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Larry Cohen

Copper Band Man

Larry Cohen • March 26, 2021

  Before the days of retraction cord, polyethers and polyvinyl siloxanes — and way, way before the days of CAD/CAM systems — the preferred technique for taking crown and bridge impressions was copper bands and compound. The Bakelite box here — the proverbial Forrest Gump–style box of... CONTINUE READING

Dental History

#fbf: A quick quiz from the Chairman

Larry Cohen •

Due to my advanced age and my semi-retired state, I am not that up to date on what’s happening lately in dentistry and/or dental distribution; however, I do believe,  I am well versed on the history of both.   And with that thought in mind, I ask you young and eager readers - - -... CONTINUE READING

Dental History

Intimidating dental artifact alert: Taylor Band Stretcher

Larry Cohen • March 14, 2021

When the Taylor Band Stretcher, shown at top, first appeared, it was mentioned by name in a paper by Dr. Herbert A. Pullen, who traveled all the way from Buffalo to San Francisco to present it on February 18, 1932. Other things that happened in 1932: Ford debuted the V8 engine and Radio City Music... CONTINUE READING

Dental History

Is tooth powder poised for a comeback?

Larry Cohen • January 20, 2021

If you've never heard of tooth powder, you’re hardly alone. Although it has been around for thousands of years, tooth powder has fallen out of favor over the last, oh, six or seven decades. It was the dentifrice of choice in our house when I was a kid—Dr. Lyon’s Tooth Powder, to be... CONTINUE READING

Dental History

The Mystery of the Trans-Illuminator

Larry Cohen • December 26, 2020

Before X-rays were standard, this innovation helped diagnose patients with blasts of white light. [caption id="attachment_35643" align="alignleft" width="214"] Larry Cohen, Benco Dental Chairman and Chief Customer Advocate, has over the past half-century collected hundreds of unique dental... CONTINUE READING

Dental History

Dentistry’s Kleenex?

Larry Cohen • December 11, 2020

It took over 60 years to develop the first CBCT. Sixty years after that, we're all still calling this breakthrough by its original name: Panorex. The technical term is "generic trademark," but it really ought to be called "the marketer's dream": It's when your brand name becomes synonymous... CONTINUE READING

Dental History

How did sit-down dentistry get its start?

Larry Cohen • December 2, 2020

The Weber P-64 played a key role in enabling dentists at long last, to take a load off and get comfortable. Ready for a dental history lesson from Larry Cohen? Benco Dental Chairman and Chief Customer Advocate has over the past half-century collected hundreds of unique dental artifacts which... CONTINUE READING

Dental History
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What the Depression, coal miners and dentures have in common might surprise you.

Larry Cohen • November 23, 2020

In the middle of the Depression, coal miners needed dentures ... and the Universal Dental Company needed a distributor. What you see here (shown) isn't my old stamp collection, or a portfolio of war medals. This is the Universal Dental Company's mold guide for Five­ Phase artificial porcelain... CONTINUE READING

Dental History
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On downtown days, loaded with special deliveries.

Larry Cohen • November 17, 2020

Before overnight shipping, dental distributors needed to base close to their customers – even right on top of them. Back in 1930 when my father, Ben, decided to open a dental supply “depot,” as they were called at the time, he rented one room on the fifth floor of  the largest office... CONTINUE READING

Dental History

Digging for Gold

Larry Cohen • November 8, 2020

[caption id="attachment_5315" align="alignleft" width="214"] Larry Cohen, Chairman and Chief Customer Advocate[/caption] When Art Deco design reigned in America, the humble waste can ruled the most stylish operatories. Waste receptacles  have always been a functional necessity in the dental... CONTINUE READING

Dental History
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