Written on June 16th, 2016
FORT LEE, NEW JERSEY — June 13th, 2016 – Now in its eighth year, the Cellerant “Best of Class” Technology Award (formerly the Pride “Best of Class” Technology Award) continues to lead the profession’s evolving conversation about dental technology through its recognition and education around excellence in dental innovation. In 2016, The Green CT from Vatech America is one of those celebrated as “Best of Class.”
“To be honored as ‘Best of Class’ is a sign that a product has revolutionized, simplified or advanced its category in a distinctive way,” said Dr. Lou Shuman, “Best of Class” founder. “The manufacturers represented here are creating new norms for how dental practices should operate today and will in the future. Our foundation for success in bringing attention to these products remains a simple: technology leadership in dentistry, unbiased, a rigorous and transparent selection process, and not for profit.”
“Best of Class” honorees are chosen by a panel comprised of leading voices in dental technology, who come together each year to discuss, debate and decide what products merit recognition. All technology categories are considered, but if there is no clear differentiator that sets a product apart in its category, then no winner is selected. Panelists who receive consulting compensation from dental companies are prevented from voting in that company’s category. Over the years, the panel has developed a rapport that makes space for important conversations about value of different innovations and how evolving categories become more or less valuable to the general dentist. The spirited debate that follows results in a variety of products — obscure and well-known, basic and aspirational — being honored.
“One of the things I appreciate most about being part of the ‘Best of Class’ process is that it represents more than just a thought exercise on what technology should do or what seems cool. We are all dentists still active in clinical practice,” said panelist Dr. Marty Jablow. “When we decide that a product should be honored, it is because we see the value it brings to dentists and patients in a real-world context, and that matters to the dental professionals who use lists such as this one in their research and purchasing decisions.”
The panel consists of five dentists with significant knowledge of and experience in dental technology, including Dr. Shuman; Dr. Flucke, writer, speaker, and Technology Editor for Dental Products Report; Paul Feuerstein, DMD, writer, speaker and Technology Editor for Dentistry Today; Marty Jablow, DMD, technology writer and consultant for Dr. BiCuspid; and Parag Kachalia, DDS, Vice-Chair of Preclinical Education, Research and Technology, University of Pacific School of Dentistry.
“We are honored to receive this “Best of Class” Technology Award from such a distinguished panel of experts,” said Mr. Lou DeFilippo, Vice President of Sales from Vatech America. “We at Vatech are always striving to provide the highest quality product and experience to our users; receiving this honor is a testament to all of our efforts. We are incredibly grateful for the recognition and sincerely hope to innovate and manufacture additional “Best of Class” Technology Award-winning products in the future.”
Vatech is a leading provider of digital dental radiography products. As the US subsidiary of Vatech Inc., Vatech America is dedicated solely to innovative digital dental X-ray imaging technologies that aid dentists and ultimately help to improve the health of dental patients. The company is responsible for technological advances in recent years that offer every American dental practice, from small to large, endless possibilities to achieve higher standards.
Founded and led by CEO Dr. Lou Shuman, DMD, CAGS Cellerant provides strategic dental market insights, clinical expertise, implementation resources and support to accelerate growth for client dental companies. Cellerant services include new concept incubation, clinical product evaluation, product development, continuing education program development and CE sponsorship, strategic branding and marketing, online marketing, lead generation and dental media relations management. As an orthodontist and former owner of a 10-doctor multi-specialty private group practice Dr. Shuman guides clients to develop offerings that connect with and engage dental customers on a relationship level that provides sustained differentiation. Cellerant operates under a unique model that merges leading voices in clinical product evaluation and strategic partner companies to provide a menu of services from one easily accessible network.
The “Best of Class” Technology awards were launched in 2009 as a new concept to provide an unbiased, non-profit assessment of available technologies in the dental space. Through print and digital media coverage, the “Best of Class” message reaches the community of 150,000 dentists through multiple touch points—in print and online—educating them about the products. Honoree participation in the “Tech Expo” at the American Dental Association’s Annual Meeting offers face-to-face interaction with the companies as well as technology-centered education provided by members of the panel as well as the esteemed consultants of Pride Institute. Courses at last year’s 2015 meeting sold out. This year’s event will be held Oct. 20-23 in Denver, CO.
