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n Dedicated to the theme of “GC: Innovative. Restorative”, the dental manufacturer’s stand at IDS proved once again that GC never ceases to innovate, even in more “traditional” fields, such as prevention, restorative dentistry and prosthodontics. Among otherproducts,professionalpersonnel explained the new everStick product line’s features (everStick C&B, ever- Stick Perio, everStick Post, everStick Net and everStick Ortho), which allow to create various types of periodontal splints, root posts and bridges quickly and easily. Innovations were also pre- sentedwithFitCheckerAdvancedand FitCheckerAdvancedBlue,bothVinyl PolyEther materials in two transpar- ent colours for checking pressure spotsandthefitaccuracyofprosthetic works—for example aesthetic restora- tions such as crowns, bridges or metal based restorations and dentures. Another crowd puller was GC’s new Fuji IX GP EXTRA, an improved, self-curing, conventional glass iono- merfillingmaterial.Thankstoitsnext generation glass fillers, restorations made with GC Fuji IX GP EXTRA are said to offer a very high translucency, that hardly changes over time. Com- pared with Fuji IX GP FAST the new Fuji IX GP EXTRA glass ionomer ce- ment also releases three times more fluoride, the company said. According to the family-owned company, other products also attract- ed huge attention, such as the impres- sion material EXA’lence, which pro- vides dentists and dental technicians with a complete system that offers different viscosities and setting times. In the area of prevention the main focus was on Minimum Intervention (MI), a ground-breaking concept that comprisesproductslikeToothMousse and MI Paste Plus. In addition, Saliva- CheckBufferandtheTriPlaqueIDGel provide basic saliva diagnostics as well as impressive caries protection, GC said. A visit by Makoto Nakao Whenever the company’s interna- tional trade press conference is held, Makoto Nakao (Fig. 1), president and CEOoftheGCCorporation,donotmiss the opportunity to greet the audience and set the stage for the presenta- tions to follow. In his brief welcoming speech at this IDS, he pointed out the latest achievement of the company, which celebrated its 90th anniversary two years ago. He also provided an in- sight into the corporate philosophy “Semui”, an essential working prin- ciple of GC and important success factor, that, according to Nakao, com- bines selflessness, objectivity and great wisdom. Nakao mentioned that GC’s mis- sion as a dental company was to con- tribute significantly to the improve- ment of the quality of life all around the world, which is also linked to good oral health. The company distinct it- self through its effectiveness of its products and services as well as high standards in environmental protec- tion and sustainability, he said. Oper- ating on these principles, GC is now present in markets on five continents with manufacturing sites in Japan, Europe, USA and China. Soon, a site in India will join the group. The GC International Department is also going to open office in Switzer- land by April 2013 with the goal to establish a more centralised location. According to the company, not only all global operations will be launched from there but it will also be Nakaos future workplace. Henri Lenn, director of Global Businesses for GC Corporation in Japan since early 2012, presented the fruits of the philosophy, such as the third place among 500 companies in a 2010 Quality Management Rank- ing. In the same year, the “European Foundation for Quality Management” awarded GC Europe with the quality seal “Recognized for Excellence”, con- ferring top credentials and five stars. Lenn said that GC was also among the finalists of the current nominations. Despite difficult market condi- tions worldwide, the GC Corporation achieved distinctive growth again in 2012, according to Lenn. He said that in contrast to general market develop- ment, GC will be continuously extend- ingitsserviceandstrivetobeindirect contact with dental offices and labo- ratories. Customer focus through high profile and skill enhancement Eckhard Maedel (Fig. 2, page 8), Lenn’s successor as president of GC Europe, emphasised that the European market offers many oppor- tunities yet also presents a number of challenges. Owing to these chal- lenges, GC therefore developed its commitment to dental services in Europe far more stringently, he said. In addition, the company was re- sponding to the diversity of regional markets with separate branch offices in central European countries as well as service teams with experts from thespecialistdentalbusiness.Hesaid regionalism also plays a role at the GC Campus Meeting and Education Centre in Leuven, as this is where tai- loredadvancedtrainingprogrammes are provided for dentists and dental technicians in their local language. Frank Rosenbaum, General Man- ager of GC Germany, hosted the press conference, mentioning the broadly- based German “Aktion Volksmund” campaign, an initiative to provide information and education about the opportunities and possibilities of modern basic dental care for the pa- tients. Later on, interim findings and results of long-term clinical studies supported by internationally recog- nised experts in the fields of resto- rative dentistry, prosthodontics and dental materials were presented. Prof. Reiner Biffar (Fig. 3, page 8) from the University of Greifswald in Germany showed the results of a prospective,randomised,blindstudy, which investigated the question of the clinical performance of the two glass ionomer materials Fuji IX GP FAST und EQUIA Fil. The study was interesting, as practising dentists were involved as investigators for the first time, in order to be able to describe everyday care in dental practices. Based on Biffar’s presenta- tion, the data showed the restoration routine and even under these condi- tions and in compliance with the rec- ommended indications, no adverse behaviour by the latest generation of glass ionomer fillings is anticipated which means EQUIA* is a suitable material for basic dental care, that representsanalternativetoamalgam fillings and composite restorations for small single and double surface fillings in the appropriate treatment area. Frank Rosenbaum stressed that inter alia GC with its EQUIA product was “helping to ensure public health fund patients would not miss out on medical advances and that EQUIA is a scientifically backed filling alter- native”. Dr Lohbauer from the University of Erlangen in Germany reported on results obtained from tests as part of the development process for FujiCEM 2. Compared with FujiCEM Automix, FujiCEM 2 offers signifi- cantly increased flexibility with the same flexural strength. This pro- duces a more stable luting material, he said. Lohbauer also concluded that the newly developed self-adhe- sive luting cement G-CEM LinkAce showed superior adhesion to zirconia compared with similiar products on the market. news06 Show Review IDS Cologne 2013 AD GC Corporation innovates in Cologne Improvements and new products in the fields of prevention,restorative dentistry and prosthodontics presented * Suitableforthefollowingrestorations:ClassIrestora- tions, non-stress bearing Class II restorations, stress bearingClassIIrestorationswhenisthmusislessthan halfofintercuspaldistance,intermediaterestorative, Class V and root surface restorations, core build up. 5 Fig.1:GC“family”posingwithCEOMakotoNakao. ➟