Industry News

Ultradent Founder and CEO Receives 2018 Distinguished Service Award
Dr. Dan Fischer, founder and CEO of Ultradent Products, received the 2018 Distinguished Service Award from his dental school alma mater, Loma Linda University, in May. 

Loma Linda University awarded Fischer with the honor for his accomplishments and commitment to excellence “which have contributed to mankind in a manner which is congruent with the mission of Loma Linda University Health,” said Dr. Richard H. Hart, university president. 

Fischer graduated from Loma Linda University dental school in 1974, after which he maintained a full-time practice for 15 years. Since 1990, he has practiced dentistry part-time while working in the research and development of products used in the dental profession. 

In addition, Fischer, through Ultradent, supports numerous humanitarian causes throughout the world, including The Crown Council’s Smiles for Life program, Sealants for Smiles, many independent humanitarian missions, as well as his own 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation, The Diversity Foundation. 

For more information, visit ultradent.com. 

Darby Dental Supply Acquires SmartPractice Dental Supply Division
Darby Dental Supply, one of the nation’s largest dental distributors, has completed the acquisition of the SmartPractice Dental Supply Division.  

The acquisition was announced in February and Darby is planning to seamlessly integrate employees, customers and operations. The transition planning has been largely focused on ensuring an easy transition for SmartPractice customers. SmartPractice customers will now have access to the added benefits of Darby’s distribution network, extended product lines, capital equipment, technology services and equipment service. 

With this acquisition, Darby doubles its West Coast footprint and has expanded those operations to include customer service, purchasing and accounting. Darby recently completed an expansion and build-out of its Chandler, Arizona, office to accommodate the added functions. The SmartPractice dental sales and management teams will join Darby’s Arizona team as well to provide convenient access and hours for customers across the country. Darby also recently expanded and upgraded its Reno and Memphis distribution centers.

Kool Smiles Serves More Than 550 Children on Sharing Smiles Day
More than 550 children in 13 states and the District of Columbia received free dental care during Kool Smiles’ Sharing Smiles Day on May 20. Volunteer doctors and staff from 49 Kool Smiles offices participated in the event.

Now in its fourth year, Sharing Smiles Day is an annual volunteer event from Kool Smiles that provides free dental care to children who are uninsured or underinsured. Nationwide, more than 2,100 children have been served by the free care day since 2015.

Free dental treatments included dental exams, emergency care, extractions, fillings and sealants. Treatments were provided on a first-come, first-served basis and treatments were determined by the dentists after consultation with the child’s parent. In Hattiesburg, Mississippi, the Kool Smiles team helped 20 families, including a family of five who recently fell on hard times when the father was laid off from his job.

Sharing Smiles Day is sponsored by the Benevis Foundation.