ZURICH, Switzerland, Sept. 27, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- Nobel Biocare (Other OTC:NBCHF), the world leader in innovative esthetic dental solutions, yesterday awarded the Tufts University School of Dental Medicine (TUSDM) in Boston a contribution to further integrate implant therapy and esthetic dentistry into the School's pre- and postdoctoral dental education, and to fund an expansion of TUSDM's Implant Center.
"Our contribution to Tufts University is another important step in the execution of our strategy to support the integration of dental implant therapy and esthetic dentistry into undergraduate programs," said Heliane Canepa, President and CEO of Nobel Biocare. This collaboration comes as the most recent in a number of agreements with major universities all around the world. "We pursue this strategy with great determination and focus, making it possible for patients to obtain the best possible treatment solutions available."
Nobel Biocare has had a longtime relationship with TUSDM. This contribution of US$4 million will enable the School to further increase education and integration of implant dentistry as a restorative treatment option in undergraduate and graduate training.
The purpose of the contribution is to provide support to the educational programs in implant and esthetic dentistry at the School. Specifically, the funds will be used to:
-- More comprehensively integrate implant therapy and esthetic
dentistry, its role in implant planning and its use in the clinic
setting into didactic education and clinical training into
undergraduate and graduate training.
-- Develop and implement continuing education programs that will
increase the awareness of implant restoration as a treatment
option, and train practicing dentists in the use of dental implant
solutions.
-- Integrate implant and esthetic dentistry research into both bench
and clinical research endeavours.
-- Expand the Implant Center and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
operating facilities to accommodate the current and future demand
for implant placement and restoration and esthetic dentistry.
As the second largest dental school in the United States, by total enrollment, within the next five-year period, approximately 750 pre-doctoral students and 75 postdoctoral residents are expected to have experience in implantology and esthetic dentistry. This will have a significant impact on their ability to provide advanced restorative care to their patients.
"The real impact is not only implantology training for our dental students but raising the standard of care for patients served by the thousands of Tufts dentists nationally and internationally," said Lonnie Norris, DMD, MPH, dean of Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. "Our goal is to advance the caliber of dental care for patients served by past, present and future TUSDM students and graduates."
Heliane Canepa concluded: "Our collaboration with Tufts University is an investment in the future of implant and esthetic dentistry, making it easier for patients to obtain the best solutions to their dental problems."
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.