Henry Schein will become the exclusive global distributor of the Identafi Oral Cancer Screening Device according to a press release from the device’s manufacturer, DentalEZ Group’s StarDental Division. Identafi, a cordless unit that uses multi-spectral light to screen for oral lesions, will serve as a core component of Henry Schein Dental’s Total Health Beyond the Mouth program.
The move allows Henry Schein to make the device a key part of the Total Health Beyond the Mouth initiative which strives to help dental health professions integrate diagnostic screenings to help assess each patient’s oral health as well as oral conditions with possible impacts on overall health.
Read the full press release below.
New Relationship Reflects DentalEZ Group’s and Henry Schein’s shared commitment to early screening for oral cancer
Malvern, PA – DentalEZ® Group today announced that it has signed a letter of intent to make Henry Schein, Inc. the exclusive global distributor of the Identafi® Oral Cancer Screening Device, a product of the DentalEZ® Group’s StarDental® Division. Henry Schein is the world’s largest provider of health care products and services to office-based dental, medical and animal health practitioners. Identafi will become a core component of Henry Schein Dental’s Total Health™ Beyond The Mouth initiative.
The Identafi system is a small, cordless, handheld unit that is designed for use in the offices of dentists, specialists and general practitioners to screen for oral cancers and pre-cancers. Unlike other fluorescent technologies and dye systems, the multi-spectral device uses a three-wavelength optical illumination and visualization system that allows dental professionals to identify biochemical and morphological changes in cells of the mouth, throat, tongue and tonsils that are not visible to the naked eye. The Identafi Oral Cancer Screening Device received an Editor’s Choice award from The Dental Advisor, was named as one of the “Top 100 Products of 2012” by Dentistry Today, and was selected as the Gold Winner in the dental instruments, equipment and supplies category of the 2012 Medical Design Excellence Awards competition.
“We admire the active role that Henry Schein has taken to advocate for the early screening of oral cancer, as well as their proven ability to build market share for innovative products like the StarDental Identafi Oral Cancer Screening Device,” said Gordon Hagler, President and Chief Operating Officer of DentalEZ Group. “We look forward to the prospect of working with Henry Schein exclusively to advance this important public health issue and communicate the exceptional benefits of our system to dentists around the world.”
The Oral Cancer Foundation estimates that oral cancer kills one person every hour, every day in the United States, and the five-year mortality rate of oral cancer is higher than cervical cancer and prostate cancer. However, when oral cancer is detected early, patients have a 90 percent survival rate.
“The Identafi Oral Cancer Screening Device will be an exciting new addition to the industry leading solutions that we offer exclusively to our customers,” said Tim Sullivan, President of Henry Schein Dental.
“Henry Schein has been dedicated to the early detection of oral cancer for many years. We look forward to our new partnership with a renowned, worldwide dental company such as DentalEZ Group, and working together to expand our Total Health™ Beyond The Mouth initiative, which underscores our steadfast commitment to help our dental customers provide the best and most comprehensive care possible to patients,” added Mr. Sullivan.
Henry Schein Dental’s Total Health Beyond the Mouth initiative includes the Total Health Checklist, which, together with screening and diagnostics, assists dental professionals in assessing a patient’s oral health, its impact on their total health, and uncovering health problems.
Source: DentalEZ Group