3M—whose essence is innovation—markets more than 60,000 products across 40 core technology platforms. Its offerings are so widespread that the average person uses up to 100 different 3M products each day.
It's also committed to developing groundbreaking materials for dentistry and its newest dental product innovations were introduced at the company's 2011 Media Tour in August.
The role of social media in the dental community was also a highlight of the meeting. Karen Sullivan, 3M ESPE's U.S. Marketing Communications Manager, noted that much of 3M's efforts are now heavily concentrated on e-business—it has a recently redesigned consumer-friendly website—and social media. In fact:
- 3M ESPE is the number one-followed dental manufacturer/supplier on Twitter.
- It boasts a 423% growth in viewed Facebook posts.
- There are over 33,000 views on 3M ESPE's YouTube channel.
- Keith Haig, Director of Marketing for 3M ESPE, continues to build upon his popular industry blog (3mespe.wordpress.com), which has received 9,700 views so far this year.
The two-day event included break-out sessions during which members of the press had a more intimate opportunity to learn about--and try using--the latest products such as RelyX™ Luting Plus Automix and Scotchbond™ Universal Adhesive. During the "Scan-ly-Cup" competition, members of the dental press competed to see which one could scan four teeth using the Lava™ Chairside Oral Scanner C.O.S. intraoral scanner the fastest.
Lava users can look forward to Lava™ Design Software 7, a new and powerful software platform that delivers greater design flexibility and customization capability. Now available, Lava Design 7 offers a full range of indications and exciting new features including parallel scan and design, rescan, and opposing arch and full arch scanning. Additionally, an integrated file transferring system makes it simple to transfer data within the Lava Network; data can be easily exchanged with Authorized Lava Design and Milling Centers, qualified partners working with a 3Shape or Dental Wings scanner, and several other partners.
Ranking as the most innovative company in the dental industry for the sixth consecutive year, according to The Anaheim Group's 2010 Dental Industry Review, 3M ESPE will be launching 15 new products in the next year. There's no limit to innovation and 3M ESPE is proving just that.
3M ESPE Assists Children in Need
3M ESPE has teamed up with the ADA's Give Kids a Smile program and Henry Schein Cares to educate children about the importance of oral health at several NASCAR events this year.
At an event held last March at the Charlotte Motor Speedway in North Carolina, more than 7,000 children received oral health education and free oral health kits. This month, volunteer dentists will return to the Charlotte Motor Speedway to provide free dental evaluations, fluoride treatments and dental sealants to 300 underserved children. During that day's race, NASCAR fans can cheer on Greg Biffle, the driver of the No. 16 3M Ford Fusion, whose car and uniform will sport the logos of Give Kids a Smile, 3M and Henry Schein Cares.
For more information on the Give Kids a Smile program, visit www.facebook.com/GiveKidsaSmile.
