Meet the Cuspies 2021 semifinal candidates

Dec 19, 2021

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Below is a list of the candidates for the 2021 Cuspies awards. The awards recognize the best and brightest in dentistry and celebrate excellence in 12 unique categories.

The Cuspies semifinal list is directly influenced by your nominations. This year's candidates represent some of the most notable people, institutions, products, and events in dentistry in the past year.

Through December 31, 2021, you can vote for the semifinal candidates you would like to see in the finalist round. An expert panel will then select the winners from among the finalists.

Most Influential Dentistry Educator

Dr. Aamna Nayyar -- Santa Fe Community College
Dr. Aditya Tadinada -- University of Connecticut
Dr. Alan Atlas -- University of Pennsylvania
Dr. David Harris -- Tufts University
Dr. Gordon Christensen -- University of Utah
Dr. Hsun-Liang (Albert) Chan -- University of Michigan
Dr. Joel White -- University of California, San Francisco
Dr. Juan Yepes -- Indiana University
Dr. Mary Anne Melo -- University of Maryland
Dr. Samuel Low -- University of Florida
Dr. Tiffany Wilson -- Meharry Medical College
Tom Viola -- New York University

Most Influential Hygiene Educator

Amber Auger -- Speaker
Danielle Rulli -- University of Michigan
Frances Soderling -- West Coast University
Jackie Singleton -- University of Louisville
Kyle Isaacs -- Speaker
Machell Hudson -- Speaker
Nancy Dewhirst -- West Coast University
Nicole Fortune -- Speaker
Rachel Wall -- Speaker
Valerie Dangler -- Speaker

Best Dentistry Training Program

Harvard University School of Dental Medicine
Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry
New York University College of Dentistry
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Dentistry
University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) School of Dentistry
University of Florida College of Dentistry
University of Maryland School of Dentistry
University of Michigan School of Dentistry
University of Sydney School of Dentistry
University of Washington School of Dentistry

Best Hygiene Training Program

Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Forsyth School of Dental Hygiene
New York University College of Dentistry
Ohio State University College of Dentistry
Santa Fe Community College Expanded Function Dental Auxiliary Program
Texas A&M University College of Dentistry
University of Michigan School of Dentistry
University of New Mexico School of Medicine
University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine
University of Southern California Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry
West Coast University Dental Hygiene Department

Best New Imaging Product

Aoralscan 3 -- Shining 3D
Clarity Aligners Flex + Force -- 3M Oral Care
CS 3800 intraoral scanner -- Carestream Dental
i700 intraoral scanner -- Medit
iTero Element 5D Plus series -- Align Technology
KeySplint Hard resins -- Keystone Industries
MouthWatch Plus+ HD intraoral camera -- MouthWatch
NXD200 3D printer -- Nexa3D
ProCure 2 postcuring system -- SprintRay
Quip clear aligners -- Quip
SensorX intraoral scanner -- Air Techniques
Sol LCD 3D printer -- Roland DGA's DGShape Americas

Best New Hygiene Product

Aero Wide Mouth HVE unit -- DOVE Dental Products
Aerosol Assist -- Aerosol Assist
Dentrix Voice Perio -- Henry Schein
Forest hands-free HVE holder -- DentalEZ
Gumline Cleaner -- Baz
Ivory ReLeaf Minis small-arch HVE tool -- Kulzer
Loupe Face Shield -- Ambience PPE
Mojave ventless dental vacuum system -- Air Techniques
MyPerioHealth app -- OraPharma
OroGenix oral hygiene rinse -- Sonoma Pharmaceuticals
ProMate CL cordless hygiene handpiece -- Pac-Dent
TheraStom professional use rinse -- Forward Science
Zen CP+ desensitizing gel -- DenMat

Best New Restorative Product

Aeras 400 Flex lightweight handpiece -- DentalEZ
Clearfil Majesty ES-2 Universal composite -- Kuraray Noritake
Enamelast flavor-free fluoride varnish -- Ultradent Products
FluoroCal fluoride and calcium-releasing varnish -- Bisco
Fusion anterior matrix system -- Garrison
G2-Bond Universal -- GC America
NobelProcera zirconia implant bridge -- Nobel Biocare, Doceram
Occlusinator Pro bur kit -- Strauss Diamond
RelyX Universal resin cement -- 3M
Renamel Bulkfill -- Cosmedent
VisCalor universal composite -- Voco
Zirlux Transitions zirconia restoration material -- Henry Schein's Zahn Dental laboratory

Best New or Updated Dental Software

AireO2 patient management software -- Vivos Therapeutics
Crown.AI feature update for fastdesign.io software -- Glidewell
Dentrix Voice Perio -- Henry Schein
DWindeX2 software for DWX milling machines -- Roland DGA's DGShape Americas
Grin Remote Consultation orthodontic teledentistry platform -- Grin
iTero Workflow 2.0 software -- Align Technology
Retrace platform -- Retrace AI
RevenueWell Phone -- RevenueWell
SillHa reporting software update for SillHa salivary screening -- Arkray USA
TeleDent teledentistry platform update -- MouthWatch
Unite platform -- 3Shape

Best New Consumer Product

Burstkids sonic toothbrush -- Burst Oral Care
Candid Pro clear aligners -- Candid
Crest Whitening Emulsions leave-on teeth whitening line -- Procter & Gamble
CO. by Colgate oral beauty collection -- Colgate-Palmolive
CS 12460 Velvet toothbrush -- Curaprox
Flaüs electric flosser -- Flaüs
Immunity Support Oral Spray Supplement -- TheraBreath
Oclean X Pro Elite electric toothbrush -- Oclean
OrVance Retainer Cleaner -- OrVance
Philips Sonicare Power Flosser -- Philips
Spotlight Oral Care Pregnancy Toothpaste -- Spotlight Oral Care of Galway
The Wunderbrush for Gums -- A+ Oral Hygiene

Most Significant News Event in Dentistry

ADA's CDT Code D1355 goes into effect
COVID-19 is more fatal in individuals with periodontitis
COVID-19 pandemic has major impact on hygienists workforce
COVID-19 vaccines may be causing orofacial reactions
Dr. Todd Ehrlich dies in motorcycle crash
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention releases infection control resource
U.S. Congress proposes adding dental benefits to Medicare
U.S. is enacting rule changes for dental assistants
U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration puts into place occupational protections for healthcare workers
World Health Organization lists fluoride toothpaste, SDF as essential medicines

Scientific Paper of the Year

"Anti-USAG-1 therapy for tooth regeneration through enhanced BMP signaling," Science Advances
"COVID-19 among dentists in the United States: A 6-month longitudinal report of cumulative prevalence and incidence," Journal of the American Dental Association
"Dental trainees' mental health and intention to leave their programs during the COVID-19 pandemic," Journal of the American Dental Association
"Effect of N95 filtering facepiece respirators on dental health professionals with an emphasis on pulmonary function and heart rate: An intrasubject comparison," British Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
"Employment Patterns of Dental Hygienists in the United States During the COVID-19 Pandemic," Journal of Dental Hygiene
"Estimation of x-ray radiation related cancers in US dental offices: Is it worth the risk?" Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, Oral Radiology
"Frequent and Persistent Salivary Gland Ectasia and Oral Disease After COVID-19," Journal of Dental Research
"Magnetic motion of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles- loaded dental adhesives: physicochemical/biological properties, and dentin bonding performance studied through the tooth pulpal pressure model," Acta Biomaterialia
"Povidone Iodine Mouthwash, Gargle, and Nasal Spray to Reduce Nasopharyngeal Viral Load in Patients With COVID-19," JAMA Otolaryngology -- Head & Neck Surgery
"Reapplication of the atraumatic extraction technique for removal of gingivally-retained deciduous teeth," AJO-DO Clinical Companion