ZURICH, Switzerland, Sept. 25, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- Nobel Biocare (Other OTC:NBCHF), the world leader in innovative esthetic dental solutions, and the Medical College of Georgia (MCG) School of Dentistry today announced a strategic collaboration to enable the college to further develop innovative educational and clinical research opportunities. The program is especially designed to develop and to introduce new treatment solutions already in the undergraduate programs.
"Nobel Biocare is determined and focused to secure that also undergraduate programs for dentists include newest treatment solutions like implants and all ceramic restorations. As the world leader, it is our duty to support educational institutions so that they can provide the best education for their students, ultimately for the benefit of the patient," said Heliane Canepa, President and CEO of Nobel Biocare. "To be able to secure future development, it is also necessary to support research, both clinical and basic research. "
The grant of USD 4.2 million is the largest one-time contribution to this dental school. It will be disbursed over five years supporting a variety of educational and research programs. Parts will be used in the school's new Comprehensive Care Clinic, which provides the community with comprehensive dental care by dental students at a reduced the cost. The clinic enables MCG dental students to learn how to deliver a broad spectrum of dental care under the direct supervision of licensed dentists.
"This generous educational grant from Nobel Biocare will enable us to make one of the most important curriculum changes in the history of the school," said Connie Drisko, Merritt professor and dean of the MCG School of Dentistry. "Our new five-year contract with this world-renowned company will move the school to a new level of excellence in research, education and patient care. Nobel Biocare was the first implant company in the world to bring innovative reconstructive products to the dental profession through its meticulous research and development. Because of its generosity, our students and residents will have access to the latest technology and cutting edge treatment for their patients, both now and in their future practices."
A special education grant of USD 2.0 million will be given to the MCG Visual and Instructional Design Group. During the last two years this group has developed interactive training programs to be used in pre-doctoral programs as well as in continuing education programs for dentists on implant and esthetic restorative solutions. These programs will be distributed to other dental schools. The program will be digitally based so it can be applied in web-based or other technologically advanced learning platforms.
Heliane Canepa said "This program will change the way to teach dental students today and in the future. MCG has specific knowledge in this area and we are very happy to also have cooperation in this area."
Another focus area is the continued research collaboration on bone inductive implants. This novel technology of making new bone directly at dental implant surfaces has the potential of widening the indications for dental implants and makes invasive and time consuming use of bone materials and grafting procedures redundant. Professor of Periodontics Dr. Ulf Wikesjo at MCG has been pioneering the research of bone morphogenetic proteins (rhBMP-2) and their role in improving bone regeneration.
"We are very proud to be the first company in our industry to exploit this promising research field, which will revolutionize dental implantology by providing painless, minimal-invasive solutions for patients suffering from insufficient bone quality or quantities," Heliane Canepa concluded.
Nobel Biocare Holding AG
Nobel Biocare is a medical devices group and the world leader in innovative esthetic dental solutions with its brands Branemark System(r), NobelSpeedy(tm), NobelReplace(tm), NobelPerfect(r), NobelDirect(r), Replace(r) Select, (dental implants) and Procera(r) (individualized dental prosthetics). Nobel Biocare is a one-stop shop for restorative esthetic dentistry, offering a wide range of innovative Crown & Bridge & Implant products, as well as training and education and clinically documented treatment concepts. Nobel Biocare has around 1,900 employees and recorded revenue of EUR 485 million in 2005. The Company is domiciled in Zurich, Switzerland with headquarters in Zurich and in Gothenburg, Sweden. Production takes place at four production sites located in Sweden and the USA. Nobel Biocare has direct sales organizations in 34 countries. The shares of the parent company Nobel Biocare Holding AG are listed on the SWX Swiss Exchange and on the Stockholm Stock Exchange, Sweden.
Training and education of dental professionals continues to be a key strategy of Nobel Biocare. To meet the growing patient demands, the change of current undergraduate education programs and the integration of dental implant therapy and esthetic dentistry is an important factor.
The mission of the Medical College of Georgia School of Dentistry is to educate dentists in order to improve overall health and to reduce the burden of illness in society through the discovery and application of knowledge that embraces craniofacial health and disease prevention.