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International Synergy by Benjamin Lund

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by Benjamin Lund, Editor, Dentaltown Magazine

Well-known dental manufacturers Ultradent Products, Inc., and Triodent Corporation recently announced that Ultradent will be the exclusive distributor of Triodent products in the United States. Dentaltown Magazine recently interviewed Ultradent President and CEO Dr. Dan Fischer to learn more about this partnership.

Dr. Fischer, how did this partnership between Ultradent and Triodent first come about, and why?
Fischer: In 2011, Ultradent was approached by Triodent to consider exclusive distribution of its product line for the U.S. market. We had long known of the stellar reputation of Triodent products, so from the very beginning we looked very seriously at the opportunity. This opportunity represented the first time Ultradent has distributed a product that does not carry the Ultradent brand name, so the concept itself required careful consideration. Ultimately, we concluded that the Triodent brand and products embodied the kind of value that Ultradent wishes to bring to its customers and the products fit well with our vision of improving oral health globally.

What’s in it for both companies?
Fischer: I believe Triodent obtains a long-term partner that shares a similar philosophy of innovation and customer service. Triodent is able to tap into Ultradent’s sales team covering the U.S. market as well as our multi-faceted marketing activities that reach larger numbers of dentists than was previously possible for them. For Ultradent, we feel the Triodent product line fits naturally within our range of restorative materials. The quality and unique features found in Triodent products are synonymous with what our customers have come to expect from products we offer.

How does this affect current Ultradent and Triodent customers?
Fischer: The two companies share many customers, so from the perspective of those customers this partnership should represent a welcome consolidation. We are excited to introduce Triodent products to Ultradent customers who were previously unfamiliar with Triodent so that they can enjoy the unique benefits these products bring. We’ve gone to great lengths to ensure that all Triodent customers know that they can expect world-class customer service from Ultradent.

Will this affect pricing of certain lines?
Fischer: We believe Triodent has priced its products very much in keeping with the value and benefits that its products offer. Hence, we made it a priority to keep the same pricing structure in place.

What has the transition been like?
Fischer: Because our companies share similar values and goals and because we both have a singular focus on the customer, the transition has gone very smoothly. Needless to say, there have been many details to work through and we have done so within a very short timeline. We couldn’t have achieved our April 1, 2012, launch without absolutely amazing work ethic and dedication to the project from a large number of people at both organizations.

In what ways has this partnership affected operations?
Fischer: Our product development team has worked diligently to get close to 100 unique products into place and ready for a seamless transition. Our marketing team has addressed a comprehensive plan to get word of the partnership dispersed to the marketplace and to integrate the Triodent line into all aspects of marketing, including catalog, social media, advertising, trade shows, continuing education and the like. Our training department has stepped up very quickly to assure that our sales team is highly educated on the product line and can provide both existing and new Triodent customers with expert advice. The Triodent team has been there to help in this process every step of the way.

From your perspective, how are the companies alike?
Fischer: Both companies are privately held and have their roots in a family business. I feel that [Triodent Founder and CEO] Dr. Simon McDonald shares the drive to make a difference in the dental field by offering unique, progressive, high-value products. Both Dr. McDonald and I are dentists – which means that from a development standpoint, there is a direct connection with the reality of the needs of patients and dental professionals. As we’ve worked together over the past several months, it’s become clear that the caliber of employees – and it’s the employees that really make up a company – at both companies is very high. Both companies are fortunate to have caring, committed, hard working teams.

How do they differ (other than proximity)?
Fischer: There are more similarities than differences, however, Ultradent has been around a little longer than Triodent, which, for a market like the United States, means that we’ve been able to expand our direct business and develop strong relationships and trust with our customers. This is a big part of the value that Ultradent brings to the partnership with Triodent.

Is this partnership reciprocal (easing distribution of Ultradent products internationally)?
Fischer: Presently the relationship is limited to Ultradent distribution of the Triodent line in the U.S. market.

Any chance there will be any joint development of products between the companies?
Fischer: Both companies are known innovators. Both have produced trustworthy and progressive solutions for the dentists and their patients. It is too early to know for certain what the future might hold in this regard, but it seems totally plausible.

Are there any other partnerships Ultradent is looking into for the future?
Fischer: We are driven to improve oral health globally by providing progressive, trustworthy solutions to our customers. The vast majority of these solutions originate in our very own R&D department and are manufactured by us. Nonetheless, we keep an open mind to ideas and products that originate outside of our company. In the case of a logical fit that can bring benefit to dentists and patients, such as with Triodent, we give it very serious consideration.

Dr. Fischer, thank you for your time, and best of luck to Ultradent and Triodent on the new collaboration.
Dentaltown Magazine
September 2025
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