Working Together for A Safer Practice: Q&A with Dave Sproat, CEO of Young Innovations
Q: How has the near-shutdown of the dental industry impacted Young Innovations?
A: Like many companies, we have been disrupted in this crisis, but as a company that’s been around for over 120 years, we are flexible and resilient. We’ve endured other challenges throughout our history and we will rise above this one. We manufacture many of today’s leading single-use items, which will now be more important. We have a robust infection control line, and a clinical team poised to educate and assist offices on the changing dynamics in infection prevention.
We’ve continued to manufacture products throughout this pandemic to meet the needs of our customers. I’m grateful for the control and flexibility we have as a manufacturer and proud of how our employees have responded during this difficult time.
Q: What changes do you expect in terms of demand once practices reopen?
A: I’m certain dental practices are eagerly anticipating a return to normal, and so are we. However, from a manufacturing perspective, we’re building product with an uncertain demand curve, so we’re putting greater effort around building stock for fast-moving items. We are ramping up production in those areas to ensure dentists have what they need, when they need it. We expect demand for PPE and infection control items to continue to be high. While the infection control guidance continues to evolve, we are ensuring our product portfolio is aligned with what the market will need. We also expect patient demand to be high for our specialty items, including implant accessories and orthodontic supplies. We are committed each and every day to manufacturing and sourcing the items that dental offices will need as they reopen.
Q: With the anticipation of an increased focus on a safe, clean practice, how can Young help dentists?
A: Over Young’s 120-year history, this business has evolved into multiple disciplines in dentistry, and that includes a fulsome infection control product line with leading brands such as Birex, OptiCide, Vacusol, and Defend. Recognizing the need to ensure offices are aware of infection control changes and know how to implement them, we intend to lead with education first. Our clinical team can help the dental office with education, implementation, and compliance, allowing dentists and their teams to practice with the confidence that they’re maintaining a healthy and safe environment. If we can work together with clinicians and provide the needed education to create a healthier and safer practice, we all win.
Q: Why is it important now, more than ever, to choose products from U.S. manufacturers?
A: We believe the value in being a U.S. manufacturer is an authentic supply chain that consistently delivers high-quality, high-value products. All of our facilities are ISO 13485:2016 certified, and our manufacturing sites are FDA registered, which means dental offices can rely on our products for quality and consistency.
We care deeply about what we do, what we make, and how we make it. Our employees are proud to represent a U.S. manufacturer and make products that have a positive impact on our nation’s overall health. Now more than ever, we need to rally around each other as a country. We’ll keep focusing on getting the product made to meet the need, and as dentists start opening back up again, we’ll be here to support the industry, just as we have been for over a century.