Innovators
The genesis of Essential Dental Systems, Inc. has its roots in one simple question Barry and Allan asked each other: “How can we do this better?” Seeking to modernize their practice and make it easier and more effective, the doctors proceeded to invent devices that would enable them to do so. They developed products suited to their needs, first and foremost. In the spirit of both professional courtesy and commercial enterprise, they proceeded to share their inventions with the rest of the dental community. Essential Dental Systems, or EDS as it has come to be known by its employees and industry personnel alike, was the company they formed, thus enabling them to do this. Giving back to the profession has long been one of the prime directives of both men and EDS is one tool they have employed to accomplish this goal!

Notable
This innovation did not happen in a vacuum, though. In order to truly appreciate EDS’ place in the industry, one must step back and examine the backgrounds of the two doctors.

Barry’s father was himself a renowned dentist. The elder Dr. Musikant was part of the team that developed Permadent, the forerunner to Ceramco. He devoted much of his time and energy to perfecting the porcelain-fused-to-metal restoration. He also treated some of the celebrities of the day; Ava Gardner, Peter Lawford, Gypsy Rose Lee, Zero Mostel, John Garfield, and many others.

Barry decided to follow in his father’s footsteps and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania, School of Dental Medicine.

Allan was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. An inventor at a young age, he attended Brooklyn College, where he was recognized nationally for his fencing skills. Here he was able to join the Sigma Xi Research Society for his ability to grow viruses and his expertise with electronics. Upon receiving his DMD from Tufts University Dental School in 1973, he embarked upon his post-graduate work with an internship at French and Polyclinic Hospital. He then proceeded to study endodontics at Columbia University where he met Barry.

The garrulous Barry found the perfect partner in the research oriented Allan, and they soon found themselves volunteering at Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. The institute supplied their research facility in return for the clinical endodontics at the hospital. Here they began to put into motion their desire to “pay it forward” and give back to the community by teaching residents and other dentists what they knew. The philosophy was both sensible and grandiose: instead of imparting their knowledge and skills to only a few people at a time, they were able to help scores of dentists at one time and those dentists could then help untold multitudes of patients.

Savvy
Success in the laboratory and university, however, does not guarantee success in the business world. A strong corporate acumen and keen business savvy are essential for any company to succeed. Barry possessed these qualities in abundance and used them to start an endodontic practice from the ground up. Naturally, he asked his inventor friend, Dr. Deutsch, to join him in this endeavor. Allan gladly accepted.

It is also true that it is often not what you know, but rather who you know. The doctors clearly had the what covered. As luck would have it, the who would be covered as well!

Based on their contacts at Sloan Kettering and other learning facilities, the doctors were able to cultivate the social grapevine that existed in the dental community of New York City in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Seeking to meet other professionals and share their knowledge with colleagues, the doctors threw a series of parties where fellow practitioners could mingle, relax, and exchange information. Before long, the doctors would use the parties to discuss and demonstrate their new ideas and inventions. This social and professional networking enabled the practice to grow into the largest endodontic practice in Manhattan, eventually comprising a staff of 18 people. It also convinced them they could sell their new creations to the larger dental community. The best way to do this would be to form a company that would handle the manufacturing and sales of these products. A facility in the hamlet of South Hackensack, NJ, just six miles from Manhattan, was chosen, and Essential Dental Systems was born.

Pioneers
The doctors had the talent and now they needed the tools! Starting any company is a task that is nothing less than Herculean; starting one from the ground up is even more so. From its inception, EDS would be slightly different from other companies. Rather than having focus groups and marketing specialists convene with stockholders in stuffy boardrooms to debate how the company would be promoted, the doctors simply forged ahead and handled these details themselves. Their reputation and the excellence of the products would be the main weapon in their arsenal. Quality, not hype, would sell these products. But first, they had to decide just which products would be manufactured and sold!

Being endodontists, the natural place to start was in the formation and development of posts. Before long, they created the MDPost, its name bearing the initials of its creators. This would eventually pave the way for Flexi-Post. The first of their many patents, Flexi-Post was revolutionary in design but basic in assumption. It caused dentists the world over to collectively scratch their heads and wonder in unison, “Now why didn’t I think of that?” By splitting the shank on a parallel sided threaded post, the Flexi-Post was able to close upon insertion, virtually eliminating the major cause of root fracture. The Rosetta Stone of minimal stress and maximum retention was now there for all the dental world to see and partake in! The product continues to be one of the company’s most popular items to this day.

Inventors
Soon, other products were brought from the drawing board to dentists’ offices. Flexi-Post was followed by Flexi-Flange, Flexi-Flow, Ti-Core, EZ-Fill, SafeSiders, PulpOut Bur, and other products that have enhanced and simplified dental procedures the world over. Flexi-Post and Ti-Core, for example, are the leaders in post and core build-ups in the United States and Canada.

The accolades poured in and EDS was on its way to a dominant position in the industry. If one needs proof of this, they can see the 19 patents majestically adorning the walls of the EDS office in South Hackensack!

Just as parents become proud of their children, the doctors became particularly proud of their products, the ease and efficiency they brought to their fellow practitioners, and the comfort and relief they would bestow upon patients everywhere. SafeSiders brought a particular sense of pride to the doctors.

The SafeSiders System is nothing less than an endodontist’s dream! SafeSiders is a patented non-interrupted flat-sided shank reamer system. Made from high quality stainless steel, the SafeSiders allows canals to be shaped in two to seven minutes per canal from time of measurement without hand fatigue. It doubles the productivity of traditional endodontic techniques with a 90% reduction on a per-use basis cost than the rotary Ni-Ti systems. Dentists the world over have come to appreciate its value in terms of efficiency, ease, comfort, and price. Dentaltown is a wonderful example of the praise that the SafeSiders have engendered as a worthy alternative to both traditional and rotary Ni-Ti systems.

One need not confine themselves to such media, however. A conversation with any doctor who has used the system will merely echo what has been written in said journals and websites. Dr. Cam Christopher, DDS, a practitioner in Washington has proclaimed, “SafeSiders ROCK! Sincere thanks to Dr. Musikant for developing the SafeSiders system…I did three RCTs in one hour start to finish. I’m stoked with this system!” Dr. David Albertson, a DDS in Alaska attests, “Beautiful stuff man…I could look at endo all day if it was like that.” An area that once bore the marks of stagnation now effervesces with life, excitement, creativity, ease, and efficiency.

As strong as that praise is, however, it will be dwarfed come 2005 when EDS rolls out the accompanying reciprocating hand pieces. An already simplified process will be made even more so. The reciprocating hand piece removes the last objection a rotary Ni-Ti user might have, because hand fatigue is completely eliminated while resistance to separation is enhanced.

Researchers
It’s more than just dollars and cents for the two doctors. They are particularly proud of their well deserved reputations as researchers. The doctors have written and published more than 200 evidence-based articles in the leading domestic and international peer reviewed dental journals. A visit to the EDS Web site, www.edsdental.com, will reveal a treasure trove of abstracts of research material authored or co-authored by Doctors Deutsch and Musikant.

The doctors are also distinguished members of some of dentistry’s most august and prestigious bodies. Barry is a member of the American Association of Endodontists, Academy of General Dentistry, a fellow of the American Society of Dental Aesthetics, and a fellow of the American College of Dentists.

Allan is a member of the American Dental Association, the American Association of Endodontists, the Academy of General Dentistry, the Dental Society of New York, First District Dental Society, the Alpha Omega Dental Fraternity, the American Society of Lasers and Advanced Technologies in Dentistry, and of course, the Sigma Xi Research Society.

Educators
After all these triumphs, the doctors have not retired to some tropical locale to pat themselves on the back and count their money. The success of EDS has enabled the doctors to pursue their first love, the sharing and dissemination of knowledge with the rest of the dental community. The doctors are as proud of their roles as educators as they are of their duties as doctors and businessmen.

Their devotion to education caused Allan and Barry to realize that having a facility where they could indulge their love of continuing education and train fellow practitioners in the latest advances and techniques would be ideal. Barry’s philosophy behind this is simple. He believes that “actually using new instruments and experiencing new techniques has a far greater impact than just listening to someone talk about them.” In true pioneering fashion worthy of any “can do guy,” they have found a way to combine their vast knowledge of and experience with dentistry, their profound expertise as educators, and their keen business savvy, with the launching of Essential Dental Seminars, Hands On Dental Education Center.

The Hands-On Dental Education Center (HODEC), located at the South Hackensack facility, is outfitted with state-of-the-art equipment that will bring continuing education to a new level. Delving into such topics as Access, Instrumentation, Obturation, Posts, Core Build-Up Material, Overdenture, Equipment and Practice Building and Management in CE Approved courses, it will enable practitioners and dental professionals to partake in the experience and knowledge Barry and Allan have amassed these past four decades. The price of the lectures includes the instruments and materials Allan and Barry recommend. According to Barry, “This shows in a dramatic way that dentists can get a topnotch educational experience and all the tools they will need without having to make further payments for the instruments to perform the techniques they just learned. We want the knowledge and the instruments to be in your hands as soon as you complete these educational experiences.” Barry and Allan get to share their know-how and participants get tools and materials, in addition to CE credits, so they can apply “hands on” what they have learned in their own offices, saving time, money, and stress. Indeed, this is surely a win-win situation if there ever was one.

While some may want a hefty bank book or plaudits and praises as their legacy, Allan and Barry want their contributions to dental education to be theirs. HODEC will be the vessel that conveys this legacy to current and future generations of practitioners.

It is evident that Barry and Allan did not wait around for inspiration. They went after it, Jack London style, with a club; one comprised of equal parts intelligence, hard work, dedication, confidence, and, yes, fun! What others may have rejected as back and spirit breaking aggravation, they have embraced as a labor of love. Love of the craft of dentistry. Love of groundbreaking design and achievement in dental technology. Love of giving back to the dental community and the patients they serve. They have captured their inspiration and, in turn, have inspired others in the field. And that is the hallmark of any innovator!

For more information about EDS and its products, go online to www.edsdental.com or call 1-800-223-5394.