From company acquisitions to product launches, here are 16 dental supply chain updates from this year:
1. Dentsply Sirona integrated its scanners and dental impressions platform with 3Shape's software to connect dentists with labs.
2. In a poll of 1,390 dentists conducted by the American Dental Association Health Policy Institute, the majority of respondents said the price of surgical masks has at least doubled since the onset of the pandemic, and 47 percent said the cost of gloves has at least tripled.
3. Henry Schein One launched a phone system that integrates with three of its patient communication platforms for dental practices.
4. Nashville, Tenn.-based teledentistry company SmileDirectClub launched two water flossers.
5. Dental implant company Park Dental Research acquired Orchestrate 3D, an orthodontic 3D printing and software company.
6. Lakeville, Minn.based healthcare product manufacturer Caresfield acquired Chase Dental Supply in September.
7. Zest Dental Solutions partnered with Kingwood, Texas-based Smile Source to launch a line of tooth-whitening products.
8. Align Technology and Ultradent Products launched the first professional whitening system made for Invisalign aligners and Vivera retainers.
9. Dental insurance platform Bento partnered with health technology company Royal Philips to offer bundled dental benefits plans that include Royal Philips' oral care products.
10. Woodstock, Ga.-based Sonoma Pharmaceuticals launched an oral hygiene rinse, its second dental product in the U.S.
11. ClearCorrect announced in June that it had expedited the turnaround time for making its aligners to 10 days.
12. The California Office of Emergency Services authorized dentists to order personal protective equipment through its relief program established in July 2020 for physicians and medical groups.
13. In March, the Delta Dental Foundation created a $400,000 dental equipment fund to help Midwest safety-net dental clinics buy equipment amid the pandemic.
14. In January, Dentsply Sirona acquired Byte, a Los Angeles-based clear aligner company. In June, it also acquired Propel Orthodontics.
15. Dental supply company Benco Dental acquired ADI Mobile Health.