Non Profit Association Reflects on 10-Year Collaboration with Public-Private Partners to Provide Dental Students and Faculty with Access to Advanced Dental Technology
The Center for Research and Education in Technology, Inc. (CRET), a nonprofit association that promotes the introduction of member dental companies’ products, equipment and technologies to dental students and faculty, recently celebrated its 10 year anniversary during a special membership meeting and reception, entitled: “A Decade of Achievement.” The event brought together nearly 30 dental industry CRET members who championed CRET’s decade-long collaboration with dental schools to bring innovative products to dental students. Held on the eve of The American Dental Association’s Annual Meeting in San Antonio, Texas, the event also honored Mr. Carl Bretko, retired, but formally President of DentalEz, and Mr. Charles (Chuck) Cohen, Managing Partner, Benco Dental, Inc, for their vision and leadership to help CRET fulfill its goals.
The 10 year anniversary celebration also recognized two major milestones for the organization, including CRET’s Technology Centers at The Loma Linda University School of Dentistry’s Hugh Love Center for Research & Education in Technology and the University of Missouri Kansas City’s Dr. Charles Dunlap Innovation Center for Research and Education in Technology. The two private dental clinics and hands-on laboratories offer more than 200 dental students the latest in practice management experience, combined with the acquisition of clinical experience using products and equipment not found in the clinics of each dental school. Questionnaires from students who have treated patients in the Technology Centers have lauded the experience and expressed appreciation for opportunities to utilize products and equipment not provided in a traditional dental clinical experience.
“As we reflect on 10 years of achievements by CRET members, our members are most proud of providing dental students with the opportunity to try out products and equipment in the market place, but not in the dental school. Those who graduate with experience in Technology Centers are more than ready to enter private practice,” said Dr. Edward Rossomando, CRET’s founding director, and Professor at the University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine. “As the dental industry continues to become technology-driven, CRET members will continue to provide dental students and future oral health professionals with the latest in equipment and products as they become available in the market place.”
Throughout its 10 years, CRET has partnered with the following dental leaders: Henry Schein, Inc., KaVo, Centrix, Benco Dental, Premier Dental Products, Delta Dental of Wisconsin, Ivoclar, Patterson Dental, Sirona, DentalEZ Group, A-dec, Royal, Takara Belmont, Bien Air, Midmark, Heraeus Dental, GC America, Air Techniques, 3M ESPE Dental Division, Pulpdent, Keystone, DENTSPLY International, Hu-Friedy Mfg. Co., LLC, and Parker Instrument.
CRET invites dental companies interested in opportunities to introduce equipment and products into dental schools, to contact Dr. Rossomando at info@cretdental.org for information about the advantages of membership.
