BIOLASE Joins OSAP in Fight for Safe and Infection-Free Oral Healthcare

Download as PDF

IRVINE, CA -- (Marketwired) -- 04/04/13 -- BIOLASE, Inc. (NASDAQ: BIOL), the world's leading dental laser manufacturer and distributor, announced today that the Organization for Safety, Asepsis and Prevention ("OSAP") has recently welcomed BIOLASE as a member of its prestigious Super Sponsor partnership.

OSAP's membership program unites a committed community of clinicians, educators, consultants, associations, policy makers, and companies; all who share OSAP's global vision of safe oral healthcare for people everywhere. OSAP's Super Sponsors represent the highest level of commitment to OSAP's mission and programs.

Federico Pignatelli, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "We are very pleased to join in OSAP's efforts as advocates for safe and infection-free dentistry. Cross-contamination in dental and medical practices is a very real threat. As an example, approximately 7,000 patients in Tulsa, Oklahoma, are currently being urged to be tested for hepatitis B and C and the human immunodeficiency virus, which causes AIDS, after a patient who had no known risk factors other than receiving dental treatment tested positive for hepatitis C. With its laser light energy, BIOLASE's revolutionary WaterLase and diode technologies can drastically reduce the risks of infection and cross contamination that may be associated with the use of traditional burs and root canal files."

"BIOLASE is highly dedicated to educating patients and the medical community on the advantages of its proprietary technology for reducing cross contamination and significantly improving the dental experience for the good of all patients," Pignatelli continued. "It is tragic that approximately 100,000 people die in the United States and 80,000 people die in Europe every year of infections contracted in hospitals, medical practices, and heath care facilities, particularly young children, the elderly, and persons with compromised immune systems that are more likely to get an infection. I believe it is paramount for leading dental and medical companies, such as Henry Schein, Inc. (NASDAQ: HSIC), Sirona Dental Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: SIRO), and the Patterson Companies, Inc. (NASDAQ: PDCO), to seriously commit to addressing this issue with maximum urgency."

Available to a limited number of companies, Super Sponsor status offers the most inclusive relationship with OSAP, allowing access to publications, meetings and other programs. Super Sponsors receive strategic partner recognition through premium placement in all materials and meetings, exclusive website recognition, an invitation to participate in OSAP Board meetings, and other valuable benefits.

"OSAP is the foremost authority in safe, infection-free oral healthcare and it is essential that BIOLASE, as the world leader in dental laser technology, join OSAP in the fight to ensure safe oral healthcare and infection prevention worldwide," said William Brown, VP of Sales and Marketing. "Our proprietary technology can greatly reduce the risks of cross contamination in dental operatories compared to traditional methods and, with our highly dedicated 200-plus employees and 22,000 dental lasers sold worldwide, access to the information, resources, and educational tools available through OSAP are immeasurable to BIOLASE."

About OSAP
The Organization for Safety, Asepsis and Prevention is the world's leading membership association exclusively dedicated to preventing disease transmission and ensuring the safe delivery of oral healthcare for all. As a non-profit organization, OSAP helps dental practitioners close the gap between policy and practice. Its members include dental and other healthcare professionals, consultants, researchers and non-governmental organizations, manufacturing and distribution companies, policy makers and academia. For more information, visit www.OSAP.org.

About BIOLASE, Inc.
BIOLASE, Inc. is a biomedical company that develops, manufactures and markets dental lasers and also distributes and markets dental imaging equipment; products that are focused on technologies that advance the practice of dentistry and medicine. The Company's laser products incorporate over 315 patented and patent-pending technologies designed to provide biologically clinically superior performance with less pain and faster recovery times. Its imaging products provide cutting-edge technology at competitive prices to deliver the best results for dentists and patients. BIOLASE's principal products are dental laser systems that perform a broad range of dental procedures, including cosmetic and complex surgical applications, and a full line of dental imaging equipment. BIOLASE has sold more than 22,000 lasers. Other products under development address ophthalmology and other medical and consumer markets.

For updates and information on WaterLase and laser dentistry, find BIOLASE online at www.biolase.com, Facebook at www.facebook.com/biolaseinc, Twitter at twitter.com/biolaseinc, and YouTube at www.youtube.com/biolasevideos. 

For further information, please contact:
Michael Porter
Porter, LeVay & Rose, Inc.
212-564-4700

Source: BIOLASE, Inc.

Released April 4, 2013