Dental Tribune Online: Your slogan is “Bye, bye Biofilm”. Could you explain this shortly?
We chose this slogan because getting rid of biofilm is key in preventive dentistry. Biofilm is the cause of caries and periodontitis. Our “Bye, Bye Biofilm” slogan stresses the importance of professional prophylaxis.

All our other messages like “Save the tooth”, “Save the implant”, “Bye, Bye Biofilm”, “NO PAIN” or “I FEEL GOOD” describe exactly the business that we are in. Our new concepts enhance patient satisfaction which is important for running a modern and successful dental practice. With the AIR-FLOW and the new PLUS powder, the surface of the tooth can be completely removed of biofilm sub- and supragingivally without abrasion, The natural enamel prisms remain intact. There is no further need for polishing with a rubber cup and abrasive paste.

These new concepts are taught by the SWISS DENTAL ACADEMY, which offers a unique combination of theoretical learning and a hands-on experience that easy to use in daily dental practice.
What can visitors expect at your sponsor session this afternoon?
Karen Davis will talk about the integration of subgingival air polishing into clinical protocols for biofilm management during prophylaxis and periodontal maintenance. This ensures the most effective and efficient removal of biofilm. A review of the literature reveals that biofilm removal with devices using low abrasion is very effective.

EMS is the only company to manufacture the powders by itself, so the production is based on a lot of experience. Thirty years ago we started with sodium bicarbonates and then we continued with glycine powders. Now we have developed the Erythritol-based powder.

Wednesday’s opening ceremony impressively showed how much the congress has grown over time. How do you rate its impact in the dental world?
This congress has a high energy and a great vibe. I remember it well when we were making reservations for the speaker’s dinner at the Chateau Marmont in Geneva in 2000. Now EuroPerio is probably the most important congress in periodontics worldwide. It is great to see that it has developed this way.

What is your mission here at the EuroPerio8 conference?
We want to bring the message “Bye, Bye Biofilm” to all delegates. The biggest threats to natural teeth are caries and periodontitis, which both are caused by biofilm. Our mission is to give the dental professional the perfect tools to get rid of the biofilm pain-free. Bye, bye Biofilm, Good-Bye!

As a company committed to preventive care, what’s your vision for the future?
Periodontal disease continues to remain a big problem and we know from research that there are problems associated with it including heart disease and diabetes. Our company has a scientific approach, therefore we sponsor many clinical studies.

My hero is Dr Klaus-Dieter Bastendorf, a dentist from a small town in Germany, who practiced preventive dentistry for 40 years. He treated a group of 137 children age 6, twice a year, for 35 years and only lost four teeth. This is what I call preventive dentistry.

I wish there were more Dr Bastendorfs to represent our company slogan: “I FEEL GOOD”.