solutions into 

our learning environment. We want to map 

CBCT images, 3D face photos captured with 

Planmeca ProFace, intraoral scans and MRI 

data together and examine it in artificial 

reality,” Kämppi said. 

He added: "With the help of virtual patient 

data and VR, I would like to be able to examine 

a case with recurrent dislocation of the TMJ 

and use this data to examine different jaw 

movements and determine what causes the 

disc displacement.” 

Although available technology is rarely the 

reason why a student decides to apply for one 

university, not being able to keep up with the 

pace of digital dental evolution might well be a 

reason to choose another option. 

The capabilities of the different units 

enables new approaches to teaching 

and inspires Kämppi to explore more 

novel uses of the technology 

"The future is digital and I feel it is a positive 

competitive advantage for us that we have the 

latest technology available for our students," 

Rautava concluded. DA

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Advancing dental 3D 

printing and access to 

affordable restorations 

By James Yau 

During its 130-year-long history, BEGO 

has remained on the lookout for new 

and innovative solutions, offering many 

products and services in the dental 

market. 

“This starts with dental implants and 

ends with crowns and bridges as well 

as our well-known partial dentures 

or even complete dentures as a final 

product. For labs, BEGO offers most 

of what is needed to manufacture final 

products, be it machines, equipment or 

materials,” said Tobias Speicher, area 

sales manager APAC at BEGO. 

This spirit of innovation is engrained 

deeply in the company’s DNA and is 

credited as the driver of its success, 

enabling the company to provide 

a wholesome concept, from root 

to crown, for more than 20 million 

patients globally each year. 

As the German manufacturer strives 

toward upholding its legacy of 

innovation, BEGO is preparing to 

launch a series of new products for the 

APAC region in 2024, which is seen a 

crucial market in the years to come. 

Tobias Speicher (left) and Marius Kempf 

(right) share what BEGO has in store for 

its APAC customers in 2024 

Dental Asia catches up with Speicher 

and Kempf as they share more about 

their plans for the region and the latest 

developments in 3D printing. 

DRIVING DENTAL 3D PRINTING 

In Kempf’s view, there are three main 

factors that he expects to drive dental 

3D printing within the next five years. 

First, the increasing availability coupled 

with the continuously decreasing 

prices of intraoral scanners will lead 

to an even wider adoption of this 

technology than what is seen today. 

In turn, this will encourage further 

adoption of digital workflows. 

real unique selling propositions. 

However, from our point of view, this 

is a reflection of the maturity of this 

technology; ultimately, most models 

are suitable for producing dental 

parts that meet the requirements 

of the application in question. The 

main differences lie in printing speed, 

reliability, service and price, and in this 

respect, we expect faster, more reliable 

and more affordable devices,” Kempf 

explained. 

He further noted that user confidence 

plays a major role when deciding 

on a material. Acceptance of new 

technologies requires time as dental 

professionals are very careful to select 

restorative materials and treatment 

methods based on scientific data. 

Acting in a responsible and datadriven 

way generates confidence from 

patients on treatment plans. 

“We proactively support this by 

being one of very few companies 

in the dental 3D printing industry to 

initiate and support clinical studies 

“We have different activities planned. 

We just celebrated the registration 

of our resins in Malaysia with a great 

event which was attended by more 

than 150 dentists and practitioners. We 

see tremendous interest in these new 

technologies and their application,” 

said Marius Kempf, team leader of 3D 

Printing at BEGO. 

Second, the maturity of both 

equipment and material will lead 

to an increase in 3D-printing 

capacity on the market. 

“I know that almost all 3D printer 

manufacturers will probably disagree 

with me when I say that the resin 

printers available today have no 

Kempf believes that the 3D-printing 

industry is primed to provide new 

capabilities for dental professionals 



with our innovative materials. To this 

end, with more than eight tons of 

3D-printing material sold for permanent 

restorations, the large number of 

patients treated will also contribute 

to increased trust in BEGO’s material 

and promote the acceptance of this 

technology overall,” Kempf added. 

The launch of 

VarseoSmile TriniQ 

signals BEGO’s 

commitment to new 

capabilities in 3D 

printing which offers 

professionals with 

more choices for 

affordable and durable 

restorations 

Third, new generations of materials 

are expected in the near future that 

will advance the use of 3D-printed 

restorations. BEGO’s research and 

development department is pushing 

the material properties of 3D-printed 

polymers to the limits of what is 

chemically possible. New printer 

technologies are expected in the next 

five years, including multi-material 

printers, which will open completely 

new possibilities for dental 3D printing. 

NEW PRODUCTS AND 

REGIONAL AMBITIONS 

In 2024, BEGO will be launching various 

products in different markets around 

the world. This includes the launch of a 

new implant prosthetic line — the BEGO 

Semados Esthetic Line. 

“The Esthetic Line considers the desire 

for a tulip-shaped emergence profile 

of the components and has extensive 

design improvements in impression 

and scanning as well as a complete 

portfolio with no exceptions that 

require explanation. The ease of use is 

supported by a complete colour coding 

of the components according to the 

implant diameter and the complete 

availability of all variants for all implant 

diameters,” Speicher said. 

Another highlight of 2024 for BEGO is 

the introduction of VarseoSmile TriniQ, 

a new 3D-printing material for multiple 

indications. According to Speicher, 

VarseoSmile TriniQ goes beyond that 

of many other resins as it allows not 

only for printing crowns, but also the 

printing of permanent bridges. 

“The global launch of VarseoSmile 

TriniQ will definitely be with us 

throughout the year. Following approval 

in the EU and the US, we are currently 

also working on the market launch of 

this revolutionary new product in the 

APAC region starting with Indonesia, 

Malaysia, and Vietnam,” Kempf said. 

“Our research and development 

team has already started the next 

development project, the result of 

which we want to bring to market 

maturity in the course of this year.” 

Apart from crowns and bridges BEGO 

also sees removable dentures as an 

application perfectly suited for the 

3D-printing workflow. To facilitate the 

adoption of 3D printing in the dental 

field, BEGO is working closely with 

companies in the 3D printing hardware 

industry such as Ackuretta, Asiga, 

Formlabs, Rapid Shape, Shining 3D, 

SprintRay and others. The company 

also supports its academic partners to 

conduct studies with BEGO materials 

and work with them to build confidence 

and prove their durability. 

Moreover, the APAC region is 

viewed as an important market in 

the company’s pipeline. “It is our 

understanding that the APAC region 

will be one of the key markets in the 

coming years. Economic development 

together with innovation in dental 

CAD/CAM will open new markets and 

treatment opportunities to patients 

who were not able to afford or had 

access to dental treatment in the past. 

This will be one of the key areas BEGO 

will be active in,” said Speicher. 

Along with its innovative 3D printing 

resins, the VarseoSmile TriniQ and the 

current flagship VarseoSmile Crown 

Plus, BEGO is looking to expand its 

presence in emerging economies. The 

company is looking out for partners in 

the selective laser melting (SLM) field 

to offer premium SLM powders for 

dentures in the future. 

“Partial dentures printed with SLM 

machines will be something to look 

out for in the APAC region. Once 

SLM machine manufacturers start 

producing more affordable and reliable 

devices, this will offer an additional 

treatment accessible cost effective 

to APAC practitioners and patients,” 

Speicher added. 

Kempf highlighted that as per capita 

expenditure on dental care varies 

greatly in different regions of APAC, 

these developments with provide 

greater equity to clinical outcomes: 

“We believe that with our 3D-printing 

materials, we give both dentists and 

dental labs in regions where dental care 

needs to be affordable the opportunity 

to offer exactly what is required 

everywhere else — durable, aesthetic 

and affordable dental restorations.” 

With 3D printing very much at the heart 

of it the current focus of its innovation 

portfolio, Speicher and Kempf are 

excited as they gear up for upcoming 

exhibitions in APAC, with their next 

stop at IDEM 2024 in Singapore in 

April. Speicher concluded: “I firmly 

believe that the APAC region has an 

exciting future ahead of it. Economies 

are growing while technological 

advancement offers new options in 

dentistry. We have been active in the 

region for decades with a vast network 

of partners and are happy to be part of 

this progress.” DA 

DENTAL ASIA MARCH / APRIL 2024 25

Celebrating a lifetime of smiles 

As 2024 marks the 11th-annual World Oral Health Day (WOHD), it also 

commemorates the 25th anniversary of Smile Train, a global partner of the 

campaign. Dental Asia speaks with Dr Mónica Domínguez, director of Global 

Oral Health Programs at Smile Train, and Bruce Peatey, group vice-president 

APAC RCO at Dentsply Sirona, to learn about the role of sustainable models 

and partnerships in supporting comprehensive cleft care. 

By James Yau 

Around the world, a baby with a cleft is 

born every three minutes, and many will not 

receive the reconstructive surgery they need. 

A cleft occurs when certain body parts and 

structures do not fuse together during foetal 

development and can cause difficulties eating, 

breathing, hearing, and speaking. 

Since its founding in 1999, Smile Train has 

grown to become the world’s largest cleftfocused 

organisation, supporting over 1.9 

million free cleft surgeries. 

“Smile Train is on track to achieve its vision 

of a world where every person has access to 

high-quality comprehensive cleft care. The 

life-changing impact we have had on cleftaffected 

children, health systems, and patient 

outcomes over 25 years is unmatched,” said 

Dr Domínguez, director of Global Oral Health 

Programs at Smile Train. 

As compared to mission-trip-based cleft 

organisations, Smile Train credits the impact it 

has had on the field to its sustainable model, 

which focuses on establishing partnerships 

with local, in-country medical professionals to 

sponsor cleft treatments for patients in their 

own communities. In other words: “teaching a 

man to fish.” 

This model enables Smile Train’s network to 

be more efficient and effective in acheiving 

its goals. “Smile Train is built on the belief 

that supporting and training local medical 

professionals to provide high-quality 

comprehensive cleft treatment will not only 

lead to patients receiving superior care 365 

days a year — but can also build better, 

stronger, more resilient healthcare systems 

worldwide,” Dr Domínguez said. 

This model has allowed the organisation to 

train more than 40,000 medical professionals 

globally; launch seven Cleft Leadership 

Centers that serve as regional hubs for cleft 

treatment, education, training, and research; 

put cleft care on the global health agenda 

at various UN meetings; and even develop 

a novel virtual surgery simulator for cleft 

treatment. 

SUSTAINABILITY, SUPPORT, AND 

PARTNERSHIP 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Smile Train’s 

sustainable model was reaffirmed at a time 

when other organisations that relied on 



medical mission trips were shut down entirely. 

The organisation and its beneficiaries relied 

upon the robust network of local medical 

professionals established to react quickly 

and resume care as soon as local authorities 

determined it was safe. 

“In that time of uncertainty and ambiguity for 

the world, our sustainable ‘teach a man to fish’ 

model allowed us to safely sponsor more than 

68,000 safe cleft surgeries in over 60 countries 

from March through December in 2020,” said 

Dr Domínguez. 

During the same period, Smile Train further 

expanded its telehealth programmes to 

monitor patients who still could not receive 

surgery and provide virtual check-ups, speech 

therapy sessions, and other remote care as 

needed. 

Dr Domínguez shared that in its early years, 

Smile Train focused almost solely on cleft 

surgeries in areas and regions where cost was 

the main barrier families faced in accessing 

cleft treatment. As the organisation’s 

partnerships and impact expanded to reach 

new countries and regions, so did the scope 

of its medical programmes. Today, the 

organisation supports not only cleft surgery, 

but also oral health, nutrition, speech services, 

psychosocial care, and other essential 

services that families and children affected by 

clefts often need. 

The organisation’s model and partnerships 

have also enabled them to invest in lasting 

medical infrastructure, increase local 

expertise, and redefine the public health 

landscape through research, innovation, 

training, and advocacy, to ensure safe and 

holistic patient- and community-centred care. 

Smile Train’s focus on comprehensive cleft 

care is not only about supporting free cleft 

surgeries, but extending support for additional 

services such as dental, psychosocial, speech, 

and nutrition care. 

In September 2021, Smile Train and Dentsply 

Sirona launched a five-year partnership to 

improve access to global oral health care and 

create a more sustainable future for cleftaffected 

children and families worldwide. 

The joint goal of the partnership is to improve 

the entire spectrum of cleft care, leveraging 

advanced dental technologies for safe, 

efficient, and expert patient care. 

Their newly launched ‘Digitalization in 

Comprehensive Cleft Care’ Massive Open 

Online Course and cleft treatment workflows 

provide the first-ever global treatment 

standards and best practices for digitised 

dental cleft care. Moreover, such partnerships 

across different corporate and private sectors 

highlight the synergies and opportunities to be 

realised for all parties involved. 

“In addition to this significant development 

that genuinely advances the future of cleft 

care as part of our partnership with Smile 

Train, we also provide cash donations to fund 

cleft surgeries and donate digital equipment 

units including intraoral scanners and x-ray 

units, to improve cleft treatment outcomes,” 

said Bruce Peatey, group vice-president APAC 

RCO at Dentsply Sirona. 

Dentsply Sirona further supports Smile 

Train by providing its expertise in clinical 

education to empower Smile Train’s partner 

professionals to innovate and digitalise cleft 

care treatments for their patients that would 

otherwise not be possible. 

“Corporate partnerships are essential to 

providing funding and visibility, and they 

also go beyond monetary contributions. 

Partners like Dentsply Sirona offer invaluable 

infrastructure, know-how, contacts, and 

innovation, propelling Smile Train towards 

achieving our goals and maximising our 

impact,” Dr Domínguez added. 

In addition to maximising impacts within their 

respective fields, Smile Train and Dentsply 

Sirona are also long-term global partners of 

FDI World Dental Federation’s (FDI) yearly 

WOHD programmes, which strive towards 

aligned oral health outcomes. In 2022, Smile 

Train, Dentsply Sirona, and FDI announced 

a partnership to develop global standard 

protocols for digital cleft treatment. 

“By actively participating in initiatives like 

WOHD, we can all contribute to raising 

awareness and making a positive change 

in securing good oral health for millions of 

people worldwide,” said Peatey. 

To celebrate WOHD in 2024, Dentsply 

Sirona is providing a free-of-charge 

‘Patient Communication Toolkit’ to dental 

professionals to empower them to educate 

their patients about the importance of oral 

health and its direct impact on overall health. 

These efforts are extended to its Smile Train 

Through resources such as its Virtual Surgery Simulator and training 

programmes, Smile Train’s model seeks to build up the clinical abilities of 

local professionals 

A technician at Smile Train partner FISULAB in Colombia using Dentsply 

Sirona’s Primescan AC with a cleft-affected patient 


27


partnership also where in 2023, 500 oral health 

kits and educational flyers were created and 

donated to children with clefts around the world. 

“Oral diseases and conditions are a major 

health concern among the global cleft 

community. Babies with clefts are twice as 

likely as their peers without clefts to face 

oral health challenges throughout their lives," 

added Dr Domínguez. She highlighted FDI’s 

role in implementing prevention strategies 

and providing access to care where otherwise, 

these oral health conditions and diseases can 

cause pain and discomfort and contribute to 

serious long-term health problems. 

“Most oral health diseases, however, are largely 

preventable and can be treated in their early 

stages. WOHD inspires people across the world 

to take charge of their oral health at all ages 

through the adoption of good hygiene habits, 

having regular dental check-ups, and managing 

risk factors,” said Dr Domínguez. “Through this 

campaign, we are excited to raise the voices of 

our cleft community members and empower 

them with the knowledge and confidence to 

prevent the oral health challenges that people 

with clefts often encounter throughout their 

lives. Optimal prevention and early treatment of 

oral disease is less costly and less stressful for 

patients, providers, and the health care system 

as a whole.” 

25 MORE YEARS OF TEACHING 

Celebrating its 25th anniversary, 2024 marks a 

proud moment for Smile Train and its partners 

in the progress made to provide access to 

comprehensive cleft care. 

Since the start of the partnership, Dentsply 

Sirona has sponsored more than 2,700 

lifechanging cleft surgeries, including more 

than 1,200 cleft surgeries in nine countries 

in Asia and the Middle East and North Africa 

region. At the beginning of 2024, Smile Train 

and Dentsply Sirona officially activated their 

partnership in APAC, where the prevalence of 

cleft is one in 500. 

To celebrate this, Dentsply Sirona’s APAC 

team prepared 300 oral health kits for 

children undergoing cleft care at Smile Train 

partner centres. The kits include get-well 

cards prepared by over 1,700 Dentsply Sirona 

employees in APAC. 

Dentsply Sirona APAC Leadership Team with the dental kits prepared for APAC cleft patients to 

celebrate the activation of Dentsply Sirona and Smile Train partnership in APAC 

Furthermore, Dentsply Sirona has signed 

agreements with Smile Train to donate 

equipment to seven Smile Train partner 

centres in five countries. The Philippines 

is the first country in APAC to receive the 

donation, with installation recently completed 

in February 2024. 

“We are currently looking into other countries 

for potential donations, such as China and 

India. Meanwhile, we will continue to sponsor 

surgeries for patients in Asia, including 

in China, India, the Philippines, Indonesia, 

Vietnam, and Thailand,” said Peatey. 

With a host of programmes, plans, and 

partnerships in place, Smile Train is poised 

to achieve its ultimate goal of providing 

access to high-quality comprehensive cleft 

care for every person with a cleft in need. The 

biggest challenges and barriers Dr Dominguez 

observes in accessing care are the lack of 

trained professionals and the long distances 

patients need to travel to a cleft centre 

regularly for appointments. She added that 

new and emerging technology has shown 

promise for treating patients remotely and can 

often make travelling to a centre unnecessary. 

Such technology can also help standardise 

the quality of care, making it a more effective 

way of reducing the burden of care. 

For Peatey, sustainability and digitalisation are 

two key trends he believes are transforming 

the world at large and impacting the dental 

industry. Digitalisation enables remote 

treatment and check-ups in underserved 

communities. Furthermore, oral health can 

become more sustainable by reducing the 

need for paper-based resources and patient 

travel. 

“We truly believe that digitalised cleft care 

treatment with technology such as the 

PrimeScan intraoral scanner and the 

PrimePrint 3D printing equipment will 

continue to transform traditional cleft 

treatment to improve access to high-quality 

care for communities in need,” Peatey said. 

“We strongly believe our partnership with 

Smile Train is making a positive impact every 

day and we at Dentsply Sirona are committed 

to supporting cleft patients through our 

innovative technology.” 

Dr Domínguez concluded by reaffirming Smile 

Train’s partnership with Dentsply Sirona, 

highlighting the power of collective action: 

“Cleft-affected individuals can experience 

isolation and often face prejudice in their 

communities. No child deserves to feel like 

an outcast. You can save a child’s life with 

the gift of cleft treatment. With the help of 

partners like Dentsply Sirona, we can truly 

change the world one smile at a time.” 

She added: “Looking forward, Smile Train will 

continue to innovate, collaborate, and not rest 

until every cleft-affected person receives the 

safe and high-quality comprehensive care they 

deserve." DA 

Bruce Peatey, group 

vice-president APAC 

RCO at Dentsply Sirona 

Dr Monica Domínguez, 

director of Global Oral 

Health Programs at 

Smile Train 



Photobiomodulation for 

treatment of low back pain in 

dental professionals 

By Dr Alan Kwong Hing, DDS, MSc, Dr Jacqueline Crossman, PhD, MSc, and Dr Michael R Hamblin, PhD 

INTRODUCTION 

The International Association for the Study 

of Pain defines pain as “an unpleasant 

sensory and emotional experience associated 

with, or resembling that associated with, 

actual or potential tissue damage”. Pain is a 

distressing sensation caused by inflammation 

or damaging stimuli. 1 It causes the individual 

to withdraw from potentially dangerous 

situations to protect a damaged body part 

while it heals, and to avoid similar experiences 

in the future. 2 Usually, the pain resolves after 

the noxious stimulus is removed and the body 

has healed, but it may persist despite the 

removal of the stimulus and apparent healing. 

Sometimes pain can arise in the absence of 

any detectable stimulus, damage, or disease. 3 

Pain is the most common reason for 

physician consultation in most developed 

countries. 4,5 It is the major symptom in 

many medical conditions and can interfere 

with a person’s quality of life and general 

functioning. 6 According to the Centers for 

Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in 

five adults in the US experiences chronic pain, 

which negatively impacts their mental and 

physical health. 7 

To manage this pain, most people will 

consider the use of painkillers, and simple 

pain medications are useful in up to 70% of 

cases. However, there are concerns about 

the long-term use of painkillers, especially 

if the drugs used by patients are narcotics. 

Other methods of decreasing pain intensity or 

discomfort include social support, hypnotic 

suggestion, cognitive behavioural therapy, 

electrical nerve stimulation, or distraction. 8,9 

Low back pain is a common type of acute 

and/or chronic pain with a high global 

prevalence. In a systematic review by Hoy et 

al., they reviewed studies published between 

1980-2009 on the global prevalence of low 

back pain. They reported that that the highest 

prevalence of this type of pain was in females, 

particularly in those aged 40-80. 10 This type of 

pain was defined as pain or discomfort that is 

localised above the inferior gluteal folds and 

below the costal margin. Low back pain may or 

may not be accompanied by leg pain. 

Due to its prevalence, it is one of the most 

common reasons individuals seek medical 

care, such as a visit to a physician’s office. 

It is also the second highest cause of sick 

leave, and because of the high costs, direct 

or indirect associated with this condition, it 

has significant medical, social, and economic 

effects on individuals, families, and society. 11 

One common pain management strategy is 

the use of pharmaceutical drugs, such as 

painkillers. However, the long-term use of such 

medications has undesired side effects, and 

their effectiveness can decrease over time 

due to increased drug tolerance. Furthermore, 

stronger painkillers such as opiates for 

treating chronic pain have been blamed for 

triggering the current epidemic of overdoseinduced 

deaths across the globe. Therefore, 

alternative approaches for managing acute 

Fig. 1: PBM PRB with the LEDs activated. The red 

light is visible, but the infrared light is not visible 

without specialised optical detectors 

and even chronic pain, including low back pain, 

should be urgently introduced. 

Photobiomodulation (PBM), also known as 

low-level laser or light therapy (LLLT), is one 

suitable alternative approach to pain relief 

because it stimulates healing, promotes 

tissue regeneration, and reduces pain and 

inflammation. 12 Application of PBM also 

results in vasodilation, an increase in the size 

of smaller arteries and lymph vessels. 13 This 

article describes PBM and its effect on pain 

and inflammation, as well as providing case 

reports where the use of PBM delivered by 

the PBM Pain Rehabilitation Belt (PRB) was 

successful in resolving low back pain (Fig. 1). 

PREVIOUS PBM CLINICAL STUDIES 

PBM was first used in clinical practice over 40 

years ago and its mechanisms of action have 

been studied for over 30 years. 14 It has been 

widely accepted as a simple, efficient, and 

cost-effective method of treating both acute 

and chronic pain. 

One preclinical animal study investigated the 

effect of PBM on pain. The pain threshold 

was tested in the right hind paw of mice after 

the application of PBM to various anatomical 

locations on the body. Their results showed 

that when PBM was applied to the low back, 

head, neck, and ipsilateral paw, there was 

a significant decrease in pain. 12 However 

when PBM was applied to irrelevant sites, 

contralateral paw, tail, or abdomen, there was 

no effect. 

Other previous studies have demonstrated 

how PBM could decrease pain in patients with 

non-specific knee pain, 15 temporomandibular 

disorders, 16 fibromyalgia, 17 osteoarthritis, 18 

and neck pain. 19 A range of previous trials 

have also shown the effects of PBM on acute, 



subacute, and chronic low back pain. Basford 

et al. and Gur et al. investigated whether PBM 

was effective in reducing pain and disability 

triggered by subacute and chronic low back 

pain. 20,21 

In a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 

PBM was shown to be easy to use, safe and 

effective, and it reduced chronic back pain by 

50% over six weeks. 22 The American College 

of Physicians’ clinical practice guidelines now 

recommend PBM as a noninvasive treatment 

for low back pain. 23 

Although these study results show the positive 

effect of PBM on pain, including low back pain, 

these studies used a variety of wavelengths 

and combinations of red and infrared light. 

The choice of red and infrared light used in 

combination in PBM treatment is due to its 

differing effects on the tissues. 

Red light penetrates the deeper layers of the 

skin, stimulating cellular repair and increasing 

circulation. Although infrared light is invisible 

to the naked eye, it can penetrate more deeply 

and cause mild thermal effects that increase 

tissue temperature, promote blood circulation, 

enhance metabolism, improve cell viability and 

regenerative capacity, and accelerate healing 

of scars, wounds, cuts, and nerve damage. 24 

PBM THERAPY DEVICES 

PBM is non-toxic, non-invasive, and has no 

side effects, providing an option for people 

looking for a natural solution for healing and 

pain relief. The benefits of PBM include: 

1. Decreased inflammation 

2. Less pain 

3. Improved circulation 

4. Faster recovery 

5. Faster healing 

6. Relief from symptoms 

7. Decreased medication usage and risk of 

dependency 

8. Avoidance of potential drug side effects 

such as gastric ulcers 

PBM PRB uses light emitting diodes (LEDs) 

which are embedded in a soft flexible pad. 

The device is intended to reduce the pain 

and discomfort of an acute or chronic nature 

in the lower back that individuals may be 

experiencing. It is a take home device to be 

used to treat an area of pain or discomfort. 

The treatment parameters and number of 

sessions needed for PBM are dependent upon 

the location and cause of the pain. 

PBM usually requires more than one treatment 

for optimal pain relief. It may take several 

treatments for the results to become evident. 

The total number of treatments needed 

depends on the condition being treated, the 

severity of the condition, and each patient’s 

individual response. 

The device is a wired take-home device 

powered by an external 5,000maH battery 

(Fig. 2). The light energy is a mix of red 

660nm and infrared 850nm LEDs, delivered 

over a treatment time of 20mins. It can be 

used two to three times per day; however, 

it is recommended that there is a 6hrs 

break between applications. As such, the 

recommended treatment regimen includes 

8-12 treatment sessions until the symptoms 

are relieved. It is also recommended that 

the device should be worn consistently and 

applied to the painful area (Fig. 3). 

Musculoskeletal diseases and pain have a 

high prevalence among dental professionals, 

and one systematic review reported a high 

prevalence of 78%. Pain was most common in 

Fig. 2: PBM PRB components consists of an 

external battery, LED pad power cable, LED pad, 

and a Velcro strap 

Fig. 3: PBM PRB in place on the lower back 

Fig. 4: Application of PBM PRB for wrist/arm pain 

Fig. 5: A dental hygienist using PBM PRB on their 

left shoulder 

the neck (58.5%), lower back (56.4%), shoulder 

(43.1%) and upper back (41.1%). 25 Since dental 

professionals sometimes experience pain in 

areas beyond the lower back, the PBM PRB 

could be employed to alleviate pain in other 

anatomical sites (Figs. 4 and 5). 

DISCUSSION 

Case reports have described the success of 

PBM PRB used for low back pain and muscle 

aches. One case report described a patient 

who experienced immediate pain relief, 

which helped them decrease their usage of 

painkillers from several times each day to 

once every 10-14 days. Another case report 

described a patient that received immediate 

relief coupled with a decrease in the need for 

pain medications. 

The use of the PBM PRB is a safe, convenient 

and drug-free alternative to the treatment 

of low back pain in dental professionals. 

PBM body wellness products are intended 

to help reduce the risk of medication use or 

to help people living with a chronic disease 

or condition. This use relates to sustaining 

or offering general improvement in functions 

associated with an optimal state of health 

without treating specific medical diseases 

or conditions, such as physical stiffness, 

discomfort, pain, mental wellness, memory, 

and sleep. 


31


It is also well understood and accepted 

that healthy lifestyle choices may play an 

important role in health outcomes for specific 

diseases or conditions. Consultation with the 

healthcare provider should always be obtained 

prior to use. DA 

DECLARATIONS 

Dr Alan Kwong Hing is the founder and 

chairman of The PBM Group of Companies, 

which makes medical devices focused on use 

of photobiomodulation to enhance healing and 

decrease pain in humans and animals. He is 

also the founder and chairman of A&H Academy. 

Dr Jacqueline Crossman, PHD, MSc, is the 

director of research at PBM Healing. She has 

published several original research articles, 

review papers, and book chapters, and has 

received many awards during her recent 

graduate studies. 

Dr Michael R Hamblin, PhD, is a scientific advisor 

to PBM Healing. He has published over 800 

peer-reviewed articles, over 150 conference 

proceedings, book chapters and international 

abstracts and holds 10 patents. He is editor-inchief 

of Photobiomodulation, Photomedicine 

and Laser Surgery, associate editor for 10 

journals, and on the editorial board of a further 

60 journals. 

REFERENCES 

1. Raja S, Carr D, Cohen M, Finnerup N, Flor H, 

Gibson S, Keefe F, Mogil J, Ringkamp M, Sluka K, 

Song X, Stevens B, Sullivan M, Tutelman P, Ushida 

T, Vader K. The revised IASP definition of pain: 

concepts, challenges, and compromises. Pain. 

2021;161(9):1976-1982. 

2. Cervero F. Understanding Pain: Exploring the 

Perception of Pain. 2012. Cambridge, Mass.: MIT 

Press. Chapter 1. ISBN 9780262305433. 

3. Raj P. “Taxonomy and classification of pain 

“. In: The Handbook of Chronic Pain. 2007. Nova 

Biomedical Books. ISBN 9781600210440. 

4. Debono D, Hoeksema L, Hobbs R. Caring for 

patients with chronic pain: pearls and pitfalls. The 

Journal of the American Osteopathic Association. 

2013;113(8):620-627. 

5. Turk D, Dworkin R. What should be the core 

outcomes in chronic pain clinical trials? Arthritis 

Research & Therapy. 2004;6(4):151-154. 

6. Breivik H, Borchgrevink P, Allen S, Rosseland L, 

Romundstad L, Hals E, Kvarstein G, Stubhaug A. 

Assessment of pain. British Journal of Anaesthesia. 

2008;101(1):17-24. 

7. Dahlhamer J, Lucas J, Zelaya C, Nahin R, Mackey 

S, DeBar L, Kerns R, Von Korff M, Porter L, Helmick 

C. Prevalence of chronic pain and high-impact 

chronic pain among adults — United States, 2016. 

MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2018;67:1001–1006. 

8. Moore R, Wiffen P, Derry S, Maguire T, Roy Y, 

Tyrrell L. Non-prescription (OTC) oral analgesics 

for acute pain – an overview of Cochrane reviews. 

The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 

2015;11(11):CD010794. 

9. Eisenberger N, Lieberman M. Why it hurts to 

be left out: The neurocognitive overlap between 

physical and social pain. In Williams KD (ed.). The 

Social Outcast: Ostracisms, Social Exclusion, 

Rejection, & Bullying. 2005. Sydney Symposium of 

Social Psychology. 

10. Hoy D, Bain C, Williams G, et al. A systematic 

review of the global prevalence of low back pain. 

Arthritis Rheum. 2012;64:2028–2037. 

11. Vrbanić TS. Krizobolja--od definicije do 

dijagnoze [Low back pain--from definition to 

diagnosis]. Reumatizam. 2011;58(2):105-107. 

Croatian. 

12. de Sousa MVP, Kawakubo M, Ferraresi C, 

Kaippert B, Yoshimura EM, Hamblin MR. Pain 

management using photobiomodulation: 

Mechanisms, location, and repeatability quantified 

by pain threshold and neural biomarkers in mice. J 

Biophotonics. 2018;11(7):e201700370. 

13. Cardoso, F. D. S., Salehpour, F., Coimbra, 

N. C., Gonzalez-Lima, F., & Gomes da Silva, S. 

(2022). Photobiomodulation for the treatment 

of neuroinflammation: A systematic review of 

controlled laboratory animal studies. Frontiers 

in neuroscience, 16, 1006031. https://doi. 

org/10.3389/fnins.2022.1006031 

14. Karu T. Is it time to consider 

photobiomodulation as a drug equivalent?. 

Photomed Laser Surg. 2013;31(5):189-191. 

15. Leal-Junior E, Johnson D, Saltmarche A, 

Demchak T. Adjunctive use of combination of 

super-pulsed laser and light-emitting diodes 

phototherapy on nonspecific knee pain: Doubleblinded 

randomized placebo-controlled trial. 

Lasers Med Sci. 2014;29(6):1839-1847. 

16. Xu G, Jia J, Jin L, Li J, Wang Z, Cao D. Low-level 

laser therapy for temporomandibular disorders: A 

systematic review with meta-analysis. Pain Res 

Manag. 2018;2018:4230583. 

17. Da Silva MM, Albertini R, de Tarso Camillo de 

Carvalho P, et al. Randomized, blinded, controlled 

trial on effectiveness of photobiomodulation 

therapy and exercise training in the fibromyalgia 

treatment. Lasers Med Sci. 2018;33(2):343-351. 

18. Stausholm M, Naterstad I, Joensen J, et al. 

Efficacy of low-level laser therapy on pain and 

disability in knee osteoarthritis: Systematic review 

and meta-analysis of randomised placebocontrolled 

trials. BMJ Open. 2019;9(10):e031142. 

19. Chow R, Johnson M, Lopes-Martins R, Bjordal 

J. Efficacy of low-level laser therapy in the 

management of neck pain: a systematic review 

and meta-analysis of randomised placebo 

or active-treatment controlled trials. Lancet. 

2009;374(9705):1897-1908. 

20. Basford J, Sheffield C, Harmsen W. Laser 

therapy: a randomized, controlled trial of the 

effects of low intensity Nd:YAG laser irradiation on 

musculoskeletal back pain. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 

1999;80:647–652. 

21. Gur A , Karakoc M , Cevik R , et al . Efficacy of 

low power laser therapy and exercise on pain 

and functions in cParameters for SE25 and 

LaserShower cluster probehronic low back pain. 

Lasers Surg Med. 2003;32:233–238. 

22. Gale G, Rothbart P, Li Y. Infrared therapy for 

chronic low back pain: a randomized, controlled 

trial. Pain Res Manag. 2006;11(3):193-196. 

23. Qaseem A, Wilt T, McLean R, Forciea M. Clinical 

guidelines committee of the american college of 

physicians. noninvasive treatments for acute, 

subacute, and chronic low back pain: A clinical 

practice guideline from the american college of 

physicians. Ann Intern Med. 2017;166(7):514– 530. 

24. Huang Y, Sharma S, Carroll J, Hamblin MR. 

Biphasic dose response in low level light therapy - 

an update. Dose Response. 2011;9(4):602-618. 

25. Lietz, J., Kozak, A., & Nienhaus, A. (2018). 

Prevalence and occupational risk factors of 

musculoskeletal diseases and pain among dental 

professionals in Western countries: A systematic 

literature review and meta-analysis. PloS one, 

13(12), e0208628. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal. 

pone.0208628 

Dr Michael R Hamblin, PhD, 

was a principal investigator 

at the Wellman Center 

for Photomedicine at 

Massachusetts General 

Hospital, an associate 

professor of Dermatology 

at Harvard Medical School for 25 years, and is 

now a distinguished visiting professor at the 

University of Johannesburg, South Africa and 

affiliated faculty at Radiation Biology Research 

Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, 

Tehran, Iran. 

Dr Alan Kwong Hing DDS, 

MSc graduated with his 

Doctor of Dental Surgery 

degree with distinction from 

the University of Western Ontario. He received 

the University Gold Medal and completed a 

concurrent Master’s Degree in Pathology with a 

focus on Bone Biology. He has earned multiple 

degrees and received numerous awards 

including the IADR predoctoral Hatton award. 

Dr Jacqueline Crossman, 

PhD, is the director 

of research at PBM Healing. 

She graduated with her 

Doctor of Philosophy in 

Medical Sciences, Oral 

Biology in 2022 from the 

University of Alberta after completing a Master 

of Science in Medical Sciences, Oral Biology in 

2015 from the same institution. 

ABOUT THE AUTHORS 



Revolutionising oral 

mucositis treatment: 

Antibacterial light-activated 

therapy in future protocols 

By Dr Matti Mauramo and Prof Tuomas Waltimo 

INTRODUCTION 

Oral mucositis, an inflammation 

of the oral mucosa, often occurs 

in association with cancer 

treatments, particularly radiation and 

chemotherapy. It manifests as severe 

pain, redness, and swelling in the 

patient’s mouth, potentially impacting 

the success of cancer therapy. To date, 

no existing medication has effectively 

prevented the development of 

mucositis. Recent research suggests 

that antibacterial dual light therapy 

may be an effective method to manage 

the symptoms of this condition. 

Traditional approaches to treating oral 

mucositis include preventive measures 

such as maintaining good oral hygiene 

and ice therapy during chemotherapy. 

If bacterial infection is present, the 

use of antibiotics may be considered 

by the physician. Corticosteroids are 

also a treatment option to alleviate 

pain and the inflammatory response 

associated with mucositis. However, 

corticosteroid use poses risks, as it 

can suppress the immune system, 

making cancer patients more 

susceptible to infections. 1,2 

Ongoing research explores novel 

methods for preventing and treating 

oral mucositis. Mitochondriastimulating 

red-light therapy has 

proven to be very effective in treating 

oral mucositis, particularly as a 

preventive measure. Although light 

therapy is estimated to be the most 

effective treatment modality, its 

widespread implementation faces 

challenges such as availability and 

practical issues. 3 

The latest studies investigate 

antibacterial treatments to preventively 

address oral mucosal ulcers 

originating from mucositis, aiming 

to mitigate the adverse effects of 

aggressive cancer treatments. 

IMPROVING PATIENT QUALITY OF 

LIFE 

In the bachelor’s thesis from the 

Faculty of Medicine at the University 

of Helsinki titled ‘Oral Mucositis 

– Antibacterial Dual Light in the 

Treatment of Oral Mucositis’, medical 

student Jessica Hentilä explores the 

effects of antibacterial photodynamic 

therapy (aPDT) and antibacterial blue 

light (aBL) on mucositis ulcers as local 

treatments. 3 

Hentilä’s research evaluates the 

efficacy of dual light therapy against 

Streptococcus Oralis — a common 

bacterium in the oral microbiome. 

Bacterial colonies form over ulcers on 

the oral mucosa from the mouth’s own 

bacterial flora. 

Drawing of the mechanism of action 

of aPDT, the study indicates that 

antibacterial dual light, a combination 

of aPDT and aBL, not only effectively 

targets streptococcal infections found 

in mucositis-induced ulcers but provides 

red light therapy simultaneously (Fig. 1). 

The target tissue is treated with a 

selected photosensitiser and is irradiated 

with visible light. The photosensitiser 

absorbs the photon of visible light and 

is raised to a higher energy state from 

Fig. 1: After this cycle, the photosensitiser 

is back in the ground state and ready to 

absorb a new photon 



cancer patients due to an increased 

risk of bacteraemia — a bacterial 

infection that occurs when bacteria 

entering the bloodstream trigger the 

body’s defence reaction. In severe 

cases, bacteraemia can lead to lifethreatening 

sepsis. 6 

Fig. 2: Mucositis incidence depending on cancer type and mode of therapy. Data 

extracted from Pulito et al 8 

its ground state. From this higher 

energy state, the photosensitiser can 

either lose its energy and return to the 

ground state, or it can be raised to an 

even higher, more permanent level. 

From this higher, more permanent 

level, it can return to the ground state 

either by phosphorescence emission 

or by producing reactive oxygen 

species (ROS). 

According to Dr Tommi Pätilä, the 

thesis advisor of Hentilä’s project and 

specialist in paediatric heart and organ 

transplantation surgery, the reduction 

of oral bacterial load in the mouth 

promotes mucosal wound healing, 

concurrently reducing the risk of local 

and systemic infection complications 

common in cancer patients (Fig. 2). 

This is an important addition to 

the conventionally applied red light 

therapy. 3 

mucositis-related inflammation or 

potentially spreading to other parts of 

the body. 

Alongside mucosal inflammation, 

cancer treatments often induce dry 

mouth, exposing cancer patients to 

various other oral diseases as well, 

such as tooth decay, gingivitis, and 

challenging periodontal and periimplant 

diseases. 4,5 

Oral infections are detrimental to 

overall health, causing a low-grade 

inflammatory state and potentially 

affecting the entire body. Oral 

infections are particularly harmful to 

Good oral care can prevent infection 

complications, which cancer patients 

are more susceptible to, given their 

increased risk of diseases. Maintaining 

oral health is crucial for cancer 

patients, as the mouth is the primary 

source of routine bacterial seeding in 

the body. Mucous membranes, teeth, 

and gums must be kept in impeccable 

condition through daily effective oral 

hygiene. 

Antibacterial treatment from 

manufacturers such as Lumoral can 

influence the inflammatory process 

and induce an anti-inflammatory 

effect. Additionally, antibacterial 

dual light therapy can complement 

traditional bactericidal treatments (Fig. 

3). 7,9 Moreover, antibacterial dual light 

therapy could potentially serve as a 

preventive measure to support the oral 

health of cancer patients before the 

initiation of cancer treatments. 

Oral mucositis is a prevalent side 

effect in cancer patients undergoing 

chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or 

combined chemo-radiation therapy. 

Its pathophysiology stems from the 

ability of cancer treatments to inhibit 

rapidly dividing cells, present not only 

in cancer tissues but also in the oral 

mucosa. 4,5 

Clinically, oral mucositis induces 

an inflammatory reaction in the 

oral mucosa, leading to swelling, 

redness, and painful ulcers. 5 These 

mucosal variations create an entry 

point for oral bacteria, exacerbating 

Fig 3: Number of deep pockets at three months in patients who had 10 pockets or fewer 

at the beginning of the study 



CONCLUSION: A HEALTHY MOUTH 

GUARDS AGAINST SERIOUS INFECTIONS 

Maintaining good oral hygiene is crucial for 

overall wellbeing. For cancer patients, oral 

health preservation is especially vital, as a 

clean mouth reduces the inflammatory burden 

caused by bacteria, worsening mucositis. 

Cancer patients must maintain good chewing 

ability and a diverse, high-calorie diet 

during intensive cancer treatments to avoid 

malnutrition and the development of a general 

weakness known as cachexia. 4,5 

While mucositis can occur in any part of 

the digestive tract, its manifestation on the 

oral mucosa poses specific challenges for 

cancer patients. Severe cases may hinder 

oral nutrition intake, leading to premature 

discontinuation of cancer treatments and 

compromising overall prognosis. 

In the early 2000s, the importance of oral 

health in the context of general healthcare 

was not systematically recognised as it is 

today in many European countries. However, 

there is an improvement in managing the side 

effects of cancer treatments since with dental 

care becoming a standard practice before 

initiating stem cell transplantation treatments 

in countries like Switzerland. 

Simultaneously, patients’ prognoses have 

improved and most importantly, the quality 

of life for many patients has improved as the 

management and prevention of side effects 

of cancer treatments have become more 

efficient. 

Preliminary observations suggest that 

Lumoral’s antibacterial dual light therapy 

might be an important tool in the armoury 

for oral mucositis treatment. Confirmation 

studies will be set up to further investigate the 

effectiveness of the novel approach. A new 

doctoral dissertation study will commence at 

the University of Helsinki in the spring to delve 

into this topic. DA 

REFERENCES 

1. Brown TJ, Gupta A. Management of Cancer 

Therapy-Associated Oral Mucositis. JCO Oncol 

Pract. 2020 Mar;16(3):103-109. doi: 10.1200/ 

JOP.19.00652. Epub 2020 Feb 3. PMID: 32048926. 

2. Al-Rudayni AHM, Gopinath D, Maharajan MK, 

Veettil SK, Menon RK. Efficacy of Oral Cryotherapy 

in the Prevention of Oral Mucositis Associated 

with Cancer Chemotherapy: Systematic Review 

with Meta-Analysis and Trial Sequential Analysis. 

Curr Oncol. 2021 Jul 29;28(4):2852-2867. doi: 

10.3390/curroncol28040250. PMID: 34436016; 

PMCID: PMC8395421. 

3. Hentilä, Jessica. “Oral Mucositis – Antibacterial 

Dual Light in the Treatment of Oral Mucositis.” 

Bachelor of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 

Faculty of Medicine, October 22, 2023. 

4. Rapone B, Nardi GM, DI Venere D, Pettini F, 

Grassi FR, Corsalini M. Oral hygiene in patients 

with oral cancer undergoing chemotherapy and/ 

or radiotherapy after prosthesis rehabilitation: 

protocol proposal. Oral Implantol (Rome). 2017 

Feb 14;9(Suppl 1/2016 to N 4/2016):90-97. doi: 

10.11138/orl/2016.9.1S.090. PMID: 28280537; 

PMCID: PMC5333751. 

5. https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/health-info/cancertreatments 

6. Zimmer AJ, Stohs E, Meza J, Arnold C, Baddley 

JW, Chandrasekar P, El Boghdadly Z, Gomez CA, 

Maziarz EK, Montoya JG, Pergam S, Rolston KV, 

Satlin MJ, Satyanarayana G, Shoham S, Strasfeld 

L, Taplitz R, Walsh TJ, Young JH, Zhang Y, Freifeld 

AG. Bloodstream Infections in Hematologic 

Malignancy Patients With Fever and Neutropenia: 

Are Empirical Antibiotic Therapies in the United 

States Still Effective? Open Forum Infect Dis. 

2022 May 18;9(7):ofac240. doi: 10.1093/ofid/ 

ofac240. PMID: 35854988; PMCID: PMC9277632. 

7. Gholami L, Shahabi S, Jazaeri M, Hadilou M, 

Fekrazad R. Clinical applications of antimicrobial 

photodynamic therapy in dentistry. Front 

Microbiol. 2023 Jan 5;13:1020995. doi: 10.3389/ 

Antibacterial dual light therapy devices like Lumoral could serve as future protocols in oral mucositis 

treatment 

fmicb.2022.1020995. PMID: 36687594; PMCID: 

PMC9850114. 

8. Pulito C., Cristaudo A., La Porta C., Zapperi S., 

Blandino G., Morrone A., Strano S. Oral mucositis: 

The hidden side of cancer therapy. J. Exp. Clin. 

Cancer Res. 2020;39:210. doi: 10.1186/s13046- 

020-01715-7. 

9. Pakarinen, S.; Saarela, R.K.T.; Välimaa, H.; 

Heikkinen, A.M.; Kankuri, E.; Noponen, M.; Alapulli, 

H.; Tervahartiala, T.; Räisänen, I.T.; Sorsa, T.; et al. 

Home-Applied Dual-Light Photodynamic Therapy 

in the Treatment of Stable Chronic Periodontitis 

(HOPE-CP)—Three-Month Interim Results. Dent. J. 

2022, 10, 206. https://doi.org/10.3390/dj10110206 

ABOUT THE 

AUTHORS 

Dr Matti Mauramo 

is a comprehensive 

oral healthcare 

professional, PhD, 

dentist, and a specialised physician, 

holding a DDS degree and a MD degree. 

As a dentist, he has been working since 

2004 in both public and private sectors, 

including specialised healthcare settings 

such as the Oral Specialized Care Unit in 

the City of Helsinki and at the University 

of Basel in Switzerland. Currently, 

Dr Mauramo works as a specialised 

physician, a clinical instructor in 

medicine, and conducts research on oral 

diseases in patients with blood cancers. 

Prof Tuomas Waltimo 

is an experienced 

healthcare 

professional and 

clinical university 

professor specialising 

in oral health and medicine. He 

holds qualifications in prevention, 

operative dentistry, and experimental 

microbiology, with expertise in clinical 

dentistry. Proficient in clinical, in vitro, 

and epidemiological research, with a 

proven track record in diverse clinical 

and research environments, Prof 

Waltimo is internationally recognised as 

a clinician and scientist, particularly in 

supportive care in cancer over the last 

two decades. 



Copy denture technique 

for function and 

aesthetics: Case report 

By Darius Northey 

INTRODUCTION 

The VITA Multifunctional Teeth (MFT) offers 

reproducible and reliable rehabilitations for a 

fair price-performance ratio. 

This case report demonstrates how efficient 

and aesthetic results can be created with the 

copy denture technique using VITA MFT. 

COPY DENTURE TECHNIQUE 

The teeth of the patient’s old and unstable 

dentures were severely worn. The 

vertical dimension was diminished, and a 

malocclusion established. The dentures were 

stabilised with soft relining material to find a 

new, raised centric relation (Figs. 1-2). After 

that, both dentures were copied with the help 

of a silicone matrix and articulated in the 

determined centric relation (Figs. 3, 4 and 6). 

The copies of the teeth were gradually 

reduced and then set (Figs. 7-10). 

Mucodynamic impressions were taken with 

the new setups, which were poured in and 

rearticulated after the successful clinical try-in 

(Figs. 11-16). Finally, the rehabilitations were 

processed in polymer, finished, and polished 

(Figs. 17 and 18). The results were functional 

and aesthetic rehabilitations which had been 

manufactured efficiently and economically 

(Figs. 19-21). The frail patient was satisfied 

with the quick procedure and the outcome 

(Figs. 22 and 23). 

Fig. 1 

Fig. 2 Fig. 3 

Fig. 4 Fig. 5 Fig. 6 

Fig. 1: The lower denture with worn teeth after 

intraoral soft relining 

Fig. 2: A new centric relation was determined with 

the old dentures to raise the diminished vertical 

dimension 

Fig. 3: Initial lab putty base with a land area for 

the duplication of the lower denture 

Fig. 4: The completed silicone matrix on the 

lower denture after isolating the land area with 

Vaseline 

Fig. 5: The VITA MFT Anteriors with their natural 

morphology and life-like play of light and 

colours 

Fig. 6: The duplicated dentures were articulated 

according to the centric registration 



Fig. 7 Fig. 8 

Fig. 9 

Fig. 10 Fig. 11 

Fig. 12 

Fig. 13 Fig. 14 

Fig. 15 

Fig. 16 Fig. 17 

Fig. 18 

Fig. 7: The teeth of the copy dentures were 

gradually reduced and then set 

Fig. 8: The bite was raised 2-3mm according to 

the new centric relation 

Fig. 9: After the front setup had been realised, the 

molar areas were reduced and replaced with VITA 

MFT Posteriors 

Fig. 10: The completed setup situation before the 

mucogingival anatomy was waxed 

Fig. 11: During the phonetic try-in, the patient felt 

comfortable 

Fig. 12: The occlusion was checked and minimally 

optimised on the patient 

Fig. 13: After the successful try-in, mucodynamic 

impressions were taken with the duplicated 

denture bases 

Fig. 14: After a medium body impression, light 

body was applied for the next impression step 

Fig. 15: The final mucodynamic impressions. 

Heavy body was additionally used on the lower 

setup base 

Fig. 16: Both mucodynamic impressions were 

poured with vacuum mixed stone gypsum 

Fig. 17: The rearticulated and waxed setups could 

be transferred into polymer 

Fig. 18: First occlusion check, after the wax 

setups were processed in polymer 



Fig. 19 

Fig. 19: The final dentures in the articulator after high-gloss 

polishing 

Fig. 20: The natural play of light and colours in the aesthetic zone 

Fig. 21: Pink and white aesthetics harmonised. The lingualised 

occlusion offered reliable function 

Fig. 22: The patient was pleased with the aesthetic outcome of 

her new rehabilitations 

Fig. 23: The new dentures looked natural and harmonised well 

with their intraoral environment 

Fig. 20 

Fig. 21 

Fig. 22 

Fig. 23 

DISCUSSION 

The morphology of VITA MFT Anterior is designed 

according to aesthetic rules. Its tooth axis, angle 

characteristics and dimensions of the basal tooth neck 

simulate the shape of natural front teeth (Fig. 5). The 

surface texture establishes a life-like appearance, and the 

structural composition conforms the tooth anatomy. The 

well-arranged neck, dentin and enamel layers lead to an 

aesthetic play of light and colours with harmonic shade 

gradients and reflecting mamelon structures. 

Due to the occlusal surface design, the centric position can 

easily be found. This leads to a reliable and time-saving 

reproduction of the function without extensive grinding. The 

posterior teeth can be used universally with any occlusion 

concept because of the multifunctional occlusal surface 

design. They standardise the workflow of the setup and 

provide constant and solid results. This routine helps to 

increase general productivity. DA 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR 

Darius Northey is a denturist from 

Buderim, Australia who specialises in 

acrylic cases, working with dentists 

and also directly with patients. 

He graduated as a dental technician in 1993 after 

working in the family business for many years, before 

establishing his own dental laboratory, Jade Dental 

Laboratory, in 2006 in Sydney, Australia. 

Northey has a strong interest in furthering his 

education and attends regular courses and seminars, 

completing an ‘Advanced Diploma of Dental 

Prosthetics’ in 2006. He also lectures in Australia and 

overseas on implant over dentures and CAD/CAM bars. 


USER REPORT 

A natural tooth whitening 

alternative for reduced tooth 

and gingival sensitivity 

PBM White is a photobiomodulation (PBM) light emitting diode 

(LED) device that is used in combination with a proprietary carbamide 

peroxide gel, intended to reduce the pain associated with 

tooth whitening and to lighten the colour of the existing teeth. 

By Dr Alan Kwong Hing, DDS, MSc, Dr Michael R Hamblin, PhD, Dr Jacqueline Crossman, PhD, MSc, and 

Brenda Kwong Hing, CEO of PBM Wellness 

WHAT IS TEETH WHITENING? 

Teeth whitening involves the bleaching 

of one’s teeth to make them lighter 

in colour. Although the process can 

lighten the existing colour by several 

shades, it cannot make teeth brilliant 

white. 

The first step of the teeth whitening 

process will be to make two to three 

visits to your dentist. The dentist will 

take an impression of the patient’s 

teeth to make a mouthguard and 

inform users how to use it with a 

bleaching gel. Using the mouthguard at 

home, users would regularly apply the 

gel for a specified period over a few 

weeks. Some whitening gels can be 

left on for up to 8hrs at a time, which 

can shorten the treatment duration. 

Another type of teeth whitening system 

that a dentist can provide is called 

laser whitening or power whitening. A 

bleaching product is painted onto one’s 

teeth and a light or laser is shone on 

them for about an hour to activate the 

whitening process while the patient is 

seated in a dental chair. 

The use of LED-assisted teeth 

whitening has been widely adopted for 

in-office use. LED-assisted whitening 

is used in place of a laser to reduce 

tooth sensitivity. In some cases, a gel 

is applied by the patient and a portable 

light device is utilised at home. 

What are the risks of teeth 

whitening? 

Some home kits do not have a 

sufficient quantity of the whitening 

product, preventing this product from 

being effective. If the mouthguard 

provided is not customised by a 

dentist, it may not fit properly and 

may leak the bleaching gel onto the 

gums and into the mouth, resulting in 

blistering and sensitivity. 

Teeth whitening is also not permanent. 

It can last from a few months to up 

to three years. This time varies from 

person to person. Additionally, the 

whitening effect would not last as 

long if a patient smokes or consumes 

beverages which can stain teeth such 

as red wine, tea, or coffee. 

No matter what treatment use, there 

is a chance a patient’s gums will be 

sensitive to the chemicals used in 

teeth whitening, particularly if they 

already have sensitive teeth. There is 

also a chance of burns to the gums, 

and some of the whitening kits used at 

home can harm tooth enamel. 

PREVIOUS CLINICAL STUDIES 

Dentists are acutely aware of the value 

of tooth bleaching to their practice 

and patients, and they want to provide 

treatment based on reliable evidence. 

The challenge for dentists is to 

determine the effectiveness of various 

teeth-whitening systems while keeping 

patients’ safety paramount. 

There has been an increased demand 

for aesthetic dental treatments 

in recent years. One conservative 

aesthetic solution to treat tooth 

discolouration is bleaching of the 

teeth. A common chemical agent used 

A PBM White intraoral light application 


USER REPORT 

in teeth whitening is hydrogen peroxide 

(HP). 1 HP acts as an active oxidising 

agent, and can be used directly, or even 

indirectly when it is produced during a 

chemical reaction involving carbamide 

peroxide (CP). 2 

and their effects on the enamel surface 

are probably clinically irrelevant. 

These findings showed that bleaching 

procedures are minimally invasive 

treatments that are safe for the enamel 

surface. 

experience a breakage of chemical 

bonds, photolysis. Photo-assisted 

oxidation is when the oxidation of 

molecular bonds in the chromophores 

requires a specific activation energy, or 

wavelength. 

Although the exact mechanism of how 

HP bleaches teeth and its associated 

effects are not fully understood, it is 

known that HP diffuses through the 

organic matrix of the tooth structure 

because HP has a low molecular 

weight. 3 Unfortunately, because the 

HP oxidative effect is not only specific 

to the long organic chains in coloured 

stains, it can also have an effect on 

the organic matter of the teeth by this 

oxidation. 4,14 Higher concentrations of 

CP (35-37%) and HP (30-35%) are used 

in professional settings like dental 

offices, but at-home bleaching kits 

contain formulations with up to 20% 

CP and 10% HP. 5 

A systematic review by Matis et al. 

compared nine studies published on 

different tooth whitening systems. 

These studies looked at 25 products 

used in four different systems. 

Although tooth whitening was seen 

with all methods, the best system 

was a dentist-prescribed overnight 

bleaching method. 6 

The aim of a study by Abouassi, 

Wolkewitz, and Hahn was to evaluate 

changes in the surface of the enamel 

after bleaching with two different 

concentrations of HP and CP. Only 

minimal morphological changes 

were observed after bleaching with 

high concentrations of the agents. 7 

Surfaces treated with CP showed 

somewhat less alterations compared 

to HP. There was no decrease in 

enamel micro-hardness in any of the 

groups. 

The main effect of bleaching on the 

morphology of enamel surface is 

thought to be related to the oxidation 

and subsequent partial lysis of organic 

material within the enamel. However, 

the differences between CP and HP, 

Another study by Tavares et al. tested 

the use of light combined with a 15% 

peroxide gel in a single office visit 

for teeth whitening. 8 Eighty-seven 

patients were randomised to receive 

peroxide and light, peroxide only, or 

light only. The combination of peroxide 

gel and light resulted in a significant 

increase in lightness and decrease 

in yellowness. Tooth sensitivity or 

gingival redness were not observed 

at the three- and six-month follow-up 

visits. 

Gottenbos et al. investigated the use 

of blue light and HP gel for tooth 

whitening. 9 In this study, extracted 

teeth were divided into five groups: 

Group 1: 9hrs of blue light, 10 hours 

of 6% HP gel, and then 6hrs of light 

combined with 6% HP gel 

Group 2: 9hrs of 6% HP gel, 10hrs of 

light, and then 6hrs of light combined 

with 6% HP gel 

Group 3: 11hrs of light combined with 

6% HP gel 

Group 4: 8.25hrs of 25% HP gel, 

10hrs of light, and then 6hrs of light 

combined with 25% HP gel 

Group 5: 10.45hrs of light combined 

with 25% HP gel 

The most significant colour change 

was found in groups 1, 2 and 4 that 

received 6hrs of light and gel at 

the end. This study showed that a 

combined treatment with light and HP 

gel resulted in better tooth whitening. 

De Moor et al. provided an overview 

on the chemistry of light accelerated 

whitening (LAW) for enhanced 

bleaching. 10 Direct photobleaching is a 

process involving the chromophores in 

the teeth. These chromophores absorb 

the light and the excited state can 

react with oxygen in the air to become 

oxidised, photo-oxidation, or they can 

CP is a chemical complex that breaks 

down into HP and urea. HP makes up 

about one-third of the CP complex. 11 

The comparisons between CP and HP 

in terms of whitening were studied 

by Mokhlis et al. and discussed by 

Asmussen. 12 CP has a slower rate of 

reaction compared to HP. This slow 

breakdown makes it more popular for 

in-office whitening procedures. Both 

CP and HP are oxidising agents which 

whiten teeth but may cause some 

sensitivity, and neither of them cause 

rebound, which is when teeth appear 

to be whiter after a procedure due to 

dehydration. An obvious difference 

between CP and HP is that CP also 

contains urea in addition to HP, while 

HP is just composed of hydrogen and 

oxygen. As mentioned, HP breaks 

down faster than CP. Finally, CP has a 

longer shelf life than HP, which needs 

cooler temperatures to extend its life. 

Because of the differences between 

the two chemicals, pros and cons 

that come with each whitening agent 

are expected. CP is effective and 

safe for bleaching teeth because 

its longer activity whitens teeth at a 

sustained rate and kills bacteria, it 

lasts a long time without the need 

for refrigeration, and it does not 

cause rebound. However, because 

CP requires higher concentrations, 

these may damage tooth enamel, and 

typically the treatment sessions take 

longer. In comparison, HP is also a 

safe and effective method of whitening 

teeth with rapid results, and it also 

does not cause rebound. However, 

it may also damage tooth enamel, 

and as mentioned, it does need to be 

refrigerated to extend its shelf life. 

Due to the apparent advantages 

of CP over HP, determining which 

concentrations of CP are more 


USER REPORT 

Fig. 1: Actual patient results of whitening with PBM White before treatment (left) and after treatment (right) 

Fig. 2: Actual patient results of whitening with PBM White after 

treatment (top) and before treatment (bottom) 

Fig. 3: PBM White device components 

effective for tooth bleaching in 

combination with light activation 

is essential. An in vitro study by 

Meireles et al. evaluated different CP 

concentrations and their effects. 13 

This study looked at 10%, 16% and 

37% CP, and they used water as a 

control. Bovine dental slabs were 

used to test these concentrations. 

Under their testing parameters, 37% 

CP had a better whitening effect after 

one week of treatment, but there 

were no differences between the 

three treatment groups at one-week 

post-bleaching. This study shows that 

all three concentrations performed 

similarly in terms of tooth whitening. 

PBM WHITE 

PBM White is a tooth whitening kit that 

provides PBM treatment to enhance 

the effect of a proprietary CP gel and 

other ingredients (Figs. 1 and 2). 

Reports from patients using PBM 

White experienced no teeth or gum 

sensitivity. 

The PBM White device is battery 

operated, easy to use at home, and 

portable. The device comprises a 

mouthpiece, external battery pack, 

USB charging cables, wall charger, and 

pens with whitening gel loaded inside 

(Fig. 3). The gel comes in a pen with 

an applicator tip which allows the gel 

to be applied to the teeth surfaces. 

The PBM White gel contains CP, 

glycerol, propylene glycol, deionised 

water, carbomer, carboxymethyl, polyvinylpyrrolidone, 

sodium hydroxide, and 

menthol. 

The mouthpiece is a wireless device 

made from a biocompatible material 

that houses LED cores. The LEDs 

emit light with two colours, red and 

blue. The mouthpiece has a biteplate 

for the patient to bite on, and when 

seated properly, it will emit PBM 

energy onto the gums and teeth 

to activate the whitening gel. The 

USB charging cable connects the 

mouthpiece to the power source. It 

is used to charge the mouthpiece 

battery. 

To charge the device, the USB cable 

is inserted into the USB port of the 

battery pack and connected to the 

power adapter, while the other end 

of the cable is connected to the 

mouthpiece. A fully charged device 

is ready to be used for approximately 

four sessions. The power adapter is a 

wall mounted charger, and the charger 

allows the PBM White battery to be 

recharged in between the treatments. 

DISCUSSION 

Using a non-toxic gel, PBM White 

can remove tooth discolouration 

slowly without damaging teeth. It is 

convenient to use at home, allowing 

users to do touch-ups easily at any 

time. PBM White utilises the power 

of light activation in a process 

called photodynamic therapy using 

a proprietary gel to gently and 

effectively whiten teeth over a period 

of two to three weeks. The process 

may be slower than conventional HP 

gels, however there is no tooth or 

gingival sensitivity. 


USER REPORT 

However, there are several potential risks 

associated with PBM White. First, irritation 

can occur from the CP whitening product 

itself. If the whitening product is in contact 

with the gums for a long time, the person 

may experience irritation. Second, users 

may experience increased tooth sensitivity, 

including sensitivity to air or temperature 

changes. 

Lastly, the PBM device may cause throat 

irritation. A person can accidentally swallow 

CP gel while whitening their teeth. This is 

especially true if they use the product 

overnight. Throat contact can lead to 

irritation. However, since the product is 

usually in contact with the throat for a short 

time, this side effect should resolve quickly. 

Uneven whitening is more common with 

high concentrations of peroxide. This effect 

usually diminishes after a few uses. 

Regardless, these above side effects are 

typically not noticeable or sufficiently 

severe to stop a person from using the 

product. DA 

ABOUT THE AUTHORS 

Dr Alan Kwong Hing DDS, 

MSc graduated with his 

Doctor of Dental Surgery 

degree with distinction 

from the University of Western Ontario. 

He received the University Gold Medal and 

completed a concurrent Master’s Degree in 

Pathology with a focus on Bone Biology. He 

has earned multiple degrees and received 

numerous awards including the IADR 

predoctoral Hatton award. 

DECLARATIONS 

Dr Alan Kwong Hing is the founder and 

chairman of The PBM Group of Companies, 

which makes medical devices focused on 

use of photobiomodulation to enhance 

healing and decrease pain in humans and 

animals. He is also the founder and chairman 

of A&H Academy. 

Dr Jacqueline Crossman, PHD, MSc, is the 

director of research at PBM Healing. She has 

published several original research articles, 

review papers, and book chapters, and has 

received many awards during her recent 

graduate studies. 

REFERENCES 

1. Jansen E, Meyer-Lueckel H, Esteves-Oliveira M, 

Wierichs R. Do bleaching gels affect the stability 

of the masking and caries-arresting effects of 

caries infiltration – in vitro. Clin Oral Investig. 

2021;25(6):4011-4021. 

2. Burrows S. A review of the efficacy of tooth 

bleaching. Dent Update. 2009;36:537–538, 

541–544, 547–548. 

3. Dias S, Casqueiro L, Pereira R, Silveira J, 

Mata A, Marques D. Hydrogen peroxide diffusion 

through dental tissues – in vitro study. Materials 

(Basel). 2023;16(16):552. 

4. Moreira R, Calazans F, Santos R, Assis J, 

Miranda M, Anjos M. Study of the hydrogen 

peroxide bleaching agent effects on bovine 

enamel using x-ray fluorescence. INAC 2013, 

Recife, PE, Brazil. 

5. Alqahtani M. Tooth-bleaching procedures and 

their controversial effect: a literature review. The 

Saudi Dental Journal. 2014;226(2):33-46. 

6. Matis BA, Cochran MA, Eckert G. Review of the 

effectiveness of various tooth whitening systems. 

Oper Dent. 2009;34:230–235. 

7. Abouassi T, Wolkewitz M, Hahn P. Effect of 

carbamide peroxide and hydrogen peroxide on 

enamel surface: an in vitro study. Clin Oral Invest. 

2011;15:673–680. 

8. Tavares M, Stultz J, Newman M, Smith V, Kent 

Dr Michael R Hamblin, PhD, is a scientific 

advisor to PBM Healing. He has published 

over 800 peer-reviewed articles, over 150 

conference proceedings, book chapters and 

international abstracts and holds 10 patents. 

He is editor-in-chief of Photobiomodulation, 

Photomedicine and Laser Surgery, associate 

editor for 10 journals, and on the editorial 

board of a further 60 journals. 

Brenda Kwong Hing is CEO of PBM Wellness 

and PBM Pet, which includes products 

for overall body wellness including tooth 

whitening with PBM White and products for 

helping animal friends. 

R, Carpino E, Goodson J. Light augments tooth 

whitening with peroxide. The Journal of the 

American Dental Association. 2003;134(2):167- 

175. 

9. Gottenbos B, de Witz C, Heintzmann S, Born M, 

Hötzl S. Insights into blue light accelerated tooth 

whitening. Heliyon. 2021;7(2):e05913. 

10. De Moor R, Verheyen J, Diachuk A, Verheyen 

P, Meire M, de Coster P, Keulemans F, de 

Bruyne M, Walsh L. Insight in the chemistry of 

laser-activated dental bleaching. Sci. World J. 

2015;2015:650492. 

11. Mokhlis G, Matis B, Cochran M, Eckert G. A 

clinical evaluation of carbamide peroxide and 

hydrogen peroxide whitening agents during 

daytime use. JADA. 2000;131(9):1269-1277. 

12. Asmussen N. (2023, December 12). Carbamide 

Peroxide vs. Hydrogen Peroxide for Teeth Whiten. 

Dentaly. https://www.dentaly.org/us/teethwhitening/carbamide-vs-hydrogen-peroxide/# 

13. Meireles SS, Fontes ST, Coimbra LA, Della 

Bona Á, Demarco FF. Effectiveness of different 

carbamide peroxide concentrations used for 

tooth bleaching: an in vitro study. J Appl Oral Sci. 

2012;20(2):186-191. 

14. Jiang T, Ma X, Wang Z, Tong H, Hu J, Wang Y. 

Beneficial effects of hydroxyapatite on enamel 

subjected to 30% hydrogen peroxide. Journal of 

Dentistry. 2008;36(11):907-914. 

Dr Jacqueline Crossman, 

PhD, MSc, is the director 

of research at PBM Healing. 

She graduated with her 

Doctor of Philosophy in 

Medical Sciences, Oral 

Biology in 2022 from the 

University of Alberta after completing a Master 

of Science in Medical Sciences, Oral Biology in 

2015 from the same institution. 

Dr Michael R Hamblin, PhD, 

was a principal investigator 

at the Wellman Center 

for Photomedicine at 

Massachusetts General 

Hospital, an associate 

professor of Dermatology 

at Harvard Medical School for 25 years, and is 

now a distinguished visiting professor at the 

University of Johannesburg, South Africa and 

affiliated faculty at Radiation Biology Research 

Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, 

Tehran, Iran. 

Brenda Kwong Hing had a 

career in the culinary world 

where she ran a cooking 

school, catering company 

and was a corporate chef. 

During the pandemic she 

switched to focus on PBM 

Wellness and PBM Pet products to help humans 

and animals achieve higher levels of physical 

and mental health. She brings her considerable 

experience running teams and managing 

introduction of new ideas and techniques to 

grow the positive impact of PBM technology 

around the world. 



Achieving a natural aesthetic 

appearance with porcelain 

veneers: Case reports (Part 1) 

By Somano Luang Phaxay, director of Oral Design Phuket 

INTRODUCTION 

Materials like zirconia oxide block and lithium disilicate 

block are very popular in the modern dentistry era of CAD/ 

CAM restorations. The market is flooded with lab scanners 

and milling machines which have become a standard 

of industrialisation and mass production for quicker 

treatment times. 

Fig. 1 

Fig. 2 

Lithium disilicate and feldspathic ceramics restoration are 

widely used in Europe for minimal invasive and long-term 

treatments. They are also bonded friendly materials which are 

good for the tooth structure for long-lasting bonding and less 

aggressive preparation. 

Fig. 3 

Fig. 4 

The materials used mostly in my daily work are the Creation 

LS press and Creation LS veneering materials for lithium 

disilicate, which is a continuation of the high-end Creation 

Willi Geller ceramic system known and tested over 35 years 

for it exceptional aesthetics and stable results for any types 

of materials used such as metal frame and zirconia oxide. 

Fig. 5 

Fig. 6 

However, I am still partial towards handmade fabrication, 

customisable workflows, working with old traditional 

pressable or feldspathic techniques, and fully handmade on 

plaster or digitally printed models. Such techniques have 

proven to deliver highly aesthetic results and biocompatibility. 

CASE ONE: FELDSPATHIC MINIMAL NONINVASIVE 

PREP 

A young female patient was referred from a previous client. 

Her main complaint was about teeth 11 and 21, which kept 

falling due to some composites on the incisal edges. She 

had also undergone some orthodontic treatment which did 

not work out for her. 

Fig. 7 

Fig. 8 

The patient desired to close the diastema between the 

maxillary centrals and laterals incisors. After the consultation, 

it was decided to use noninvasive porcelain laminate veneers 

to help the patient fill the spaces (Figs. 1-10). 

CASE TWO: THE ULTRACONSERVATIVE APPROACH 

The patient presented with lost tooth structure due to the 

fall of the composite filling. In such cases, porcelain veneers 

Fig. 9 

Fig. 1: A simple additional diagnostic 

wax up 

Fig. 2: Porcelain build-up using the 

platinum foil technique 

Fig. 3: After removing the foil and 

checking on an uncut model 

Fig. 4: Porcelain veneers, very thin in 

some areas 

Fig. 10 

Fig. 5: Initial situation 

Fig. 6: Final result, balance proportions 

with lips 

Fig. 7: Left profile view post-operative 

Fig. 8: Left profile view pre-operative 

Fig. 9: Full view intraoral 

Fig. 10: Intraoral view 



may be used to provide additional volume. 

The approach is mostly non-preparation and 

ultraconservative. The bonding is the same 

procedure with a heated composite resin. 

The use of porcelain veneers feldspathic 

or lithium disilicate with or without tooth 

preparation is an excellent technique when 

preservation of the existing tooth structure 

is a primary requirement. This conservative 

noninvasive and ultraconservative approach 

provides good aesthetics and acceptable 

long-term results while also meeting patient 

demands for noninvasive treatment and 

beautiful results (Figs. 11-19). 

Fig. 11 

Fig. 13 

Fig. 12 

Fig. 14 

DISCUSSION 

Today, dental labs that do not use CAD/ 

CAM units to design or mill lithium disilicate 

framework in-house can focus on fabrication 

in a traditional way. Concentrating fully on 

every aspect of creating bespoke quality 

ceramics veneers from the start to finish 

achieves a stunning high-end result. 

Fig. 15 

Fig. 16 

Feldspathic on platinum foil or refractory 

materials using just pure porcelain for a 

non-preparation porcelain veneer or minimal 

preparation, is a preferred technique to 

emulate natural dentition. By keeping to the 

basic principles of layering, the end-results will 

be in harmony with natural aesthetics. 

The material’s biocompatibility and high 

strength make it suitable for premium dentistry 

because it has been continually optimised to 

the highest longevity in the mouth. 

Fig. 17 

Fig. 19 

Fig. 18 

Fig. 11: An ultraconservative non prep porcelain veneer 

Fig. 12: Preoperative tooth chipping 

Fig. 13: Filling up of composite and smooth surface 

Fig. 14: Foil application 

Fig. 15: Porcelain build up 

Fig. 16: Shaping and contouring 

Fig. 17: Foil removed and fitting on model 

Fig. 18: Veneer try-in and etching with 9% hydrofluoric 

acid and 37% phosphoric acid, then silane application. 

Bonded with heated translucent composite resin 

Fig. 19: Well bonded and highly polished final results 

Despite the popularity and economic benefits 

of CAD/CAM restorations, the materials 

and techniques discussed still hold an 

important place in the lab for aesthetics teeth 

restorations. DA 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 

The author would like to thank Dr Hafid 

Soubane for case report one for his trust and 

collaboration, and Dr A Warum for case report 

two for his time and clinical skill. 

The author also wishes to thank members 

of the Oral Design International Foundation 

and its founder Willi Geller, for sharing their 

expertise and guidance in shaping him to 

become the ceramist he is today. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR 

Somano Luang Phaxay qualified 

as a dental technician in 

1998 from ‘CEPAL — CENTRE 

ENSEIGNEMENT PROMOTION DES METIERS 

(Dental Technology)’ in Nancy, France, and 

spent a 3 month internship at the Ivoclar 

Vivadent International Training Center in Schaan 

Liechtenstein for Dentists and Technicians. Since 

then, Somano has undergone many courses in 

ceramics and collaborated with other technicians 

to learn new techniques. 

Somano worked three master class per year 

from 2006-2017 with MDT Gérald Ubassy at his 

International Training Center in Avignon, France. 

In 2015 Somano also worked with Dr Cyril 

Gaillard to translate from French into English 

the 1st DSD Course by Dr Christian Coachman 

in Paris, France. Somano became a member 

of the Oral Design International Foundation in 

2022 by maestro Willi Geller. 

Since 2018, Somano moved to Phuket, 

Thailand, and opened ‘Oral Design Aesthetic & 

Function Dental Studio Phuket’, a member of 

the Oral Design International Foundation, where 

he focuses on aesthetic veneer and full mouth 

rehabilitations cases, and training master 

classes on ceramics for dental technicians and 

dentists in the region. 


IN DEPTH WITH 

Why nitrogen 

is essential for 

dental 3D-printing 

curing oven 

The popularity of 3D printing in the dental industry 

has been arguably expanding, and along with it 

the technology itself and the quality of output it 

can produce. Today a dentist or lab technician 

can create a print faster, more easily, and more 

accurately than before. These improvements have 

led to an increasing number of dental professionals 

seeking the latest developments to add to their 

arsenal of tools — including the most advanced UV 

curing ovens and nitrogen sources. 

Having all the right elements working 

together from design to delivery is the key to 

getting consistent results every time. A fully 

synchronised UV curing station is the final step 

to ensure high quality, precise, and accurate 

results. 

The dental 3D printing workflow includes the 

initial intraoral scanning and digital design, 

followed by the printing itself and most 

importantly, post curing steps. The final 

application is made from liquid resin which 

creates a solid print through a process of 

polymerisation. UV light curing — especially 

the final cure after printing — is what ensures 

the quality and biocompatibility of a print; it is 

where the majority of curing happens. 

UV lights at specific wavelengths ensure the 

optimal strength, biocompatibility and aesthetic 

of the print. Incorporating nitrogen into post 

curing to enhance this final result aims to 

augment the dental 3D printing workflow. 

Compared to a traditional analogue workflow, 

3D printing speeds up the process for the 

patient and the dental professional. The 

addition of nitrogen when curing 3D prints 

brings additional improvements to the 

accuracy and quality of the final result. 

BENEFITS OF POST CURING WITH 

NITROGEN 

Post curing with nitrogen using UV light 

solidifies the final print, and ensures it has met 

a set of health standards which reaffirm that 

it is safe to place in a patient’s mouth. This is 

especially important for restorative treatments 

and Class II applications. 

Enhanced mechanical properties 

Incorporating nitrogen increases the quality 

of prints by enhancing their mechanical 

properties, including up to 25% higher flexural 

strength. The cross-linking that is achieved 

through post curing is improved, leading to a 

stronger and more durable result. Furthermore, 

incorporating nitrogen into the post curing 

process ensures more consistent results. This 

means that patients can receive a better and 

more comfortable solution, and practitioners 

can deliver better results each time. 

Better aesthetics for dental applications 

In addition to improved comfort and durability, 

nitrogen integration yields a higher-quality 

print with fewer sticky areas and cracks. 

It also creates enhanced aesthetics for 

transparent resins and avoids the distorted 

appearance that often appears after post 

curing. Nitrogen integration improves the 

colour and smoothness of the final result, 

providing a more natural look and feel for 

applications that will be placed in a patient’s 

mouth on a more permanent basis. This in 

turn leads to better patient satisfaction, and 

the potential for more referrals or practice 

expansion. 

Post curing with nitrogen provides benefits 

such as higher flexural strength and a more 

natural look and feel for 3D-printed products 


IN DEPTH WITH 

Consistent UV Curing for resin 3D printing 

Nitrogen maximises the consistency of the 

3D-printed application and ensures that 

the print is cured evenly. This increased 

consistency helps reduce material waste. 

A curing method that is pre-tested and 

validated reduces trial-and-error, mistakes 

and re-prints, leading to the maximised use of 

all material investments. 

Maximised efficiency for dental workflows 

With the oxygen-inhibition effect negated, 

curing happens faster and more evenly, 

reducing curing time and giving the patient 

a high-quality result. Today, patients are 

better educated on the treatment options 

available to them, and the technologies that 

are emerging. They are more interested and 

involved in their treatment and want the best 

quality and the best price on the market. They 

also want the least number of visits possible, 

and will seek dentists with established 

expertise, knowledge, and technology 

offerings. 

THE SCIENCE OF CURING WITH 

NITROGEN 

Post printing UV light curing is a continuation 

of the polymerisation that takes place during 

the printing process. The print is placed 

inside a UV curing chamber, where it is then 

hit with UV light of specific wavelengths at all 

angles. This process ensures that the print 

is fully cured from all directions, and safe for 

the patient. While a print may look solid from 

the outside, it is possible that some uncured 

resin remains inside. Uncured resin can be 

toxic and harmful to a patient, which is why 

UV curing is essential. 

layers between the UV light and the print, 

which means there is more efficient light 

absorption. Substituting air with 95% pure 

nitrogen also prevents contamination from 

dust or other particles which might be present 

in the chamber, as well as oxidation and 

discolouration. 

How does a nitrogen generator extract 

nitrogen from the air? 

There are several different ways to extract 

nitrogen from the environment. Two of 

the most common ways to do this are 

though pressure swing adsorption (PSA) or 

membrane nitrogen generation. 

In the digital dental realm, the most common 

way to extract nitrogen from the environment 

is PSA. PSA has the potential to deliver topquality 

results by creating extremely high 

nitrogen purity up to 99.9995%, while being 

reliable and having a long lifespan. 

PSA works by separating the nitrogen 

molecules from the oxygen molecules that 

are present in the compressed air being fed 

into the generator. Each generator has two 

towers or adsorber vessels, which contain 

carbon molecular sieve designed to adsorb the 

oxygen molecules. While one tower is going 

through a process of adsorption, also known 

as separation or pressurisation, the other 

is going through desorption also known as 

regeneration or depressurisation. Both towers 

work simultaneously performing opposite 

functions, and alternate in a cyclical way, thus 

achieving a constant flow of nitrogen. 

Another way for a nitrogen generator to extract 

nitrogen from the air is through membrane 

nitrogen generation. This method involves 

forcing compressed air to flow through hollow 

fibre membranes. These membranes allow 

the nitrogen molecules to pass through more 

easily than other gasses such as oxygen. 

They are semi-permeable and allow for easier 

permeation of oxygen and other gasses, 

while the nitrogen gets pushed through 

and collected on the other side. Additional 

processing is done after that to remove any 

remaining gasses or other impurities. The 

result is high-purity nitrogen gas. 

When the print is placed in the curing 

chamber, oxygen is also present inside. This 

can be problematic due to oxygen’s inhibiting 

effect on a UV reaction, which reduces curing 

performance by preventing UV rays from 

fully penetrating inside the print and curing 

it completely. In addition, oxygen can create 

light distortions, causing certain areas to 

cure unevenly. 

When nitrogen is introduced into the 

chamber, it displaces the oxygen, thereby 

creating an inert oxygen-free environment, 

where the UV light is able to cure the print 

without any inhibiting effect — there are no 

Adsorption and desorption towers in nitrogen generators alternate simultaneously to provide a flow of 

constant nitrogen 


IN DEPTH WITH 

UV light curing oven. Once it is in the inert 

environment, oxygen can no longer affect 

how the light accesses and penetrates the 

print, thus eliminating the issues oxygen can 

cause during UV light curing. By placing the 

print in a liquid which then gets placed inside 

the curing unit, the light will be unhindered 

and allow the print to cure evenly. While this 

can work for certain applications, not all 

resins are compatible with this method, and 

placing them in a liquid for the purpose of 

improved curing can be problematic. 

Despite the many options available to 

improve a 3D printed application and reduce 

the negative effects of oxygen, nitrogen 

is seen as the optimal solution, especially 

when evaluating application quality and 

convenience. 

NITROGEN GENERATOR AND NITROGEN 

TANKS 

The two methods to integrate nitrogen into 

compatible UV curing units and dental 3D 

printing workflows are the use of a nitrogen 

generator or nitrogen tanks. 

Nitrogen tanks are the more traditional option. 

They are an accessible, cost-efficient method 

with an intuitive installation process. A variety 

of different types and sizes of manufactured 

tanks can be used in the UV curing process. 

One aspect that users should be aware of 

is that tanks need to be replaced after 35 

curing cycles to ensure the inert environment 

contains minimal oxygen. 

Nitrogen generators offer an unlimited 

supply of nitrogen eliminating the need for 

refills and reducing material waste from the 

disposal of used tanks. Once a generator is 

installed, minimal maintenance is required 

which can be more convenient for some 

practices. Generators are on average smaller 

than a nitrogen tank, taking up less space in a 

practice. 

With pre-set settings in nitrogen generators, 

users need not worry about potentially 

inconsistent results or malfunctions that could 

result in a loss of time and material resources. 

A benefit for some nitrogen generators is that 

they are built and validated for a specific dental 

3D printing workflow, which will lead to higherquality 

dental applications, less trial and error, 

cost savings, and productivity enhancements. 

Overall, both tools can be a positive addition 

for dental 3D printing workflows. 

NITROGEN VS VACUUM VS GLYCERIN: 

WHICH METHOD IS BEST FOR CURING 

RESIN? 

While the use of nitrogen as a tool to prevent 

oxygen inhibition during the curing of a print is 

the most common, other methods also exist 

to eliminate oxygen’s negative effects on the 

final print result. 

Vacuum purging 

Vacuum purging refers to the removal of 

oxygen from the resin before it begins printing. 

This process ensures that once the resin is 

removed from the vacuum environment, the 

bubbles will be removed, and the final print will 

have no inconsistencies or flaws because of 

bubbles being trapped in the resin. 

While this can be good to improve the quality 

of the print and reduce failure rates, it can be 

very time consuming, expensive to integrate, 

and result in material waste. 

Glycerin or other liquids 

Another way to prevent oxygen from 

negatively affecting the print is to place it into 

a liquid before curing, or to coat the print with 

a thin layer of glycerin before placing it in the 

CONCLUSION 

Today, the dental 3D printing market is 

trending towards permanent materials 

and 3D-printed restorations that need to 

achieve optimal mechanical properties 

such as flexural strength, hardness, surface 

roughness, and wear resistance. 

There is an increasing demand for nitrogencompatible 

UV curing units which can merge 

with a clinic or lab’s current workflow. Curing 

units with nitrogen integration are providing 

dental professionals with the best results for 

their customers, with long-lasting features. 

Ackuretta’s 3D Printing Solution offers 

a complete end-to-end solution that 

incorporates a full workflow where each 

device is integrated, streamlined, and fully 

compatible. With its ALPHA AI slicing 

software, the SOL and DENTIQ 3D printers, 

the CLEANI washing station, and the 

recently released CURIE Plus UV Oven, 

this complete workflow allows users to 

maximise their output while minimising 

costs, training, and time spent on 

trial-and-error. 

CURIE Plus provides a pre-loaded set of 

curing parameters to make it even easier 

for users to achieve safe and biocompatible 

outputs, and is specifically designed to work 

with nitrogen sources capable of integrating 

a nitrogen flow directly into the UV curing 

chamber. DA 


IN DEPTH WITH 

Clinux CAD expands the range of 

design possibilities and capabilities 

with a suite of new features 

A literal namesake for ‘Clinical User Experience’, Clinux CAD has updated 

their CAD software that provides users more choice and freedom in the everimproving 

world of digital dentistry. 

After over three years in development, Clinux 

CAD has launched several innovations to 

expand the range of possibilities for users’ 

workflows. The upgraded Clinux CAD 

features include new indications, new margin 

tool function, and a pay-per-export license 

option. 

With its fully open system, the enhancements 

enable the dentist to easily import from any 

intraoral scanner and export to milling CAMs 

or 3D-printing software, thus streamlining the 

workflow of designing crowns, inlays, onlays, 

overlays, multiple-unit designs, anatomical 

and flat plane night guards/splints. 

NEW MARGIN TOOL FUNCTION: SEMI- 

AUTOMATIC MARGIN 

When performing their next case, Clinux 

users will now find a fully functioning semiautomatic 

margin finder. This semi-automatic 

function traces the user’s cursor and finds the 

shortest distance along an edge. This allows 

the clinician to complete the margin process 

quickly and efficiently. 

Additionally, users can revert to the previous 

manual margin by toggling these functions 

through a simple tap of the spacebar key on 

their keyboard. 

NEW INDICATION: INLAY/ONLAY 

The Inlay/Onlay indication addresses a 

growing demand from dentist to 3D print 

their inlays and onlays. With this addition, 

such applications are now fully supported to 

provide Clinux users with comfort in familiar 

workflow as they have with crowns. 

Furthermore, multiple-unit design for Inlay/ 

Onlay is also fully supported, even in opposing 

quadrants. 

“The new indications open up a world of 

possibilities for dentists wishing to make 

their own CAD designs,” said Roddy MacLeod, 

Clinux CEO. “Multiple-unit, simultaneous 

designing unlocks profitable workflows for the 

dentist, whether restoring a quadrant in one 

visit or a patient’s new smile.” 

PAY-PER-EXPORT LICENSE OPTION 

In addition to a monthly, annual, or fiveyear 

license options, all of which provide 

reportedly unlimited exports, Clinux now 

offers a new Pay-per-Export license option 

which allows users to pay only when they 

export their design, when accessing and 

using Clinux CAD. 

Exports are purchased in blocks of credits, 

with each credit costing between US$3.69- 

4.50, based on the volume of credits 

purchased. 

The clinical convenience continues as Clinux 

allows users to mix and match the optimal 

design method on a tooth-by-tooth basis. “As 

an example, a user may use Database design 

when there is no useful pre-existing occlusion 

or Copy design — a 1:1 copy of the pre-existing 

occlusion which is ideal for reproducing 

wax-ups in the anterior. In any scenario, 

we have worked to ensure the maximum 

clinical outcome through guided and intuitive 

workflows,” added MacLeod. 

The release of inlays and onlays is timely 

with dentistry’s recent and growing interest 

in 3D-printing large restorations, rather 

than building them by hand with materials 

such as composite. The timing also aligns 

with concurrent market release of more 

durable, ceramic-filled resins from material 

manufacturers. 

Clinux CAD was founded in 2020 by CAD-Ray 

Manufacturing and aims to provide a cloudbased 

CAD for dentists with guided workflows 

as a key feature. DA 


PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS 

VITA presents VITA MFT denture 

tooth with East Centric principle 

The universal prefabricated tooth VITA 

MFT is now available in 16 VITA classical 

A1-D4 shades and 16 VITA SYSTEM 

3D-MASTER shades, including three 

bleached shades. This range of shades 

enables the denture tooth to provide a 

variety for individual requirements. 

and stress. Through the predefined contact 

points, the teeth find the ideal position 

almost automatically while also increasing 

precision. Morphology, incisal design and 

the shade match with the VITA shade 

guides, also ensure an aesthetically pleasing 

result. 

In addition to its attractive priceperformance 

ratio, the VITA MFT denture 

tooth is great due to its aesthetics and 

quality. The VITA HC-polymer material, 

highly cross-linked polymer, has a matrix 

of highly cross-linked MMA and monomers. 

The result is good mechanical stability 

and surface resistance. The product is 

EN ISO 13485 tested and certified for its 

manufacturing processes according to 

German quality standards in production 

and design for consistently high quality. DA 

The VITA MFT standing for “Multi 

Functional Teeth” lives up to its namesake 

as it can be used in a variety of ways — for 

partial and total dentures, as well as hybrid 

and implant prosthetics. Since the chewing 

surface is designed to be multifunctional, 

the tooth line is suitable for all common 

setup concepts. 

Furthermore, the VITA Easy Centric 

principle simplifies the set-up process to 

save dental professionals on time, money 

Renfert releases Kolinsky evo, a 

new ceramic dental brush 

In response to the changing demands of 

the daily lab routines, Renfert has released 

a ceramic brush, the Kolinsky evo. 

An extension to the Kolinsky natural bristle 

brush line, the Kolinsky evo new brush 

hair features a bionic hair tip designed to 

complement its natural hair counterparts 

in the dental toolkit. 

Kolinsky evo is built on more than 40 

years of Renfert experience blended with 

a passion for dental technology and a 

desire to explore new approaches. This is 

seen in the brush’s bionic hair tip which 

combines the benefits of a synthetic bristle 

brush with those of a natural bristle brush. 

The combination provides the brush with 

exceptional durability, great moisture 

management and a precise tip. With its 

bionic hair, the brush features a long service 

life free from separation or “bunching”. 

The fineness, elasticity, and resilience of 

the brush tip stand for targeted layering. 

With greater tension and firmness, even the 

smallest quantities of ceramic can be taken 

up and applied with precision. At the same 

time, the special molecular structure allows 

users to replicate the typical moisture 

management of a natural hair brush. 

Like the range of Kolinsky brushes with 

natural hair, Kolinsky evo aims to provide 

users with a high-performance ceramic 

brush that offers durability and efficiency. 

Its streamlined design and low weight 

ensure convenient handling. The Kolinsky 

evo brush is avalible in six different sizes for 

a range of different applications DA 


51


DMG launches Ecosite One, a oneshade 

layering composite 

DMG has launched Ecosite One, its new 

one-shade layering composite. The new 

composite is the latest member of the 

complete family of Ecosite restorative 

composite materials that includes Ecosite 

Bulk Fill and the newly-launched anterior/ 

posterior nanohybrid composite, Ecosite 

Elements. 

Ecosite One aims to set new standards in 

the field of posterior restorations with just 

a single shade. According to the company, 

it has a curing depth of 3mm and a rapid 

polymerisation within 10secs to provide 

great aesthetics of composite layering 

technology while saving significant time in 

the process. 

Present in all DMG’s composites is the 

eye-catching “Push-and-Flow effect”. 

Noticeably firm at the onset, the material 

quickly becomes significantly softer for 

ideal sculptability, enabling adaptation 

and eliminating cracks and bubbles in 

the critical contact surfaces between the 

individual layers. 

Unique DMG-NC-1, non-clustering, 

technology, also present across the entire 

product portfolio, enables a homogenous 

(Image: DMG) 

distribution of particles to deliver 

optimum working characteristics and easy 

polishability for a high-gloss finish, and 

aesthetic results. 

The new composite is indicated for Class I 

and II posterior fillings including individual 

cusps, Class V fillings, core build-up, 

extended fissure sealing, and restorations in 

deciduous teeth. Other key benefits include 

low shrinkage stress stain resistance for 

long-term colour stability. DA 

Amann Girrbach unveils Ceramill 

Matron, fifth-gen milling machine 

results with a precision that is on a par 

with any milling centre. It can even be used 

to effortlessly machine hard metals such 

as titanium or cobalt-chrome up to 16mm 

in-house,” said Daniel Leitner, a product 

manager at Amann Girrbach. 

The new milling machine from Amann 

Girrbach is said to be designed for the 

precise and fast processing of carbide and is 

equipped with the latest tool technology and 

a 3mm or 6mm milling shaft. 

(Image: Amann Girrbach) 

The 45° arrangement of the A/B axes 

ensures high rigidity and accuracy with 

vibration-damping properties in the milling 

process. “With the Ceramill Matron, we 

achieve unprecedented running smoothness, 

which has an extremely positive effect on 

the surface quality and the service life of the 

milling cutters,” said Leitner. 

Amann Girrbach has announced the launch 

of its first fifth-generation milling machine 

on the market with the Ceramill Matron, 

which aims to provide improved precision 

and milling results at maximum intuitive 

handling, compared to its predecessors. 

The Ceramill Matron can be used for a 

wide range of materials, particularly in 

the carbide sector, and is suitable for 

autonomous order processing with up 

to eight blanks owing to the integrated 

Performance Blank Changer and can be 

fully integrated into the digital workflow. 

According to the company, the userfriendly 

Ceramill Matron makes it an ideal 

partner for all users who place highest 

demands on quality, economy and enjoying 

their craftsmanship. 

“The Ceramill Matron offers a completely 

new digital experience and achieves 

“The 5-axis plus technology allows operating 

at extreme angles, resulting in very high 

precision, even in pronounced undercuts. In 

combination with our RFID technology, the 

SnapMag, a magnetically interchangeable 

11-position tool carrier, makes tool changes 

quick and convenient. An unlimited number 

of cutters can be easily introduced via 

Plug&Play. With intelligent preloading, many 

materials and indications can be processed 

without the need for changing.” DA 



Shofu presents 

BeautiBond Xtreme 

BeautiBond Xtreme is an all-in-one, universal adhesive 

that aims to provide a strong and reliable adhesion to 

a multitude of substrates, for both direct and indirect 

restorations without requiring any additional primers. The 

adhesive bonds equally well to wet and dry dentin, with no 

post-op sensitivity. It is suitable for multiple applications 

from bonding of direct composite restorations, intraoral 

repair, cavity seal and immediate dentin sealing, immediate 

hypersensitivity relief and cementation of indirect 

restorations. 

BeautiBond Xtreme is developed with the Quadra 

functional monomer technology featuring novel acid 

resistant silane coupling agent (ARS) and phosphate ester 

monomer, for predictable adhesion to natural teeth and 

various restorative materials ranging from direct and 

indirect composites, hybrid ceramics, zirconia ceramics, 

lithium silicate, glass ceramics and metal. The HEMA-free 

formulation enables easy removal of residual solvents and 

eliminates the risk of allergies and bond hydrolysis, thus 

assuring a stable and lasting bond. 

Furthermore, BeautiBond Xtreme provides flexibility to 

bond restorations in the way that suits each practice’s daily 

workflow. Users are afforded the choice of three different 

adhesion methods, self-etch, selective-etch or total-etch to 

reduce steep learning curves. 

PERFECTION IN 

BONE SURGERY 

→ YOUR SURGICAL 

APPROACH WILL CHANGE - 

THE PIEZOSURGERY® touch 

→ best cutting efficiency 

→ optimal intraoperative control 

→ perfect ergonomics 

→ made in Italy 

→ VISIT OUR BOOTH 

J01 

AT IDEM SINGAPORE 

19-21 APRIL 

2024 

In addition, a single bottle, easy to use adhesive system 

simplifies the bonding protocol for the dental team and 

saves chair time while streamlining inventory for greater 

savings. While the specially designed nozzle facilitates 

controlled delivery to minimize wastage, BeautiBond 

Xtreme exhibits optimal viscosity for easy application and a 

uniform bonding layer of 5μ. Discover more at IDEM 2024, 

Shofu Booth No: J17. DA 

→ www.mectron.com 


Sino-Dental 2024: 

Explore a dynamic market 

all in one show 

From 9-12 Jun, Sino-Dental will be returning with its 28th edition as one of 

the largest dental exhibitions in China and the Asia Pacific region. Held in 

Beijing, the capital of China, Sino-Dental 2024 invites visitors to establish 

business cooperation, experience innovative technologies and exchange 

professional experiences. 


SHOW PREVIEW 

As one of the largest dental events in a 

dynamic Asian Pacific dental market, Sino- 

Dental is shaping up to be its biggest and 

brightest exhibition and scientific conference 

yet in its 27-year history. 

Set in the country’s capital city of Beijing, 

the blend of ancient and modern culture is 

reflected in the four-day event organised by the 

International Health Exchange and Cooperation 

Center, National Health Commission, PR China, 

and the Chinese Stomatological Association. 

Sino-Dental aims to provide a platform for 

national and international dental companies to 

introduce and promote advanced technologies 

and products, while facilitating opportunities 

for dental professional in a region that 

presents one of the largest and most fastgrowing 

dental market in the world. 

Nearly 900 exhibitors are expected to be in 

attendance where they will be treated to a 

trove of over 300 new products set to debut in 

the Chinese market. Held at the China National 

Convention Center (CNCC), a total exhibition 

area of over 50,000sqm 2 will host six national 

pavilions from Germany, Japan, South Korea, 

Switzerland, the US and Brazil, as well as an 

expected crowd of about 160,000 visits during 

the four days. 

Among the highlights of Sino-Dental 2024 

are a new ‘Innovation Zone’, which will 

showcase innovative and transformative 

dental products empowered by industryacademia 

collaboration. A ‘New Products and 

Technologies Launch Stage’ will be dedicated 

for over 50 products launch activities as well 

as a special ‘Product Showcase Zone’ of over 

300 new products set for launch. 

Besides the exciting showcase of products 

and technologies presented by the exhibitors, 

Sino-Dental 2024 also represents a 

network for exhibitors and professionals to 

communicate and exchange professional 

experiences and knowledge. 

Over 100 top-level academic seminars and 

workshops covering over 400 topics are linedup 

to introduce the most updated academic 

and technology developments in the dental 

field. An exclusive ‘International Dental 

Industry Summit’ event will spotlight industry 

KOLs discussing the future development of 

dental industry, through the sharing insights, 

in-depth data analysis and comprehensive 

information. 

As Sino-Dental 2024 gears up to establish 

business cooperation for its guests, the event 

organisers are ready to receive them with a 

host of services prepared for international 

dealers and online pre-registration. 

A dedicated ‘Business information release 

service’ will help to facilitate matchmaking 

with local partners and suppliers. A 

complimentary on-site interpretation service 

will also be catered for on a booking basis. 

Complimentary accommodation will be 

provided during the exhibition period for those 

who invite 10 or more dealers to Sino-Dental. 

The international dealer’s lounge will also 

provide a free access private space with 

complimentary snack and beverage. No 

registration fee is required for online visitor 

pre-registration and an on-site quick pass 

counter will be present for badge claim. DA 

As one of the largest and 

fastest-growing dental 

market in the world, 

Sino-Dental 2024 is 

shaping up to showcase 

the best innovations and 

opportunities for dental 

professionals 


SHOW PREVIEW 

Excitement for 

IDEM 2024 builds as 

speakers share more! 

The upcoming IDEM 2024 is set to present a 

well-rounded experience for all participants 

from 19-21 Apr at Marina Bay Sands, 

Singapore. 

Over 500 exhibitors from over 33 countries 

are expected to showcase their latest 

products and innovations. Spanning a fully 

booked 17,000 sqm 2 , exhibitors will present 

a diverse range of products and services, 

showcasing the latest industry innovations. 

Eleven national pavilions including China, 

France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Singapore, 

South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, and 

the US, will also be present underscoring the 

wide scope of the dental industry showcased 

at the event. 

“We are delighted to collaborate again with 

our esteemed partners to present IDEM 

2024 to the dental industry. Following the 

resounding success of IDEM as an in-person 

event last year, we eagerly anticipate the 

amalgamation of innovation and expertise 

that will undoubtedly mould the future 

landscape of dentistry,” said Mathias 

Kuepper, managing director and vicepresident 

Asia-Pacific of Koelnmesse. 

This gathering of industry leaders and 

innovators such as GC Asia, Straumann, 3M, 

imes-icore GmbH, and many more, creates 

an immersive experience designed to inspire 

and inform dental professionals. Attendees 

can expect to engage with the latest industry 

offerings, witness live demonstrations, and 

explore groundbreaking solutions that have 

the potential to reshape the landscape of 

dentistry. 

“IDEM provides a unique platform for industry 

leaders to connect, share knowledge, and 

contribute to advancing dental science. We 

eagerly anticipate the exciting interactions 

and collaborations that will unfold. Attendees 

can look forward to scientific education, new 

products, and hands-on demonstrations,” said 

Kae Moe Wong, Asia Area marketing leader at 

3M, one of IDEM 2024 sponsors. 

IDEM 2024 also welcomes more than 40 

first-time exhibitors this edition. These new 

companies bring forth a diverse array of 

products, ranging from orthodontics and 

endodontics to prosthodontics and paediatric 

dentistry. 

In addition to the opportunities for business 

exchange, attendees can learn from a line-up 

of renowned experts at its comprehensive 

three-track scientific conference featuring 

more than 30 speakers from around the world, 

featuring a wide range of topics. 

The 5th edition of the Dental Hygienist and 

Therapist Forum (DHTF) will take place from 

20-21 Apr, providing a dedicated platform for 

dental hygienists and therapists to engage in 

discussions and knowledge-sharing, with a 

variety of topics such as oral ulcers, paediatric 

patient management, digital workflows, and 

oral care for older adults. 

Dr Lawrence Yong, president of the Singapore 

Dental Association shared: “I am thrilled to 

welcome dental professionals from around 

the world to IDEM 2024. This conference is a 

powerful testament to Singapore’s unwavering 

commitment to advancing dental science and 

education. I am particularly enthusiastic about 

the conference sessions, which will delve 

into burning topics within our field — offering 

valuable insights that attendees can readily 

apply in their practices the next day.” 

Dental Asia catches up with speakers set for 

the stage in Singapore in a preview of what 

IDEM has in store. 

‘EXCEPTIONAL DENTISTRY: 

TECHNIQUES, TECHNOLOGIES AND 

TRENDS’ 

Dr Wong Keng Mun 

will be showcasing 

treatment 

techniques in 

his workshop 

on ‘Treatment 

of Complete 

Edentulism: Fullarch 

Concept II’ 

Your dental academy and practice provide 

treatment and education in a variety of 

areas. Why did you choose to showcase the 

‘Full-arch Concept’ for your workshop? 

Statistics illustrate that nearly one in 

three Singaporeans beyond age 60 have 

no teeth. Many older Singaporeans are 

reliant on dentures or are left with exposed 

gums, which can lead to a wealth of health 

problems. Full-arch is not only among the 

most innovative approaches to full mouth 

restoration practiced internationally, but 

it is also a potentially ideal procedure for 

our aging population, many of whom are 

edentulous. 

I consider dental implants optimal for such 

patients and the Full-arch system streamlines 

the process significantly while carrying a 

higher success rate. With Full-arch, only 

4-6 implants are needed to “anchor” the 

new set of teeth, far fewer compared to 

older methods. This allows patients shorter 

recovery times and a less painful procedure 

and is also less expensive than individual 

implants throughout the mouth. 

However, even though we often refer to 

Full-arch as “teeth-in-a-day” it is not to be 


SHOW PREVIEW 

mistaken for an easy procedure. Through 

this workshop, I wanted to share some of 

my experiences to shed some light on this 

complex and regionally relevant topic for 

others. 

How did you come to gain the expertise and 

competence needed to treat complex fully 

edentulous patients? 

During my university days, dental 

implantology was not nearly as common 

in Singapore as it is today. Then, most 

edentulous patients here relied on dentures, 

which have their drawbacks and are thus 

slowly being phased out in recent years. 

The epicentre for dental implantology 

advancements was in North America and 

Europe, so I seized an opportunity to pursue 

my postgraduate studies at the University of 

Washington. 

My studies abroad introduced and 

accustomed me to many other methods that 

were at that time relatively novel, or not yet 

implemented here in Singapore. I believe 

a great deal of the expertise I have today 

can be attributed to my further education 

abroad, and I am immensely grateful for that 

experience. 

Above dental expertise and clinical skillset, 

one also needs communication, compassion 

and empathy to treat patients, something 

often overlooked but no less important. This 

is achieved through interacting with patients 

and understanding their needs. 

Dr Gabriel Lee will 

be at the Dental 

Hygienist & Therapist 

forum presenting his 

lecture on ‘Oral Care 

for the Dependent 

Older Adult: How Can 

I Help?’ 

Your teaching and research areas focus on 

geriatric oral health and oral health services 

in nursing homes. Why did you choose to 

focus onto these areas? 

The choice to dive into geriatric oral health 

stems from a combination of understanding 

societal needs and a personal desire to help 

address healthcare disparities. My interest is 

rooted in the belief that oral health is integral to 

overall well-being, particularly in older adults. 

The demographic shift towards an ageing 

population, particularly in Singapore, 

underscores the growing importance of 

catering to the unique oral health needs of 

older adults. With one in four individuals 

projected to be aged 65 and above by the 

end of the decade, there is a pressing need 

for specialised attention to the oral health 

challenges that come with ageing. 

A personal focus on oral health services in 

nursing homes also aligns with the broader 

context of healthcare accessibility. Nursing 

home residents often face distinct oral health 

issues, and there is a recognised gap in 

delivering comprehensive dental care within 

the long-term care setting. Through research 

and contributing to clinical services this 

area, I aim to contribute to filling this gap and 

improving the overall quality of oral health 

services for a vulnerable segment of the 

population. 

What is the role of international collaboration 

and knowledge exchange in delivering better 

health outcomes for older adult populations 

globally? 

The exploration of oral health needs, access 

challenges, and the role of dental professionals 

in enhancing oral health for Singapore's 

older adult population prompts a broader 

consideration of the global scenario. In 

addressing the shared challenges faced by 

numerous societies, regional and international 

collaboration and knowledge exchange play 

pivotal roles in fostering improved health 

outcomes for older adult populations globally. 

Partnerships that extend beyond borders 

facilitates the exchange of best practices and 

innovative approaches within geriatric oral 

health care. By learning from the experiences 

and successes of different countries, dental 

professionals can gain valuable insights 

into effective strategies and care models 

for addressing common challenges such as 

access to care, preventive measures, and 

tailored treatment approaches. 

Knowledge exchange also promotes the 

development of interdisciplinary approaches 

to geriatric oral health. Establishing 

collaborations between dental professionals, 

healthcare providers, researchers, and 

policymakers from various countries 

can potentially lead to a comprehensive 

understanding of the multifaceted nature of 

oral health in older adults. 

What is the significance of the new 

Dr Andrew Fish 

will be presenting 

in the scientific 

conference on 

‘Bone Regeneration, 

A Scientific and 

Clinical Review 

of New Synthetic 

Material and Surgical 

Protocols’ 

synthetic materials and surgical protocols 

for bone regeneration reviewed in your 

session? 

Modern synthetics are revolutionising 

the dental bone grafting world. With 

these products eliminating the need for a 

separate collagen membrane, they make 

my surgery quicker, easier and more 

predictable. The fact you can load your 

implant at three months with enough 

vital bone to have great stability is a 

game-changer. 

From experience, we also see it completely 

replaced by host bone at around 12 months, 

so there are no foreign body particles 

left in the body, which you often see from 

xenografts and other synthetics. These 

materials have transformed the way I do 

surgery, giving me greater predictability and 

ultimately better care for my patients. 

As new materials and protocols continue 

to develop, what trends are you keeping 

an eye on to achieve optimal long-term 

outcomes for bone regeneration? 

I have always strived to look for what is 

best for my patients. I really believe that 

minimally invasive surgery helps patients 

heal. The way I see dentistry moving is 

more towards giving the body what it needs 

to heal, to get it as close to the patient’s 

original state as possible, instead of relying 

on foreign materials that can linger in the 

site long-term. DA 


SHOW PREVIEW 

Deep insights from Mallorca: 

exocad's wide-ranging view 

of digital dentistry 

From 9-10 May, exocad will be hosting its global event — Insights 2024. The 

event will bring together some of the world's leading figures from the field of 

digital dentistry, over 50 strategic partner companies of exocad, and around 

850 attendees from all over the world to the Palau de Congressos in Palma de 

Mallorca, Spain. Novica Savic, chief commercial officer and managing director at 

exocad, shares more on what exocad has in store for visitors at Insights 2024. 

‘Network. Innovate. Lead.’ is the motto for 

exocad Insights 2024 — what does the event 

motto stand for? 

One of the reasons we launched Insights 

in 2018 was to offer our global exocad 

community and strategic partners a common 

meeting place for personal exchanges. 

"Network" has been an important goal of the 

event from the very beginning. 

For us, "innovate" and "lead" belong together. 

Whether you are a company, laboratory, or 

practice — if you want to set new standards 

in the field of digital dentistry and be at the 

forefront, you need to be innovative and 

leading the latest digital technologies and 

trends. 

Who are the speakers on the main podium 

that participants can look forward to hearing 

from? 

We are delighted to have some of the world's 

leading experts in digital dentistry from 

Europe, North and South America as speakers 

for Insights 2024, including Dr Miguel Stanley 

from Portugal, dental technician Vincent 

Fehmer from Switzerland, Dr Eimear O'Connell 

from Scotland, dental technician Kristina 

Vaitelytė from the UK, dental technician 

Edris Rasta from the Netherlands, assistant 

professor Dr Guilherme Saavedra from Brazil, 

Dr Elaine Halley from Scotland and Dr August 

de Oliveira from the US. 

They all "innovate” and “lead” because they 

implement future-oriented treatment methods, 

supported by the latest digital technologies, in 

their practices and labs. 

Which aspects of the digital workflow will be 

the main focus? 

Over the two days of Insights 2024, the entire 

digital workflow of restorative dentistry will 

be highlighted, from smile design and implant 

planning to the production of restorations. We 

will introduce new digital approaches, such 

as innovative prosthetic materials and a new 

digital, multidisciplinary planning approach. 

The topics of digital occlusion, digital 

diagnosis, and treatment planning as well as 

3D printing will also be exciting. 

Novica Savic, chief commercial officer and 

managing director at exocad 

What is in store for the future of digital 

dentistry? 

Our outlook on the digital interface between 

aligner therapy and restorative dentistry will 

be particularly compelling. This innovation 

will revolutionise restorative dentistry in many 

cases because multidisciplinary treatment 

concepts can be planned and implemented 

on a digital platform using aligner therapy as 

a pre-treatment for prosthetic measures. New 

developments in the field of AI will also be 

presented. 


59

Palau de 

Congressos 

in Palma de 

Mallorca, 

Spain 

exocad Insights is taking place in Palma de 

Mallorca for the second time. Why did you 

decide on this location again? 

There were several reasons. Above all, it was 

the positive response from the participants 

and strategic partners who participated in 

2022. They voted by a large majority for 

Insights 2024 to be held again at the Palau 

de Congressos in Palma de Mallorca, and we 

were happy to fulfil this wish. 

This modern location with its facilities and 

associated hotel is simply ideal for our global 

event. Palma de Mallorca is easily accessible 

from Europe as well as from the US, South 

America and Asia. Visitors can usually fly to 

Mallorca from the larger US cities with just 

one transfer. 

Traditionally, multiple exocad strategic 

partners are always present. How many 

partners are you expecting in May? 

Once again, over 50 strategic partner 

companies that are helping to shape digital 

dentistry with their innovations in the fields of 

dental production, materials and diagnostics 

will be on site. Insights 2024 attendees will 

discover a wide range of products for the 

digital workflow in dentistry. They will receive 

concrete added value to enable them to work 

Partner exhibition at exocad Insights 2022 

digitally in their practices and laboratories in a 

future-oriented way. 

With iTero as a diamond partner and Amann 

Girrbach, GC, Ivoclar, Shining 3D and Schütz 

Dental as platinum partners, our long-standing 

partners recognise the important value of the 

exocad Insights event on the industry and 

their continuing contributions to its success. 

Together with the gold partners, these brands 

will be presenting many informative lectures 

with international speakers in breakout 

sessions. 

We are also delighted that a partner from 

India will be presenting for the first time. 

India is a very interesting and fast-growing 

market for us. The digital dentistry segment 

in particular is developing rapidly there — this 

makes the Indian dental market very attractive 

for exocad. 

How will the companies present themselves? 

Firstly, via the exhibition, then on the first day 

the popular sessions of the diamond, platinum 

and gold partners will occur, with inspiring 

lecture topics presented by renowned 

speakers. We expect numerous innovations 

and technological advancements to be 

presented during the event. 

A new addition to the 

programme is a session 

for dental assistants. 

Why are you also 

addressing dental 

assistants and the entire 

practice team? 

Feedback from our 

dentist customers is 

that they would like to 

see a special training 

programme for dental 

assistants. This is because, in many practices, 

dental assistants are increasingly involved 

thanks to advancements in digital dentistry. 

For this reason, there will be a three-and-ahalf-hour 

programme for dental assistants for 

the very first time on Friday morning, with a 

hands-on scan and material sessions. 

Can practice team members purchase a 

group ticket? 

Yes, this option is available, and not only for 

practice teams, but also for lab teams and for 

the prosthetics teams of dental technicians/ 

dentists. This offer has already been well 

received. 

DentalCAD, ChairsideCAD, exoplan – these 

are the stars of the exocad software 

sessions. Which exocad specialists will be in 

Mallorca? What will they discuss? 

Almost our entire team of software experts 

will be represented at Insights 2024. Our 

users can hear and interact with them live at 

the exocad Lab Sessions where the exocad 

experts will introduce users to the new 

features of the current DentalCAD 3.2 Elefsina 

release in even greater depth and share 

numerous tips and tricks. 

Why should dental technicians, dentists and 

their teams participate in exocad Insights? 

We see the event as a kind of wide-angle 

view of digital dentistry. With the numerous 

innovative impulses on future-oriented 

treatment options that visitors receive from 

the speakers, our strategic partner companies 

and among themselves, they broaden their 

horizons. They also experience the positive 

vibe of the exocad community. 

In summary: for those who want their labs 

and practices to be leaders in digital dentistry, 

Insights 2024 is simply the place to be. DA 


SHOW REVIEW 

AEEDC Dubai 

2024 concludes 

with US$5bn worth 

of trade deals 

The 28th UAE International Dental Conference 

and Arab Dental Exhibition (AEEDC 

Dubai 2024) concluded on 8 Feb with a 

groundbreaking record of business deals 

amounting to US$5bn (AED19bn) and 70,000 

attendees and participants representing 

180 countries. HH Sheikh Mansoor bin 

Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vicechairman 

of the Dubai Health Board of 

Directors, inaugurated the event on 6 Feb. 

Organised annually by INDEX Conferences 

and Exhibitions Org LLC, the conference 

and exhibition attracted a vast gathering 

featuring 5,328 brands represented by 3,924 

international companies specialising in oral 

health supplies and dental technology. 

The exhibition floor spanned 59,074sqm 2 

across Halls 1–8 of the Dubai World Trade 

Centre with 12 international pavilions 

present representing Italy, Brazil, Switzerland, 

Germany, Türkiye, South Korea, China, Spain, 

Italy, Russia, France, and the US. 

The Emirates Pediatric Dentistry Club (EPDC) 

Forum, in collaboration with esteemed 

scientific partners including the Saudi Society 

of Pediatric Dentistry and the American 

Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, convened 

on the second day of AEEDC Dubai, offering 

a comprehensive programme addressing 

critical issues in paediatric dental care. 

The forum commenced with a thoughtprovoking 

session on ‘Challenges Associated 

with Dental Treatment of Medically 

Compromised Children’ presented by Dr Aziza 

Johar Aljohar. His insights shed light on the 

complexities and considerations involved 

in treating paediatric patients with medical 

conditions, providing valuable perspectives 

for dental practitioners. Following this, Dr 

Deema Farsi led a discussion on ‘Bridging 

the Gap Between the Medical and Dental 

Teams’, emphasising the importance of 

interdisciplinary collaboration in delivering 

holistic healthcare to paediatric patients. 

The second day of AEEDC Dubai 2024 

unfolded with a series of insightful scientific 

lectures delivered by renowned figures in 

the dental field. The dynamic programme 

lineup further included the AEEDC Scientific 

Conference, Advanced Specialty Courses, and 

engaging competitions such as the Poster 

Competition and AEEDC Student Competition. 

On the third day, AEEDC Dubai 2024 hosted 

the 21st annual meeting of the Global 

Scientific Dental Alliance (GSDA), a gathering 

that drew 383 members from across the 

globe. These delegates represented 184 

international medical organisations, hospitals, 

academic institutions, dental associations, 

global health ministries, and various 

governmental and private sectors. 

The GSDA, a non-profit organisation dedicated 

to advancing education and scientific 

research, is one of 32 alliances operating 

under the umbrella of the International 

Congress for Health Specialties (ICHS), which 

tackles pressing challenges in over 438 

specialties and branches of the medical and 

healthcare landscape. 

During the meeting, Global Dental Alliance 

launched the ‘GSDA 2024 Declaration’, a 

collective initiative that is designed as a 

strategic framework providing essential 

guidelines, recommendations, and solutions 

to steer future innovations and improvements, 

and consists of eight main pillars. 

These pillars include leadership in dentistry, 

dental operational efficiency, dental innovation 

advancement, dental education, patientcentric 

dental care, dental community 

engagement, sustainable dental practices, 

and dental procedure guidelines and policy 

excellence. 

"Through this annual meeting, we seek to 

emphasise the importance of continuous 

education and scientific research to promote 

the message of the dissemination of science 

and knowledge. There is no ceiling to 

developing the dental and oral health sector,” 

said His Excellency Amb Dr Abdulsalam 

AlMadani, PAM roving ambassador for 

the GCC Region, executive chairman for 

AEEDC Dubai, and the GSDA. “Consequently, 

I extend an invitation to all scientific 

bodies and organisations specialising in 

dentistry to collaborate and contribute to 

the dissemination of the noble scientific 

message by engaging in this global forum 

annually.” 

Anas AlMadani, vice-chairman and group 

CEO of INDEX Holding, reflected on the 

future of AEEDC Dubai, stating: "There will 

be a strong and remarkable presence of 

AI in the dental and digital transformation 

sectors. Our adaptation to these technological 

advancements is crucial for integrating with 

the future outlook of the dental and oral health 

sectors." 

He added: "AEEDC Dubai will witness a 

significant and distinctive presence of 

institutions and companies specialising in the 

digital industry, which we believe is essential 

to the advancement of this sector, and we are 

happy to announce that there will be three 

additional halls next year in AEEDC Dubai." DA 


E ENTS CALENDAR 2 24 

MARCH 

3 – 6 

Dental South China 

Guangzhou, China 

8 – 10 

12th Borneo Dental Congress 

Sarawak, Malaysia 

14 – 16 

Expodental 2024 

Madrid, Spain 

14 – 16 

Dental Expo 

Auckland, New Zealand 

20 – 23 

ADX 2024 

Sydney, Australia 

22 – 23 

BDIA Dental Showcase - London 2024 

London, UK 

APRIL 

19 – 21 

IDEM 2024 

Singapore 

21 – 23 

DentalForum USA Spring 

Texas, US 

MAY 

2 – 5 

47th Asia Pacific Dental Congress 

(APDC) 2024 

Taipei, Taiwan 

3 – 6 

AAO Annual Session 2024 - American 

Association of Orthodontists 

New Orleans, US 

8 – 11 

IDEX 2024 - International Istanbul Dental 

Equipment and Materials Exhibition 

Istanbul, Turkey 

9 – 11 

International Team for Implantology (ITI) 

World Symposium 2024 

Singapore 

15 – 17 

MIDS 2024 

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 

16 – 18 

Expodental Meeting 2024 

Rimini, Italy 

31 May – 2 June 

Famdent 

Mumbai, India 

JUNE 

7 – 9 

SIDEX 2024 

Seoul, South Korea 

9 – 12 

Sino Dental China 

Beijing, China 

13 – 15 

Implant Solutions World Summit 

Miami, US 

17 – 18 

DentalForum UK 

Alicante, Spain 

AUGUST 

1 – 3 

Vietnam Dental Expo 2024 – Ho Chi Minh 

Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam 

21 – 23 

Vietnam International Dental Exhibition & 

Congress (VIDEC) 2024 

Hanoi, Vietnam 

23 – 25 

Hong Kong International Dental Expo and 

Symposium (HKIDEAS) 2024 

Hong Kong, Hong Kong (China) 

SEPTEMBER 

8– 10 

DentalForum USA Fall 

Florida, US 

12 – 15 

FDI World Dental Congress (WDC) 

Istanbul, Türkiye 

19 – 21 

International Congress of Oral Implantologists 

(ICOI) World Congress 2024 

Orlando, US 

OCTOBER 

10 – 12 

Dental World 2024 

Budapest, Hungary 

13 – 15 

DentalForum Europe 2024 

Sitges, Spain 

24 – 26 

31th EAO annual congress 

Milan, Italy 

NOVEMBER 

13 – 15 

Swedental 2024 

Gothenburg, Sweden 

29 Nov – 4 December 

Greater New York Dental Meeting 2024 

(GNYDM) 

New York City, US 

DECEMBER 

5 – 7 

Vietnam Dental Expo 2024 - Hanoi 

Hanoi, Vietnam 

13 – 14 

International Congress of Adhesive & 

Aesthetic Dentistry (CIDAE 2024) 

Brussels, Belgium 

14 – 15 

8th Korea International Dental Exhibition 

(KDX 2024) 

Seoul, South Korea 


ADVERTISERS’ INDEX 

COMPANY PAGE COMPANY PAGE 

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IBC 

IDEM 2024 13 

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OBC 

Mectron 11, 53 

Align Technology - iTero 

FC 

Ningbo Woson Medical Instrument Co., Ltd 57 

Busch 19 

Coltene 5 

Dental South China 41 

exocad IFC, 1 

FDI 29 

Fotona 3 

Shofu inc 39 

SIDEX 61 

SurgiTel 7 

TeKne Dental 64 

VITA Zahnfabrik 9 

W&H 23 

HIGH-PERFORMANCE 

DYNAMIC INSTRUMENTS 

SIMPLIFYING DENTAL MOTION 

TeKne Dental srl – Italy 

info@teknedental.com www.teknedental.com 


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*Data on file at Align Technology, September 30, 2023 

© 2024 Align Technology, Inc. INVISALIGN, ITERO and CLINCHECK, among others, are trademarks and/or service marks of Align 

Technology, Inc. or one of its subsidiaries or affiliated companies and may be registered in the U.S. and/or other countries. | A021515 Rev A

Dental Asia March/April 2024

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