Henry Schein, provider of healthcare products and services to office-based dental and medical practitioners, partnered with American College of Prosthodontists Education Foundation to develop a new curriculum that incorporates computer-aided designs and manufacturing technology into the dental school curriculum.
Here are five things to know:
1. Henry Schein commits $1.25 million to fund the ACP's program.
2. The curriculum titled, The ACPEF Digital Dentistry Curriculum, will be offered to dental students and practicing dentists through continuing education programs.
3. The ACP expects several dental schools to pilot the program in 2017.
4. Although CAD/CAM technology was introduced to the dental industry years ago, a mere 15 percent of dental practices in the United States utilize the technology.
5. The ACP stated the slow adoption may be attributed to a lack of available education and training on its applications and benefits.
"Digital dentistry is transforming patient experiences, as well as opening up incredible new pathways that support excellence, improved workflows, greater productivity and importantly, better care for our patients," said Lyndon Cooper, DDS, chair of the ACPEF.