PennWell Acquires Dental Continuing Education Business

Main Category: Dentistry
Article Date: 08 Aug 2006 - 0:00 PDT

email to a friend   printer friendly   view / write opinions   rate article

PennWell Corporation, a diversified global media and information company, announced today that it has acquired the publishing and continuing education business of the Academy of Dental Therapeutics and Stomatology and Odontos World Media from the Company's founder and president, Michael Florman, DDS. Financial terms of the sale were not disclosed.

Established in 1998 by Florman, an orthodontist based in Santa Monica, California, the Academy of Dental Therapeutics and Stomatology (ADTS) is a leading provider of continuing education publications and courses for the dental profession. ADTS is authorized by the American Dental Association to provide continuing education credits to dentists, hygienists, and dental assistants in the U.S.

ADTS publishes the Dental Continuing Education Digest, a peer-reviewed publication which offers dental clinicians high-quality continuing education credits through classes they can take at their convenience. The articles cover topics including cosmetics and restoratives, endodontics, infection control, orthodontics, periodontology, lasers, and hygiene, among others. ADTS maintains a library of tests, which clinicians can complete in print or online. ADTS also publishes monthly courses in dental publications including PennWell's Dental Economics and RDH.

Florman will remain involved in the business as a consultant to PennWell. Aldo Eagle, Florman's partner and Vice President of ADTS since 2004, will join PennWell as Sales Director of the business. Florman and Eagle will report to Lyle Hoyt, senior vice president of PennWell's Dental Group.

PennWell President and Chief Executive Office Robert F. Biolchini, said, "We were looking for the right opportunity to provide consistent continuing education services for our 175,000 readers across PennWell's dental properties and were pleased with the quality of ADTS's educational offerings that will marry well with PennWell's editorial standards." Biolchini added, "This is an exceptional fit and we are especially delighted that Michael Florman will continue to work with PennWell for the continued growth of the business and that Aldo Eagle will become a full-time member of PennWell's Dental team."

Hoyt noted that Florman has gained recognition in the dental profession for launching innovative continuing education products while also building two orthodontic practices in California. He added that Eagle also has extensive background in the dental industry, including prior careers with dental products manufacturers. "Both Michael Florman and Aldo Eagle understand the developments that are important to the careers of dental clinicians. They also bring the network of authors and trainers who can create continuing education courses that are compelling and topical for the dentists and hygienists who must meet certain educational requirements each year."

Florman noted his confidence in PennWell as the best home for the future growth of his business. "I am delighted to turn over the Academy of Dental Therapeutics and Odontos products to PennWell not only because of the resources and industry reach that PennWell offers, but also because of its reputation within the dental industry for editorial integrity and quality," he said. "More importantly, I look forward to working with PennWell on new launches and product development, including the resurrection of the popular Dental Therapeutic Digest." The Dental Therapeutic Digest is a reference text to commonly prescribed pharmaceutical products, medical emergency drugs and periodontal aids.

PennWell's Dental Group includes Dental Economics, the leading practice management magazine published monthly and serving 100,250 dentists and RDH (Registered Dental Hygienist), also published monthly for 66,500 dental hygienists. Other publications include Woman Dentist Journal, Dental Equipment & Materials, and Grand Rounds in Oral Systemic Medicine. PennWell also produces several conferences and seminars, including "RDH Under One Roof," the leading annual event offering training and networking for dental hygienists.

About PennWell

PennWell Corporation is a diversified business-to-business media and information company that provides quality content and integrated marketing solutions for the following industries: Oil and gas, electric power, water and wastewater, environmental, electronics, semiconductor, contamination control, optoelectronics, fiberoptics, enterprise storage, converting, nanotechnology, fire, emergency services and dental. Founded in 1910, PennWell publishes 75 print and online magazines and newsletters, conducts 60 conferences and exhibitions on six continents, and has an extensive offering of books, maps, web sites, research and database services. In addition to PennWell's headquarters in Tulsa, Oklahoma the Company has major offices in Nashua, New Hampshire, Houston, Texas, London, England, Campbell, California, Fairlawn, New Jersey, Moscow, Russia, and Hong Kong, China.

PennWell Corporation