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
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
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
In the early days of the twentieth century, SS White ruled dentistry like a colossus. Well, that was then. In Incisal Edge dental lifestyle magazine, Benco Dental Chairman and Chief Customer Advocate Larry Cohen discusses this in an installment of Larry's Collection, a showcase of unique... CONTINUE READING
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
America's largest privately-owned dental distributor has a surprise in store for all who visit its home office situated in the rolling hills of Northeastern Pennsylvania. Neatly tucked amidst the Benco Dental CenterPoint East distribution center and office complex: a fine dental museum. The... CONTINUE READING
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
A: One strand at a time, according to Larry Cohen, who has over the past half-century Larry Cohen collected hundreds of unique dental artifacts, which reside at Benco Dental's home office in Pittston, Pennsylvania. Silk dental floss debuted in the late 1800s - saving people, at... CONTINUE READING
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
"I remember when this holiday used to be called Decoration Day. Whatever we call it, it is a solemn holiday. If you value your freedom and this great nation, thank a serviceman," said Benco Chairman and Chief Customer Advocate Larry Cohen Friday in his traditional holiday message to Benco... CONTINUE READING