NADL Heightens Industry Awareness

If one were to ask almost any laboratory owner what one of their biggest challenges is, the answer would likely revolve around finding, and keeping, good employees.  Even laboratories that are open to hiring those new to the industry and training are still struggling to just find people. This employment gap, however, is not unique…

FDA Inspections Are Not All the Same – Two Recent Cases

In the past decade, the FDA has increased the number of device manufacturing establishment inspections. Pre-COVID, in 2017, the FDA conducted 2,952 inspections of medical device firms, representing a 46 percent increase compared to a decade earlier. FDA also increased foreign inspections 243 percent. In 2018, FDA regional field offices launched inspections of dental laboratories…

Update March 2023: How to find the Right Dentist for your Patient Needs

In most of our lifetimes, we will all need the services of a dentist. This blog is intended to help you determine the right dentist for your needs. First, a basic overview on dental degrees.  The DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) and DMD (Doctor of Dental Medicine) are both dental degrees. They are awarded upon…

The Habits You Didn’t Know Were Ruining Your Teeth

    Your teeth are one of the first things people notice about you, so taking care of them is important. However, many people are unaware of the habits that ruin their teeth. Several habits can harm oral health, from not brushing properly to not flossing regularly. This article will look at some of the…

Collaboration Equals Better Case Acceptance

Collaboration between dental laboratories and dental offices plays a significant role in the future of the dental industry. Advancement in digital tools has increased collaborative abilities via sophisticated dental technology and virtual communication innovations. There is no guarantee that patients will accept a treatment plan. Patients’ reluctance to accept treatment is primarily due to their…

2022 Update: Patients – How to do you find the right Dentist?

By: Bennett Napier, CAE For most people, at some point in our lives we will use the services of a licensed dentist. This blog is intended to help you determine the right dentist for your needs. It’s important for patients to know the alphabet soup of designations and specialties within dentistry. The DDS (Doctor of…

FDA QSR UPDATE – ISO 13485 Alligned QMSR Final Rule Getting Closer

By Eric Thorn, Esq Beginning back in the spring of 2018, FDA announced its intent to adopt rules to replace the current quality system regulations (QSR) found in 21 CFR Part 820 with rules more aligned with International Organization for Standardization (“ISO”) standard ISO 13485:2016 (ISO 13485). This year, on February 23, 2022, FDA published…

Mapping a New Course to Shade Determination

Introduction Although many aspects of dentistry have seen massive improvements in technology, process, and efficiency, shade communication and determination have been largely unchanged. The introduction of Mobile Dental Photography has not only expedited a technical jump, but has also opened the door to stark process improvements. Accelerated by a pandemic and the near extinction of…

FDA 510(k) Clearance – An Overview

By Eric Thorn, Esq. Well to start off with, no a 510(k) is not some type of retirement plan, that’s a 401(k).  Section 510(k) is a section of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) that requires device manufacturers to provide the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) with at least 90-day advance notice of…

The Wax Duplicate Denture Technique: A Guide for Replication Accuracy and Success

At some point during a patient’s denture journey, they will require treatment that involves replacement dentures. There are many reasons that a patient may request to duplicate some or all parts of their current denture. Patients, particularly geriatric ones who have worn their current prosthesis for many years, are not always able to tolerate change.…