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In Provicol QM Aesthetic, VOCO is now offering a zinc oxide cement of the latest generation combining the advantages of classic cements with outstanding aesthetics. An innovative glass matrix with polyhedral particles ensures outstanding translucency and promotes adhesive strength.
Thanks to its particular translucency, otherwise only achieved with a resin matrix, Provicol QM Aesthetic adapts to the surrounding tooth shade and matches the dentine perfectly: This allows the dentist to also achieve an excellent result for the patient when producing a temporary restoration. The indication range of Provicol QM Aesthetic covers temporary luting of provisional and permanent inlays, onlays, crowns and bridges as well as temporary sealing of small, single-surface cavities.
Provicol QM Aesthetic is characterised by its convenient flowability. The practical QM syringe guarantees reliable and precise working. The pinpoint stability of Provicol QM Aesthetic after application makes the process of luting very easy, and excess material can be removed completely and with precision either immediately or after curing. Removal of the restoration is also trouble-free. In addition, Provicol QM Aesthetic contains neither colophony nor – as is true of all members of the Provicol family – eugenol, thus scoring additional points for its universal material compatibility.
What is more, the newcomer also features all the other, familiar Provicol advantages: It is radiopaque and contains zinc oxide, which is renowned for its bacteriostatic effect, as well as calcium hydroxide, which promotes the development of tertiary dentine. In contrast to resin-based luting materials, Provicol QM Aesthetic does not show any polymerisation shrinkage. Nevertheless, it impresses with a very precise film thickness (7 µm), which enhances the accuracy of fit during incorporation and promotes retention.
VOCO – The Dentalists
The family-run dental company VOCO located in Cuxhaven is one of the leading manufacturers in the industry, both nationally and internationally. The product portfolio comprises more than 100 preparations, with a focus on preventive, restorative, prosthetic and digital dentistry. All products are manufactured at the headquarters and are therefore 100 percent "Made in Germany". 440 people are employed in the departments of research, production and administration in Germany. Another 400 employees are responsible for sales worldwide and take care of dentists and depots on site. VOCO relies on dental products of highest material quality and user-friendliness that meet the high demands of the market. Thanks to innovative solutions, the company, founded in 1981, often takes on pioneering roles and establishes new standards in the dental world. In addition, VOCO consistently pushes the digital dentistry and combines complex technologies with best user comfort.
As essential in every practice as forceps and drills: VOCO Profluorid Varnish (VPV). The popular fluoride-containing varnish for desensitising teeth is now also available in cola lime flavour – giving patients even more choice. The tang of cola combined with the fruitiness of lime appeals to a wide range of patients and is the perfect complement to the existing portfolio. In total, there are now six flavours available: melon, mint, cherry, caramel, bubble gum and cola lime.
VOCO Profluorid Varnish is ideal for the treatment of hypersensitive teeth and for sealing the dentinal tubules during cavity preparation or in cases of sensitive root surfaces. Treatment with VPV following cleaning and polishing is also a sensible precaution in order to refill any eroded calcium fluoride depots. The fluoride content is 22,600 ppm fluoride (≙ 5% sodium fluoride). In addition, the white-transparent varnish impresses with high moisture tolerance and excellent adhesion to dental hard tissue. Like all the other members of the VPV family, VOCO Profluorid Varnish cola lime is available in the practical SingleDose and the 10 ml tube.
It is a familiar situation: Time is in short supply and yet the dentist, dental technician and patient all want dentures which satisfy the highest requirements. CediTEC and V-Print dentbase are now being offered by VOCO as a system which unites denture bases, prosthetic teeth and luting materials. This means the entire prosthesis can be produced quickly and simply in just a few steps.
While CediTEC / DT provides the material for the prosthetic teeth as well as the luting material, the denture base is being launched on the market as dentbase, part of the V-Print range. The combination of milling and 3D printing technology not only simplifies the process but also offers the technician performing the work the option of reproducing the prosthesis at any time – and far quicker than with the classic method.
V-Print Try-In: Light-curing resin for the generative production of tryins for prosthetics
Functionality, accuracy of fit and visual aesthetics are the be-all and end-all when it comes to dentures. In order to achieve perfect results, VOCO is now offering V-Print Try-In, a 3D printing material for functional trial fitting of full and partial dentures.
This makes it possible to assess the fit, occlusion, functionality, phonation and aesthetics before production of a permanent denture, for example, and allows alterations to be made using wax or veneering material as required. V-Print Try-In can be printed in thick layers and thus ensures a swift and efficient process with accurate results. The production of transfer and grinding templates, correction impressions and occlusal impressions is also possible with V-Print Try-In.
V-Print Try-In will be available in the 1,000 g bottle as of Q2 2020.
V-Print dentbase: Light-curing resin for the generative production of denture bases for removable dentures
A perfectly fitting and aesthetically pleasing prosthesis is not only indispensable for optimal masticatory function and normal speech – it often also gives the patient a completely new quality of life.
The 3D printing material V-Print dentbase allows the production of maximally precise denture bases for removable dentures. Unlike conventional production, additive production does not involve shrinkage and patients and dentists alike benefit from an accurately fitting result. As a consequence, there are fewer pressure spots and fewer check-ups, relieving the burden on both the patient and the dentist. Furthermore, V-Print dentbase is also compatible with all conventionally available lining materials. The material's shade helps achieve a naturally aesthetic appearance. For further optimisation, the base can also be customised and characterised with composites.
V-Print dentbase is available in the 1,000 g bottle.
It is a familiar situation: Time is in short supply and yet the dentist, dental technician and patient all want dentures which satisfy the highest requirements. CediTEC and V-Print dentbase are now being offered by VOCO as a system which unites denture bases, prosthetic teeth and luting materials. This means the entire prosthesis can be produced quickly and simply in just a few steps.
CediTEC DT: CAD/CAM composite for prosthetic teeth
From individual prosthetic teeth to tooth sections right up to complete dental arches for removable dentures: CediTEC DT allows the quick and very precise production of customised prosthetic teeth using the CAD/CAM milling technique. The four shades A1, A2, A3 and BL, the additional option of customising the shade and the translucent colouring ensure appealing aesthetics. The innovative material can be polished effortlessly – delivering a natural sheen.
The already cured composite is offered as a disc with a diameter of 98 mm and a height of 20 mm and fits all universal disc holders of milling devices conventionally available on the market.
CediTEC: System for luting prosthetic teeth in denture bases
The prosthetic teeth luting system comprises CediTEC Adhesive and CediTEC Primer.
CediTEC Adhesive is mixed in the practical cartridge without mixing errors or air bubbles. Thanks to the convenient mixing tip, the product can be applied to the base directly from the cartridge using a dispenser. This means only as much material is mixed as is actually required.
The enclosed CediTEC Primer creates the bond between the base/tooth and the adhesive. It is poured onto a mixing tray directly from the dropper bottle and applied to the base and tooth with a brush. After an air-drying period of only 30 seconds, CediTEC Adhesive can be applied and the teeth inserted.
When used as a system together with V-Print dentbase it is therefore possible to produce high-quality dentures quickly and efficiently. However, CediTEC is of course also compatible with other systems currently available on the market.
Dear customers and partners,
The COVID-19 virus is controlling the whole world over weeks now. VOCO too, is facing new challenges every day. Our primary goal is and remains the health of our customers, partners and obviously of our employees as well as their relatives. We have introduced extensive measures to achieve the best possible protection here. At the same time, we are working intensively on maintaining the business without limitations and thus ensure the supply of goods for our customers and their patients.
In order to ensure both a high level of safety and to avoid interrupting business operations, we have implemented the following measure, et al.:
The production is currently running normally, so that you can order all materials as usual. The order processing continues with the same time and quality.
For questions please contact us. We are still here for you and happy to support you in this unusual and difficult situation.
With best regards from Cuxhaven.
Stay healthy!
Your VOCO team
From Cleopatra to Gollum to James Bond: Twelve dentists from Norway showed a lot of creativity in finding their nicknames during their visit of VOCO's headquarters. Their knowledge in the area of adhesive technology was also at the same level. The perfect application of bondings was the focus of the multi-hour training, during which the participants refined their skills with VOCO products in theory and practice.
The main task was to bond small composite cylinders to human teeth with Futurabond U. The special thing: a mobile measuring device was used to determine the required force to shear off the composite – an indication of the quality of the adhesive bond. The participants first created three samples without any information regarding the application. After detailed explanations, they created another three samples. The results were clear: the adhesion values tended to improve significantly. The best adhesion value was achieved by "James Bond" – since "nomen est omen"!
"We truly enjoyed our visit to VOCO and its facilities in December 2019. The Scientific programme, especially the main part involving shear bond strength testing, was educational and very good for discussions. It is nice to visit such modern dental companies such as VOCO, as it brings the collaboration between doctors/dentists and the industry closer together, so that we may reach our common goal of better dental treatment for patients", says dentist Dr. Martin Hoftvedt from Oslo.
The visit was complemented with a tour of premises and a varied supporting programme in Cuxhaven and the Hanseatic City of Hamburg.
It is and remains a beautiful tradition not only to give relatives and friends Christmas presents, but also to thank customers and business partners for a successful year with a gift in return. The dental company VOCO, located in Cuxhaven, this year decided to focus on sustainability instead of material gifts – and donated 20.000 Euros to the private aid organisation "Doctors Without Borders".
"At VOCO, we work daily on producing and developing high quality dental materials for patients worldwide. Therefore, it is an absolute matter of the heart for us to also support people in need, with no access to medical care due to war or crises", says Dr Axel Bernecker, Marketing director.
"We would like to thank VOCO for their donation. This valuable support makes it possible for us to help and save lives in around 70 countries worldwide", says Melanie Silbermann of "Doctors Without Borders".
Throughout the year, VOCO was also socially engaged to several projects internationally and locally: as part of "VOCO Dental Aid", numerous dental aid organisations received product packages to quickly help needy people in developing countries or crisis areas. Directly at the company location, VOCO again supported several facilities such as day care centres, schools, hospice groups or the "Tafel", a German volunteer based organisation who donates food to needy people.
The view from the 29th floor of the Millbank Towers in the noble district of Westminster in London was stunning. The tension in the air was also noticeable as the founder of SlowDentistry Dr Miguel Stanley held the first scientific lecture against the 15-minutes treatments of patients in dentistry in front of the international audience. It was the first, followed by five scientific lectures of international and well-known speakers. In the end, the speakers and the audience agreed: a full dental treatment within 15 minutes, as it is forced by several healthcare systems, cannot be the right way in modern dentistry. Treatments carried out under time and cost pressure affect the quality and have primary disadvantages for the patients. This evening the words "hygiene, rubber dam and education" were used remarkably often. The SlowDentistry Association seems to have hit the pulse of the times. The numbers of members is increasing rapidly according to the information of the managing director Nina Blaetter.
Dr Kai Klimek, who was there for the exclusive sponsor VOCO (Cuxhaven, Germany) and is a dentist himself, opened the event: "For the credibility of the SlowDentistry concept, the participating colleagues need high quality products. This, VOCO can and will provide", says Dr Klimek. In addition to the successful launch event, further international events are planned.
VOCO as a sponsor also has the exclusive possibility to offer his customers a free membership in the first year. According to the German manufacturer, the interest in the SlowDentistry concept is enormously high.
Our preparations for the clinical traineeship began in autumn 2018, almost a year before our departure. Due to factors such as organisation and local contact persons, security and the desire to travel to an African country and help there, we decided to go to Madagascar. In the following months there was a lot to do: Book flights, apply for a visa and travel allowance, vaccinate, collect donations, etc.
And then it finally started! We landed in the capital Antananarivo and were warmly welcomed by our contact person Sylvie and the two dentistry students from Vienna who were to accompany us in the coming weeks. After an overnight stay in the city we went to the DMG school in Miarinarivo the next day. Due to our short stay there, our main focus was on the treatment of children with toothache. The treatment of children was a challenge and an educational and beautiful experience for all of us. After a warm farewell we drove back to Antananarivo to fly south to Fort Dauphin/Tolagnaro the next day. At the airport our contact person Maria picked us up and took us to the Collège St. Vincentienne in Marillac. We set up our "dentist's office" in a detached building with the available equipment of Dental Volunteers as well as with the great support of Père Pierrot and the Fathers of the Lazarists. Here we treated in teams of two.
Our main tasks were fillings and extractions and beyond that also oral hygiene instructions. It was certainly an advantage that two team members spoke French very well and were able to communicate well with both the Fathers and partly with the patients. During our daily meals together, we asked a translator to help us improve our Malagasy knowledge, in addition to numerous practical things such as hand mirrors, pillows and electricity.
During our time at school in Marillac we also made two other experiences, which we will certainly remember very positively!
On the one hand, we spent three days in Manambaro, the home of Madame Fleur, whose name can be found more often in Dental Volunteers' assignments. With justification! She welcomed us with great pleasure, a lunch on the fire that was already simmering in front of her, a table set in her beautiful garden and proved her organizing talent with a multi-page list of patients and their coordination. Some of the patients had travelled from far away and were sitting lined up on school desks behind their house. Fleur called them up one after the other and also helped us with the translation. She speaks fluent English, French and Madagascan.
On the other hand, we organized a dental technology workshop, which was attended by a total of seven Malagasy dentists. After previous extraction therapy, we made a clasp prosthesis for a Tuk-Tuk driver for the treatment of the anterior and posterior gaps. The dentists were particularly interested in the workflow and polishing of the prosthesis.
After several weeks of treatment for grateful patients, we finally vacated our "dental practice" and our bedrooms. A little sad we said goodbye to all the friendly helpers who accompanied us during our time in Marillac. Afterwards we used our return trip to the capital to get to know Madagascar a little better.
We would like to thank everyone who supported us and our project with material donations. A big thank you goes to the VOCO company from Cuxhaven.
VOCO's specialists are constantly working on the development of new products to always offer the best possible solutions for the demanding field of dentistry. But how do researchers and developers get to know the needs of dentists so well? Quite simply - often from the dentists themselves. This is also the case with the new nano-hybrid composite GrandioSO Light Flow. Dr. Arne Kersting, a dentist from Cuxhaven, provided important impulses for this product. His wish: a composite that is extremely flowable and thus perfectly suited for areas that are difficult to access as well as small cavities. The result: GrandioSO Light Flow, a low-viscosity nano-hybrid composite for extremely delicate applications. In addition to its flow properties, the composite scores with a filler content of 76 % and with its high aesthetic standard. Of course, Dr. Kersting was the first to test GrandioSO Light Flow after product completion. VOCO says "thank you" for this great suggestion - and for the interview!
Everyone wants to be successful. So, when and how do we decide we're finally successful enough? If you're sick and tired of hearing at event after event how you can milk that little bit more out of your practice with "higher, further, faster" methods, then you can now breathe a sigh of relief: That's the last thing you can expect at the world's first SlowDentistry meeting on 23rd November 2019 in London. The Swiss organisation shows you how to deliver a podium performance in dental disciplines with the opposite of all that hectic clamouring for success. Improved standards, more time – one of the most sought-after opinion leaders of our time explains why that's the route that leads to dentistry of the highest calibre: Dr Miguel Stanley.
The Portuguese dentist runs the White Clinic in Lisbon, one of the country's most acclaimed dental facilities, which welcomes patients from all over Europe and even further afield. This kind of success is no coincidence and cannot be explained merely by a team of premium specialists and an outstanding range of modern instruments and equipment. There is another thing which also distinguishes Dr Miguel Stanley from many of his colleagues: his philosophy.
Unlike the majority, he is not interested in methods that save as much time and generate as much profit as possible. His aim is not to treat as many patients as possible in his practice on one day. Dr Stanley is one of the first proponents of the Slow Dentistry movement, which originated in Switzerland, where the eponymous organisation also has its headquarters.
Slow Dentistry doesn't leave anyone waiting – quite the contrary in fact. It delivers outstanding treatment quality, as the practitioner doesn't just take time for dental problems. He also has a whole range of secondary aspects on his radar: from practice workflows to the patient's general well-being. The four cornerstones of the Slow Dentistry concept are awareness of the patient's safety, understanding, well-being and comfort. It sounds like an easy goal to achieve, but it can truly revolutionise the way a practice is run – to both the patient's and dentist's satisfaction.
Dr Miguel Stanley knows from experience: "The majority of clinics are so focussed on patient satisfaction with regard to the whole picture that they often lose sight of the small details such as comprehensive disinfection between two treatments. However, it is fundamentally important to take time in this critical area in particular if you want to prevent cross-contaminations." There he mentions one of the essential aspects of Slow Dentistry, which challenges dentists to invest more time in each patient, focus more strongly on hygiene, ensure the patient can follow the treatment steps and take care of people's general well-being.
The results are excellence and satisfaction: "My patients decide intentionally to invest a little more as they know that we devote a great deal of attention to their overall well-being, not just their dental health," said Dr Stanley. And this is why he wants to share his experiences and the way to get there.
It is also why he is one of eight internationally renowned dentists speaking at the first Slow Dentistry meeting on 23rd November and demonstrating how the concept can be integrated into the workflows in any practice. Dr Stanley said, "I am very proud to be part of this network." You can find out more about how you, too, can become a part of it with the wealth of information available in the scope of the Slow Dentistry world première in London. We can already reveal: Be one of the first 200 dentists and receive a free membership for the first year. For this, register here or contact your VOCO sales representative.
World première: on 23rd November, eight internationally renowned dentists will be speaking at the first Slow Dentistry meeting in London, explaining what routes aside from conventional practice management can lead to successes even far beyond the established goals. Successes which are not achieved with hectic "higher, further, faster" methods, but by raising standards across the board. The patient and dentist alike benefit from improved safety, understanding and comfort.
Where do the products I use everyday actually come from and how do I use them perfectly? Detailed answers to these questions were given to 14 dentists and two employees from the Vilimekso depot directly at VOCO on the German North Sea coast. The focus was on Post Endo topics and products with Rebilda Post GT, VisCalor bulk and V-Posil. In addition to detailed explanations, visitors benefited in particular from the opportunity to use the products in the dummy room under professional guidance. An excursion to the island of Helgoland and a city tour in Bremen rounded off the visit before the group left the Hanseatic city for Lithuania on the third day.
Filling small cavities and the repair of defects are recurring tasks in the dental practice. The primary goal is minimally invasive treatment to minimise the loss of healthy tooth substance. For these precise applications, dentists require a highly flowable material which at the same time displays the familiar excellent physical properties and resilience of a packable restorative composite.
To meet this requirement, VOCO has now expanded the proven GrandioSO product range with a low-viscosity nano-hybrid composite – GrandioSO Light Flow. The new flowable composite is thin-flowing, precise and high-strength. Above all, the product's assets lie in the possibility of targeted and precise application with an extra fine cannula, which is even finer than a periodontal probe. This makes it possible to avoid generating excess residues and save on material.
In addition, the product also impresses with superb physical properties despite its excellent flowability. For example, with a filler content of 76% by weight and a 3-point flexural strength of 151 MPa, it effortlessly attains values similar to those of a packable composite.
GrandioSO Light Flow thus represents an optimal addition for delicate and customised applications where top precision is key!
Long-term temporaries created reliably and rapidly using CAD/CAM
Looking for an aesthetic long-term temporary which delivers on its promises and can also be created quickly and easily? We offer the solution with Structur CAD, the composite for CAD/CAM-produced temporary restorations.
Structur CAD is a filled composite whose fillers ensure a high quality and thus a safe and reliable wearing period, in particular for long-term temporaries. As such, Structur CAD represents the latest generation of temporary restorations. This material class also offers a whole range of advantages for processing: Structur CAD has an outstanding edge stability after milling, in addition to which polishing is easy and takes next to no time. Its fluorescence is similar to that of natural teeth and contributes to the patient's feeling of well-being when wearing the temporary. CAD/CAM-produced temporary restorations are precise, easy to reproduce and can be customised in exactly the same way as permanent restorations. And to round off the working process, luting can also be done to suit your requirements exactly – either with temporary luting cement or usng an adhesive for longer wearing periods.
Structur CAD is available in shades A1, A2 and A3 as a size 40L block and as a disc with a thickness of 20 mm (diameter 98.4 mm).
The casting and pressing technique often forms the basis for the fabrication of dental restorations. Patient-specific restorations are created as one-off pieces in a whole range of detailed working steps in the dental laboratory. Conventional wax-up is a very time-intensive process during this procedure.
If the resulting cast or pressed object is defective, the dental technician's work is usually lost and the wax-up model of the restoration must be started from scratch.
Dental restorations can be designed to suit precise requirements using the CAD software. V-Print cast and 3D printing technology make it possible to fabricate burn-out objects which are precise and can be reproduced multiple times. This minimises the risk and time involved in case of a casting failure.
V-Print cast is a residue-free burning 3D printing material for the production of all types of objects for casting processes and pressed ceramics. Its high dimensional stability and edge stability allow reliable checking of the occlusion and of the lateral movements on the model. Even in the light-cured state, any necessary finishing can be carried out in a way which does not damage the instruments. Embedding is done with commercially available, phosphate-bonded bedding compounds. V-Print cast is suitable for conventional heating and for the speed casting method.
Like all V-Print printing materials, V-Print cast is also sedimentation-stable, thus allowing unsupervised overnight printing.
As a global player in, among others, the field of dental composites, VOCO has established a cooperation with ASIGA, Australian-based manufacturer of 3D printers. In fact, the material settings of VOCO's V-Print printing materials were recently tested, approved and made available for Asiga's Max UV 3D printer.
It's a win-win-win situation. ASIGA has gained a competent partner for materials, and VOCO in turn a specialist in additive manufacturing. All in all, the valid combination of 3D printers and 3D printing materials is a big plus for the user. Customers of VOCO and Asiga benefit from a wider choice and can thus act with flexibility in their daily business.
Exactly as intended by VOCO and Asiga.
The following VOCO V-Print printing materials are available for the Asiga MAX UV:
There is an ever-growing awareness of the importance of healthy and also attractive-looking teeth. Today, for many people, dental aesthetics are integral to a good quality of life. An increasing number of patients thus want non-visible, natural-looking high-end restorations, particularly in the anterior region. This trend goes hand-in-hand with a rise in demand for high-performance restoration materials. Such materials are not only expected to boast impressive physical properties but also, and in particular, outstanding handling. Amaris, which was presented by VOCO in 2007 at the IDS, is a composite with an innovative shade system which was specially developed for highly aesthetic restorations. This product ensures incredibly simple and convenient shade management for all users, whereby only a few shades are required. Amaris has won numerous awards, including from the renowned US testing institute, "The Dental Advisor", due, in particular, to its shade concept.
Together, dentine and enamel define the overall appearance of the tooth. The Amaris shade system is also based on this natural principle. The most varied forms, shades and surfaces can be modelled quickly using a two-layer technique requiring just a base shade (Opaque) and an enamel shade (Translucent). Compared to other systems with more than 20 or, indeed, 30 shades, the Amaris system is made up of just 11 shades: Six base shades (O1, O2, O3, O4, O5, O Bleach), three enamel shades (Neutral, TN; Light, TL; Dark, TD) and two individual shades (Amaris Flow High Translucent, HT; Amaris Flow High Opaque, HO). The base and enamel shades can be combined in a variety of ways and thus ensure a high degree of flexibility when producing shades. The optional individual shades, Amaris Flow HT (High Translucent) and Amaris Flow HO (High Opaque), also allow further individual structures and special accents to be realised. HT is ideal, for example, for creating highly translucent incisal edges and HO for covering discoloured areas.
The core is firstly built up using an opaque base shade. A covering layer of translucent enamel shade is then applied; with an optimal shade appearance, Amaris Translucent Neutral (TN) is used. If the shade appears to be too light, the covering layer is darkened using Amaris Translucent Dark (TD). If the shade appears too dark, Amaris Translucent Light (TL) is used. The final tooth shade can thus be achieved during layering; corrections, however, are still possible during restoration. To this end, any layers which were applied beforehand do not have to be removed. Despite their relative small number compared to other systems, the many possible combinations of the base and enamel shades included with this product enable the entire dentally relevant shade spectrum to be covered. This means that even the finest of nuances can be produced for successful restorations every time.
The developers of Amaris were committed to achieving the closest possible alignment to the natural tooth. Dr Reinhard Maletz, Head of the Research and Development Department notes: "The Amaris concept is based on natural layering and shading and not on pre-set industrial standards. With Amaris, seamless shade transitions and harmonious adaptation to the surrounding dental hard tissue can be realised. The interplay between opacity and translucence in restorations produced using Amaris is based on natural teeth and thus an outstanding degree of light dynamics and fluorescence is guaranteed. Consequently they cannot be distinguished from natural teeth."
Amaris also has excellent physical properties. The material has a high filler content (80% by weight) with just minimal polymerisation shrinkage (2.0% by volume). With its high surface hardness (99 MHV) and compressive strength (375 MPa), its great flexural strength (120 MPa) and diametral tensile strength (51 MPa) as well as its outstanding abrasion resistance (48 µm, 3-media abrasion) and low degree of water solubility (< 1 µg/mm3), Amaris is a guarantee for permanently stable restorations. Primarily conceived for the anterior region, thanks to its physical properties it is also suitable for the posterior region. Amaris can be used for a wide range of applications. The indications include aesthetic anterior region restorations of Classes III, IV and V, aesthetic posterior region restoration of Classes I, II and V, the reconstruction of traumatically damaged anterior teeth, direct and indirect composite veneers, the veneering of discoloured anterior teeth, form and shade corrections to improve aesthetics, the repair of highly aesthetic ceramic (e.g., facet repairs) as well as the splinting of anterior teeth.
In addition to its innovative shade system, Amaris also impresses with its optimal handling properties. The material has a non-sticky, silky consistency and can be easily adapted and sculpted. Amaris allows very thin layers to be applied and finished, which means that even the finest of incisal edges can be created. The ambient and surgical light resistance of up to five minutes provides sufficient time for working, however, depending on the shade and layer thickness, the curing times range between just ten and forty seconds. Given its intelligent material composition, Amaris can be easily polished which, in turn, means a great and durable shine is ensured. The material can be used universally with all dentine adhesives.
Amaris is available in a variety of commercial forms, e.g., in sets and refills with syringes and caps. VOCO offers an introductory set to allow consumers to get to know this intelligent shade system. This set features four caps in the opaque shades O1, O2, O3, O4, O5 and in the translucent shades Light (TL), Neutral (TN) and Dark (TD). The set additionally comprises two syringes with the individual shades HT and HO as well as the Amaris shade guide. Amaris can be ideally combined with Amaris Gingiva, the highly aesthetic restorative material in gingival shades. As such, perfect results can be achieved where red-white aesthetics are indicated.
A field report by Florian Schilling (University of Erlangen, Germany). Organization: "Zahnärzte helfen e.V."
"Just after having passed my examination und before starting a professional life, I decided to look beyond the dental doctrine and dental standards at Germany's university hospitals. Peru was my dream destination: On the one hand, due to its culture and way of living. On the other hand, due to reports about this project and association by fellow students, who had already experienced such an adventure during their studies. The decision was taken in favour of a project in Urubamba, in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. The German association 'Zahnärzte helfen e.V.' manages a dental project in Urubamba and there, cooperates with the Peruvian association 'Corazones Para Perú'. They offer medical assistance to needy children and also to adults in remote mountain villages. Further to my donation request to different dental companies, in the weeks before my departure, I received various dental materials and instruments suitable for using them during the mission in Peru.
After landing in Cusco, a city in the Peruvian Andes, which was the former capital of the Inca empire, I drove about one and a half hour to the town Urubamba, which would be my home base for the next three weeks. There, I lived in a shared accommodation together with three other dentists. The flat was situated upstairs in the house of a Peruvian female teacher, who took care of everything. As well as a Peruvian female dentist, employed by the association, who organizes a major part of the unscheduled campaigns and supports in case of communication difficulties. In addition, one is assisted by young people from Germany, who are doing their voluntary service and also have very good Spanish skills.
Every morning from Monday to Friday, we treated children aged between 6 and 12 years from the 'Collegio Ccotohuincho', a school in Urubamba. With the aid of former equipment from the German Armed Forces and donated goods from Germany, we carried out prophylaxis treatments, fillings and extractions. The children had to bring an 'authorization' signed by their parents to receive a treatment. Systematically, findings of all school grades were generated, and the most urgent cases were taken care of first.
Two afternoons a week, we drove to a children village of the association 'Corazones Para Perú' in Munaychay. There, we focused on prophylaxis. We explained the children how to do a proper oral hygiene with the available means. Another project of the association is in Chicon. There is a small health centre, which, however, has largely ceased its activities except for the dentist's chair.
On Tuesdays and Thursdays, a pickup truck started very early in the morning towards Huilloc, a mountain village located at an altitude of about 3,500 meters – the 'highest' place of treatment in the surroundings of Urubamba. Here, we were able to carry out root canal treatments due to X-ray equipment.
Sometimes, the association also organises unscheduled activities. After a two-hour drive to a small town, in which the Peruvian military had built supply tents at the central place, we were allowed to use one tent as an 'Odontologia'. Because there was a large number of patients and thus, one dentist chair was not enough, we had to extract teeth or make prophylaxis treatments on simple garden chairs. But the biggest problem was, that the power supply was only functioning for a limited time and often, the right instruments were not available or not yet prepared again. Hence, the range of treatments was narrowed down to mostly prophylaxis, filling therapy and extractions.
The majority of the children shows a desolate condition of the milk teeth respectively of the first permanent teeth, partly with fistula formation already. The causes are on the one hand the constant availability of sugar in the form of sweets and beverages. On the other hand, the fact that parents are either not able to or do not want to explain their children how to brush their teeth. Compared to Europe, Early Childhood Caries appears disproportionately frequent and more pronounced. The case is different for elderly inhabitants, especially in the remote mountain villages. This is probably due to the fact, that those got in contact with sugar-containing nutrition only at a very late stage.
On weekends, we had time for several excursions to the surrounding areas. We visited Puno at Lake Titicaca, the Uru Islands, the Bolivian coastal city of Copacabana, the Rainbow Mountain, the Salt ponds of Maras, the ruins of Ollantaytambo, the Old Town of Cusco, churches, temples, places and museums, Arequipa and, of course, Machu Picchu.
The cordiality and gratitude, with which I was received everywhere in Peru, mirrors the people's mentality. It was an honour for me to gain an insight into their culture and daily life. Since in the villages in the Andes, where never a tourist gets lost, one really gets to know Peru.
I thank VOCO GmbH for the generous support!"
Tanzania, the sixth most populous country in Africa is a prime tourist destination thanks in particular to the safari opportunities in the north. Mountains like Kilimanjaro also attract geologists year in, year out. However, Dr. Benita Kunze's two-week trip to Tanzania was neither for research purposes nor to explore the country as a tourist: The dentist, who runs her own practice near Leipzig, Germany, was offering support to a Tanzanian dental clinic built alongside a general health clinic and a number of other facilities by the "Africa Amini Alama" aid project in Momella (a settlement at the foot of the Mount Meru volcano).
In this and other remote regions of Tanzania, the people live with practically no access to dental treatment. This means that patients requiring treatment never get to see a dentist and simply have to put up with their pain and the consequences it has for their general health. In order to avoid this, Diana has been treating patients at the dental clinic in Momella since December 2016. "She is a very young African dentist," said Dr. Benita Kunze, going on to explain why she flew to her to offer her assistance: "Diana's training is far below European standards, so I taught her about the dental products I had brought with me and showed her how to use them." Dr. Kunze's luggage contained restorative materials above all. The two dentists practised the precise placement of fillings together, so as to put Diana in a position to be able to help the local population even better in the future.
Many people in Tanzania are very poor. Dental treatment is very expensive and dentures are practically unheard of. The only procedures performed are those aimed at relieving pain. The treatment offered by Diana in Momella is free of charge thanks to the efforts of the aid project.
Most people living in the region around Mount Meru suffer from severe dental fluorosis. The water they drink comes from a local source containing a high quantity of fluoride, the cause of which is the nearby dormant volcano. The high quantity of fluoride causes brown discolouration of their teeth and destruction of the enamel. The dentine is exposed and also becomes brown in colour. "Their jawbones are very hard, which is particularly noticeable during extractions. Their teeth, in contrast, are so fragile that they break like glass and don't move a millimetre in the bone. Together with Diana I extracted a lot of teeth, as root canal treatments are also not possible," said the German dentist.
Dr. Benita Kunze also treated lots of children in the remote Massai region of Madebe, where they attend the "Simba Vision" primary school. "We gave the children a check-up and treated their teeth. All the while, we were showered with gratitude – from the children and the adults alike. They truly were two weeks rich in experiences. Young girls who had already known so much suffering learned to trust and allowed themselves to be treated. Small children took me by the hand and simply thanked me."
The focus is now on preserving teeth by means of regular check-ups, raising awareness and regular training in the proper way to clean their teeth. As it is the most basic things which are needed most, every donation is welcome. "That's why I'd like to say a special thank you to VOCO both from me and on behalf of the aid organisation." Dr. Benita Kunze hopes to return to Tanzania next year. "My goal is to equip the children in the Massai school and at Simba Vision with toothbrushes, teach them how to care for their teeth and give them check-ups."
"We'd known for a long time that we didn't want to dive straight into our careers as soon as our exams were finished. We were far more interested in completing a clinical internship combining work with a holiday, developing our existing skills and helping people at the same time. We started planning our trip while we were still busy with our state examination. After careful consideration, we decided on the "Dentists for Africa" organisation in Kenya. The organisation sent us a whole host of helpful guidelines as well as the contact information for the Kenyan dentist working there, Sister Fabian.
When the time came, we set off for Frankfurt with what felt like a tonne of luggage in tow. Every gram of our 4x 23 kg suitcases and 2x 12 kg hand luggage was put to good use, most of it for donated materials. We would have liked to have taken all the donations with us, but unfortunately the airline wouldn't allow us to take any more free luggage. The donations we were forced to leave behind will be shipped to Kenya along with additional materials and equipment by Dentists for Africa.
Departing from Frankfurt, we flew to Amsterdam and then on to Nairobi before heading to Kisumu, where we were collected from the airport by Sister Lawrencia and Vincent the driver. After a long car ride, we finally reached our destination of Kisii and the Christamarianne Mission Hospital. The neighbouring guest house was to be home for us and two doctors for the next two weeks.
Sister Lawrencia was our point of contact, and we knew we could count on her at any time. She organises the central materials bank for Dentists for Africa in Kenya and is also responsible for the digitalisation of the medical files of patients with HIV. Thanks to the guidelines we had received, we were already aware of the high prevalence of HIV in the area and were equipped with double-glove systems, protective visors and face masks. The hospital also maintains a store of HIV post-exposure prophylaxis for emergencies.
Our workdays started at 9 a.m., we ate lunch around 1 p.m. and the dental clinic closed at 4 p.m. The treatment was performed in two rooms each equipped with a dentist's chair and good instruments. With the help of Davine, a trainee dental surgery assistant, Sister Fabian, Jeal and Tony, two dental health workers on a practical placement, Sharon and Dickson, two dental technicians, and the medical technician, Felix, we were well equipped to deal with all sorts of treatments.
In addition, there was a small dental laboratory for the production of dentures. The most commonly required procedures were extractions and fillings. We were also able to perform tooth cleaning with an ultrasonic scaler and root canal treatments with an x-ray machine; however, the power cuts made treatment more difficult now and again.
Dentists of Africa also frequently makes visits to schools, and we were fortunate enough to be allowed to join them on one trip. We spoke to around 300 pupils at Nyaura Primary School about the importance of dental health and gave them a check-up. Where necessary, we also treated some of them subsequently in the clinic. Generally, we discovered that most children had at most 1-2 teeth requiring treatment – we'd expected much worse! Many children told us that they didn't have a toothbrush and so Sister Fabian scheduled a follow-up visit to bring the children toothbrushes and toothpaste. The experience was truly one of a kind and the joy and gratitude of the children extremely touching.
All in all, the patients and routine were quite different from those we're accustomed to in Germany. It makes little sense to make appointments at specific times and so they only specify a date. However, the patients are all very patient and do not expect to be seen immediately. We noticed time and time again that hardly any Kenyans knew you should brush your teeth for three minutes at least twice a day.
We also had the opportunity to visit another dental clinic in Asumbi, which is home to the mother house of the Franciscan nuns. We spent a whole day there primarily treating girls from the nearby high school.
At another mobile deployment at the hospital in Marani, the patients sat on plastic chairs in a tent and had their teeth extracted one after another. They were mainly adults who couldn't afford treatment or live too far from the closest dental clinic.
In addition, we had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Schinkel, the founder of Dentists for Africa. He was there among other reasons for a weekend seminar focusing on optimising the situation in the area and better aligning the organisation's objectives with the reality. This gave us some insights into the students' experiences, wishes and difficulties.
In our free time, we explored the hospital compound with all its animals and vegetable patches. We visited the patient kitchen and bakery, where we found out lots about the preparation of Kenyan specialities. When Sister Lawrencia offered to organise a trip to the Kakamega rainforest, we also jumped at the chance. The rainforest and the Rondo Retreat Center are really worth a visit! The site itself is idyllically located right in the heart of the rainforest and is a perfect place to recharge your batteries.
On our 9-day safari, we visited the Masai Mara National Reserve, Lake Naivasha National Park, Amboseli National Park and Tsvao West National Park. Our journey finished up on the beach in Mombasa.
We had a truly unforgettable time in Kenya. The Kenyans are very open people and always treated us kindly. In particular, the sisters accepted us with open arms and took especially good care of us. The trip was very rewarding from both a personal and a professional perspective.
In total, of the 82 companies we contacted, 24 offered us a donation. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all our sponsors for their generous support, which has made not only us but also the people in Kenya very happy (in alphabetical order):
3M Deutschland GmbH, Bausch GmbH, Busch & Co. GmbH, Clinic & Job Dress GmbH, Colente Group, Dentsply Detrey GmbH, Anton Gerl GmbH, Golf Toys GmbH, E. Hahnenkratt GmbH, Kulzer GmbH, Horico Dental Hopf, Ringlab & Co. GmbH, Hu-Friedy Mfg. Co., Ivoclar Vivadent GmbH, Karl Hammacher GmbH, Komet Dental/Gebr. Brasseler GmbH & Co. KG, Kuraray Europe GmbH, M+W Dental GmbH, MaiMed GmbH, MPS Dental GmbH, Nordiska GmbH & Co.KG, Polydentia SA, Romesco Handelsges.m.b.H, VOCO GmbH."
Ethiopia, one of the poorest countries in the world, has barely any access to dental treatment. Outside of the capital, there are only around 50 qualified dentists for a population of 63 million people. One person who wants to help is Dutch dentist Frank Paternotte, who set off for the country in the north-east of Africa at the beginning of the year. The aim of his trip: four weeks of providing dental treatment to people in the small town of Dembi Dolo in the south-west of Ethiopia. Together with other colleagues, he participates in a dental aid project initiated by Rotary Doctors Nederland (RDN).
An empirical report by Frank Paternotte:
"A colleague and I are being hosted by the local Catholic mission and are allowed to stay in the Society of the Helpers of Mary convent. The staff help us with our work in the clinic, where we treat people suffering from toothache and trained members of the team remove plaque and calculus. If necessary, we also place fillings in children's teeth. Adults requiring fillings are treated by the dentist at the local hospital. Our most important task here, however, is prevention. We explain to the patients how they can keep their teeth healthy. Consequently, each workday begins with a member of the health centre staff talking to a packed waiting room about dentistry.
They also offer advice on a variety of topics in the remote regions in the heart of the country. We are always on hand to help and advise as necessary. In addition to offering treatment in the clinic, we also visit schools to educate the teachers and pupils.
Cleaning teeth with a twig
A typical day at work here is as follows: after greeting the team, we prepare the large treatment room. It's always hit and miss whether the electricity is working. Luckily, we always have a generator on hand. Then we visit the primary school with a nurse and our interpreter. Once there, we begin by washing our hands together with the teacher and her pupils before we start brushing our teeth. The main difference is that teeth here are brushed with a twig and fluoride-containing toothpaste. Proper toothbrushes are something of a rarity here, and those available are also too large for the children and too expensive. Addis Ababa University has displayed interest in this project and is planning to study the effect of brushing with a twig instead of a toothbrush.
As is there no running water at the school, we have connected up a 200 litre barrel with six taps, allowing the children to wash their hands with soap and water before cleaning their teeth. The barrel is filled by the kids who live on the other side of the river; They each bring a small jerrycan with three litres of water to school with them each day.
Back in the clinic there is already a whole horde of people in pain waiting for us. The treatment itself is exactly the same as at home. However, we have to be prepared to enter into lengthy discussions with the patients when we recommend having other diseased teeth extracted in addition to just the one which is currently causing the patient pain. We use a hand mirror to show the patient the fistula and rotten tooth. Using a large board, we then explain to the patient what has caused the "infected" tooth.
We reassure the patient that they will only have to pay for the tooth to be treated. Most of them then enter the waiting room with an anaesthetic and a little time to ponder their situation. During the treatment, some of the patients hold my hand tightly to ensure that I am extracting the correct tooth. We then advise them to come back for a check-up and, if necessary, further treatment and explain how to care for their teeth. In addition, we also inform them of the effects sweet foods and drinks have on their teeth.
When we treat crying children who are afraid of the anaesthetic, some people try to calm them with well-intended remarks. We often hear people saying "ma kuba" which means "it doesn't hurt". Then I have to interrupt the treatment and explain that they will actually feel the anaesthetic itself.
Catastrophic sets of teeth ruined by sugar and alcohol
Other patients that we treated included, for example, a girl with warts around her mouth that had been dabbed with nail varnish, a mother who came to have her teeth checked with her enchanting baby on her breast and a 12-year-old boy who had had an image of a dagger branded into his arm as a sign of belonging.
We treated a number of people with absolutely catastrophic sets of teeth, attacked and worn down by the regular consumption of khat (leaves of the khat plant, which have a stimulating effect when chewed and numb hunger pangs) combined with sugar and locally distilled alcohol. Many patients also presented with extremely worn teeth. The cause: they spend the whole day chewing cereal grains which still have grains of sand among them.
Our greatest challenge is now organising the project in such a way with the responsible people in the region that after three to five years they will be in a position to take it over and continue running it themselves. We are supported by two assistants who have completed a three-year course as dental therapists at Addis Ababa University. They are now learning simple dental treatments such as the administration of anaesthetic, extraction of teeth, placement of small fillings and education of patients.
We have intentionally involved national and local authorities in the project since the beginning with the hope that they will adopt an active role in it in the future.
All in all, I would have to say: it was a really intense few weeks. Once again, I was really impressed by the optimism, determination and the inventiveness of the local staff."
In August 2017, Dr. Annette Schoof-Hosemann set off for what would be her eighth dental aid mission in Bolivia, practically a routine occurrence now.
This time, she was accompanied by three dental students from the University of Giessen: Tobias Kleinert, Alexandra Krumb and Stephanie Kokoschka.
Together, the team headed for the first time to Santa Cruz de la Sierra, a metropolitan area with a population of more than one million. This was where their workplace for the next few weeks would be. A tiny, windowless room with old dental instruments no longer functioning properly in a paediatric clinic in the poorest neighbourhood of Santa Cruz: Los Lotes. Thanks to the financial support of the association dentists and friends, the room had recently been renovated and the equipment awakened from its Sleeping Beauty coma. It might not have been up to the usual standards in Germany, but with a little improvisation it was still possible to work satisfactorily.
There had been a large publicity campaign in Los Lotes, the result being that there were already long queues of patients awaiting them when the team arrived for its first day of free treatments. The three students were shocked by the desperate state of the patients' dentition, but for Dr. Annette Schoof-Hosemann, who was in Bolivia for the eighth time, it was practically a familiar sight. She quickly informed them that they would come across far, far worse dental situations. After all, toothbrushes aren't available to buy everywhere.
The team of four worked side-by-side together for a whole week in Santa Cruz: in 88 patients, they extracted 35 teeth and placed 75 fillings. After this exhausting but successful stay in Santa Cruz, the team continued on to Altiplano, at an altitude of almost 4,000 metres.
In La Paz, on the way to Lake Titicaca, the travellers stocked up on much-needed dental consumables for the practice in Challa such as gloves, face masks, disinfectants, painkillers and antibiotics. Of course, they couldn't not buy teeth-cleaning utensils for oral hygiene classes in the schools either: all told, space was found in the luggage for another 500 toothbrushes and tubes of toothpaste. After the shopping trip, the team travelled on approximately 140 km to Lake Titicaca and then took the ferry over to the tiny community of Challa. Whilst Santa Cruz is overrun by tropical heat and the hustle and bustle of a city numbering more than a million inhabitants, it's hard not to be overwhelmed by the impressive natural beauty everywhere on the island.
The team taught more than 500 children in two of the three schools in Challa and the even higher village of Yumani about the importance of proper daily oral hygiene. This involved explaining the causes of caries, distributing toothbrushes, cleaning teeth together and then fluoridizing with Voco Fluoridin N5.
As Dr. Annette Schoof-Hosemann has been visiting these schools regularly since 2013, it is the fifth time the pupils have been able to make the most of the preventative measures. They are always extremely happy to see the "doctora" and the team can hardly give out the teeth-cleaning instruments fast enough. Unfortunately, their teeth are still in an atrocious state. Hardly any patients are completely free from caries; in fact, many children and young adults have barely got a single healthy tooth left in their mouths. For the German students, this came as quite a shock. The fact that sparse, completely destroyed dentition is actually more the normal state of affairs for young people was a revelation that both shook and deeply affected them.
However, initial improvements are already being seen, especially with regard to the interest shown in having teeth checked and cleaned. In fact, the team was positively overrun by schoolchildren. However, to ensure they had the chance to get to the truly urgent cases – the extractions – the dentists came up with a cunning plan: a present from the rewards box. The prospect of a present from the box almost triggered a stampede among the children.
As the mission drew to a close, the team was able to report not only having performed the desired cleaning but also treated 88 patients successfully with fillings and extractions.
Dr. Annette Schoof-Hosemann is affectionately known on the island as la doctorita (= little doctor). After all the hard work, the patients' gratitude is a gift beyond measure for her and more than makes up for all the efforts involved.
VOCO supported this mission by donating various dental supplies including the restorative materials Grandio and Grandio Flow, the adhesive Futurabond DC and the calcium hydroxide preparation Calcicur. Interestingly, the most common tooth shade in Bolivia is A2.


text: FirEBallS Report post Posted March 4, 2009 Have any of you worked so very hard on making plans. Plans to make something very nice take place. You worked out every step. Did everything within your power to make it become reality. Your down to the very last step to make it all come together. But the last step has to be completed by someone else. Now you sit and wait. Your stress level is through the roof. You feel like everything is out of your control. You try to keep your mind on other thing like work, kids, the weather but it all comes back to the uncertainty of will it work out or not. It is now out of your hands were you do not like things to be!!! If I still was a drinker I think I would be at the bar Any suggestion? FireBalls Share this post Link to post Share on other sites

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Report: Top Prospect SS Fernando Tatis Jr. to be on Padres' Opening Day Roster
Padres top prospect Fernando Tatís Jr. will be on the club's Opening Day roster, according to The Athletic's Dennis Lin.
San Diego was expected to make the roster decision at the last possible moment ahead of Opening Day, when the Friars host the Giants at Petco Park on Thursday to start a four-game series.
While still waiting to hear where he'd start the season, Tatís told MLB.com on Monday that he felt confident in his ability to play at the major league level now.
"I feel like I'm ready," Tatís said. "I feel like I'm ready to go. I don't know. We'll see what it's going to be. I'm not saying everything is going to be 100% perfect right away. In this game, you learn every day and you just make adjustments."
In 55 plate appearances this spring, Tatís has posted a .265/.345/.490 slash line in major league camp with the Padres.
The 20-year-old shortstop is the son of former infielder Fernando Tatís, who played for 11 seasons in the major leagues. Tatís Jr. spent last season playing for the Double-A San Antonio Missions, hitting .286 with 16 home runs and 43 RBI in 88 games. He's the Friar's top prospect and No. 2 overall in baseball according to MLB Pipeline. SI's Jon Tayler profiled Tatís to share how the shortstop is ready to lead MLB's next generation.
The White Sox signed Tatís for $825,000 in July 2015 during the international signing period and later sent him to the Padres in a 2016 trade for pitcher James Shields.
All spring it was assumed Tatís wouldn't be on the Opening Day roster because of the Padres' desire to delay his big league service time for another year. Instead, San Diego will go against what other teams have done in recent seasons with their top prospects by calling up Tatís.
In 2015, the Cubs sent Kris Bryant to Triple A after major league spring training camp to control his service time before calling him up at the end of April. The Braves also started Ronald Acuna Jr. in the minors last season before promoting him in late April. Both players went on to win the National League Rookie of the Year award in their first seasons.
Last week, the Reds' No. 1 prospect Nick Senzel was cut from Cincinnati's major league roster. Senzel's agent called the move "a simply egregious case of service-time manipulation."


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The Wishing Well
- 2,99 €
- 2,99 €
Description de l'éditeur
This gripping novella set in Newford is a cautionary tale about Brenda Perry, who bears deep scars from the loss of her father. Poor body image and low self-esteem lead to the resurgence of Brenda's eating disorder and a collapse in the structure of her life. Ghosts, water spirits and wraiths all appear in this tale where there are no easy answers—only opportunities to live and fight another day.
"The Wishing Well" was first published by Axolotl Press, 1993. Copyright (c) 1993 by Charles de Lint.
Cover art by Kel Flowers (www.kelfae.com)
I can never recapture the feeling of first arriving in Newford and meeting the people and seeing the sights as a newcomer. However, part of the beauty of Newford is the sense that it has always been there, that de Lint is a reporter who occasionally files stories from a reality stranger and more beautiful than ours. De Lint also manages to keep each new Newford story fresh and captivating because he is so generous and loving in his depiction of the characters. Yes, there are a group of core characters whose stories recur most often, but a city like Newford has so many intriguing people in it, so many diverse stories to tell, so much pain and triumph to chronicle.
— Challenging Destiny
Charles de Lint is the modern master of urban fantasy. Folktale, myth, fairy tale, dreams, urban legend—all of it adds up to pure magic in de Lint's vivid, original world. No one does it better.
— Alice Hoffman
Charles de Lint writes like a magician. He draws out the strange inside our own world, weaving stories that feel more real than we are when we read them. He is, simply put, the best.
— Holly Black
De Lint is probably the finest contemporary author of fantasy
– Booklist, American Library Association
Unlike most fantasy writers who deal with battles between ultimate good and evil, de Lint concentrates on smaller, very personal conflicts. Perhaps this is what makes him accessible to the non-fantasy audience as well as the hard-core fans. Perhaps it's just damned fine writing.
– Quill & Quire
De Lint's evocative images, both ordinary and fantastic, jolt the imagination.
– Publishers Weekly
It is hard to imagine urban fantasy done with greater skill
– Booklist, American Library Association


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You are here
Bypass better banding for T2DM treatment
Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery resulted in the greatest average weight loss and appears to be the best treatment for T2DM compared to gastric banding and lifestyle intervention, according to a paper 'Surgical vs Medical Treatments for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus - A Randomized Clinical Trial' published in JAMA Surgery. The outcomes from this clinical trial also highlighted several challenges of completing a larger trial with patients with a BMI>30-40.
The investigators from the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center said that many questions remain unanswered about the role of bariatric surgery for people with T2DM, and they designed a randomised clinical trial to compare initial outcomes of bariatric surgery and a structured weight loss programme for treating T2DM in participants with grades I and II obesity.
This single centre trial recruited 69 participants (aged 25-55) with a BMI>30-40, 56 (81%) were women and average haemoglobin A1c level was 7.9%. Sixty one patients were assigned to and received Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (n=20), laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (n=21), and an intensive lifestyle weight loss intervention (n=20).
Primary outcomes in the intention-to-treat cohort were feasibility and effectiveness measured by weight loss and improvements in glycaemic control.
At 12 months, bypass participants had the greatest mean weight loss from baseline (27.0%; 95% CI, 30.8-23.3) compared with banding (17.3%; 95% CI, 21.1-13.5) and the lifestyle group (10.2%; 95% CI, 14.8-5.61) (p< 0.001).
Partial and complete remission of T2DM were 50% and 17%, respectively, in the bypass group and 27% and 23%, respectively, in the banding group (p<0.001 and p=0.047 between groups for partial and complete remission), with no remission in the lifestyle group.
Significant reductions in use of anti-diabetics occurred in both surgical groups. The mortality rate was zero and there were three serious adverse events included one ulcer treated medically in the bypass group and two rehospitalisations for dehydration in the banding group.
"This study highlights several potential challenges to successfully completing a larger randomised control trial for treatment of T2DM and obesity in patients with a BMI of 30 to 40, including the difficulties associated with recruiting and randomizing patients to surgical vs. nonsurgical interventions," conclude the authors from the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. "Preliminary results show that RYGB was the most effective treatment, followed by LAGB for weight loss and T2DM outcomes at one year."


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Icelands Energy Policy Finding The Right Path Forward Case Study Solution and Analysis
Icelands Energy Policy Finding The Right Path Forward Case Study Help is the biggest publishing company with a highest market share in the China's book retail market. CMP supplies a variety of services consisting of; gathering info, processing info and communication services. Significant organisation sectors of the company consist of; books, periodicals, consultancy and circulation. The business has a huge product portfolio and its significant products consist of books, regulars, online media, exhibits, research study reports and so on. Icelands Energy Policy Finding The Right Path Forward Case Study Analysis has actually become a specialized information service provider and a large thorough Science and Innovation publishing business through the combination of print media, audio-visual media and the network media.
Critical Problems
Although, Icelands Energy Policy Finding The Right Path Forward Case Study Solution has invested its 60 years journey smoothly, being a successful publishing house, nevertheless, the changing macro market patterns and forces bring particular obstacles to the publishing industry in general and CMP in particular. These aspects consist of;
• Entryway of the new publishing firms in the industry.
• Decreasing development of the publishing market.
• Market saturation.
• Introduction of digital publishing methods
• Enhancement of science and technology.
The transformation of the macro markets have raised numerous concerns to the management at CPM that what could be the future of CMP in this scenario? Do the long valuable experience, technical resources and the abilities of the business could be used to pursue the future development unceasingly? How could the business sustain its long term competitive position in future?
Situational Analysis
Internal Analysis
SWOT Analysis
Icelands Energy Policy Finding The Right Path Forward Case Study Help has particular strengths that can be made use of to minimize the dangers, conquer the weakness and avail the chances. Strengths of CMP are offered as follows;
• The long term experience of Icelands Energy Policy Finding The Right Path Forward Case Study Analysis in the publishing market i.e. 60 years enables the company to offer high quality products at a lower cost using its previous experiences.
• The technical resources and abilities produced by its effective journey supply a competitive advantage to CMP.
• Large item portfolioof CMP helps it to diversify its danger and supply high worth to its customers.
• Strong financial position allows the company to think about several advancement opportunities without any worry of raising fund externally.
Weak points
In addition to the strengths, the business has particular weak points which might increase restraints for the business in executing its development program. The weak points of Icelands Energy Policy Finding The Right Path Forward Case Study Solution are provided as follows;
• Despite of being a science and technology publishing company, the company still has conventional methods ofpublishing which are not suitable with the growing technological shift.
• CMP highly relies over the Chinese markets for its growth. It should propose particular expansion strategies to prevent its dependence over the Chinese markets to attain long term development.
The development of the publishing market is decreasing given that 2008, affecting Icelands Energy Policy Finding The Right Path Forward Case Study Solution as well, however the growth might be restored by availing particular chances provided in the market. The marketplace opportunities for CMP include;
• The company could also present Digital Publishing by using its long term technical experience and a strong consumer recognition in the market.
• CMP could think about an advancement program through the growth towards foreign markets in order to lower its dependence over Chinese markets by utilizing its huge funds.
The changing macro trends in the market and increasing competition in the publishing market has actually postured particular risks to Icelands Energy Policy Finding The Right Path Forward Case Study Help consisting of;( Gurel, 2017).
• Introduction of digital publishing i.e. virtual libraries might result in declining market share of Icelands Energy Policy Finding The Right Path Forward Case Study Solution due to the customer shift towards digital libraries.
• The presence of a great deal of rivals in the publishing market increase the threat for CMP to lose its competitive position in the market, as rivals can gain a strong consumer base by utilizing specific methods like aggressive promo, quality products, etc.
• Entrance of brand-new publishing companies in the market together with presence of high competitors increases the threat of losing the client base.
Financial Analysis.
Due to lack of information, the monetary ratios of CMP might not be calculated. It could be analyzed from the Appendix III that the yearly total earnings of Icelands Energy Policy Finding The Right Path Forward Case Study Help throughout the period 2000-2012 are growing at a high development rate, revealing that the annual demand of the products of CMP is growing and the company is quite efficient in bring in a big number of customers at a possible cost.
In addition to it, the second chart which reveals the yearly development in the Icelands Energy Policy Finding The Right Path Forward Case Study Analysis total properties, reveals that the business is rather effective in adding value to its assets through its earnings. The development in properties shows that the total value of the firm is also increasing with increasing the overall incomes. (Unidentified, 2013).
Another monetary analysis of the business utilizing the provided information could be the analysis relating to the distribution of total incomes of the company. Huge part of the incomes of CMP originates from the sales of its published books i.e. 64% as shown in the Case Appendix V. The company could move towards other service segments with a possible development to accomplish its future development objective.
PESTEL Analysis
PESTEL analysis could be performed to learn the numerous external forces affecting the performance of the company and the recent patterns in the external environment of the business. A brief PESTEL analysis of the company is provided as follows; (Alanzi, 2018).
As the publishing sector could have a considerable impact on the state of mind of the people about the communist ideology of the federal government, for that reason, the publishing sector is highly supervised and directed by the Promotion Department of the Communist Party of China. For that reason, it could be stated that the total political forces affecting Icelands Energy Policy Finding The Right Path Forward Case Study Help service are high. The federal government policies concerning the publishing sector are likewise increasing with the passage of time.
Economic forces impacting the publishing sector in basic and the CMP in specific includesthe costs of paper, the income level of customers, the inflation rate, and the overall GDP development of the nation. All these forces integrate impact the demand for the publishing market.
Social and Demographical.
The consumer choices are shifting towards digital publishing rather than the traditional was of publishing. In this regard, CMP should focus on digital publishing to satisfy the altering customer choices.
Technological forces impacting the CMP include the technological improvement in the reading techniques etc. Enhancement of science and technology along with the rise of digital publishing might reduce the need for the CMP products, if certain actions would not be taken soon.
Environmental forces affecting Icelands Energy Policy Finding The Right Path Forward Case Study Help includes the concerns of ecological communities over the usage of paper in publishing books. The paper utilized in the books while publishing is required to be disposable and the ink used while publishing ought to not be damaging for the environment.
Legal policies for the publishing sector at whole are high. The legal regulations regarding the publishing sector is controlled by the General Administration of Press and Publication. Publishing Regulation 1997 requires the publishers to be authorized first by the Government to be gone into in the publishing market. The regulation prohibits direct participation of foreign entities and individuals in the publishing sector.
Industry Analysis (Porter's Five Forces Model).
Porter's Five Forces Design might be used to examine the appearance of the publishing market China. A quick analysis of the Porter's Five Forces is given as follows;.
Hazard of New Entrants.
Dangers of brand-new entrants in the Chinese Publishing Market is moderate. The possible development in the market tends to draw in new entrants to the publishing market. The existence of intense competition and the requirement of substantial capital tends to demotivate brand-new entrants to enter in the market.
Risk of Substitution.
Hazard of Substitution is high for the Chinese Publishing Industry. The alternative items for the released documents is the files provided in the virtual libraries on certain sites. The altering customer preferences towards digital learning increase the hazard of alternative for the market.
Competitive Rivalry.
Competitive rivalry in the publishing industry is high. The presence of large number of customers in the Chinese Publishing Industry like CIP, PTP and so on tends to produce high competitive competition for CMP. In addition to it, brand-new entrants are also entering into the marketplace increasing the competitors for CMP.
Bargaining Power of Supplier.
The major suppliers of the Icelands Energy Policy Finding The Right Path Forward Case Study Solution include the suppliers of the paper for releasing documents. As CMP is the biggest publisher in the Chinese Publishing Market, therefore the total bargaining power of provider for CMP is low.
Bargaining Power of Buyer.
Haggling power of purchaser in the publishing industry is high. Due to the existence of a a great deal of publishers in the Chinese market and the marketplace saturation, the buyers requires high quality files at competitive prices.
Rivals Analysis.
CMP runs in a highly competitive industry with the presence of large number of rivals. The business has a competitive position in the market with the highest market share in the Chinese publishing market. Significant rivals of Icelands Energy Policy Finding The Right Path Forward Case Study Help consist of;.
• Chemical Market Press (CIP).
• Posts and telecommunication Press (PTP).
Chemical Market Press (CIP).
CIP acts as a risk for CMP as it could wean its market share due to its long term competitive background. CIP is focused on digital publishing and might wean the market share of CMP quickly in the current market situation.
Posts and telecommunication Press (PTP).
It was likewise established in the exact same duration as Icelands Energy Policy Finding The Right Path Forward Case Study Solution and CIP. It is likewise one of the popular gamers in the publishing market with an annual total profits of RMB 550 million in 2010.
Alternative-1: Expand towards New Markets
• Reducing reliance over the Chinese markets.
• Increasing number of Consumers
• Growth opportunities.
• Avoiding the impact of market saturation in the Chinese publishing industry.
• Usage of prospective resources in expansion.
• Risk of failure in new markets.
• Time consuming.
Alernative-2: Introduce Digital Publishing
• Sustaining consumer base.
• Approaching new markets.
• Easy to introduce utilizing existing capabilities.
• Low threat of Failure.
• Low requirement for funds.
• Increased item portfolio provides high value to consumers.
• Competitors in the market by CIP, who has prior concentrate on the digital publishing.
• Shift of focus from the core business sections to the brand-new one can lead the company to lose demand of its items in the market.
With the deep analysis of the external and internal environment of the company along with the industry analysis and the competitor analysis, Alternative 2 is advised to CMP to achieve its future development. As the preferences are shifting towards digital publishing and the business require an immediate service to prevent the declining industry development. Intro of digital publishing could show to be an immediate solution with low amount of threat for the business. The business could likewise think about the growth program after the success of its digital publishing program.
In order to present digital publishing in its item portfolio, the company must initially collects the information related to the customer need, the potential markets, the government policies and the data related to the rivals provided in the market. After that, the company ought to decide one prospective section for its initial offering. It needs to collect research that how it could differentiate its digital publishing from the existing competitors' items. After all the steps above the company must choose the initial offering. The business must go for the other markets if the initial offering proves a success. In this way the business would have the ability to implement its digital publishing program.
The development of the publishing market is declining considering that 2008, showing a danger to the company's long term existence, but the situation can be controlled by considering an advancement strategy in the future. The business might think about presenting digital publishingin its existing market to implement its advancement program at immediate basis and to prevent the risk of failure for entrance in the new markets.


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Question 2: The authors say that the overall odds ratio for regular phone use was 0.94. What is an odds ratio?
The odds of a subject having a characteristic is the ratio of the number of such subjects with the characteristic to the number without the characteristic. The odds of being a mobile phone user is the number of mobile phone users divided by the number who do not use a mobile phone. The odds ratio is the odds of phone use for cases divided by the odds of phone use for controls.
For every non -user of mobile phones, there are 0.94 times as many mobile phone users among cases as there are among controls. Cases were slightly less likely to be mobile phone users than were controls.
Back to Exercise: Glioma and mobile phones.
To Clinical Biostatistics index.
To Martin Bland's M.Sc. index.
To Martin Bland's home page.
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Last updated: 31 Jul, 2006.
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RE/MAX All-Pro Presents Real Estate Tips from Investopedia
7 Smart Steps Every New Homeowner Should Take
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7 Smart Steps Every New Homeowner Should Take
Turning the key in a lock that no landlord has access to, reading in a hammock in your own backyard and painting your dining room bright red – what could be more exciting than making the leap from renter to first-time homeowner? Getting swept up in all the excitement is a wonderful feeling, but some first-time homeowners lose their heads and make mistakes that can jeopardize everything they've worked so hard to earn.
TUTORIAL: How To Buy Your First Home
Don't be one of those people; take a few moments to ponder these seven practical concerns that will help ensure that your first home becomes the place of luxury and financial freedom you've anticipated.
1. Don't Overspend on Furniture and Remodeling
You've just handed over a large portion of your life savings for a down payment, closing costs and moving expenses. Money is tight for most first-time homeowners – not only are their savings depleted, their monthly expenses are often higher as well, thanks to the new expenses that come with home ownership, such as water and trash bills, and extra insurance.
2. Don't Ignore Important Maintenance Items
One of the new expenses that accompanies home ownership is making repairs. There is no landlord to call if your roof is leaking or your toilet is clogged (on the plus side, there is also no rent increase notice taped to your door on a random Friday afternoon when you were looking forward to a nice weekend). While you should exercise restraint in purchasing the nonessentials, you shouldn't neglect any problem that puts you in danger or could get worse over time, turning a relatively small problem into a much larger and costlier one. (For tips on how to spot problems with a potential home before you buy it, see Do You Need A Home Inspector?)
3. Hire Qualified Contractors
Don't try to save money by making improvements and repairs yourself that you aren't qualified to make. This may seem to contradict the first point slightly, but it really doesn't. Your home is both the place where you live and an investment, and it deserves the same level of care and attention you would give to anything else you value highly. There's nothing wrong with painting the walls yourself, but if there's no wiring for an electric opener in your garage, don't cut a hole in the wall and start playing with copper. Hiring professionals to do work you don't know how to do is the best way to keep your home in top condition and avoid injuring – or even killing – yourself. (For tips on finding qualified workers, read The Better Business Bureau's Tool Belt For Saving Cash. For home improvement projects most homeowners can tackle themselves, read Do-It-Yourself Projects To Boost Home Value.)
4. Get Help with Your Tax Return
Even if you hate the thought of spending money on an accountant when you normally do your returns yourself, and even if you're already feeling broke from buying that house, hiring an accountant to make sure you complete your return correctly and maximize your refund is a good idea. Home ownership significantly changes most people's tax situations and the deductions they are eligible to claim. Just getting your taxes professionally done for one year can give you a template to use in future years if you want to continue doing your taxes yourself. (For more insight, see Crunch Numbers To Find The Ideal Accountant and Give Your Taxes Some Credit.)
5. Keep Receipts for Home Improvements
When you sell your home, you can use these costs to increase your home's basis, which can help you to maximize your tax-free earnings on the sale of your home. In 2008, you could have earned up to $250,000 tax free from the sale of your home if it was your primary residence and you had lived there for at least two of five years before you sold it. This assumes that you owned the home alone – if you owned it jointly with a spouse, you could each have gotten the $250,000 exemption. (To learn more about how having a spouse can affect your tax return, read The Tax Benefits Of Having A Spouse and Happily Married? File Separately!)
6. Don't Confuse a Repair with an Improvement
Unfortunately, not all home expenses are treated equally for the purpose of determining your home's basis. The IRS considers repairs to be part and parcel of home ownership -something that preserves the home's original value, but does not enhance its value. This may not always seem true. For example, if you bought a foreclosure and had to fix a lot of broken stuff, the home is obviously worth more after you fix those items, but the IRS doesn't care – you did get a discount on the purchase price because of those unmade repairs, after all. It's only improvements, like replacing the roof or adding central air conditioning, which will help decrease your future tax bill when you sell your home.
7. Get Properly Insured
Your mortgage lender requires you not only to purchase homeowners insurance, but also to purchase enough to fully replace the property in the event of a total loss. But that's not the only insurance coverage you need as a homeowner. If you share your home with anyone who relies on your income to help pay the mortgage, whether it's a girlfriend or a child, you'll need life insurance with that person named as a beneficiary so he or she won't lose the house if you die unexpectedly. Similarly, you'll want to have disability-income insurance to replace your income if you become so disabled that you can't work. (For ideas on how to save money on your home insurance, readInsurance Tips For Homeowners.)
Bottom Line
With the great freedom of owning your own home comes great responsibilities. You must manage your finances well enough to keep the home and maintain the home's condition well enough to protect your investment and keep your family safe. Don't let the excitement of being a new homeowner lead you to bad decisions or oversights that jeopardize your financial or physical security.
Amy Fontinelle is a financial journalist and editor for a variety of websites, public policy organizations, and book publishers. She has written hundreds of published articles and blog posts on topics including budgeting, credit management, real estate and investing. Her articles have been featured on the homepage of Yahoo! and on Yahoo! Finance, Forbes.com, SFGate.com and numerous local news websites.
Read more: http://www.investopedia.com/articles/mortgages-real-estate/09/new-homeowner-tips.asp#ixzz1T9Kf8Wwr
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Keny Terracciano named RE/MAX All-Pro CEO
LANCASTER – At the 20th anniversary of the RE/MAX All-Pro real-estate sales firm, Peter J. Terracciano announced the promotion of his son Keny Terracciano to president and chief executive officer.
Peter Terracciano, who has led RE/MAX All-Pro since taking over the company in 1991, said he will assume a supporting role in the firm's management, and shift his focus to the management and development of their escrow company, EscrowOne Inc.
"Keny and I have been planning this transition for a few years now as Keny has developed his own unique leadership style and a keen understanding of the technology and marketing evolution within the real estate marketplace," said Peter Terracciano, who had been the firm's broker-owner, president and CEO. "Not only has Keny distinguished himself as a top producing broker/Realtor he is an exceptional business executive with a deep understanding of real estate in the Antelope Valley."
Keny Terracciano, the firm's broker-manager for six years, has worked in the firm since earning his bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of San Diego in 2000. Keny Terracciano got his real estate license at age 18, went to work selling real estate with his father after graduating from college and obtained his broker's license in 2001.
He was inducted into the RE/MAX Hall of Fame at age 28.
"My vision is to provide our agents with tools, education, and resources to enhance their professional business and better assist their clients," Keny Terracciano said. "I am optimistic about our future and remain focused on creating value for our customers, agents, employees and the communities we serve."
An independently owned and operated franchise, RE/MAX All-Pro has been recognized by RIS media and Real Trends magazine as one of the Top 500 companies in the country and was named by the Los Angeles Business Journal as one of the top 25 real estate firms in Los Angeles County. RE/MAX is a global network of nearly 100,000 sales associates in more than 75 countries.
The Terraccianos said their company has succeeded because of the education and experience of their Realtor associates.
"I have no doubts that the next 20 years will be even better than the last," Peter Terracciano said.


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THE opposition last night criticised Finance Minister Brian Lenihan for sticking with his plan to buy loans from the banks at inflated prices.
They also criticised the revised bill to establish NAMA, saying the changes made did not go far enough to protect the taxpayer.
Once established, NAMA will purchase €90 billion of loans from the banks at a discount in a bid to cleanse their balance sheets of risky debt and return them to health.
The amended bill includes a new risk-sharing mechanism to ensure banks join the taxpayer in bearing the risk of potential losses on loans.
The bill will also make it a criminal offence to lobby NAMA.
In addition, it requires the State's spending watchdog, the Comptroller and Auditor General, to conduct a review of NAMA's progress every three years in addition to an annual review of the agency's accounts.
However, the Government has not changed its plan for NAMA to buy the loans at prices reflecting the long-term economic value, rather than the current market value, of the properties underpinning them.
Fine Gael finance spokesman Richard Bruton said this decision was a serious mistake. The NAMA plan was a flawed one and had failed in France, where a similar scheme in the 1990s lost €18bn, he said.
Mr Bruton dismissed the changes to the bill as cosmetic, saying it was nothing more than a "patched-up political deal" between Fianna Fáil and the Green Party to help the latter get through the weekend.
The Greens are holding a special conference on Saturday at which a number of members are expected to voice concerns about NAMA.
"Patching together a political deal to help the Greens get through a difficult weekend meeting is not the right approach to getting our banking solution right. Despite the attempts by the Green Party to talk up the changes, fundamental problems remain," he said.
Christening the revised bill "NAMA Nua", Labour finance spokeswoman Joan Burton said it did not contain a single material change in the crucial area of valuation.
"Fianna Fáil remains determined to empower NAMA to overpay for toxic bank loans. If they continue on this course, with the hapless Greens in tow, the burden on this generation of citizens and the next could be enormous," Ms Burton said.
Sinn Féin finance spokesman Arthur Morgan said the revised bill was simply "window-dressing" to help the Green leadership save face.
But Taoiseach Brian Cowen denied the changes were a "sop" to the Greens. "They are very much a part of a continuing improvement we are seeing in the legislation," he said.
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