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8 Business DENTAL TRIBUNE Asia Pacific Edition SciCan merges with SycoTec, MICRO-MEGA New dental conglomerate announces to strengthen market presence in Asia Daniel Zimmermann DTI NEW YORK, USA/LEIPZIG, Germany: In one of the largest industry mergers this year, the Canadian-based manufacturer of infection-control products SciCan has announced its amalgamation with the German–French conglomerate SycoTec, MICRO-MEGA. With a combined workforce of 800 staff and offices in Canada, France, Switzerland and Germany, the new company will form one of the ten largest dental groups worldwide. The financial terms of the agreement have not been disclosed. Company officials said that the merger is not a buy-out and that all three companies will remain independent under one umbrella. Merger-related downsizing is not intended, but SciCan’s German office in Augsburg will be closed and its 25 employees relocated to the future company headquarters in Leutkirch/Allgäu in Germany. SycoTec, which specialises in dental drives and motors, bought the French manufacturer of root-canal instruments MICRO-MEGA in October last year. The former subsidiary of KaVo has been under pressure lately, owing to a decline in demand in local and international dental markets. According to an article in the newspaper Schwäbische Zeitung, orders in early 2009 decreased by 40 per cent, forcing the company to place almost two-thirds of its employees on short- time. SycoTec CEO Dr Martin Rickert confirmed that the merger would not only help to prevent lay-offs, products. “We now can offer dentists and doctors a ‘one-stop shop’, from instruments to motors to the entire reprocessing system,” he said. Both companies intend to make use of each other’s existing distribution networks in North America and Europe and strengthen their market presence in Asia. Dr Rickert, who will lead the new company with SciCan’s current Chairman Arthur Zwingenberger, added that most of the positions within the organisation will be filled with existing personnel to avoid unnecessary costs. Although the name for the new organisation is still under discussion, the merger is expected to become legally effective within the next few months, he said. DT SycoTec CEO Dr Martin Rickert (right) will lead the new conglomerate. (DTI/Photo courtesy of Oemus Media, Germany) but also promote further growth. The latest merger with SciCan is intended to complement the current offering of surgical and endodontic instruments with a full range of infection-control Medicom introduces Straumann goes fully digital at Midwinter Meeting next generation of Sierra Rendon DTA CHICAGO, USA/LEIPZIG, Germany: Straumann is advancing its position in the dental market as a provider of comprehensive digital implant and restorative solutions. At the Chicago Midwinter Meeting, which was held 25–27 February, the company revealed its new digital platform Straumann Digital Solutions. The new brand combines computer-guided surgery, intra-oral imaging and CAD/CAM pros- thetics under one umbrella. According to the company, it will first be available to dentists in the USA. In addition to the new system, a new CAD/CAM system, with a new scanner, was launched in Chicago. A number of new products and features, including veneers, inlays and onlays, will also be introduced to the market over the course of the year. Gilbert Achermann, President and CEO, commented: “Digitalisation will impact all aspects of dentistry as digital workflows supersede labour-intensive manual processes, enhancing interfaces, shortening treatment, reducing potential for error and improving quality assurance.” “Straumann is committed to bringing the new technologies to customers as part of an integrated array of flexible, reliable solutions that are designed to optimise workflows and enhance patient care,” he added. Straumann entered the field of computer-guided surgery in 2009 with the acquisition of IVS Solutions, a German company specialising in software applications for computer-guided surgery, including surgical template design and fabrication. In the same year, the company also signed a distribution agreement for iTero, an intra-oral scanning system made by US manufacturer Cadent. Straumann already has an CAD/CAM offering that includes scanners, software and a full range of prosthetics in modern bio-compatible, durable and aesthetic materials through its partnership with Ivoclar Vivadent. DT Nitrile gloves From news reports MT WOUDENBERG, The Netherlands: Allergic reactions have become a major health concern for both patients and healthcare workers who frequently use latex gloves. In addition, every time a healthcare worker takes off his or her examination gloves, washes their hands and then puts on another pair of gloves, they become predominantly vulnerable to dry, rough, irritated and cracked skin. Medicom SafeTouch Rejuvenate says to have found a so- Nitrile Plus (DTI/Photo courtesy of Medicom lution to both problems by Healthcare B.V., The Netherlands) introducing the SafeTouch fering excellent tear strength Rejuvenate Nitrile Plus to all maand puncture resistance. The jor markets. gloves are also fully textured to ensure enhanced grip in wet conThe SafeTouch Rejuvenate ditions. Improved ergonomics Nitrile Plus, which complements ‘latex like’ feel allows precise the company’s extensive medical fit and increased freedom of glove offering, is enriched with movement reducing hand falanolin, vitamin E to nourish, tigue, they added. DT moisturize, sooth the skin. According to Medicom, they are soft and durable while of- Straumann Digital Solutions (DTI/Photo courtesy of Straumann AG, Switzerland) (Edited by Daniel Zimmermann, DTI) GlaxoSmithKline removes zinc from denture creams Daniel Zimmermann DTI LEIPZIG, Germany: Owing to consumer reports alleging neurological complications with long-term use, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has announced that zinc will be removed from its denture cream brands worldwide. The British manufacturer also warned consumers of the potential health risks associated with longterm, excessive use of zinc-containing denture adhesives but said that these products remain safe to use as directed on the product label. Zinc was originally added to denture adhesives to improve adhesive strength. Recent studies, however, have demonstrated that excess amounts of the metal can accumulate over time, resulting in paralysis of some patients. Health experts recommend 8 milligrams of zinc per day for women and 11 milligrams for men. Denture creams contain up to 38 milligrams of zinc per gram. Dr Howard Marsh, Chief Medical Officer at GSK Consumer Healthcare, commented, “The safety of our consumers is our primary concern. We are taking this action because we have become aware of potential health problems associated with the long-term, excessive use of our zinc-containing denture adhesive products. These reports are rare, given that several million people worldwide are users of the products.” He said that patients who use denture creams on a daily basis should consult their doctor and switch to a zinc-free alternative. The use of too much adhesive might indicate ill-fitting dentures. GSK will effect transition to zinc-free versions of all affected variants worldwide up to April this year. The label zincfree will be clearly displayed on the new packaging, the company told Dental Tribune Asia Pacific. DT